Color Study: stuff on my dresser edition

June 16, 2011 Kimberly Van Ness

Do you ever have one of those moments where you look around your apartment and spot things that are all in the same color palette?

No?

Just me?

Okay.

Well, anyway, I had one of those moments this morning resulting in the above photograph. Items involved are: the book I started over a year ago and then needed Robert and Meryl visuals to help with some of the major plot points, new mascara (bought purely for the simple packaging), an industrial spring currently serving time as my business card holder and some awesomely cheap jewelry.

ALVIN

June 12, 2011 Kimberly Van Ness

It's been quiet here.

The past two weeks have been a little overwhelming. My grandfather passed away last Wednesday. While it was hard to lose him, I am thankful for the memories I have and that he was a part of my life for so long.

After the service, my grandmother unearthed boxes of photographs from their lives. This is one of the best of the two of them and it means a lot to me to have a copy of it.

I will miss you Grandpa.

REARRANGING

June 7, 2011 Kimberly Van Ness

I woke up early this morning and couldn't fall back asleep. Usually when this happens I lie staring at the clock, angry that everyone else in the world is peacefully asleep and I am not (not logical or reasonable I know, but I know better than to argue with my mind when it has not gotten enough sleep). When I can no longer pretend that I am going to fall asleep for more than five minutes at a stretch, I get up and start the day grumbling and frustrated.

This morning though, as I watched the sky turn from dark blue to blue to daylight I decided to go out and take a long walk. I loaded up my ipod, threw on some shoes and headed out. The first mile was a slog of grumpiness, but as I kept going, my mood began to lighten and I began to walk through the stresses and problems that caused me to wake up so early in the first place.

And then the sun came out over the lake just as I was turning around to head for home and it was magical.

I think I may make a habit of this.

Sidenote: I also had one of those divine inspirational moments when making my playlist. After just throwing a bunch of songs together, I started it the moment I left my building and had JUST the right amount of music so that the last song was ending as I walked back in. WIN!

a much needed picnic

June 2, 2011 Kimberly Van Ness

We've been waiting f o r e v e r for even the tiniest inkling of summer (or spring...I will take anything that's not frozen and cloudy at this point) to show up in Chicago. I've unpacked and re-packed my winter clothes so many times it's laughable (or cry-able because that's what I do now every time I have to pull my #$%& sweaters out from under the bed and cast sad puppy eyes towards all the summer dresses patiently lined up in my closet).

But Monday.

Oh, Monday.

Monday was beautiful. And warm. So very warm. It was weather that required, nay, demanded a picnic. And winter in Chicago has turned us into quite dutiful soldiers when it comes to obeying the weather.

So we picnicked. The following photos were rather hastily taken as the art direction of lunch quickly fell victim to the eating of lunch. I have no regrets.

Black bean, corn and jicama (apparently the 'j' is silent??) salad which was delectable.

Two kinds of cheese from the odds-and-ends 'little cheeses' basket at Whole Foods. Humbolt Fog is amazing for the record.

And of course a Parisian starch to act as a vessel for the above accouterments.

A little discovery: Cas Cal is a soda with a terribly boring and nondescript name but a GREAT taste. They make 4 flavors and since the soda is fermented in a process similar to beer it has a much more interesting flavor than most other sodas. It is excellent and I would highly recommend trying it out.