ORD-->SFO-->SBA-->SFO-->ORD

Just got back from a super quick trip to Santa Barbara/Pismo Beach/San Francisco International Airport (for waaaaay too long).  

The husband is on THIS sailboat, and has been for the last four days.  Eventually, when I retrieve him at O'Hare on Tuesday, I will have access to all the other pretty pictures I took whilst in the sunshine state (is that FL, or CA?).  To clarify, I will retrieve all the other pretty pictures I took whilst in California.  

....fall is coming.....

We're officially less than a month away from the official start of fall--September 22, 9:49am CST--but when fall is your favorite season, it's only natural to start celebrating a smidge early.  It's just like getting ready for Christmas, except there's a lot more pumpkin involved.

I know I should be enjoying summer to the fullest here in Chicago, and I kind of am, but there is only so much oppressively thick heat I can enjoy before I'm ready for some cooler weather.  Sorry summer in Chicago, I don't think you're as awesome as everyone else says you are, in fact, I think you're pretty lame.  I plan on enjoying watching you slip away into the sunset while I light candles and bake pumpkin-y things while wearing boots.

I've been trying to fend off the feeling of fall for a little while to try and enjoy summer, but come on--it's a dark and rainy sunday morning, I'm drinking coffee, and listening to this on repeat...and it just feels like fall.  You always know you're on the bandwagon a little early when the grocery stores don't even have fall items to sell yet.  Good thing I stocked up on extra pumpkin last year, and good thing pinterest exists to show me all these wonderful recipes that are screaming my name, and also raising my cholesterol.

credit: Domestically Speaking

credit: Love to Cook

credit: The Novice Housewife

credit: myrecipies

michigan and ms. malin marie

This past weekend I finally got to meet my niece Malin!  The whole Erickson family was hanging out in Michigan last weekend doing really stressful things like playing tennis, sailing, riding mopeds, sleeping in, and going to the beach.  It was horrible.  Fortunately the silver lining was meeting my beautiful niece Malin.  She's so precious.  And also very soft.  AND she has jeggings.

about to go for a walk/ride

the jeggings!

tasteful nudity.

malin and her bff

getting ready for a photo shoot

seriously SO CUTE

scents

The other day a man asked me what cologne I was wearing.  Yes, COLOGNE.  I know the Starbucks uniform is a little ambiguous, but REALLY?!  After I recovered from being asked what man-scent I was wearing, I think I said something along the lines of, "I'm not actually sure what it's called." I was hoping that was enough to satisfy him, but he kept pressuring me.  So then I said, "I really don't know, it's was a gift from my little brother." ...honestly the things that come out of my mouth.

It was not, in fact, a gift from my little brother, and I have NO IDEA why I said that.  To be honest, I really don't know what it's called, but I'm not ashamed to say I got it on sale at Victorias Secret for $2.00. Score!

My aunt has always told me that a lady should have one specific perfume that she always wears.  She says you should pick a scent you love, and make it your own.   I love the idea of this, but in reality, there's way too many yummy smelling perfumes out there for me to make a life-long commitment to only one.  Furthermore, the commitment of actually wearing perfume every day is one that I just can't come to terms with.  There's a time and a place for perfume, and also, there isn't.

For example, I do NOT want to be in the gym, running behind a perfume laden woman.  No.  I also don't want to be in church, stuck in the cross-fire of 200 different scents in a small square footage.  Let's all agree to go to church scentless ladies.  Please.

I don't really know where I'm going with all of this, except to say, cologne is for MEN and perfume is for GIRLS.  And also, if you are ever stopped by a man asking what cologne you are wearing, and you don't want to answer...just say you don't know the name of it, and run away!  

crowd pleaser

For some reason I always thought that Bruschetta was a really time consuming and difficult appetizer to make.  I have no idea why I thought this, maybe because it's delish, ergo it must be tricksy to make right?

False.

It's so easy, and is pretty much ALWAYS my go-to appetizer when people come over. Hey friends...are you sick of bruschetta yet?  Don't answer that.  No such thing.

Here's how I make it.  You're going to need

- Tomato's, any kind.
- Basil (fresh or dried, but I prefer fresh)
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper
- Bread
- Cheese (this is OPTIONAL, I usually use parmesan, or fresh mozzarella)

Chop the tomato's into little pieces, and throw them in a big bowl.  Add a clove or two of garlic, either minced, or through a garlic press.  Next, grab a handful of fresh basil, chop, and toss it in.  That's basically it! To finish, I just drizzle a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar over the top, give a little shake of salt and pepper, and VOILA!  For some reason I have a theory it tastes better after being refrigerated for awhile, this may or may not be true.

To serve, toast some slices of your bread in the oven, (sometimes I add some parmesan cheese to the bread before I toast, so it gets all melty and fancy looking), and enjoy! Pairs well with red wine and friends.

the doughnut vault

As a girl who was born with a HUGE, oversized sweet tooth, I've always been a sucker for doughnuts AND donuts. I like them both, regardless of the spelling. Sprinkled, chocolate, old-fashioned, plain cake, cinnamon rolls...I don't really discriminate as long as they taste good.  So when Tim and I were exploring our new neighborhood (ps we moved a couple weeks ago...more on that later) and we came across this little gem, we knew we had to go soon.  

The doughnut vault only stays open until they sell out of product, which of course drives the demand for the doughnuts up to the point where standing in line for 3o minutes seems like a short wait.  It's one of those places that oozes the cool factor, and made me feel like a super chic Chicagoan who obviously knows THE place in Chicago to get the best doughnuts.  The fact that we stumbled across this place while trying to figure out how to get back to our new apartment is a little nugget of information that can stay between you and me.  

So on Saturday morning after waking up naturally, to NO ALARM CLOCK (glorious!), Tim told me to hustle my bustle because he wanted to take me somewhere.   We started walking outside, and since my guessing skills are out of this world (seriously, I'm awesome at guessing things), I knew we were headed to the doughnut vault!

After waiting in line for about twenty minutes, we actually made it into the shop...which is actually just a tiny hallway leading to an ancient cash register, one girl serving doughnuts at the speed of lightening, a huge and very full tip jar that made this barista swoon, and the sounds of 2Pac coming out of a boom-box.  We ordered one of every kind of doughnut they had left, obviously, and ended up with one chocolate glazed, one vanilla glazed, and one chestnut glazed.   Oh, and two coffees.  These dougnuts were the biggest, prettiest, and best tasting doughnuts I've ever had in my life.  Please come visit me so I can have an excuse to go there all the time.

Prepare to drool.  

i'm really trying to enjoy winter here in chicago, but there's just something about feeling like your face is being bitten off by the wind that makes me NOT want to enjoy the outdoors.  i didn't grow up with winters like this.  i grew up making snowmen and snowangels, playing outside in the snow while the sun was shining, skiing, and generally loving winter-time.  ahhh nostalgia.  all you coloradoans BE GRATEFUL for what you have in old man winter.  because here in chicago, it's about the lamest thing EVER.

starbies

About five months ago I began the next adventure of my life as a barista at Starbucks.  The majority of me puts hope and faith that this is a very temporary phase of my life.  However, I'm sincerley trying to work on "blooming where I'm planted." There are days where I'm headed off to work at 4 am, very disheartened that making latte's is what I spend the majority of my time doing these days. While I know Starbucks most likely isn't in my deck of cards for years to come, I've decided to take the most I can out of this experience.  (and also, of course, partake in as many espresso drinks as possible while I'm on the clock.  they're FREE y'all!) 

I work in an insanely busy and active store; having a line out the door all day long is our normal.  While this makes the time go by more quickly, I truly have never had a job that has been quite so exhausting.  Recently, I was promoted to a shift manager, as well as asked to participate in the Starbucks Coffee Master program.  It's been a little bit of a coffee information overload for the past month of my life, but I can truly say that the coffee industry is absolutely fascinating; and the scale at which Starbucks participates in the industry is incredible.  I've gained more respect for Starbucks as a company; for their social and economic initiatives, fair-trade coffee production, and ongoing relationships with small scale farmers and cooperatives.  Did you know that by 2015, Starbucks will only serve 100% ethically grown and sourced coffee?  Pretty great.

I've always loved coffee, so I was grateful to have the opportunity to go through this program.  Now I can officially say that if I quit Starbucks tomorrow, I'll be taking away more knowledge than how to grind a full batch of coffee.  I've gained soooo much knowledge on coffee growing, production, processing methods, roasting methods, and flavor profiles of every kind of coffee you can imagine.  Basically what I'm saying, is that if you EVER, and I mean EVER have any coffee related questions, send them along my way. :)  

Oh, and also if you want to bootleg some Starbucks recipes, they are all imprinted in my mind-brain.  SABOTAGE!!   Just kidding.  Kind of.

malin!

you know how some babies are so cute you can barely stand it?  and every picture you see of them is cuter, and cuter, and then even more cute?  get ready to be jealous.  because that baby is my niece malin. 

I haven't been able to meet her yet, but CAN'T WAIT until I do.  I mean, let's be honest, cutest baby EVER.  

Malin currently resides in Stony Brook, NY; and is very anxious to meet me. 

  

happy valentines day

Sooooo yesterday I had a fun experience.  I think people can maybe resonate with me on this one, or at least imagine my situation.

Until recently, I was the proud member of a gym.  Proud might be a strong word, but at the very least I was a member of a gym, and tried my best to frequent the completely non-judgmental, non-threatening, ultra clean, smells like roses little piece of heaven that the gym represented in my life.  ahem....

So my gym life has pretty much gone as follows.  

- Go online

- Research local gyms

- Print off a free seven day pass

- Hit the gym each day for seven days (at least this was always the intended goal.  rarely happened.  actually, never happened)

- Deftly avoid all phone calls, voicemails, and even the most persistent texts from gym member representatives.

- The end.

I knew I would eventually run out of options, and I did.  So obviously my natural course of action was to join the gym that was the least expensive.  Surprisingly, I actually started to frequent the gym (even did zumba!), and soon started to see the same people every time I went.  You know what I'm talking about; the girls who are always in the trendiest workout clothes and spotless makeup, the guys in sleeveless t-shirts who are constantly checking out their muscles and bulging veins,  the guy who puts the yoga mat in the middle of the empty room to do sit-ups (really? is that complete take-over of all usable space necessary?!), and my all-time favorites....the people who are lifting weights and making the loudest and strangest grunting noises you've EVER HEARD IN YOUR LIFE!

Seriously, we've all seen this guy; using a weight machine, acting so dramatic it's like he's up for an oscar.  Typically, this is also the type of person who wears weight-lifting gloves.  Fingerless.  Bad ass.  But as soon as he starts to lift the weight, it's like all hell breaks loose and he has to scream and grunt his way through it.  Is this a cry for attention? Because it's working.     

I can never take my eyes of this person.  Is he annoying? I offer an emphatic NO.  On the contrary, I am nothing but appreciate of this guy.  A workout AND a show?  Yes please.  Why wouldn't I want something to distract me from burning thighs and hell on earth, aka the stairmaster.  

Well...all this to say, I live in a building in downtown Chicago with a sorry excuse for a "gym."  Said facility includes two treadmills (one working, and one not), one elliptical circa 1980, a weight machine, a set of free weights, and a ceiling so low that hitting your head while running on the treadmill is a given.  Oh, and a GIANT fan that will blow you over if you turn it on high.   The room is tiny, and almost motivation to NOT work out.  Nevertheless, I headed up yesterday to get my sweat on.  

There were three of us working out at the same time.  Myself, and two guys.  To my surprise and joy, one of them was a weight-lifting grunter!  And let me tell you, the sound really resonated in that small space.  It really brought a lot of joy into my life yesterday.  Hopefully I'll be seeing (and hearing) him again soon! :)

In college I had this quote posted above my desk.  I think it was an attempt to try and make the act of studying something that it inherently isn't...happy.  But I've loved this quote since the first time I read it. 

It's a reminder that is relevant to me each and every day.  From the journey through college, to working at Starbucks, to waiting for my husband to come home from business trips...being content with where I am in that exact day and moment is something of great value.  Being happy with my current season of life is essential in enjoying life to the fullest.  Yes, it's important to have dreams and goals, but not to the point that you start to dislike and become ungrateful of what you have.  

So here's to traveling happily. I have so much to be grateful and thankful for.