PRE QUARANTINE - My best friend and some friends came into the city for a full weekend of playing a tourist. Some mandatory stops with pro tips: 1. Chicago bean - don’t go during lunch or sunset if you want a photo that isn’t too crowded 2.. Cindy’s rooftop - Don’t get the old FASHIONED (not worth it) 3. Uncommon James - there is a swing for the boys to rest 4. CHICAGO ART MUSEUM - wear comfy shows, hydrate, block out lots of time and let yourself GEEK OUT! 5. Signature lounge on 95th floor of the hancock tour - girls, you must see your bathroom view
Of course the weekend was filled with some cocktails Harbor: The bourbon - a new spot near me in the south loop. I’ll go back for this baby. CINDY’S ROOFTOP: PINK DRINK - So I got the old fashioned, it was sub par, but this pink drink was better for pictures & the palate SIGNATURE ROOM: OLD FASHIONED - Drinks are expensive…and strong BLIND BARBER: CAVA - This speakeasy is one of my favorite spots. I usually go for the batman(because, duh) - but this was a little later in the night and wine was calling my name. also their slogan is stay handsome and I love it.
It’s time to celebrate
There were some pretty big days for some great friends this month
my sister, best friend and college roomie had her unbelievably stunning baby shower - and of course I ate all the sweets my girl’s fiance turned 30 and we what everyone wants to do on their bday - drink some beer, laugh with friends and eat all the za from stop along. Hopewell brewery is a super chill, hipster like brewery and they had a gluten free beer which I am ALL for. I am fortunate to have so many talented friends, and Shalom is no exception - she makes these plates from scratch and showed off her talent at a gallery opening. kelsie, my twin, is freaking getting married and I get to stand next to here and can not freaking wait to watch her & nick get hitched!
post-large group shut down, pre- small group shut down, our church had an online service so a group of us joined together, crushed some brunch and worshiped together. this day filled my heart so much for many reasons, and was the perfect send off before official self quarantine. The only thing yall need to know about this feast is the Panetonne from williams SONOMA - I am not 100% sure how to describe it, but it is the love child of a bread, cinnamon roll, pastry…it’s heaven - just get it.
KITCHEN FLEX
with the additional time, I’m back doing what I love to do - COOK!
when you want a simple meal with a twist of flavor - this buddha bowl is amazing when you want take out but the healthy version - sesame chicken When you’re too busy to work and your girl makes you hello fresh pork tacos when you really want to feel fancy - fancy af turkey burger
TEXAS SUN
With a full quarantine on the rise, I decided to take the drive down to texas to wait out this storm at my parent’s lake house. I think you could say this is a little different than my 475 sq ft studio
Praise god, literally, for my home away from home - oasis church chicago. We have sunday morning church, wednesday night prayer and small groups running virtually during this time. if you need a little extra love, peace & Joy (which I think we all do) - they live stream on youtube for everyone to check out. work time = tan time (with some food of course) Old fasHioneds with a view - Dave makes a mean old fashioned and I’ve been enjoying them along with these views.
I have thought time and time again that this time is god calling us to so much more. this is the time for us to press in, reset, repent & Rebuild. I know that I am a person that stays in the hustle - I avoid my feelings and ongoing thoughts by packing my schedule FULL. don’t get me wrong, so many of these things fill me up and are insanely live giving - but this time is causing all of us to stop & be still. we can do so much with this time and I just pray we use it to be present - to be present with god and let him fill you up. let this be the time that we can build our foundation firm and plant our roots deep in him so that when this storm is over, we are standing tall & strong ready for the next one. I pray that we use this time to be present with our friends & family - whether you are in your house alone or full of kids - you can use this time to be INTENTIONAL with others. I pray that we don’t forget - that when this time subsides and we go back to work and being able to hug one another, that we can remember what we did in the waiting. that we remember those who provided for us, those that stood strong during this storm. I pray we remember who we depended on and who got us out of the storm. I pray that we use this time to be real and be bold.
started the month with cake & ending the month with cake - and of course had to throw a selfie in because although I’m a year older, I’m still me. (I’d be dumb not to mention this unreal princess cake from lost larson at time out market.) I never could have imagined the growth and change I’ve had in one year of aging. I also never could have imagined that I would have been spending my 28th birthday during a national pandemic, being self quarantined, with no basketball (at least duke can’t lose on my birthday this year, right?). 27 was every adjective you could think of - but most importantly I grew. I grew in my faith and understanding myself. I have a hell of a long way to go and it is a never ending battle uphill, but for the first time in a while - I’m here for it.
I’m here to be vulnerable, I’m here to be myself, I’m here to love, I’m here to go for it, I’m here for it all.
