Five on Friday

This week felt exhausting for no particular reason, so I'm very excited it's Friday. 

Let's get into it!

ONE

Last week my dad and I went to see Anne Lamott speak at the People's Church of Chicago. The event was sponsored by Women and Children First (yay local, independent feminist bookstores!) and held at the church. The building was so gorgeous. I believe I read that it was originally founded in the 20s. The chairs seemed to be original (or at least super old if not from the 20s) and the leather was cracking on all the seat cushions. I just love that stuff. 

How gorgeous is the ceiling and the paintings on the wall?

I'm not overtly religious by any means, but I love, love, love the way Anne Lamott writes about faith. Her voice is so honest and vulnerable. She literally takes my breath away with her words, so when I heard she was going on tour to promote her latest book, I grabbed two tickets for my dad and I (he introduced me to her in the first place).

  

Also, her dreadlocks. Like come on. She's too good. 

  

After her Q&A and her reading, we stood in line to have her sign our books. Someone in her little entourage had brought those huge frosted bakery cookies for her and she was eating one when I got up to her, and she broke me off a piece and insisted I have some. 

"They're so good. They taste like childhood," she said. 

Who's refusing that? And then I took that very dramatic snapchat and sent it to everyone I know. 

My dad and I stopped at The Golden Nugget for a late-night dinner and got food that is definitely not on our diets. It was a fun and enlightening night, and I loved nothing more than experiencing it with the best guy. 

TWO

Cubs baseball, people. They're officially back!

 Last week a few girlfriend's and I met up at Chelsie's for dinner and to watch the Cubs. It happened to be the game when they did the ring ceremony. Love any reason to celebrate those Champions ;)

  

We picked up Portillos (though I always prefer Gene & Jude's) and headed over after work. It was so nice to catch up and laugh with my girlfriends on a regular old Wednesday night. And the Cubs just topped it off. Baseball is definitely my favorite sport and I love hearing the sounds of the game and the announcers in the background of whatever room I'm in. It's super nostalgic and reminds me of summer. 

THREE

I have a decently packed weekend starting with a trip to Scudiero's for lunch with my dad on Saturday. I'm SO excited. They finally reopened after doing a huge renovation after their sixty-year-old oven exploded last summer (no one was hurt, thank god) and I can't wait to see what they've done. 

  

(old vs. new)

I've seen pictures on Yelp and Facebook, but it's not like seeing it in person. Plus I'm interested to see if their new equipment will change the way their food tastes. Their pizza is SO good and their eggplant parmesan sandwich is my favorite eggplant ever. I won't even order it other places because I know it won't compare. Please go if you're ever in the area! They have an old-world Italian vibe going on and you can feel it when you're there. 

FOUR

In addition to my very exciting lunch plans on Saturday ;) I'm going with Sammy's parents (Sammy has to work this weekend) to his cousins' 13th birthday party at their house on Saturday night. I've been seeing a lot of Sammy's family lately and I've especially enjoyed being around his SIL while she's pregnant. 

And on Sunday, I have Chelsie's bridal shower! I've been asked to bring my "nice" camera and if I'll be the one who writes down which guest brought what gift. I, of course, said yes to both especially since I've been dramatically waiting my whole life to be the person who writes the list of which gift came from who. Such a dork, haha. 

My Rent the Runaway order should be arriving today and I'm anxious to try it on and see how it looks. Hopefully it fits!

I'm excited to spend the afternoon with all my girlfriends and all the women in Chelsie and Dan's life who are coming to celebrate them. I can't believe we're only two months out from the wedding. Absolutely crazy. 

FIVE

Also on the wedding front...

Getting so close to the wedding can only mean one other thing...bachelorette party is even closer! ;)

Chelsie's bachelorette party is over Memorial Day weekend and we're having a relaxed, wine tour-themed weekend. I had all the vendors (wine tour company, rental house) scheduled and paid for back in February, but now that we're getting closer, I've been spending a lot of time on Easy finishing up some little details. 

I picked up all items I need for the favors, several decorations, and I'll be getting some XXX items soon ;) I'm very blessed to work with an incredible designer who can literally create anything you ask her to, so she made the invitations, table signs, and other paper goods for me and they're so gorgeous. I ordered the invitations today and can't wait for them to ship!

Here's some inspiration I've been drawing from as I've been planning. 

Keeping in mind, my goal is 75% classy, 25% trashy/gross/immature because otherwise, what's the point? ;)

  

  

  

I love reading wedding related recaps, so if anyone has any bachelorette favorites they've read (or written!), please share! I think I have everything pretty much planned/picked out, but I'm always open for more ideas. 

*Linking up with April and Andrea