this view

via create.your.happy

It always seems to happen this time of year, right before the weather's about to change, I start to think about all the things I haven't done but still want to do before the year is over. It kind of makes me feel like a creative mess and takes the happy out of creating when I focus too much on what I haven't done. So, instead of doing that, I'm going to remember what I did do and the fun I had this summer. And one fun thing we did was go sailing on the lake. Isn't that view amazing? There's no place like Chicago in the summer time.

100 Days of Chicago

willis tower via create.your.happy

About a month ago I randomly found out about this 100 Days of Chicago photo contest. Without thinking too much about it I decided to just go for it and entered one of my photos into the contest. And what do you know…my photo got voted in as a finalist!

Now the final voting phrase has begun. You can vote for my photo once every day from now until June 11. All you have to do is click here, create an account and vote for my photo of the Willis Tower!

Basically, whoever wins this contest will have done so because they got the most votes from their family and friends. I'm not a huge fan of these popularity type contests but to be quite honest this is probably the only way that I even have a chance of winning. I don't think my photo is bad. I actually really like it and think it's ok, but there are some really awesome photos in this contest. The main reason I entered is because the grand prize winner gets a seven week class from the Chicago Photography Center. I would love an opportunity to learn how to take better photos, to go from taking an ok photo to taking a really awesome photo. And it would be a great way to end this photo project - year one, year two, year three and year four in progress.

Please remember to vote for my photo!

chicago style

I've lived in Chicago for 3 years and I can't believe I just tried my first Chicago style dog. Oh man, I had no idea what I was missing. It was amazing! And although I've only had it once my Chicago style will always be sans ketchup. This is summer at its best!

Here's what you need to make your own -

poppyseed bun

your favorite hot dog of choice, steamed or grilled

chopped onion (optional in my opinion)

sweet relish

tomato wedges

pickle spear

sport peppers

yellow mustard

celery salt

middlewest magazine

via middlewest

Chicago has a new modern food magazine called Middlewest Magazine. The magazine arrives in an envelope as recipe cards- genius idea! The recipe pictures are so pretty. It makes me want to spend an afternoon in the kitchen and make this! Seriously, can summer get here already.

happy foods

via refinery29

via refinery29

via refinery29

Refinery 29 has a list of foods that can help put you in a good mood. Good thing I eat most of these foods on a daily basis. But I don't care how much happy food you eat when the weather is s%*!, like it is in Chicago today, you just need summer to get here already.

I want to know what happy list wine, french fries, and cheesecake are on because those foods can definitely make me happy!

sunday brunch

Last Sunday we went to brunch at Monkey's Paw with family. Brunch time is probably one of my favorite times. It's that feeling of time slowing down, of not having to rush off to something, of the whole day being ahead of you to create your happy or doing nothing at all- which is sometimes pure happiness too. It's a time when you can savor every bite and every moment.

The food was a bit heavier than what I typically like for brunch. This meal stuck with us for the entire day but all that rich, cheesy goodness was delicious. The bloody mary had a nice, spicy kick to it but this one will always be my favorite. We'll definitely go back especially during the summer when they open their patio doors and you can just sit for hours enjoying the warm sunshine...that sounds perfect right about now.

weekend fun

via create.your.happy

This was our weekend...the city was our backdrop. We spent time with family and friends, made homemade pizza, drank wine from our favorite vineyard, slept in and went on a couple bike rides. There was no green beer or crazy antics just some rejuvenating relaxation for the busy week ahead. Oh geez, we must be getting old!

can you believe it?

via create.your.happy

This was the temperature tonight at 9:15pm as I was driving home with the windows down. I had dinner at a friend's house where we sat outside, drank white wine and wore short sleeves. This is just crazy! This is not Chicago weather. I've heard some people say that there will be retribution this summer or maybe even next winter, but I'd rather not think like that. I hope mother nature isn't out to get us even though we probably deserve it seeing how we aren't taking the best care of our planet (but that's an entirely different post). Instead, I'd like to just say thank you to her for this blessing of the most beautiful March weather. Who knows maybe she is out to get us and she'll pay us back but for tonight I'm just grateful.

bikes & coffee

via refinery29

I like bikes. And I like coffee. But do I like bikes and coffee together? I guess I'll have to stop by this shop when we get back from Phoenix. It's just up the street from us so it might be a new neighborhood favorite. Although there is already another coffee shop right next door and another favorite down the street. But really nothing can beat sipping a cup of coffee in your jammies at home....Now that makes me happy!

chicago 'hoods

via thechicagoneighborhoods

All this history about Chicago's different neighborhoods is just another reason why I love this city.

apple blossom print

via appleblossomprint

It's been a while since I've shared a local Chicago etsy shop, but as I was busy making my inbox zero this evening I came across a receipt for this sweet poster that I gifted to a friend for her bridal shower. [Note, our friends are not Andy and Sarah, though I do wish whoever they are a lifetime of love and happiness.] Now that I'm seeing this poster again, and still absolutely loving it, I'm very tempted to get one for myself- it would be a perfect addition to the great picture wall. Have I mentioned the great picture wall? Well, it's been on my list of apartment projects ever since we moved in. We have this enormous bare wall in our kitchen and I really want it to look something like this. I'm still in the arranging process- I've cut out pieces of paper in the size of the picture frames and taped them to the wall to see what arrangement will look best, some of the frames have pictures in them and some I still need to pick out pictures for. Ebert would really like it if I just made a decision. Oh, if only it was that easy. It's a huge commitment to pound holes in the wall. However, picking out fabulous gifts for friends? That's a much easier decision to make.

happy monday!

Pat's Pizza, the best thin crust pizza in Chicago, makes me happy!

via create.your.happy

i heART chicago

Chicago you might be on my list right now, but I still heART you!

(all images via luciusart on etsy)

summertime

via laurageorge

This poster pretty much sums up how awesome Chicago is during the summertime!

rose angelis

Go here for dinner, especially on a Wednesday or Thursday. You will be very happy afterwards.




Your belly can thank me later.

star gazing

Good things are happening on this here blog of mine- not only did I get to collaborate with Julia yesterday, but today I'm collaborating with the talented Becky of Empty Wallet. Becky created Empty Wallet to share her love of the arts with the people of Chicago, but knowing that a lot of artists have empty wallets themselves only free or pay-what-you-can events are listed. I love that! I often say to Ebert "chicks dig economy", especially this unemployed chick. Empty Wallet is currently getting a makeover, so in the meantime you can look for free events here on create . your . happy!

via Northwestern University's CIERA

The first event Empty Wallet has for us is a FREE public viewing at the Dearborn Observatory in Evanston. Every Friday at 8pm the Dearborn Observatory is open for public observing with the historic 18.5-inch refracting telescope. Spend an evening gazing into the night sky dreaming about boldly going where no man has gone before. Doesn't that sound lovely? And you can't beat free.

featured local: basya berkman vintage

Remember when I mentioned wanting to collaborate with someone on something awesome? Well, I'd like to introduce you to Julia, the owner of Basya Berkman Vintage- a fabulous vintage shop on etsy. Julia is my first featured local guest and she's been kind enough to share a bit about herself. I hope you enjoy getting to know her as much as I have!



What are a few of your favorite things to do in Chicago?
Thrifting would be high on my list as it feeds both my shop and my creative soul! Some of my favorite pieces have come from the many neighborhood Salvation Army's and Village Discounts. One of my best finds was a red wool coat with black floral applique, c.1960s. I scored it for 49 cents and have worn it for over a decade now. My husband and I enjoy seeing plays and hearing live music. Remy Bumppo often puts on work by our favorite playwright, Tom Stoppard and Uncommon Ground in Edgewater has great local performers and good food.

What five things can't you live without?
In no particular order and focusing on just ”things”, of course: hot tea, hot baths, books – the “real” kind, my laptop, and sweater tights!

What's your favorite vintage possession?
My husband bought me two engagement rings (he couldn’t choose) from the 1930s/1940s that I treasure. One is rose gold and pearl and the other is white gold with gorgeously delicate scrollwork.

How do you put together a fabulous vintage outfit?
I prefer vintage mixed in unusual ways, often with modern pieces, so I'm all for not being afraid to try unusual combinations. Pair a fancy chiffon dress with chunky boots or wear a pillbox hat with jeans and a vest. Stay open to possibilities, so many things come to life on the female form that just seem dead on the hanger. Try it on! Also, everything looks better in heels. Learn to love them. Platforms and tall wedge heels can be pretty comfortable.

What's your favorite Chicago store, restaurant or etsy shop?
I love Bittersweet Café in Lakeview for incredible hot chocolate, sweets, and brunch. Akai Hana in Wilmette for the most kid-friendly Japanese food. Bookman’s Alley in Evanston is my favorite used book store hands down- it’s a world within a world. As far as clothes, I’m a shameless bargain hunter and enjoy the clearance racks at H&M and Urban Outfitters. For storefront vintage, the plainly named Antique and Resale Shoppe on the northwest side might be the best kept secret in town – affordable with an amazing selection.

How do you create balance between being a stay-at-home mom and an etsy shop owner?
That’s my biggest challenge. I work mostly in the evenings and on the weekends when my husband is home. I try to include my kids in my work when possible. They are expert estate sale attendees at this point and I’ve been meaning to ask my son to try his hand at some of my book-keeping, so that he can practice some arithmetic while seeing how much the business has earned that month. The best thing was when I stopped feeling guilty whenever I needed to pull myself away to do work related tasks, and realized how positive it can to be for them to see mommy excited and immersed in her work.

Where do you get your inspiration?
I can only gush and gush when trying to answer this! Apart from friends and fellow Etsy shop owners who are always doing amazingly creative things, I get inspiration from older movies, especially from Europe, they are full of incredible costumes and set designs that fuel me: Fellini, Tarkovsky, and Hitchcock, to name a few directors. I also can’t overlook films I saw growing up such as Flashdance and The Unbearable Lightness of Being where I consciously tried to copy the look of those heroines at different stages of my life. Style icons would include Bjork, Sophia Loren, and my aunt Victoria who turned me on to Erte when I was little. I still can’t shake the decadence he represents. Mad Men goes without saying, but I also adore British period dramas like Downton Abbey and The Cazalets. Then there are old fashion magazines and catalogues, as well as vintage and antique photographs that I collect. Finally, street fashion really excites me and I try to follow a few blogs/websites to get a feel for that. Here are three I like: leflattery, lookbook, keikolynn, plus one out of Finland which is pretty wild: hel-looks

How do you create your happy?
It so happens that homeschooling my kids, collecting vintage clothes, running my Etsy shop – all are things I love to do and there are few boundaries between my family, my work, and my hobbies. The happiest days are when my passions intersect and show me new and exciting paths.

gotta love chicago

First there was calling "dibs".

via Huffington Post

Now, there's Pulaski Day . . .



and Paczki Day. I'm not really sure what a Paczki is but it looks delicious!

I really do love this city!

paciugo

The winter blues, cabin fever, seasonal effect disorder, what have you is beating down on me. And the gorgeous warm weather we had last week didn't help either- it was such a tease! Now it's all cold and snowy again with nothing but gloom in the forecast.

I cannot wait for spring! I cannot wait to eat ice cream again! I don't know about you, but ice cream just doesn't do it for me during the winter time. I only crave warmth during these long dreary months. Although looking at the creamy, melting goodness of the gelato in this picture is making me think twice. I'm telling you as soon as it gets above 70 degrees I'm going to enjoy three scoops of gelato awesomeness from Paciugo. I know it's a chain gelato store, and I'm really trying to only feature local Chicago shops, but seriously it's so good! And you'll be happy to know that each store has gelato masters who make fresh gelato every morning. That's local enough for me.

It's been so long since I've been there I can't remember what flavors are in this picture, but they always feature unique combinations that pop, blend, then melt in your mouth. And the best part - they aren't stingy about samples. If you can't make up your mind, which is me every time I go in there, they'll be happy to let you try all the flavors until you find your favorite. I would only suggest doing this during slow times, otherwise the line of people who are waiting out the door could start to riot. I can't really blame them, they just want some gelato too!

I don't know if this is the best gelato shop in Chicago seeing how it's the only one I've been to, but so far it's my favorite. If you think you know of the best place then please share in the comment section. I'd love to check out your recommendations...during spring and summer time, of course!

weekend romance

On the eve eve of Valentine's Day, I thought I'd share some of my favorite romantic movies that were filmed in Chicago....because I heart Chicago and I'm hopelessly full of romantic optimism.

Only the Lonely

While You Were Sleeping

My Best Friend's Wedding

And another favorite is Return To Me. Awwww...love to you all!