Contrail

Developed by Brooklyn-based Studio Gelardi, Contrail was a finalist in last year's Design21 "Power to the Pedal" Design Competition.

Contrail is a tool for developing bicycle communities. As you ride, contrail leaves a faint chalk line behind your bike. The goal is to encourage a new cycle of biking participation by allowing the biking community to leave a unique mark on the road and to reclaim this crucial shared space.

Reposted from The Post Family

The Fix Is In

Last year my bike was stolen on the plaza of my office building. I'm still slightly bitter about it, and now it means that I need to get a new bike. My bed mate has 'got a guy' that builds bikes. The names Billy. Billy built up my bf an amazing vintage, 70's Bianchi that he likes to call his 'princess'.

I met with Billy a few weeks ago to talk about a bike for me. My vertically challenged height poses a problem with finding the right frame so we are in limbo until the right one shows up. Perfect measurements are a must with Billy.

Since that meeting I have been thinking about what I want in a bike. I'm pretty sure I will not go full speed ahead with a fixed-gear. I'm a fan of breaks, and while I tend to be a single-gear gal, I won't mind a few gears if Billy insists. Either way, I can't help but love the design beauty of fixies.

This Fuji x Obey Fixie Collab

is so lust worthy I can barely handle it.

Here are more great fixed-gears from BikeMafia.

I leave you with the poem that Billy left me and the bf with after touring his house and talking a little Marxism and Brit Lit.

Come, live with me and be my love, And we will all the pleasures prove Of peace and plenty, bed and board, That chance employment may afford.

I’ll handle dainties on the docks And thou shalt read of summer frocks: At evening by the sour canals We’ll hope to hear some madrigals.

Care on thy maiden brow shall put A wreath of wrinkles, and thy foot Be shod with pain: not silken dress But toil shall tire thy loveliness.

Hunger shall make thy modest zone And cheat fond death of all but bone –If these delight thy mind may move, Then live with me and be my love.

-Cecil Day Lewis

howl at the zoo.

Zoo Animal Crackers now have owls in them...

i think the owls are stalking me.

Just in time for Easter

Adopt this neglected bunny in time for Easter.

Photographer Stephanie Bassos is Artist of the Month at Coop

Opening Reception
Monday, April 6, 2009
6:00pm - 9:00pm
The Coop
845 W Fulton
Chicago, IL

http://www.stephaniebassos.com/

OMG. Yes Please!

Blueberry Kuchen!

MUST.MAKE.THIS.NOW

Happy Friday!

Have a great weekend!
I'm headed to a Home Brew party.
Take that Mayor Daley.

Family Style

In college all of my friends would gather at Efrain's house every Sunday for a Family Style dinner. It was a highlight of my week and a great way to unwind, listen to music, and share stories of dear friends.

Well, that said friend, my dearest Efrain, is all grown up. He now runs an underground community supper club called Clandestino. He was recently ranked Top 10 best secret supper clubs in the world by Travel+Leisure.

You can find his link on the right hand margin under Small World Enterprises.

Clandestino has a sold out dinner this weekend, and, thinking about it made me long for the simpler days of heading over to E's house for a little grub and good company. I miss the family dinners, the potlucks my college roommate and I would regularly have and the general camaraderie of dining together.

In this economy, I'm not alone in putting restaurants aside for a moment

and remembering what it is like to have dinner at home.

So, I here by vow

To have more potlucks in my life

To have more fine company over to my house

To enjoy the fruits of community dining

Soy, Rice or Almond?

Trouble choosing a dairy alternative? Here is a good reference.

I'm particularly fond of the raw almond milk.

Oh, Yummy!

I was over at Apartment Therapy's sister, The Kitchn, and saw this great post on DIY Girl Scout cookies. How marvelous! No hydrogenated oils, no trans fat, no rising cookie costs! Now I can eat Thin Mints all year long. Thanks Baking Bites.

A Hoot of a Time

I have an owl that has taken up residency on my roof and this morning he was having a hoot of a time! I actually really enjoy it as it brings me back to my country roots, but it got me thinking; Why are humans so intrigued with owls? Is it because Mr. Owl holds the key to how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop? ...I don't know, I'm asking...

Either way, I love owl's in everyday life.

Here are a few of the many owl items on Etsy.

French Delight

Oh, how I long for a decadent dessert on this eve of Friday.

Some great Chicago places to indulge are:

Hot Chocolate, Vanille Patisserie, Sweet Collective

April Shower's bring May flowers,... right?

BTW, this was my favorite little book as a child.

Give me warmth or give me dealth

[I love this photographer i.anton]

In order to get me through this wet season,

I have found some rain time essentials.

UMBRELLAS:

Totes

Clear Dome
Fish Bowl

RAIN JACKETS:

Cole Haan Stadium Jacket

Red Rain Mac

BOOTS (my vice):

Burberry Rain Boots

J.Crew Critter Wellies

Hunter Wellies

I'm very much looking forward to the Tracy Feith collection hitting Target stores in May. I realize this has been blogged about a lot for sometime, but we are almost a month away from the launch now.

Yes, Michelle Obama wore Tracy Feith the day after the Inauguration and yes, that is that girl from The City.