i am not born for one corner; the whole world is my native land. – seneca
Posted in exploring, inspiring, monday inspiration
Art, history, culture, design, literature – more than a few of my favorite things coalesce so splendidly in museums. Call me a nerd, a really big nerd, but strolling through a gallery soothes my soul, affording both a calm contentment and a rush of inspiration the way only losing myself in a good book or absorbing a sweeping vista does.
With any new globetrotting mission, I strive to visit a museum in each destination. The local perspective gained is invaluable, as well as the dialogue on a global and, of course, personal level. Walking through a museum transports you spatially and temporally in a matter of steps. In the space of a few galleries you may zip from an ancient Egyptian tomb, to a Renaissance parlor, to Andy Warhol’s Factory. Yet when our demanding social calendars don’t allow hours to spare or the Wikipedia version of Rembrandt just won’t suffice, Google brings you their new Art Project.
The Frick is at your fingertips, the Hermitage in the palm of your hand, well at least your mouse is. Teaming up with a selection of some of the world’s most prestigious art institutions (17 at present), Google uses its Street View technology to open an art window on the world.
You can virtually traipse through the Tate, using your cursor to wander, or jump to a different area of the museum using the floor plan. Something catch your eye? Click on a work off the wall from the gallery view and that art work will open in your browser.
A great advantage to viewing artwork in person is the ability to marvel at the brushstrokes, the colors and construction which compose each work. Art Project’s high resolution representations allow the user to zoom into each art work, easily navigating its surface and exploring its most intricate features.
The clean interface and intuitive drop-down menus enable easy maneuvering between museums or works in each museum. Vital information about each work and museum is displayed at the right of the page, including artwork and artist history, viewing notes, location in the museum, and videos. You can even create a collection of your favorite pieces, you know for future reference when you finally come into that inheritance.
One of my favorite pieces from the Smithsonian collection is located at the Freer Gallery in Washington, D.C. Originally constructed to display the owner’s china collection, Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room, is functional whimsy at its finest. Of his luminous decorative mural, James McNeill Whistler said: “Well, you know, I just painted on. I went on—without design or sketch—putting in every touch with such freedom…And the harmony in blue and gold developing, you know, I forgot everything in my joy of it.” My own photographs do not do the Peacock Room justice, but now I can visit any time I like using Google Art Project.
Exploring endeavors can be difficult during the winter months, but Google Art Project affords you some of the world’s most distinguished works from the comfort of your couch. Right now I’m missing NYC, so I think I’ll take a turn through The Met and reminisce about my trip there last month. Meet me at Manet?
Posted in exploring, google art project, impressions, link love, viewing
Behold the Robyn and Diamond Rings photos from their show at the Riviera Theater last Monday. After eager months of rigorous dance routine rehearsal, carefully conceived outfits, and one out-of-state flight, a friend and I were ready for Robyn. The Swedish songstress, however, was not. Having contracted Something-or-Other and canceling shows all week, Robyn proved that even Fembots break down.
We took our talents to Berlin all weekend, but my guest had to head home and I was left without a date to the rescheduled show on Valentine’s Day. I tried picking up some guys at the club, even had a few promising leads, but alas I was destined to dance on my own once again.
Going solo to shows, exhibits, and events is something I do all the time. Of course one loves to enjoy experiences with friends, but it’s an empowering feeling to embrace your interests independently. If you have not tried this, I absolutely encourage it the next time you are lacking a plus-one.
So I kept my sassy outfit, sold the extra ticket on the street, and gave my heart to Robyn, her opener Diamond Rings, and the dance floor. I’ve been to many shows at the Riv, but the crowd showed Robyn love like I have not seen before and she killed it, as expected. I wish I could look as cool as her for just five minutes. Robyn even ended with an acoustic rendition of her 1998 hit, a rarity at her shows.
I also ended up with a new V-day crush in Diamond Rings. I reviewed his set on a music blog called Indieball, and here is an excerpt:
Diamond Rings was my Valentine this year. Well, I shared him with 2,500 others when he opened for Robyn last Monday, but he definitely stole my heart. Rocking a New Wave feel with a definite Bowie glam factor, his synth-driven pop was the perfect dance party warm-up.
Read the rest here!
So whether or not you had a Someone-or-Other this year, shouts out to living, and loving, and dancing on your own!
Would Robyn be proud of my outfit?
1. Multicolor Clutch – Aldo, 40; 2. Thrifted Vintage Sequin Sweater – Buffalo Exchange, $15; 3. Gold Leaf Earrings – Forever 21; 4. Homemade Denim Cutoffs – The Brown Elephant, $8; 5. Magenta Tights – Hue, $12; 5. Vintage Ankle Boots – Store B, $80; 6. MAC Lipstick in Snob, $14.50.
Posted in music notes, shopping
Tagged berlin, diamond rings, lakeview, listening, music notes, robyn, shopping, uptown, wicker park
Chicago, I hope you’ve worked up an appetite because Restaurant Week starts this Friday! I am equally craving all three of my reservations; where are you most excited to dig in?
Hungry for more? Chicago Chef Week is not far behind! Whether you missed out on reservations for that hot spot you’ve been dying to try or simply want to return for seconds, reservations are now being accepted for prix fixe menus at 51 participating restaurants. Enjoy $22 lunch and $33 dinner menus between March 20 – 26, from several names you’ll recognize from Restaurant Week and more. I was able to snag a seat at an eatery that was previously impossible to come by!
Please share your reviews from the recent NYC and DC Restaurant Weeks!
Cleveland Restaurant Week: February 21 – 27
In honor of Valentine’s Day I painstakingly narrowed down four of my favorite reasons to love Chicago.
Cultural Capital
The breathtaking Tiffany Dome at the Chicago Cultural center is one of my favorite hidden gems in the city.
I love popping in to admire the world’s largest Tiffany dome anytime I’m strolling downtown, and the gorgeous marble grand staircase inlaid with authors’ name is blissful to a bibliophile like me. There’s no shortage of museums, exhibitions, and events in Chicago to keep culture vultures occupied year-round.
Outdoor Amenities
The “26 miles of magic” of Chicago’s Lakefront is a unique and compelling city feature . Active cyclists, runners, and rollerbladers share the trail with beach bums. Whether sunning in the sand with an illicit beverage or taking in the skyline during a run, the Lakefront is a distinctive Chicago feature I regularly take advantage of. The number of parks and green spaces in one of the country’s largest cities are filled with festivals, movies, and outdoor fun in the months Chicagoans indulge in the sun.
Music Mecca
Live blues seven nights a week, two stages, and late night hours – yes Kingston Mines is one of my regular Chicago stops. Whether it’s a house regular like Joanna Connors, up-and-coming artists earning their chops, or legends dropping in for a surprise set, music and merrymaking at the Mines is a favorite pastime. The range of venues in Chicago allow you to get up-close to indie acts at the Empty Bottle, rock out in classic fashion at the Riviera, or lounge on the lawn at Pritzker Pavilion. I don’t know whether there is anything better than festival weekends at Pitchfork and Lollapalooza. As one who spends a lot of my time and salary on show-going, it’s great that obscure or arena-status acts all stop by the Windy City.
BYOB Dining
There are more amazing restaurants to try in Chi than days in the year or dollars in my paycheck. It’s great to splurge sometimes, but for everyday dining out Chicagoans savor the BYOB. Interesting city liquor laws allow restaurateurs to obtain a BYOB license, which enables guests to booze on the cheap by bringing their own libations. Over 300 restaurants in Chicago are BYOB, ranging from boutique fine cuisine to delicious dives. My favorite Chicago BYOB is Chef Rick Spiros’ new venture The Bento Box. Asian fusion at its finest, the rotating menu features mouth-watering favorites including the spicy beef bulgogi, Jidori chicken, Duroc pork belly with sweet potato chili, and Thai meatballs with lime leaf curry.
Bringing cool vintage chic to an Edgewater dive bar, Carmen paints the town red in her thrifted finds.
Posted in chicago, edgewater, street style, wearing
Tagged edgewater, street style
Allow me to offer an exploring snapshot of my four favorite things about
The Second City’s mainstage show “Spoiler Alert: Everybody Dies.”
Spoiler Alerted, Boredom Averted
The characters and audience face the same limited life span so the cast wastes no time in reliving the spectacle of ourselves. Office politics, reality TV watching, uncomfortable cocktail conversation, and sports spectatorship are all viewed differently when we expect death is knocking.
The Cast
With each new sketch, I have a harder time choosing a favorite cast member, almost like when I watch Arrested Development. Don’t get too excited this is no AD, but a balance of overt physical comedy, with some smart subtlety, and a little booze ensures this cast of definite characters entertains.
Post-Show Improv
From Sam Richardson’s sassy stylist shtick to an improv interpretation of the Chicago mayoral candidates, the audience-prompted portion produced some of the evening’s most tear-inducing laughs.
Sunday Night LOLs
Maybe more entertaining than church, this show keeps you laughing through the onset of any case of the Mondays, whether or not induced by vodka pitchers available (pitchers!). New rule = I’m only attending Second City on Sundays.
Posted in 4 favorite things, exploring, performing
A few weeks ago, I mentioned a wine tasting challenge (really the kind I most excel at) presented by Bottlenotes and Cheeky Chicago. Two friends and I attended the 80 Sips Chicago Challenge kickoff party at Hub51, enjoying Hub’s tasty appetizers as well as two selections from Domaine Carneros. Domaine’s winemaker, TJ Evans was on hand to highlight the featured selections of the evening, the 2006 Sparkling Brut Cuvee and the 2008 Pinot Noir. We liked the Brut, but the Pinot Noir was especially sippable, ending in Domaine Carneros’ signature tobacco notes.
Several chilly days later, Annie, Martha, and I meet to continue the challenge at Maude’s Liquor Bar, which has been all abuzz in Chicago of late. The Windy City breeze smacks a little harder as we discover Maude’s is closed Mondays. On to Gilt Bar! It seems we are the only three in the city wanting to start the week off on the right wine note, as Gilt is also closed to the dismay of our palettes and numbing limbs. Back to Hub51 for us! While we don’t attempt a visit to Naha, I’m compelled to include that I’ve had probably favorite meals in the city there.
Thankfully, Hub’s doors are open and the wine is flowing…all this winter walking has us quite parched. We nibble on sushi and salads while indulging in all six wines listed on the special 80 Sips Challenge menu.
Each wine is delicious and a distinctive representation of its varietal. I am hard pressed to choose favorites, although the Domaine Pinot feels like an old friend having tasted it the previous week and the Brancott Sauv Blanc is an elegant example of my go-to white. I am generally a fan of anything Montelena, and while I am wishing for their Chardonnay, the Riesling does not disappoint.
Here are my notes for the evening:
La Rocca Pinot Grigio 2009 – A clean and striking balance between salty mineral and juicy pear.
Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc – 2009: Smooth Sauvignon Blanc with an apple influence, plenty of acidity, and a toasted, smoky finish.
Chateau Montalena Riesling – 2009: Leave it to Chateau Montelena to convert a non-Riesling fan in one glass. Crisp and not overly sweet, this Riesling delights with grapefruit notes.
Patch Block Cabernet Sauvignon: This rich Cab Sauv warmed me up on a cold Chicago night with its smooth and easy spice and chocolate notes.
Greg Norman Estates Shiraz – 2007: Robust Shiraz with an aroma and flavor that’s a meaty, smoky accent to dark jammy fruits.
Domaine Carneros Pinot Noir – 2008: Smooth and substantive with smoky berry notes. I’ve been on a Pinot spree since tasting this at the Challenge Kickoff at Hub51!
If arriving ready to taste does not sound like a real challenge, know that we successfully maneuver a tasting twist, relying only on our enology knowledge. Annie and I share surprise and excitement over the unusual flavors of the Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc…until we realize that the waitress has swapped our glasses. Whether or not this is part of the official challenge, we feel validated as challenge finishers and only slightly tipsy.
Wine challenges might be our new thing, so bring it on Chicago! If you’ve got the wine, we’ve got the time.
Read Annie’s musings on the 80 Sips Chicago Challenge kickoff and challenge.
For Further Exploration:
30 Creative and Unusual Wine Label Designs
The Daily Sip [by Bottlenotes]
Posted in chicago, drinking, impressions, river north
Tagged bottlenotes, chicago, hub51, wine
The play of this patterned scarf and michael kors bag, paired with beautiful suede wedges with gold rear zipper detail (marc jacobs?) is a welcome awakening after setting eyes on nothing but blizzard bundling and wellies for days.
Posted in chicago, lincoln park, street style, wearing
Just your average cleanup routine for your average Chicago snowfall.
