It's The Little Things

So this morning my wedding started to feel a little bit closer, a little bit more real. Of course it wasn't the dress fitting or hairstyle trial or seating charts that made this event feel real, it was my friend Sam's beautiful calligraphy that made it sink in. For fear of spoiling any element of surprise to people attending my wedding, I won't show too many pictures or show exactly how these will be used in the decor, but I couldn't help but love the job she did. I tasked her with adding to my centerpieces by writing out great quotes from literature and people I love in calligraphy. 

Of course she was excited about the job, and nailed it. This girl is a jack of all trades (or is it jill of all trades?): Teacher for America, Chicago segway tour leader, farm camp leader, interior decorator, foodie, and now official wedding calligrapher. I'd say you should all call her up and pay her lots of money to write you some beautiful words. 

***This post was not sponsored by Sam Handel Inc. in any way. I just like to hype my friends.***

Both Sides

Both Sides Gallery: reason #4692 why you should come to Pilsen. My wonderful friend and outing-coordinator-extraordinaire Sam got two other friends and I a Groupon to this awesome place for a beautiful Sunday.

A “retired” (I put quotations around that because this chick is really young and cool) CPS teacher had enough of that high-stress life (word up) and decided to change careers by following her dreams in the non-profit industry. She opened Both Sides Gallery, which is half art studio, half tutoring center for kids in Math and Science. The name is obviously derived from her passions of cultivating both sides of the brain intelligently. They host parties for people who want to get together and paint all afternoon and that is precisely what we did.

Sam, Chase, Laura, and I sat down in front of empty canvases and looked through albums of pictures for plagiarism (cough)...I mean...inspiration and got started on our way. It was a fabulous three hours of painting, chatting, wine-drinking, and pretzel-eating. I call that therapy. Check out the pictures for our finished results! (Laura and I both liked the same picture. Come see mine hanging on the wall in all of its glory in my bathroom). 

Can you think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon before a hectic week of teaching? I submit that you cannot. 

Please check this place out! Do it. Now. It's cool.