thank you notes

These are hilarious thank-you's! Via Yellow Trace blog. 

arrivederci 2009

photo by stephanie irelan

Hello friends!  It is that time where we say our goodbyes to 2009.  I am definitely looking forward to 2010 and really cannot believe a decade has passed so fast!  What are your plans for 2010?  As far as my NYE plans, well they are pretty low key.  I am going to cook a meal at home for Colt and pop open a bottle of bubbly and perhaps watch a movie.  I think it's a perfect way to send off this past year!  Cheers to a new year y'all! 

to-do in 2010

-visit iceland

-spend 1 week in marfa,tx

-begin grad school

-begin the master bedroom

-paint the guest bedroom/office

-be more optimistic

-make new friends

-sketch more

-learn as much as I can

-spend more time with family
-take more risks
-relax
-enjoy life with colt

-be a better listener

-pay off credit debt

-cook more

the list is endless

 photo by me

hello again

Hello all! I am so sorry for the lack of posts as of late, I will be honest and just say I have really been enjoying my new neighborhood and the amazing weather here! I have been biking all around this city and have been averaging about 12 miles a day outside of the gym. Anyways, I promise I will be better about it. I am getting back into the groove of things and the place is getting settled and unpacked. Still tons of things to get to fill the place as we moved from a 500sf 1 bedroom/ 1 bath 22 story high-rise in the Gold Coast to a +/- 950sf 2 bedroom/ 1 bath 3 story walk-up in Andersonville. We are SO much happier here! We are no longer on top of one another and for the first time in 4 years I am living in a place larger than a shoe-box! I have so many ideas for the place and of course it all takes time and money. Things will definitely be on a budget but I am up for the challenge. I purchased some really cool pieces over the weekend at the Andersonville sidewalk sale. I will post some pics tomorrow as I am waiting for some good sunlight to get the shots. I hope you all have been well! I am back to a regular blog schedule! Here are a few shots of the Leslie Hall concert I went to last week. She is the midwest DIVA from Ames, Iowa and is freaking HILARIOUS!

photos from lincoln park farmers market

wandering Andersonville

relaxing bike ride to Lake Michigan

getting in the leed

Hello fellow readers, I apologize for the lack of posts this past week but I have been studying for the USGBC LEED (Leader in Energy and Environmental Design) exam which I am taking on May 28. By passing this exam I will become a LEED AP and will mark the end of tests related to interior design for a period of time as I have already taken and passed the licensing exam. There is so much information to cover and many many details and standards to memorize but I think I am getting a pretty good grasp on the information. I know several people that have passed the exam but know even more that have failed. I read yesterday that the test has a 34% passing rate, lucky for me I have a good memory (almost photographic). Anyways, during the next 12 or so days I will not be posting that much because all of my energy needs to be on that test. I recommend you check out my dear friends Audrey and Josh's blog Harbenger Duo, for exciting design updates. They are an amazingly talented husband/wife team living in Houston and we pretty much have the same eye for design. Check em' out! I hope to report a passing score on the 28th to all of you. Have a wonderful next few days and Memorial Day! By the way what are y'all doing for that?

hello may!

Goodbye April and hello May! The flowers are blooming and the trees are starting to come out here in Chicago. I am now accepting reservations for warm weather outings here in Chi-town via the abode of Navarro+Melton. May= the beginning of Farmer's Markets in my neighborhood and rooftop grilling! Can't wait! Image via 21 year old Chilean photographer Sabino. Check out his flickr too.

love notes

via