Current Need: Geometric Dress

Just noting how obsessed I have been lately with this style. I've been seeing it everywhere. NEED. 

Intermix, Planet Blue

Official Biker

I have converted. I am a bike rider after years of protesting it in Chicago. To be honest, I have heard of too many accidents in city riding and had no desire to take the risk. Lately, we've been cruisin around Abbot Kinney and the beach and I am officially hooked. Went with a Bianchi Cortina hybrid, entry level and I luuuuurve it. Shoutouts to BikeAttack in Santa Monica for helping me find the right one. 

HEY GUYS, THE ROOMMATES RODE TO THE BEACH

After a nice beach/surf sesh we cruised over to Lemonade, which was actually amazing. I say "actually" because I went with getting 4 sides instead of main courses. Oh my were they delicious. Topped it off with some blood orange lemonade. I mean, I can't go to a place called Lemonade and not get Lemonade, right?

Brussel sprouts, watermelon salad, kale salad, and some effing awesome pasta that I dont know the name too. I was so full I could barely move.

Relocating

Woo! Its been the busiest couple of weeks. Things kind of came together really quickly and in a crazy way! I got a job, got an apartment, went back to chicago, packed up my old apartment, threw it on a moving truck, drove to Columbus, saw the Buckeyes play, had a cancelled flight, flew back to LA, started work and now I am permanently here. With the roommate. With...an air mattress. 

One of my favorite things to do in Chicago is run on LSD (Lakeshore Drive, le duh). I have to admit, after 3 weeks it was the biggest relief to see that skyline. There is something to be said for familiarity and memories that I seemed to have forgotten until actually saying goodbye. On the last night in town, I made sure to take a walk down to the water and get one last look. So many crazy memories of this city with so many amazing people. 

Moving out there for college with my high school best friend and doing nothing but run all over the place doing crazy shit was my life as an 18-year old. Why did our parents let us do that? I met my roommate (boyfriend) here at bar then called Slainte, now called Halsted Harp because they took our IDs and because it was my birthday and the poor guy was in my path of destruction. Who knew 5 years later we'd be LA roommates? I hailed from Kentucky until legally of age to drink. Had snowball fights down Clark street in the middle of Wrigleyville. Put swimming pools in my dorm room. A walk down Lincoln in purple tights, blue shoes, and a black dress. Ashley Pantano is the only person who will ever understand this. Terrorized Lincoln Park for a good couple of years of my life. I lived in an apartment extremely unproportionally sized for 3 people where we had a FABULOUS Derby party. 

I lived behind Wrigley Field (undesirable). Fell in love with Gold Coast. Learned about the best bar in the whole world, Zebra lounge. Seriously, I dont know why but being there makes me the happiest. However, Bar Deville is a VERY close second. My favorite people have spent nights with my there singing with a piano player that probably hates us. BARRY! I realize I have gone on a crazy, nostalgic, tangent, but I have spent a lot of time hating on Chicago when in reality, it holds the most amazing memories for me. 

I currently have no clue where my stuff is because moving companies are really fun to deal with. But this is what it looked like the last time I saw it. Goodbye fabulous Chicago view!

And below, we have my hometown, Columbus Ohio. Dont hate on Columbus.

A little birthday surprise for Carson!

Managed to attend an Ohio State game. The tradition there is unreal and I think I had chills the whole time.

Aaaaand then our flight Sunday night got cancelled and rescheduled for the following morning, so Jamie decided to play basketball at the airport. 

And now I'm here. And this is my new run spot. Venice Pier, a nice1. 

What a week, I feel like the adventure is really beginning

Hotwheels

The day has finally come where I have my OWN car. What a day I had trying to get this taken care of. Being in LA without a car is a STRUGGLE. I have been welcoming the metro with open arms, but it felt good to finally go to brunch yesterday and drive there! (Had the most amazing lox omelet at Toast on 3rd street. ridic)

But lucky for everyone, we can thank the internet for Honda sending me this absurd slideshow capturing my new car moment...yes this is real.

My New Ride!

Crafts?

Alyx and I went to Michael's last weekend in Pasadena and I had no idea what I was doing in there but I wanted to buy everything to make everything. I clearly didn't check pinterest enough before I went, because I only had one thing in my head to make and it was from this Etsy post I saw a while ago. I might have made the process more difficult by hand painting this stuff and screen print would look better, but it was great to have a mini project.

Runyon Baby

One of the reasons I moved to LA was because I wanted the option to do more outside. Since I haven't quite narrowed down my vehicle situation, I've been actually taking the metro to Hollywood to get some good quality time with good ole Runyon Canyon. What an awesome reminder of why I'm here. 

Last Friday Night

Well, these were some epic Friday night plans. 

http://www.downtownindependent.com/events/romy-michele-s-high-school-reunion-pretty-woman-double-feature-dr

The Downtown Independent did not disappoint with 2 awesome movies and taking votes for the next. Princess Banana Hammock/my friend Alyx and I are putting in for 10 Things  I Hate About You/Mean Girls (duh). and I realized drink alongs are definitely up my alley.

Downtown LA Artwalk - 8/9/2012

I recently moved to downtown LA and the first thing I did in the area was the monthly downtown art walk. My expectations were more in the ballpark of my hometown's Gallery Hop (Columbusssss!). When I thought art walk, "food truck" is not the first thing that came to mind, but I soon saw the light. 

A friend and I walked through scoping out the trucks with one very special one in mind - an ice cream sandwich truck. I was blown away with the options and how to pick the flavor of cookie, then ice cream. I realize this is a lot of detail about a dessert but if you are questioning that, stop reading now because thats not going anywhere. My obvious choice was red velvet cookie and salty chocolate ice cream. Welcome to LA.

Shoutout to my roommate, thought of him the second I saw this rack. Thought about purchasing a Laker's jersey, but there's no way I'll convert even a broken hearted Piston's fan.

Oh yeah, I guess there was some art that was cool

Going to need this wine chiller installed in my house someday. Necessary? No. Included in my future wine collection? Yes

I Fantasized 'Bout This Back in Chicago

Well, its official. I am here. LA is home? Actually, NA is home but this is it for now. I literally chose to drop everything and move to California. For those that know me, this has been in the works for basically, ever. I was finally done talking about some grand plan and went through with it (I think everyone should at some point). I get the same reaction when I tell people about it and also get the same questions. "Why LA?" Why NOT LA? The common reaction is "thats great, good for you, blaze trails!!" Alright then, let the trailblazin' begin.