gooollysandra

Thoughts on thoughts and images of beautiful things

Monthly Archives: January 2018

Ashley Stevenson – Slim Freedom

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This girl mesmerizes crowds at L stations in Chicago. I have only ever seen her at the Washington blue line stop, but I think she plays at others as well. I’m always happy when I see her because her voice is so beautiful, it brings tears to my eyes. I especially like her cover of Landslide. One can’t help but think of Tracy Chapman in comparison (a likening she may or may not be in favor of). She definitely makes waiting for the L more enjoyable. Her name is Ashley Stevenson and she goes by Slim Freedom. If you ever have the pleasure of seeing her while waiting for the L, you might want to skip your train and wait for the next one so you can listen a little longer, as I sometimes do 🙂

MTI Baths

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I got to go to MTI Baths last Spring for a training through work and it was such a wonderful experience that I will not soon forget. They were hospitable and embodied my idea of southern hospitality. Their products are beautiful and carefully crafted right here in the U.S. in the Atlanta, GA area. We went on a tour of their factories and had the pleasure of meeting the people who make their unique products. I especially like their stone tubs, a couple of which I got to try for myself in the Woodward Mill House where MTI hosts their visitors. While it’s a new house, it’s filled with both new and old furniture and decor pieces that date back to the 1860s, giving it a bit of a southern plantation feel. The room I stayed in had two bathtubs in the bathroom – the lovely stone Juliet and the Jasmine, a Japanese style round soaker. I can’t say enough about the amazing whirlwind experience I had at MTI for the two days I was there. To top it all off, they have a female CEO! Katherine Adams was kind and her passion for her work and the company she has helped foster was palpable.

This is a nice little video to give you some insight into their company culture.

Ed Sheeran & Andrea Bocelli – “Perfect”

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Having recently seen Andrea Bocelli in concert, I was so happy and surprised to come across this collaboration with Ed Sheeran on “Perfect.” I have a lot of respect for Andrea Bocelli and he was absolutely amazing in concert. What a powerful voice! And a fun little duo here with Ed Sheeran. I have a special place in my heart for Italian because I was born in Rome and lived there for the first few years of my life. Not that I don’t think the song is beautiful in English when Sheeran sings it, but it takes on a whole new dimensions when Bocelli opens his mouth and starts belting it in Italian. I have to say I’m impressed with Sheeran’s Italian though 🙂

IIDA Headquarters

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The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) in Chicago, IL has a sleek new office on the riverfront designed by Gensler.

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Click here to read about the design process of this space and to see more pictures.