For those of you who know me well, you know that I'm obsessed with photography and Instagram. I've often referred to myself as a frustrated photographer. I've joked that maybe in a previous life, I was a photographer (or a florist, but that's for another blog post!).

There are a few big walls left in le petit townhome that are just calling for some fun framed photography. Particularly the hallways. And in the spirit of saving money and keeping in mind our current home is just a rental, (although I think art is a wonderful investment that can work in any home you may move to if you truly love it!) I had the idea of doing a gallery wall of my favorite Instagram prints, like you see in the inspo pic above.

I like the layout of nine prints. Since our walls are beige, I'm thinking maybe white frames will look best.

Or maybe even a classic darker wood for some sophisticated contrast.

Ridge Distressed Gallery Frames from Pottery Barn

Thoughts?

And for the nine pics, I'm thinking these:

These were all taken by Yours Truly in my travels across the US, and just every day life living and working back in NYC. By looking back at my Instagram feeds, it's obvious that I am inspired by travel, city architecture and colorful culture. I wanted to do a little sampling that shows that and selected photos with some meaning and memory to always remind us where we came from and where we may be heading.

Don't worry - there's more where this came from! Just for fun, I've added a little photography portfolio on the website. You can view it here.

Sooo, what do you think? Should I use the nine I've listed above, or should I switch some out? Light or dark frames? Tell me tell me! By far the hardest project is always decorating for myself.

~L.S.

We're currently in transit to Chicago! Home of deep dish, Wrigley Field, and us - for the next five days. Eric's traveling schedule has been nuts, and with a business meeting in Chicago scheduled on his b-day (Wed the 26th!) we decided to take what could have been a "whomp-whomp" situation and turn it into a positive, fun family getaway.

I've been dying to visit The Windy City for awhile now, after hearing it constantly referred to as a Boston or San Francisco of the Midwest. It has cranked out some pretty influential people (POTUS, anyone? OK, touchy subject), Oprah, Robin Williams, Hilary Clinton, MOST IMPORTANTLY - Fred and Ben Savage - BECAUSE WHERE WOULD WE BE WITHOUT THE WONDER YEARS AND BOY MEETS WORLD?

Also - Nate Berkus anyone? Enough said. (Tour his Chicago home here).

We're staying downtown at the Hotel Monaco - hope we get this room!

If not, Ms. Avery Etta and I will just hang out in the lobby.

Doesn't it seem that vacations always come at the best times - when you feel like you just really really can't take one more day in your current surroundings? It's such a refreshing change of pace and always invigorating to step away for a little while and come back to work feeling more refreshed, inspired and motivated.

Honestly, you don't even need to go on vacation if you're feeling restless and blah. Sometimes all it takes is some fresh air and a walk around the block. Maybe a staycation, or just a "day cation" where you take a day to go off and visit a spot in your neighborhood that you know is there and you take for granted. Get outside of your comfort zone and routine for just a minute and just look around. You can find design everywhere.

Even if you're not a travel or design aficionado, it's super important to get up and away from your screen. Don't get swallowed up by the black hole that is your laptop! And just as I finish this paragraph, Passion Pit's Take a Walk fittingly begins to play on my Spotify mix... Take a deep breath and take a walk around the block! Seriously, it can cure more than you think.

When the opportunity came up for Tiny Human and I to travel with Eric to Chicago, my gut reaction was to stay behind, even though I really wanted to jump right into his suitcase! But realistically, I could find a million reasons not to go. I'm busy with work. I'd have to cancel scheduled appointments. Avery would have to miss daycare. We'll have to find a place for Bear to stay.

Then it occurred to us. This is the wrong attitude to have. There's no day but today. There's never going to be the perfect time to travel anywhere - especially with a toddler! But even when we're out of toddler-dom (if we make it out alive) there will always be excuses around to take the easy way out and get lazy, stay in the comfort zone. The truth is, LIFE will still be here when we get back. And let's face it people- we're sure as hell not going to visit Chicago in the winter. Better get it in before we're snowed in.

:: this is when chi-town turns into chi-beria ::

I would much prefer to go when it looks like this.

Ms. Avery Etta and I will definitely be hitting up a beach - she's obsessed with sand - and water. And although we were just recently at a lake, I have a feeling these urban lake beaches are just a little bit different.

I am CLUELESS as to what to do in this city - especially with a toddler in tow! (Although according to Tony Bennett, Chicago is That Toddlin' Town). No but really - I know nothing about Chicago except for Roxie Hart and Pizzeria Uno references...

I compiled the below round up of Chicagoland must-see's (in NO particular order) by asking around and trolling the world wide web a.k.a. Pinterest. I then enlisted my design twin Sara Losonci of @Shelfienyc (natch!) to help - she's from Detroit and that's basically Chicago. She put the kibosh on some of my touristy to-do's, and now #msaveryetta and I will be rollin' like the locals...

:: big star tacos :: this place looks amaze...

:: this ceiling! this is actually the interior of macy's ::

:: hot dawg hot dawg hot diggity dawg ::

:: the rookery. completed in 1888. frank lloyd right redesigned the lobby in 1905 ::

:: intelligentsia coffee on broadway :: will need about 40 shots of espresso due to traveling with toddler.

:: wicker park :: voted one of the best hipster neighborhoods. as a brooklynite, must see.

:: art exhibits at the magnificent mile ::

:: the art institute of chicago - features a huge impressionist and post-impressionist collection ::

:: the crown fountain and millennium park ::

:: lori's shoes - the soul of chicago ::

So, what do you think? I would love any recs on how you Chi-Town! Leave them in the comments section below.

~L.S.

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