The Girl and Her Dog

April 20, 2011 · 9:39 pm

The Help

I recently finished one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. Technically, I listened to it via an audio CD every time I was in the car, but still. This book was IRRESISTIBLE. Every time I wasn’t in the car I was wishing I was so that I could find out what was happening next. The book? The Help by Kathryn Stockett.

Set in Jackson, Mississippi during the 1960s, The Help is a story about black maids and the white families they serve. Obviously this is a book about civil rights and race relations, but the writing is so real and you just feel like you’re there with the characters, rooting for the good ones.

Seriously, if you haven’t read this book yet, which is the first from Stockett and published in 2009, you should go buy it, check it out at the library or find an audio version. Like, yesterday. Plus, as an added bonus, it’s being made into a movie this summer! Seriously, I’m so pumped. Check out the trailer here.

[image via reviewsbylola]

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April 19, 2011 · 8:35 pm

Before and after

“Happiness is a warm puppy.” -Charles Schulz

Frasier finally went to the dog groomer over the weekend, and man did he need it. It had been several months since he had gotten his hair cut, and even though I gave him a bath a few weeks ago, he was just a plain ol’ smelly dog. Fortunately he gets the best care at his salon, Absolutely Pawfect.

It’s never fun dropping Frasier off because he’s usually so tentative and I always worry he’ll think I won’t return for him. This time though it was completely worth it. Frasier got the full spa treatment with a bath, grooming, facial, ear cleaning and Frontline application. There’s nothing better than a clean, warm, pup. Check out the before and after shots:

Before: He looks pretty cute here, but he smelled like dirty dog.

After: Clean pooch! Check out those ears!

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April 18, 2011 · 10:08 pm

Street cred

This past Saturday I attended an art benefit. The event was hosted by the Southwest Youth Collaborative, as a part of the Recurrent Dreams Project, which is a collaboration between artist Granite Amit and 10 youth participants of the SWYC.

[The SWYC is a community-based network of youth and community development organizations serving African Americans, Arab Americans, Asian Americans, European Americans, Native American and Latino children, youth and families living in the West Englewood, Chicago Lawn, Gage Park, West Lawn and West Elsdon neighborhoods.]

The event was held at the Arc Gallery and Educational Foundation in the West Loop, which ended up being relatively easy for my mom and I to find. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when we arrived, but I was definitely pleasantly surprised.

In addition to a panel discussion about art as resistance, audience members were treated to a small jazz band–which was incredible–as well as some of the most awesome free styling and break dancing that I’ve ever seen in person. Sometimes kids can be pretty amazing. Check it out:

I’m pretty sure in my next life I want to be one of those dancers.

Just a few hops away

With Easter just a week away, I somehow managed to eat meat today. Again. Just as I have for the majority of all Fridays throughout Lent. However, at least I know when Good Friday is.*

I’ve always considered Easter a festive holiday, complete with memories of buying a new dress each year, searching for Easter eggs (which I absolutely hated – I mean, just put them in the basket) and enjoying my own generous basket, filled with chocolates, candies, useless but amusing toys and the occasional dollar(s) bills.

This year, I’m looking forward to having Good Friday off and enjoying some holiday-themed treats. Just like these:

Banana Blueberry Buttermilk Bread

Baked Apple-Cinnamon French Toast

*A certain someone who will remain namless asked my dad when Good Friday was this evening. It has to be more than just being a blonde.

[images and recipes courtesy of delish]

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April 14, 2011 · 10:02 pm

A little of Italy right in Cicero

Today after work I met my cousin for dinner out in Cicero. After fighting the nasty traffic along Cicero Ave. during rush hour, plus a slight mix-up with my GPS (Hello GPS voice, I cannot turn right down a one way street going in the opposite direction), I finally managed to arrive at what my cousin was touting as one of the best places in the area to get Italian food: Freddy’s Pizzeria.

A tiny space filled with Italian groceries, an over-the-counter style of ordering and a dining area that you have to walk outside to get to, Freddy’s isn’t much to the eye. But the moment you see the food, you know you’re in for a treat.

Two salads, one order of pasta salad, a prosciutto and cheese covered tomato, one very large piece of bread and a free order of gnocchi later, we were stuffed. In fact, we were so stuffed, we didn’t even have room to eat what Chicago Magazine calls “the best gelato in all of Chicago.” Hmm. I guess a return trip is in order.