Love this post!

I'll be back later this week to post all the pictures from mine and Michael's birthday celebrations this month.  In the meantime, I had to point out a great post from Haven and Home today.  Love, love, love these pictures and definitely something I'm putting in my idea book.  Enjoy!

Chihuly and Indigo Girls

As you know life changes on the fly, so while I posted here about our plans for this past weekend, plans were altered a bit. Usually, my Type A personality likes to actually do the things I say I’m going to do, however our weekend turned out to be tons of fun.

Listening to Lightening 100 on my way into work last week, I discovered that Cheekwood was doing a concert series this summer, and the Indigo Girls were playing on Friday, August 6th. I’ve never seen the Indigo Girls in person, but have always enjoyed their music. Luckily, I was able to convince Michael to go with me – as the crowd was a little different than we’re used to. Regardless, it turned out to be a beautiful night and not too hot! In addition, we got to see the beautiful Chihuly exhibit again. If you have the chance to go (especially at night), it is purely magical. These pictures just do not do it justice.

Before the concert started.  Concert started at 8 pm, but the gates opened at 5 so everyone could come in, enjoy the exhibit, lounge in a nice cool evening and eat a picnic.

Concert at night.  Sorry it's not any closer - only had my iPhone to take pics.

At dusk

Evening

 

A few more of my favorite things

I totally forgot to mention these three things yesterday...  they too are some of my favorite things right now.

Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray

Great for already dirty hair that doesn't need another washing just quite yet...  it gives that natural beachy feel when you're not able to get the real thing.

Bumble & Bumble Hair Powder

Another Bumble & Bumble product that I can't live without right now.  This helps extend the life of actually doing your hair.  I use the white powder, but it also comes in Blondish, Brown and Black.  I'm telling you - if you hate to do your hair - or just don't have the time - this is the most fabulous thing that you can add to your hair repertoire.  Just a few sprays here and there and it gets rid of that oily look - which I get because my hair is so fine.  TRY IT!!

OPI Royal Flush Blush

I love to indulge and get a pedicure at least once a month - the chair, the magazines, the hour of total bliss...  and, usually during the summer months, I always choose OPI Cajun Shrimp (I call it my signature color).  But, the new Royal Flush Blush has given Cajun Shrimp a run for it's money.  It looks really pink in the bottle (and in this picture), but I'm telling you it is the perfect shade of pink.  I've literally worn it all summer and can't get enough of it.

Hope you enjoy these products as much as I do!

A few of my favorite things... right now.

Plum Makeup

I have long time been a fan of the fresh sugar lip treatment.  It's like buttah.  But just recently they added a Plum tinted version to the fresh line.  It is wonderful.  It looks really dark but it goes on translucent with just a hint of color.

I've also been using the Badgal mascara in Plum for a long time.  Badgal is my favorite brand of mascara by far, and I use both the black and plum colors.  The plum gives just a hint of vibrant color to an already great mascara.

Pledge Multi Surface Cleaner

It's a big jump from makeup to cleaning products - but, follow my train of thought for a second.  I mainly keep this product in my bathroom and it's great for cleaning all surface areas - sink, mirror and counter top (especially after makeup spills!). 

David Yurman Smoky Quartz Albion Ring

I found this ring whilst shopping at Neiman Marcus in Chicago this past weekend.  They just put out a lot of their new stuff and this smoky quartz color is just beautiful for fall.  No, I didn't purchase it, but it is on my wish list for my birthday (T minus 17 days)!

Spending time with my hubby in Nashville

Definitely not least and not just for right now, for sure.  Michael and I've been trying to do fun stuff around Nashville this summer (difficult since it's been so hot as of late).  One weekend we headed to the Farmers Market then lunch in East Nashville @ Drifters BBQ (which everyone should try next time you're in that hood); another weekend we headed out to Arrington Vineyards for a picnic and some jazz music (The Dean Martinis).

Nashville is such a great city with so much to offer.  This weekend I'm trying to convince Michael to go to the Watertown drive in movie theatre on Friday night then the Couture show at the Frist on Saturday afternoon. 

Chi - Town!

This past weekend, I joined Michael in Chicago (he was up there for a CLE) for a long weekend.  Some friends of mine from SMU live up there now, so we got to hang out with them on Friday.  It was absolutely gorgeous up there!

Lindsay and I met for lunch at a Beachstro Cafe right on the lake (Lakeshore Drive) then Michael, Lindsay, Patrick and I ate dinner at 27 nacional, a Latin cuisine restaurant, that was delish.  Since Michael had to be up early Saturday morning, we headed back to the hotel and had a drink in the hotel bar while a jazz band played.

Saturday, we woke up and Michael headed to his seminar while I took a jog around the lake.  Again, absolutely gorgeous day.  Here's a pic of the skyline while I was running:

After my run, I headed to the shops where I did a little bit of damage (oops! :)).  Michael finished his seminar around noon, so we met up and started walking around the area to find a place to lunch.  While we were walking, we totally saw Guiliana Rancic filming at a little bistro called Salute.   See was so cute in person!!!  I think she and I could be best friends...

After our run in with Guiliana, we ate deep dish pizza at Gino's East (again, another fantastic place to dine).  Michael was sleepy so he headed back to the room to take a nap while I embarked into my favorite place of ALL times - NEIMAN MARCUS!!  I love, love, love Neimans.  I could spend all day in there... which I kinda did :)

Then, I went and met Lindsay and Patrick in Wicker Park for a street fair. 

While I was there, I got a text from Michael saying he wasn't feeling well, and by the time I got back to the hotel (after a stop at Walgreens for some medicine), he was in terrible shape.  He felt so bad he couldn't go out on Saturday night.  Now, I had two options: (1) stay in the hotel with Michael and his sick self (yuck!) or (2) head out on the town and explore.  Naturally, I totally went out by myself.  I went to Coq d'or, a little piano bar in the Drake hotel, for dinner then headed to the 11 pm showing at Second City, which was hysterical.  I highly recommend it.  Luckily, this nice couple that I met while we were standing in line asked me to sit with them since I was alone.  I'm totally one of those people who can explore on my own and I loved it!  I didn't get home until 2 am from the show - I'm surprised Michael let me get away with it - but he was so sick he couldn't argue!

Sunday morning, I woke up and took another jog around the lake and walked around Michigan Avenue (which is great when no one else is there!).  I even spotted the Harry Winston store (in honor of my boo, Harry Winston Salem Noble :)).

I love Chicago and had a great time.  I just wish Michael could say the same... Oh well, I guess that warrants another trip to the Windy city.