Sunday, May 22, 2011

hangover reveries

I woke in my party dress this morning. And party earrings. And party mascara. It's the most beautiful sunshiney day in Chicago. Perfect for a pool party but the pools aren't open. It hurts, but it's worth it.

I love the vulnerability of a hangover. I'm so susceptible to joys and sadness. The ebbulience of brunch well-chosen! And now, air-conditioner on and curtains drawn, in bed with a new Bitch magazine, I heart Your Style by Amanda Brooks, and a piece of coconut tres leches cake. My only plan for the day is dancing.

A few days ago, I got the best haircut. It's short and curly and wild and makes me feel like my best self. Concurrently, I decided if I don't love my job, I can at least look damn good at it. This is important. "Let me begin by saying that find your personal style is really about discovering yourself." This is important.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Here's to: Things that Sparkle

- The California sunshine
- Elizabeth Taylor's eyes
- The above pictured Elizabeth Taylor tribute cocktail which was sipped in the California sun (the single large ice cube suggesting white diamonds)

Sunday, May 8, 2011

neighborhoods and community

Sun and warmth are finally meandering their way into Chicago. This means that people are uncurling from their apartments and remembering that there is pleasant living beyond the sofa.

I sometimes worry that I don't have friends in the winter.

I have been more social in the last week than the last four months combined.  A super fun outing that I just embarked on with my friends Betsy and Sara was a neighborhood exchange. I went up to their 'hood to see their favorite everyday places. Saw their bar, coffee shop, bookstore, and Swedish pastry shop. Soon I'll have them down to our lands between lands to walk my walks, snack my snacks, and drink my drinks. Maybe we'll swim in the community pool and eat popsicles from the paleta man with his wandering bells. I'm excited to show them my space.

I wonder what will be lost by having them down for the free and easy sunshine versus the trapped, stilted winter. Because that's when we really live in these places -the mile radius around the house is our whole world.

Next year I'll make snowshoes.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

to many happy returns

I'm not sure how I heard, but I had to go to Lillie's Q. They have boiled peanuts! I love those little nibblers. Your fingers get all salty, pruney from popping 'em open so you can slurp 'em out of the half shell. Lillie's also had mighty tasty pimento cheese and thick cut fried pickles just how I like them.

I will come back this summer to sit on their patio, sip moonshine-spiked Arnold Palmers, and snack on the peanuts.

I miss the Latham Mart's vats of regular and cajun style boiled peanuts. They were perfect to bring to a potluck.