An Open Book

You know how they say putting things in the open helps hold you accountable? Well, here goes... I'm writing a children's book!

This is something I've thought of from time to time, always dabbling a little with the idea but never committing. Recently though, I came across this interesting set of questions, which Alex and I asked each other just for fun during a road trip. Number fourteen really stuck with me...

"Is there something that you’ve dreamed of doing for a long time? 

Why haven’t you done it?"

The answer to the first part was easy, but the second part - not so much. 
Why hadn't I done it? Lack of time? Fear? Clueless-ness on how to make it happen?

The awareness that those reasons are really just excuses, combined with having a baby and realizing that life is flying faster than ever, I succumbed to the fact that if I'm ever going to do this, it's now or never. 

So I thought I'd start by putting it out there, be an open book if you will. How much, and what parts of the process I'll share here is still undecided, mainly because I don't want to let myself get too distracted from the project by writing and sharing about the project. But I'm asking you to help hold me accountable. In the past I've been too shy about my goals. It's much easier to quit when no one's watching. (For the same reason I'm a better yogi in class than at home. Holy reverse triangle pose, am I the only one??) So, if we meet in passing, inquire about it. If you're curious about the progress, send me an email or hit me up on social media. It would be so helpful to have you as my buddy system. 

I'll be the first to admit that I've had my share of incomplete grand ideas. From a stationery business a few years ago to Mary Kay back in the day, plus a few others dispersed in between. And though the reasons that those never "took off" died with the ideas themselves, I'm cautiously optimistic that I have the patience, versus the passion, for this project. I'm starting because I love this little story, because creativity makes me happy, and because if I can put those together and create a fun, positive message for the little ones in this world, I'd consider that a success. And if there ever does come a day that I get frustrated with finding an illustrator, exhausted of trying to edit in between baby's naps and dirty diapers, or any other excuse to consider giving up on this little dream of mine, I'll have this as a reference to remember why I started. 

To wrap it up, I'm so excited. It could be awesome, it could fail miserably. But I'm going to give it my best shot. Here goes! 

The Cabin

Yesterday we woke up to more snow, the prettiest one we've seen yet. While we're in Tennessee we're staying at our family cabin and it looked so cozy against the white background I couldn't resist sharing a few pictures.  Built by my grandfather in the 1980's, I toddled around in a playpen while the finishing touches were put on, and over the years lots of our family members have lived within these walls at various times, myself included. Growing up, while our house was being built we spent a few years residing here and I have fond memories of sharing a room with my brother (some kids hate that but it felt like a constant sleep over to us!), learning to curl my hair in the back bathroom, and many a bike ride around the circle driveway in front. So it's pretty surreal to be back, and pretty special that Evelina gets to spent her first few months in what's affectionately known as simply "The Cabin".

My grandparent's lived in the house on the right and it was amazing having them *this close* as a kid. Being here has revived so many memories, like when part of this open area used to be a garden, and the many times I've shelled beans on that covered porch.

But perhaps the best part of being here is having my mom's house in view from the kitchen window. I'm not sure how it's possible to be a city girl and a country girl at the same time but I'm happy to have had the best of both worlds.

Grateful

Gratitude is a muscle that can take practice to perfect. Whether it's finding the best in difficult situations or being content with a current happening, sometimes the feeling and use can be interchanged with "acceptance". Last year, I wrote about having a thankful heart and though it took years for me to strengthen that part of myself, I'm so glad to have filled my mental repertoire with a plethora of "fixes" in times of need. Whether it's taking in a few minutes of morning meditation, or calling my mom to vent, having the tools to help put and keep things in perspective is invaluable.

When I think of the most important things in my life, it's the people and the memories, not the material. And reflecting on the past year has been evidence of that. I spent less on things and more on relationships. From small weekend getaways and big family trips to monthly ladies dinners and designated "phone a friend" times. Even taking time out for myself when needed, also known as saying no.

My heart is happy and full to have so much to be thankful for this year and always. I'm beyond blessed to have experienced a healthy pregnancy, the joy the comes with those first baby movements from within, to the excited anticipation of looking forward to having her out here. It's been a whirlwind of happy, positive experiences, events, and happenings, for which I am insanely grateful.

To my few and faithful readers, I so appreciate you spending time with me here on this blog. Though it started years ago with a focus on fashion, this year shifted into a digital diary format and became a fun way to keep family and friends informed, and has lead to some awesome relationships and conversations both online and off. I'm honored to have you and I hope coming here is inspiring and uplifting.

Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving and many blessing this year and always!

A Letter to our Friends

With changes on the horizon lately I've been feeling sentimental and evocative thinking of our amazing friends in Chicago and around the country. I can't help but remember a conversation Alex and I had shortly after we got settled here almost ten years ago. Sitting on the balcony of our new condo one summer night, an adult beverage in hand, everything just felt good. Then he declared, "Now we just need Chicago friends." And it was true. The only thing missing was a good group of people we could call our own. Over the years we've met and become close with an unbelievable circle of individuals. Time, careers, and life changes have brought a few in and taken them away sooner than hoped, but the connections still remain. Some feel like they've been around since the start and continue to be fun fixtures in our daily lives, while others have arrived more recently but are just as meaningful. For all of these, I am so grateful. You have given me many favorite days. And in many ways, you're like family to me, not just because we spend holidays away from home together, but also because some bonds just won't be broken.

Whether it's sharing in shenanigans like theme parties, or celebrating life's big moments (like babies!), there is no comparison to that feeling of being understood, supported, and cared for. If I had time, I'd list all the names and address each of you individually. (And if you're wondering whether you'd be part of this list or not, just assume you are.) If we've shared a bottle of wine, celebrated a milestone, or made memories we can barely remember then you can bet we've felt welcomed into your life and I can only hope you've felt the same in return.

I'm not sure how we got so lucky, but I love knowing that no matter where the roads lead us, a cocktail hour or a couch to crash on can always be arranged. It's hard to remember life before so many amazing people came into it and whether we see you once a year now, or once a week, having you along on the journey means the world to me. Paths take us places, but our Ultra-Deluxe air mattress (or spare bedroom if we ever have one) will always be open. 

Life is meaningless without the three F's: Family, Friends, and Fun - thank you for making mine complete. 

xoxo

Week 22 Recap: 11 Year Anniversary!

"I don't know about you, but I'm feeling twenty-two." Weeks that is. 

Our eleven year anniversary happened to fall this week so baby girl got to celebrate with us. Even though she's not technically here yet, it's fun having her along for our adventures in utero. Since we normally travel for our anniversary we decided to do a Chicago stay-cation this year and it ended up being one of the most incredible yet. Things seemed to fall into place in that way that you can't just plan. We used our favorite travel credit card points to book the W Hotel - Lakeshore - it's the city's only lakefront hotel, it's just been remodeled, and it's fabulous. We were kindly upgraded to a larger, water facing room and a few hours later the staff sent champagne, goodies, and anniversary wishes to our door. It was the sweetest surprise and really started our stay off special! Normally when we travel we spend very little time in the hotel room, but with a comfortable layout (also known as, "where's my robe?"), modern decor, and a gorgeous view (plus maybe being five and half months pregnant) we were content to lounge for a few hours before dinner.

We've spent many hours in the Playpen so it was fun to get a view from the other side.  

We dined downstairs and forgot to ask someone to snap a picture so we staged this one in our room just before the Navy Pier fireworks started. Over the years I've watched this show from several great spots in the city but I have to say, the 26th floor was my favorite to date.

In the morning, Alex woke up long enough to snap this Sunday sunrise photo from our room and we slept in for a few more hours before brunching, trekking around downtown, and journeying back home.


More baby girl updates this week:

• She's kicking on the regular and I'm kind of obsessed. I could seriously lay and watch/feel it constantly. Everyone says, "just wait" (which drives me nuts... I CAN just wait, thankyouverymuch) so I'm enjoying each little nudge and flutter, even the ones to the bladder that send me running to the nearest ladies, before they get harder and maybe painful.

• We talked a lot about baby names and Alex's main requirement is for her name to be so lovely that when you say it, it melts your heart. No pressure... ;)

• We also talked about what kind of personality she might have, what she might look like, and what we want her to learn from us. I hope she gets his entrepreneurial spirit, and he hopes she gets my kindness. I might have teared up a little at that point. Okay, teared up a lot.

• I literally have 5 things to wear. 

Hope your week was happy!

Birthday Blog

Another candle on the cake means I've been blessed with another year!

We celebrated last night with a divine meal at Pump Room in Chicago's Public Hotel (the food never disappoints and the service is stellar) and my wish this year was for a healthy baby girl.

It's hard to believe this is my last munchkin-less birthday. Over dinner, we talked a lot about how our lives will change (for the better!) and all the things we're looking forward to doing with her and teaching her. (I hope she likes theme parties.) And even though I haven't given birth yet, being pregnant brings a whole new appreciation for "birth" days. So thanks to my Mama for bringing me into this world 33 years ago!

And thank YOU for all the Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram love - so sweet and thoughtful!

Live to the point of tears.

via 

I tend to get anxious over the first post of the new year. Honestly, it's a post a write more for myself than for the reader because it's a great personal checks and balances from year to year. But it's always hard to know where to begin and where to end. Usually, a few days in, something will just come to me, a way to sum up one year and start a new one, and the words will start to flow. But sixteen days into 2014, nada. After a hectic fall / December, I've been a bit behind on things I would normally die at the thought of (late Christmas gifts, forgetting birthday's, etc.) but oddly wasn't that bothered this time around. I was beginning to wonder what was wrong with me. And as I reread my first post of 2013, I started to fear that maybe I'd let go a little too much.

I stumbled on this print in early January and a few days later, a pivotal small moment happened. 

We were having afternoon tea, our 2nd annual to start the new year, when my husband received an email relating to a problem with his business. He was frustrated but calm and we spent a few minutes venting before directing the conversation back to more pleasant things, little things - like how pretty the setting was and what a perfect day (rainy) for warm tea. And during this, I got teary. I wasn't sad, just literally living to the point of tears. It was the first time I realized this is something that happens to me often. It happened here. And here.

Then, listening to this audiobook a week later, a sentence grabbed me.

"With each small cry, it feels less a release and more like an irrepressible unfiltered tenderness at being fully here. The more of these moments I experience, the less a problem it seems, for isn't this what I've been after, to be this close to life, to be pricked beneath the surface of things? Isn't anything that keeps us this close to life a gift?" - Mark Nepo

2013 included some bigger goals and plans that didn't pan out. Though a little disappointed, we weren't devastated, because sometimes things simply aren't meant to be and we pretty comfortable with trusting the path. That said, last year was pretty awesome as well. We traveled. We partied. We lived. I didn't do so well with putting the phone down, and I'm still pretty impatient. But I did work my way through this book which is a.life.changer. And regardless of any of that, I can say that I lived to the point of tears. 

I've been thinking about time a lot lately and how much faster it seems to pass with each day. I'm doing the best I can to enjoy the little moments, after all, the little things are part of the theme of this blog. But I'm also realizing that I've put some things off that simply cannot wait. So without further ado: 

In 2014 I want to:

• Define my actionable goals. I know what you're thinking, "shouldn't that be the content of this post??". Well, yes. It should. But as I mentioned, I'm behind on stuff. 
• Continue the internal work. Wanna read this daily, and go to that. 
• More family/friend time. Being busy is really just a lame excuse.
• Read more (Audible counts). At the very least, 13 books this year. Starting with this book club.
• Keep traveling. Nothing renews me more.
• Blog more. This site has gone from stationery, to fashion, to hopefully a little more personal this year. Ideally, I envision a virtual scrapbook to look back on in years to come. I'm not planning on going back to a post per day habit, but you'll be seeing a bit more of me around in 2014.
• Keep up with the purging. I'm going to be ruthless this year, if I don't love it, it goes.
• Live to the point of tears. 
• And obviously, more theme parties! 

I hope your year is off to a wonderful start. Wishing you all the best in 2014! 

P.S. Funny story, I actually accidentally deleted the entire contents of this post and had to rewrite it all over again. Talk about living to the point of tears. Unfortunately, after rewriting, I don't think it's nearly as well said as the first draft but am posting it anyway. Look at me, checking off a goal already ;) 

Chicago Snow

Every winter it snows in Chicago, but every time feels like the first. At the opening downpour of the season, we take a snow stroll around our neighborhood, reveling in the quiet that a fresh blanket of white brings. We make a pit stop at our local Starbucks before walking the few blocks to the beach, where we freeze our faces off while trying to take pictures of the place where so much of our summer is spent. It's a ritual I adore and coming home to a warm pot of tea in our Christmas condo makes it even sweeter.