Snow Castles

One recent snowy Sunday, while out running a few last holiday errands, we randomly decided to check out the beach in all of its iced-over glory. The wind was nearly unbearable, and the sounds out over the water were unbelievable, but I’m glad that we made the stop because it reminded me how spectacular Lake Michigan is in every season of the year. Sometimes, I can’t believe I live a few blocks from this.

So Long Summer

Our favorite beach on the last day of the season

I’m happy to brag that the term lazy doesn’t even begin to describe our Labor Day weekend. We’ve been traveling, reorganizing and working so much recently, that I didn’t feel a bit guilty about doing next to nothing. Sure, we made the requisite stops at the Farmers’ Market, the beach and the library, but other than that, we basically basked in peace and quiet. We met our goal of cooking a lot and not going out to eat once, we watched a decent amount of HGTV and college football, and I developed a not so subtle addiction to Pinterest that embarrassingly resulted in a stiff neck and a sore-from-flicking-through-images arm.  (Psst...Visit my finds here)

This time of year always makes me slightly sad, but with the sadness also comes excitement for impending New York Fashion Week coverage, falling leaves, hearty crock pot meals, nubby sweaters, boots, new TV series, and the rollout of Halloween decorations. Until I can satisfy myself with those signs of early autumn though, I’ll cling to these few reminders of the last official week of summer 2013.

Calm, crystal clear lake water

Late summer vase filler

Early fall colors and textures

Decadent, cloud-shaped challah french toast inspired by Ina Garten and enjoyed on a cool Sunday morning

Silver Lining

As I hinted at earlier this week, spring has really taken its sweet time arriving in Chicagoland. At this time last year, my flip flop-clad feet had already taken many leisurely strolls along the Lake. Even though it’s May, my winter coats, sweaters, and rain boots continue to be in regular rotation.

On the bright side, the regular downpours have resulted in some unusually pretty water colors which were magnified by one of the only clear days that we’ve had in a while—the silver lining around an otherwise bleak (and, at times, snow-filled) set of clouds.

Here’s to sunny skies and a windows-down kind of road trip to Columbus this weekend! 

Adrift

Frigid, glacier-like conditions on the Lake

This weekend, we continued our spree of filling in the vacant winter hours with lots of indoor time and a few spur-of-the-moment activities, including a quick trip to check out the ice mounds skirting Lake Michigan and grab giant cinnamon rolls at our favorite local bakery. I otherwise spent far too long on the couch, alternating between Netflix binges on House of Cards, reading binges on The Night Circus and the Sunday New York Times, and Twitter binges on Fashion Week and Grammy coverage. Thankfully, the weekend wasn’t entirely anti-social, as it wrapped up with a leisurely brunch with my two baby-bumped friends. 

Not quite perfect after the hurried car ride home, but delicious nevertheless

Anticipating Valentine's Day with a sequin ban.do heart

Anticipating warmer weather with new Elizabeth and James Holly Platforms scored on a major sale at Shopbop

Twin arrangements for our bedside tables

No Lifeguard

Even though autumn is my favorite season of the year, I always find the end of summer to be bittersweet. There’s something so desolate about the unattended beach that it’s nearly impossible to remember the heat and crowds that claimed it just a few weeks ago. At this time of year, it almost feels as though you have the entirety of Lake Michigan and the distant, twinkling City of Chicago to yourself. 

Tourist Treasures

The heat streak continued this past weekend, but it was as though the weather was perfectly timed for our play-it-by-ear plans. We shopped the Magnificent Mile in the early morning hours (so the surprisingly short wait for Garrett's didn’t take place in the blistering heat!), we ducked into the Field Museum right as the black clouds rolled in, and by the time we left the Genghis Khan exhibit, the brief storm was over. We then spent the next 24 hours enjoying the many things that Evanston has to offer. Among the staycation sights…