I've moved!

I'll be keeping up the blog over at ll-creative.com/blog

Come say hello!

Photography: Moon over Chicago and life lately

I've become obsessed with my camera and taking as many pictures as possibly lately. Funny how sunny skies can do that to a person! (Nothing about this winter was funny.)

We're heading to Mexico very soon for my 21st (fine, 30th) birthday and to pick the venue for our wedding! I am feeling lucky and grateful and very ready for a margarita. I am also praying that there are animals everywhere to take pictures of. Are monkeys native to Mexico or is that a cruel resort entertainment thing? 

 Anyway. I was sitting on the balcony this evening and thinking: I am going to paradise! 

And then I saw that moon and realized: I'm already there. 

Cheers to getting older and cheesier, friends!

PS I used the power of visualization/The Secret to hail a cab the other day and also I'm pretty sure that's how I made the Cubs win. So, I'd just like to put it out into the universe that I'm finally, finally close to finishing the rebuild of my site (and two other projects for the books!) Stay tuned!

Photos: Burnham Harbor Walk

Photos from a walk around Burnham Habor early this morning. 

In good news: my confidence in my love for this city is officially restored after the last three insanely beautiful weeks.

In bad news: my confidence in lake swimming is officially shaken after the fish/toddler that I saw swimming in the harbor when I took that duck photo. 

Cheers to summer!

New York Photos and the Word of the Day: Flawsome

I was in New York for a short work trip and of course this would be the trip that I decided to master packing and fit my entire life (including workout gear, which I think is particularly notable) into a tote bag. This means that I willingly omitted my camera for typically valid reasons including: I won't have time, the weather will suck, it's heavy.

And delayed at JFK right now, I suppose I'm a teeny bit glad I don't have the extra pounds to lug around from wall outlet to bathroom to wall outlet etc., but mostly I'm just bummed out that I missed the opportunity to snag some photos of the ridiculously gorgeous spring days I spent here because yup, I did have time and nope, the weather most definitely did not suck.

iPhone5 to the rescue!

Also relevant is that I learned the word "flawsome" today at the conference I attended. Could there be a better word for New York? My mild claustrophobia kicks in to high gear, no one says thank you or please (even that goose was a dick), there's literally garbage everywhere... and yet, it's still so, so, awesome. Flawed and awesome.

Illustration: Indian Wedding Portrait

I was encouraged to get a physical calendar to write things down so that maybe, maybe I stood a chance of screwing up less dates. (I was also encouraged to choose a wedding date of 4/4 so that I stood a chance with annivesary-remembering, but that's neither here nor there.) I got the calendar, but I still can't keep it all straight. This year's going to be a doozy! 

Thankfully, it's all great stuff. In particular is the wedding of two of my favorite people on the planet, my best friend and a long standing friend of mine. I enjoy the bragging rights of introducing this beautiful couple almost 10 years ago now, though I clearly have nothin' to do with the beautiful life they've built themselves. 

I tear up just thinking of celebrating with them! This is an illustration I created out of one of their engagement portraits. It's actually the first time I've done a couple and I can't believe I haven't done it sooner... so fun! 

Happy Friday, friends!

Illustration: Spring!

It's been a while!

Lots has happened since I dumped a cup of hot water off my balcony in sub-zero temps.

+ I went to Scotland!
+ I am obsessed with Breaking Bad!
+ I planned a bachelorette party -- I am 49 days away from Mexico!
+ I started eating Paleo! (unrelated to Mexico, but excellent timing)
+ I am engaged!
+ I worked with 6 awesome individuals/organizations/businesses on branding/illustrations/websites!

Some fun things coming. But until then, let's just be happy that the Polar Vortex just has to be on it's way out.

Right?

Right.

My spring girl is happy, anyway. I hope spring is finding you wherever you are!

Chicago Timelapse and Freezing Water in Slow Motion

Go fast! No go slow! I can't decide. Either way, today was a fun day for videos. It was not a fun day for exposed skin of any kind.