Busy

I was going to blog tonight, but I'm busy...busy with 4 things:

1. American Idol

2. GLEE

3. The Hills

4. The City

:) Let's see how much Heidi messed up her face. Poor, poor girl. Loving Tuesdays!!

Urban Inspired

Ok, so I have a good excuse for not posting for so long this time...I didn't have a computer!! But, it's back now. So, hopefully the posts will start flowing more frequently again. Today I got an email from my favorite wedding photographer SIMON YAO saying he'll be here in Chicago this summer and asking if we want to do a session with him somewhere in the city. Well, we already have A & J covered by the uber talented Miss Andrea Brogle in early June, but I've been kinda wanting to do a session with just D and I considering we got married 5 yrs ago this past December...and I think he just keeps getting hotter!

But, I've been hesistant for 2 reasons. a) the hunt for the right photographer is enough to make me crazy. And b) because those of you that know us well, know that we are sooooo not the overly cheesy romantic kind...barf, ick. I SO do not want any images of us on a the beach gazing longingly into each other's eyes with mounds of cheeseball flowers behind us. It is just...how should i say it?...not us.

But, I've been thinking it would be so "us" to have images captured in a truly urban Chicago setting. No matter where I live, I will always be a city girl at heart. I just love the energy, the frenzied activity, the anonymity and the character. Plus, we just love this city and while others may think of The Cubs, the lake, and Michigan Ave when they think of Chicago...the images below are how I see Chicago as our home. Do you know how many times we've walked up similar El steps or crossed that river? And so, I'm inspired. And hoping that Simon will go for it. But, if not...i'll be searching for someone that will.

So below is the oh so famous Kinzie St bridge. Those that live here probably recognize it. I'm sure a bunch of gorgeous wedding pics have been taken here. Actually, Alex (if you're reading), was this where some of yours were taken? Hmm, may have to get your photographer's info...

How Chicago and urban are these El platform steps below? I can picture some great images on these steps.

Ok, nevermind the bridal party, look at this amazing cobblestone alley. Does anyone know where this is? It looks like theater posters on the wall. But I love the exposed brick and think images here could be really cool.

I have no idea where this pic was taken, but how Chicago is this pic?

Even pics near an actual El train/on the El have lots of potential.

And who could ignore the gorgeous Chicago architecture...Alta Vista Terrace for example below. I feel like lots could be done on those sidewalks.

Whoops

SORRY everyone, I should have posted the Etsy shop info for the items in the previous post. I received a few requests, so here are the shop URLs:

Custom little girl hats: Sweet Savannah Baby
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetSavannahBaby
Check out my A & J somewhere on her site modeling their red Marni hats!

Custom linen french rose pillows: Dede Etsy Shop

http://www.etsy.com/shop/dedeetsyshop

Tea Party Sign: Glitter N Grunge
http://www.etsy.com/shop/glitterNgrunge

Travertine Chicago coasters: Reformado Photography/Espresso Thy Art
http://www.etsy.com/shop/re4mado
If you are local to Chicago, you can also go in and purchase at the cafe at:
Espresso Thy Art
4019 N Damen Ave
Chicago

If you decide to go in, just let them know you are coming ahead of time to make sure that they have the specific coaster you want in the cafe. Enjoy!

I ♥ Etsy

I have been spending WAY WAY too much time on Etsy lately...mainly for Josie's party, but jeez I can't stop shopping there. I think I can officially call myself an Etsy addict. If you haven't checked it out yet, go to http://www.etsy.com/ to find the most amazing handmade goods. You'll be assured to have items that no one else will have and everyone will want! But, I love to share, so here's just a little sampling of my most recent purchases...

We have these hats in red and A & J wore them all winter! When I saw them in pink, I just had to order them...it's so reminiscent of the 1920's or something.

Oh my, these pillows, I love. Kim from The TomKat Studio actually posted a link about these on Facebook and they are TDF....of course you can customize your own colors. Kim, if you happen to be reading, I bought 2!..thx!! I hope they are just as gorgy in real life.

This sign...how perfect for Josie's Tea Party?

I think these below might just be my favorite...they are tiled coasters (maybe travertine) with pictures of Chicago somehow printed on the front. I bought a set of four...the pics below are of Navy Pier and our old church St. Clement's! The other two in my collection are a pic of the Chicago skyline and the old Marshall Field's bldg (now Macy's) on State.

Show Me The Bagels!

If you think by giving up bread you may be able to shed a few LBs, think again. Well, I should take that back...you probably would if you did it the right way. But, not so much when you end up substituting salami and potato chips for the bread you are sacrificing. I think I mentioned previously that I gave up bread for lent...yep, 6 weeks. And I was totally committed! Not one little crumb touched my lips for 6 weeks (ok, outside of a couple sundays where I had some pizza crust).

So imagine how many pieces of deli sliced turkey it would take to fill you up at lunchtime...maybe the entire bag from the deli counter. So, instead of turkey, most days I'd have WAY too many slices of salami or roast beef and top it off with some cheese and prolly some potato chips. Gross, I know. But, have you ever tried to get full day after day without bread? And I'm not a big pasta eater, so I maybe had pasta once in the 6 weeks of lent.

Well, lo and behold, lent comes to an end, I step on the scale and have gained 3 lbs. I didn't eat a single bread crumb for 6 weeks and gained 3 lbs. How could this happen? Well, I googled the amount of fat in one piece of deli salami and found up to 9 grams. Uh, I think I found my answer.

So needless to say, no more fatty lunch meats for me....and I've had a big fat round doughy bagel every single morning since Easter Sunday.

We're Having A Party!!!

IT'S TEA PARTY TIME!! For those of you local, the invites will go out in the next couple weeks. But, save-the-date for Sunday May 23rd from 3p-5p to celebrate our little Josephine Mae's 2nd b-day! You all know I love a good party and I'll share the details afterward, but if you wonder what I'm up to, here's a sneak peek:

Also, I'm so excited that JeanieB! of Chicago will be providing live children's music for the party. We hope you all can make it!!

Easter!

Just a few pics! Check out my Facebook page for more.