WHOOT WHOOT FOR KYM!!!

If you've read this blog at all you know that I adore this woman. I have a girl crush on her. I consider myself a better person because I call her my friend. Today is Kym's birthday. She's so smart, brave, clever, beautiful, talented and funny. If you get all that wrapped into one person, and that person is willing to be your friend, you've just one the jackpot!

HOORAY FOR BRANDI!

She turns something like 23 today!! And she has promised to name her forthcoming baby boy Nathonia in honor of the Mister and I.





























{cake photo via of marthastewart-dot-com}

HOORAY FOR LILLY FAITH FREY!

She is here. She is healthy. And she is completely lovely. Her cheeks are as kissable as they look.
Congrats to Kym and Martin!

DEAR GWYNETH

Remember when we first met; before we became best friends? We went to lunch that one time and you had some macrobiotic salad and I ate a juicy steak. We were both jealous of the other. It was after we shared the carob chocolate cake that you told me you were thinking about making a website that talks about all the stuff you like. You did it. Hooray!

LOLLA LAND

What does 75,000 people all mashed into Chicago's Grant Park look like? This.























Nate and I hung out with Tim and Brandi and had a great time listening to the likes of The Kills {VV is Nate's current obsession and crush (sorry Amy Adams)}, Duffy, Cat Power, The Raconteurs, Radiohead, Wilco, Love and Rockets, Iron and Wine, Okkerville River, The Black Keys, Gnarls Barkley, Rage Against the Machine and NIN. Those last two will definitely secure me in anger management classes through the end of the year.
Highlights of the trip? Hanging out with Tim and Brandi, twighlight with Radiohead and Wilco and the Chicago skyline, nightly stops at Walgreens on Michigan Ave for drinks and snacks after the show, the architecture river/lake tour {Wendella tours}, how perfectly we slept in the hotel room {Marriott on Ontario, just off the Magnificent Mile}, Pandera Bread for breakfast every morning before the show, Nate reenacting Ferris Buhler at the top of Sears Tower, the tornado that tore through Illinois as our plane was preparing for take-off, our emergency "de-plane" and warnings to stay away from the windows in the airport. I guess 80 mph wind can be hazardous.
Here are some photos of the weekend.

DEAR KYM

My friend Kym is pregnant {hooray}. She will be finding out the gender soon, but in the meantime I'm going to devote a segment of the blog to things I think Kym should buy for her and her baby.

Dear Kym,
This bent-wood baby bouncer from Pottery Barn kids is so modern and sleek. It's not like those Winnie the Pooh numbers that vibrate with batteries.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KYM

It's Kym's special day today. And since she sent out the informative email to anyone that matters, I feel okay adding it to my blog. She's pregnant. Yay! She's had a big year; marriage and a baby on the way {in that order...}.
Love you Kym. You are one of the loveliest women I know. My very own fetus en fetu.

PRAY FOR CLIFFORD

Cliff and Jenna are about the nicest couple you will ever meet. They are incredibly friendly and kind and really make you feel good when you're around them. Last week Cliff was injured at work; the injury was quite serious. Include them in your prayers.
Jenna, Nate and I are thinking about you and Cliff. We love you.

HOORAY FOR JORDAN

Happy Birthday to Jordan. I hope you get treated extra special today.

CB2: LOVE THE WEBSITE

My good friend Curtis is in charge of the art direction for the CB2 catalog and the photography used on the website. I happen to like the campaign they are currently running on their website. Fun headlines like "Make Love, Not Beds" and "Stand for Justice, Sit for Everything Else". So, so cute! The illustrations remind me of those done by Maria Kalman for the illustrated version of Strunk and White's Elements of Style.
Love you Curtis!

NOTES TO LOVED ONES

CONGRATULATIONS TO KYM AND MARTIN

They got engaged last night by the light of the setting sun, in the middle of a lake. The ring looks FABULOUS. Can't wait for the big day. Yippeee! Here's a tribute song Kym swore would play on her wedding day.

HOORAY FOR AMIE!!

It's Amie's special day today. Shower her with gifts, adoration, compliments and love because she deserves it. The first day I started working with Amie she walked up to me {my manager wasn't there and they had neglected to set up my desk or computer. I didn't even have a chair [[red flag]]} Anyway, Amie came over and introduced herself and then took me around the office and introduced me to everyone. She made sure I knew where everyone thing was and who I should talk to for different things. Having someone like Amie should be a part of every new employee provisioning program. From that first interaction, I knew Amie and I were meant to be friends. I'm so glad I met her and plan to be friends with her for a very, very long time.

BOOK OF A THOUSAND DAYS

Nate and I watched Shannon's cute kids while she and her hubby went to dinner on Friday. We had lots of fun with Max and Maggie; we watched a movie, gave each other tattoos, ate spoonfulls of sugar, and had a pillow fight. Though she's a toddler, Maggie sure can pack a punch.
When Dean and Shannon came home from dinner they brought us a fabulous fruit tart from Market Street Grill and then Shannon gave me a copy of her most recently published book; Book of a Thousand Days. I'm glad she gave me one because I saw a box full and considered stealing a copy. Before you get really, really jealous, know that she also signed it and well, it's the first one she's signed so mine is extra special.

HOORAY FOR TIM AND BRANDI

Tim and Brandi celebrated ONE year yesterday. I was in the middle of giving my opinions on logos and totally dropped the ball. In a repentent, head bowed stance, I wish them a happy anniversary and say, "I can't wait to see what you do this year!" Love you guys!