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!!!

Academy Awards!

Tomorrow is the Academy Awards, and this year, I've actually seen a good portion of the movies.  I'm terrible at making predictions, but here are what I would LIKE to see win!

 

Best Picture

Midnight in Paris

(I LOVED this movie.  So charming and funny!  Owen Wilson's and Adrien Brody's acting were my favorite.)

Actor in a Supporting Role

Jean Dujardin - The Artist

(I liked him so much!)

Actress in a Supporting Role

Meryl Streep - The Iron Lady

(I consider Meryl Streep one of the greatest actors around.  She really has that quality where she absolutely becomes that person.)

Actor in a Supporting Role

Max von Sydow - Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

(He was good, although all I wanted to do during this movie, and the book, was give that little boy a hug.)

Actress in a Supporting Role

Octavia Spencer - The Help

(She was absolutely amazing!)

Animated Feature Film

Kung Fu Panda 2

(It's the only movie I've seen in this category, but it was really cute!)

Costume Design

Jane Eyre

(This version wasn't as good as the older version, but it was still well done.)

Makeup

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

(Come on, it has to win something!!!)

  

Music

The Artist

Visual Effects

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

(I thought the effects in this movie were really good.)

Valentine's Day

In the two weeks leading up to Valentine's Day, Jeremy and I celebrate "Valentine's Day Season."  It's kind of like the Christmas season except we watch romantic movies, leave each other little gifts (like Secret Santa) and I decorate a little bit around the apartment! 

It's fun to discover little hidden goodies from my sweetie: a Milka on the coffee maker in the morning; a candle in my purse. 

I pinned "100 Ways to Make Your Marriage Rock" on Pinterest and it's really inspiring!  I always wanted to be a wife that left her husband little notes, random gifts, etc.  But, after 4 years of marriage I usually forget to do those things (not that I love J any less or am any less thrilled to be married to him!).  I think doing Valentine's Day Season is a good way to consciously do those things and look for little things he would like.

A few things I would like to implement off the list are to frame our wedding vows and to work on just "being together" (taking a break from cell phones, etc.).  When Jeremy and I were dating, sometimes he would take his cell phone out of his pocket and just turn it off.  I remember how special and respected that made me feel, and that's how I want to make him feel!

Last night, we had our Valentine's Day dinner at Bistro Campagna, which was so nice.  Today, my Valentine surprised me with orchids and my favorite wine!

Words cannot describe how blessed I am to have married Jeremy.  He is the sweetest, most patient, and selfless husband I could have asked for.  Sometimes I still can't believe God helped me find someone as perfect for me as he is! 

Like all girls, I always hoped I'd find the man of my dreams.  I found the man who is BETTER than my dreams!  I am the luckiest girl in the world.