Flowers, butterflies and sun – oh my!
David and I had a chance to get a ‘behind the scenes’ tour of the Chicago Botanic Gardens this past Saturday via my friend and small group colleague Cindy Baker. And what an experience! This expanse of curated gardens and restored prairie sits upon 350+ acres of land in the far Northern reaches of the Chicago suburbs and is a plant lovers dream come true! Continue reading
Farmer’s Market season is in its full glory this time of year in Chicago – and I’m reaping the benefits! Supporting local farmers and food artisans is just the start. Market shoppers find the best quality produce while building relationships with the people who grow it. Forging this link between the food, the maker and the consumer creates a connection that’s been lost over the years with the advent of the one-stop shopping grocery store chains.
So if you’re looking for great food, people and a welcome atmosphere – find a farmer’s market near you. You’ll be glad you did!
I’m a bit off with my updates for our new nest – but wanted to share pictures of the baby steps we made mid-way through the month! The place is coming along bit by bit, and I hope to have even more photos to share of it’s current state later next week.
Suffice it to say that between the vintage accents, our restored furnishings, and the splashes of color found in handmade home accessories and art – the apartment is really evoking a modern living meets thrifting vibe. Here’ s a peek at what we did a couple weeks back.
If you’re looking for the first “before and after” post, click here.
I’m still knee deep in clutter in the new apartment as we attempt to decorate and organize all at once. That’s why when I saw this adorable entryway photo on Apartment Therapy I had to stop and share. What a great way to take a flat space and make it utilitarian, yet stylish. Setting it up in our place will be a great weekend project and rather than using typical chalkboard paint (toxicity anyone?) I’ll create my own with some zero VOC paint via this tutorial.
Have you done something fun with your mud room? Have any ideas for organizing purses, shoes and coats? Please share them below.
I am almost twitching with excitement – but it’s official – we’re moving!
What started as a casual apartment hunt, “should we happen to find the ‘perfect’ place” kind of search, has turned into a sudden reality. We’ve found a place that’s bigger, sunnier, cheaper, closer to work and in a more vibrant neighborhood. On top of it, our finances are aligning in a way that we’ll have all our costs covered without having to dip into our normal budget. Coincidence? I think not! An answer to my quiet prayers – this new place looks like it’s just what the divine doctor ordered.
So we have exactly 17 days to pack, pick paint colors, and devise a decorating plan for our new digs. Continue reading
Shiny Happy*People 