In February, we wear pink.

Every year as soon as February rolls around, I start wearing pink.  I'm not sure if it's because of all of the Valentine's Day stuff floating around, or just because I get really sick of winter and start wearing pastels in hopes that spring will come soon.  Either way, a little pink always makes me happy.

Shirt and Jeans - Gap / Sweater and necklace - NY&Co (both old) / Boots - Tahari (similar) / Watch - Michael Kors (old)

Oh, and yes, that's a little scoop truck behind me in the first picture.  For some reason when it snows in my neighborhood, they bring in little trucks to pick up the snow piles and put them into a dump truck and drive it away.  Does that happen in other places?  I've never seen it anywhere else.

You can also see where I wore this gingham shirt here and here.

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This weekend...

This weekend I...

... Went on a lady date to Arbre (err, now Polish & Pour?) for some manis and bottomless wine & champagne.
... Toyed around with the idea of actually decorating our powder room, but only accomplished getting a rug we may not keep.
... Hit Bub City for some barbecue, and discovered the weirdest thing I've ever seen in a bathroom.
... Had some super amusing conversations with cab drivers about how hot the nightlife is in Ghana, how you can't live with or without women, and how girls in Russia named Kristina are always the prettiest.
... Went out with the boy to the new(ish) Giordano's in our neighborhood for pizza and the Opening Ceremonies.  I am weirdly pro those sweaters the US team wore.
... Went to Durkins, the crappy bar of my youth, and danced to two Nelly songs within the first 10 minutes.
... Watched about eighteen hours of figure skating coverage before figuring out how the team competition worked.
... Went out with the (almost) in-laws for a little dinner date in Oak Park.
... Ate about four hundred popsicles.  This is a new obsession.  Did you know they sold them in packs with just grape, cherry, and orange, so no one has to eat the crappy flavors?
... Made some crockpot chicken noodle soup.  The recipe made so much I think we'll be set for dinner for the next six to eight weeks.

I hope you had a good one!




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9 Olympics Theme Party Ideas

So is anyone else super excited about the Olympics?  A lot of people hate on the Winter Olympics because they prefer gymnastics and and swimming, but I personally like settling down for three hour curling match (because three Olympics later, I'm still unsure of the rules), watching crazy snowboarding runs, and of course all of the ice skating outfits.

This year I'm actually throwing an Olympics theme party for my birthday during the last weekend of the Olympics, so I've gathered a few ideas for throwing a theme party around everyone's favorite athletic competition.

1. Opening Ceremonies: If you have it in the budget, try to get someone dressed as the Queen to jump out of a helicopter.  Otherwise, play the Olympic Fanfare (Bugler's Dream by Leo Arnaud) and light a big candle as the Olympic Flame.

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2. Food: Anything that comes in circle form is in, like donuts. I'm planning on making some Rice Krispie treats in a muffin tin and adding different colored sprinkles around the edges to make Olympic rings.  You can also get cutesy and serve different colored foods in bowls arranged like the Olympic rings, like chips with different kinds of dip. Or if you just feel like making what you like, add some cute flag toothpicks to the top to make your food a little more festive.

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3. Drinks: Moscow Mules are already trendy, and on theme for Sochi.  White Russians are also in, for obvious reasons.  Otherwise you can serve something clear and add Lifesavers as Olympic rings, or go for the gold and serve up some Goldshlager.

4. Games:  Obviously an Olympics party needs a lot of competition.  Standard drinking games like flip cup, beer pong, and chandelier are definitely in.  Also consider adding some oddities, a la "Flonkerton."  The winners get medals, of course - I'll be making mine out of metallic poster board and some ribbon.

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5. Costumes: Encourage your guests to dress up - as an athlete (current or former), sport, Olympic Flame, Cossack, or go traditional Greek in a toga.  I may or may not be dressing up as this guy:

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6. Music: We are the Champions, Proud to be an American, and the Jock Jams soundtrack on repeat.  Plus the Star Spangled Banner everyone supporting the USA wins an event (presenting medals on a dais: optional).

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7. Entertainment: Turn on your TV to the actual Olympics for those who are so into the games they can't be away from the TV for a minute, or play Cool Runnings and The Mighty Ducks II over and over and over again.

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8. Photobooth: Luckily, the one other party we threw in the last year also had an America theme:

9. Decorations: Lots of flags, lots of Olympic rings, and maybe a backdrop that will confuse your guests into thinking they're actually competing in front of thousands of screaming fans.

Will you be throwing a party for the Olympics?  If so, toss me any ideas you have!




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What I really look like in winter...

What I think I look like in winter:

Coat - 1 Madison (old, similar) / Hat - Gap (old) / Sweater - Banana Republic (old) / Skirt - Loft / Booties - Kelly & Katie (old) / Necklace - JCrew Factory

What I really look like in winter:

Boots - Nine West / Scarf - JCrew Factory

I have not been able to handle all of these zero and negative degree days.  Sooooo I'm covering up every inch of skin possible when I leave the house in the morning.  The people I ride the bus with probably think I'm a crazy person, but hey, at least I'm warm.

The twelve or so inches of snow we've gotten this week helped me determine that my snowboots have a leak, so I'm on the market for a new pair.  Are Hunters plus the welly socks good for snow, or should I go for real snow boots, like Sorel? 

Do you still try to look cute when it's really cold outside, or do you bundle up like me? 

P.S. You can also saw  how I wore this giraffe sweater in much nicer weather here.

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January Budget

I thought this year I'd start trying to budget my clothing purchases, or you know, at least track them so I know how much I've been spending.  I was aiming for $300 a month, since that's what a couple of bloggers who shop at similar stores as me stick to (ahem, Jill and Kaitlin).

It turns out I am a crazy spender and definitely need to rein myself in.  Working in the Loop is just dangerous :)  Here's the damage:

Betsy Johnson Bag - Originally $98, on sale $39.99 (still might return this if I can find the receipt)

Sole Society Sandals - Originally $59.95, on sale $29.98

Loft Circle Skirt - Originally $59.50, on sale $29.75

Sole Society Pumps - $64.95

Loft Blouse - Originally $59.50, on sale $29.75

Target Swimsuit - Originally $39.99, on sale $31.99 minus a $25 giftcard = $6.99

Not pictured: 
Black Coach bag - Originally $258.00, on sale $54.00
Coral Coach bag - Originally $228, on sale $89.55
Loft Circle Skirt - Originally $49.99, on sale $25.00
Loft Woven Sweater - Originally $59.95, on sale $35.97
Banana Republic Sequined Sleeve Tee - Originally $80, on sale $25.99

Total spent: $431.92
Total saved: $625.91

Sooooo here's hoping I do better next month!




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Polka Dots + A Triceratops Confession

Shirt - JCrew Factory / Jeans - Gap / Boots - Enzo Angiolini / Bag - Coach (similar) / Necklace - gifted / Bracelet - Baublebar / Watch - Michael Kors (old)

I give my sister a lot of crap on this blog (I mean, that's what sisters are supposed to do, right?).  But really, she does have pretty good taste.  Case in point: this adorable necklace she got me for Christmas.  To be fair though, she also gave me a giant triceratops necklace in the same package.  But who doesn't need a giant triceratops necklace in their collection? 

Ahem.  I may have already worn said necklace three or four times.  To work.  They likely think I'm a weirdo now.  

Oh, and see that bag?  One of my purchases from my Coach Factory binge a couple weeks ago.  I lurrrrrrve it ;)

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This weekend...

This weekend I...

... Went to a Super Bowl party and ate waaaaaay too many treats, including some adorable football brownies.
... Checked out Headquarters Beercade, which is a bar filled with vintage arcade games.  The guys were like, well, guys in an arcade.  Plus beer.  So, heaven.
... Went to the grocery store to buy some chicken wings for the big game, and literally got confused and thought I was buying the wrong thing because they weren't already cut into pieces.  I may need a grocery store assistant.
... Had breakfast with some of my ladies at Ann Sather's, and made it less than an hour after breakfast before finishing my leftover cinnamon rolls ;)
... Did some work on the design elements for our wedding, and let me tell you, it is really hard to design things for yourself.  Good thing I still have 16 months to go ;)
... Put on a new set of nail stickers.  Polish makes my nails really weak so I try not to wear it too often, but I can rock these bad boys as often as I like.
... Went with a big group to Coobah, a Cuban-Asian fusion place, and had some freaking amazing braised chicken spring rolls.  More fusion, please!
... Got not one, but two rounds of drinks sent over to our table from the owner of our gym on Friday night.  Yayyyyyy health!
... Thoroughly enjoyed all of the football movies on the tv this weekend.  I may not care about football, but I do love me some Remember the Titans.

I hope you had a great weekend!




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