Anki

My Swedish friend Anki arrived into town last week and I was able to meet up with her and her family. So great to finally meet! Check out her blog here

Petar & Isac


Isac

Air & Water Show

Last Saturday, a group of us headed over to the Lake to see the Air & Water Show - Amazing!!


Irene, Teresa, Denise and Toni


and Laura

Frontera Grill

My parents and I celebrated my birthday at Frontera Grill 2 weeks ago - I have been wanting to try this place for 5 years and scored a reservation. The meal was amazing, the cocktails were dillylish and the desserts....FAB!!

The man just won Top Chef Masters so I think that says it all!

Blackbird

A few weeks ago my friend and I went to check out William Petersen's, former star of CBS-TV's CSI, play Blackbird. The play was SOLD OUT and I was lucky enough to score tickets on Craig's List.

British vernacular for "jailbird," Blackbird is a real-time account of the awkward reunion of Ray and Una, 15 years after a passionate affair when he was 40 and she was a minor. Ray is confronted with his past when Una arrives unannounced at his workplace. Guilt, rage and raw emotions run high as they recollect their forbidden relationship.

Band of Horses

After Lollapalooza, I headed over to House Blues to see my FAVORITE band Band of Horses. I know I am on a concert kick! I have tickets to 3 other upcoming shows in the next 2 months lol...check BOH out!

Chairlift, Passion Pit play Apple Store, Chicago

On the eve of Chicago's Lollapalooza Music Festival 2009, Sony teamed up with Apple to get the party atmosphere in swing, resulting in a free in-store concert.

It is Thursday night and the line wrapped around the block. I wasn't even sure I would make it into the show - I was probably 10+ years older then most of these kids but I thought hey I only got a one day pass for Lollapalooza and here are 2 bands playing for free that were part of the weekend line up - I am there! We were all herded into the second floor of Chicago’s Michigan Ave. Apple Store by several college-aged guys and a goth chick. They didn't even remove the computers from the table where I perched myself for an eyeful view of Chairlift and Passion Pit. If you are loving the song soundtracking the latest iPod ad then you have heard of Chairlift. Enjoy!

Lollapalooza 2009

I haven't blogged in so long - sorry! It has been a very eventful few weeks!

Last Friday, I went to Lollapalooza with a few friends - I am so lucky because I live down the street from Grant Park so it was just a hop, skip and jump to one of the most amazing music festivals! It rained earlier in the day so there was some major mud!

Had me some black pepper-truffle-parmesan popcorn from graham elliot that was dillylish!

Natasha & Mike

Natasha & Yelena

Natasha & I

Mike, Natasha & I


and... here are my pictures of Depeche Mode - I hadn't seen them in concert in close to 20 years and they did not disappoint.

Here is me at BU (my alma mater) in my DM t-shirt blowing bubbles lol

Great African Adventure

As some of you might know, my cousin Paisley and husband Doug left Tuesday, July 28th for Swaziland...for 2 years!

Doug accepted a position as a staff physician with the Baylor College of Medicine and as a member of the 2009 Pediatric AIDS Corps.

So Paisley began a blog in order to keep in touch with family and friends but also to account for their Great African Adventure. I plan to visit early next year and if you would like to follow their crazy encounters come check it out here!

Birthday Bliss Notecard

Birthday Bliss (#115442)

Share your great big wishes for birthday happiness through a sweet and fashionable notecard. It's just the right size for slipping under a ribbon on a beautifully wrapped gift.

Supplies:
Birthday Bliss
Melon Mambo 8-1/2X11 Card Stock
Pretty In Pink 8-1/2X11 Card Stock
Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock
In Color 8-1/2X11 Textured Card Stock
Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pad
Chocolate Chip 5/8 Inch Grosgrain Ribbon
Clear Rhinestone Brads
Stampin' Dimensionals
Trio Flower Punch

A Musical You Can Believe In

Spring Awakening the most talked about new musical on Broadway is daring, dynamic and provocative. 90's Duncan Sheik wrote the score, his pal Stephen Sater interpreted the play, and choreographing legend Bill T. Jones provided some great modern moves that are unlike what you find in other musicals. Based on a banned nineteenth century play about children dealing with their “budding sexuality,” the show breaks the musical theater mold. But it only runs through August 16th at the Oriental Theatre.

We R Memory Keepers - Corner Chomper and Case

The We R Memory Keepers Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper is a 2 in 1 corner rounder that cuts both 1/4" and 1/2" round corners. Works beautifully on thick or thin projects

• - The strength of the Crop-A-Dile in a Corner Rounder
• - Easily cuts through paper, cardstock, chipboard, leather, plastic, acrylic, and more!
• - Easily see exactly where you are cutting
• - Soft silicone handles add comfort and style
• - Corner guides fold flat for easy storage
• - Waste receptacle holds the cut pieces until you are ready to empty them - Plastic guards protect fingers from getting cut or pinched

Today Is Your Birthday

You say it's your birthday
It's my birthday too--yeah
They say it's your birthday
We're gonna have a good time
I'm glad it's your birthday
Happy birthday to you.

Yup today is my birthday - my 39th birthday - my last year of the 30's...as my friend Dean says stretch it out for it's worth lol... of course he turned 40 this year and he says life's doesn't start until you turn 40...yeah I think Oprah said that about turning 50.

I have a big birthday week planned. Monday night my friend/neighbor Laura and I went to the movies and we saw Adam - great flick. I stayed afterwards to catch another sneak preview of Julie & Julia - I am Julia Child...Bon Appétit! Last night she took me to PF Chang's - love their lettuce wraps! Tonight, I am gong to dinner with another friend, Suzen, and we are heading to Petterino's and then seeing Spring Awakening. Can't wait! Tomorrow night, the Apple Store is featuring 2 Lollapalooza bands Chairlift and Passion Pit so I am going to check them out. Friday night (and all weekend) is Lollapalooza - Depeche Mode - My favorite band from the 80's.

I live down the street from Grant Park so easy peasy. Then Saturday night, dinner with my parents at Frontera Grill - place I have bean trying to get into for years! I love Rick Bayless. So it is an action packed week!


AND....

I am meeting my Stampin' Up! Swedish friend Anki sometime this weekend or next week!!

Celebrate!