Blue Blossoms

I’ve been close with my friend Kelly since our college sorority days at Ohio University. We’ve seen each other through many life stages, and she’s one of the main reasons that I found myself moving to Chicago 8 years ago.  When she married one of my boyfriend’s high school friends and I served as co-maid of honor at her wedding, I couldn’t have been happier for her. And then, today, she brought the cutest little (well, okay, at 10 lbs. maybe not so little) boy into the world, and my happiness for her and her new family blossomed even more.  

Congrats on Baby D, Kelly! Here’s to many more years of memories….

Relaxed & Ripped

After stumbling across this pair on a sale rack for $20 a few weeks ago, I’ve fully embraced the well-worn look of oversized boyfriend jeans. It’s an easy trend that’s been completely compatible with my summertime on-the-go schedule and, if done right, doesn’t have to look lazy. Their versatility made them the perfect wardrobe staple during a recent evening out that included an early dinner in the City, sunset on the beach, and a starlight concert in the park. 

Images 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 

Trail Blazer V: Guest Edition!

Jessica's dog Patterson means business during workouts

Though new music is crucial to keeping my stamina up during workouts, I'm usually behind on fresh songs because I spend most of my radio time tuned into Howard Stern. Luckily, my best friend Jess keeps me up to date. She and I got to know each other as freshman roommates at Ohio University, and though she now lives across the country, I continue to rely on her for the latest hits (even if she was a die-hard Tori Amos fan when we first met).  That said, take it away Jess…

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Living in Seattle, you need to take advantage of the warm sunny days when they come! I crave any time I can enjoy walking/running outside and I've been dragging along my dog, a six year old Dachshund/Terrior mix named Patterson.  Watching a weiner dog run distance is a sight to see... but maybe I need to give him a chance to build up to running like I've been doing myself.  I'm no runner, but slowly I'm learning how to fake it with a little motivation, my Fitbit and a great beat.  Here's a list of my current favorite songs to keep my dog and my short legs a chugging:

1. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Can't Hold Us

2. Missy Elliot - Work It

3. Beyonce - End of Time

4. Skrillex - Bangarang

5. STRFKR - Girls Just Want to Have Fun

6. Icona Pop - I Love it

7. Cher Lloyd - Want You Back

8. MIA - Bamboo Banga

9. Kid Cudi - Day N Night

10. Mary J. Blige - Just Fine

Lake Country

The shores of Silver Lake

My boyfriend is fishing with friends in Canada for the week, which means that I’m on my own and taking full advantage of it. I headed up to Wisconsin for the second weekend in a row, and I’m quickly falling in love with “Lake Country,” as the locals affectionately refer to the area. There really does seem to be a new pool of water at every turn, and it has become clear to me why many Chicagoans escape to the quaint little resort towns outside of Milwaukee as soon as the clock strikes 5 on Friday afternoons. 

An afternoon well spent eating cheese curds under blue umbrellas at Revere's Tavern

Road tripping around the lakes with an overly excited Floss

Sweet treats at a highly recommended custard stand straight out of the '50s

Roadside attraction next to Oconomowoc's answer to the Sunday brunch: Maxim's Depot

Blankets of lightening bugs in the country fields at twilight

Birthdays in Barns

Just a few of the friendly faces out back

My sister has fully moved in to her barn-turned-apartment in Wisconsin—just in time to celebrate her birthday, country style. Although she is working a ridiculous number of hours at all times of day, we were able to take in some sunshine at the local Farmers Market, enjoy a walk around one of the many lakes in the area, make a pit stop at a gift shop that was too cute for words, and dine upon a local specialty: the Friday night fish fry. Unfortunately, many of the memories weren’t captured on film as I forgot my camera back in Chicago. Needless to say, it was a lot of fun and I’m already looking forward to visiting again next weekend, even if the barnyard animals’ wake-up calls begin around 4 a.m. 

A delicious assortment of birthday cupcakes, courtesy of Miss Julia's Bake Shop

The start of the "5" collection that I've been wanting to start with my boyfriend (who I started dating in the 5th month of 2005) which I picked up while shopping at Monograham in Delafield

The everlasting gardenia blossom that my aunt sent home with my on our way back from Kentucky

Sunday night dessert: a trio of sorbets stuffed inside hollow citrus shells
Not shown: the fruit, which was used to flavor large goblets of sangria enjoyed on the porch earlier in the evening