Things I Learned...

... This weekend.

1. God gives us such a gift in hearing "me too." I've heard that said many times before but it rang very true for me last night. My close friend Laura from high school is in town for just under a week. You may remember reading about her wedding in Napa here. Anyway, Laura's in town so Gwen and I grabbed dinner with her Sunday evening. We spent most of our meal sharing what life has been like over the last couple months since we all had been together over the holidays. It felt like each time one of us shared, a "gosh, me too" followed. And not in a "I want to point the conversation back to me" way but it in a way truly understanding. Grateful for those moments, grateful for those gifts.
2. I'm a sucker for my hometown (pictured above.) I spent both Friday and Sunday night there. Oops? I know people don't get it, or maybe think it's weird to love where you grew up so much. I just do.   
3. Wedding season is upon us! On Saturday was Becca's "bachelorette" deal in the city. We spent the day at a spa then went to dinner and out for some drinks. For the last couple months there have been many different celebrations but we're now on to the big day. First up, my good friends Sadie & Kyle, this weekend in St. Louis. Cannot believe it's finally summer.
4. Eleanor & Park is a must read. I'm 100 pages in and hooked. So what if it's another young adult novel, right?
5. I'm going to be closer to 30 than 20 in a short nine days. I'm turning 26. What? Yikes, where did this year go??

Heat Wave

Skirt: Old Navy. Tank: Lululemon. Shoes: Nine West via DSW
Earrings: Target. Necklace: F21. Sunnies: Urban Outfitters

My goodness it has been warm here in Chicago the last couple days. 

It's unbelievable to me that on Monday there was frost on the ground and then be 80 and sunny the next three days. 

I don't want to jinx it but I think summer weather has officially arrived.

My roommates and I are pretty cheap and haven't gone the air conditioning route just yet. So that means lots of windows open, an unhappy kitty, and clothes that don't really touch my body. This is my go to "it's so hot" outside outfit. I'm a sucker for a maxi skirt during any season but they really are perfect for days like these when it's just simply hot. 

August Twenty Twelve

So many things happened in August. I traveled to California twice, got a new boss, and moved into a new house. Glad this playlist will be a great reminder of all of those fun things.

1. Hold on Love - Azure Ray
2. From Above - Ben Folds & Nick Hornby
3. Day Two - Hanna
4. All This and Heaven Too - Florence + The Machine
5. I Speak Because I Can - Laura Marling
6. We Are Never Getting Back Together - Taylor Swift
7. Details In The Fabric - Jason Mraz
8. I Will Wait - Mumford & Sons
9. No Light, No Light - Florence + The Machine
10. Koop Island Blues - Koop
11. Long Ride Home - Patty Griffin
12. Love Today - Mika
13. Good Time - Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen
14. Wolves - Josh Ritter
15. As Long As You Love Me - Justin Bieber

San Francisco, I adore you.

A close childhood friend of mine, Laura, got married this past weekend in Napa Valley. So instead of just taking a quick trip to California, I spent the week leading up to her wedding in San Francisco. I am obsessed. I seriously cannot get enough of the city. 

Sweater: Francesca's. T-shirt: American Apparel. Denim Shorts: Gap. Shoes: Steve Madden
Earrings: Lia Sophia. Necklace: Anthropolgie 

One thing that was a bit of a surprise about San Francisco was the weather. People had mentioned to me that it's a bit chillier than expected, especially for August. It was actually a wonderful treat. After many hot summer days in Chicago, it was refreshing to wear a sweater and feel completely comfortable. 

Fall, I'm ready for you.

May Our Bodies Be Light

It's so good to be back! Sorry for the month long hiatus. I thought I was going to be a better blogger for the month of July but my goodness, it really got the best of me.

For the past month, I had the opportunity to serve at Castaway Club, the same Young Life camp I went to in June with my high school friends. I had the privilege to work along side some incredibly talented people as we created together a space for hundreds of campers each week to experience the Kingdom of God. I still am so humbled to be a small part of ushering that in. 

As I look back at my time there, there is one night at camp is overwhelmingly my favorite. Castaway Club is a camp set on Pelican Lake and its beach/nautical setting makes it a unique Young Life property. One night we had a "beach party" that ended with a glow stick dance party. It was incredible to watch these high school students dance like they were created to dance. 

In the song "Heaven Breaks" by Sleeping At Last, the lyrics say:

"When angels meet the earth, may our bodies be light.

When angels meet the earth, may our heavy hearts untie. 

When angels meet the earth, may our bodies be light.

May our bodies be light for you."

I don't want to over analyze or fabricate a moment to be something more than it was but that night at camp felt like those lyrics to me. When angels meet the earth, may our bodies be light.... May our heavy hearts untie.

Here, have a listen.

June Twenty Twelve

I'm back in action. Castaway was wonderful. More to come later. In the mean time, here's a little taste of what I've been listening to this past June. Enjoy :)

1. Go Do - Jonsi

2. Closer - Annie Williams

3. We Will Never Have Tonight Again - Sandra McCracken

4. Beautiful - Matthew Mayfield

5. The Western Skyline - Dawes

6. The A Team - Ed Sheeran

7. Classy Girls - The Lumineers

8. Be Still My Soul - Page CXVI

9. Hot Air - Hanna

10. Graceland & Graveyards - Karla Adolphe

11. Where Have You Been - Rihanna

12. We Bought a Zoo - Jonsi

Any good recommendations for July 2012?!

I'll Be Seeing You

Every summer I get to to take a group of high school kids to my favorite place in the world, a Young Life camp in northern Minnesota. And that time has arrived, we are heading to Castaway Club tonight! It's always and incredible week filled with adventure and joy. I'm looking forward to see all that's in store for us this year.

With all that being said, I will be gone away from the Chicagoland and Echo Grace until June 25th. I hope you all don't miss me too much :)

Have a wonderful week - see you in a week!

Where The Streets Have No Name

Skirt: Nordstrom. Top: Ella Moss (old.) Shoes: Nine West.
Bracelets: Gift. Earrings: Francesca's. Ring: Lia Sophia.

The title of this post is shockingly incorrect seeing as I'm standing in the middle of my street. But as I stood there this afternoon the U2 song "Where The Streets Have No Name" came to my mind.

At Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, KS, the home of the Kansas Jayhawk basketball team, that song was played during the intro video for my beloved Jayhawks when I was in college there (you can find it here. It's worth 46 seconds of your life. I promise.) 

Today it is hard to hear that song and not think of newspaper bits flying in the air, and a sea of crimson & blue. I think left part of my heart there. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!