Twenty Four, Florence, Cocktails, and all the in-betweens.

So last post, I decided to skip over the twenty four talk and instead dove head first into my love for Lana Del Rey. Here I am, making up for just that. Here's the lowdown cats;

So I turned twenty four on March 22. This was a fabulous day; not only was I turning even numerically, but it was 80º in Chicago...IN MARCH. Not only was it warm as hell, it was SUNNY. I spent the whole day with people I loved and everything had gone exactly how I had imagined in my head, BUT BETTER. The shopping during the day and the fantastic cocktails we polished off at Sepia, strolling through the city with that buzz given to us by Josh Pearson. I knew this was a fabulous sign and something I could bank on. I knew this year was going to be amazing. I really just started this year off with a different mindset. Don't get me wrong, my Golden year, 22, was a year to remember, but there is something different about this. Of course, the lingering obviousness is that I am older and in a whole new place in my life. I have taken a step back from a lot of things, I have realized A LOT, and I am ready to start making shit happen for myself. You know that feeling? When you just start like...owning it? I'm still working on it, but damn. Here are some pictures from the evening.

Those drinks were absolutely scrumptious. I have had the Sepia Mule a handful of times, but was dying to come back and try the French 75 or the Boston Martha. So glad that I was able to guzzle down the former this time.  The potroast fries? YES PLEASE! I have been here a handful of times and have never seen these or ordered these before. That makes me think I was having huge lapses of brain function every other time I've pranced into the place and ordered. We were sat in my favourite room at Grand Lux. It was an amazing night in the city.

Things have just been going really well this year. My attitude towards life is just different. There are things that dragged me down so hard when I was 23, that I've let go of in the beautiful age of 24. Florence made 23 worth getting through, but this just seems to present more opportunity. My living situation is much more stable and that has contributed to a good deal of my feelings of contentment.

A delicious highlight of this age is that I saw Florence + The Machine last weekend for the fourth time. Of course, it was mind-blowing, there are no other words to describe it. Unreal. There is no doubt that it is like a religious experience, I give my mind, my body, and my soul to Florence + The Machine and it's a beautiful thing. I was close, but not close enough. I am just so relieved they got my cookies this time as well. This time, I actually had more time to conjure up ideas because I've been thinking about it ever since I did them last time and what I could do the next time the opportunity arose. Originally I was going to keep it a Chicago thing, but I couldn't even fathom going to this show without sending them cookies. We waited in line for 9+ hours in the cold Milwaukee rain, of course, intervals of time were spent in a car, the McDonalds bathroom, and various shops to accommodate our needs. Knowing that Florence and her machines were buzzing around that venue/area pulled my emotions 5 different ways. It is forever unfortunate knowing that we could have had the chance to meet them if we would have just chosen to be that much more creepy (in a good way, I suppose). A slew of people met them before and after the show. It's actually gut wrenching knowing that I didn't have a chance to tell them how awesome they are in person versus in writing. I'm just thankful they saw my cards/packages and that the show was so beyond. When it comes down to it, nothing will ever be like that December 4th show. That was just tops. No other show I will ever go to will top that night. 99.4% of the things that happen in my life won't be as rad as Dec. 4, but you get the idea. So I will be off to see Florence + The Machine as the name appears on the bill for Lollapalooza.

The amazing Florence + The Machine in Milwaukee.The Rave/Eagles Ballroom 4.29.12

I thrifted my dress a few weeks before the show and knew I had to wear it to one of her shows at some point. I L O V E D her cape. I also got raised up for 'Rabbit Heart' and that was a huge highlight, not for the people behind me, I'm sure. I was a phenomenal show.

 

these are cookies that I did for the band this time around. I did Isa playing the piano in her pterodactyl costume. It was a joke tweet she sent to Florence when they were going to perform on X Factor, which is where I originally got the idea. The Flag of England is obviously the backdrop. A friend of mine had gone to London and actually taken a picture of his suit, so I had a picture of what he looked like. She's born on Halloween, so I always add a pumpkin in hers. Tom's has his new moth tattoo on his with a DJ Shadow song, one of my favourites and it's an artist he admires. Of course I had to add the mini harp. Florence got two cookies; a 'Breath of Life' Cookie which I believe came out the night before I decorated them and then of course another 'Spectrum' cookie.  Then there are some preliminary sketches I did the night before.

Overall things are solid. Big changes, but  g o o d  changes. But seriously before I do anymore brainstorming, this must be watched/listened to. Marc Alghini, a DJ over at WXRT told me about this band and I am so fucking revved about their music. The video to this song is also super solid. Hopefully you dig it too;

But again, I'm okay with things. That's saying a lot. Sometimes I feel like I'm accomplishing a lot, but then I realize that it's all things I accomplish within my head and not things that are laid out. So I'm problem solving and thinking through, I just don't have a lot to show for it...yet. YET. I'm on the brink of change and it feels extremely sexy. I don't even feel that's an odd word to describe the situation. It IS sexy. Damn. I'm makin' changes and feeling pretty good about it. Pretty, pretty pretty good!

::INSERT UNICORN HORN HERE::

  

best yumz ever / cookie I decorated.

 

Hoping for a good week which may or may not be easily achieved based on work. Mother's Day is on Sunday, making this upcoming week absolutely bonkers when we are understaffed in the first place. Oh well, at least it is a good week to rack up some hours. A lot to look forward to in the upcoming months, anxious to see how it all rolls out.

Currently there is a seriously sexy thunderstorm rolling through and I'm so revved that it's been a noisy and bright day in the sky on and off. It was so dashing to wake up to. I hope it continues to roll through the night. xx

No longer odd!..numerically speaking anyway.

Alas, I will no longer be odd, numerically speaking, as of Thursday around 3:20 pm. I will be Twenty Four. This is terrifying, yet mostly exhilarating because this past year of being 23 only got tolerable in December when Florence decided to amplify my life x 1000. Things got increasingly better then and I'd say they are only on their way to getting better. I feel that I'm on the brink of something good here. I feel pretty good about creating this rad little space I come home to each night. AH! Behold! My beloved space! And although it's back with my parents, it's something that is closer to everything I know and love. While it's good to be distanced from that for awhile, sometimes it's good to be reunited with it as well.

[there's a lot of Florence and Lana Del Rey going on here-more to come of that! Some drawings, some set lists...the bed is a huge upgrade and it's amazingly comfortable. My acoustic guitar that I pretend to play well and GREY WALLS! YES! This was a great room to move back into]

There are things about my living environment that need to scream my personality and my interests and without them I just feel rather odd. This has always been the case and I can't help but decking out my walls with people I find so extremely rad. I remember when I first moved back in my dad kept coming in and saying "Okay, that's enough" and that was only with the setlists and a few other pictures. There's going to be a whole 'lot more glossy pictures popping up on that wall with all the great magazines that have come out lately! and back to it...

Everyone around me has been super positive lately. I've been catchin' up with so many friends lately, which has been quite easy due to the fact that I'm so much closer to them then were I was living the past two years. Rachael made a comment the other day that went along the lines of  "I can tell, you look like you're going to burst at the seams, in a good way!" in response to "I want to do something, I feel really good about this year..." Anywho, liked that terminology she used and it kind of put it more into perspective for me. That's exactly how I feel. I saw Brooke today and I told her how I want to turn over a new leaf, do something good and what's good for me. She said "Dude, it's turned. Or it's like ::half-flipping palm:: right there. That is awesome. I have really rad people in my life right now!

Work has become a little bit interesting but presents different opportunities. I feel confident, mostly. If we're being honest that is. Like..perhaps I'm starting to come into place with who I am as a person? I feel good about what I have to offer in terms of personality. I am the most relieved that I've come to good terms with my body and how I feel perceive it and I sort of like it. I. Can. Dig. It. I think I've learned what works for me right now. Food and my intake of it always fluctuates with what's going on in my life, however, I find there to be an up slope when there is a fine combination of fruits and veggies and Portillo's. There was a lot of that when I was twenty-three and there will be more to come in the next. I have struck a nice balance in knowing how to eat that's just right for me. I am grateful for this.

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behold the Portillo's Chili dog with all the fix-ins!

There's more where this came from! I have to eat here once a week!

Plus, being the girl with body issues is kind of a drag, and that's practically every girl in existence...awesome! I feel like I have moments in my life though where I've felt like I've had it pretty together, but they seem like fleeting moments that really last longer than just moments, long enough to stick around and give me this false sense of accomplishment and hope. NOT TODAY! [see reference] I plan on having things go well this year. I feel more stable as well, which is a big part of it. Ah, stability, what a fine word. I'm finally coming around to being cool with being happy. I hate when numerous months go on where those days when you feel sad, you feel like you're never going to be happy again, and vice versa. It just blows, so it's nice to be moving a bit more past that. I hope my plans for my birthday pan out well. I try to always keep things pretty simple when it comes to these kind of things just so it makes it harder for things to fall through. I just want fantastic company and good food-both should be able to happen!

I finally got back to skating regularly again. I hated how I was letting that skill go down the drain and I have gone back and am in the process of fine tuning and regaining certain elements. It is SO GOOD to be back. I have this solid little skate crew that I used to pal around with a few years ago. It is great to see them again and it's always nice to have people you know sharing the ice with you. It makes it more fun and I always prefer someone is there, it tends to be much more motivating. Hopefully I can get over there consistently and more often. Amazing weather has hit Chicago extremely early which is making it super easy to snag walks or do some rollerbladin' before I start work midday. This has been so good for me. I love doing something outside and active before work. It just puts me in such a better mood and energized for the day, but let's be honest, this is no secret. When I say "amazing weather" I am not shitting you, this weather has been without a doubt some of the most insane I've seen. I know, I'm only 23 (FOR NOW!) but 85º+ before the end of March is downright bonkers in this neck of the woods. I find myself dwindling down on sunblock before Spring even starts. I will take it, but I have to assume we will pay for this somehow...

Just over a month until I see the fabulous Florence + The Machine take the stage in Milwaukee. I can hardly contain myself and my friend who I'm going with told me the plan of arriving bloody early and queue-ing asap. I'm semi-on board with this plan. I love Florence. I will wait all day. Is it 100% necessary..proobbbabbblly not, but is it VITAL to get FRONT ROW AT A G.A. SHOW?! YES. Therefore it all balances out and I will be waiting in that line for a good 10 hours. This seems rather insane, but yes, yes, yes, go with me. I am also rather revved about snagging my Radiohead ticket. This will be the first time I've seen this band and I've loved them so hard for years. I am especially excited for the group of people I am seeing with them. I can feel it in my bones that it will be one fantastic evening.

And without a doubt XRT has gotten me along this year with music and I've learned a lot through listening. Almost all of my favourite artists get picked up on the station, or I hear about them from XRT. I am so glad I get to see Florence again in April. This is something I am so over the moon excited for even if I have to travel to Milwaukee to do it. Good things lay ahead this year in terms of music and I'm just really excited!

Needless to say, the song of the year without a doubt is this gem:

recents:

I've been doing a lot of thrifting, quite a bit of rollerblading, some skating, and dabbling in some floral crown wearin'. All of these are reflective of that. It's almost like a matching game. almost.

Even though it's supposed to rain tomorrow, I want to get on a bike, grab a balloon bouquet and listen to 'I Might' by Wilco! That would be absolutely fantastic. Enjoy!

 

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= OH YEAH!

here's a sum-up of the best age/year- 22

I hope you all have a rad day and do something awesome! HAVE AN AMAZING DAY!

x x x x