life lately | chicago

a few weeks ago we took a trip to chicago to visit mark's family and friends. it was my first time in the city and i could not get over how clean and beautiful it was. chicago has some incredible architecture that i'd love to explore more on our next journey.

the long weekend was full of family time - including playing with beautiful baby kara, a night out with friends, a bitter cold cubs game, and sight seeing. i can't wait to go back.

in the stuido | flowers for mom

i wasn't able to spend mother's day with my mom because i was off roaming in the mountains, but i made a special trip home this week to spend the day with her. i brought along with me this pretty little arrangement i put together. soft shades of pink, purple and white. and, oh yes, the first of many peonies i'll be using this season.

brooke + jeb

a couple weeks ago two of my favorite people got engaged, brooke + jeb! i am over moon about these two getting hitched... not only because their pig roast wedding in new hampshire is going to be a blast, but because they are crazy in love, and that my friends, seems to be rare these days.

i was so pumped when brooke and jeb asked if i would make there wedding stationery and their flower arrangements. we've already started planning. check out the pin board i created dedicated to their wedding ideas.

photo | lin simrell

make it happen monday | mountain climbing

last weekend mark and i, along with a few friends, traveled to the white mountains in new hampshire for a weekend in the wilderness. we  hiked mount cardigan on sunday, and while it wasn't the longest hike it was pretty intense. there was definitely some scrambling happening. overall it was an epic weekend with great friends. can't wait to do it again.

wu lyf

on mark and i's first date (or what mark would call our first date, i wouldn't) he told me about the band wu lyf. i went home that night, bought the album and they've been a regular in my music rotation ever since. we found out they were coming to town back in january. naturally, we bought tickets.

we hyped up the show all week, so come saturday i was little nervous we would be disappointed because our expectations were so high. well, let me tell you, it was one of the best shows i've ever seen. epic. oh yea, and i joined in on a mosh pit for the first time ever. i was a little frightened at first, but really it was extremely exhilaration.

 after the show the band lingered around the venue socializing with what was left of the crowd (bottom photo).