This Weekend

- Dinner at MK with Mom (ie drooling over Richard Serra paintings)
- Cleaning my apartment
- Eye doctor
- LEXIE!
- Lunch?
- More Mom hangs
- Brunch?
- Ravenswood Garage Sale
- Finish planting my garden
- Put together NYC itinerary for next week (!!!)

Broke Book Club

A month ago, a friend of mine and I went on a long overdue date to Boiler Room for pizza, beers, and shots of whiskey. Well into our second glass and second slice, we got to talking about  books we're reading, books we want to read, and books in general. I mentioned that I had joined a neighborhood book club at the Book Cellar, but that after my first meeting, I just didn't feel like it was my scene, and I have not returned.  Since moving to Chicago, I've been saying (repeatedly, in passing) that I should form a book club with some of my crew here - but the thought is often fleeting, and nothing has ever come of it. But Stephanie (my aformentioned friend) had just enough enthusiasm and excitement for the book club idea that we had a few working lunches and have offically formed what we have donned the Broke Book Club!

BBC will be a monthly gathering of Chicago friends. The name implies that we are going to be meeting on the fly, and on the cheap. We request and suggest that our members either read borrowed or used copies of the books we have picked so that we aren't actually paying for the books themselves. We're also going to be doing themed activities with the club; for example, should we read Julia Child's My Life in France, we'd like to organize a French themed potluck picnic for our book club meeting that month.

Our first book we've selected is Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. I'm already 60 pages in, and I can't put it down!

Seinfeld S1E5: The Stock Tip

Y'all, this video is me admitting that this episode might have been a little bit boring... Season 1 didn't exactly go out with a bang, but that's not to say that I am not totally enjoying myself. In fact, I think I might even be starting to like this show. Not sure if I agree with what's happening 100% of the time - still salivating over how amazing Elaine Benes is, she's becoming my new life and style icon. Also, how does Jerry end up dating such pretty gals? I just don't get it? On to Season 2!

Plant Life

I recently heard that you aren't supposed to plant your summer crop until after Mother's Day, which is part of why I waited until yesterday to get my garden going - or dare I say, growing... After a delightful family brunch in Chinatown, Ben, Andrew, and I headed to our favorite spot for Depot Dogs and all things home & garden relate: Home Depot. We buzzed through the greenhouse picking up herbs, planters, and soil as well as some little succulents and cacti. I walked out with a quite a haul; two kinds of mint, basil, dill, and thyme, as well as some cute houseplants to spruce up my space. I've already installed half of my herbs in overhanging planters on my back deck, and I'm beginning to plot the many cocktails and salad dressings I will be sourcing from my deck garden! Another May goal has been realized!

When You Got Nothing, You Got Nothing to Lose

Friends,

The much anticipated Gatsby has hit theaters today, and I am elated. Yes, I am going to stare up at Leonardo DiCaprio's beautiful face and bask in the glory of it. In fact, I'm tempted to attend one of the midnight screenings of Romeo + Juliet at the Music Box either tonight or tomorrow.

And now for a confession: I'm such an LDC fan girl that I signed up for Greenpeace in college (with mom & dad's credit card...) to support Leo's environmentalist streak! Also, I keep a paperback biography of him in a very special place for light reading, my bathroom. Leo is through and through my all time favorite actor. To celebrate him and the magic he has created in my universe, I'd like to share with you a beautiful compilation of LDC .gifs. You're welcome.

This Weekend

- Losing my Soupbox V-card
- Gatsby (finally) tonight with Emma and Rose
- Lurie Garden Plant Sale in Millennium Park
- Reading more of my giant FLW biography
- Beginning Gone Girl for book club
- A BBQ
- Their / They're / There show at Beat Kitchen
- Brunch in Chinatown at my family's favorite restaurant
- Bicycle?
- Seinfeld, for real.

This Weekend

- Top Shop after work
- Sushi
- Impromptu mini-road trip to Muskegon and Grand Rapids, MI
- Hot dogs at Yesterdog
- House party
- Meeting Andrew's dog, Sammy
- Family dinner at my Dad's