{On Repeat}...Caroline Smith

My friend recently introduced me to a Minnesota-native artist, Caroline Smith. I'm hooked and it feels like the perfect playlist for autumn right now. What I like about her music is its adaptability. It's simultaneously romantic, melancholic, spunky––it fits every mood.

Her voice is delicately strong; her music sounds like those cool girls who are quietly confident. Listen to her album Half About Being a Woman here.

If I must choose, my favorite tracks are: "The One Thing," "Child of Moving On," and "Buy Me Something," all of which are infectious.

Photo by Reginald P.

{Summer Reads}...The Round House

I just finished reading The Round House by Louise Erdrich this morning; I've been going through it in stages for an online book discussion for by campus job training, but I had to read ahead late into last night. I even woke up early to finish the last couple pages that became a haze in my heavy-lidded late night read.

I first encountered Louise Erdrich in my American Indian literature class at the university, and was stunned by her beautiful story weaving in Tracks. (This is also an incredible book that I advise you to seek out.) Erdrich is a Minnesota native, and member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, part of Anishinaabe. She owns an independent book store, Birchbark Books in Minneapolis, which I'm dying to visit, and has an incredible written legacy. She has written over twelve novels, several books of poetry, and children's literature.

The Round House is a heart-breaking, thrilling, and delicate story of Joe, a young boy living on a reservation in North Dakota. The novel begins with a shattering family tragedy, shrouded in mystery; the search for truth and justice carry the rest of the novel, as readers see true family, real emotion, and the rapid maturation of a young boy burdened by sorrow and frustration.

Seriously, this is a must read! It's haunting, nail-bitting, and humorous.

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10 Reasons I Love Chicago

I am fresh off a vacation to my beloved Chicago. It's great to be back home, because there is something so indulgent about your own bed and hometown water; but Chicago is amazing, so here are some of my favorite things about it. 

1. It's like the less pompous, more relaxed NY. Lots to see, lots of culture, but no one puts on any airs. 

2. Speaking of culture, the museum scene is legit! I am in love with the Art Institute of Chicago (we saw an awesome exhibit called Impressionism, Fashion, and Modernity, which had the AIC staples A Sunday Afternoon on La Grande Jatte and Paris Street; Rainy Day!). The Field Museum is also awesome with Sue, the T-Rex.

3. Chicago's walkability is a delightful treat since living in The Twin Cities. I realize not all of Chicago is like this, but the downtown area, the parks, the theater scene, and museums are all easily accessible by foot or bus! (This is great for keeping cost low when traveling.)

4. Soldier Field is a great stadium. I especially love seeing concerts there (as opposed to the more confined theater experience) because the night sky is so beautiful and the "Windy City" ensures a refreshing evening breeze. 

5. Unlike some bigger cities, the streets of downtown Chicago (notably Michigan Ave and intersecting streets like Ontario, Ohio, Huron, and Erie) are immaculate.

6. I very rarely notice cigarette smoking, something that I regularly experience on downtown Minneapolis Streets. Factually, I'm probably wrong, but there seems to be a lower smoking population so you're not inhaling fumes as you walk to dinner. 

7. The name. How fun is it to say Chi-Town? You sound like a total tourist, but it's worth it. 

8. FOOD! The Corner Bakery Cafe and Harry Caray's are both amazing. The latter is great for a fancy dinner and the former is my go-to. This past vacation I ate every breakfast there; they have fantastic Swiss Oatmeal (which is difficult to find) and great coffee. And don't forget Chicago deep dish pizza and dogs.

9. Local spirit is wonderfully vibrant. White Sox versus Cubs runs in the blood of every local. Plus, Wrigley Field is handsome and a true American ball field. 

10. Pedi-cabs are everywhere and they make me smile. I've never gone on one (I'm too afraid to get hit by a car, as they use the same streets!), but they look cute. 

Bedtime Stories

I'm reading one of the best books right now. Stories: All New Tales, edited by the amazing Neil Gaiman and Al Sarrantonio is a fantastic compilation of wonderful stories. They are short enough to read within one week, and are perfect for reading those 30 minutes before lights out.

My favorites thus far: "The Truth is a Cave in the Black Mountains" by Neil Gaiman, "Blood" by Roddy Doyle, and finally, the awesome "Wildfire in Manhattan" by Joanne Harris. (Beautiful storytelling––I'm interested to read more by her!)

Do you have any good recommendations that are good for night-time reading? Sometimes stories that are creepy are gruesome are simply to anxiety inducing for bedtime; would you agree? I also really enjoy "At the Bay".

Photo via @sarahcarlsonetc Instagram. 

The Play That Never Gets Old...

...Much Ado About Nothing is by far one of my favorite plays of all time. I was originally against it. There was no way I would fall victim to the original chick flick, rom-com, or what you will (see what I did there?). But eventually, I was won over the rapid-fire jokes, underlying darkness, and of course, the ever swoon-worhty Benedick. Let's face it: we all want Benedick from Much Ado to sit down, look us with those newly innocent, shy eyes as say, "I do love nothing in the world so well as you- is not that strange?” (What a heartthrob!) 

I went last night to the BFA production as it was phenomenal. From a crush-worthy Benedick (I mean, it's necessary), to a delightfully evil (female!) Don Pedro, the production was flawless, hilarious, and very much satisfying. I left loving the play more than I already did, and that's pretty impressive. 

It's one of those plays that I will probably always adore, and turn to over and over. 

P.S...Joss Whedon is doing a new film of Much Ado About Nothing coming out this summer! Yay!

P.P.S....Kenneth Branagh will always be the ultimate Shakespeare character crush. 

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