Yes, Please!

Keeping with my cute fall themed things I like today I give you:

Jonathan Adler's Squirel Match Strike! It's pretty adorable and when form meets function I'm in! It's acorn holds your matches and, of course because it's a match strike, gives you a surface to light them off. Très mignon!

Wouldn't it be great on a Thanksgiving table?

Kisses,

K

(Image and Match Strike via Shopbop.com)

 

 

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Yes, Please: Days Fall Away...

Like leaves off the trees...

This time of year the days go by soo fast and before you know it it's January and you don't have a new calendar...

So when I saw this year's über cute calendar design by Inslee Haynes I new I had to share it! I definitely want one. Yes, please!

 

How great are the sweet illustration! It's hard to pick a favorite but October is perfect. :) Maybe its because it's October now or because I have an Art History degree but... I love it. I also think all the others are super adorable too.

If your in the market for a calendar be sure to check it out! Her site also has a cute blog and other lovely illustrations for sale.

Enjoy each day to the fullest!

Kisses,

K

(All illustrations and images by Inslee Haynes.)

 

 

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Scenes From Chicago

Chicago is one of my favorite cities. I loved living there* and I love to visit! The Second City by the lake** is always actually quite first rate: great people, great food, great art, great architecture, colorful, and great personality! What's not to love?

So to help you understand why Chicago is "my kind of town," I though I'd reminisce by sharing the pics from my last walk down Michigan Ave. this trip with you. (And yes, all this awesome is really on a walk-able length of just one street.)

So here's my walk downtown back to the hotel from over by Water Tower Place on Michigan Avenue, but the pics are in reverse.

 

The Elevated tracks' color coding system adds some spiffy to the stairway.

Streetlights aglow.

The home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, who are superb! (Although I do miss the old conductor Daniel Barenboim.)

The awesome park next to the Art Institute.

One of my favorite city icons, one of the lions outside the Art Institute.

The pointy topped building in the top right of the photo is actually the very architectually appointed Chicago Athletic Club. Pretty posh, no?

The ever fabulous Art Institute of Chicago. Go! It's pretty incredible!

The Husband looking fierce with one of the lions.

Another great wing of the Art Institue with another great sculpture garden to match.

More awesomeness.

This is a fantastic interactive sculpture set consisting of cascading towers of water, light up and video glass block, and the faces of Chicagoans. If you're ever in Millenium Park be sure to check it out, it's super fun!

The Cultural Center used to be the city's main public library (Don't worry there's a massive and beautiful one to replace it.) so it has wonderful literary quotes tucked away amongst all it's fab architecture. It also has a stunning and quite large Tiffany glass dome inside. It's a quick, easy, and so worth it Chicago must see!

The Cloud Gate sculpture tucked away up in the middle of this photo is in Millenium Park and more commonly known as "the Bean" among locals and tourists alike. It's a gorgeous bean shaped metal sculpture polished to a high mirror shine that reflects its surroundings. I'm rather found of it. :)

The Frank Gehry band shell in Mikkenium Park is the place to be in the warmer months. The city puts on tons of free shows and concerts featuring all the fab performing arts that the city fosters.

Trump tower and the Wrigley Building.

A lovely Milton quote on the Tribune Tower where a lot of city's broadcasting used to be done.

 

The Tribune Tower entrance.

Busy city streets.

 

The Hancock Tower.

 

I love shopping downtown, including at Water Tower Place.

 

The Husband and the Water Tower.

 

The iconic Water Tower that survived the great fire of Chicago.

Hope you enjoyed our quick jaunt through the city together! Keep in mind that all these photos were taken while walking and talking and never stopping. (Except at crosswalks when we truly had to stop of course. Jay walkers annonymous here I come.)

All in all it took us about 15 to 20 minutes to walk the 1 to 2 miles between Water Tower Place and the Palmer House Hilton, our hotel. When in the city... speed walk like you still live there!

Kisses,

K

 

(Photos by Krista Carson.)

*except for the c c cold freezing winters... Brrr...

** Weird weather in Chi-town? That's easy, it's just lake effect ;)

 

 

 

 

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The Palmer House Hilton

While in downtown Chicago I was fortunate enough to be surprised with a stay at the Palmer House Hilton. (The Husband knows how much I love historic places.)

The outside is rather inconspicuous compared to inside.

Even the stairs have lovely architecture.

This was the elevator lobby on our floor.

We were pretty exhausted by the time we got there late at night but still excited.

The elevator lobby downstairs reflects the resplendent architecture and tastes of the day.

However, it's the main lobby of the hotel that really sings!

The soaring ceilings are full on intricate details.

 

 

Even the lighting is reminiscent of the over the top splendor of the era.

The hotel has the Roman, Greek, and Egyptian touches that we're popular throughout.

 

And it's chock full of stunning marbles, granites, and other stonework.

Even the grillwork on the ducts is meticulous. And while it's been modernized the escalator actually blends in surprisingly well.

You can just imagine the sort of swirling roaring parties that used to happen here.

Either side of the upper stories of the main lobby is bookended with ballrooms. Unfortunately due to events happening and our time crunch I couldn't snag any photos of those...

Maybe next time I'm in downtown Chicago we can pop in for one of the history tours they offer and see them.

Super gorgeous though! It was a lovely experience that I highly recommend. The room was well appointed and the room service was timely and tasty. (Truffle chips? Yes, please!) Even if you're not going there to stay be sure to tuck your head in and take a peek!

Kisses,

K

(All photos by Krista Carson.)

 

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