beach dreams + happy weekend

Not sure if this got posted and then deleted due to that Blogger craziness last week?? oh well...

 

 A little video I made while husband and I visited Rosemary Beach, FL back in February. Oh, how I wish I could go back right this second!



Tunes: "New Slang" by The Shins

Favorite Finds: Chicago

Just a few of my favorite places and things from our stay in Chicago...

Quimy's Bookstore-- A quirky little bookstore full of local artist zines and interesting books. I found this little flip book that totally looks like something I'd want to make in pursuit of becoming acquainted with a new home city. Aaron was excited about his purchase of some "mystery grab-bags" of random comic books and periodicals.

Wormhole Coffee-- Ok, I'll just be straightforward and tell you that you NEED to visit this coffee shop. It's full of 80's movie memoribillia complete with a DeLorean in one of the corners. The Yelp reviews warn of swarming hipsters but I have to say, out of the several coffee shops we visited, this was the best damn vanilla latte I've ever had!

The Chicago Cultural Center: "Finding Vivian Maier"-- I was pretty adamant about seeing this show after all the hype it's been getting. As I've said before, Vivian Maier's photos are without a doubt stunning. In person they were even better. Here's Aaron looking at one of my favorite prints.

Una Mae's--Stopped in this boutique due to a friend's recommendation. The clothes were lovely and so springy and just a tad out of my price range but still lovely to dream about. I found this beautiful locally made handbag. The inside was lined with deep purple suede. I really really wish I had written down the etsy seller's name so I could give credit and also look at the shop!

Renegade Handmade--This shop was on my must visit list and oh my I was in Heaven right when I walked in. Every single item-handmade with love. I saw so many prints, screen printed tea cloths, candles and an Ira Glass finger puppet too! Even though it was hard to narrow down my selection, I left with some YessJess knitted ear warmers and Aaron picked out a felted pin to put on his camera strap.

Other places we loved: Lula Cafe, Piece, Veerasway, Vintage Underground

Michigan

After driving 10ish hours, getting to Grand Rapids was pretty exciting. Seeing my family was even better! I got to spend some much needed catch up time with my parents and sibs as well as see what GR had to offer.
Aaron and I took my little sister to Madcap coffee-an awesome local coffee shop that knows what they're doing. If you are in downtown Grand Rapids don't miss this place.

[oops! finger shot!]

For breakfast stop by Wealthy Street Bakery. It was the place to be that morning with even some firefighters stopping in for coffee and danishes. They make everything in house which includes breads and baguettes, pastries, and other yummies to go along with Intelligentsia coffee. mmm!

Two other things that are too fun to not mention:

My mom bought me my new favorite nail polish which happens to be a [get this] Nicole OPI Justin Bieber inspired polish! ha! I guess it's inspired by One Less Lonely [is this an album?] and my nail polish is all sparkly and purple and amazing and called "one less lonely." Bieb or not, it's my new fav.

Just before hitting the road for Chicago Aaron and I ducked in the GRAM [Grand Rapids Art Museum] and I spotted these beautifully made salt and pepper shakers by OOM. Hyum Yoo is the artist behind OOM and seeks to create objects that are simple, clean, functional, relevant, and poetic. I'd say these little shakers were just that. They were stunning. To shop and see more click here.

...on to Chicago...

"on vacation"

Last week the ever adventurous husband and I traveled North to explore Michigan and Chicago, for family and fun.
We love making this trip because it means several things.
1. Road trip candy and snacks
2. Stopping in Indianapolis

    

    

A little help from an iced chai latte and my favorite sour punch straws

Aaron and I have this crazy love for this one spot in Indianapolis. There's a little strip of about 4 awesome stores on Massachusetts Ave. that we wander through to stretch our legs. Usually, we just go in the starbucks on the corner but this time we found a local coffee shop called Henry's. 

The drip coffee was just what I needed-strong. Even though Aaron didn't really care for it we both agreed it was better than starbucks. Then we walked down the block to our favorite shops.

At Home in the City...all kinds of fun, unique, crafty things.

I loved the bottle garland [to hang in front of a window!] and the Yarn Bombing book! I also wanted the Gnome salt and pepper shakers they had and the portable fondue for two set and just about everything else in the store. 

Some of the other shops we stop in are Global Gifts, Luna Music, Three Dog Bakery, & Mass Ave Toys.

Then we headed to Michigan which needs it's own post.