Monday, March 28, 2011

View From My Home

Since spring weather hasn't arrived to Chicago, it has been hard to be out and about to take pictures. Tonight in the comfort of my warm apartment I took soon pictures of my view. It was a nice, clear sunny day so I thought I'd share the scenery I see on a daily basis: Lake Michigan, John Hancock Building, and beautiful sunsets.



Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Made in Detroit!!!

Last weekend I went back to Detroit to spend time with my family. I hadn't been home since Christmas so it was nice to be back. I watched U of M beat Tennessee, squeezed in a run outside, ate at Buddy's pizza, watched the kids practice for the Holi Program, made nutella banana crepes, did my taxes, ate homemade pizza, and watched Michigan ALMOST beat Duke!

Sonali's artwork at Buddy's Pizza

Sonali and Shivani showing off their nails on the car

Brianna hanging out!

Alisha, Brianna, and Sonali eating a staple meal in our family...NACHOS!!!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Molly's Cupcakes


Anyone who knows me could tell you how much I heart cupcakes!!! :) I can eat them anytime and anywhere. Last Sunday, we felt lazy and decided to head out to Molly's Cupcakes in Lincoln Park for some cupcakes and board games. We indulged in cupcake yumminess! We each got our own and shared. My favorite was the one I ordered...The Ron Bennington. It has chocolate cake, peanut butter filling, chocolate ganache, and crushed butterscotch topping. Chocolate and peanut butter were made to be together so this cupcake was amazing! The other cupcakes were really good too but nothing can top chocolate and peanut butter combo in my book!

After filling our tummies, we played a leisurely game of Scrabble. I know there are many other cupcake shops in Chicago like MoreSugar BlissCrumbs but they don't have seating where you can hang out with friends and play fun games. I wish there was a place like Molly's near my apartment so I could frequent more often but maybe that is a good thing...I would have to go to the gym more often!

If you haven't been to Molly's Cupcakes you are missing out! Check it out: 2536 North Clark St Chicago, IL 60614.



Monday, March 14, 2011

2011 St Patrick's Day in Chicago

St Patrick's Day in Chicago is considered a holiday like Halloween is in New York City. The city celebrates the weekend that falls before St Patrick's Day. People get up early to hit the bars or go to Chicago River to watch it change to the color green. I woke up last Saturday to watch the river get dyed and it's amazing how quickly the river changes color. A small boat rides around a four block span to pour a rust colored powder in the water to instantaneously turn it green. Another even smaller boat follows shortly behind to what I assume to help mix the water but that is just my theory...I wasn't really sure what the purpose of the boat was.




Afterwards on my walk home, I was crossing the bridge and noticed kayakers. There was one interesting one dressed up as a leprechaun. Then I noticed a row team gliding towards the green water. It was a fun event! Hopefully you can see it next year!!! 


Friday, March 11, 2011

Public Transportation

The past 10 years of my life I have been
carless and have relied on public 
transportation to get me around. I've 
gotten around by bus, train, cab, and 
foot. I've taken the train so much that I 
knew exactly where to stand to get the 
off the train right by the exit. I've spent many hours in these train stations:

  • NYC subway: 59th and Lex
  • Boston T: Hynes Convention Center
  • Chicago El: Blue line Damen and now red line Grand (pictured)


Public transportation has provided me with endless hours of interesting people watching. I wonder when I will ever own a car and have to drive myself around...at this point it doesn't look like anytime soon!!!

Monday, March 7, 2011

First Thursdays

Last week Reena, Viha, and I decided to go to First Thursdays before going to dinner at Purple Pig. This  event occurs on the first Thursday of every month at art galleries in two areas of Chicago. They are open late and some serve wine and cheese for their guests (the wine is how I think I convinced Viha to come!). We visited three galleries and at the Ken Saunders Gallery I was inspired to take pictures of the beautiful glasswork created by Seattle artists. As I was taking pictures, two women approached us and introduced themselves as the exhibiting artists, Debora Moore and Jenny Pohlman. They were such inspirational women. We chatted about how they became artists, what we did, what we thought of their artwork, and they really encouraged me to pursue my passion for photography. I really appreciated their words of wisdom!!! I would definitely recommend that you visit their websites and check out the gallery if you are in the area.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Swati + Pratik = Swatik

Last summer Pratik and Swati asked me to take post-wedding "engagement pictures" of them around Chicago.

With the help of my great assistant, Viha, we spent a summer Sunday wandering all over downtown Chicago: 

The Loop,
Chicago Riverwalk,
Lake Michigan,
Navy Pier Trolley,
Hotel 71,
Chicago River, and 
more!

There were some funny moments during the photoshoot:

We lost Swati in the elevator, Viha shook her booty to get a reaction from Swatik, and Swati punched Pratik!

It was a long but fun day! I got some practice in and took some great shots of my guinea pig couple. They even used one of them as their Holiday Card! :)


Wednesday, March 2, 2011

2011 Chicago Snowmagedden

Chicago introduced February 1, 2011 with an epic blizzard. After getting more than 20 inches of snow, we ventured outside to explore the snow piles dressed in our ski gear: snow pants, layers of clothes, gloves, ski goggles, hats, and snow boots!

The first picture was near the lake and it's one of my favorites.

The second one was right in front of my apartment building. The city was pretty empty of cars except for the one buried by the snow and snow pile!

I am ready to start posting of pictures of spring. I hope that is something that happens soon!