Summertime Vibes

And it is now nearly the end of August.

I cannot believe the swiftness of summer, how 3 months feels like 3 weeks. And so it goes.

The other day I found myself sitting at a table behind Osmium, taking in a few sips of one of my favorite coffee concoctions. While it was 85 degrees, I was taking my Agave Latte hot. As I sat there jotting down a few lines in my journal, I realized just how fast it was slipping away [warm weather, that is, not the latte]. There were only a handful of days left to feel summer's heat on our skin, to be overwhelmed with sunshine, warmth, and the sporadic thunderstorm. I love summertime. We look forward to it during every other season. There's such a magnificent ease to it all, an energy.

However, for all the glorious things I filled the past 3 months with; the concerts, the company, the delicious meals, the plethora of beer; I am ready for fall. Hell, I may even be ready for winter. Yes, I will absolutely hate myself for typing this later [you can find me denying it in 4 months]. It's not the freakishly cold days I'm longing for, it's the desire to stay INSIDE. Summer sets me free, leaves me with no excuses, a bit obligated, and also leaves me a bit broke and scattered. I have one focus in the warmer months and that is to have no focus. A lengthy autumn would be most desirable.

Try 'Em Out:

1) Bitter Pops  .  2) Fahlstrom's  .  3) The Northman  .  4) DMK Burger Bar  5) Mortar and Pestle

[worth the mention and your business]

The Line-Up:

Oh, the concerts! I have been to a slew of shows; Le Butcherettes and At The Drive In [Riviera], Of Monsters and  Men and Florence + The Machine [sponsor, sponsor, other sponsor in Tinley Park], Phish [Wrigley Field], Sweet Spirit [The Hideout], Lollapalooza (Flume, Bloc Party, LCD Soundsystem), and Ray LaMontagne [Northerly Island]. Each holds their own impact, Le Butcherettes inspired me beyond belief, Florence is the queen of everything, Sabrina was such a gem when I saw them at The Hideout, and then there is Ray LaMontagne, whom I've been wanting to see for a solid 10 years. He moved me to bits with his cathartic voice and made the wait absolutely worth it. While a lot was seen, it seemed like there were so many I missed. Luckily, I have a small pocketful of shows coming up in the next few months that I'm rather excited for: [Glass Animals, Gold Panda, and Nightmares On Wax].

The Playlist:

__________________________________________

1) 'Insomniac Olympics' by Blockhead

{but honestly, I've been listening to all of Blockhead's albums in heavy

rotation this summer if you're not familiar with his work, I suggest you delve in}

2) 'Hey, No Pressure' by Ray LaMontangne

3) 'Soundcheck' by Catfish and The Bottlemen

4) 'Right Here' by Tricky

5) 'Wish I Knew You' by The Revivalists

6) 'Be, I Do' by Nightmares On Wax

{like Blockhead, Nightmares On Wax have been another group that I've

put endless hours of listening time into over the past 4 months. I cannot get enough}

7) 'The Perfect Parts' by Shakey Graves

8) 'Take Me To A Party' by Sweet Spirit

9) 'Forest Crunk' by Aesop Rock

10) 'Cha Cha' by D.R.A.M.

____________________________________________________________________

The Summer Visual:

         1) sippin' a Bloody at Dry Hop    

2) Pre-Florence platform excitement!

3) With my Sister-in-Law, pre-phish  

4) Meeting Jeff Garlin at my work

5) F.R.I.E.N.D.S: The Musical The One Where They Sing  

6) Sweet Spirit at The Hideout

7) Sabrina signed my shirt after telling me I should take it.

Seriously, I love Sweet Spirit, such rad people.

 

8) beverage line-up at Mortar and Pestle

Enjoy what's left of the summertime! -  TG

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

Being Maddow:

The Maddow Breakdown:

I think I decided I wanted to be Rachel Maddow sometime over the summer and it was pretty much decided.

[read]

 

I thought it would be hilarious to get a picture with the nun.

This woman actually gave me an awesome idea in what to do with my life.

I really hope the idea works out, it is truly right up my alley.

I went with my friend Brooke (another Maddow fan), who was Kesha-

 the counterpart to her boyfriend, Mustard.

This was another funny picture because I'd like to think that Kesha and Rachel Maddow would not pose together...but I could be wrong about that. 

She even gave me rabbit ears.

That is so Ke$ha, that bitch.

Of course, sporting Levi's with Doc Marten 1940's.

Blazer with light coloured shirt. I batted around the idea of a black shirt...

and doing the whole "I'm a guest" look.

I also contemplated going as her look from her commercials;

So I kind of did both.

Of course I had to sport my red watch!

(you can most likely see it in the video above)

What was under the wig:

Coiled up blonde hairs and one painful little scalp!

This did not take as long as anticipated.

I have extremely thick, medium length hair and it took me 20 minutes.

This the progression that took place. It was perfectly brush-able. Just huge.

Think Monica when they are in Barbados;

I am really glad I went to a Halloween party this year dressed up as someone awesome.

Normally I just come up with a costume idea, but don't have anywhere to exhibit it, so it never ends up happening. I got a lot of compliments and everyone was surprised that I didn't have short hair.

I had some really good conversations with people and ended up talking a lot of random smack about Republicans that was all in good fun.

OH. And this may or may not have happened;

I think the best part is when at the end, Sarah goes, "Someone get this girl a hot dog!"

. . .

Casual Friday Reports:

this is a close up:

skirt: H&M circa 2004? (I saw this glitter tulle tutu-thing and knew it had to be mine)

 tights & purple socks: Target, striped shirt: Forever 21 black tank top: acquired from mom

This was this past casual Friday. I pulled out the witch-y stops.

I was extremely disappointed to see that I was the only person to embrace the spirit!

This is one of my favourite days of the year.

I was so bummed to be at Target and discover they seemed to have packed up the Halloween stuff and have unveiled the Christmas overload.

I won't rock the look again today, but I will be in this kind of festive-look mode!

Tonight my counterpart and I will be headed around the South Side.

I'm taking the train in and am dying for some Argo Tea!!!

I have no idea what is in store, but I look forward to a good gin & tonic...

with four limes, and it's things like this that make me think I should dress as Maddow today.

My New Obsession:

Ceremonials comes out TOMORROW and I am debating about getting it on Vinyl...

EVERYONE MUST GET IT.

I AM SO REVVED FOR THE CHICAGO THEATRE SHOW!!!!!!

DEC. 4 I CANNOT BELIEVE IT'S HAPPENING!