HOW OFTEN DO YOU CLEAN IN THE MORN?

Do you ever do random things at the weirdest times?

This morning I have an early flight to St. Louis... just a day trip to meet the rest of my coworkers.  I'm getting ready (well before I am usually up), putting on a little makeup (got to look my best) and all of the sudden I am washing my makeup brushes.  Seriously?  Why in the world would I decide to do that so early in the morning (and I'm talking 4:45 early)?

But I suppose, now they are clean and I won't have to worry about it.

Funny things about yesterday.
1. My office is casual!!!!  Jeans casual... and that makes me extremely happy.  That was one thing I really liked about the other firm I was talking to.

2.  My boss and I were locked out of the office for a good part of the morning... we got keys later that day.

3.  I forget how tired working makes you!!! (have I mentioned that already?)  I just wanted to go to sleep when I got home yesterday.

Funny thing about today

1.  My flight was just cancelled.  Awesome.

XOXO

** UPDATE**
2.  I can now say that I've seen the Shamu Southwest plane!  Only seen... not flown in.

WELCOME TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION!

Well, I'd like to say that it feels so great to be back at work.  Things were a little slow today but that's how it goes on your first day right?  I highly suggest everyone take a 6 month sabbatical.  It will make you LOVE to work again.  Surely everyone else gets in funk and thinks man... I wish I didn't have to work.  Well after about 6 months of no working and just talking to your cats for most of the day... a day at work is fantastic!

I took the 'El' home today and it was pretty packed... after the first stop I was able to snag a seat which was pretty awesome.  Everyone was reading on their way home.  The lady next to me was reading out loud.  So weird!!  It was more like a mumble, I didn't know what she was really saying but she was definitely making noises that sounded like she was humming the words to her book.  I'm sure I will be running into all sorts of characters during my new adventure...

Today I went to eat here... it was yummy!  I'm so excited to be downtown!!  The city is so alive...

A couple things I liked about today.

• My walk to and from the train.  I think it will be even better when the weather is nice.  And when I start making some money, could be dangerous because all of the great stores!
• The office I am working in is really beautiful.  I'll have to sneak a couple of pictures... they did a great job designing and building.
• The feeling of being inspired... I hope it lasts!  I think being around all these people, in this large city, with this new exciting job is just really helping me want to do great things.  (There is going to be so much to do so I hope it doesn't get overwhelming...)
• Coming home to the kitties... 'cause I missed them today!
• I liked that I forgot how tired you can be after working all day... it will make spending the weekend with Mr. D that much more special.  

XOXO

TIME IS RUNNING OUT

So to speak...

This weeks music is kind of a theme for the remainder of my sabbatical.  I have been HIRED!!!!  I start on Monday and well... time is running out to get all the things on the 'the list' done.  It's already Saturday... YIKES!

Well, I'm sure all would like to hear more about the job... I was actually offered two positions and I say this because it's crazy to me after all of this time I have two great offers within days of each other... making my decision super difficult.  But I've decided and will be working for a firm who's headquarters is in St. Louis.  It is their plan to expand the business in the Chicago market and my experience and, well my relationship with St. Louis makes me a perfect candidate to help them grow their business here in CHI-town.  I couldn't be more excited as it's been a long few months.  I'm nervous, excited, scared, inspired... and just ready to get started!

I'll try and keep you all updated as to the progress of things and anything interesting I come across in my day to day.  This is the adventure that I've been waiting to get started!

XOXO

GETTIN' MY LEARN ON

Recently I've been addicted to watching documentaries.  I've watched some that were horrible... that I had to turn off after 5 minutes and others that I can watch over and over again.

It's sometimes frustrating, you know often watching a documentary you are really only hearing one side of the story but lets be honest... I'm most likely not going to agree with that side anyways!  I think I've been taught that knowing the full story can help you make more informed decisions... yada yada... It's not my intention to be preachy so...

Here are a few documentaries that I've found really interesting!

The September Issue - A look into all the work involved in the publication of the September Issue of Vouge... the leading trend setter in the fashion industry.  You hear all sorts of things about Anna Wintour (did you see or read The Devil Wears Prada?) and well... you get to hear her side and see it.  I thought it was very interesting...

Food Inc. - I have watched so many of these films... and my friends are probably sick of hearing about our food industry from me... but I can't help but be moved by these documentaries.  I feel like they are helping to bring to light some big issues that may be easily hidden from people... people who deserve to know what they are eating and feeding their families and where their food comes from.  Again being preachy but this is something I feel really strongly about and hope to keep learning more and educating myself so I can make decisions that I feel are right for my health and the health of my family. (End rant... but let me know if you are interested because there are tons of other great films and books out there!)

Cocaine Cowboys - CRAZY story about the rise of the cocaine trade and the violence it brought to Miami in the late 70's and 80's... about the connection to Columbia and how it all worked (in great detail) and how Miami was built and benefited because of the drug money.  And it also talks about how it all crashed down.  But the tales are just incredible... and the way the people talk about it is almost sickening... romanticizing about all the drugs, the money and greed and the death of so many people.  A film we've watched numerous times...

Enron - The Smartest Guys in the Room - Mr. D and I agree that no matter how many times we've seen this we can always watch it again.  I think the idea that this actually happened is unreal.  And that they were able to get away with this fake business is just... it's insane.  And the all the money... billions of dollars.  I feel like every time I watch it I learn a little bit more about these large business and their interesting ways of disguising the books and their connection to the government all while touting deregulation.  I shouldn't judge but it should sicken you, if you are any sort of human being... lol!

Visual Acoustics - This documentary is for the architects, designers and photographers out there that have studied so many modern buildings and their photographs.  It is about the life work of Julius Shulman, a photographer who's known as the worlds greatest architectural photographer.  His photos helped popularize Modern architecture in America and his images have really become pieces of art in the eyes of many.   

Hope you will watch some of these when you have some time to spare...

XOXO

THE LAST OF IT...

I've been a bad blogger lately... and I blame it on the New Orleans trip (and a few other things that I hope to reveal shortly).  And this is me putting an end to all of these posts!!!!

Below are a few pictures from our last day (which was packed full of a couple really awesome activities).  Let's see... Marching in Box of Wine Parade, where we saw some really awesome costumes (by this point I'm starting to wonder if the locals own any normal clothing...).  Big Berth made her mark and had lots of folks in the parade and watching the parade laughing... dying laughing really!  We kept saying... "We've got a missin' person!".  After walking all the way though the St. Charles parade route we were taken to an office building where a friend of our host was throwing a little get together.  We were treated to some great homemade food and drinks and I have to say the highlight of that day was being invited to enjoy their grand stand.  We were able to see two great parades... Bacchus and Endymion.  What an experience to be able to watch the parade on eye level with all of the floats.  It was really fantastic!

So thats it... it was a trip I don't think I will ever forget.

Now... moving on to a different subject FINALLY!  (I really need to find a way to edit down photos... it's so tough!!)

XOXO

NOLA - THIS IS WHAT NIGHT TIME IS LIKE?

For pics of day two read more!!

NOLA - EXCITEMENT!

Read more and see pictures of our first Mardi Gras experience!

NOLA - BOURBON STREET PARTY PAD

As I said before, Mr. D and I took a trip to New Orleans for Mardi Gras.  It was such a great time... we were able to be a part of a party like no other... all thanks to our great hosts who have called NOLA home for 20 years. The locals Mardi Gras is the way do do it if you are going to visit. And now I'll just the the madness speak for itself (with a little narration, I may need to explain myself at times!).

Read more and see pictures!

GET YOUR WELLIES OUT!

                                                               Galoshes and Skirt Print - By Jen Hewett

All the ladies I see walking around Chicago sport some kind of rain boots... paired with warm sock inserts in the winter time.  Hunter's Wellingtons seem to be the rain boot of choice here... I think I need to pick myself up a pair so I can fit in to the fashion scene. And the rain is on it's way so I'd better get some soon!

I saw this adorable print inspired by the fashionable trend which you can find on Jen Hewett's Etsy shop... along with some cute other prints!

XOXO

THIS WEEKS SOUND

We heard so much music while in NOLA.  There are musicians around every corner... and in every Mardi Gras parade.  If we would have stayed longer it would have been fun to bar hop on Frenchmen Street and listen to all the bands.  Another trip I suppose.

I hope to post pics today or tomorrow of our trip... there are lots to sort through!  

Hope you enjoy the music.  We sure did...

XOXO

REAL GOOD BarBQ

This week we got back from an exhausting vacation!  We took a 'little' road trip from Chicago to St. Louis to New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras with some friends.  Total driving time was probably about 16 hours give or take, driven in less than 24 hours.  It was a great time but we are happy to be home and back into our regular sleeping patterns!  I thought I'd take a couple of posts to talk about our trip.

First things first.  Food!  I hate to say it but we didn't really have any mind blowing food... usually on vacay we seek out some yummy eats and then rave about it later but that just didn't happen in NOLA.  I'm kind of bummed about that but I guess it gives us something to go back for.  BUT... we did stop in Memphis on the long drive and found some BBQ that definitely rivals my fav St. Louis BBQ.  It's called Tom's BarBQ and Deli and it was fantastic!

I went with my usual the pulled pork sandwich and it did not disappoint!  The rest of the group got the Rib Tips (which I believe is what was featured on Triple D).  We must not have looked like locals becuase the guy at the counter started chattin' it up with us and we ended up with what he called a sampler (more like another couple meals) of their Ribs, Bologna (also known as the Tennessee Round Steak, marinated-dry-rubbed-thick sliced-bologna) and Strawberry Shortcake.  The Bologna was good!  But the Ribs were the best I've ever had.  Needless to say by the time we walked (or waddled?) out of there we were STUFFED!

I would definitely return and suggest if you are in Memphis to check it out!

So I have to say that was the best meal of the trip... a lot of the places we went in NOLA seemed more touristy than anything.  But I guess we weren't there for the food... we were there for the party!  More on that later...

XOXO

WALKING FOR HOURS

Today I had a little meeting with the Knoll reps at the Merchandise Mart.  It was just a little meet and greet set up by my very sweet previous employers.  It was nice to meet some new people and to get out and about for awhile.  Since I knew that I was going to be downtown I planned to go to a couple of places that I knew I'd have easy access to. Nordstrom Rack... hello cheap designer clothes!  H&M... because I needed some 80's fashion and Toga undergarments for our quickly approaching trip to New Orleans (the most famous US city for the days and days of Mardi Gras celebration).  I was happy to find that H&M was just adjacent to Rack.  Easy peasy.  The trouble came when I realized I didn't know where I was.  I pretty much knew how to get to these places just by my memory of previous trips but I had no idea how to find one of the big things I was looking for.  A Sprint store.  I'm pretty sure I walked around for a hour, easy (and probably in circles), trying to figure out what direction I was going and what street I needed to be on.

Soon enough I found it (and was able to purchase the power cord that I needed because one of our little monsters bit through my other perfectly fine one) but oh man are my feet tired!  It's one of those times when you just want to fall to the ground kicking and screaming like you are 4 years old again saying to the friendly looking woman in front of you, "CAARRRRRY MEEEEEE!!!!!!" (Remember you are using your best whiny baby voice.)

I didn't end up doing that but I was so close...

And I eventually found my way home but had to stand the whole train ride 'cause it was rush hour.  Don't feel too bad... it's only 4 stops!

XOXO