Sweet Home Chicago

Hello again! Now that I have returned from my road trip to Chicago and I am excited to upload my photos and share my favorites!

We traveled through Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana and finally Illinois.

I had my photo taken with three really big things along the way.

1) A GIANT GATOR

2) A GIANT COW

3) A GIANT FIREWORKS BILLBOARD!

Those were not the only big things we saw. We made a u-turn and backtracked six miles to Dinosaur World in Cave City, Kentucky. I LOVE dinosaurs! Especially creepy theme park dinosaurs!

 

One of my life long obsessions has been city lights & skylines. Chicago is a city full of lights and vintage signs that I adore.

I should mention that Sam and I had a lucky streak the entire trip and one of those blessed occurrences was our having a front row window seat overlooking the Chicago skyline at night -- whilst having martinis on top of the John Hancock building's 96th floor.

Normally I am spoiled with a gorgeous sunset over the water from some angle of this island. I haven't seen a city sunrise before -- until now. And I love it!

The Shedd Aquarium was another gorgeous spectacle. I was fortunate enough to see the Jellies exhibit that just opened. I was in LOVE with the beautiful colors and display of these incredible creatures.

  

I only wish I could have brought this Nautilus lamp home. Isn't it incredible?

 

 

Chicago is full of art in every form. I was excited to see the architecture especially. This beautiful temple is an example of the eclectic and cultural influences that adorn every corner of the city. The temple also had a beautiful garden with large, happy tulips and fountains. Gorgeous!

  

Navy Pier was particularly entertaining. After taking the water taxi from the aquarium to the pier, I enjoyed lobster bisque and the palm gardens inside. This is where I purchased my good luck charm Elephant necklace (which I am certain works quite well).

I also made a new furry friend with a Hello Kitty Head that I just couldn't get enough of. He is probably the largest cat I've ever seen in my life, and was in love instantly. <3 <3 <3

 On my way to see the Bean I stopped to hug a tree who looked like it could use one. It was a very cold, wet day and if a tree is going to make an effort like this it deserves some admiration.

 

So after five days of amazing sights, deep dish pizza, SuperDawg, free chocolate cake, a private cruise down the Chicago river, Dinosaur World, martinis above the world, Cajun hot boiled peanuts, elephant charms, water taxis, trains, museums, the aquarium, eating lots of soup, getting pooped on by a seagull, staying in a Super 8 palace, playing in front the bean, and all of our other adventures, I am excited to be home. But I will miss the huge buildings being eaten by the cloudy afternoon sky.

 Most Affectionately Yours,

Rae

During my adventures today I came across an incredible mural inside of a house. It was gorgeously displayed on the high walls and my favorite part - the vaulted ceiling! Isn't it amazing?

 

Look at this awesome turtle!

The size of the mural was incredible and the detail pleasantly realistic and creative. LOVE IT!

 It was a gorgeous day for swimming in a pool. With a high near 90 it was so hot and sunny. (Although it gave me an excuse to wear my incredibly adorable new sunglasses from Claire's.) Thankfully we have cooler evenings with nice breezes right now. I enjoyed the orange and pink sherbet colored clouds over the water tonight.

My darling Piglet (as seen below) not only got a lion cut to cool her down during these hot spring days, but became a hero tonight.

I was sitting with my friends on the side porch when Piglet began to growl and whine. I figured it was in regards to a stray cat spying about below us. Through the darkness and the shadows of the palms at night I saw a very sassy shadow slinking through the darkness. The swagger was undeniably my Emma's (...as seen below.)

So hooray for a day full of accomplishments, sunshine, swimming, a very observant dog and fabulous art!

Most Affectionately Yours,

Rae

Today I was quite ambitious to complete Amanda's painting. I find the most difficult part is creating the sketch. She said her puppy Flower (featured below) likes to eat dead geckos. That was inspiration enough! I loved creating the colorful background wash.

Before...

 

After!

The other day I ate my lunch in the Palm Garden hidden delicately behind the library. Had I not been eavesdropping on a trolley tour passing by one day I wouldn't have known it existed. It is a nice place to relax and people watch through the palms as they hurry about the busy street. I even made several new furry friends (as seen below), which I have found to be quite common on this island.

As I mentioned in my previous post, the hues in the flora lately are exquisite! The most gorgeous shades of purple and hot pinks, even rich yellows and oranges can be found. I've seen the deepest reds, the brightest whites, and sometimes a soft pink. I even saw cerulean blue Orchids at the post office that were in fact glowing with life!

In four days time I will be on my way to Chicago with my friend Sam. I am greatly looking forward to our little adventure especially since I've never been to the windy city before. We will be going through quite a few states to get there and even stopping in New Orleans for some serious southern sightseeing along the way. 

I am looking forward to seeing the mainland again as it has been almost eight whole months. Plus I have the best road trip partner ever! I look forward to documenting my excursion here to share with you all.

 

Most Affectionately Yours, 

Rae

>> It is an extremely warm day today and now that Spring is in full bloom it seems more & more colors explode from every plant and garden in the city. Baby chicks are hatching, growing and posing in honor of the Easter season! (Pictured below is Sam, a chick at the wildlife refuge who's rescue I assisted! Too cute!)

Springtime has especially brought attention to my love of palettes! Whether eyeshadows, watercolors, or even paint samples from the hardware store, the more options and shades the more I must have it.

 

Yesterday was exciting because I finally had prints made of two of my paintings so far. They are the first prints I've ever had created and I am so excited. Now that I know what I am doing, I am going to have the rest made.  Yay!

Now I must get to work on the custom painting for my dear friend Amanda and her lovely little girl. It is helping me to look for inspiration and be creative again since things have been so stressful for me lately! 

I've spent most of my life being an unintentional perfectionist/super-neurotic. I even went so far as to purchase a journal intended solely for DESTROYING! That's right, it even comes with page by page instructions on things I must do to mess it up, tear it, crumple it, spill on it, even bury it for three days. >> I find it liberating since all of my work focuses on details, details, details! (I did, however, feel guilty for scribbling with markers all over the perfectly pressed pages.)

Now off to lunch - for I am desperate for an iced tea.

Most Affectionately Yours, 

Rae