Fall Pleasures...

When I was young, I hated autumn. If anyone asked me what my favorite season was, I'd always say summer. And my least favorite? Fall. Maybe it was because I missed the warm summer and didn't want to go back to school; I'm not sure.

Now, I love fall. I love the crisp, clear mornings and the chilly nights. I love the smoky scent in the air and the warm colors of the trees. I've come to appreciate autumn and all of its little pleasures...

apple cider, crunchy leaves, caramel apples, orange, yellow, red, pumpkin farms, football, Oktoberfest, scarecrows, hickory-smoked everything, drives on country roads, Halloween, Thanksgiving, pumpkin pies...

... to name a few...

{photo via weheartit}

Happy Weekend

I'm so excited it's Friday, I've been waiting all week! -- I have a big plans: dinner with friends, a trip to the farmers market, a family wedding, brunch with my dad, my newest movie from NetFlix {Sunshine Cleaning} and a surprise birthday party for my big sister. SO EXCITED!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

{image via we heart it}

Little Notes

dear any and all coffee shops. i don't know what i would do without you.

dear librarian at Northside. thank you so much for helping me track down my books. unfortunately, it wasn't worth it.

dear maggie. you are an amazing sister and friend. i could not ask for more. happy birthday! i hope your days is as special as you are.

dear cast of how i met your mother. thank you for making me laugh so much i cry. especially you mr.segel.

dear nfl. you fill my sundays with hours and hours of football. i heart you. also, more close-ups of tony romo, please.

{image via weheartit}

Adorable Video

Life's Little Pleasures

checking out library books

starting the day by going out to breakfast

snuggling with my cat clemente

waking up to a cup of coffee

cool clean sheets

playing board games with friends

baseball games on sunny summer days

reading outside

nights with humphrey bogart, cary grant and jimmy stewart

sleeping in late

newspaper ink-covered fingers

... to name a few...

what are yours?

{photo via Lolita blog}

{thanks to megan at Sweet&Low for the idea}

Imagine That

Someone told me the other day I have a very active imagination.

At first, I thought this was bad but the more I thought about it, the more I realized what a great compliment it was. {There is a clear distinction between having a great, active imagination and being immature.} I'm glad that I am able to hold on to a little piece of childhood. I think it's important.

For instance, when I'm stressed out tomorrow, I'll just imagine that I'm laying on a beach, under an umbrella, sipping on a lemonade and relaxing...

{image via we heart it}

HUG O' WAR

HUG O' WAR

I will not play at tug o' war.

I'd rather play at hug o' war,

Where everyone hugs

Instead of tugs,

Where everyone giggles

And rolls on the rug,

Where everyone kisses,

And everyone grins,

And everyone cuddles,

And everyone wins.

{by Shel Silverstein}

A Welcoming Home

When I have my own house, I'm going to paint the front door green or blue or something else fun and welcoming. I love when doors have personality. It gives the house a more charming and comforting feel. I think this is very important. Wouldn't you rather walk through a blue polka dotted doorway than a boring white one?

My friend's mom painted her house her favorite colors: brown and teal. She said she wanted her house to be hers. It's very fitting. {She even has pajamas to match. It's really cute when she sits outside with a cup of coffee wearing them.} That's the charming feel I want my house to have.

Shout Outs

My rival newspaper in college always "out sold" mine on Wednesdays. Not because the content was better than the Daily Cardinal {because believe me, it wasn't} but because Wednesdays were Shout Out days.

During the week, students submit shout outs on the paper's Web site and hope they are published in the newspaper on Wednesday. Shout outs can be about anything- and they are.

{Here are a few random submissions: SO to the guy biking in only his under armour spandex. Biking without shoes or a shirt...you have balls young sir. AND SO to the guy riding a unicycle and texting in a large crowd of people. You are the coolest one around.-- Most are even funnier.}

Shout Out to Oprah. Man, that woman can pick some good books. {Middlesex, The Reader, The Bluest Eye}

SO to the start of the football season. I will now have plans every Sunday, Saturday, Monday and sometimes Thursday. {Go Pack, Go!}

SO to Argo Tea. You are slowly chipping away at my addiction to coffee. Slowly.

SO to Midwestern weather. I really don't mind leaving my house wearing jeans and a tank top, carrying a sweater, umbrella and gloves-- in August.

SO to Diet Coke. I wouldn't make it through a day with 24 screaming 2-year-olds without you.

SO to Gerard Butler. You are one sexy man. Please don't ever change.

Saturday Afternoons in Madison

It's Saturday and you know what that means: COLLEGE GAME DAY! I miss living in Madison on beautiful afternoons like this.

I miss waking up at 7am to grill, drink, hang out with friends and then spend hours cheering on my Badgers at Camp Randall. I think I'll have to make a trip up to Madtown for a game this year; student section seats, of course.

Doug Ward at ESPN wrote a great article about the Wisconsin game day experience. {Though I must admit, it is actually a hundred times better than the article makes it sound. But I may be biased.}

{photo via espn.com}

Reading Break

I've been so busy lately that I'm sorry to say I've neglected my books. I promised them this wouldn't happen any longer.

Today I'm taking a break from my busy schedule to read. {I scheduled it in. 4:30-6:30.}

I'm really excited to get back to my current book Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. It's such a seductive, enthralling story weaving together Cal's life and his family history that I can't believe I've been ignoring it. And after reading Eugenides' novel The Virgin Sucides, I'm waiting for a surprise twist in Middlesex. It's great so far, you should read it.

Happy Labor Day

I hope everyone is enjoying their long weekend! I'm going to spend the rest of the day outside reading and enjoying the company of friends and family.

{p.s. doesn't this photo almost look like a painting?}

Sometimes Adults Need to Stop Acting Their Age

I think the world would be a happier place if grown-ups just took some time and watched one of their favorite childhood movies. No matter what's going on, it always makes me feel better.

There's no way you can be in a bad mood while watching cartoon animals talk and get into trouble.

{In no particular order, here are a few of my childhood favorites}

Land Before Time {I actually just watched this.}

The Sandlot

Now & Then

The Chipmunk Adventure

Rookie of the Year

Swiss Family Robinson {I still want a tree house.}

The Carebears Movie

AND any Disney movie (especially The Little Mermaid and Beauty & the Beast)

Coffee with Old Friends

Today I spent a lazy afternoon at a coffee shop with a childhood friend. I rarely get to see her anymore but every time we meet for coffee, it's like no time has passed. I wish I could connect with other old friends like that.

Before my high school graduation, I was sure that I'd be the exception to the rule "people drift apart after graduation." Well, it turns out, I wasn't. My best friend is still my best friend from 7th grade, but I've lost touch with a lot of friends from high school and even college. It's disappointing.

But today, today was great.

{photo via my friend eric}

Downtown.

I mentioned earlier that I love seeing photos from other people's downtown areas, so I thought I'd post a few of my hometown. My downtown is extremely cozy, check it out.

Points

I decided people aren't awarded enough on a day to day basis. Therefore, I'm going to start giving people points. I think it will brighten many days.

These points are awarded based on a high complex system- creativity, generosity, kindness, style, sass (because I love it) and just being themselves- to name a few.

A few recipients:

• Man on the train with a fanny pack. Bringing it back, very nice. 2 points.
• Who said men can't wear pink? Work it dude. 2 points.
• Couple in matching outfits. Ridiculous, but gutsy. 3 points.
• Anyone wearing a scarf and flip flops in August. 1 point. {-3 points to Chicago weather.}
• Everyone in the unbelievably long line at Chipotle. 2 points. Each. {Totally worth it.}
• The dude with enough guts to ride a bike through downtown Chicago traffic... while on the phone. 3 points.
• To the man wearing skinny jeans, black sunglasses, Chucks and a vest and tie. All kinds of points.
• Friends with smiles. Infinity points.

{photo via Flickr}