The farmer’s market at lunch is always fun. Generally, I wander around alone, but I had company yesterday, which is always nice. Generally, people find excuses not to leave the building at lunch. This is weird to me.
People need to take more lunch breaks. Eating at your desk is not good. Not good for you or the project you are working on. Especially if you are a designer, you need to step away and come back with fresh eyes. Even if you pack a lunch…get out. GET OUT! Seriously. Get. Out.
If I ever own a business, I will kick everyone out and then lock the doors for an hour starting at noon. Even in the rain and snow. Do you remember the scene from Billy Madison where Miss Lippy sends the kids out for dodge ball hour so she can be alone…with craft paste and interpretive dance to sitar music? That is about right. Later in the afternoon, after nap time, we will have cupcakes. Who’s with me?
This post was supposed to be about all the friends in my life that are on a path to greatness…but that didn’t really happen. I will try harder next time.
I am off to Mary Poppins on Broadway in Chicago! Woot!
I didn’t know it was possible to pass out from eating sushi until last night. It was worse than any turkey coma I have experienced. Justin had to wake me lift me up from the couch and I barely made it to the bed…at 8:30 at night. Maybe I was worn out from the day, and I did get a lot of sun. I have over 15 DPHs from yesterday and need to upload at least a few. Let’s get started.
The first visit to Baci of the season. It was VERY crowded.
I spy a lunchtime picnic.
This accurately describes the mood of most everyone that was outside in Chicago yesterday. 80 degrees in April=euphoria.
Dessert
Alright, I never post photos of myself because I am on the other side of the camera and I just don't really love photos of myself. But this outfit really made me happy all day long. And besides the shoes, it was all free. The shirt and skirt as swap items from friends and the jewelry is jade and gold from Grandma Tica. <3
It is roof deck/patio season.
Sweaty sparkly and billowy sleevy.
This is prity prity good. Justin claims it was his, and that he is using his many degrees for sidewalk-chalk-painting.
Friday’s weather was just as nice as the forecast predicted. This means lunch outside of course. I actually get irritated if someone stays inside the office, with it’s false light and false air; it has been months since we’ve had a day as nice as Friday. Well, maybe we have had a day or two in February, but we knew it was a tease. This is possibly REAL spring.
We went over to Caffè RoM, where we used to pick up Napoli Sandwiches and gelato on a more than frequent basis. I love RoM, and I wish it had it’s own little storefront with a patio. But it is so close to the park that I suppose it doesn’t really matter.
I am not supposed to take photos in here, but I got a few snapped before being snapped at. Please note the light blue wall color. Of course I like this place.
The spot. Ryan is missing
I know I am not supposed to buy and re-use plastic bottles, but this one is so pretty. It is living in my purse until Alex or Dan find out. Oops.
Napoli Sandwich from RoM. Mozzarella, Tomato, Basil, and Balsamic on a crusty baguette. Perfect.
Most of Chicago's street planters have been planted. I love that they added a variety of leafy cabbages into the planters. This is not a great photo, but the color of the purple ones makes me want a dress inspired by...cabbage. I love the matte and dusty stormy purple, and the hot pink surprise in the center.
Sunday nights get me down. The weekend is over and it is dark outside and I am kind of sad about it. How can I remedy this? Two things seem to help:
Launder the bed linens. Lame? Maybe. But I am a huge fan of a soft fresh-scented set of clean sheets and blankets on my bed. It is a really simple thing, but seems to make Sunday night a little better, and starts the week off right.
Organize the photos. If the weekend went well, there are usually many photos that tell that story. I am behind a couple days on uploading the happiness photos, and they really added up. Especially since it was above 50 degrees here for 2 days in a row.
I haven’t posted since last Thursday, so here is Friday:
Cauliflower obsession continues. This was my lunch from Tuscany. Delicious. I urge Jo to give Cauli a chance.
Alex hosted another happy hour in the corner office. Fizzgig came, and brought pretzels to pass. He is clearly excited.
Drea is enjoying a Snakebite, courtesy of Alex. I was inspired to add a gradient to this photo after watching the video posted below.
Happy hour continued with more coworkers off-site. Blonde curls were in abundance.
Black and white heels were also in abundance. This photo is also of two separate people.
Saturday brought the sun. Porp laid in it of course. Schween was no more than a foot to her right.
I don't really want to talk about this.
Weird bush that now lives in the front yard instead of the backyard. Transplanted during construciton of the roofdeck garage I assume.
One of the happiest things I have seen in months.
Winnemac Park. This will be lush in a couple months. I didn't know it existed until today because I had never crossed the train tracks. Dumb.
Prairie things.
More dead prairie stuff. I took pictures until our table was ready at Over Easy on Damen.
Very popular. Not a lot of seating, so the wait was long. We didn't mind hanging out in the park across the street though.
Officially the best taters I have had for breakfast.
I don't remember what he had, but I remember tasting it and being envious. And beans were involved. <3
Who doesn't love egg-bead curtains, tin ceilings, brick walls and crown molding?
If anyone understands this, please comment to tell me the significance of "NINE."
After breakfast I decided to take a nap in the sun on the porch with the cats. Face-down. Woke up with nap face and the need for wine and flowers. Picked up some dried mango slices as well.
Meet Lidia. She is new. She eats jelly beans and wards off evil winter spirits.
Now I am going to sleep in my freshly-cleaned sheets. Goodnight.
Want to get sushi from the basement of a department store? Not really?
It is really good, I promise. The women/girls/ladies I work with are all addicted to it. It is made fresh daily on-site, and it is actually a lot better than you would think. I haven’t found any lunchtime to-go sushi that is better. Let me know if you would like to challenge me to a sushi duel. I will be happy to win and thrilled to lose matter o’ fact.
Andrea (a.k.a. Dre, Drea, ondrEYa, Aaandrea) and I had the sush today. We had good talks, and good eats and a bit of a sodium spill. It was an especially happy lunch for me.
