10 on 10 { dec 2013 }

I wasn't able to do the 10 on 10 challenge on the tenth, so I thought I'd do it today.  Why not, right?  The theme for this month is candy canes, and since I was feeling very much in the holiday spirit, I decided to let that inspire my shots for the day!  Oh Rebekah is doing a giveaway this month of a beautiful album (love it so much I bought it!) by her friend Sarah. Take a listen! [bandcamp width=100% height=120 album=3235609941 size=medium bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5]

So here's my holiday ten [ woke up to a fresh three inches of snow ] [ challah french toast + applewood smoked bacon  ] [ Christmas cards ] [ love my santa snow globe ] [ peppermint cookie whole foods style - love these ] [ wrapping present ] [ window decor along my way to the fabric store ] [ snowy branches ] [ sugar cookies! ] [ now relaxing with Phee watching basketball ]

cloudy magnolia

I spent a day and a half in Charleston before heading to Columbia on business.  Each trip I make I take in a little bit of King Street and a plantation.  This trip was Magnolia Plantation! It's a huge property!  I can't imagine how this place looks in the spring and fall - amazing, I'm sure!  Despite the wintery conditions, I had a great time exploring the grounds.  The house is lovely and I just love how it's positioned within the property.   Hard to believe, but there were still a good number of flowering plants with blooms and berries!  A few statues - though not as many as you would think for such big gardens and a little gazebo. Because every plantation needs a gazebo!

We took a tour that drove us all around the property  - loved our driver, had a very dry sense of humor and would toss out a real zinger that you'd miss if you weren't really listening.  Saw lots of birds, and only one alligator ... only.  Apparently there a LOT on the property (eek!). I'm OK with just one, really OK! Did you know they build those platforms for sunning gators?

They have two lovely bridges - apparently very popular with the weddings they hold on site.  Wouldn't it be lovely to be out there feeling a little Scarlett O'Hara? 

But the MOST impressive part of the plantation are the trees.  H U G E oak trees.  With enormous branches dipping down into the ground and then back up again creating the most graceful arches and leafy canopies.  The trunks of these trees are massive!  

charleston

thankful : day 21

Today I'm thankful for my fur kids.  There is just nothing in this world like having a pet.  I have had a cat all my life and despite the hair - everywhere - I have loved each and every one of them!  My girls, Phoebe and Lucy are the bestest! 

thankful : day 12

Oh today I am soooooooooo thankful for a KU win over Duke in the Champions Classic!  AND I am even more thankful that I got to be at the game to witness it in person!!! Yay!! 

10 on 10 { Nov 2013 }

Super Sunday!!!  Seriously a fabulous day!!  So glad It was the 10th so I had some fun things to share for the November's 10 on 10 challenge! Started the day with some tea - because no day can begin without my tea!  Then a selfie to show off my fabulous Target find - chevron infinity scarf { love } Then off to brunch at Beatrix - where they have super cool light fixtures and even better food! { that's caramel pie, oh yes it is! }  Met my cousin and his boyfriend - haven't seen them in forever it seems - so great to catch up with them!  Then I was off to Bucktown for pizza and beer at my favorite Piece before the show!  With quick little pitstop on my friend's rooftop for a peek at the view - I think I would sleep up there if this was what I'd wake up to!!  Oh and then my love, John Legend, sang to me (and a few other people) for a couple of hours!  The perfect end to a Sunday!  Here's hoping for a great week!!

Sorry I failed to check again for a theme ... must pay better attention!  Happy Fall Harvest to my fellow bloggers!

thankful : day 5

Today I am thankful that I have some cool coworkers.  Not everyone likes the people they work with and I realize I am lucky to have (had) such a great group of people by my side.  They are smart and fun and creative and funny as hell.  I know we can annoy each other from time to time, but we always come together and create amazing things! Cheers from team FA! 

oh fall how beautiful you are

graceland instameet

Took in my first #instameet yesterday at the Graceland Cemetery - a beautiful park cemetery that has a some of Chicago's most famous residents - specifically architects and designers!  There were about 35/40 of us walking around with cameras - mostly camera phones since it's specifically for instagrammers - while listening to one guy tell us about some of the notables.  I both liked and disliked the instameet ... it's always great to meet new people with like hobbies and interests, but it kind of sucks to have 40 people all trying to photograph the same subject at the same time.  Patience is certainly a requirement!!  I have enjoyed watching instagram fill up with everyone's take - such different styles! I took a LOT of photos - I love statuary and the weather was really adding to the mood of the day, so lots of shots!! Here are just a few. *wink*

Oh and as I was wandering around I ran across a Seymour headstone - my grandmother's maiden name was Seymour!  Might have to look the Chicago Seymour's up to see if we are any relation! 

[ bw ]