The Chicago summer is nigh! I can feel it in the air and on my easily sun-burned skin…

Remember Mother’s Day? I think it was over a week ago. My family got together and honored my mom by doing the three things she loves best: eating, drinking unnecessarily sweet wine and being outside.

My sister’s husband Mark made all of the food (except the dessert, which was my sister’s contribution). It was delicious and fancy and included ingredients like fontina and proscuitto.

I hope all you moms out there enjoyed your day, especially all of my friends who have become new moms in the past few months -  you’re amazing! (But your birthing stories still scare me.)

Last weekend, we went to her 90th birthday celebration, and that woman is sharp as a tack! Are we sure she’s not lying about her age??? I hope to be half as with-it when I’m 40. (Yes, that’s 10 years from now but I’ve done a decent amount of drinking and sustained a few concussions in my day…)

Tomorrow I will be boarding a flight to Rome, armed with my camera, iPod, brand new Kindle, and an inappropriate amount of luggage that I will deem as “traveling lightly” while everyone else groans and rolls their eyes. I will also be wearing leggings as pants. Comfort is key in international travel, and I have a  fear of deep vein thrombosis. I’m pretty sure constrictive non-legging type pants will increase the odds of all of the blood vessels in my legs violently exploding in a bloody mess all over my fellow passengers. I believe this is a medically accurate description.

But, assuming I survive, I will return with (hopefully) amazing photos, happy memories and perhaps a few Italian luxury goods! And then I will tell you all about my exotic travels and you will be equally entertained and jealous.

I’ve managed to throw together a few weak-ass posts that are scheduled to go up while I’m gone so you don’t forget about me completely. Yes, they are mostly pictures. Sorry I’m not sorry. I’ve been busy. In a contest of who is the busiest person in the world, I would win based on my dramatic diatribe listing all of my exhausting obligations. But not because I’m actually busier than everyone else. I’m sure Barack Obama is busier than me. And also probably Kim Kardashian.

So I guess I’ll meet you back here in June! I hope the rest the month of May is as good for you as it is for me. (HA, there’s no way that could happen – mine is going to be AWESOME! Unless I die from deep vein thrombosis…)

Ciao for now!

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]]> http://carliecrash.com/2012/05/16/bon-voyage-to-me/feed/ 2 carlieblissirwin venice_italy-209023 http://carliecrash.com/2012/05/14/nothings-gonna-stop-me-now/ http://carliecrash.com/2012/05/14/nothings-gonna-stop-me-now/#comments Mon, 14 May 2012 14:00:39 +0000 carlieblissirwin http://carliecrash.com/?p=3733 Continue reading →]]> Remember Balki Bartokomous? His cousin Larry Appleton? Of course you do, don’t be ridiii-cool-us!

Before there was ever an Urkel, there was Perfect Strangers. And it was glorious.

If you’re longing for TGIF nostalgia and an amazing time suck, click here. I implore you. Turn this Monday into a Funday. Or a Friday night from 1989.

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Lately, my life has involved a lot of work – in the office and at home. That’s right, I’m bringin’ home the bacon! (Well, a portion of the bacon. Will also does his fair share of bacon bringin’.)

But I’m still finding time to enjoy the little things. Like pretty city fog, coffee shop breaks, a shawirma sandwich, new arm candy and playing in the rain. (Like my impression of the Morton Salt girl?)

I also stopped to see Marilyn before they dismantled her yesterday, and over the weekend, Gatsy got tortured a bath.

My to-do list is still long, but you better believe “relaxing” is on it. I always make time for “me time,” and now you know my secret to being a sane person.

Speaking of “me time”… got any book recommendations? I have a trip to Italy on the horizon and a new Kindle on its way to me in the mail – what should I load it up with??

That’s what I Iike to call the mini dressmaker’s dummy on my dresser where I hang all of my favorite necklaces.

She so fancy.

Been there. Done that. Loved it. (Talking to yourself is underrated.)

But what about going to a Broadway (aka, “Broadway in Chicago”) musical alone? Would you do it? Should I do it?

The thing is, I really want to see the musical Jersey Boys. I’ve been wanting to see it for four years now. Four years!

And guess what? It’s playing in Chicago right now. But Will won’t see it with me because he’s just not that secure in his manhood (that’s my theory). And all of my friends and family have either already seen it or managed to create some really good excuse why they can’t go.

But I reeeeeaaaallllly want to seeeeee it! And I’m not above whining about it.

So… should I go by myself? Would that be weird? I’ve been to a movie by myself, and it was surprisingly un-weird.

But will I get sympathetic looks from people who think my date stood me up? Or that I’m some sort of Jersey Boys obsessed fangirl who goes to every show by myself and tacks the playbills up on my bedroom wall so I can stare at them as I fall asleep at night?

This is for real – I’m seriously considering going to a musical alone. What do you think I should do? Please advise.

Also, if I know you and haven’t asked you to see this show with me yet, and you want to go – let me know!

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It just so happens that I managed to capture all of the highlights on my new favorite toy – Instagram!

We had an excellent dinner at Balena. (Here’s a tip if you ever plan on going there – they have a whole section of the restaurant reserved for walk-ins, so most of the time you don’t need a reservation. We got there a little after 7 pm for dinner and were seated right away!)

I painted my nails (Essie’s Geranium).

We got all gussied up for a super fun wedding (shoes from Zara).

We celebrated Karen’s birthday with a slightly alarming mini pyrotechnic device.

And we happily abused the photo booth.

Sunday was fully devoted to recovery, rehydration and Mad Men watching.

And how was your weekend? (This is not a rhetorical question – I really want to know! I care about you.)

Yesterday, I got a promo email from Piperlime (as I do every. single. morning.) and it featured this necklace:

At the moment, I’m super into chunky colorful neck adornment of any sort and this particular necklace (and its reasonable price) spoke to me. I went to the site and immediately bought it.

This is super unlike me – normally, when I make a purchase I like to hem and haw, waffle back and forth, consider pros and cons and generally be completely indecisive.

So basically I’m flying by the seat of my pants here! Throwing caution to the wind! It’s invigorating!

And I better love that necklace or I might never be spontaneous again. EVER.