Last Night I:

1. Prayed for a snow-free grocery run (which actually came true). I was super not looking forward to trudging home with milk and eggs in a snow shower.

2. Skipped dinner and went straight for dessert (okay, not skipped, but a bowl of soup- then right to dessert!) with an array of baked items. Such as these (Oreo balls) and a homeade apple crumble pie (using Joy the Baker's Easy No Roll Pie Crust) Yummm! Also, totally the recipe for a happy boyfriend...just saying.

3. CMAs! I was singing along so much my voice was hurting at the end. Yay Blake and Miranda! Love, love, love!

4. Top Chef. Finally we're ready for the real-deal to get cooking.

What an outstanding night! Happy Thursday Everyone!

Looks like a good day to me. I realize it is only 10:30am...

Today's forecast includes a chance for snow showers...brrr! I am SO not ready for this.

Ok, I do love snow. But only for a very brief period between Dec. 20ish-Dec. 30.

As for now, I'll cozy up with a steaming cup of coffee (Hazelnut, Au Bon Pain- excuse the French-ness) and a Pottery Barn holiday catalogue undoubtedly abundant with items I will be resistless to and deem necessary for purchase, with which to decorate my apartment.

Warm wishes everyone!

when the spirit is right, a soft surrender.

Today I know that my advice is good, but sometimes I just need to take it.

Today I learned books recommended by friends are always better; Bret Easton Ellis may be the author of my summer.

Today I think that just because i don't scream my feelings, doesn't mean i have none.

just because i seem indestructible, doesn't mean i'm not weak.

just because i don't cry in front of you, doesn't mean i'm heartless.

just because you think you know me, doesn't mean you actually do.

Today I loved sun!, and spending my day in it. It amazes me how something so simple can be so magical.

Tomorrow I will be thankful for more (please!) good weather, illinette reunions, and Chicago sports (what to do on a night without cubs or blackhawks?)

Today is one of those days that makes you want to do everything and nothing all at once.

You don't want to waste a moment of sunshine- but waste and nothing are at odds today.

Because simply relaxing and blissfully relishing the sun, the warmth, the breeze is everything.

Artwork via Anna Heun

As I was saying, the pull always brings you back...

This is my favorite. It's not the clearest, but

I love the way you can see the Chicago flag

in the background.

Go Hawks.

April showers are nice and all. But I'm more than

ready for May flowers. Thanks for the preview Chi town.

Florida was amazing.

It's astounding what a week of friends, sun, and relaxation can do to your spirit.

My daily routine: sleep in

work out

read/ipod/sleep by the pool

happy hour

out to dinner-and out

equals..

I WISH every day could be this wonderfully...

Perfect.

Hoping everyone had a wonderfully warm and fun Spring Break!

A lovely collage to capture the magic of the day.

Snow Day.

How my wonderful day of snow began...

4:40 Text from school. ‘No School’

4:41 Verify closing online

4:42 Exchange celebratory texts with co-teachers

4:43 back to sleep ZzZzZzzz...

Remember when you were a kid. You were soundly sleeping when your home phone rang. Too early to be just anyone calling. Could it be? Yes, a snow day! One of those coveted days with nothing to do but bask in the beauty of a pristine bed of snow. One couldn’t dream of falling back asleep and missing out on a single moment of this winter holiday. Warm slippers, overall snowsuits, snowmen, and hot chocolate (extra marshmallows). Neighborhood children flocked to the open park to play pretend. The cold never seemed to matter. The only thing chilling was the thought of this day coming to an end. Would everything have to go back to normal? Would everyone still get along when the white fluff returned to green and brown? With the snow, there came a peace, an unspoken bond between all children. I wish I could relive the wonders of those Snow Days again.