scowling at herbs for the Chicago Tribune.

Holy exclamation point. You guys, I’m in the paper today! Scowling at herbs and wearing a symphony of color and pattern, natch.

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While perusing the Daley Plaza Farmers Market yesterday afternoon on its opening day (runs May – October), a lovely man from the Chicago Tribune approached me to ask if he could use photos he stealthily took while I was hunting through herbs at one of the plant stands. Sneaky dude! And YES! YES! Of course you can use my photo!

It’s not every day you’re in the paper wearing smurf pants and giving mint plants the shady side eye. Why yes, those ARE helping hands in a rainbow of colors dotting my shirt. Friends, these are the things I wear to work. Cats out of the bag. I think J.Crew would be proud of me for being so loud bright.

As you can tell, some big life decisions were happening here; choosing the perfect variety of mint for mojito-making is a crucial start to the summer. A says I look like a “discerning chimp”. Touché, sir. I do. No girl should take her cocktail & juice making herb selection lightly! I came home with basil, lavender, and mint. All of which now adorn our window sill and shall be used to infuse the shit out of gin and tequila all the live long summer. Plus, errr…making some healthy stuff, too.

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Low and behold, my coworkers emailed me this morning to alert that the photo made the print version of today’s paper! You can view the snapshot on the Chicago Tribute website via the Photo Gallery section here, or on page 7 (bottom right) in the first section of today’s print version.

All photos courtesy of the Chicago Tribune, Jose M. Osorio. 

youth lagoon + majical cloudz.

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One of my favorite perks of spring and summer is that weeknight dates are back on the table. Rather than racing home and bundling up in the apartment to escape winter’s whipping winds, we’re opening our windows and getting out of the apartment in the evening – frisbee in the park, a run down the lake, maybe even fish tacos + margaritas al fresco. By golly, this girl loves herself a date night. Leave it to me to make a date out of anything. I like to claim that this makes me low maintenance! Last night’s trip to Jewel for salad fixins totally counted as a date in my book. Basically, anytime we agree to go some place together, I’m labeling it “DATE!” and getting giddy. Being my boyfriend largely parallels hanging out with an excited toddler…

This evening A and I are heading to Metro, a mid-size local music venue, to see Majical Cloudz and Youth Lagoon. After missing most of Youth Lagoon’s set last year at Pitchfork (the drama!), I’m SUPER pumped to hear him live. “Cannons” is simply THE BEST. Plus, A’s been singing the praises of Majical Cloudz, as has Pitchfork, so clearly they’re a must hear.

Funny story on Majical Cloudz. While I was vacationing in Antigua with my family earlier this year, A attended the Autre Ne Veut and Majical Cloudz show solo and wound up befriending and lending our monster living room couch to Majical Cloudz to crash on for a few days while they were in Chicago. This whole “you can crash at my place” thing between bands is totally new to me, so when I called home from tropical paradise, I was a littttle surprised to find that we had house-guests. But hey, it’s good to know that the indie music community supports each other so much. Rock on, band buddies.  By the transitive property, I’ve decided that I’m now friends with Majical Cloudz, too. And bonus perk, we’re on “the list” for tonight. Holler back, free date!

Below is a small sampling of some of my favorite songs from Majical Cloudz and Youth Lagoon. Lots of low-fi rock bliss packed with cathartic humming melodies sure to lift your Wednesday spirits.

In Chicago and free tonight? Come on down to Metro to check out the show!

Updated May 16: Below are snaps from the show!

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hidden lake gardens: part II of our Michigan getaway

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With a name dangerously close to The Secret Garden, I was sold on Hidden Lake Gardens before even setting foot on the grounds. With a weekend forecast threatening t-storms and heavy precipitation, A and I ditched our plans of biking through the gardens and left the bikes at home in Chicago. Naturally, come Friday, as luck and BS meteorology would have it, the local weather showed a weekend of sunshine and the mid-60s. I’ll take it.

After enduring what I swear was an uphill-both-ways run Friday morning, I was determined to test out the running paths at Hidden Lake Gardens. The sun was shining, my entire family was at the lake, and there was a plant sale calling my father’s name. The Mulloy clan piled in the car for a good ol’ family field trip.

Looking back on my childhood, family day trips were HUGE for my sister and I. My parents instituted an awesome tradition of weekend “Mystery Trips” where they’d pack us in the car with no clue as to where we were going. It could be anywhere: the zoo, a state park, ice cream sundaes at Dairy Barn, picking out puppies (this legit happened!). Saturday was one big time travel back to my childhood to relieve family day trips, ‘cept this time we’re all adults and alcohol is involved. I’m all about it.

Upon arriving at the gardens, in true Mulloy style, we immediately became members (support your local businesses!). While my sister and parents bee lined to the plant sale, A and I decided to attempt a trail run – a first for both of us. Now, friends, there are paved paths for miles at this place. But screw that, it was sunny, I was doped up on Mucinex (ugh allergies!) and ready to run! I’m usually not the type to bite off more than I can I can chew, except of course when it literally comes to brownies, but I’ll go on a limb here and say that I was in no way mentally prepared for what Pine Tree Trail was about to throw my way. Ten minutes in and I thought I was dead, or dying, or in some weird limbo state that only exists in Nike commercials. Two and a half miles of up, down, around bends, over downed trees, watch don’t trip gasps.

But you know what, I did it. And A did it, which, for some reason, made me feel even more awesome. Six months ago, I would have never, ever thought I’d be making time for a trail run during vacation, let alone challenging myself and keeping up with the boys. But here we are and isn’t life funny. The photo up top is the lone photo from my run, since the rest of the time I was preoccupied with reminding my body to breathe.

Now I suppose it’s time to regale you with Hidden Lake Gardens, as was the original purpose of this post. Located in the Irish Hills of Michigan, just outside Jackson, these gardens are maintained by Michigan State University and boast an impressive array of flora and fauna ranging from an insane hostas hillside to multiple conservatories. Paved paths cut through and around the gardens, making an idyllic spot for a stroll, bike ride, run, or afternoon drive. For the adventuresome, multiple trails varying in difficulty and length are located at the back gardens, offering a deep dive into the canopy of the thick forestry.

After the trail run, A and I met up with my family and we toured around the conservatories. Below are some of my favorite snapshots from the trip. Pretty sure visitors aren’t supposed to crouch around and pose with the 8 foot cactus, but you get what you get when you let the riff raff in…

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at home in crystal lake: part I

29e3479b6ae65e41a379c35b7208cb87 I spent the weekend at home.

If we’re going to get detail oriented, the lake house isn’t really our true family home, but over the past three years, I’ve come to refer to it as such. Outside of A and my shared home, our home, in Chicago, the lake house is where I’m happiest and most at peace. In fact, I think that statement applies to my entire family. There is a collective sigh of relief and simultaneous rejuvenation upon walking in that place.

Being immersed in nature, a setting so drastically different from Chicago’s concrete jungle, reminds me that sky scrapers and art museums and weekend street fairs aren’t necessary for finding joy in life. Of course, that doesn’t mean I don’t find places to buy things and hunt down the nearest antique market. But, there’s an element here, lets call it the great outdoors, that binds me closer to the change of season. Sitting in the sun-room on Saturday watching the sunset, I realized as I looked out the window that all I could see and hear was nature – a sunset, the glistening lake, trees budding, birds at the feeder, geese squawking. No buildings, no buses, no honking or sirens, no neighbors creaking around above my head. I could drink it in all day, this change of pace.

I was sad to leave yesterday afternoon. Learning to exercise, to move daily, has also helped me learn how to rest and relax. I could have stayed another week, repeating the pattern of run, read, rest, visit. As we pulled out of the lake house drive, I immediately opened my phone to scour for the next possible date my body can be back in that place, back with those people. Fingers crossed we won’t be far for long.

Here’s some snaps from over the weekend, most of which were taken during Friday’s morning run and our afternoon trip to the local succulent and cactus nursery. The last two shots are from the novel experience of putting the pontoon boat in the water and an impromptu post-run winery stop totally enabled by my awesome mother.

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Tomorrow: Snapshots from our family day trip to Hidden Gardens. Get ready for a floral bonanza, friends!

weekend edition // linking up.

064582d2543b438d58f0edcb6a81ff4b Per an unexpected trip home, I’m holed up at our family lake house this weekend soaking up every second of precious downtime and the outdoors. Today the whole gang is headed to Hidden Gardens, a short drive from the house, where A and I will run through the botanical gardens and arboretum while my parents shop for plants and “consult expert botanists”. Plants and running must be the theme of the weekend. Yesterday, after a run up and down hills in bloom, A and I took a trip to the succulent and cactus nursery down the street. More on that Monday!

Happy early Mother’s Day! Here’s to all the smart, courageous, selfless women who have devoted their lives to creating ours. Cheers to all the moms!

In case you’re in the mood for additional reading on this weekend, here’s some bits and pieces that caught my eye during my weekly internet travels. Want more? Check out the Weekend Edition archives.

LINKS!

A week of groceries around the world - Which country’s haul looks most appetizing to you? The US looks gross. I’ll take Kuwait and Guatemala - fresh fruit and whole grains, for the win.

Mad Men Style - I need to wear all of Joan’s clothing as soon as possible, please and thank you.

Calling for an end to gendered book covers – Big woah to The Marraige Plot and On The Road. 

A Message to Abercrombie’s CEO from a Former Fat Girl - “…comments like yours only encourage young girls to starve themselves so they can meet some stupid standard that small-minded men like you perpetuate.”

The myth of and obsession with Marilyn Monroe’s size – Plus other interesting facts you probably don’t know.

Cooked – Adding this Michael Pollan book to my queue.

The Scientific 7-Minute Workout - Get your fitness on even during the busiest of days.

Who’s better at replying to e-mails? - Hint: negative people.

27 ways that your life is more together than Carrie Bradshaw – “You would have just gone to the damn country house and not made such a BFD about it.”

Lessons in veganism – Well written thoughts after trying on veganism for 30 days.

Wedding season is upon us & this guy has you beat – This article could have been about at least three of my friends. But seriously, how much does it all add up to?

Do you cool down after working out? – Recent research questions the long-standing ”cool down” post workout. How do you handle your cool downs or stretching routines after exercise?

And here’s a few recent posts you may have missed…