work bag

I am in desperate need of a new work bag.

It needs to be large enough to fit file folders and have a zippered pocket.

Does this one look like a work bag?

It really is a diaper bag.

If I keep the changing pad at home, do you think others will notice?

Sara Jane

Since the weather has turned warm, I have been walking Henry down Wells street. (many of the stores are dog friendly) Over the past year, I have seen 6 local stores close on Wells - my favorite shoe store One Yellow Shoe included. I recently went into Sara Jane (I did shop here a few times in the past) because of the large sale sign in the front window. And now I have been back a few more times because of the perfectly edited selection of clothing and accessories. While it is nice to get a good deal at H&M, Jcrew, or Anthropologie, I am going to try and spend my money locally. I almost feel like it is my duty to help support local business owners. Is that weird? And I think it will be fun to find new boutiques with a little help from here.
(Handle with Care will be my next stop)

Here are my favorites at sara jane:

Summer To Do List:

take yoga classes at my gym

play tennis and take lessons

paint new art to hang above our couch

keep my tomato plant alive

ride my bike more

learn how to grill

take a few professional development classes

clean out our storage bin (make better use of our space)

go to the beach (with my SPF 70)

golf

kayak on the Chicago River

make a pillow with fabric I bought at Ikea

and complete each of the walking tours in this box with my husband

Fiona Paxton necklace

I am hoping that a knock-off of these necklaces are made soon.

balcony makeover

I wanted to make our balcony a little more inviting this summer, so I found cheap pillows at Ikea and chair cushions from Target. The pillows were $1.99 each and the cushions were $4.00 each. I also sneaked in the gnome I have had a crush on too.

Do you see the city garden on the large balcony down below us?
(next to the barren landscapes)
I wish I had a green thumb.

Here is my patio tomato plant that is waiting to be repotted.

In 65 days I should have tomatoes, if I can keep it alive.

***update*** Workout in the Park

Last weekend, I went to Self magazine's Workout in the Park, held in Butler Field. The event was well organized and for $15.00, you got in the event and a year subscription to the magazine. There were 3 different areas/classes going on throughout the day. Each class lasted for 20 minutes - which was the perfect amount of time to try different workouts. We ended up doing Hippie Yoga, Beach Body, and boxing/cardo.

me, my sister, and my sister-in-law

As we were leaving, Jillian Michaels (from The Biggest Loser) was hugging fans. She was teeny tiny - my sister thought she was sitting down.

Summer

For some weird reason, I can't get enough of seeing new grill accessories.

(and I don't even grill, my husband does it)

I am adding that to my list: learn how to grill this summer.

Crash and Burn

Since moving to Chicago almost 4 years ago, I have started buying loungewear. As soon as I get home for work, on comes my loungewear. I also don't want to be known in my condo building as "the woman who walks her dog in her pajamas." A couple of years ago, a shopgirl at Hubba Hubba suggested I try on a Crash & Burn sweatshirt. It ended up being so soft and comfortable that I didn't want to take it off. I ended up buying it and have worn it so much that it is starting to get a hole in the sleeve. I have finally found more clothing from this line at sara jane.

My favorite part of this line, besides the comfort factor, is the skull/roses/thorn/rocker look. Normally, I am much more conservative in my dressing.

Sometimes it is nice to dress out of character.

don't eat the marshmallow

I found the most interesting article ("Don't" by Jonah Lehrer) on self-control in the May 18, 2009 issue of The New Yorker. As a high school teacher, I can tell which of my students would not have passed the marshmallow test.

(here is a link)

Jon & Kate plus 8

I really hope this story is false.

Summer Wedding / Class Reunion

I have my cousin's wedding and my husband's class reunion to attend this summer. I am hoping to finding one dress to wear to both events. I am envisioning a classic/modern dress with a pair of adorable/funky shoes or the other way around (classic shoes and a funky dress).

Should I pick a more relaxed summer dress or something more fancy?

jcrew dresses

kate spade

nordstrom

And some shoes:

Going Green

Even though it seems like we are never going to sell our condo, I am still gathering ideas for the future. (we have had a ton of 1st and 2nd showings, but no offers)

For now, here are 2 eco-friendly ideas:

dual flush toilet

I saw these toilets all over Rome.

I like the idea of using different water amounts for going #1 and #2.

Nature Mill Composter

You can also make your own worm compost, but for city folks this one is easier.

Tulip Time and Mother's Day

On the drive home to Michigan last weekend, we stopped in Holland just in time for the last day of the Tulip Time Festival.

And my Grandma's house for Mother's Day dessert.

When my Grandma makes dessert, she makes at least 3 or 4 different desserts.

She is the best Grandma.

I will post the recipe for the strawberry pie soon.

Dinner

Mexican turkey chili (click here for the recipe)

I also tried Bethenny's goat cheese and sundried tomato chicken recipe last week and I loved it! And you could make this with blue cheese and pears (or figs) instead of the goat cheese/sundried tomato.

tulum swirl pendant

Don't let this picture fool you.
This necklace is huge and awesome.

workout in the park

Self magazine Workout in the Park

Saturday, May 16th

11am - 3pm

Butler Field, Grant Park

$15.00 - which includes a year subscription

(Jillian Michaels will be appearing)

lulakate

My mom noticed this store while we were walking around King Street in Charleston, SC. After we walked in, we found the best locally designed and made dresses and shirts. And they make custom bridesmaid dresses. If only I knew this 2 years ago when I was planning my wedding.

zero calorie cupcakes

Summer in Chicago

I am filling in my new planner today and looking up all the free things to do in Chicago this summer. Here is my list:


Printers Row Literature Festival: June 6-7

Concerts in Millennium Park (starting at the end of May)

Taste of Chicago: June 26-July5 (free concerts include Counting Crows, Barenaked Ladies, Ne-Yo, the Wallflowers, and Buddy Guy)

Air & Water show: August 15-16

Movies in the Park: starts July 14th (see below for the complete schedule)



The 2009 Movies in the Park lineup:
July 14, 2009 @ 8:58 pm: Sunset Boulevard (1950)
July 21, 2009 @ 8:52 pm: Duck Soup (1933)
July 28, 2009 @ 8:45 pm: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1950)
August 4, 2009 @ 8:37 pm: Born Yesterday (1950)
August 11, 2009 @ 8:27 pm: Psycho (1960)
August 18, 2009 @ 8:17 pm: Young Mr. Lincoln (1939)
August 25, 2009 @ 8:05 pm: Tootsie (1982)

(more info here)

Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld

I can't put this book down.

Remember my post about this Marc by Marc Jacobs dress?

Goldenmeans found it for sale on Gilt Groupe today.