Shopping with Sloane is a hoot! She dances through the aisles, tries on shoes that are way too big for her and kicks them off in all directions as she continues bare foot through the store. She commands everyone's attention everywhere she goes - I mean come on, she is damn cute and almost always smiling. We wandered through Anthropologie and Sloane made herself at home, exploring every inch - window displays and all. I spotted this little wooden ledge and had her sit down. She cooperated for about 1 minute and then done. Got an adorable shot of her though. Wandered over to the Christkindlemarket (with about a zillion other people who had the same idea) and picked up a couple of adorable little Christmas decorations. I haven't gone to the market in years, glad I did. But... next year I will not go the Sunday before Christmas. *wink*
the happy show
Back on my staycation I took in The Happy Show by Stefan Sagmeister and LOVED it! I am only sad that I caught it on it's last week, so most of the interactive things were gone. That aside, I just love Stefan's take on the everyday and his handwritten display felt conversational, collaborative and personal - like he was standing right there talking to me. I don't typically feel this way about art - and I've seen a lot of art - so it was refreshing and I am really happy (ha) that I made it in before the installation left town. It's still traveling the country - maybe The Happy Show will soon be in your neck of the woods. 
shift
Ran across a rather interesting light installation at the Chicago Cultural Center. It's called SHIFT - A New Media exhibit by Luftwerk. "Luftwerk’s interest in the basic relationship between color and light and how light and darkness determine how our eyes perceive color served as the driving force behind the creation of “Shift.”
I could stand and look at the stripes forever!
marcey weds
My friend and coworker Marcey wed on Friday among a few family and close friends. This was my first muslim wedding and I was completely fascinated by the whole thing! I snapped a few photos to document the day and wish her and the new hubs all the very best. 
birthday chocolate
The beautiful Miss Bella decided she wanted a weekend in the city for her 9th birthday party. Shopping and sipping hot chocolate, what more could a girl want? I joined the gang for dinner and had a great time! And could she and Emma look any cuter all dolled up? Adorbs!
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! 
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ohc : fourth pres
The Chicago Architecture Foundation is hosting Open House Chicago - a giant open house of 150 of the coolest places in the city - landmarks to design firms and everything in between. It's a great event - heavily attended, long lines at the most popular places. And the best part ... it's free! The only problem is that you have to be very organized - know the hours each site you want to visit, map out your attack and get out early to get in as much as possible!
I stopped in Fourth Presbyterian Church to see if I could finally get past the main hall, but sadly they had a private event and closed to the tour at 1pm - I failed to do my research! Oh well. I got some fun shots anyway. Will have to do better planning next year!
millennium park
I started my staycation with a walk through the Lurie Garden in Millennium Park - had never actually walked through the garden before. It's simply lovely and in the height of summer, when everything is in bloom, I bet it's a real stunner! It's so interesting to be surrounded by these prairie grasses, wildflowers and tall trees and then just over the top of them are these huge skyscrapers. Wonderful balance! 
magdaline
I have always loved the Magdaline sculpture along Congress Pkwy and Michigan Ave. During my staycation I walked down to finally snap a few photographs of her. I was about 20 min late or she would have been bathed by the sun, but I am still pretty happy with how these came out. Next stop is to see her sister sculptures on Northernly Island.
Sculptor: Dessa Kirk