things on tuesday :: grumpy

Oh Tuesday. The past week has been crazy!

loves

Finding some fun new clothes for Summer

Rosemary flatbread from the Chesterton market

Having a client that is actually excited about signage! And pays the best compliments too! It's been such a rare thing these days, a good number of my recent clients have been less than thankful for what I (we) do, so this excitement and positive feedback is so wonderful.

My high school reunion is this coming weekend and I will get to spend time with some wonderful friends.

And since I'll be back in LV, I get to see the fam too!

A good spray tan! Girl needs some color!

loathes

That a new renter moved in above me and he's a "stomperton." It's been a full week of listening to furniture scooting around, every footstep from end to end of the condo and so on. Tonight I finally broke and went upstairs to introduce myself and let him know how badly even the smallest sound travels. (hate having to do this!) He was less than receptive. I think I'm in for a pretty miserable year. Not at all happy about this...

Shopping for swimsuits - oh so frustrating - I did manage to find a couple

That I purchased a custom fit pillow from the naprapath and I am waking up with pain again - I think I will be returning it.

Trying to figure out what to wear to my reunion

Apple announced the iCloud, that will replace MobileMe (this year), will be free and I had just renewed my membership to MobileMe! Hello!! Let's just throw money away! I've requested a refund and hope they will oblige.

That I never seem to get anything accomplished. I have all these lists of things to do and all they seem to do is grow.

I do not really understand Twitter. I'm on there. I tweet random junk. And then have strangers tweet me links that are bogus and random people follow me - like preachers from rural Oregon. Huh? I just don't get it.

OK, that is more loathes than loves and sadly I could go on and on, but I won't. I will stop here and hope for a fabulous reunion weekend. Be well.

architecture, social media & french fantasy

Architecture

This may have something to do with why I love Chicago so much. iPhone photos of two architectural icons (330 N Wabash & Trump Tower) while waiting along the river for a meeting. It was a stunningly beautiful day today and as luck would have it, I was called to a last minute meeting downtown. It's days like today that make me wish I worked down there - you could meet your friends for a long lunch and enjoy the Chicago skyline.

Social Media

Anyhoo, meeting was good, but the side conversation really has me thinking. I was meeting with two people who are probably 10-15 years older than me and our conversation swayed to social media. This seems to be a reoccurring theme to conversations these days. What is the purpose of social media? How does it fit into our personal and professional lives? How do you use it effectively for business? All interesting questions and I don't think anyone really knows the answers. Even Google missed the boat on social media! And given that, how are we small business people to know how to really use it? I find these conversations interesting, not only because they are relevant to business today, but how the conversations are different among the age groups. Anyone in their early 30's or under is up to their eyeballs in tweets, facebook and etc. They are fully emersed in the social game and, in my opinion, find it hard to associate with those who are not. I find that anyone over 40 just doesn't want to be bothered with it and still finds value in meeting face-to-face and having a real conversation over the telephone. Then there's the 35-40 year olds (my group, the Gen X'ers), we are stuck between those who get it and those who don't and it's a most interesting position to find myself in... I sort of feel like we will be the bridge that holds it all together... hmmm.

French Fantasy

Upon returning to work, I saw a tweet about Bradley Cooper promoting the Hangover II in French. As in he is FLUENT in French. I about melted into a puddle right there in my desk chair. I've been on the BC fence - not sure if he would be on my celebrity crush list or not - well let me tell you, this just put him at the top of that damn list. Bonjour monsieur Cooper!!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYwvFU6dcv4]

the weekend

Oh how I love three day weekends!! I had actually planned on doing some more outdoor things, but we had crap weather. Rain. Thunder. Lightening. Flooding. Two days of doom and gloom does not make for a fun start to the summer.

So what do you do when it's raining outside?

Sleep in.

See a movie! We saw Bridesmaids and laughed hysterically. Even the previews were fabulous.

Bake - s'mores bites - and oh are they good and sooo buttery. Positively sinful I say.

BBQ with friends - just as the rain decided to let up!

Photos for Selika's fashion blog - posted here. She loves some high heels!!

Then there's today - 94 degrees, sunny and soooo humid. Oh how I love Midwestern weather...

I was supposed to go to the zoo with friends, but needed to get my bike purchased (to get the sale price!). I bought that beautiful Electra Townie, in vanilla, put a rack on her and took her out for the maiden voyage. Did a three mile loop along the lakefront and quickly figured out that is not the best place to ride as there are too many obstacles. People just doddling along, skateboards, strollers and etc. just parked in the path. Saying "on your left" did me absolutely no good either. So I guess I'll be sticking to the roads from now on.

I need one more thing for the bike - some sort of bag - am thinking I'll go with the Po Campo Armitage Satchel - how freakin' cute is it? I love that it just straps to the bike rack and then looks like a regular bag you can just tote along with you. The only problem I have is that I want this one AND the one that goes on the front of the bike - the Streeterville Clutch ... ugh, so much awesome bike bling!

I love these long weekends, but somehow they are never long enough. I never get everything done that I want to... I'm hoping this week won't be a hot mess like last week. Fingers crossed! Hope you had a wonderful weekend too!

things on tuesday :: mobile

A crazy week and it's only Tuesday.

loves

• Funny questions from unexpected people.

• Getting new technology - I'm such a geek!

• How easy it is to transfer your life from one Mac to another. Oh I am so happy those PC days are behind me.

• Alternative medicine. It just works.

loathes

• Working too much

• Roller coaster weather. Up. Down. Up. Down. Can we pick a direction and move gradually toward it?

• That I'm craving a Europe adventure, but have to buy an air handler for the condo instead. *frown*

• Dieting.

OK. Time for bed kids. Night!

things on tuesday :: Oprah!

So I missed my "things on Tuesday" this week for a very good reason... Oprah! I was one of the lucky 12,000 to be inside the United Center for Oprah's Surprise Spectacular taping!! I have read that over 150,000 applied and that is insane!!! Selika and I thought maybe we could hit the Oprah Store on the way to the show - but they were closed since all the staff was at the show, duh! Anyhoo, it gave us a great opportunity to take some cheesy photos in front of the studio before heading over to the United Center.

Upon arriving at the United Center it was complete chaos! Lines at every gate and no one really knowing where they were supposed to be. We hopped in line and enjoyed the view - the people watching was outstanding! The outfits ranged from jeans and tees to feathered hats and sparkly stilettos! The Satorialist would have had a field day with his camera with this crowd! Oh and the ladies in line with us were a hoot! We had a ball, despite the cold and long wait to get into the show.

We made our way to our seats in the nosebleed section and found out goodie bag - LED finger lights (for part of the show), Oprah Magazine and a book (also for the show). That was the extent of the giveaways, but I consider the free ticket to the show the best giveaway! Considering people in line were trying to sell theirs for thousands.... idiots!

The show was amazing!!! Stars at every turn, serious tear jerker moments, testimonials to the great things Oprah has done for people around the world and lots of music!

Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes, Josh Grobin, Patti LaBelle, Madonna, Dakota Fanning, Beyonce (finger lights!), John Legend, Diane Sawyer, Rascal Flats (and yes, I even sang to a country song - only for Oprah!), Halle Barry, Queen Latifah, Michael Jordan (who brought down the house), Jamie Foxx (Selika about fell on the folks in front of us she was so excited to see him), Steive Wonder, Will & Jada Smith, Kristin Chenoweth, Jerry Seinfeld, Simon Cowell, Rosie, Dr. Phill, Dr. Oz, Nate, Gayle, Maria Shriver, Tyler Perry (who introduced a bunch of Oprah scholarship graduates from Morehouse college that totally brought Oprah to tears), Maya Angelou (who wrote a poem special for Oprah), Alicia Keys, Usher and Aretha Franklin.

Wow that was a lot to type out ... they just seemed to keep coming, the stars did. I have to say that Oprah Show staff really knows how to put on a concert! To think that they could pull off such an event (set up/sound check/rehearsal) in just a day and a half is nothing short of a miracle I would imagine! I think my favorite part was Jamie Foxx and Stevie Wonder. Oh how I would love to be serenaded by those two men....

I feel so lucky to have been a part of such a momentous occasion. It was my first Oprah Show and I am so thankful to have been able to get in just under the wire.

she's got tickets !!

Just had to jot a quick note to document this day... it's been one heck of a Monday!!

Dave Matthews Band Caravan SINGLE DAY tickets go on sale this Friday - I couldn't be happier since I couldn't get anyone to commit to the three days with me. Now I can at least go one day and get to see fantastic bands at the new Lakefront Chicago venue. Oh and the addition of this show will mean I am seeing a different musical act every week of July! Yeah!!

AND.... the be big one! My friend Selika and I scored tickets to see the very last Oprah Show at the United Center. Yes, after fifteen years in Chicago I am finally getting to see an Oprah Show live in person... and it just happens to be the very last one. I can hardly believe we got so lucky! We have to pick up the tickets this weekend and the taping is next Tuesday night. What shall I wear - they say colors work best on camera - eek!!

visually me

I ran across a design agency website where they used photos of "things" that describe who they are rather than the typical corporate photo. I thought it was a great idea and just had to give it a go... It was an interesting challenge, to come up with the right combination of items, and then there's Phoebe sneaking into the photo. Could not have been more perfect! So, this is me ... now let's see you!

royal indeed

OK, so I admit it... I set my alarm for 4:50 AM so I could catch the royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. I woke just in time for the bride to arrive at the church! My God is that woman a knockout! She got the fairytale every girl dreams of... she was simply the most stunning bride. That dress... perfection - love, love, love the v-neck with a bit of a collar - and the simple jewels and small bouquet ... She got everything right. And, I have to give her huge props - she looked calm and cool and totally at ease. Prince William chose wisely! I kind of wish he was next in line so we could see these two make a go at representing the country as young people.

Some things that differ from here in the US that I kind of wish we would adopt - the way a man escorts his lady, an extended hand with hers gently atop. That's waaaaay better than the interlocked arms we do here that can sometimes be so awkward. And the three piece morning suit on her brother was so hot! That mix of the yellow vest, blue shirt with white collar and wine tie was off the charts classy. Why do the English just seem so damn polished? (Well except for Beatrice & Eugenie - what the heck was that?) Oh and that accent, of course!!

Wouldn't it be a dream to attend a wedding like this? Actually, it would be a dream to photograph this wedding - though I would be a wreck trying to get just the right shot of every single possible moment. The photos above (by Getty photographers) are perfect, just perfect of the bride.

The one thing that I did (other than get up at the crack of dawn) was took a stab at that chocolate biscuit cake that they say is Prince William's favorite. I gotta say it's damn good!

things on tuesday

In the early days of this blog I used to do a post every Tuesday called "Things on Tuesday" - it's a hold over from the old Vox days. And somewhere along the road I forgot about it. I ran across an old post over the weekend and thought I should start it up again. So here goes!

loves

Slightly under baked sugar cookies { yum }
Clinique moisture surge - has seriously changed my face for the better!!! I cannot recommend this enough!
Dove visible care body wash - I saw the commercials about having better skin in a week and thought no way could that be true, but it was worth a shot. Let me tell you, it is true!
Chris Trapper and Colin Hay this Saturday { yeah! }
Pinterest - I'm totally addicted!
Getting to work on a sign package where I can think outside the box and have fun with the signs rather than staying within all of the normal rules. My brain has seriously been working overtime and I'm having so much fun!
And ... I'm just going to say it... the Royal Wedding. They are such a cute couple and I love weddings...

loathes

Road construction - I know it's necessary, but it still sucks
When I make a mistake, say something wrong or etc. that I cannot seem to let it go. I keep replaying and reanalyzing - so annoying!
That I have to wake up at 4:45 AM tomorrow to purchase tickets for this summer's Ravinia concerts. { oy! }
That I cannot seem to get my ass in gear and get into the shape I want to be in
Cleaning... yet I hate clutter and a dirty home ... hmmm
A full month of rain
That my life is either go, go, go or total boredom

Till next Tuesday!

The King's Speech

via kingsspeech.com

Finally watched The King's Speech over the weekend. It's not my typical movie genre, but I did enjoy the performances of Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush - really incredible! Colin Firth with that stammer was so hard to watch - I cannot imagine how that might mess with your brain, playing a role like that.

Why do speech impediments make us so uncomfortable? For me I think it's just hard to watch the struggle to get the word out - you know it's in there, but why won't it come out? I met a guy at a meeting once who managed his stammer beautifully. It was hardly noticeable, but every now and then you would see a hesitation and then he would change the word. I was kind of amazed at how well he was able to calmly and quickly pause and swap words - it's like having a thesaurus look up on call at all times. Brilliant really.