BLEUBIRD BLOG

BITS + PIECES OF CHICAGO.

bits + pieces. our trip to chicago.

we had fun. a lot of fun. this place felt a little like home and i cannot wait to go back and bring the other kids. i think they will love it as much as i do. this post took me far to long to compose. choosing photos was quite difficult. we took so many and they are all beautiful.

1. where we called home for the past five days. thank you public hotel for the comfortable room and the incredible hospitality.
2. i fell madly in love with this city.
3. playing with the old "shoes."
4. a great cup of coffee.
5. she loves to look at herself in the mirror and talk to "gem burd."
6. instagraming with sarah fortune. love her.
7. lmnop. a cute children's boutique that i tried to go to several times only to find it was closed during our entire trip. sad face.
8. those blond curls.
9. the most beautiful bicycles.
10. holding fins with pingu while crossing the street.
11. knocking on pretty doors and shouting "yemme yin. pweeeease."
12. another stop at another strangers door. she likes to climb stairs and see if anyone is home.
13. a self portrait.
14. acting silly in her new hand knit sweater by honor dunn.
15. hotel naps.
16. neighborhood strolls.
17. a bird and a beluga whale.
18. italian ice on the stoop.
19. the most amazing cousin.
20. new little friends and water balloons. this is the most wonderful park, it could possibly be the thing i will miss most about this city.
21. hanging at matt and stevie's beautiful apartment.
22. a chicago lunch.
23. chicago is so clean and so pretty. if we were to ever move to another big city, i think this would be the city for me.

oh chicago, you had us at hello.

BITS + PIECES.

bits + pieces of the country. {pardon my lack of blogging this past week. it was a doozy.}

1. horses from a neighboring farm. they followed us as we passed by.
2. watching the birds fly by and the families of deer passing through.
3. the most charming little chapel. i especially love the blue door.
4. the smell of bacon sizzling in the morning.
5. kicking rocks.
6. a summer salt water swim.
7. the most comfortable bed to lay my head.
8. a neighbor dog stopping by for an unexpected visit.
9. afternoon walks in the fields.
10. the most beautifully painted door and two very fancy sheep.
11. a magic tree house.
12. a magic farm house.
13. tiny breakfast date. no shirt required.
14. a new playmate for birdie.
15 & 16. the place that makes the incredible pie.
17. our favorite teepee.
18. pretty, shiny instruments.
19. summer time, pass time.
20. a late night swim while everyone else sleeps.
21. the village.
22. my favorite capture of the weekend. she is so beautiful. inside and out.

this place just feels like home to us.

footnote: the stylemint giveaway was extended until tomorrow. the winners will be announced then, in the original giveaway post.

HAPPY FEET.

my feet were dancing over the past few days. both the left and the right were more than happy to set foot onto these beautiful floors again. to have these beautiful rugs beneath my toes. yes, it felt good and perhaps a little irresponsible to pack up and get away to the ranch for a few days on a whim. to make a run for the countryside and to leave behind the fast paced city, my pets, my plants and my computer. to run away to my happy place out in the middle of nowhere, where there is little to no cell service let alone internet access. to relax with good friends and their babies. to trade the mosquitoes for june bugs and warm, muggy rain for breezy, fresh air. to swim in salt water by day and to gaze up at a blanket of stars by night. for a good ol' dose of peace and quiet.

yes, both of my feet and my heart were happy over the past few days.

footnote: our pets did not go unattended while we were away. thankfully we have a friend who fed them, gave them fresh water and rubbed their tummies.

BITS + PIECES OF AUSTIN.

bits + pieces of my recent trip to austin.

my friend darrell and i took a road trip up to austin earlier this week to celebrate our ten year friendiversary. he had never been before and i love the place so what a perfect excuse to get away for a bit. we stayed at the hotel san jose on south congress and spent two days exploring, eating amazing food, shopping and experiencing the city as best we could on a monday and tuesday. we had a great time!

a few of our favorite stops... we bought our friends and family little gifts from tesoros trading company. this shop is incredible. a few of our favorite vintage shops included new bohemia, new brohemia (all men's) and feathers boutique, which i believe used to sell online back when we all sold on ebay. the best thing i ate was the black bean entree from magnolia cafe and the burgers from hopdoddy. i almost died when we went into uncommon objects. i wanted to take everything home with me! sadly i didn't get any photos of the inside. no cameras allowed. the best coffee was from jo's right next to our hotel. speaking of our hotel... the san jose is lovely. not too expensive and just as comfortable as can be. they happened to have my all time favorite shampoo & conditioner that i use at home, in the bathrooms. bonus points! possibly my favorite part of the hotel's amenities were the robes they had for each guest. i had to buy one to take home with me. a little pricey but completely worth it. best purchase i made on the trip, hands down! i highly recommend the san jose if you are ever in town for a visit. ooh... and i can't forget rita's italian ice. i haven't had this sweet treat since florida and was so excited when i discovered there was one in austin!

our trip was short and sweet. i will be heading back soon. very soon.

footnote: thank you so much for all of the congrats & well wishes. we are so thrilled! xo.