Realizations & Reflections

One. I forgot my charger somewhere. Therefore am blogging with borrowed iPad. Blogging on iPad is really hard.

Two. Walking home from work is a great time for thinking (about nothing). Today was the first of what I hope to be many lovely 3.8 mile walks home from work.

Three. Leo DiCaprio is still my main man. Saw The Great Gatsby this week, and while its not my favorite film to date from director Baz Luhrmann, I thoroughly enjoyed the production. It's a beautiful show. I'm stealing the look of Jay Gatsby's monogram lockup for JG (boyfriend) and putting it on everything. So cool.

Four. I think Daisy Buchanan is evil. And pathetic.

Five. In an effort to revamp my shoe wardrobe, I bought the cutest new pointed toe flats - for a steal.

Six. Sunday is World Baking Day. I'll be making coconut carrot muffins, how about you? (Play along won't you?!)

Seven. This book is funny. Must love dogs.

Eight. I need to buy a lot of gifts... June birthdays are right around the corner. 

Nine. On that note, got first paycheck from internship. Wish me luck this summer, I'm thinking I need a third job!

Ten. Candy Crush app is ruining my life. Don't download it. But if you do, understand that it actually does get insanely hard after level 21. So don't talk to me until you're on my level.

Cheers to the weekend!

J

Primary Pop

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Back to basics (and very Piet Mondrian hued) with my recent collection of things blue, red and yellow. These are the sort of things I've been bookmarking/pinning lately. But now here I am taking a step back to look and wow is it Americana meets Andy Warhol pop art. Does that happen to you? Does your taste in style one week bring you to new territory like mine does? Funny to notice the trends from one week of say soft pastel florals, to the next - this "primary pop."

J

Weekend Smiles

This was the last weekend of the Picasso exhibit in Chicago. I just barely squeezed it in going this past Thursday night. It was really a great collection of work that spanned his entire lifetime. And I saw it for free! Thursday nights at the Art Institute are free for Chicago residents, steal.

Friday night was another free treat, as my uncle passed along 2 tickets to see Shen Yun. JG and I were captivated by the classical dances and sounds of ancient Chinese culture. It's a beautiful show with ornate costuming and entertaining stories. In my opinion it carries on a little too long... but a good show nonetheless.

Mother's Day was spent with my family shopping, eating nachos, and playing a little golf - what could be better than that?! Even spotted this mama-to-be swan on the course.

J

What Gatsby?

Baz Luhrman's The Great Gatsby may not be for everyone, but I cannot wait. A fan of Luhrman's past productions such as the 1996 Romeo + Juliet, and 2001 Moulin Rouge, it's bound to be an over-the-top lavish production that I can't wait to be a part of. Although the original story is set in the 1920's, it is a story that transcends time. The themes of money, desire, lust are all modern. Costume designer Catherine Martin collaborated with Brooks Brothers to sharply dress the men from head to toe. Gatsby's author, F. Scott Fitzgerald, was a life-long Brooks Brothers customer and so it seemed like the perfect partner. Martin was able to access the Brooks Brothers 1920's archives to create historically accurate designs but also designs that were a bit more theatrical. The looks are inspired by a preppy collegiate look that Fitzgerald himself was fond of. Can't wait to see Leo (my main man on screen) in the famous pink suit! And the hats! I love those straw boaters men wore...

The women's costumes were a collaboration with Miuccia Prada (designer of labels Prada and Miu Miu). Daisy Buchanan's "chandelier" dress most seen in the trailers is actually from Prada Spring 2010.

I am so ready for this. I've re-read the novel. I've watched the original film starring Robert Redford and Mia Farrow. I've previewed the soundtrack on iTunes. And I've explored the costumes on the Brooks Brothers website.

Bring it on, Gatsby.

J

Weekend Smiles : Snacks

If it looks as if I ate my way through the weekend, then that would be 110% correct. What can I say, it was just one of those weekends where snack food was the highlight. Went to my first ball game of the season at Wrigley, and even though the ivy was ugly brown, I left with a full belly and pink cheeks from the 4 hours of direct sunlight. Yep, 4 hours. 4 hours watching a baseball game. Let's face it, those 4 hours mean I probably won't go to another game until August. And that's a big maybe.

On another note, the sun I'm starting to see every day is a game-changer. It puts a smile on my face, and freckles on my nose. If only I had another day off to enjoy it...

J