Lucite tray

Over the weekend, I was inspired by these DIY Lucite Tray ideas:

So I decided to make my own! Pretty simple, here are the steps. First, get a lucite tray (or a plastic 3D picture frame; you can find them at Michael's and flip them over for the same effect), decoupage, printed paper and a sponge brush. Make sure you clean the tray so there isn't dust or anything that would make the surface uneven.

Put a thin layer of decoupage on the surface, make sure to get the corners and sides. Wipe up any excess that may have made its way up the sides with a wet cloth.

Cut your printed paper to size. Lay flat on the tray, print side up, expressing any air bubbles or wrinkles in the paper. Cover with another coat of decoupage. Let dry (usually about a half hour).

Decorate with pretty little things and place on your table or counter.

Mother's Day

My mom and dad on vacation

Happy Mother's Day! I am going to Glen Ellyn for the day for a family Mother's Day celebration. What are you doing for your mom?


PS- Last year's Mother's Day sentiments still stand! 

Song of the Day

              

As I mentioned the other day, Ali and I went to see Second City. Obviously, the players in Second City are extremely talented, and maybe not-so-obviously, many of them have other creative projects they are working on. Tawny Newsome, part of the ensemble of the main-stage show we saw, is both an actor and a musician and the above is a pretty sweet cover of "Love Interruption." Check it out. 

Second City

On Tuesday night, Ali and I went to see Second City. We had been to a show on their smaller stage, but had never been to the main stage performance before.

Have you ever been?

It was hilarious, obviously, but I was surprised by how much of it was really performance art, had a message and tied together. It really was a two-hour play with different "skits" mixed it.

My favorite part was an essential north-side/south-side rap between two rappers. The "south-side" rapper strung together rhymes about education reform in public schools, gun-violence and gangs and how people needed to stand up and fight for rights. The "north-side" rapper spit lyrics about his condo association and mortgage and how he was upset that Pink Berry took away his favorite peace-flavored fro-yo. Pretty awesome and enlightening.

The show is comprised of three acts. The first two are the "play", essentially. And the third is an improv show that anyone can come and watch fo frizzle. The players use this improv section to shake out potential news scenes in their next show. My favorite part was when Edgar Blackmon presented himself as Jesus and, in a breathy, almost Cartman-esque voice said phrases like, "Hollllaaaa" and "I gotta get back to Heaven...I've got a thing....I'm playin' cards with Einstein and Jimi Hendrix, I just gotta go."

Religious humor gets me every time.

Definitely a HUGE recommendation.

Mountains

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage."

~Anais Nin 

The Great Gatsby

Who is excited!?!?!?! 

Meeeeeeeeeeee

Why did I not purchase this months ago?!?!

PS- Check out The Great Gatsby Soundtrack

Presidential

So, as I mentioned earlier, I have been a bit busy this week. As such, I just got the chance to watch Obama's speech at the White House Correspondents Dinner. Have you seen it? I thought he was funny and charming. 

I've also been perusing the White House tumblr! 

Ha!

via

Song of the Day

"Next To Me" Emeli Sande

All day long. 

My moving strategy, in a meme

Anxiety Cat

I know it's May and we aren't moving for another 3 months, but I am already preparing .... for EVERYTHING.

Update

Sorry I've been a little busy lately- the weather was really nice over the weekend so I spent a lot of time outdoors and not much time on the computer (it's good to take a break sometimes).

Last weekend Ali and I went on a date to Nacional 27. The food was excellent and I had a delicious strawberry-lemon agua fresca. I went on a long-run on Saturday (which reminded me why I need to work harder during winter so spring runs don't suck so bad) and on Sunday Ali and I played softball and went over to Garrett and Michelle's for appetizers and drinks. A pretty fun and relaxing weekend.

Since I live in a small apartment, my closet is tiny and I have to "flip" my closet every season and put the non-seasonal clothes in storage. Whenever the first warm day of spring comes, I get so excited and store ALL of my sweaters and boots and break out my spring and summer dresses immediately. This always turns out to be a huge mistake. As Chicagoans know, the first warm day of spring will almost certainly lead to a cold snap just a few days later. So, I took the plunge, ignoring my instincts and flipped my closet last night. I know it will probably be cold for the rest of the week, but it feels SO GOOD to spring clean. Seriously though- I am starting to sell some of the non-necessary things in our apartment to prepare for the move in August, I got a haircut, we cleaned our entire apartment tip-to-tail....I feel like a new woman! Spring cleaning rocks.

I also saw Zero Dark Thirty finally on Monday night. Have you seen it? It was entertaining, but definitely not a documentary by any means, haha. I realize there were a lot of liberties taken but I thought they did a good job condensing ten years into two hours of film.

So, that's kinda it. I've been a little boring this week. Work has been workish. The cats have been extra needy and obnoxious. Curie has been adorable and excited to play in the back area of our apartment complex (and she has a new love for digging everywhere!)

I think we all just need a little more playtime outside.

Oh, my dear heart...

Song for the Day

"Would You Go With Me" by Josh Turner

Seems poignant based on yesterday's news. 

Snobama

Did you know there is an entire Tumblr dedicated to Obama's love of Sno-Cones? 

Well, now you know.

Enjoy!

Law School and Moving to Denver

After months of careful consideration, I have accepted an offer to attend the University of Denver School of Law  to focus on Environmental and Natural Resources Law and and will be moving to Denver in August! 

Strum College of Law

It was definitely a difficult decision to make, but I was especially taken by the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program at U Denver and I am excited about delving further into the many environmental law opportunities that they have. Some of the schools I was originally considering did not have as extensive of environmental law programs, so this seemed like a better fit for me.

Red Rocks Ampitheater

It has not had a chance to sink in that Chicago will not be my home anymore come August, but I'm excited to move somewhere new and have an adventure. Ali has been such a sport while I have been trying to make a decision and has been really awesome and flexible despite my suddenly uprooting our lives (love that man).

I have been all over Colorado many times on family vacations and went to Breckenridge with Ali for our honeymoon. I am excited that places that I once vacationed in will be more accessible to me. Granted, everything is a drive, but it will be within my reach! Durango! Vail! Garden of the Gods! Breck! All mine!

I realize I won't have very much free time to spare, but I am going to make an effort to get out and enjoy everything Colorado has to offer while I can.

Durango, Colorado

Denver

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs

Gilpin Lake in Steamboat Springs

Ali and I are currently looking for a 2 bedroom apartment somewhere in Denver so that we can have a proper guest bedroom for friends and family to come and stay with us. We are planning on getting matching furniture (WHOA! Adulthood!) and slowly purging things we don't need throughout the summer to prepare for the move.

Everything is comin' up mountains.