This Week in Review!

via Glut with Guts

Chicago weather has been so temperamental this week, just like me. It'll be sunshine and flowers one moment, to thunderous claps of lighting and pools of murky puddles. (And I'll admit, I smiled too when the bus driver drove straight through a muddy puddle, splashing at least ten commuters. HA.)

Despite windy, rainy conditions, I dragged M, Ed and Dan out to Daley Plaza's Farmer's Market and we enjoyed some chocolate covered fruits and sweets.

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Guess who was there? Ralph Macchio. Oh you don't know him? AKA THE KARATE KID?! haha

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Weekend plans? It's dear friend Horacio's birthday! I'm planning on a much needed night out partying with Chicago's handsomest men in the funnest neighborhood: Boystown!

This week, the knob on my cheap-o IKEA dresser fell off. Well what a blessing in disguise this turned out to be! On Wednesday, S and I raided Anthropologie's sale section (après two martinis, of course) and found some really adorable dresser knobs! I'm excited to play around with the different hardware I purchased for a fun new look on my dresser. I also want to paint some decorative stripes (INSPIRATION), but one step at a time!

via Glut with Guts

Happy week ending, everyone!

Mid-Week Music

나도 이젠 제발 제대로 된 남자 만나보고 싶어!

Les Fleurs Pour Moi?

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For the first time, I got flowers delivered to me at work! These flowers (from +1) were such a delightful interruption in my busy work schedule (hence the lack of posting as of late... sorry).

Better still, my flowers came with an announcement: as soon as the delivery person came to our reception desk (a bit of a ways away from my office) a co-worker of mine shouted down the hall, "Minna. Where are you? You got FLOWERS, woman!" hahaha working in a predominantly female office, the day was filled with jealous "ohhhs" and "ahhs" from all sorts of people. These flowers just made my week!

Music Monday: Swoon

I can always fall for a suave kind of man who knows his way around the ivories, or at least one who can appreciate my love of jazz.

  ⧓

No youtube video available, so this will have to suffice:

via Amazon Music

Kitchen Lust

via The Kitchn

Not only do they have a hanging pressure washer, the rows upon rows of beige/white/creme colored bowls and plates has me daydreaming about dinner parties and quaint brunches!

The Date

Insane Asylum

Each year, I'm tasked with the cumbersome task of creating an annual report at work. I block of three weeks on my schedule and edit until I feel like my eyes are going to fall out of my head (almost literally, as the first time I wrote this report, I made the mistake of wearing contacts which quickly dried out. yuck. tmi?).

Yesterday, as I took yet another break from reading and writing this droll report (ok, in all honestly, I love this part of my job but it's takes an abnormal amount of concentration, which I lack), I needed an eyeball break from the computer screen. I started to look around my office and... was really surprised at the number of contrasting textures.

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I'm drowning in a sea of drab beiges and grays! One day, I want to work in a space that's covered in Kathryn Ireland-esque aesthetic. But until then....

via Kathryn Ireland Textiles and Design

Sizzlin' Summer!

Weekend recap!! ... now that it's Wednesday. haha What better time to reminisce about the weekend past, and count down to the next one!

Friday started out with early rooftop cocktails on the EPIC rooftop, drinking some pretty strong martinis and catching up with old friends from near (Lincoln Park) and far (Texas)! It was super sunny, and not too crowded (although, we we're there at like 3pm).

via Glut with Guts -- EPIC rooftop

I hustled over to Ukranian Village shortly after to meet up with friends for something called the "Ukie Vill Special" at the Lockdown Bar and Grill. I don't recommend this... the special is a shot of jameson to be washed down with a pint of old style. cheeyah.

Saturday was equally busy, with errands all day and parties all night, and more drinks at citizen bar (who apparently closes down their rooftop at midnight... what a shame!) and then drinks at Dore in River North.

Sunday was a true highlight! I had brunch with my dear childhood friend Shannon. (I could insert photos that are equally embarrassing to both of us here but... let's save face, shall we?) We walked over to Cafe Selmarie in Lincoln Square, but had too much fun catching up and enjoying brunch that we both forgot to take photos!

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The photo is of Shannon and I from a rooftop wine and paella party last year (wow, I'm starting to see I spend way too much time drinking wine on rooftops... or not enough?). Shannon, who writes the blog Whoa-Man Around Town, really knows about around town. She's been living in the city for a short number of years but has outdone me activity/seeing wise!

After brunch, I hustled over to Roscoe Village to meet beauty/fashion expertista Miss S, who's getting married next year! We visited florist/planner extraordinaires of A Perfect Event for a DIY bride event. I'm getting so many ideas for bridal showers and bachelorette parties!

via Glut with Guts -- Miss S at A Perfect Event

Ahhhh... I've loving these incredibly busy summer days and looking forward to so much more fun!

Modern Love

"I’m just afraid I found a good thing, or possibly the best thing in my life, too early. The physical distance between us makes commitment seem much more final. And while I would like to settle down before I can actually be considered a cougar, I’m decades away from that point."

- Lindsay Abrams, Modern Love, NYTimes.com

"..just wondered when my life was going to cross the precipice into true adulthood"

- Lauren Boyle, Modern Love, NYTimes.com

Splitscreen: A Love Story

Splitscreen: A Love Story from JW Griffiths on Vimeo.

An amazing short, all filmed from a Nokia N8 mobile phone. Amazing.

Potiche

Last night I spent the night watching French film Potiche (translation: Trophy Wife) about a woman, played by Catherine Deneuve, who steps off the pedestal she's been placed on to learn the value and worth of her own self. It doesn't help that it's a cheery comedic film, with lots of salacious scandals and a love triangle mustered in. Not only is the story great, but I'm loving the artful scenes of the changes that ensue once Mrs. Pujol takes over the umbrella factory.

"She truly is a trophy, but she doesn't belong on any shelf."

Mid-Week Music

So live a beautiful life...