2011 [A Year in Review]

Chicago Bears home opener -- September 11, 2011.

As I sit here on the eve of the New Year, eating take-out and doing my laundry before work -- talk about going out with a bang -- I figured I might as well do a post that sums up the last year. So here you have it -- a few of my favorite 2011 moments in pictures. (Or at least my favorite moments of me living it up this summer. My first 2012 New Year's Resolution will be to document more!)

Sky over Lollapalooza, Day 1.

Lollapalooza crew -- Day 3.

Drunken revelry after the river float. A picture with our DD, Grandpa.

Discovering new music and raging -- Lollapalooza Day 1.

Resolutions Revisited: No. 11

My final New Year's resolution is a bit anti-climactic. This one should've been the easiest, but it's actually the only one I failed to do (besides learning Italian, which I'm not going to beat myself up about since I can barely make time to do laundry).

I have no problem drinking plenty of other substances -- like coffee, beer, vodka, etc. -- but for some reason, I just can't seem to get my eight glasses (or even two) in each day.

In 2012: Envision women aging gracefully with supple and dewy skin, and get my shit together. I care enough about looking hot and not leathery when I'm older that I stopped (fake) tanning completely, and this is just as important.


Overall, this has been a pretty successful year. If my biggest failures are not learning a foreign language and getting enough acqua (I'm trying!), then I guess I've done a pretty decent job of meeting my 2011 goals.

[photo via Pinterest]

Resolutions Revisited: No. 10

Aside from No. 08 -- make moves professionally -- this might be 2011's most well-executed New Year's resolution.

My spiritual journey and decision to get confirmed have been well-documented on this blog lately. It took me 26 years to walk into a church without a feeling of overwhelming dread, but better late than never. I'm happy I found the right church at the right time.

In 2012: Make it a priority to go to mass every Sunday. Hangovers are no excuse.


PS -- USD kids, did you recognize the Immaculata? [photo via Flickr]

Resolutions Revisited: No. 09

Since everything in my life has been pretty much all about me all the time, New Year's Resolution No. 09 was important to have on the list.

Aside from working one shift at a soup kitchen this summer through the hotel/bar I work at, this resolution is just getting started. I'll be helping with PR for Old St. Pat's Crossroads Runners and also taking part in the church's gay and lesbian outreach program. Barely fit this resolution in before year-end, but better late than never.

In 2012: Stay committed.


[photo via Pinterest]

Resolutions Revisited: No. 08

My eighth New Year's resolution happened quickly and easily -- though given the current economy and my qualifications -- it should've been the hardest on the list.

In March I'd had enough at my old office and resigned. I hated private equity and the monotony of administrative work. I wanted to make the move into PR but had zero experience outside of managing Twitter and Facebook accounts for my dad's restaurant. This wouldn't be easy. Or so I thought.

But lucky for me, I met a PR magnate while serving him beers at the bar I worked at. Thanks to my knowledge of strong ales and his appreciation for good brews, the rest is history.

In 2012: Keep learning and climbing the ladder.

[photo via Pinterest]

Resolutions Revisited: No. 07

New Year's Resolution No. 07 was a lofty one.

Needless to say this didn't happen. I don't even think I learned a new swear word in Italian this year -- probably because my dad and the waiters at his restaurant had already taught me all of them, but whatever.

In 2012: I'd be better served to work on my Spanish. It's more accessible because there are lots of Spanish speakers in the bars I work at (I try to talk to the kitchen guys all the time at the new bar, and probably sound gringo-riffic but the practice really helps). There's also a Spanish account at the office that I could maybe learn a bit from. In the meantime, I'm in the market for a bootlegged copy of Rosetta Stone, so holler at your girl if you've got one.


[photo via Pinterest]

Buon Natale!

No matter where you are or who you're with, I hope you have a lovely Christmas. May you eat, drink and be merry today, and I hope that Santa hooks you up!

As for me, all I'm asking for from Santa is a Bears win. Good thing he brought me some other things I wanted.


[photo via cupcakes and cashmere]

What Christmas Looks Like [in SoCal]

An absolutely beautiful day on the Laguna Beach boardwalk.
And clear enough to see Catalina Island in the distance.

Since the only white Christmas that Southern California sees is on the crests of waves, the holidays here look a lot different than in cold places like Chicago or New York. But after an afternoon trip to Laguna Beach yesterday, I realized there is still plenty of holiday spirit here -- even if it is 72 degrees out.

(And on the note of temperature, I have something to say to the guy who asked me if I was cold while wearing a cut-out tank dress on the boardwalk. No sir -- not in the least -- because I'm from Chicago and we're not pansies like you SoCal folk that put a sweater on when it dips below 80. But Merry Christmas to you anyway, and may Santa bring you all the cashmere you can handle.)

As a town known for its art and galleries, festive easels line lampposts.

I stopped in and told Santa I'd been good this year.
He said lying wouldn't help my cause.

A surfboard menorah? Too cool. I want a surfboard Christmas tree!

Ferris wheel and palm trees lit up for Christmas at the Irvine Spectrum.

What Christmas Looks Like [in Portland]

My exceedingly talented friend Sam -- a fellow USD alum(!) and author of the blog ashore -- was immediately on board when I asked her to do a guest post in a mini-series about what Christmas looks like in various cities. Sam is one of the best photographers I know, and I couldn't wait to see the vintage flair that her camera and creative eye would capture in Portland this time of year. Enjoy!

--

The inherent hip-ness of Portland means that the season is subtle, expressed in the occasional pine garland around a bike basket and a nose in our neon deer. But, it is here. 

The city challenges you to search out the beauty, the glimmering places that we hold in defiance to the vast cloudy sky.  Red lipstick, against skin that hasn't seen the sun in months (literally). Brick colored bridges over black water wrapped in fog. 

Call it acclimation - or perhaps the grace of El Nino - but I've come to love this change in my city. By March the rain will begin to trickle inside me. I'll be good company for Eeyore or Negative Nancy. But for now, Christmas is everywhere amongst the gray. I just open my eyes, camera in hand, and I see it. 

What Christmas Looks Like [in Chicago]

Iconic lions outside the Art Institute. Rawwwr.

There were a lot of differences between Southern California and Chicago that struck me during my first year in the Windy City -- like the lack of seat covers as a standard in bathrooms, and the revolving doors everywhere. But a major disparity was that Christmas is far more festive in Chicago.

On a recent trip to the Art Institute, I took a few pictures of what Christmas looks like in the city I call home.

And I apologize for the glaring void of Michigan Avenue and State Street pictures, but I lost my iPhone that had all of those on it. Damn Grinch must've been at work. (But thanks to a Google image search, I found a few to fill in the gaps.)

Daley Plaza.

Financial District.

Michigan Avenue.

Board of Trade.

Love me some spandex and faux fur! Ha.
Christmas in SoCal means I'm currently in a tank top. And I don't hate it.

Tomorrow we'll see what Christmas looks like in Portland, as only my dear friend and author of ashore, Sam, can show us!

[photo credit for the Daley Plaza photo. I can't believe I had to take a picture from a mom blog. Never losing an iPhone again! And Michigan Avenue photo via Orbitz.]

Resolutions Revisited: No. 06

My sixth New Year's resolution was a tough one, because there are only so many hours in the day.

I love to read, and did more than in past years, but the amount of books I finished was not an impressive number. Partly because I'm too busy, but mostly because I elected to read Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. It's an absolutely fantastic book, but I still have not finished it. It's 1080 or so pages, and I keep hitting parts that I just can't get through. Like John Galt's 80 page speech around page 900 -- I couldn't help but think OMG, get on with it, Ayn! I felt like I was at the 23rd mile of the Marathon -- almost there, but you've just hit the wall. I decided to skim the rest of Galt's verbosity and should be finally finished with this book soon.

In 2012: I've already bought The Help, The Creature from Jekyll Island (which is about what a fraud The Fed is -- should be a really light read -- ha), and a few others that are stacked on my bookcase. Hopefully none of these books' protagonists go on a monotonous rant.

[photo via ashore]

tanti auguri

I'm 26 today and officially in my late twenties. I'm less than thrilled about getting older. But there's nothing like a Snapple cap to give you some perspective.

Plus, each year has been better than the last -- and I've got a damn good feeling about this one.

Thanks to everyone who's wished me happy birthday via text, Facebook, or the other mediums I'm on. Feeling the birthday love and it's not even 9:00am PST!

(If you're wondering, the title of this post is from the Italian version of the "Happy Birthday" song. It's been a favorite part of my birthday for as long as I can remember, as my dad and all the waiters serenade me with it every year at my family's restaurant. And they sing about as well as I do, which is scary, but I still love it.)


[photo credit]

Resolutions Revisited: No. 05

My fifth New Year's resolution was successful... for the most part.

I'd been a regular at the Bar Method until I got promoted at work and brought on full-time. Now it's hard to find an hour in the day where I can work out, but thanks to ADD meds and walking everywhere, my derrière is still looking pretty good. (Or so I'd like to think.) And the scale is showing the lowest number it has since high school, so no complaints here.

In 2012: I'll be training with Old St. Pat's Crossroads Runners team for the Chicago Marathon and plan on doing some cross-training too. Might as well stick with the Bar Method because it's right by my office -- and nothing gets that ass to work like that class does. I'm telling you -- they do magic there.

[photo via Pinterest]

Currently Coveting [Sparkles]

Tonight I'm debuting a new sequin mini-dress for my birthday bash. It felt appropriate to share some other sparkling looks that I'm digging. Happy weekend!

My dress looks just like this.
I too will be accessorizing with champagne.

I don't give a fuck that these are completely impractical. Get in my closet.

The low back makes this.

Sequins meet fringe. Yes please.

Love the dress. Now eat a sandwich.

[photo credit: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]

Resolutions Revisited: No. 04

My fourth New Year's resolution was one of my favorites, and probably the most empowering.

I had a couple bumps in the road in the beginning of the year -- like dating a guy who was great aside from his lack of attentiveness, only to start dating someone else who was all about me but picked fights constantly.

But by June I was finally single again and found my stride -- and developed my lowest tolerance for bullshit yet. Now when a guy acts like a douche, he hears about it and gets cut from the roster. I know what I'm worth and have going for me and don't feel the least bit compelled to settle for less. So if you want to act like a dick -- to a girl who's fun and low-maintenance, likes beer and football, and can cook and mentally keep up with you -- then suit yourself. Next! (I'm certainly not perfect, but confidence is key. Get some.)

In 2012: Keep on my current trajectory. I've never been happier and a lot of that has to do with being single. If someone isn't perfect for you, you're wasting your time. There are enough things in life that can be mediocre -- love shouldn't be one of them.

[photo via Pinterest]

Resolutions Revisited: No. 03

My third 2011 New Year's resolution was a more valiant charge than the other ones because it required daily commitment.

Despite my chaotic schedule, I try to make each day count and live it to the fullest. Monday-Friday I've got my bases covered because I work at places and with people I enjoy, grab drinks with friends when I'm not working, or grow and learn something new at RCIA.

But it's easy to go into sloth mode once the weekend arrives. But whether utilizing your time means reading a good book, grabbing brunch with a friend, or taking a trip to the Art Institute of Chicago on a Saturday morning instead of laying in bed watching TV -- carpe diem and get off your ass.

In 2012: I'll try going to bed earlier and drinking less so I actually take full advantage of more free weekend mornings.

Resolutions Revisited: No. 02

My second 2011 New Year's resolution was one of my favorites. I've got wanderlust like none other, so I was thrilled when I got invited to Napa Valley in October!

Napa was a weekend filled with wine, steak, and relaxation. Doesn't get much better than that.

In 2012: Go somewhere new that requires adventure and abandonment of my comfort zone -- the sort of trip that you return from changed. Ideas I'm tossing around include anywhere in Asia, Israel and Jerusalem, Turkey (maybe with some overlap during Yacht Week?), or South America.

Resolutions Revisited: No. 01

For the first time in a long time, I made New Year's resolutions for 2011 -- 11 of them total -- one for each year of the new millennium. Now that the year is drawing to a close, I figured I should take a look back and see how well I met the goals I set for myself. (Plus, it keeps me accountable to blog about it.)

Starting off my Resolutions Revisited series is No. 01, one of the hardest and most important.

This is a continuing work-in-progress because I love to travel, shop, eat and drink. But I'm better at frugality than I used to be. And with working three jobs and having plenty of extra-curriculars on top of that, I figure I should get to play hard if I work hard.

In 2012: Improve in this department and start saving for rainy days and retirement. (Sure is hard to do though!)

[photo via Flickr]

Works of Art

This Saturday I finally checked out a Chicago spot I'd been meaning to for a long time -- The Art Institute. I had no idea how many famous paintings were there aside from the ones I'd seen in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. I was pleasantly surprised to see plenty of Monets, Van Goghs, and other classics like fellow Iowan Grant Wood's American Gothic.

After soaking in plenty of priceless and beautiful art, it was off to The Gage for brunch and then Old Town Social for the Barcelona and Real Madrid Classico. Was a great way to spend the day before my usual routine of dancing and partying at The Mid all night for Deniz Koyu and Fedde le Grand's DJ sets.

Brush strokes of Monet's Water Lily Pond.

Water Lily Pond, Monet.

Georgia O'Keefe.
(I thought she only painted lady parts thinly veiled as flowers, but apparently not.)

Photos of World Trade Center NYC in three different settings. Beautiful for so many reasons.

I liked these because they reminded me of my trip to India.
(Shocking I'd like anything that reminds me of that, but memory is a filter.)

Bueller?
A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, George Seurat.

Pritzker gardens outside the Modern Wing.

Hometown tourist.

Chilling (literally) with Reisha.