Dreaming in color :: Neutrals

It's an absolutely gorgeous day today, aside from the gloomy skies.  If the sun were shining, it would be the most perfect late February day EVER.  Actually, it really is the most perfect February day ever - this is pretty unreal.

I can't get enough of these kinds of pictures today.  The beach photograph evokes something within me. Its dreamy quality has transported me and I can almost hear the birds calling and the waves crashing.  The terrariums?  I simply adore them.  The specimen vials are just so interesting - what's not to love?!

What are you dreaming of today?  Also, is the weather treating you nicely?

1. PULPMiscellania - Specimen Vial collection 
2. Slightlyuseful - Weeds
3. Wendiland - Heart Stealer Trapped in the Bubble
4. Kameronelisabeth - San Clemente Fine Art Photograph

Lusting for :: Toast's Salt Water Sandals

These Salt Water sandals from Toast's spring collection had me at first sight.  There's something about them that's fun and playful but also invokes memories of dressing up in my grandma's shoes when I was little.  I think that's why I adore them so.  

I'm itching for spring so badly and these 45 degree days we're having are only making it worse.  I'm enjoying the weather, I really am.  I've been wearing my jacket instead of my coat and even went for a brief jog yesterday (I can't jog).  But I know it's only a tease.  I mean, it is still mid-February and this is Chicago so it's only a matter of time until we're back to the brutality of winter, right?  Hopefully I'm wrong.  Because I really want to step outside in some sandals, like these from Toast as soon as possible.  Oh to walk around in them right now without slush getting all over my feet! Sigh.

I definitely reached the point where winter has completely worn out its welcome.  I need it to be spring!

I Heart You!

There's a crazy blizzard* outside so what better thing to do than to stare at pretty pictures for Valentine's Day?  I don't know about you but I totally want a chocolate panini and some champagne right about now.

My husband is actually on his way home right now since the blizzard is in full effect and things are getting nuts out there.  Chicago is actually starting to shut down...unbelievable.  Here's hoping the schools close down so our seriously pregnant Hadley doesn't have to travel to the opposite side of town to sit in an empty classroom tomorrow.  My fingers are crossed!

Stay warm, everyone!

* Just for the record, I prefer the Dairy Queen kind over the mother nature kind.

All images from Martha Stewart, Mod Cloth and Real Simple

Brrr!

The temps have taken a plummet here in Chicago so I'm doing my best to stay warm.  Luckily I'm not forced to go outside every day unlike most of you (sorry) so I can sit inside under a blanket with the warmth of my Christmas tree to help.  But I thought I would share some pictures that keep me warm and make me happy.  Here's to a delightfully warm Tuesday!

twinkle!; yarn; knit star;  hot buttered rum

That October feeling

It's hot outside today.  It has been all weekend.  I don't really understand, it really confuses me.  But, I kind of like it.  The sun is shining bright, the leaves are gold and orange and red.  They're falling gracefully to the ground and I can hear them rustling.  None of it makes any sense to me.  If it's this pretty outside then the weather should be crisper and baking should be more pleasant.  I am about to make some apple cheddar bread but I do fear the worst about turning on the oven.  I can't turn on the A/C when it's October!  But it's 80 degrees in here with the windows open and the sun is beating through the windows.  I couldn't resist taking pictures of our plants in the windowsill.  Our basil has been growing strong for over a year and whenever we use any it just replenishes practically right before our eyes.  The jade plant in the middle is going strong...it was a housewarming gift from Anna and Badger has taken it as his pet.  The bundle of lavender is so pretty to look at and smells great.  Yet another gift from Anna!  I like plants and she knows it :)

It really is just one of those days where the weather is gorgeous and the breeze feels just right, the sunshine makes everything 100 times prettier and the beaming sun through the windows casts a glow on everything in our apartment (I guess I'll just get over the heat, it will soon be gone for good).

This weekend I made the apple tart.  It was delicious.  So delicious, that it's completely gone.  It took a while to make it but we did it.  We didn't even have a tart pan but once again, Anna came to the rescue because we also had a gift card to Sur La Table that they gave us as a wedding present (seriously, Anna, you're good to us) so we went and bought everything we could possibly need and it was really fun doing so. 

Now on to making this...I love having so much free time to bake all this stuff and then work it off with some yoga!

Whoa, seriously?!

What's the deal?!  Was I really just sitting in my living room with Raegan listening to a tornado siren?  Really?!??! Looking at the local news on the TV being nothing but red and pink radar clouds with a giant TORNADO WARNING: COOK COUNTY, IL across the screen?!  When I moved here, I thought I left this stuff behind me.  That is, consistent tornado threats and severe storms.  I'm not naive, I know that other places besides tornado alley get storms - severe at times.  And I've gone through several crazy Chicago storms in my 5 years here.  But damn has this been one stormy spring/summer, right?! Much like what Kansans call every single spring? 

Not gonna lie though, I kind of like it.  In a sick messed up way I'm sure.  You know, you live through a deadly tornado and then you grow up to kind of like the threat in a twisted way...get it? Twisted?  Yeah.
Photos via Chicago Tribune