Other Happenings in 2014

It helps to do this, you know? It helps to look back and be grateful for all the things we were able to do in spite of my disease. It's nice to be reminded that I'm advancing in knowledge, raising my kids in a thoughtful way, and keeping family traditions alive.

Don't ask me how this happened, but I now have a kindergartner. Here he is with my mom, who was helping me out that day, probably for health reasons. . . Oh! Back to positivity. I really enjoy our walks to school together. Leepo was SO ready to be in the classroom and he loves his teacher and classmates. He is now a voracious reader and we're so proud of him. 

We're kind of closing in on purchasing needed furniture items, but we've developed such a strong habit of visiting furniture outlets and resale shops that we just can't quit looking. That's not to mention the many enduring friendships we've made over the years talking to furniture-enthusiasts and sellers. Our week is not complete unless we're sitting in some teak chair, catching up with our friends, and convincing others that lamp/coffee table/side-chair is in need of a good home. 

On the topic of traditions, I've been going to the St. Charles Scarecrow fest since I was 9 years old! I've been able to take my kids and it's so sweet to see them experience the simple wonders I enjoyed as a child. Here's Homegirl (previously known as Beanie) with a large gourd she referred to as "Snakey."

2014 was a good year for having guests stay with us, even for weeks at a time. Some people say they stink like fish after a few days, but we honestly love our guests and miss them when they leave. Admittedly, the best are the ones who cook, clean, and paint our house while they're here. Ahem. ;)

MSI in the background

The kids are more into science these days and that makes my heart leap with joy. We got membership to the Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) and I marvel at what a treasure that place is. In the summer, we walk from the MSI to the local beach and we're so grateful we live near the great city of Chicago.

Because I never know what each week will bring (stupid colon), I've gotten better at seizing any and all opportunities to do field-trips with the kids. Doing so has made me more purposeful and the results are fantastic. In the last picture, you see my son learning about squid and how they're used for research in the fascinating realm of biofilms. Since that time, he's said that he wants to be a scientist, maybe even an astronaut. I love this age for the intellectual curiosity it brings and the fun to be had with it.

You guys, when I'm not in the bathroom, I'm a pretty interactive and great mom. :)

GEEKING OUT over Young House Love

It happened. It finally happened. I met John and Sherry Petersik of Young House Love fame!!!

People, if you don't already know, they are the Michael Jordan of the DIY design blog world. And what a world that is. Just look at this line:

Outside West Elm, Chicago

You might think to yourself, 'ugh, would hate to have to stand in that!'  But here's the thing, I enjoyed nearly every minute of it. The only parts that stunk were having to breastfeed while standing and changing diapers in the stroller. Other than that, it was endless bliss meeting other blog fans and feeling totally comfortable saying things like "Have you ORB'd* anything lately?" I seriously think I made some lasting friendships that day. Oh, and check out my darling daughter with her YHL cookie. Too cute, right?

Adorable

So, as we inched closer and closer. . . I kept thinking "Don't dork out, Monique." But I admit it, I get star-struck very easily. It's a problem for me. For example, I'm pretty sure Jeff Goldblum thinks I have epilepsy from an encounter we had in NYC.

Cardiac arrest, cerebrovascular accidents, septic shock. . . I can handle these things calmly. John and Sherry? Give me some smelling salts, please. I can't explain it!

About to make a fool of myself.

Fortunately, John and Sherry were just as nice and gracious as they come across online. --That didn't stop me from acting a fool, though, and quoting Chicago, the band. DOH! I seriously said, "Uh, Sherry, you're the meaning in my life, you're the inspiration. . .oh gosh"  John actually encouraged me to go on quoting the song, but I know when there's no saving my dignity.

Worth the wait!

The thing is, I truly feel that way. Go ahead, make fun of me. I do intend to send an e-mail to these two and let them know just how much their DIY lifestyle has inspired me to crawl out of the rut I've been in for so long. If it weren't for them, I might not have seen the potential for my home to be a refuge from my work life. It would have been easy for me to pass up a mid-century modern ranch in need of some TLC, when in fact it has the potential to become the perfect place to raise my family. You see in many ways, they are worthy of an epic love ballad.

That, and an endless supply of ceramic animals.

*ORB = Oil Rubbed Bronze, usually in the context of spray-painting 

Sensory Overload!

The other weekend I was in design HEAVEN. If Nate Berkus had showed up along the way I would have spontaneously combusted, I'm sure of that. As it was, there was a lot of squealing as I went about looking at paint colors and what seemed like every tile sample under the sun.

I got the day started by attending Benjamin Moore's 'Day of Color' at my local shop. I'm pretty sure I was the youngest person there. Well, except for the young man who was dragged to this event by his mother. (I wondered what horrible thing he had done to deserve being surrounded by women who were getting their jollies on about window treatments and stain finishes. --Doesn't that sound like teenage boy hell?) The speaker announced their color of the year  'Lemon Sorbet' and I gotta say I was a little surprised. Yellow? How did we make the leap from tranquil greys to in-your-face yellow? We'll see how this one plays out.

Overall it was a really good seminar about the various ways we can incorporate color in our homes, and of course we learned all about Benjamin Moore's new line of paints (they are the only ones to have no VOC) and design services. I left contemplating the endless possibilities and with a few goodies in my hands, including a quart of Lemon Sorbet. --Not gonna lie, kinda wish it was the edible kind.

'Day of Color'  by Benjamin Moore

Me with a paint fan deck, this might be dangerous.

Afterwards, it was time to head into the city. Chicago is where I was born and raised and yes I have tons of inner-conflict about being a suburban girl now. This is why, with my exams behind me, Tim and I made yet another resolution: Get out there! Where we live isn't very far from the city to begin with, but culturally it's worlds away. Each locale has its plus/minuses, best to soak in the best of both.

Tim is originally a SoCal valley boy, but he's adapted quite well. 

Wicker Park hipsters

Steak and pineapple. Who knew?

After we dropped off Leepo with my parents, and filled out stomachs with tacos, we headed to THE Merchandise Mart. The Mart is the stuff of legends, chock full of every design showroom you can imagine, and it goes on and on. I scarcely believed I could handle entering its doors that day.

In front of the Merchandise Mart.

You're literally not seeing the half of it.

We weren't there to walk around aimlessly.  We were on a mission, and this time it had to do with tile. I have a strong love/hate relationship with tile. I've seen a lot of bad tile design in my life and that has left a bad taste in my mouth. And even when you find something good, it's very easy to err when it comes to pairings. Next thing you know you've spent a fortune on what looks like a cheesy Las Vegas hotel foyer and you find yourself wondering if you should balance it out with marble columns.

I'll tell you what, we found some excellent stuff that day. The best bang for your buck was definitely Spain's Porcelanosa. (You'll be seeing more posts about that later, because I'm pretty sure we're going with them for our kitchen and bath backsplashes.) We couldn't, of course, pass up looking at the really high end stuff, fantasizing along the way. Ah, yes, Ann Sacks. What surprised me the most is that the sales people were more than willing to give samples once you showed an interest. This wasn't like The Tile Shop where they make you swear on your firstborn that you'll bring back that one glass subway tile. They just handed over the beautiful marble and porcelain goodies like it ain't no thang. And I gotta say it's a good tactic, if a company can afford it, because I'm seriously considering a 'splurge' (all things being relative) on one teeny-tiny accent wall now.

Rows and rows of samples.

Funky

Endless this

After looking at what must have been thousands of tile options, we went for sustenance at one of the greatest places for french pastries: Vanille. If you're in the neighborhood and can't make it out to France as often as you'd like a croissant, you need to come here. This place is legit.

In a word: delicious.

The combination of sights, sounds, and taste was really remarkable that weekend as you can see. The whole experience has me excited about tackling our upcoming renovations and, as I've said countless times before, I'm just so darn happy to be in this stage of life. I've worked so hard to make it here, and here I am indeed.