I'm Southwest-ing my way home from a lovely, whirlwind work weekend in Chicago – my first time in the city since I was 12. All I remember about the last trip is the Sears Tower and my sister being crabby. Needless to say, this trip was an improvement.

I was in town to help out however I could as my newest client prepares to launch their amazing new service for mamas-to-be, set to launch on Mother's Day. I've had the pleasure of working with a couple of amazing ladies while designing their logo, website, and packaging, and I can't wait to share our hard work and sing their praises once it's all up and running. You're going to love it! Let's hear it for the ladies of small business. These broads know how to get stuff DONE.

In addition to sleeping in and room service (French toast and bacon, the best of all worlds) and a little shopping (including a ridiculously unpractical sequined mesh cropped tank that Topshop made me buy) I got to catch up with a college friend and fellow designer who I hadn't seen in something like 8 years. We had a fantastic dinner, chatting about type designers, kearning by the millimeter with a certain professor who will remain nameless, Plaka ink, ugly curves and angry angles that stab at your eyeballs (another professor). We agreed that while we didn't know anything about anything back in college, we managed to learn some things that we still carry with us today – and all for the better. She also reminded me of how much I love vodka gimlets.

Enjoy the snaps of beautiful Chicago and remember, when in a strange city, skip Yelp and ask the checkout ladies where to eat lunch. I had the best Italian sandwich + cookie combo of my life, true story. Now to track down my Wacom pen (possibly left in Chicago, ack), put the finishing touches on their graphics and get outside with my little men. It's a gorgeous day in San Francisco!