Hunter Gatherer Studio Visit

As a jewelry fiend, I always have my eye out for unique designs. Back in January, I came across a collection while putzing around at City Soles in Wicker Park. An associate explained to me that many of the pieces were made from found objects; hence the name, Hunter Gatherer. From twigs to windshield glass to casts of fingertips, I was smitten. I left with a single piece and a desire to know more about the artist. Fast forward to the end of May, I got in touch with the hands behind Hunter Gatherer, Laura Prieto-Velasco. She invited me over to her home to take a look at some of her new designs inspired by bait and tackle. Two hours later we had talked about everything under the sun, including my newest pursuit thanks to her, Flamenco dancing. Laura's macabre aesthetic is something I've always been intrigued by and paired with her interest in Flamenco, I couldn't leave without making plans to meet again and put those themes in front of a camera - more on that to come.

Como la flor

I'm a sucker for themed parties. Why? Because I can dress up. My childhood was spent playing with Barbies, riding imaginary horses and dressing up to gain the attention of my mother. Since then, I no longer play with Barbies and rarely pretend I'm riding make-believe horses but I've yet to kick the desire to dress in garb I wouldn't normally wear. I spent the weekend in Kansas City and came across this cowboy hat in the back of the coat closet. Keeping with the southwestern theme, I put on a dress my mother acquired in Mexico, a leather belt adorned with Aztec pyramids, a buckskin jacket I purchased at an estate sale in Chicago and a door wreath because... why not? This is what transpired from spare time and a sister who served as my impatient tripod. All in the name of gaining my mother's attention.

Top notch

For me, making an afternoon's journey to get ice cream is old hat. And not just any ordinary ice cream but Original Rainbow Cone. A medley of flavors stacked sky high had me drive 30 minutes south and wait 15 minutes in 30 degrees to get it. Luckily Mr. Max Wastler came along to humor me. I now regret his suggestion of taking home a tub of the Palmer House (cherry vanilla with walnuts.) Afterwards, we stopped by Optimo Hats ("Life's better in a great hat.") The interior, lined with magnificent hats, had a sultry vibe much like a speakeasy would. On the way out of town and on a whim, Max and I stopped into Top Notch, a diner serving up savory beefburgers since 1942 and the best diner fries I've ever had. The recent Rainbow Cone had yet to be forgotten so we split a meal and called it a day, but not before Max could pick up some memorabilia to wear home.

Block party.

 If Longman & Eagle doesn't ring a bell for you, I suggest you familiarize yourself as soon as possible. I am lucky enough to live a hop, skip and a jump away so I like to pretend we're those neighbors that take time to talk about our latest gardening endeavors on the weekends. Recently, Longman held their second annual block party. The number of trendy parents and their equally stylish children was overwhelming, so of course I snapped a couple deceptive photos. Up until this particular day, I had been on the Vegetarian train for about a month, but after I saw the special for evening, I fell off. Pork belly, beans, corn pudding, coleslaw and potato salad-- see? It did not disappoint but I had to bow out shortly after due to a gluttonous food coma.