happy weekend.

Happy weekend!  I must admit, this was a pretty blissful week for me.  I wrapped up everything at work (which wasn't much) early in the week and spent the rest of it exploring the internet and spending time with my co-workers.  Plus I gave myself a little three day weekend so Sprocket and I are enjoying being lazy today.

One thing I was thrilled to do this week was plan our anniversary trip!  We're going to take a belated vacation to Maine in September and I really couldn't be more excited about it.  Have you ever been?  We'll be there for a week so bring on the recommendations!

(photo courtesy of The West Street Hotel)

Is it too early to start packing?

working nine to five.

As I mentioned earlier this week, I will be starting a new job on Monday.  I'm fairly devastated about the change, honestly, because I really love my co-workers and leaving them is certainly going to result in more than one tear.  Besides losing my friends I am so excited to start a new chapter in my life and be getting back into the PR biz at a small agency in Chicago's Loop.  

With a new gig comes new clothes (amiright ladies?) -- and I need a lot of them.  After wearing pajamas, or a more denim based version of them, for the last four years I really need to step up my business casual game.  The last time I wore a blazer and suit pants I was twenty-two and approximately twenty-two pounds thinner so I need a big closet overhaul.

Here are a few items that I'm daydreaming about wearing as a fancy PR girl.

I've never tried the peplum look but I'm envisioning this J. Crew shirt with skinny pants and heels.

 In my dreams every night.  Every single night. Oh, Madewell. 

I can't imagine a better spring/summer working woman shoe than these sandals by Dolce Vita

. 

 No, I didn't design these, but I would have if I worked for the GAP.

So my new co-workers will remember my initials.

2013 challenge.

I have never been good at keeping New Years resolutions.  I probably set myself up for failure by always making them (1) eat better, (2) exercise more, and (3) stop biting my nails -- the same three resolutions I've had since I can remember making resolutions and have never ever been able to keep.

It seems silly to "start" a resolution this late in the year, so instead I'm giving myself a challenge.  It may not be viewed as a challenge for everyone, but I'm going to read thirteen books in 2013.  I was an English major in school and absolutely love reading.  I devoured books at my first job in publishing and happily take the bus to work for a peaceful thirty minutes of reading time, BUT I also love TV, my husband, my dog, and the internet -- also know as distractions.

Last week when I realized that I was a mere 200 pages away from completing four books so far this year the challenge hit me.  Why not challenge myself to spend more time reading?  Thirteen in twenty-thirteen sounds so nice so let's do it!

I'll be using the blog as way to keep myself honest and share my favorites.  Here are the books I've pinpointed (for now!) as some options:

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon (currently reading and loving)

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell 

The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach (finished and loved)

Empire Falls by Richard Russo

Up In The Old Hotel by Joseph Mitchell

How Did You Get This Number by Sloane Crosley

History of Love by Nicole Krauss

I Remember Nothing by Nora Ephron 

The Round House by Louise Erdrich

Tenth of December by George Saunders (currently reading and loving)

The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon

Z by Therese Anne Fowler

A Storm of Swords by George R. R. Martin

A Feast for Crows by George R. R. Martin

Grace by Grace Coddington

I Was Told There'd Be Cake by Sloane Crosley (finished and loved)

Is thirteen books not impressive?  How many books to do read a year?

vegas, baby.

At the beginning of the month the whole Abramson crew took a trip to Las Vegas to celebrate my husband turning thirty.  My mom's entire side of the family moved out to Vegas over a decade ago, so I've been taking trips out west for some time now.  I'm not one to gamble much (it's just amazing how fast you can lose $20 in a slot machine) so I tend to stay away from The Strip and instead opt to watch my money disappear at the outlets.

But this was a special occasion and special occasions call for Vegas to be done right.  We stayed downtown at the Aria, easily the nicest and coolest hotel I've ever stayed in, saw a Cirque du Soleil show, ate at a buffet, walked down Las Vegas Boulevard with a bottle of Jameson and tall boys of PBR's (I got a box of Sangria, because I'm a classy lady), and gambled our little hearts out.  My in-laws sat out for the debauchery but with warm temperatures and family it was a great trip had by all.

Also, let it be known that I love and am awesome at craps.

 After all my years going to Las Vegas I FINALLY got to see the Hoover Dam!  We all needed a little break from losing money and damn it was one fine dam.

While Andy checked into the hotel my grandma and I took a stroll around to see just how amazing the Aria was.  Finding the pool bar for daiquiris was number one on our to-do list.

It wouldn't be Andy's birthday without posing with some Star Wars characters. 

Obligatory photo of the Chihuly glass ceiling at the Bellagio 

who me?

Calm down everyone, I'm back.  I don't know (or think) there even is an "everyone" but regardless I'm back.  It's been three months and thirteen days and a lot has changed!  In reality very little has changed, but there certainly has been some progress.

A few highlights in the world of Mr. and Mrs. Abramson that have taken place within the last weeks:

1. Apartment renovation is in full swing.  I'm not exaggerating when I say that our second bedroom is a small Home Depot right now.  I'm not kidding.  There's a miter saw in it.

2. Our dog, Sprocket, is HUGE.  Three months and thirteen days is a lot of time in puppy years.  

3. I gave my notice at my current place of employment and will be starting a new adventure as of Monday.

4. Spring refuses to come to Chicago, and apparently the rest of the country, and we're not happy about it.

5. We went to Las Vegas earlier in the month to celebrate my husband turning the big 3-0.  I'll tell you though, thirty never looked so good :)

There's a lot to talk about and a lot of photos to share.  I'll be diving deeper into all of this, and much more, so I hope you stick around!  If not for my career change, than for the adorable pictures of Sprocket.

Until then...

(Please ignore all the laundry on the floor!  I promise it's been picked up since.)