The Weekend Update

This past weekend was so relaxing and much needed after the past couple of weeks. With traveling for work and 2 really big events in two weeks and then a stressful week at work last week....I was due for some R&R. 

Friday was the start of the extra associate discount + One Day Sale at work so after work I went on a little shopping spree!!!! A few pairs of jeans, 2 handbags, and a new pair of boots later I am ready to start fall.  After shopping I went to Bucktown/Wicker Park to have drinks with a couple friends.  It was great to get to know each of them more that I already had.  We went to The Blueline Martini Bar.  I had the classic mojitto... delicious!  After drinks I met up with friends from my building at Ra, across the street, for late night sushi and conversation! 

Saturday was brought in with a morning workout session and a day full of errands.  One of the handbags I bought on Friday was damaged and needed to be returned.  It was so nice outside...I ended up walking into the loop to run my errands.  Stopped by Macy's and the new city Target!!!!  Saturday evening was a little more relaxed.  I went and saw, To Rome with Love, with Alec Baldwin and Ellen Page.  So good.  There is a cute little Independent film theater in Lincoln Park.  The movie was in half english and half italian.  I highly reccommend.  Very funny and such a cute story.

The new handbag! :) My first Big Girl Purse!

Today I awoke to the planes of the Chicago Air and Water Show! Feeling like I'm on a military base I am a bit stir crazy and about to go get a taste for the sunshine on a nice long bike ride along the lake! :)

Happy Weekend everyone!

Take care,

Love Blair

Back to the Classics

Recently, I have decided to try some new tactics in dealing with the stress that can come with real life.  A few are listed below:

1. Writing on the beach; just to put my feet into the sand and listen to the waves on the lake crash onto the shoreline....like the sea is taking a breath and each breath is so deep and intense.  I've found this is a place where my thoughts are so clear! I have been trying to find a balance between actual writing and blogging and going to the beach to journal has been a great escape. 

2. The classics; Okay, if any of you actually know me and how I grew up, you would not be surprised to know that the artists on my iPod range from Billie Holiday to Emminem.  As a way to relax and unwind from a stressful day I have found peace in listening to classic songs from the 1940s. Natalie Cole, Billie Holiday, Etta James, Frank Sinatra, the list goes on and on.  The simplicity of each song is so moving.  How pure and in love the artist is with the lyrics... Love back then was such a pure and fragile thing.  Men courted the women.  Walking past their doorstep just because they can't stop thinking about a girl....it was so sweet.  Romance wasn't jaded with technology.  All conversations had to be innocent as the family telephone was usually placed in a central location within the house and everyone would hear your words as you spoke to your love.  

3. A bath: I really forgot the beauty of drawing a bubbly bath every now and then.  In my new apartment I was given a great bathtub.  The other day I bought bath bubbles from Sabon.  The musk scent reminds me of a combination of a desirable men's fragrance and vanilla...a sweet and savory mix to unwind! Combined with the classics???? Pure bliss! 

Happy 6 month Anniversary!

My new apartment! :)- Thanks Mom!

Wow! Well it's crazy to think that I have been in Chicago now for 6 months.  I have to say that this move was one of the hardest things I've ever done.  In the past 6 months, I've tried to really get through the transition of moving back to the midwest again.  Finding a sense of peace in my routine and figuring out what makes me happy in this new city. I have realized that there are three things that I need to have in order to be in sync with myself: 1.) a great nail salon, 2.) a good gym, & 3.) a church.  I have successfully found 2 out of the 3.  I am still looking for a great church to attend.  I've got a couple different ones that have been of interest to me, but nothing has compared yet to Trinity Grace, in Chelsea.  

A couple weeks ago my mother came up and graciously painted my apartment for me.  I am now in love with my new apt and get excited about decorating it.  I'm in the market for a bookshelf and a vanity and then it will be complete.  

My bike was brought up to the city the other day as well.  I've LOVED riding around the lake on Sunday afternoons.  It's been so peaceful! Found a new trail the other day with Steph!  It was great...we just kept riding until our stomachs signaled to us that we should stop for some food.  We ended up eating at a great Korean BBQ restaurant.  

Overall, the past 6 months have been a HUGE growth experience.  I have learned so much more about myself and what I want out of life.  With a commitment to changing my health, becoming more disciplined by working out consistently, and focusing on work I have realized that change is not necessarily a bad thing.  It's how we adapt to the changes that make us who we are.  I know that I was called to move to Chicago for a reason...it's just time now to allow God to move me in that direction and keep me on his path. :)

For now,

Blair