Millennium Park

Okay so I know I said that for my Chicago adventures, I'd be going to places I have yet to be, but I can't resist yet another trip to Chicago's Millennium Park! It's too pretty and full of cool architecture!
And just look at my beautiful photos!

The "Bean", as it's known here, is actually titled Cloud Gate. It was designed by British artist Anish Kapoor—it's his first public outdoor work installed in the United States!!

Can you see me in the bean? Look close!!! I'm the cute one with the hips!

Oh I love this part of the park! It's these funky sculptures with faces that move! Titled The Crown Fountain, two pillars face one another with images that interact with the ground and offer fun water activities! Designed by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa.

See, this lady means business!

Renowned architect Frank Gehry, utilized his wacky and revolutionary design sense in the park here with the outdoor concert venue. Wilco is playing here in September!
I love you Jeff Tweedy!

Gehry also designed this uber cool bridge that connects Millennium Park to Daley Bicentennial Plaza... this slopey bridge is 925-foot-long and tempts one to slide off the side! You can see more of the outdoor theatre in the background here as well. PS for more on Gehry rent the documentary Sketches of Frank Gehry, it's really interesting. Some people love his work while others seriously hate it....
oh the beauty of art!

Antiques and Heart

It's nearly Monday and this past weekend, in Jolene's World, has been full of ponderings, walks, bike rides, antiquing, and nachos. Under "The Bean" in Chicago's Millennium Park.

I think I may have started my weekend off on a bad foot. I rented a documentary that was truly unsettling. I'm not going to go into details, or even name the movie, as the disturbing layers are just too much, but I will tell you that the topic was suicide. Hmmm I bet some of you winced.

It's interesting how the subject is so taboo, so wrong, so disturbing. But, while this film truly blew me away, and not in the best way, I better understand the importance of empathy. So this whole weekend, I have been pondering such individuals that were so lost they decided to end their lives. How does one go there? How does one think this is an answer? And, maybe more importantly, instead of "the rest of us" thinking that such individuals couldn't hack life, everyone should understand that the human psyche is truly and incredibly delicate. So really I'm saying, let's all just be a tad bit nicer to one another, and I'm not talking to those in our lives already, but strangers on the train, the homeless on the street, etc. etc. etc!

To lighten things up.....


On Saturday my friend Leigh and I headed to the Chicago Antiques Art Fair. The Antiques Art Fair takes place the last weekends of the month, May-October. Here I am in a "fancy hat" in a favorite girly booth! The fair is often full of shiny objects, blasts from the pasts, and special pooches, such as this handsome fellow here.
His name is Rudy.













With aisles and aisles of antiques, inside and out, Leigh and I strolled throughout many eras and perused all the glittery treasures. We listened to a live band playing the fair, ate fair treats, and even came up with a new slogan "The Chicago Antiques Art Fair, where Tchotckies go to die."
But alas when it was all said and done the only true treasure we found was Mr. Rudy.
Leigh especially liked him, even if he did bark like a girl.

People Are Strange

Yes, I have been very upset over Lilo. The world is upset over Lilo. That poor angel, as my co-worker said to me yesterday "I just wanna take a hold her and give her a truly nice smack-down cocaine experience that will make her feel all better."

So the thing is, people are strange, and fascinating. I just read about this uber-hot, art couple, Theresa Duncan and Jeremy Blake, that apparently committed a double suicide. Duncan killed herself on July 10 and a week later Blake was seen walking naked into the ocean and was never seen again. The couple apparently had become very paranoid that members of the Church of Scientology were stalking them, well here's the article from the LA Times, it's crazy.

Duncan was a blogger and had a site that was apparently THE blog of blogs, it was titled The Wit of the Staircase. She posted a very interesting quote the day she killed herself...and what's weird is reading her past posts, it seems like everything was okay and she had so many plans...

And what did I learn from all this? It's about the blog's title, as described here from the blog, The Wit of the Staircase:

From the French phrase 'esprit d'escalier,' literally, it means 'the wit of the staircase', and usually refers to the perfect witty response you think up after the conversation or argument is ended. "Esprit d'escalier," she replied. "Esprit d'escalier. The answer you cannot make, the pattern you cannot complete till aterwards it suddenly comes to you when it is too late."

I'm so always thinking of the esprit d'escaliers.

Amy's Rodeo de Mexico

This is my friend Amy.
Two weeks ago Amy went to a Mexican Rodeo right here in Chicago! Amy snapped lots of rodeo photographs. Then she made a funny video gif thingy with her photos. Isn't Amy so creative? I have the coolest friends! I like how fast the rodeo guy looks. It reminds me of an old cartoon.

I do feel really bad for the cow/bull character. :(

Summer Time Shopping

A week ago I decided I was going to explore parts of Chicago; To see more of what makes this city so amazing! I have been living here for four years and yet there is still so much I haven't seen! So last week I started with a Trip to the Garfield Conservatory, a wonderful adventure!

So this past weekend the ideas began brewing, maybe I'll venture out to the Botanic Gardens in Glencoe (um that's a loooong bike ride)? Or I could take a trip to a museum I haven't see yet (snooze), or, um I could just do something I so so so love!!!
That's right! Go shopping! And what do you know my favorite place was having a sale! The Edgewater Antique Mall! Seeing this postcard was all it took! And on Sunday I set out for some treasures... and here's what I found!

Favorite finds that I didn't purchase but dearly covet:
—A set of six 1950's glassware featuring pink flowers and blue birds
—A 1950's odd little glass water pitcher a pink base and a pink stripes on the glass.
—A beautiful mirror, circa, yes the 1950's, with a pink wood frame and pink flamingos adoring the actual glass of the mirror
—This funny swivel chair decked out in a turquoise, tweedy fabric.
—A small deer statue, so wittle, so wee, so cute!
—An even cuter ceramic mouse with big mouse ears.
—Okay this one is a little crazy, and I seriously considered purchasing this, a haute couture baby dress. It was velvet black with pink ruffles and SO freaking cute! I want a baby girl so bad so I can decorate her...Dammit I just realized I could have bought this for the cat.
—A strapless blue organza gown that was so amazingly made with gorgeous ruffles and a side sash-thingy, it seriously looked like something I'd wear to the Oscars!
—A pair of 1950's barkcloth window panels in a deep greenish/gray shade with a design reminiscent of an Asian theme with a bright watermelon pink as the focal color. YUM!
—These adorable animal figurines with big rhinestones eyes, two cats, a squirrel, chihuahua and the cutest owl!

What I ended up purchasing...
well let's start with my favorite: This beautiful blouse!!!!! The clerk said it reminded him of the Yves St. Laurent collection from the early 80's. Yes, I thought. "oh yeah I know all about his collections..." now that I think about it, maybe he said Givenchy? Okay I must go get that Vogue book tomorrow.... Oh who cares, the point is, I Love this blouse! It's so beautiful and well made and fits me perfectly. It has a zipper back and pleated sleeves and it only set me back a mere $13.50!
Next was the necklace, shown in the photo, it's gold with white beads. I also got the cutest bangle...And finally I snagged the original photo which was the basis for the store's sale. You may have thought this was Ms. Lucille Ball, which I thought, but it's actually Betty Hutton, a comedic and musical actress of the 1940's and 1950's. Hutton had done numerous roles, but her most notable was playing Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun; she was considered a zany blond bombshell that was goofy and energetic and had this body that didn't stop. In this photo, dated 1944, Hutton's expression is full of so much life and energy. Lucy? Betty? No matter! This lady makes me smile...it's a beautiful woman showing that she can be funny and zany, something an old improv teacher told me once was not possible...I never believed him and often am being proven wrong by such images as Ms. Hutton as well as the knock-out ladies doing improv all around Chicago.

So yes, I may not have gotten uber cultured today, BUT I did learn about a starlet of the past that I was not familiar with until today, so here's to Ms. Betty Hutton!

Stars, They're Just Like Celebrity J

Newly coiffed Celebrity J & uber cute baby Hun pass through the office on their way to the living room. CJ dons an H&M Cornblue pleated dress, circa 2006; Hun wears a vintage blue silk baby gown.

Lady Head Vases

If you’re looking to take on a new hobby of collecting, consider collecting Lady Head Vases from the 1950s and 60s. Originally manufactured by various ceramic companies just prior to World War II, Lady Head Vases were made for the floral industry. While the first vases were made in the U.S. and feature plainer styles, by the 60s styles were coming out of Japan and featured such accouterments as dangling earrings, faux pearl chokers, gloves, hair bows, eyelashes, and more. The above vases are part of my Mom's collection!

While they initially were sold for just a couple dollars, today such vases are worth anywhere from $75 to well into the thousands. To seek out vases start perusing your local antique shops and flea markets. Also be sure to note the difference between authentic vases and fakes. An article from American Antiques gives you a good start on the history of the Lady Head Vases as well as clues on authenticity.

If you love the look of the vases, but don't have the dough for the pricey items? You can still enjoy head vases with head vase wrapping paper from PopInk. Frame it for a fun wall decor piece.
The paper is appropriately titled Glazed and Confused.

Look at me! I'm at a ballgame!

Last Friday my friend Jennifer and her moosh had an extra ticket to the Cubs Game at Wrigley.
Jen invited me to the game, my third Cubbies game ever! So I took the day off with Jen and we enjoyed the beautiful weather at the park. The game was amazing. I first guzzled an Ice-cold Bud light, yum! Then we basked in the sun as we checked the peeps, and adjacent bleachers atop area apartment buildings. By the third or fourth inning Jen and I, along with Sarah (another Jen friend) meandered down to the concessions. Here we gorged ourselves on tiny hot dogs, labeled "Jumbo Dogs", and sought out more treats...Mai tais for Sarah, Bud Lights for Jolene, and Jen gathered treats for Andy (the Moosh).
Soon we were back in the stands, pondering important points like "what Chicago neighborhoods are fun to live in?" and "was the movie Waitress as wonderful as I thought it was?"
Finally it was time for the party! The seventh Inning stretch! Here we rose to sing along to the famed baller song "Take Me Out to The Ballgame." After it was done I reveled in thought of keeping the karaoke party going with songs from Evita and Dreamgirls... Everyone had a gay old time and we each also had a favorite treat of our own. A malt cup for Jen, soft serve cone for Sarah, peanuts for Andy, and nachos for me! Nummy!
Oh yeah, I almost forgot, the Cubbies won!

Joey in the Garden

Saturday I rode my bike to the Garfield Conservatory. After, 15 miles of pedaling against the wind, I was rewarded with the retreat of seeing Niki in the Garden! The Conservatory is hosting a special exhibit of 30+ gigantically beautiful and mesmerizing sculptures by artist Niki de Saint Phalle. My favorites included the dancing women with proportions only a big-hipped girl like myself could thoroughly enjoy. The sculptures were adorning the many greenhouses and gardens of the Conservatory, as well as the outdoor gardens. This all of which made me feel as if I were in a magical wonderland! So many of these pieces were intricately designed and fun to look, there were snakes, cats, lions, and, another favorite, the skull. So fun...so pretty.

Little Edie, Big Edie

"Of course I'm mad about animals but raccoons and cats become a little bit boring."—Little Edie Beale Edith Bouvier Beale (background) and her daughter Little Edie Beale (forefront) are true East Coast legends, not to mention the "secret" relatives of the late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Having been cast from society, this seriously nutty, loving, and oh so intriguing mother and daughter duo, along with a handful of cats and some raccoons, lived in Grey Gardens, a dilapidated East Hampton mansion.

Having finally been exposed to the cult classic documentary on the Edies, Grey Gardens, filmed in 1975 by the Maysles brothers, Big Edie and Little Edie are today's fashion and balls-to-the-wall inspiration!

There are probably a handful of you that are thinking "snooze, where have you been? The Edies have been everywhere!" And that is certainly true, often designers have used Little Edie's bizarre fashion sense as inspirations in their own lines and the film has been a cult favorite since the 80s, and, of course there is the 2007 Tony-Award winning Broadway musical, Grey Gardens, starring Christine Ebersole. But while I was familiar with them, I just now watched this film and what a treat!

These women given insight to a powerful relationship... they bicker constantly and rehash their lives of their past..Big Edie was a recorded singer, Little Edie an aspiring dancer and debutante. In her late 50's, much to her chagrin, Little Edie moved into Grey Gardens to take care of her mother. The relationship is beautiful and truthful and so intriguing and bizarre and funny. Having never been married, Little Edie is the absolute main character, so melodramatic and full of opinions and so strong-willed. She also acts like a 10 year-old as she wistfully dances and sings throughout the mansion....I wonder if, when I am 57 that will be me and my mother....? Of course my mother is way more low-key than Big Edie.

Rent this movie if you have yet to see Grey Gardens!
Thanks to you Tube here's a little peek into the movie.

Pretty Pretty

Finally! After six months and 12 days I have encountered purses from my Purse of the Day calendar that make me cheery! Now I want you to enjoy as well! Happy July 12. Plastic Beaded Handbags. Maison de Bonneterie and Elizabeth Arden, 1950s

The face powder dust

Two years ago I was in a play here in Chicago, can you believe it?? I performed with this lovely girl, Kelly*... a great actress and a truly sweet person. She is funny and kind and seriously so magnetic as a performer- she's that type of person you instantly wanted to be friends with....

As an equally cool woman myself, naturally Kelly and I became fast friends.

Now I have been in plays where you make friends and then once the show is over- poof these people are out of your life, but you can tell which friendships will last and which won't... I was fairly certain Kelly and I would remain friends long after the play ended. But, turns out, as soon as the show was over we lost instant contact.. It saddened me a bit, but I knew that is the nature of the theater beast, you become really close with people in a short period of time, and then you move on...

Anyway I always thought it a little strange that Kelly and I didn't even really try to remain friends because we did genuinely get along, but whatever, these things happen...

So now fast forward and I have worked again with this theatre group and Kelly is heavily involved with them..I see her and we catch up a little and I continue to receive emails from the studio, and now Kelly as she's pushing various fundraisers for the company... well low and behold today I received the email that confirmed why Kelly and I naturally went our separate ways....

"This Saturday join me for Cool Theater's stage make-up workshop! Be a model and receive a free gift from me!" -Kelly, Mary Kay Independent Consultant.

And rip, another good girl bites the face powder dust.

* Name of theater friend was changed to cover my own ass.