Monday, May 19, 2008

A New Life

So being here in Chicago is making such a difference! I actually wake up in the morning eager to go to work now - even on the days when I know I will be working a couple of hours later. I love being able to go places by foot, bus or train - and not having to move my car out of its parking space for days... which also saves me money, with this $4.15+ gas!! I love being able to call my girls up and say "hey, lets meet for breakfast" or getting in my car after work on Friday and being at my grandma's house 4 hours and a half a tank later. I love that I can go to a few different neighborhoods in one day - Wicker Park, Downtown, Lincoln Park, West Loop, Bronzeville, Chinatown, etc. - and feel as though I've traveled the world. While my Minnesota apartment was comfortable in its surroundings of large trees and peaceful wildlife - I actually find humor in my new "poor woman's view" that includes a glimpse of the upper deck of Soldier Field, the constant traffic on a stretch of major interstates and a small strip of Lake Michigan off in a very far distance. I feel like I've started over and that life I lived just over a month ago actually happened ages ago!

Some of my new favorite places in Chicago:

argo tea The Mo-ji-tea is super sweet, but SOOO good!

jubilee juice The Jubilee burger, with onion rings, a Cranberry Pleasure smoothie and a side of roasted red pepper hummus.

tatsu sushiThe have a sake version of a Cosmo that is so very good! (Oh, and the sushi is good too!)

sopraffina cafeThe Hilltop and Farmstand Salads are so tasty!

This weekend was kinda low key. I took a trip to the Bolingbrook IKEA and got a new shelving unit for the bathroom, a chair for my computer desk and some other household trinkets. I also got a chance to go see "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" which turned out to be a constantly funny movie. I laughed out loud much more than I normally do and enjoyed it all the way to the end. This week I've gotta watch the 1st Chronicles of Narnia movie so I can catch the new one in theaters soon.

forgetting-sarah-marshall-poster-0chronicles_of_narnia_the_lion_the_witch_and_the_wardrobe 

Its been so long since I did an item of the day! Lately, I've been obsessed with the summer "maxi" dresses that are out. I've got an August wedding to attend in Mexico, so I'm thinking cool and casual... preferably in the bright colors and wild prints of the summer!! Enjoy!

 ellen tracy linen maxi dresselie tahari deanna floral maxi dressabs print jersey dressdavid meister patio dress 051808issa london printed gown 051808diane von furstenberg maui maxi dress 051808