Posts from — March 2012

There’s something wonderfully special about curling up in bed with no plans to leave the house. Armed with a stack of movies, comfy silk pajamas and enough champagne to refill my mimosa all afternoon, my full day of sheer relaxation didn’t disappoint (despite needing to begrudgingly bundle up and return the rentals by 9pm).

With the recent gloominess and dip in temperatures, it hasn’t felt much like Spring in Chicago.  And particularly after a week that seemed to drag on, I was excited to find the new Restoration Hardware catalog awaiting in my mailbox along with these cute zig-zag rings from Asos that I thankfully snagged before they sold out.  I love the quirky colors (six total) and the option to mix and match makes them the ideal piece of detail to quickly throw on with sunglasses and run out the door.

Up until recently, I’ve felt pretty skeptical about playing the lottery.  While I’ve won a few dollars on scratch-off tickets here and there, the notion of spending my hard earned cash on a one-in-a-million chance seemed a bit ridiculous.  My feelings instantly shifted, however, when I caught the contagious Mega Millions fever that’s been floating around the city (and the country).  Armed with a meager $10 and a hopeful spirit, I joined the droves of wishful thinkers and entered the exciting possibility of hitting the jackpot with my handful of lottery tickets.  After happily spreading our largesse among loved ones and my favorite charity, the beau and I fantasized about packing our bags and traveling the world without a home base for the next year (or two!).  Can you even imagine?

Despite my efforts to buy assorted springtime flowers like daffodils and daisies, I can’t shake my obsession for tulips.  They’re full of fun and offer just the right amount of color that undeniably evokes happiness when in bloom.  I was immediately drawn to the sidewalk display near my favorite coffeehouse and couldn’t help but delightfully smile as I walked away with a bouquet of pink stems.  Easily the best (and most fun) $6 I’ve recently spent.

Unfortunately, I experienced the most shockingly unwarranted encounter with a colleague this afternoon and it took every fiber of my being to calmly end the conversation and slowly walk away.  As I sat as my desk, completely stunned, I called my sister for comfort and she reminded me that if somebody is mean and inconsiderate, you can almost guarantee that they have some unresolved issues or some heartache they are trying to overcome.  If that’s the case, the last thing my co-worker needed was for me to make matters worse by responding angrily (even though I felt so tempted to lash out in defense).

Our exchange reminded me that wherever I go and whatever I do, I will always be met with critics and there’s really no concrete way of navigating around their presence.  Success requires a unique ability to not care about what other people already do (or will potentially) think about you.  Sadly, people that busy themselves judging you are usually just bored to death with their own lives — but your true friends will stick around and support you as the awesome person that you are (flaws and imperfections included).

With my beau engaged in bachelor party debauchery all weekend, I knew well in advance that I’d be on my own for today’s Shamrock Shuffle (and subsequently decided to have some fun by snapping a few photos with my phone along the five-mile course).  It’s funny, but despite my surroundings of 30,000+ runners, I looked around at the starting line and felt completely alone among the sea of people.  In that moment, I realized that even though I’m a pretty independent girl, most of life’s little occasions are made infinitely better when you have someone to share them with.  And serendipitously enough, a few minutes later, my beau sent a text message that read, “I’m here!  Good luck, love.  Look for me on the corner of Grand and State.”  Such an adorably sweet surprise.  Love that man.

Today flew by far too quickly for my liking, but besides the usual unglamorous weekend errands, the highlights included visiting a new Make-A-Wish family and excitedly planning their trip, browsing Pier One’s colorful pillow selection in search of a girlfriend’s housewarming gift and falling totally in love with the inviting outdoor space at World Market (if I had a balcony, this set would have unequivocally been mine).

| Treating myself to a new shatter polish |

| Loving Nike’s display at the Shamrock Shuffle expo |

| Sampling every perfume at Sephora |

| Making time for a long overdue car wash |

| Prying myself away from the pretty outdoor furniture |

| 76th floor |

After a late-afternoon lunch date at Blackbird, I grabbed a taxi back to the office and within a matter of minutes, the sky had gone from a torrential downpour to an eerie fog.  And by the time I made my way home a few hours later, the hazy view from our living room was enough to postpone my shopping trip and instead propel me into swimming a few laps in the pool and relaxing with a visit to our fitness center’s sauna.

| View from the mail room |

| Living among the clouds |

| Sandals in March = pure bliss |

Despite the fact that Spring officially arrived on Tuesday, it seems as though the change in seasons took place weeks ago.  Whether admiring the colorful tulips lining Michigan Avenue on my morning walk to the office or returning home from the market with several baskets of seasonal fruit, I love how the simplest things in my day can bring the most celebration.