Saturday's Occurences

[About Saturday]

So yesterday it was super nice out for it being eight days into October in Chicago.

My counterpart had a day date planned with car repair and I knew if I wanted a fun day, it would be totally up to me. I texted a few people, thought about taking a train into the city to roam around by myself, or bounced around the idea of driving back out to Naperville to spend it with my parents. I had a super good feeling about this one. Lunch downtown, followed by meandering through the blocks and heading into the Riverwalk was the game plan. We ate lunch outside at Hugo's Frogbar, and then proceeded to walk around. My parents have never been in an Apple store. I know, I KNOW.  I feel like a big reason for this is because my parents both hate crowds in addition to high priced gadgets that they feel serve them no purpose. I am totally against the idea because I know how busy it was going to be on a day like that in downtown Naperville. I warned them of this, but we continued to walk to it anyway. There was a tiny shrine outside for Mr. Jobs and my mom refused to let me place my iPod headphones along the bouquets of flowers. I don't think she quite realizes that I have countless pairs around the house. Her reason? "I need new headphones, if you're just going to put them on the ground, I'm going to just pick them up & use them". Needless to say, they are still in my purse. At this point we are now outside the doors and my parents are just kind of anxiously looking in and my mom is like, "Do you really want to do this?" and my dad said "No." So my parents have still never been into an Apple store. I applaud them for this. It's just a bloody awful experience, grimy fingers swiping countless iPads, kids taping away on the Macs, and 182,219 employees just dying to ring your purchase right in the middle of the store, or on the side of the store or wherever the hell you want to purchase your item because they can. It is kind of like my standing with Denny's. I've never been in one, and I have no desire to ever go in one.

So we continued on and I had wanted tea and I ditched the Starbucks idea after seeing that 20 people were parked in line at one of the three downtown locations. I decided to take it on over to Adagio Tea. I had never been here and was kind of expecting a mix between a Starbucks & an Argo Tea. However, it was more like Teavana. I was so excited and my parents were tea enthused as well;

 

You were able to smell everything on your own, which I loved. I hate having to ask employees to smell the tea, especially at Teavana because you are smelling out of the bin that people purchase the tea from. I could have gone around the room smelling and comparing the teas all day. I absolutely loved it. I smelled the Cocomint Green and it pretty much sealed the deal, really solid combination. Ideal for morning or after dinner, because you get the kick from the tea, and the sweetness from the chocolate & mint for after you chow down.

But I am dying to taste this sweet potato pie. I'm hoping they have these teas year round, and not just seasonally.

I cannot wait to go back there, hopefully it will be sooner than later.

We walked across the street to a little shop called Serendipity. It's a super mini thrift that gives back to charity.

Last time I was here they had some lime green Doc's in the window for $25!! Unfortunately they were a size too big and my mom has some serious disdain for certain bright colored accessories. This time they had a fabulous plaid patterned Pendleton** coat, wedding dresses, and this gem;

 

for $6!

WHERE ARE YOU, LADIES?! Let's be friends.

Red Hat Society

along the riverwalk.

If you're unfamiliar, the Riverwalk in Naperville is sort of a big deal to people who live around the area, for it is rather awesome; click here for more

[the 'fit]

 

Boots: thrifted Goodwill $4 Tights: Forever21

I can't say I'm a fan of the Marilyn Monroe statue downtown Chicago...

But this Dick Tracy one is all the rage in my book.

There is a great little story about it [here]

I guess we can top it off with this excitement;

OH YEAH, BABY! RETWEETED BY XRT!

Tessa__Gee Tessa Groll 

Hell yes! Terri played some new @flo_tweet and I screamed when it came on. so good! @93xrt

8 Oct Favorite Reply Delete

All in all, it was a really good day. I really wanted to spend the day outside doing something fun. I was glad that day included the rents as well as one of my close girlfriends and her companion. Everyone has the "get outside" mentality this weekend. I'm mustering up the anticipation to take a stroll around the neighborhood. Keep it real.

[show line-up tonight]

Sunday Night Football. The Good Wife. Breaking Bad. Dexter

**I have the BEST luck when it comes to scoring Pendleton goods in Thrift stores. I was in the Portland Goodwill about a year ago and there was this phenomenal floor length red coat. I tried it on and about three other people that were in the store flocked over and insisted that I needed to buy it. It was $50 and I knew this coat would last me forever. I decided to take the advice of the store-goers and I bought it. So yesterday I was in front of this plaid coat and my mom and I had struck up conversation with this woman and her friend visiting from New York. She also adored the coat and said "Hey, you know try that on, if it fits and your mom doesn't get it for you, I will." Unfortunately, it was pretty big and it did not make its way into my life, but feel fortunate for finding such things.

Why yes, I do have the time, It's Jelly time.

[About Thursday]

this song is really good. We heard it driving home the other day on XRT of course.

She reminds me of a young Chrissie Hynde/PJ Harvey.

It finally happened. My counterpart and I headed into the city via Metra in the early afternoon and hiked over to the Shedd Aquarium. They've been hyping the hell out of their new Jellies exhibit and I've been dying to see it aka bugging him to take me! They have this cool little theme song they always play on XRT and it always makes me ultra excited to see their pulsating little bodies pushing their way through the water...okay that might be too much commercial quotation, but it's damn accurate. Check out this music and do the Jellies dance (which I made up and TOTALLY FORGOT to do while in the exhibit).

If I were the girl in the ad, I'd be screaming in excitement. It'd be along the lines of:

"JELLIES! OH MY GOD ::SCREAMS::"

I LOVE starfish.

Let me say this though, we scoped out the whole place and we saved the jellies for one of the last things we did. I love everything they have there. Unfortunately the penguins were closed for show, but that's okay, as long as my brainless little blobs would be rockin' solid, I knew we'd be fine. While it was a neat little exhibit, it was not what I was expecting. I was expecting a HUGE exhibit, especially because it's going to be there for quite some time (as most of them go), like floor-to-ceiling jellies is what I wanted. I wanted to be encompassed in Jellies. If only I could have been wearing jellies...However, they were still beautiful and laid out rather nicely. I snagged a few pictures of them;

One of these Jellies makes me want egg drop soup-ASAP.

another makes me want to brush my hair.

Oh the urges the jellies give.

If you're in the area, definitely check out the Shedd. A good time will be had.

Rest assured, it not only confirmed that I love these little guys, but that I am also looking to purchase a home large enough to house my beluga whale I hope to have in the future. Hopefully my counterpart is also actively looking into the same situation.

What a great time.

It was so nice to get out in the city on such a nice day. I have been trying my best to take advantage of all this nice weather action. In addition to taking mighty fine advantage of that, I'm quite enthused Argo Tea finally had a chance to make its way through my body, that delicious bastard. So I've never been and I've always assumed it was snooty because of their "city only" locations. I went in and found out that it was rather Portland-esque. People on Macs-everyfreakingwhere, dim lighting, menus that screw with your head until your realize they are purposefully changing to show you more options, dread-locked baristas...on and on.

I got their version of bubble tea, which allowed me to choose a flavour & a type of tea. I chose green tea/coconut/2% milk. It was delectable! It was really neat because it was not typical bubble tea with the tapioca, but was the actual taste of coconut;

I want to work here. I want to make little leafs in your milk froth. I want to sell insurmountable amounts of tea. I AM ARGO TEA!

::deep breathing::

okay. it's cool.

But yeah, needless to say, I am glad I finally had it.

Now I'm craving it and the closest location is 20 miles ::sobbing::

So, 10:30 p.m. probably isn't the ideal time that I should have waited until to eat the leftover fried rice from last night, but being that I have a few more years of lucky metabolism ahead of me, I shall relish in the greasy goodness past dinner time.

Hopefully your Friday night plans are a tad better than mine.

I am going to make Oatmeal Raisin cookies today.

[Yesterday]

what happens when you thrift pants shorter than anticipated?

You add some funky socks and call that shit a day.

shoes: [target] they always have them $9

socks: stolen from my moms sock drawer long ago.

 

sweater: found at Marshalls, brand Mercer & Madison.

 

top: Old Navy. I have so many funky print things from there as well as basics.

I can incorporate this top a million different ways.

Intermission Song:

Florence + The Machine [remix]

I posted this song the other day. The official video is out for it. See that[HERE]

I just finished this scarf last night. I also started it last night.

It looks as if I'm back to my scarf-in-three-hours regime.

I love making what I call, 'Scarp Scarves'. I've been talking about finding this onslaught of usable yarn at my parents house. I plan on using a lot of it in a blanket with the same concept I'm knees deep in [I just got a craving for banana bread]. In addition to finding all of this yarn, I found this awesome scarf that I made back in high school that I've been incorporating with everything. Well, I had the time on my hands and wanted to make another one. If you want one...let me know.

I tend to make them with a mix of different types/brands of yarn which makes them really soft & super warm.

Someone should really make sure I don't shop during the month of October because I get suckered in with shit like this. I should not call it that though, because upon having it this morning, the first bite was like crunching into my youth. I literally plunged head first into the longing of wanting to be an 8 year old watching Saturday morning cartoons, picking out the crunch berries profusely. While I normally never get cereal like this [I kind of like my food to have some benefit, I guess], the "LIMITED EDITION" plastered on the front kind of made it official. It did turn the milk a Shamrock Shake shake sort of green. Groovy. I'll take it.

I love it when all the holiday episodes and movies start rolling out.

**It's true. I'm going to make Oatmeal Raisin cookies today.

Things I Carry

I've seen this done around the internet and have been wanting to do this for some time.

This song seemed appropriate for the purse journey.

This is the purse I carry and the things lovely possessions that are in it on the average day;

purse: thrifted; Goodwill $8 I absolutely LOVE IT!

Wallet:

Forever 21 front sales bin [pic includes: shopping lists, reciepts I can never throw away from stores in Japan, Comme des garcons perfume samples I got at the museum that make the air smell awesome each time I open my wallet, love notes from my counterpart, & wedding seating of a wedding we went to this summer] This wallet is oozing with memories. I have hotel room keys, business cards, & a couple of pictures. It's the good times wallet.

Matches:

These are from Hugo's Frog Bar in Downtown Naperville I always go here with my mom for a quick lunch in the middle of a busy day. We both end up snagging a few of these matchbooks when we leave. They always help me in a jam.

Pepto: for obvious reasons!!! Notepad: (Target) to get out whatever is clawing at my brain mints/gum: obvious choices

Book: if room allows, I always have a book. I've been toting around The Picture of Dorian Gray for too long and it needs to get finished. B&N sells classics for CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP! pen assortment + sharpie: necessary bottled water: oh, absolutely.

Eye Patch:

My most recent & random addition. I'm so proud. I love telling people the real reason pirates wore patches. 

I found this in the bin of yarn at my parents house. What a gem!

Headphones: 2 pairs. Very important LipBalm: (Sephora, $7) Amazing! Flavour actually tastes good.

Deli #:

I decided to keep this one because the deli counter was hoppin' when I was there

& I had a valuable conversation with an older woman behind me.

Plus, B22? Like I'm throwing anything with 22 on it out.

Tea: chamomile, it isn't a bad thing to carry around. Especially because a cup of hot water is free at Starbucks.

Lighter & Cigs: bic-(PURPLE!) and Nat Sherman's. I love these because they are light & don't have additives.

[Fantasia's] are my favourite way to go, but those are more of a treat.

Lipbalms/Glosses: Yelpstick, I get this at the Yelp events that I go to. They are awesome. Revlon: [firecracker]

Sephora: lipstain. I regret not getting the hot pink. Maybelline: in some embarrassing shade.

hunting pocket knife thing: I love the idea of having this on me. always.

Abercrombie 8 perfume:

I HAD TO! An old employee of mine was a model for them & he got me a sweet discount. This scent reminds me of high school and I can't resist having it for a backup scent. I've had it for so long, but now it reminds me of so many things because of all the times I've used it.

I'd love to see spin off posts of this. It is SO neat to see what people tote around.

Unfortunately, I couldn't include my phone in this shot [because that it was I use for my camera!] and this purse doesn't feature my other favourite fun time purse item which is my tiny toy phantom hand that broke off some odd toy I had in my old bedroom. I pulled it out in any situation that required assistance and said "Need a hand???" while jabbing them with it. Ah, I shall bring the hand back.

Eating Accordingly

Being that it is October, I like to eat the cereal of the season;

Obviously.

On another note, I get that they add whole grain, who cares.

Why aren't they adding more fiber?

October Daze } Outfits } Roseanne

[Sunday's Ensemble]

 

Jacket: OLD [fervore??] Brown sweater: old-school Target

Shirt: Target Dress: Old Navy [on sale-awesome score!]

Necklace: homemade

As you know, big Florence fan, her single "Shake It Out" came out today.

I cannot wait to see her tour with her upcoming album Ceremonials.

This is a must-see read from [Interview Magazine]

So I went to Target today to get a few things that I forgot to get for the next two weeks when I went shopping yesterday. Of course, I couldn't resist taking a little stroll around the sales rack [which can seem like a thrift rack] and the sock section where funky tights and boot socks reside.

This dress was like "OH HEY, BUY ME!" I know you can't really see it here, but the pictures are extremely unflattering unless it is being worn. I will show it then. I know, no one is on the edge of their seats. I love the pattern so so much and knew it would work in any season. For $14.00, there would be no bitching or self discussion, this thing was going to be mine. The boot socks are a must each season [$8 a pack] I get one pack, so now I have 6 pairs. I love Plum purple and the mix of purple/colours for the 1st pair. Really stoked to wear them with my Docs and/or every other pair of shoes I own.

This clip is the first part of the episode, it's lengthy, but good!

I had the honour of seeing the Halloween episode of Roseanne, S2 last night because apparently someone over at TV Land is thinkin' just like the ol' TG. I wanted to get all revved up for Halloween on my first day of October and this was perfect last night! I love Roseanne and it's perfect white-trash humour.

Thrifty adventures // Casual Friday Outfit

The other day I got an opportunity to go hang out with my mom. She's been telling me about this new thrift that they put in 15 minutes away from my parent's house called Savers and she has also been well aware of my un-dying need to thrift. So these are my little treasures from the trip;

one of the first things I came across. I fell in love instantly.

My mom had her doubts, to prove her wrong I put this bad boy on the social networks & let my friends respond.

All 3 of them said yes. Done deal.

AWESOME adornments.

It even has that rockin' grandma/thrift smell.

This was brand new from Gap, tags on, $50 to $5.99. MUAHAHAHA!

Empire Records-esque

I saw this and knew I had to have it. It is marked as a size 12, multiple sizes too big.

I was really bummed out, but when it came to trying it on, it fit me perfectly.

When I read the label on this plaid pleated beauty, it reigns from a boutique in Wilmette/Oak Park, Spauldings.

It was also marked brand new with a tag for $168, mine for $14.99!

It shall go perfect with my babies;

this is a total high school throwback for me when I had a whole collection of odd shit to wear atop my head.

It just seemed right. Plus, I knew they would go perfectly with my just-arrived Woot shirt!

I love this bright little floral dress. It's a tad big, but it works.

My mom tried taking it in, but the machine was acting up.

The funny little thing about this is that it is a SKORT!!!

ha ha ha ha. Where are my jellies??

This reminded me of something from Proenza Schouler Fall 2011 and I knew it had to be mine.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Casual Friday outfit.

Huge. Deal.

 

These are cool, but were instantly made cooler by turning them inside out.

 

leggings: UniQlo (Japan) Dress: Target Coat: Forever 21 Scarf: hand-made by me

this scarf has a satisfactory back story to it;

So I made this sucker in high school. I made A LOT of scarves in high school, almost 1 a day.

I crocheted in all of my classes, teachers allowed this because I still participated, did well on tests, & did homework.

[this was also allocated in college]

So that's about 6 hours of crochet time, which totally allowed me to do one chain per class.

I was rolling these out all the time, gave them out to people, etc.

This was obviously an awesome scarf & was COMPLETELY excited upon finding it.

I accumulated a ton of yarn; a huge bin of it over at my parents house.

I was over there the same night we went thrifting while my mom was trying to take in my dress in the basement.

I went through the huge bin because I am working on a scrap blanket...

[where I use all my old yarn from past projects]

I took home two huge bags of yarn that is totally rad and usable.

I threw out one garbage bag of un-worthy threads. The blanket will be HUGE.

It's already getting to be kind of a beast...

So anyway-

EARRINGS....

 

earrings: bows (Forever 21), Turquoise ones (?)

Necklace: I made this sometime last week.

Needless to say it's part of every outfit.

However, now that I made this one today, there will be some competition:

I'm in love with this necklace.

It definitely looks better when you see it live!