weekend to-do list

*spend time with my dear friends the Bryan's (who are visiting Chicago).- check.
*put some time in at j.crew- check.
*go to Mosquito Fleet and Milano's concert at Subterranean- check.
*have a bowl ready for trick-or-treaters (and secretly hope they don't come so you can eat the candy.) - check.

love the weekend. double check.

Her Morning Elegance

I just like this. a lot.

This is the music video for Oren Lavie's song "Her Morning Elegance." I know its been out for awhile, so I'm kinda behind the times buuuuuut I rediscovered it just today.

and I really really like it... did I mention that I like it?

"Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall." -The Great Gatsby

This is just across the street from where I live. Beauty.
I'm in love with everything about fall.

stress {less}

As I was reading a health and wellness article the other day, I learned (as I also learned in high school health class a very long time ago) that there are both positive/healthy stresses called eustress and there are negative stresses. called stress. ick. I refer to this stress as lame. Then, ironically, the next day I was given a list of 101 ways to cope with stress. how convenient.

so don't stress. love where you are at. and read the paragraph/list/seemingly overwhleming block of text that is below. enjoy dear readers.

get up earlier*sing a song*prepare ahead*avoid tight clothes*avoid chemical aids*write it down*make duplicate keys*say no more often*set priorities*avoid negativity*use time wisely*simplify meals*encourage others*copy important papers*anticipate needs*make repairs*get help with jobs you don't like*break down large tasks*look at problems as challenges*look at challenges differently*unclutter your life*smile*prepare for rain*play with a child*pet a dog/cat*dont know all the answers*look for the silver lining*say something nice*fly a kite*walk in the rain*schedule play time*take a bubble bath*be aware of your decisions*stop talking negatively*develop a sense of humor*have goals*stop thinking tomorrow will be better*dance*say hello to a stranger*hug someone*look at the stars*breathe slowly*read a poem*tell a story*find support*do it today*strive for excellence, not perfection*stretch your limits*enjoy art*maintain physical exercise*plant a tree*feed the birds*have a plan "B"*doodle*meet your limits*say have a good day in pig latin*throw a paper airplane*exercise*go on a picnic*drive a different route to work*get to work earlier*watch a movie and eat popcorn*recognize the importance of unconditional love*keep a journal*remember your options*quit trying to fix others*get enough sleep*talk less and listen more*take each day at a time.

and pray. pray pray pray. and pray some more. yessss, no more stress.

"There is no trouble so great or grave that cannot be much diminished by a nice cup of tea." - Bernard-Paul Heroux

Dearest Argo Tea,

This Chai tea with expresso was my saving grace today.
Sanity in a patterned paper cup.
The taste of wonderful.

Sincerely yours,
Rebecca

pretty pretty things

I always wished/dreamed of being a full time artist,complete with multiple paint brushes sticking out of a messy bun, clothes covered in paint, and rooms upon rooms filled with the most beautiful art work. I soon realized i dont possess the talent for that, so i live that alter-ego dream world life vicariously through frequent visits to a lil site called Etsy. here are some things i found and wanted to share/make/buy/want to claim as my own art... maybe I could at least sport the messy bun with paint brushes while browsing through this site...

Some original block prints from Hungry Art.


illustration by Deadpan Alley.


photography by bomobob.

pumpkin latte, eat your heart out.

so for all you autumn lovers out there whose idea of cardio vascualr exercise is raking leaves, grocery shopping means a trip to your locally owned apple orchard, and your pumpkin spice latte cup is attached to your hand permanently: have i got a recipe for you.

This is one of the many recipes i made quite frequently while in college {this recipe I picked up from my friend amy. she def deserves some applause}. What a crowd pleaser these muffins are. Though they are more like cupcakes, they are the easiest pumpkin "muffins" to make ever. Think of them as lil pumpkin pie bites. MMmmmmmmmmm.

Easiest Pumpkin Muffins Ever

1 box yellow cake mix
1 can pumpkin pie filling
1/4-1/2 cups apple sauce
Cinnamon and Nutmeg to taste

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Spoon into cupcake tin. Bake for the intended amount of time and VOILA. These lil guys are bound to satisfy! You can refer to them as "the yummiest creation ever." Now go jump in a pile of leaves!

26.2 miles

My dear friend Cassie ran the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, soooooo we went to go see her run her lil' heart out! Here are some pictures from the day!

homecoming, homegoing, homewent.

Taylor University's homecoming is/was this weekend, so I ventured to the diamond-in-the-rough town that is known as Upland to visit my alma mater and visit with so many of the people I love and adore. The extended weekend included lots of Grace Olson hall, sibling love, airband 2010, hanging out in the union&drinking Jumping Bean coffee, and just some quality time with dearly loved friends. mmmHhhmm. quality time is my favorite.

and of course Ivanhoes icecream. a necessary stop whenever at Taylor.

what a wonderful trip. what wonderful people. what a wonderful place. The Lord has been so faithful and so true to bless me with people as incredible as those I have met at Taylor and those experiences as sublime (and challenging/stretching) as those I was able to have at this place.

So much love for TU.
so. much. love.

second cousins are the best.

This is Ian. He is awesome. He, along with his wonderful family (my cousins) came for dinner and a visit tonight. Ian is 2 and is my 2nd cousin.

Ian loved our parakeet. Actually, I think loved is an understatement.

(standing infront of the birdcage looking longingly at the bird)
Ian: what's dat? (pointing at the bird)
Me: that's the birdie.
Ian: what's dat? (pointing at the bird swing)
Me: That's the birdie's swing
Ian: what's dat? (pointing at the bird)
Me: that's the birdie.
Ian: what's dat? (pointing at the bird swing)
Me: That's the birdie's swing. Can you say 'hi birdie?'
Ian: HIIIIIIII BIRDDIEEEE!!!

Ian (apparently feeling extra curious) proceeds to lift open the cage door and stick his hand into the cage... He soon learned that was not the best idea.

Ian is awesome.

politik & politics

Today marks one month until midterm elections. The sprint to congress has begun. So I have this lingering sense of guilt and acknowledged personal secrecy for not addressing the fact that over the last month I have been surrounded by politics as a press intern at the Senator's office yet have not expressed that in a post. So I have decided I have to confess. I am a press intern at the Senator's office. Good. I feel better now.

Politik is a song composed by Coldplay.
Politics are a whole different ball game I have learned. and I like to learn.

Actually, the whole intern experience has taught me about our governmental system and has helped shape my personal political views/aided me in even having political views/stance on issues (because frankly, both were pretty nonexistent before this). I will say, politics does get hazy. One thing that is clear: we need educated voters who know about the congressman they are electing and how legislation effects us and our country.

So with midterm elections just one month away, here are a couple things to help navigate the confusing world of politics. :)

Make sure you are registered to vote.
RocktheVote:this makes it easy to register to vote online and provides resources on the elections

Know who you are voting for and what they believe.
VoteSmart.org: this lists politicians stances on issues in an approachable way.

Know the issues that are being dealt with. Read. Read. Read.
C-SPAN: up to date news
Library of Congress: search for legislation, bills, or whatever you want to know
The Daily Show: if you want to know about the news with some kicks and giggles.