Back to School

Well as everyone knows (cause I haven't been keeping this a secret at all) I will be attending the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in the fall. Not only was I lucky to even get in at the last minute, but I got a hefty scholarship to boot. I can't believe how all of this came together and I'm still in shock that they liked my work so much.
I'm excited to be busy again. It's been a while since I've been working towards something this big. And I can't wait to have some kick ass art to show from it.

A Chicago Visit

My sister's visit to Chicago was quick but very lovely. When she got in on Friday evening, we went to a neighborhood restaurant and bar called Bad Apple. The drink menu is pages and pages long and they have one of the best veggie burgers I've ever had. For any Chicagoans out there, I highly recommend it.

On Saturday, we started our day with some caffeine at our favorite local coffee shop. Cafeneo had just hired new staff and took FOREVER to get a couple of lattes to us. But the one barista that had worked there awhile comped our drinks for the wait. Free coffee for a bit of a wait?...I say worth it! Later, we took a visit to a bridal boutique so my sister could try on some dresses for me to see. My amazing friend Emily will be making her dress as well as the bridesmaid dresses for the wedding, but just for fun, she tried on a few for me. It was a girly afternoon and I loved every minute of it!

Sunday was her departure day, but we managed to fit in brunch, shopping, and beer before she left. When we popped into Macy's on State Street, I discovered this delightful wooden airplane installation I thought I'd share. The pictures really don't do it justice, but I'm still quite taken with it.

Thank you so much for visiting me, Megan!

I'm now on a countdown to warm weather in Savannah. (Since it's still in the 40s here.)

...Although I did see this friendly little flower peeking up to say hello the other day.

I admire it's tenacity.

SPRING!

This past week in Chicago has been quite lovely and oh so warm. It gave me just a taste of what is to come for Spring and Summer.

Here are a few things this week that made me love to see the end of Winter:

Having the first bubble tea of the season,

finally being able to wear Spring shoes,

finding fun, new kitchen wares at Knee Deep Vintage in Pilsen,

eating outside on a blanket,

friends in the park,

...and afternoon naps!

It certainly has been a perfect week. And to top it all off, now I'm awaiting the arrival of my sister! Eeek! How fun!

A Weekend of Entertainment

This weekend was the best weekend I've had in a very long time. It was full of great music, great people, and great drinks.

Friday night I saw the show I've been waiting to see for years. Kurt Elling played at the Green Mill here in Chicago and blew everyone away the minute he opened his mouth to sing his first note. Kurt Elling is from Chicago, and used to play the Green Mill every Wednesday night before he got too famous to stay in town. Now he tours literally all over the world and just won his first Grammy. His show was absolutely captivating and unlike anything I've ever seen. My love for him and his incredible arrangements has only grown since seeing him.

I dare say it was the best show I've ever seen.

Saturday night, Tad Dancin', the soul/funk cover band I'm in had a show at Goose Island in Wrigleyville. It was the most fun I've had performing in quite a while. The energy was so high and everyone in the crowd was dancing the night away. It was an absolute blast and if you came out, thank you! And if you didn't come out, there's always next time...ya jerks.

I kid I kid :-)

My Sister

I have the best sister in the world. End of story...she is the best. And that sister got engaged a couple weeks ago and asked ME to be her maid of honor. Well I am certainly honored.

Let me tell you, she is going to be the most beautiful bride there ever was...or will be for that matter.

So the weekend of March 19th through 21st, she is coming up to Chicago to visit me and to go wedding dress shopping with me! We will have a fancy weekend of brunch and boutiques and that sounds oh so delightful to me!

March is Finally Here

*Beautiful photo by Kari Herer Photography

In Chicago, March doesn't mean that it will be warm soon. It'll take at least another month to be able to wear a cardigan with no jacket. But March just sounds warmer than February and sounds like Spring is near. And even though this winter has been pretty mild around here, everyone I know (including myself) are all so antsy to rid ourselves of the cold and welcome the warmth.

So here's to March!

Swell Season Kind of Day

I'm not sure what's in the air today, but I'm feeling a little blue. The skies are overcast and the air is cold. I'm sick of the cold...I really really am.
But something I can control about my day is the music I listen to. And The Swell Season is one of my all time favorites. If you've never heard them, check them out. For real. They are so talented and beautiful and they're the perfect soundtrack to my blue day.

The Modern Wing at the Art Institute

The month of February is Free Month at the Art Institute of Chicago. We practically waited til the last minute, but Matt and I decided to go yesterday and we made an afternoon of it.

We took the trip to visit the Modern Wing, which has been recently added to the Art Institute in the past year. The wing itself is so beautiful and definitely worth taking a stroll through.

I didn't know what to expect as far as the actual modern art goes, but I found I liked the American modern art much more than the European modern art. It seemed cleaner to an uneducated eye like mine. I wish I knew more about art in general. Although when I see something I like, I'm moved by it whether I understand or not. And to me, that's a pretty beautiful thing.

Alice is Simply Enchanting

I'm incredibly excited to see Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, but when I recently watched the trailer for the movie I realized I don't know the real story. I've become very familiar and infatuated with the amazing illustrations by John Tenniel in the last few years - So much that I ordered a beautiful copy of the book quite some time ago. But I'm ashamed to say that even after owning it, I've never actually read the book. So a couple of days ago I decided it was time.
I've only read the first 4 or 5 chapters, but you know what? It's so witty and funny! The writing is fast and quirky and I'm finding myself unable to put it down when I need to go to sleep.
I love Alice's character very very much. Her need to be a strong and educated girl just warms my heart.
I really recommend reading it. Whether you're planning to see the movie or not, I think you'll just love it.

Winter Oh Winter

I'm incredibly sick of winter but the most recent snowfall here in Chicago was quite lovely. So the day after it snowed I decided to get out of my cozy, warm apartment and take a walk through the park to get some pictures of the beauty. Needless to say, I was only out for about an hour before I went home to a cup of coffee and a movie.

Chicago is so amazing in the spring and summer but during the winter I tend to question why I live here. About another month, right? Until then I'll dream of Spring and sandals and dresses oh my!