Finding Art in Unusual Places

It's nice having friends who are treasure hunters. Jen has recently become a co-owner and founder of The Milk Shop, a place to discover vintage finds with an urban feel. She specializes in finding art and objects in unusual places for clients and hopes to encourage more people to start collecting art, no matter what their budgets may be. I'm thrilled to share Jen's latest guest post and can't wait to check out a few of these treasures for myself.

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Molly was so nice to invite me back to A Foreign Land to talk about one of my favorite topics – public art – so I, of course, could not say no! Chicago is undeniably a great place to find all sorts of things in unusual places. But my favorite thing to discover are unique pieces of public art. There are the well known pieces in the plazas downtown and Millennium Park. But there are also great ones tucked into alley ways, airports, building lobbies, the “L” stops… even on the under passes. Chicago is so full of public art, it is hard to deny why this city is so rich in culture and history.

So instead of talking about the usual suspects, here are a few of my favorite harder to spot public art pieces around the city. If you haven’t encountered them yet, they are certainly worth the trip to find them!

{source: JH501}
One of my personal favorites is “Riverwalk Gateway,” by Ellen Lanyon. Located in the pedway under Lake Shore Drive, on the south bank of the river, this amazing 28-panel mural documents the rise of Chicago and the significance the river has had to the City. I often run through here just to visit this work. Her rendering is flawless and it always reminds me why I love this city.

{source: Ed}
The mosaic mural, “Growing 2008,” was a group effort with two lead artists, Tracy Van Duinen and Todd Osborne, and just gets me every time I drive by it. It was designed with the involvement of the Edgewater community. Residents were involved in discussions, artist-led workshops and encouraged to glaze ceramic tiles and sculpt various elements for the wall. The brilliant colors and the vibrant imagery captures your eye as you exit off Lakeshore Drive onto Bryn Mawr Avenue.

{source: Jason Quick}
If you are one who hurries in and out of Midway Airport, then you have probably missed this next piece. “Rara Avis,” by artists Ralph Helmick and Stuart Schecter, is located, not on the ground, but above you in the main terminal of the airport. Somewhat obscure at first, the suspended sculpture is made up of thousands of different small pewter aircraft and put together in such a way that it resembles the Illinois state bird, the Cardinal. It really is breathtaking and worth going a couple minutes early for your next flight just to find it.

{source: Terence Faircloth}
And lastly, this next piece is located in downtown Chicago. It is sometimes hard to notice because it is INSIDE the atrium of the Madison Plaza Building. The elevated train inspired artist Louise Nevelson to create “Dawn Shadows,” a large monochromatic steel sculpture that originally sat outside in the building’s plaza. However, the building later covered the plaza with a glass atrium and instead of moving the sculpture back outside, they built the enclosure around it. It is now a lot less “public” but still can be enjoyed if you are willing to step inside.

So if you have some free time to explore the City, add these pieces to your list to check out. They are even more magnificent in person!

Thanks again, Molly, for having me!!

- JLT

Like what you read? Visit Jen's Website, Pinterest and Facebook for more information.

Ooh La La, Mon Ami Gabi

One of the best things - and one of the craziest things - about Chicago is the seemingly unending list of fantastic places to eat. It continues to delight me that when I ask friends to share their favorite spot it is often brand new to me!

Today Sara of Project Soirée is sharing one of her favorite spots in the city. After reading this post, my mouth is watering and I've added another spot to the list!

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We all have our "go-to" restaurants in the city and for me Mon Ami Gabi is my favorite place to bring a best friend, first date, my parents or just myself and a good book. Located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago (directly across from the Lincoln Park Zoo) this classic French bistro is by far the best in the city. The food is always phenomenal and the ambiance indoors or on the patio keeps me coming back for more.

First they bring this warm, freshly baked baguette to the table, which happens to be my weakness. That crisp crust and warm flaky center of a baguette always wins me over with a glass of sparkling rosé.

The salads and soups are out of this world so don't overlook them and go straight to the entrees. The Farmers Market Tomato Salad with Roquefort blue cheese and lemon vinaigrette is quite amazing. The combination of heirloom tomatoes and creamy blue cheese is perfection. If you visit during the summer months and you're enjoying the cozy patio then you must order the gazpacho soup. I’m obsessed with gazpacho so trust me I’ve tasted my fair share around the city and Mon Ami Gabi takes top honor.

For the entrees I would highly recommend the Trout Amandine served with hericot verts and topped with brown butter and almonds or the Salmon and Leek Quinoa with citron butter. I’m a seafood junkie and these dishes are seriously amazing since the fish is extremely fresh. It's also worth mentioning that their frites are worth ordering as a side because you'll finish them and consider ordering more (they really are that good).

At the end of the night you'll see a dessert menu appear and probably think I'm crazy for suggesting that you order something after everything I've recommended. Do yourself a favor and order the profiteroles filled with vanilla ice cream and topped with double chocolate fudge sauce and you’ll thank me later. Have you make a reservation yet?

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Like what you read? Find more from Sara on her blog, Facebook, or Pinterest.

Taking a Moment to Yourself

Last fall I took a Caffenture and met Jenn Chen for the first time.

In less than a year, she has become one of my favorite people in Chicago. She is encouraging, inspiring and a really fun friend. I'm honored that she agreed to write a guest post for A Foreign Land and of course I'm excited that she chose to incorporate coffee since I consider her to be a genuine expert. 

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I live a pretty solitary lifestyle. Don't get me wrong, I love the company of friends, the experience of new foods, the moments of bonding at an event. I also like my quiet moments of reflection and enjoying my own company. I think in a world of being busy, it's nice to slow down, even for half an hour.

On the weekends, my plans range from brunch to kickball to working. Many people try to cram everything cool into two short days and then end up on Sunday night being exhausted. To me, the weekend is a nice time to relax, catch up with friends, and de-stress my mind. And the best way for easing this stress (for me) is having coffee in a cafe.

Take advantage of the current patio weather and go outside! Bring a book, a crossword, or a sketchbook. Find a café with an open area, chat up the barista, and then dive into your singular activity for any amount of time. Not only are you able to enjoy a beverage that wakes you up, but you also get to work on a creative part of you that might not come out during the week.

So here, I present some moments for you to enjoy in various ways, paired, obviously, with coffee.

1. Coffee and a donut at Heritage Bicycles. Heritage uses Stumptown coffee and Glazed & Infused donuts on the weekends. This one is a very decadent lemon glazed donut. They also have a fantastic patio and those Chicago parking space-turned-hangout areas.
   
   
   
   
   
2. Coffee and a book at Intelligentsia Coffee in Lakeview. Since their reconstruction, this particular location has opted for more tables and chairs, but you can still sit in plastic armchairs on the side or watch passerbys on their patio.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Coffee and granola at Caffé Streets. Their outdoor patio is stellar. You get a place to spread out and watch people go about their mornings. If you arrive before 10 am, you'll probably have the patio to yourself.
   
   
   
   
   
4. Coffee and croissant at Ch'ava Cafe. I can not say enough positive words about Ch'ava. They serve in table-top style. You sit down, wait for your coffee and food, and they bring it out to you. Nearly all their food is made in-house (baked goods are delivered from Beurrage Bakery) and it is honestly one of the best cafe-food menus in the city.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Coffee and fresh flowers at your home (or a cafe). Never underestimate the power of fresh greens. The below was taken at CityGrounds, but you could also grab some cuts from the farmer's market and enjoy floral whiffs while sipping on your coffee.
   
   
   
   
   

It's been a pleasure taking some moments with you. I hope you're able to find some time to enjoy coffee [and its pairing] to yourself this Sunday.

How do you like to start your Sundays?

*************************** Like what you read? Find more from Jenn Chen on her Website, Instagram or Twitter.
 

Olivia Eats (and Bikes) Around Chicago

It's great to see Chicago through another newbie's eyes! Today I'm excited to share a guest post written by my friend Olivia. I'm so grateful she agreed to contribute. Not only does her Instagram directly translate into my never-ending "must eat soon" list, she has planned what sounds like a really fun day of food and activity. I can't wait to put her itinerary to good use once we get back! 

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As a professional dancer and food lover, I have found that the two passions do not necessarily compliment one another. Embarking upon my new "adult" life in Chicago, I have come to the conclusion that it is my duty to make the two work for me. Luckily I have found a third passion, biking.

Okay, now I'm going to start gushing over this awesome city. The new bike share program, Divvy Bikes, is perhaps the best thing to happen to Chicagoans since the recent donut boom. (Ya, I'm talking to you Glazed and Infused.) Biking around the city allows us to "burn a few" in order to enjoy the amazing food this city has to offer, sans guilt. So here it is, a day of eating and biking in Chica-yummmmm.

First step, find the closest Divvy station and rent a bike for 24 hours for just $7. Or better yet, use your own!

By the Addison brown line you will find a cozy little restaurant called Endgrain. I already tempted you with donuts so I feel obligated to get you a donut for breakfast. The new kid on the block is the "doughscuit" a donut biscuit hybrid. Thank me later. Treat yourself to one of these and a coffee for just $5. If you need a little more substance try one of their breakfast sammies on a buttermilk biscuit. If you want something lighter, check out their baked egg dish, complete with squash blossoms and chèvre.

After breakfast hop on your bike and head south. At Damen and Milwaukee you will find yourself in Wicker Park. Here you can spend some time in one trendy shop after another. My personal favorite, Rudy's Roundup, is a kitschy gift shop with vintage flair.

After a three and a half mile bike ride and some shopping you are sure to have worked up an appetite. You can find my favorite salad in the heart of Wicker Park at Antique Taco, a vintage taqueria. The Antique Taco salad is perhaps one of the most well rounded meals I've found; light yet filling. Antique Taco also keeps it seasonal by adding the freshest daily produce. My last Antique Taco salad was crowned with plump strawberries that complimented the bitterness of the kale and rounded out the salty peanuts and cojita cheese. You will not be disappointed. If you are still hungry, get an order of their killer tacos. The beer battered fish are a personal favorite.

The last stop on my foodie tour is downtown. After you are finished in Wicker Park head east. You could spend the rest of your day shopping on Michigan or perhaps take a stroll around Lincoln Park Zoo. Another personal favorite to check out, The Chicago History Museum. The options are endless.

At Clark and Grand, Restaurant Beatrix awaits you. This menu is dripping with fresh ingredients. They have everything from turkey 'neatloaf' to chia seed pudding. Also, for all of you running away from the gluten monster you will find safety at Beatrix. The gluten free options are outstanding, in fact, the entire dessert menu is gluten free. Yes, you heard me. For dinner I suggest the turkey neatloaf. It's like mama's cookin' minus the guilt. Hydrate that bike ridin' bod with one of their fresh squeezed juices. Blueberry basil, anyone?

You've worked hard today, don't you think you deserve a treat? Check out their pastry case that accompanies the coffee bar. Although not everything is gluten free, it is all delicious. I suggest the oatmeal butterscotch cookie. Did I mention it is the size of your face? Perhaps it is one to split...or not.

Hopefully, this can serve as a guide to eating in this wonderful city of food without feeling like a bloated, grumpy tourist. The fresh ingredients so many restaurants use should be celebrated and balanced with an active way of life. So get out there, Chicago, and enjoy.

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Like what you read? Find more from @olive_eats on Instagram and Twitter. 

U is for Union Station

Did you know there's much more to Chicago's Union Station than that final shootout in The Untouchables? Thankfully, the super-smart author of today's guest post does! As an urban planner with Metra, Ryan Richter is the perfect person to teach us all about this beautiful Chicago landmark. 

Heeeeeere's Ryan...

Union station is one of four passenger rail terminals in Chicago and is by far the busiest and most iconic. Opened in 1925, designed by Daniel Burnham (yes, that Burnham), it was built for a consortium of railroad companies that wanted to consolidate their terminal operations in one place. The term “union station” in essence is a station where tracks and facilities are shared by more than one railroad. Chicago is one of a number of cities that have union stations.


The current Union Station is the second station by that name and the third station located on its site in the West Loop. It is the third busiest railroad terminal in the U.S. and it handles approximately 120,000 passengers per weekday on 320 trains. It is a double stub-end station, meaning that trains do not pass through Union Station but rather terminate at Union Station.

There are 10 tracks at the north end and 14 tracks at the south end. Metra, the commuter rail service in Chicago has six lines serving Union Station that fan out across the region (Metra additionally operates the other three passenger rail terminals in Chicago. In total, Metra operates 11 lines). Amtrak, the national passenger rail operator, has 17 lines that serve the east and west coasts and parts in-between.

In terms of passengers, Metra riders comprise over 90% of the daily riders at Union Station (110,000 per weekday!), although Amtrak ridership is high enough to make Union Station one of the busiest stations in its network.


Union Station is iconic because of its beautiful Beaux Arts Great Hall. The Great Hall occupies an entire city block and is 110 feet tall. It is the headhouse; the actual boarding platforms and track are located one block to the east and are buried entirely by buildings that were developed over the tracks.

The original passenger concourse was demolished in 1968. It was developed into an office complex where the current passenger platforms and tracks are. Much of the leading tracks into Union Station from both the north and south have been redeveloped via air rights. Interestingly enough, at the original headhouse, there is an 8-story office building above the Great Hall. Daniel Burnham designed the headhouse to accommodate a 22-story office building, thus there is the ability to add 14 more stories. Amtrak, the owner of Union Station, has been actively trying to redevelop the station with this in mind.


Ryan Richter (@transportnexus) is an urban planner at Metra, the commuter railroad operator in the Chicago region. His professional focus is in the realm of land use and transportation planning and he blogs about those topics and more at Transport Nexus.

C is for Cloud Gate

In Chicago, C is for Cloud Gate. Whether it's winter, spring, summer or fall this memorable piece of public art perpetually draws a crowd. Always the quintessential Chicago photo op, Cloud Gate never disappoints, providing the perfect backdrop filled with reflected urban beauty.

For such an important emblem of the city, I'm bringing in the big guns. Today I'm pleased to share a guest post from Jen Lavender Thompson of art. advise. collect. to teach us all a bit more about this stunning work of art.


I love that Molly asked me to write a guest post about the sculpture Cloud Gate by Anish Kapoor for her A to Z Challenge. In fact, during our lunch date, I started rambling off facts about it just to prove I knew I could do it!

Having lived in the city for 13 years now, I was lucky to get to see the construction of this piece as it happened. The majority of the time, it was covered by a large tent, but I was there nonetheless. And I was especially there when it was unveiled for the first time in 2004 and then later when it was finally completed, in 2006.

A sneak peek of the interior of Cloud Gate before it was closed up

by Dutch photographer, Jan Theun Van Rees.

There are so many things I could share about this piece but I promised to be brief! So here are five things I think you should definitely know.

1. It’s located in Millennium Park.
2. It was 2 years behind schedule and $17 million dollars over budget… BUT no tax dollars were used. All funding came from donations.
3. It is seamless. Many thought the design and its implementation would be impossible, but Kapoor and his team did it, and it’s beautiful. Strike that, it’s breathtaking. Every weld on the piece went through a 5-step process to ensure it was mirror like and undetectable.
4. The lower half is wiped down twice a day by hand and the entire piece is washed twice a year with 40 gallons of Tide detergent. Whoa.
5. It is affectionately referred to as “The Bean.” 

So go see it. It’s brilliant. It’s inspiring; it’s a great photo op. It will not disappoint you.
- JLT


Having started in museum and arts administration, Jen Lavender Thompson made the move to corporate art curating and consulting 8 years ago. Now, out on her own, she works primarily in the private sector helping individuals build their personal art collections and incorporating them into their homes. JLT specializes in finding affordable art for any budget. In 2011, she launched her website, art. advise. collect. where she can be found blogging and encouraging her contemporaries to start collecting art.

Mmm Mmm Monday: Sweet & Savory

How wonderful is it to have a friend and fellow blogger offer to write a restaurant review on your blog? I assure you, it's pretty wonderful. Charlotte, my long time bloggy buddy turned real life friend, visited Chicago recently and chowed down at Milk and Honey Cafe. Because she's incredibly generous, she agreed to share her experience here. 

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Earlier this month, my husband, Jordan, and I took a weekend trip to Chicago.  Like Molly, I feel that a key ingredient to a great vacation is great food.  Jordan chose Milk and Honey Cafe (1920 W. Division Street) for our Saturday brunch, and it was the perfect addition to a wonderful vacation.

{photo source}

We gave ourselves realistic expectations for going to brunch at 10 am on a Saturday.  It was going to be crowded; we would have to be patient.  However, the hostess kept things moving, and we were seated within 20 minutes.  Also, we needed that time to choose what we wanted to eat, so it did not go wasted.  My husband chose the huevos rancheros.  I got the ham, cheddar and corn waffle, with a fig-syrup steamer on the side.

Every kitchen employee deserves a raise, because our food came out in about 5 minutes.  They must be wizards back there.  Food wizards.  My waffle was the best savory waffle I've ever eaten.  It was topped with corn - delicious, spicy, candy-like corn.  And I don't even like corn!  The mind-blowing deliciousness continued with the fig steamer.  Milk and Honey makes their own syrups, and this one was a fig, vanilla and black pepper one.  Upon first sip, it was sweet, but the black pepper crept in as you went on.  I couldn't share any with my husband, since he's lactose-intolerant, but hey, more for me!  Jordan raved over his huevos rancheros as well.

Besides a lovely experience, Milk and Honey confirmed how much I love sweet/savory combinations. I doused my savory waffle in syrup; chicken and waffles with syrup is also high on my list. The fig and vanilla, mixed with black pepper was right up my alley. I know some people keep their sweet and savory separate, but I think it only adds a depth of flavor when you bring these two together.

Next time you're in the Wicker Park area, consider stopping by Milk and Honey Cafe!

Do you enjoy sweet and savory together?

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If you're like me and you want to read more from Charlotte you can check her out on The Daily Snapshot or admire her stylish ways on her new collaborative adventure phenotype: fabulous.

The City of Chicago is Bigger Than You Think

Today I'm thrilled to share a guest post written by my friend and fellow blogger Heather of Smart Savvy Style. Heather calls Chicago home and today she's setting the record straight about "city" life.

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I get asked at least once a week about life in the suburbs.

• Which suburb do you live in again?
• How do you like living in the suburbs?
• Oh, I bet you have a big backyard since you are in the ‘burbs!
• How long is your commute in to the city?
• Oh, you mean, you come all the way in to the city to do X, Y, or Z?

The best part? I live in the city.

Most transplants assume that if you don’t live in the loop, or perhaps Lakeview, you must be in the suburbs. And while there are lots of lovely neighborhoods “in the city,” there are also lots of lovely neighborhoods, well, in the city.

I am not knocking transplants. I am also a Chicago transplant, originally from Alabama. I would love to live in Old Town with the beautiful homes close to the lake and a Starbucks or brunch place on every corner. At least then, people would know I’m in the city.

But, I don’t.

I married a real Chicagoan, born and raised. And we live in a neighborhood where Chicagoans have yards and garages and parking. We even have a Starbucks or two.

we have restaurants and bars

we have national landmarks

...and yes, this is a national landmark in my mind.

we even have public transit

The Jefferson Park Transit Center includes a large CTA bus terminal, 

access to the blue line, and a Metra stop

I still consider myself new to the city, and I often spend time in your neighborhoods, exploring the museums, restaurants, and sports teams. I think your neighborhoods are fun, lively areas.

But there is life beyond the loop because, you see, Chicago is bigger than you think.

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Are you interested in swapping guest posts? 

Leave me a comment or send me a note and let's talk!

Blogging In Community

When it comes to social media, a lot of people have the "media" part nailed but their "social" game is lacking. We have lots to say, lots to share, sometimes lots to preach. But we forget to listen, interact, promote and participate with others.

Source: watergurl.wordpress.com via Molly on Pinterest

I understand. For years I was one of those people. Some days I'm still one of those people. When things get busy, the social side of blogging seems to be the first thing to fall to the end of the day's "to do" list. I get my post up, throw a few tweets in the buffer and cross it off the list.

Social media in general, and blogging in particular can become a megaphone to blast my thoughts instead of a social endeavor to interact with others. But on the days when the conversation is one-way it isn't nearly as rewarding.

Today on Smart and Savvy Style, I've written a guest post about the social side of blogging. Building relationships through blogging has become the unintended payoff of A Foreign Land.

I never dreamed that I might find friends or even a job through my blog. But that is exactly what has  happened.

First, though, I had to change my blog from a monologue to a vehicle for conversation. Once I did, I began to see and experience a real change.

I might not have an enormous audience. I haven't gotten a book deal or become a household name. But through regular blogging, I've developed a community that I cherish and friends I might never have connected with otherwise.

Do you put as much "social" as you do "media" into your social media?

Wishful Wedding Wednesday

Remember Jenn from Simplistic Living? Well she's getting married this weekend!

She put a call out for guest bloggers so she can enjoy the week - and you know I'll never pass up a chance to write about weddings.

Source: greylikesweddings.com via Molly

Will you take a minute to head over to Simplistic Living,

check out my dream wedding do-over,

and wish the beautiful bride best wishes?

Meet Carrie: My Busy Nothings

It's Button Swap Guest Post Day!

In case you haven't had a chance to check out Carrie's fabulous button down on the sidebar, today is the day that I point it out. Cute, right?

Turns out Carrie has a great book giveaway going on right now, so be sure to head over to Carrie's Busy Nothings for a chance to enter to win! 

Without further ado, I'm handing over the reigns to my talented friend and co-worker, Carrie so she can share a little bit about why she loves where she lives.

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Thanks Molly, and hello readers of A Foreign Land! It’s an honor and privilege to share a bit about my little corner of the globe. I met Molly two years ago, shortly after I started blogging at Carrie’s Busy Nothings. I never would have guessed that our meet-up on a random blog hop would one day lead to being teammates at Weaving Influence, but the world is a crazy place and you just never know what’s going to happen!

My immediate and extended family hail from Oklahoma, my husband is a missionary kid from Peru (and son of a Dutch immigrant), I attended college outside of Boston, we honeymooned in Chicago, and then traveled the world for 4.5 years. However, it’s the beautiful Appalachian Mountains in the tiny north east corner of Tennessee that we call “home”.

If you equate Tennessee with Memphis, you’re missing out! We’re 500 miles from Graceland, but we’re only 20 minutes from the North Carolina and Virginia borders, 4 hours from Atlanta, and 6 hours from the coast. Known as the Tri-Cities, we’re home to over 1 million people spread out over three cities, and several smaller towns, like Elizabethton (pronounced “Eee-liz-a-beth-tun”).



Once home to a number of German factories, Elizabethton was known as the “City of Power” because of her location on the Watauga River. Visited by Presidents and politicians, even providing parachutes for our soldiers in WWII, Elizabethton experienced great growth before her eventual decline in the 1960s. Factory after factory left or burned, and things were looking bleak for the county.

However, in early 2000, laws were passed that helped turn the town around, and we are once again seeing growth as a city. We play host to a classic car show each Saturday night from April through October in the downtown blocks, experience Overmountain Men encampments/reenactments at Fort Watauga, and share our beautiful covered bridge with everyone during the Covered Bridge Festival in June.



Want to catch a game? We may not have the White Sox, but we’re home to the Minnesota Twins farm team, and on Sunday nights, you can get into games for free with a church bulletin (this IS the Bible Belt after all). In fact, they’re often found playing the team from our neighboring town, the Johnson City Cardinals (farm team of Molly’s beloved St. Louis Cardinals).

If you’re into hiking and camping, this is certainly a great destination as we are only minutes from the Appalachian Trail and about an hour from the Great Smokey Mountain National Park – the only free National Park in the United States. Locally, we have several sites of historical significance, including Rocky Mount Living History Museum, and Jonesborough - Tennessee’s oldest town and capital of the former State of Franklin (also host to the annual International Storytelling Festival).

Think all Southerners eat greens and grits? Think again! In our little mountain region, you can find authentic German Bratwurst and fantastic Indian curry. There are three outstanding Thai restaurants within 15 minutes of our house, including Thai Am – blink and you will miss it! Totally known through word of mouth, this little Thai restaurant is famous enough to draw visitors from several hours away. Plan to get there early, there are only 5 tables and when the food runs out, they close up shop.

Interested in where the locals eat? Make sure you visit The Firehouse Restaurant – so named for its location in an old firehouse – which offers delicious pulled pork bar-b-q, homemade sauce, and an in-house chocolate chip dessert that melts in your mouth. Our favorite home grown spot is a hole in the wall called Cootie Browns, with the best Key Lime pie we’ve found in all of our travels.

All this, and more, can be found right here, in beautiful East Tennessee. Come see us!

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Thanks so much for sharing a little bit about your town, Carrie! 

If you'd like to share about YOUR town next month, shoot me an email and we'll chat.

Art, Art, Everywhere Art

One of the many, many things I love about Chicago is the abundance of public art. It's on display throughout the city in the parks, in lobbies and even incorporated in the architecture. And you know me, I'm a sucker for public art of all kinds.

Another thing I'm enjoying about our time here is all the fantastic people I'm getting a chance to meet. Thanks to a sweet friend back in Chattanooga who connected us, over the past few months I've gotten to know Jen Lavender-Thompson. In addition to being a world class hostess and all around enjoyable gal, Jen is also the founder of Art. Advise. Collect.


Over lunch last week she asked me if I might be interested in doing a bit of research on Roger Brown's mosaic The Flight of Daedalus and Icarus. Never one to pass up a chance to learn more about what makes Chicago great, I agreed.


Today Jen has graciously published my findings on her blog Art. Advise. Collect. Are you curious about the mosaic, Roger Brown or the Chicago Imagist movement? Well then, you should definitely stop by her blog right away!

What's your favorite piece of public art in Chicago or your hometown?

 

My Five Fall Faves

Like so many other women in the blogosphere, I *heart* Fall. Leaves, layers and lots of warm apple cider make it such a lovely time of year.

Don't you agree?


So when I heard that the incredibly talented Johanna of 101 Things I Love was hosting a series of guest bloggers sharing their Five Fall Faves, I jumped at the chance to participate.

The most difficult part of the exercise was narrowing down all the things I love about the season to just five faves.

Want to see what I chose? Head over to Johanna's beautiful blog and check out my guest post!

What are your Five Fall Faves?

My iPod Has Magical Powers

Guess what! Guess what? I have a guest post today over on The Girl with The Blue Bow.

Remember Christianna?

She's been traipsing all over Europe this summer. Are you as jealous as I am? But while she's away she agreed to share her corner of the blogosphere.

Would you please stop by and check out my post? It's all about my very diverse iPod and its time traveling, magical powers.

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Quick: What are you listening to RIGHT NOW?

Dreaming Together

Today I'm excited to have a post about dreaming over on Of Such is the Kingdom.

Source: flickr.com via Molly

It's like Whitney Johnson says, "We dream best when we dream together."

Is there someone in your life that encourages you to dream?