This is a fairly personal post, but I know that a year ago reading this on someone's blog would have given me hope or inspiration, so I wanted to share it with all of you.

Just 17 days after moving to Chicago {and exactly 1 month before my 28th birthday} I can say without any hesitation that this move is the best thing that I have ever done. I am still finding myself & have so much to figure out, but for the first time in my life I am truly happy. I love this city & cannot imagine living anywhere else.

For as long as I could remember I had this plan. I was supposed to be married by 28 and a mom by 30. It's a pretty safe bet that those things will not be happening any time soon & I am completely ok with that. Believe it or not, I am actually happy it worked out this way. I had to reach a point where nothing felt right to make this change, & had I not been unhappy with my life in LA, I would not be living in Chicago.

I questioned this move once right after I got to my apartment, and that uncertainty lasted for all of 5 minutes. The only moments that have taken place since have been ones of happiness. That's not to say that there will not be rough patches. I have to assume they'll come because it's impossible to imagine that everything can be this good. I have never felt this happy and on some level think that I don't know what to do with myself. I definitely have plans to start a new career & make my current job part time. I just have to figure out what my next step will be. There are a handful of things I would love to pursue. Until I figure that out, you can bet that I'll be enjoying my life here in Chicago.

Since I am officially training for my first 5k, I headed to the beach with a friend for a run yesterday. This was my first time visiting the beach & I absolutely loved it! When we turned around and I saw this, I had one of those amazing "I live here" moments. Such a great feeling.

I have been feeling inspired to cook the past few days, and wanted to share a few recipes with you.

Margherita Pizza:
I used a piece of whole wheat pita, tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, spinach leaves, and finely sliced tomato. I just put it in the oven at 350 and took the pup for a quick walk. Since I didn't time it, I'd just say to keep an eye on the pizza. I set it to broil for the last 2 minutes. So good!





Veggie Burgers:
1 can organic black beans
3 finely chopped garlic cloves
1/2 onion
1/4 bell pepper
1 cup rolled oats
1 egg {be kind. use cage free eggs.}
whole wheat breadcrumbs {1/4 cup maybe? just sprinkle some in there.}
1 tsp ground cumin {I just sprinkled it in}

Pour the can of black beans into a mixing bowl and smash the beans with a fork or spoon {or use a giant ladle like I did}. Add the remaining ingredients & form 4 patties. Cook the patties in a pan on the stove until they are a little brown.

Sweet Potato Fries:
I cut up one sweet potato and added a little salt, some ground pepper, and garlic powder. Set the oven to 450 and bake for ~25 minutes, turning occasionally.

Crystal won my 2 latest scrapbook kits, and So Inkin Cute won the $30 credit to my shop! Winners, please email me to claim your prizes. Thanks to all of you who entered!

The first 3 people to use the following coupon at my store at ScrapMatters will get 40% off their next order!

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The coupon expires on the 18th!

I have 5 new mini kits & an element pack coming to ScrapMatters tomorrow! Don't forget that SM is having a HUGE sale right now!

Something pretty exciting happened on Wednesday night. I was in downtown Chicago walking to dinner with my mom and all these big black SUVs pulled up outside a restaurant we were passing. Some very secret service-esque people get out and surround the place. My mom told me she thought it was the president, which I thought was a little crazy.

So imagine my surprise when President Obama walked right out of the car. He was just a few feet away from us. I stood there like I complete fool {mouth dropped, no expression} and did not immediately think to take a photo, even though I had my iPhone in my hand. My mom smiled, waved, and says hello. He waved & said hello back.

Then I remembered who I was and snapped a quick pic of part of the back of his head {and his arm, too}.


I saw Shane Botwin from Weeds on my flight, and the President of the United States a few days later while walking downtown. Crazy!

The winner of the blog makeover giveaway is...Chic 'n Cheap Living! Congrats! Please email me to claim your prize. If you entered and did not win, I would like to offer you $15 off your deposit. Please email me to take advantage of this offer. You have until Wednesday night!

On to the giveaway! I am giving away $30 credit to my shop at ScrapMatters! Just become a follower to enter.

For extra entries:

1. Visit my shop at ScrapMatters and leave a comment with your favorite kit from my shop.
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The past 3 days have been wonderful, tiring, and L.O.N.G. I am so painfully tired. I had this whole plan to work out each day, but after walking miles and miles and lugging bar stools & carts full of food all over the city I am done. I just need to lay on my non existent sofa and watch some Rachel Zoe {& last week's Entourage}.

Cannot wait until the sofa comes on Thursday. Not having a place to sit makes you realize how nice having a place to sit can be. So take a moment to appreciate your sofa and/or desk chair.

This morning I headed to Andersonville with my mom. We went to Scout, The White Attic, and Brimfield where I found some amazing pieces!


Top right: My new industrial bar stools from Brimfield. Exactly what I wanted & they are actually comfortable! The shop owner said she can make cushions for them for just $25 a piece. Planning on finding some cute fabric so I can have that done.

Middle right: Mason jars from Scout. Just $2 each! Love, love, love them! It took so much self control to just purchase 6 {and a 7th for my sis}.

Bottom left: End table from Scout. So reasonably priced and perfect for my small space. I love it!

Bottom right: My gorgeous new dresser for my entry hall from The White Attic. Thanks, mom! It is stunning in person! The best part about this dresser is that the inside of the drawers are robin's egg blue. You can see a photo of the blue drawers {middle left}.

My cable has been set up so I am off to watch The Rachel Zoe Project and last Sunday's Entourage! I will be on a pillow on the floor. Thursday cannot come soon enough. I want my sofa!