weekend fun!

First: saw Harry Potter for date night on Sunday.  And...boy did I cry.  I just can't help but feel like it is over!  Ohhh my.  I know I will still listen to the audiobooks and watch the movies, but...there is definitely some lingering sadness (not because I didn't like the movie, because, I did!  For the most part :D).  Onto a happier note: I am obsessed with succulents and air plants.  I even made a pinterest board devoted solely to them!!  Well, after hearing about a great seller (acorn design source) of said plants from my sweet sweet friend, Kelly, I decided to check them out at the Wilmette French Market with another sweet friend, Alissa!  We also stopped by a church rummage sale that I passed on the way to the market and I got a sweet floor lamp for $10!  And a lamp shade (for $2) with scalloped edges to someday to this kind of thing with.  Here are some photos from the days events:

these are crazy, right?  they're called lithops or living stones.

I'm getting these baby's NEXT time!  and a fly trap!

I know.  I'm kind of crazy.  like a "plant lady" rather than a "cat lady".

I am just so happy with my little plants!!  they make me smile :)

meaningful presents.

I felt so treasured and loved on/around my birthday.  I had to share some of my super sweet and thoughtful gifts because they have meant so much to me!!

My friends Valerie & Alissa (2 super talented sisters that are a part of Milano) got me a 'homeseed' spoon and some beautiful nail polish!!  I had been talking to Valerie about wanting to get a spoon for business photos/decoration and, well, she remembered and got it for me :) Both she and Alissa know that I've been on a nail polish kick and so they found a nail polish I had posted as a "want item" on my pinterest and they picked that up for me!!! Amazing.  So thoughtful and loving!  You two are the sweetest!

 (not my hands or picture!  both of those are from HERE)

My friend Kelly got me my very own succulent!! AHHH!  I have been going on and on about air plants and succulents to anyone who will listen lately and Kelly remembered and got me this little guy!  Thanks Kel :) :) :)

And then...the Wednesday after my birthday, Mr. Dake had something planned.  He and Jon (Valerie's husband) decided to surprise us with a sweet dinner and post-dinner surprise/get together.  Val's birthday is on April 18th!  So, we were birthday buddies for the night.  We ate delicious pizza at union pizzeria and celebrated life together.  I love these guys.

Lots of sweet gifts of love.  I will cherish these things and memories :)

HELP! please vote for my friends, MILANO!!!

Well, I need your help!  It will only take a minute AND you don't have to give them your email address (or anything else for that matter)!  My friends who are part of the band Milano, have an opportunity to play at the Hard Rock Cafe on May 4th (and if you are in Chicago that night, you should DEFINITELY go!  You have a chance to win a free trip to London!).  Here's a sweet photo of the band at Lincoln Hall from Joe Lieske:

Head HERE to vote!

thank you!!

inspired by: alissa strattan.

I want to share some of my friend Alissa Strattan's work with you today.  She is one of my very multi-talented friends :) She paints; plays the flute, piano, accordion, and glockenspiel (she is in the band, Milano!); she sings; and...well, she is just really sweet and neat!!  Check out her work here, the colors and textures are so beautiful!

Here are some of my favorite pieces:

"dusk" acrylic on canvas; finger painting.

"river" acrylic on canvas.

"for dan" acrylic on canvas; finger painting.

"bedhead" acrylic on canvas.

Happy Friday :)