Move yourself where you want to be

I had such a great experience today at this morning's pilates class. We had a different instructor, who usually teaches only advance students, and she really pushed us to do things that were different. I can usually roll like a ball, spread my legs and roll back for rocking chair, and clap my feet above my head for seal... but she had me place my forehead on my knees and it was such a struggle to do something as simple as rolling like a ball.

I'm really in awe for what the human body really can do... we are capable of manipulating and stretching our bodies beyond our wildest imagination once you lose your inhibitions and fears.

Tonight, the Mister and I have a date to see Hubbard Street Dance:


Hubbard Street Dance Chicago danc(e)volve: New Works Festival from MCA Chicago on Vimeo.


Speaking of stretching yourself out of what's easy or comfortable, now that I've taken care of some personal business... I'm taking on a pro bono project utilizing my professional talents for the Taproot Foundation.

If you are a professional in creative marketing, strategic HR, website-related design and IT, or strategy, you can donate your services to help various non-profit organizations and collaborate with sponsoring organizations like the Ad Council. Candidates must be able to meet once a month in New York, Chicago, D.C., Los Angeles or the San Francisco Bay Area. The time commitment is about 100 hours over the course of six months.

This weekend, I challenge you: how are you going to extend yourself?

Decorating my husband's office

My current decorating project: my husband's office. The challenge: work around the desk/chair provided by the firm and the weird pale grellow paint on the walls. I've named the color "depressed buttercup."

Fortunately, his office is huge and has one of the coolest views ever-- the Chicago skyline from the 30th floor and slivers of Lake Michigan between the skyscrapers. And of course, his office has a huge window and ledge to frame the view!

I ordered this print for my husband a few days ago:

And we're going to purchase some "potted botanicals" from Crate & Barrel to set along the window ledge:

Next up, possibly a desk lamp from the Frank Lloyd Wright House and Studio Museum gift shop and either two side chairs or two stools to place in front of my husband's desk.

What is for dinner tonight?

This one goes out to my crohnies, a safe, delicious meal that is also far from boring:

• tacos on flour tortillas with organic grass-fed beef seasoned with Rick Bayless's sauce, fresh avocado, organic pineapple-mango salsa, black olives, green onions, queso cheese and light sour cream
• grilled pineapple skewers

I'm also serving a side salad and chips and salsa for my husband. With the exception of the fresh avocado (very mild) and the green onion (only need a small amount), all other fruits and vegetables are cooked!

Next week, I'm attempting a zucchini and squash galette and baked sweet potatoes topped with goat cheese, roasted grapes and honey!

If you have any interesting and healthy recipes (challenge: no whole grains, spicy foods, raw fruits and vegetables) don't be shy about emailing me!

Beautiful! A Malmo residence

So lovely. You can view more images and the full story over at Apartment Therapy:

Earlier today, the sales associate at See Eyewear and I had a brief conversation about how there's so much wonderful modern design out there but it seems like the rest of the world just cannot appreciate it. I know that sounds random, but it started when I stated that a pair of cat eye frames were too retro for my tastes and seemed kind of cliche at this point. I live in the warehouse district... not Wicker Park.

I think people associate modern design with only intimidating European kitchens and mid-century quirkiness, but it entails so much that is forward-thinking. What makes this room in Malmo, Sweden so perfect is that it is modern and fresh in so many ways: tasteful color palette of washed pastels, a minimalist coffee table, the modern sofa, industrial lighting combined with a feminine draped lamp shade, the colorful flowers in a simple vase, the Bertoia sitting chairs in a powder coated white finish... all in perfect juxtaposition with the original architectural details of the building.

And yes, if I lived there I would still want a dog... I would just hire a cleaning lady to come three times a week!

Photo I took yesterday.

Found it on State St., around Jackson or Monroe.

Oh, the crazy train.

If you weren't already aware, the Blue Line train I take from home into the Loop has some of the craziest crazies that have ever crazied. That's why I've dubbed it "The Crazy Train."

Just when I become jaded and think I've seen it all, a new character enters stage left. While waiting in the La Salle station (pro tip: if you are unemployed or have a significant amount of free time, I highly recommend the Harold Washington Public Library), I encountered a man arguing with himself.

Okay, people arguing with themselves is the status quo on the Blue Line. But this guy was having a discussion in his Yosemite Sam voice. A reenactment:



I'm starting to wonder if Chicago train stations are where minor characters from Adam Sandler movies go to retire...

Love your cat? Act like it!

Confession: when I was maybe 4 years old, our cat Rhiannon was stolen from our home in North Hollywood. My dad had the best audio equipment around (he owned a recording studio), fine art, modern furniture and she was the only thing taken... our guess was that she was in the front picture window and was incredibly trusting. Our other cat, Maggie, was found hiding under a bed. The cops were called and they told my parents that (insert ethnic group here) were stealing small animals for dog fighting.

I take kitty safety really seriously, and it makes me so sad when I see outdoor cats in public or hear about kitties being allowed in garages. It is really dangerous!

If you do not keep your pet safe and sound, you risk:

• Diseases. Even casual contact can lead to FeLV and FIV contaminations. Much less the diseases an outdoor kitty can pick up after a fight with a stray.
• Cars. Almost as many kitties are killed by cars as there are kitties euthanized in shelters. That's a significant amount of cats that could be saved through responsible pet ownership! For those allowing their cats to live in garages during the winter, be warned that there's a risk of both your cat being run over AND being shredded if trapped inside the car (for warmth). Basements/garages usually have toxins that could make a cat sick... Think about it, it's where people store things they don't want in their living space!
• Predators. Besides dog packs, coyotes and foxes... you have to worry about eagles and hawks swooping down and picking up your small pet with their talons. My former co worker, Ricky, once witnessed this... and could hear the cat's screams as a hawk ripped it apart and ate it alive. Why risk your beloved pet dying like that?
• Outdoor cats risk hanging themselves if they have a collar, and being picked up as strays if they don't.
• Finally, even if your cat only goes as far as the front lawn... you still run the risk of your dear pet being stolen by "bunchers," low-lifes that steal pets to sell to labs, or to be used as bait for dog fighting. Nevermind psychopathic/sociopathic freaks that enjoy torturing animals as a hobby.

To really understand how brutally violent the act of pitbull baiting is, please read Oogy's story.

Warning: get a box of tissues handy. But it's worth it.