A Delightful Day

This week is Spring Break, and I spent a few hours at the Art Institute today.  One of my favorite things to do!  I love putting my headphones in and wandering around.   

I found this interesting... during the Renaissance, a popular thing for wealthy Europeans was to have a "cabinet of curiosities" in their house.  This would be a room with different artifacts, art, etc from around the world. 

This room in the Art Institute is supposed to give you a feeling of what a real cabinet of curiosities would be like...

A painting from Italy.

Some pottery from China.

And a cup carved out of a coconut from the New World.

Today was a perfect Spring day in the city!

Tulips in Millennium Park.

Dad and I met for lunch, and we took it outside so we could sit by the most beautiful building in Chicago!  I am obsessed with it. 

My Spring Break is going by too fast.  Tomorrow I have no plans other than to be a housewife!  I have my to-do list ready (cleaning, laundry...).  I might rent "My Week with Marilyn" if I get enough done around here.  We'll see!!!

Springtime walk and St. Patty's Day!

With the perfect Spring weather we have been having, Lulu and I have been going on many long walks!  We are blessed to live in such a pretty neighborhood!

When we turn to walk down our street, Lulu usually starts pulling back because she doesn't want to go home!  She is such a typical Scottie with her stubborness. :)

On St. Patrick's Day, we went down to watch them dye the river green. 

We also went to the Celtic Knot in downtown Evanston with some friends!

Of course, we had to watch our favorite Irish movie...

Chicago architecture

One of my favorite things to do after work is to meet my dad for coffee or a late lunch.  We often walk around the city talking about the different architecture.  For Christmas he got me an architecture "walking tour" DVD of the Loop, so we have been going inside some of the buildings from the DVD (which I never realized you can do)!

This was inside One North Lasalle.  I love the Art Deco light fixtures and marble.

I'm pretty sure this was the Bank of America building (this was from Christmas time). 

Last week, I went down to meet Dad for lunch, then he showed me another spot from the architecture DVD.  I found it so interesting... The Northern Trust building was built of granite and marble, and its pillars reach down to bedrock.  It is considered sag-proof, so this little spot is the benchmark that they use to calculate the height of all the buildings in Chicago.

We walked over to the Art Institute so he could show me another building (not from the DVD)...

Dad thought this building was almost as pretty as the Trump Tower, which is my favorite Chicago building (the taller building on the right).  I just think it's so stunning. 

Top o' the Morning

I was feeling festive today and decided to decorate my mantel for St Patrick's Day!  I didn't want to go anywhere/spend any money so I browsed Pinterest for ideas. :) 

I had pinned some free printables from Blooming Homestead.  I also used her idea of gluing charms inside a frame (the hat and shamrock).  These were floral picks that I pulled the wire out of.

A book I already had and another free printable.

I made a paper shamrock garland.  I think it looks so cute! 

Happy St. Patty's Day!!!