This has been at the top of my wish list for a long time. Most of my hobbies can be grouped into two things, food and art. I have wanted to create a space that seeks the comfort that familiar food brings me mixed with the creative energy of a new project. I’m hoping that this brings me the same fulfillment in my heart that a strawberry cheesecake donut does, without me having to be constantly eating.

So what is ExD? What kind of “business” am I hoping this turns in to? Why should any of you care? Let me break it down by some of my own thoughts:

Who – Me, Jordan! I’ve got a bunch of parents, I’m the oldest of five girls and a self-certified duck leader. By day, I work at a desk, and by night, I feel best when I’m scooping gelato. I make vacations happen every chance I get. I’m horrible at letting the small stuff go, because in my world, everything matters. I’m shy around new people and new situations, which has held me back from this idea for awhile. But, I’m also pretty confident in myself (or you know, fake it til you make it), which is why I’m finally taking this leap!

What – ExD (or rather, Eat by Design) is my idea of a space where food and art coexist. I’ve chased after the best food for years and I’ve continuously wanted wanted a space to document my recommendations (and all my food pics!) I like to eat certain foods on certain days because of national food holidays and I want everyone to join in. I’m constantly searching for food inspired merch and come up empty handed because much of it has a face on it or is too tacky for my liking. I admire (or judge) food themed chalkboard art or menu designs in restaurants. I’ve even started reading food inspired books. In addition, I’ve always loved doing my own art projects. From coloring with Em, to teaching myself how to sew, to learning how to move my art to a digital platform, I’ve had an artistic flair bursting out of me. I have an office full of supplies, a million projects started, and a million and one creative ideas in my head. My hope for ExD is that I can find different ways to entertain ALL of these ideas in one space.

Where – I’m in Chicago! The Windy City has so much energy and good food, that I tell myself as much as I love FL, I could never leave or else I would starve.

When – I’m jumping into this now! I don’t have every detail perfectly planned out, but isn’t that how life goes? And after some time, if I decide this space isn’t what I thought it would be, I’ll change it up.

Why – This is the big question I’m sure you’re all asking by now. The market is saturated with blogs, reviews, small shops – so why bother getting in to this space? Does anyone else really want to be a part of a food/art space? And to that I say, because it means too much to me not to try. The love I have for food and art runs deeper than most. I can be brought to tears thinking about the few perfect cheeseburgers I’ve had and how special the memories I’ve attached to eating ice cream can be. I can instantly feel calmer with the thought of a giant, home cooked bowl of pasta. I take such pride in a cleanly completed art project. Food and art make me feel so full of good feelings that there isn’t much room left for anything negative, and I think the work could use a little more of that right now.

So this is the beginning! Here at ExD, we’re ready for more, while still being grateful for all that we have. Stay tuned for what’s to come!