Jazzin' it up!

A year and a half ago, Taft and I moved to Chicago with one suitcase, a guitar, and about 100 dollars in our bank account. We had never seen the apartment we were moving into, and had no idea what our neighborhood was going to be like. Luckily we were only in that first apartment for a month. . . but we think we hit the jackpot moving to Goldcoast. The second apartment we moved was definitely nothing fancy. It is often described as 'charmingly vintage' which I guess you could liken to character. I could never bring myself to buy the nice furniture I actually wanted. Why? First, we had no idea if we would be here any longer than a year, and I would rather get rid of any furniture we had than pay to move it. Second, after we moved into this apartment (with no furniture) we realized that the coat closet juts out in front of the door, making a normal couch impossible to fit through. Lastly, and MOST importantly, we wanted to pay off any debt we had. Good news! After living frugally and making the most of what we have, we are going into 2009 debt free!

Anyways, this is a longer post than I'm used to writing- gosh I'm liking all this time on my hands! Well with all this time I've been busting out the sewing machine and getting a little crafty.

This is what our old computer desk/chair from costco used to look like. Drumroll please. . .

Ta Dahhh! Yea still nothing too fancy, but maybe when it's not -14 outside I will do some spraypainting of some sort.


Yikes! Just looking at the old pictures of these brings back bad memories! Just look at those stains. . .

The best part? This wasn't just a mere staple gun feat, that fabric is tightly wrapped with an elastic hem on the bottom. So next time you come over for dinner and you happen to spill on the chair, don't sweat it! I can pop it off and throw it in the washer!

My next project is a bed. In that one suitcase of ours was a rolled up air mattress that we slept on for almost the whole first year. Then my parents were kind enough to trade us our dead car that had been sitting in their driveway this whole time, for a bed of our choice. Now I'm in love with our memory foam mattress, but would like to get it off the floor. Stay tuned for before and after pictures!

Catch Up Part 1

You would think that with school over, I would be a little more on the ball with the blog. Not so much. But I will slowly try and play catch up. First- early December, Erin and I decided to treat Alex to a special night to celebrate the upcoming arrival of Meg (can't wait!). We did a little dinner at CPK- Alex's fav, a little 'Twilight' even though the other 2 cheated over Thanksgiving and saw it! And last but certainly not least- a sleepover at 'The Inn of Chicago' complete with a feast of grapes for Alex's poor gall stones! She was such a good sport. It was so fun staying up late and talking with these girls-I couldn't be luckier- and I can't wait for the next girls night! We hope you felt special Alex. You deserve it and we love you!

I Love you, I hate this

I'm not even going to pretend to apologize for my lack of blogging. I just don't care anymore. I will care soon, just not for the next two weeks. I just wanted to say thanks to everyone that has come in to get facials and support me. Anyone who still wants one- you have one week left. After next Friday, it's just finals and then freedom. I can't wait to reintroduce myself to the social world. . .

A Video from Austin

We had a really fun weekend, but the batteries in our camera are dead, so that post will have to wait. Until then, I thought some of you might like to see this video that Austin's ward at BYU Hawaii made. He's having a great time out there.

Stereoscopes

Austin introduced us to a cool way to see 3-D photographs or "stereoscopes". To make it work, click on a picture and then cross your eyes so that the pictures overlap. Focus your eyes when the overlapping pictures match up in the middle. At that point you should be looking at a 3-D picture. If you're having trouble getting it to work, try moving the picture further away from you (so it looks smaller). Don't get angry if you can't get it to work; not everyone can do it. Here are a few stereoscopes that Austin made when we were on vacation at Catalina Island, CA.

Redbull

We attempted the redbull flugtag last weekend. Here are some of the 'flying machines' that they push into the water.

This is where they fly off into the water. I thought it was pretty overrated. You couldn't really see much, but it didn't seem to bother all the people below. From our beach (oak st.) all the way up to North Ave. people lined the waterfront.

Kinda Creepy

So I'm the first to admit that this picture looks kiiiinda creepy, but just know that I did it on purpose. You gotta find some way to spice up getting three facials a week. Why not a kookie photo shoot?

But seriously, I LOOOVVVEEE the program I'm doing. They are long days, and my brain is usually fried when I get home, but it's exactly what I wanted.

Anyways, I won't bore you since this isn't a journal and you don't need to know all the details, but I will tell you that I am indeed alive, and will have more posts coming as soon as Taft and I get back from California. . . Also, once I get back, I will be taking 'clients' on Thursdays and Fridays, so talk to me, and you'll get an additional 50% off the already DIRT CHEAP prices- and I will try not to look so psycho. . .

We love relaxing at Oak Street Beach! It's just a couple blocks from our apartment and it provides a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. They even plant palm trees here during the summer, so we can pretend like we're in the caribbean, not the midwest.

Taste

Sorry all these posts are so late. . . I've been busy with school, which I will continue to procrastinate blogging about until later. Just know that I LOVE it. Anyways, for the weekend of the 4th, Taft took Thursday off in addition to having Friday off so that we could have one last mini-vaca before I sign my life away for the next 6 months. We opted for the much talked about 'Taste of Chicago'. I will let the pictures speak for themselves since I have some catching up to do.

Indeed the famous silver man took a break from his mag mile spot to make and appearance at the taste.

Things we did for our anniversary

1. Taft tried to take me to a fancy restaurant but after we sat down and I looked at the menu, I asked him to take me somewhere else and he was nice enough to just walk out and not even give it a second thought. We ended up going out for Thai :).

2. Saturday we helped Nick and Kristin move, then raced over to the matinee showing of 'Jersey Boys' where we sat front and center. We found out there is a reason they sell those tickets for $25.oo. The stage was two feet in front of us and went two feet taller than us. We decided to make the best of it, sat back and tried to have really good posture. We were actually able to see most of the action and it wasn't a big deal because most of the play consists of the boys standing at the front of the stage singing. We really liked it, but be warned, it was not the family play we thought it was going to be. They dropped the F-Bomb like 15 times!

3. My favorite part of the weekend is the above picture. On our way home from the play we discovered this little lemonade stand at the 'Viagra Triangle' park right by our house. (it is called this because all of the bars and restaurants consist of men my dads age with their girlfriends that are my age. . .ewwww!). Anyways, this lemonade stand has the most AMAZING frozen lemonade. Not like the stuff that burns your throat. Homemade, perfectly mixed lemonade. Worth all 500 pennies.

4. Sunday we went to a 'Swedish festival' in Andersonville. It was fun, but I was hoping it would be a little more Swedish. Hence, Taft eating a Greek shish kabob and some impostor lemonade.

5. Sunday night, Taft and I went a really fun western mystery party. The host actually wrote it and is trying to get it published. It was the best mystery party I have been too, I was really impressed!

6. We were happy to postpone our anniversary for the weekend to have some time showing these guys around Chicago. My cousin Marion and her husband came and we were lucky enough to get them 'Wicked' tickets and enjoy their boys for a few hours.

Mini Cupcakes. . .that I stole

I had been looking for a reason to make these cuties and primary was the perfect excuse. I saw them on a couple of different blogs, and the originator was recently featured on Martha. I will give you the link, but before I do, know that mine really don't compare to hers, and I realize that. If I was as talented as she was, I would have a much more exciting blog and be on Martha myself.

The outside is is covered in almond bark and white chocolate, and the inside is a red velvet cake mixed with cream cheese frosting. I won't give you all the details because she does a much better job- and has much better pictures.

If you do try these, hopefully you will have someone to help you with the dipping part. I thought it went ten times easier once I had Taft's help. It takes a lot of hands to dip and then get all the accessories on before the chocolate hardens.

And last but not least, the reason I know you are all still reading this entry. . . http://bakerella.blogspot.com/2008/05/cupcake-bites-made-easy.html

This will take you to the direct entry, but I do recommend bookmarking her blog, I love it!!

Catch Up

We haven't taken alot of pictures lately, but here is a picture of Sam and I at a Memorial Day BBQ. He is thoroughly enjoying the frosting off the cupcakes.

In other news, I got a life!! I signed up for an esthetics's program and I couldn't be more excited! I start July 7th and will finish in early December. I'm going to need lots of volunteers while I'm at school so if you are willing to get pampered at a discount price. . . let me know!

Update

It has been a while since a real post- forgive me. I was waiting for pictures from my Utah trip and dinner cruise, which was about a month ago. . .but in the mean time we have been busy.

We had to say 'see you later' to our friends Erin, Dave, and little RoyBoy. What better way to salute them than a good ole' fashioned bbq?


Unfortunately the guys were better at doing robot voices (which if you weren't aware, is the ONLY way to play MadGab) and they kicked our bootays.



With more free time lately, I have been trying to attack my 'to do' list. What you see above is my very first finished sewing projects. I have multiple ones in the works (some have been that way for years), but this is my fist FINISHED one! Actually, not really. It's a name garland for a crib, and it is supposed to be connected with ribbon, but I'm going to let my sister do that since she has the crib and will know how far apart to place them.


I have a feeling that I'm going to look back on these in a couple days and realize that they probably don't look as cute as I think they do. But to give myself due credit, this was my first time and I designed everything by hand- including the stencil for the letters! I'm going to live it up while I still can!



I know, FOOD SHOT! Get used to it- I live in Chicago. This is one of my best finds- Angela's. It is such a hole-in-the-wall and cheap, too! We had to stop here to fuel up for a big day out.



Found this lovely sight of spring on our way to the nature conservatory! Hallelujah!



This is the view from the conservatory. I will have to take another picture on a clearer day because this does not do the skyline justice. And this empty space in back of us is usually filled with all kinds of flowers and greenery.



After walking around the zoo for hours in high heels, my feet were killing me. All I wanted to do was get a piggyback ride to the bus stop. Until I saw these lovely boat rentals for only $12!! I couldn't resist.



We made Austin ride in the back while we peddled until he started joking around and rocking the boat. Then I figured better safe than sorry and let him take my spot up front.

It was the perfect ending to a fun day out and about. I will have much more to post as Austin is leaving in a couple weeks and we need to do all the Chicago things we have been putting off before he goes!

Biking in the Buff

I can't decide if my lack of a picture is fortunate or unfortunate, but bare with me. This evening Taft, Austin and I decided to go for a stroll since it stopped raining. Right after we walked out of our building we noticed that some people on the sidewalk were pointing up at a building across the street and laughing. At first we didn't understand what was going on, but then we spotted the naked rear end of a man on his stationary bike. The floor-to-ceiling windows in his apartment allowed for quite a show. His bike was placed perfectly- nothing too graphic, just some cheekage. This causes me to question: Mentally insane? Drunk? Both? I have to think it was on purpose. Too bad I loved my neighborhood so much because I think I need to move now.

Boston University

Well, it's the end of April and it's time for Taft and I to decide if we want to go to Boston University or stay another year in Chicago and apply again next year. We really love both choices so we are having a hard time making a decision. I've never been out east that far so I really don't know anything about Boston or Boston University so let me know if you have any input!

Once again. . .Food

With spring finally arriving, Chicago has come alive. The number of people on the streets reminds me of the weeds that just spring up in the hundreds. It has been a blast for Taft and I to discover more of Chicago. I swear, I love every new restaurant and store we discover. So here is a little of what we have been up to.


This is our favorite Italian place that we discovered with my parents when we first moved here. I always remembered it because we ordered a couple things, and then found that the bread and butter was so good we filled up on that and ended up boxing the food. Sounds weird I know, but you will have to try it for yourself. . . 'Leonas'

Seriously, notice the empty butter dish. Don't get too disgusted though, I didn't polish it off by myself. And sorry about the pictures of us just shoving food into our faces. I really don't like smiling for pictures while I'm eating, it makes me want to do a fat voice.

Ahhh, Molly's. I passed this adorable cupcake shop on the way to work everyday and I finally had enough. I came home and told Taft we had to go. It is sooo cute inside. I keep wanting to take pictures but everytime we go I can't really snap any shots without looking like a crazy tourist. One day. . .

I don't love this picture, but please take notice that instead of sitting on your average bar stool, I'm swinging from the ceiling. . . (insert fat voice here) and smiling.

This is my dangerous new hobby I have gotten into lately. Baking. I swore I would never become one of those wives, but I am. I just really wanted some solid recipes under my belt, and I had always wanted to make chocolate souffle, so I went for it. They actually turned out really well. This one was an extra that had already sunk when I remembered to take the picture. I was actually pretty impressed with how much they rose. As for how I liked it. Meh. Yea it was fun to make, but I think I'm just a brownies type a girl.

And last but not least, only for those real chocolate lovers, the finale. If you are a true 'death by chocolate' lover, then this cake is for you. I found this frosting recipe (I don't know if I should really call it frosting because it is seriously more like fudge) on the martha stewart website. I used a bunt cake recipe for the cake which it made it really moist and thick. This has pretty much completed my baking faze. And after reading over this entry I know what you are probably thinking- my life consists of food, food, and more food. Pretty much. But rest in peace tonight knowing that I did finally join a gym. Maybe my entries will start to vary in content.

This Post is PG-13

I don't want any kids reading this post. But just in case one does, just know that Taft was just a Sant Subsitute. That's all. I just got these pictures from Christmas- hence the three month delay. But I wanted to show everyone our crafty scheme. Let me explain. We wanted to make sure my nieces (the ones pictured below) got a good look at Santa delivering their presents. As soon as we tucked them in bed, we ran around my parent's house looking for anything that would pass as a Santa suite from a dark bedroom window. This is the best we could come up with in the short time before they actually fell asleep.

Lets see, we have a garbage bag full of trash for the toys, just your average fleece throw as his cape, that's blanket batting for his beard and hair, pillows for his belly, and last but not least, his cap is a red velvet diaper cover up (whatever they are called, it matches one of their Christmas dresses. . .you ladies know what I'm talking about). You may think this is pretty ghetto fabulous, but it worked. I stayed behind the bush with some bells while Taft walked across the backyard yelling, "ho ho ho, Merry Christmas," and "Come on, Rudolph!"

Elise was pretty fascinated/horrified, and Claire was ecstatic. It was as much fun for us and I think it will become an annual tradition. Maybe we'll splurge on a better costume.

And this is just from Christmas morning. All I can say is that they have a strong connection. I think it's because she is the first grandkid that Taft has been with since she was born.

count down. . .can you blame me?

I'm heading out to Utah in April and I couldn't be more excited. I don't even know why I'm blogging about this when I have a good month before I'm even leaving, but I can't help myself. I sit at the computer drooling over cute faces and in my best baby voice, telling them I'm going to eat their cheeks. Pathetic, I know. If this makes you uncomfortable, imagine how the boys feel watching me do it.

This girl kills me. She is the only kid I know that has ever made Taft baby hungry. . . and that is hard to do.

P.S. If any of my other sibling should happen to stumble upon this blog-
a. That's weird because I've never really mentioned it to you
b. I know what you're thinking. Stop being jealous that I post Jenny's kids. She is the only one that sends me pics so it's really your fault if you think about it.
and c. Jenny doesn't have a blog so I like to toot her horn for her.

ewshabooshabooshaboo. . . that means something about her cheeks. I don't even know for sure.