Today I am thankful for pasta! Homemade pasta! Pappardelle smothered in creamy alfredo! Dined at Caro Mio tonight with the girls and shut the place down. Is there anything better than great conversation and great food?
thankful : day 6
Today I am thankful that my elliptical was FINALLY delivered!! I have flirted with many ellipticals over the years and finally decided to pony up and buy one. It took three weeks to arrive and the delivery guys were very late tonight - and then making a lot of noise in the hallway (ugh!) and reeked of cigarette smoke, but got it up and running! Now it's time to log more steps on my Jawbone UP!
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! 
thankful : day 4
Oh today was not the best of Mondays ... so I am just going to say I am thankful for music on this Monday. I am thankful that music can always change my mood. Tonight it's a little jazz with Till Brönner. I need a little something smooth and soothing to put this day behind me!!
[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1592947" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]
thankful : day 3
Today I am thankful for Midwestern beauty! I took the long route home just so I could drive up and down the streets soaking in the colors of Fall. We are at perfect peak color right now and I know that will soon go away. I need to take in as much as possible, as often as possible!! While living in some warm coastal city sounds lovely, I think I would really miss the changing of the seasons.
thankful : day 2
Today I am thankful for long lasting friendships! I have the most beautiful, smart, creative friends and I love each and every one of them! I am so thankful for all of the experiences we've shared and memories we've created. xoxo
thankful : day 1
I am going to attempt to do the month of posts for things that I am thankful for... here's hoping I get something posted everyday!
Today I am thankful that I have the means to treat myself to special things. Things like travel, concerts, mani/pedis, massages, fancy chocolates and meals out and about with friends! I recognize these things all cost money and not everyone can treat themselves like I do. Work hard = Play hard!
cupcake
While downtown last weekend I happened upon More Cupcake shop and decided to pop in. I have seen their vans around, but hand't heard much about them. It's a very small little shop - just shelves of cupcakes and a little spot to pay, nicely designed - clean and modern. We were in line when a large group arrived - the two girls working the counter had them wait outside till most everyone had cleared. Once they were in, one girl proceeded to give her 'spiel' ... it was very fast and not very informative about the shop at all. The only thing I took away from it was that they were out of their most popular cupcake - salted caramel - and that the cupcakes cost $3.50. My friend and I asked a few questions about the cakes and the two girls behind the counter could not have been more annoyed by them. But, um, this is our first time here and you have no menu describing your product... Anyway, we each picked up a couple and went on our way.
I got lemon meringue and chocolate caramel. Of the two, I liked the lemon meringue the best - both had fillings inside the cake and that might have been the best part. They do fall prey to my biggest cupcake peeve - imbalance. Too much frosting for the amount of cake.
Bottom line ... they were good, but nowhere near the best I've had and certainly not worth the attitude. Wasn't crazy about their packaging either - I got home with two cupcakes and had to open both boxes to see which cake was in which box ... the designer in me is screaming 'why?'
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!
sunday in the orchard
Selika, Alex, Ricky and I set out for some apple picking fun in Hobart, Indiana! Thanks to my Indiana friends for recommending the County Line Orchard! We loved it! Still plenty of apples to pick (although Honeycrisp was gone) lots of pumpkins and some really amazing corn mazes! It's a big farm and the barn is chalked full of yummy goodness! It was the most beautiful Fall day - couldn't have ordered up anything better - really!