it's the beginning of the most wonderful time of the year!

Given that I spent more than one night last week playing "All I Want for Christmas Is You" (Mariah Carey's version, naturally) on repeat while I pinned ribbon-laden garlands, pears & twigs & plastic toys covered in silver & gold glitter, and bow-covered holiday party outfits, it should come as no surprise that I am enchanted by all things Christmas.

From the decked-out lobby at my office building, a simple festive mantle at The Grafton, bright orbs (and lit up trees outside) Sushi House, to my roommate's tree that has begun our apartment's transformation into Santa's workshop, I am delighted to that the Holiday Season is in full swing in my life.

this weekend.

This weekend consisted of most of the components for a perfect weekend (the only thing it was lacking was a brunch date but I remedied this with a healthy scramble I whipped up this morning!). I started out my weekend on Friday by celebrating a friend's birthday at Moe's Cantina and Benchmark. 

On Saturday, I tried my hand at improvising a cozy yet healthy soup for the chilly fall weather (black bean + just ripe avocados + salsa), ate tapas at La Tasca, and sampled my first pumpkin beer while listening to possibly the most painful suburban cover band. My company was fantastic, though, and it made for a perfect Saturday night.

Today, to continue my vow to keep my weekends more productive and less lethargic, I've cleaned my bathroom, started laundryfest 2012, and have plans to organize my jewelry and hang up some prints of Evanston, where my parents first lived when they moved to Illinois, that I salvaged from their closet. 

What did you do this weekend? Feel free to share here, or link me to your instagram/blog to give me a peak!

chinatown in the fall

The Nine Dragon Wall. Mango with mango jelly at Chi Cafe. Blue & white dragonflies. Red ginkgo and a seafoam tower.

Gummy sushi display. Manicured boulevard. Yellow ginkgo. Sweet beef and onions.

Lost & found. Walking to lunch. Mother & daughter. Bill investigates our haul from Aji Ichiban. 

A few weeks ago my mom and I headed out to Chintatown in Chicago. We ate sweet beef at Chi Cafe, shopped for blue and white dishes and teapots, jelly candy, and paper lanterns, and ate frozen yogurt under bright yellow ginkgo trees. The weather was perfect for a Sunday afternoon autumn excursion: crisp, bright, and clear. I can't wait until our next neighborhood adventure.