Urban Mushroom Forest

I was walking along on campus last week and spotted this giant clump of mushrooms. For going to school in the middle of the city, I see some things you'd never expect to find there. This is a great example. Just last week I was walking out of one of the buildings and a hawk flew just five feet over my head with a giant squirrel in its talons. amazing! 

Vintage, Used, and Fabulous

Antique malls, flea markets, and second hand shops have the greatest finds. If you have any sort of taste for vintage style, these places will become your best friends. Find a great antique mall and it'll be your go to place if you want to find some inexpensive accessories and knickknacks for your home, if you need a place to spend a rainy or snowy day, or if you just want to go wander around for some inspiration or alone time. Good Juju is an amazing market full of great finds from all eras. Unfortunately, it's only open the first weekend of the month, Friday 9am-9pm, Saturday 9am-5pm, and Sunday 12pm-4pm. It is such a fun place but, since its only open for a short time, there is often a crowd so get there early! Located in the West Bottoms at 1412 W. 12th street, get there this weekend for some great finds! Vintage Market is located in Zona Rosa and is open seven days a week. Its a little more girly but also has great prices and amazing finds. Jewelry, clothing, furniture, pictures, tons of great stuff and girly fun! Parkville Antique Mall is a hidden treasure, located in English Landing Center, right by the park, you can spend a whole day in this place. Really great deals and tons of booths, if you haven't been there check it out. I found some great stuff to furnish my new apartment! River Market Antique Mall is another place you could get lost in. Four floors of stuff to rummage around in, you will be thoroughly worn out after a trip here. Shopping second hand is great. The stuff you find is higher quality than anything made today, you won't end up with the same stuff that all your friends have because its totally unique, and its a form of recycling, instead of buying new stuff made from new materials, you are finding great stuff that already has a story and life behind it. 

KC Juice

I think I could maybe live off smoothies. KC Juice is one place I love to go for really good ones, made with real fruit. They have quite a large menu, but I seem to always go for the Triathlon, a great mix of mango, raspberry, and peach, among others. They also offer chocolaty flavors, coffee flavors, and vegetable juices. Add a shot of wheatgrass to your juice or smoothie. If you buy a 24 oz smoothie, they give a 10% discount to students, Westport merchants, people who work in the health field, and those with memberships to the gym or health clubs. They are located at 4141 Pennsylvania Ave. in the Westport district of Kansas City, go grab a smoothie for a great summer lunch! Also, become a fan on facebook! 

Glace

Last night I walked down the street to chocolatier Christopher Elbow 's new ice cream shop. Quite possibly the most interestingly delicious treat I've had...well, possibly ever. With unique flavors that are great on their own or mixed with different combinations, I know I will be a regular there this summer. Last night I sampled a Basil-Lime which was like a party in my mouth but, I decided on a combination of French Lavender and Goat Cheese with Wildflower Honey. That's right, goat cheese in ice cream. I think I died and went to heaven. As someone who would put goat cheese on everything, even I wouldn't have thought to make it into ice cream. They have some other great flavors. Chris sampled Peanut Butter and Jelly but decided on Salty Pretzel with Vietnamese Cinnamon. There is also Cilantro Pineapple, Caramelized Banana, and Sweet Corn among others. Located at 4960 Main Street, just south of the Plaza (hey, that's right next door to Spin!) Come and see me, get some delicious pizza, and head next door to try these amazing ice cream flavors!

picture via: Ink www.inkkc.com

Free Will

If you have any interest in literature, theather, or just sitting in a park on a warm summer evening, you should check out the Mid America Shakespeare Festival right here in Kansas City. Every year actors come out and perform one of Shakespeare's plays for a few weeks over the summer. This year they are putting on Richard III from June 15 (that's tonight!)-July 3 in Southmoreland Park (that's right across Cleaver Blvd. from the Nelson-Atkins art museum.) Purchase reserved seats for $20 or bring a blanket and sit on the fringes for free. There are snacks and drinks for sale at the park or bring a picnic and make a night of free fun! visit www.kcshakes.org for more information.

Did you say Free?

It's supposed to rain this weekend in Kansas City. But I hear only on Saturday. Here are some things to do, inside and outside for free.  Go to the Rivermarket Antique Mall (really, if this trip remains free is up to you) it is so fun to just walk around that place, and it can last all day. There are some great finds there, from home decor, to tools, clothes, paintings, whatever.  Or, why not visit the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art? Their permanent collection is free to view and if you haven't been there in a while, you can check out the newer wing of modern art or take a look at their American art collection, which was just revamped last year. For some great things to do outside, drive on down to Parkville and walk around English Landing Park, swing on swings, slide down slides, hang out in the gazebo or just walk the trail by the river. Refreshing and romantic. The Parkville Nature Sanctuary is also beautiful, I always see a deer or two while I am there and they have great little benches to take a rest on. One has my favorite poem on a plaque by Richard Braughtigan on it. Love this place. You can also drive out to the State Park in Weston, Mo. Beautiful trails and a great place to reconnect with nature after being cooped up in the house all winter. Whatever you do this weekend, have fun!

Urban Arts and Crafts

The first time I walked in this place, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. The beads, the paper, the fabrics, the yarn, the craft books. Oh my! I could spend and entire day in here and more money than I can compute. Urban Arts and Crafts is located in Briarcliff Village just off 9 highway in Riverside, Missouri. As soon as you walk in the bright colors invite you in and you slip into a daze only crafters understand. You are like a kid in a candy store. I tend to drift to the back corners to fondle soft yarns in bright colors and stare in awe at their wall of beautiful needles. On the opposite wall is a plethora of Amy Butler, Denyse Schmidt, and Anna Maria Horner fabrics along with fat quarters, notions, patterns and wonderfully inspired project books. They offer classes through the year where you can make your own projects, altered art jewelry, knit hand warmers, screen printed anything, and more.  Check out their class schedule. They are located at 4157 North Mulberry Drive. 

mmmmm food.

So, I told you all about some great restaurants in St. Louis last week, but I haven't done that for my own town, Kansas City. These are some of my favorite restaurants in the city. Spin! pizza is so amazing. And I'm not just saying that because I work there. It really is the best pizza in the city.  I eat there after my shifts, not just because its convenient but because it's that good. I love the Pollo Chevre. An olive oil glaze with roast chicken, goat cheese, caramelized onions and crimini mushrooms with fresh mozzarella. I also love the new whole wheat crust with the Pizza Classica. I am loving the Spinaci e Ricotta: spinach, ricotta cheese, sliced tomatoes on a red sauce with fresh mozzarella and oregano. The Sonoma salad is also amazing. Lots of lettuce, apples, raisins, grapes, crushed pecans, goat cheese, with a blood orange vinaigrette to top it off.  La Bodega is also so amazing. I can suck down some of the Sangria like I'm an eight year old drinking kool-aid. Tapas is also just so much fun, I love getting together with my best girlfriends and coming here, picking out some food and everyone taking a few bites. My absolute favorite thing is the Crespelle de Feta y Puerros, this wonderful layered crepe slice with feta cheese, leeks, and basil. It is one of the best things I've ever put in my mouth. Then there is Eggtc. Such great breakfast. Sometimes there can be a wait on a table, especially if you come on a weekend, but it is definitely worth the wait. My boyfriend claims to be a French Toast connoisseur and he says theirs is the best he's had. I love the Eggs Benedict Florentine and their Despierto Burrito. They also have a great Bloody Mary. 

Check out the menus for these great restaurants at their respective websites.

ahhh, Loose Park in the spring

I am so lucky to live just blocks from Loose Park in Kansas City. Although spring has just graced us with its presence in the last week, I can imagine the rose garden in full bloom this summer and all the local kids feeding the ducks at the pond. I took a nice, refreshing walk around the park today and it really lifted my sprits. What a beautiful place!