I want to go to there.

Who wants to join me? The Chicago History Museum currently has a collection of wedding attire for brides, grooms, and bridesmaids that includes forty five dresses and more. Aaaaaahhhh! I'll say it again: I want to go to there. Come on, it's free on Mondays!

Here are a couple snippets of what they have to offer:



I know you want to.

Dress one.
Dress two.

If only.

If only there was someone who loved me soooooo much that they'd purchase this Alexander Wang bag for me. Santa? I've been a good girl...

Total side note: Has anyone else seen the commercial for the second season of A&E's Obsessed?? For the life of me I can't find it on the internet, at least not in any shareable way. [Actually, if you click on the link provided it should pop up.] Anyway, it gives me so much anxiety and freaks me the f out every time I see it. You see, I mostly sit with the tv on in the background while I blog and pay half-attention to what's on the tele, but this commercial ALWAYS gets my attention and speeds up my heartbeat EVERY TIME. Seriously, it is kind of terrifying*. In fact, the commercial is in effect making me feel what I would assume having OCD feels like. Like I said, scary. Not Real Housewives of New Jersey scary, though.

*This is in no way a comment on OCD, which I am sure is a terrifically difficult condition to live with, but just a comment on the commercial.

Success!

This is what I bought yesterday at the Gulf Restoration Fundraiser. You like? I really wanted this piece, but someone held it in their shopping cart and then, much later, did not end up buying it. In the words of Stephanie Tanner: How rude! Anyway, I'm happy with my purchase and with the fact that the money is going to such a good cause.

If you haven't already, you should pop on over and check it out. Some stuff is still for sale [at the point of writing this, my originally coveted piece is] and, if anything, it's definitely an interesting perusal of images.

New purchase.

I acquired these lovely vases on Saturday; I decided to mosey on over to Andersonville by my lonesome and check out some of the lovely home decor shops it has to offer. I sometimes like doing those things on my own, it makes me feel independent and adult-like. I so rarely feel adult-like. I digress... Definitely made the jackpot with this purchase. For some reason there were some blow-out sales happening. Home Accents was having a 40% off sale and I was able to pick up all of three of these vases for a fraction of the original price. Suweet!!

Also, I realize you can kind of see me in these photos. My own Where's Waldo extravaganza! Remind me to tell you the story of when I dressed up like Workout Barbie and went to the mall with two of my girlfriends who proceeded to take pictures of me and my pink-and-white-striped leotard from afar to put together our own version of Where's Workout Barbie. Yes, that actually happened.

Please come to my picnic.

I am on a picnic kick now and I would like to have these on my imaginary picnic. It would have to be imaginary because all of these items are way too expensive for any picnic that I'd throw. It sure would be fun, though. Imagine french bread and cheese and preserves. And champagne. Ooooo, what a picnic it would be.

Cups and plates.
Blanket.

Picnic in the Park.

{outfit info}

The outfits I put together are generally dream outfits that I wouldn't normally purchase or wear, but not this one. I would wear this outfit in a heartbeat. In fact, I kinda want to purchase it all right now and go on a picnic! I haven't had a good picnic in years. And in fact, I have seriously not been to the lake once yet this year. Eeep. This truly a shame [especially if you know how close I live to the lake] and I shall remedy this soon. Maybe in this outfit!

Happy Monday, y'all! Don't forget: The Gulf Restoration Fundraiser is TODAY at 2 pm [CST].

Bedroom update.

So you should know, as I'm sure you're paying close attention to my bedroom revamp, that I decided not to buy the fawn lamp. What I ultimately want in my room is for it to be a charcoal grey with some fabulous ACCENT PIECES of hot pink, and I was afraid that I was developing more half and half pink and grey. Hence the decision for a grey lamp above. I'm happy with it [even if the new guy was bigger than my other lamp, so they've made a switch in locations from desk to dresser and vice versa]. I feel like I am well on my way to revamping this bad boy [meaning my bedroom] and I am very happy with the progress. I'll be even happier once I get my Walmart curtains that I purchased [and make sure they work], which I think will bring the whole room together. Only so much can be done on a small budget; I bought this lamp at Home Goods, thank you rental car! Soooo many parentheticals.

In unrelated news, have a great weekend! I hope to do a whole lot a nothin' around what I already have planned and am really looking forward to it. See you friends on Monday, hopefully I'll be more prepared next week.

ps Don't forget [I'm sure I'll remind you] the fundraiser will go live on Monday.

pps This is such a shitty picture to go out on, but what will be will be.

Rent the Runway.

I found out last night at a Happy Hour with some of my fabulous coworkers that they had never heard of Rent the Runway. Good to know. I will blog about it, I said. And not just because I arrived home after 10:00 pm because said coworkers can easily persuade a girl that is already easily persuaded. The deal is [as I know it, I've actually never purchased] for $50 you can rent an awesome designer dress for three days. Or something like that. Like I said, I've never actually used it, but receive emails from them in the hopes that one day I will. Haven't you had an event you need to go to, but don't have the perfect dress AND don't want to dole out the cash for a one-time event? I know I have! This is your answer -- just rent an awesome dress and beautiful jewelry for a nominal fee, comparatively speaking. You're welcome, m'ladies.

If you're interested, you need an invite and I'm your girl! Click here.

Regularly scheduled programming.

There is no appropriate segue from an oil spill to materialistic lust, but I must.

I want these two pillows for my new bedroom, but am not willing to spend $100 [$50 each]. Do you guys have any idea how expensive pillows are? Bananas expensive! But they sure are loverly. Who wants to buy them for me? I know you're out there somewhere.

One.
Two.

Time of need.

{via}

It is sometimes a struggle for me to appear so vapid and frivolous as to talk about Forever 21 when there are other startling and horrific things going on in the world. I would never present myself as someone who is always "in the know" or someone who frequently sits down to discuss current events, however I do know more than shoes and Etsy shops. I have opinions and thoughts, especially about the Gulf Oil Spill. You can now see the oil spill from space. From space. This has become dire, this has been dire. Nature is being destroyed. Lives are being forever changed.

I also know that you do not come here for news, nor this type of information, so there will be no diatribe from me. Instead I have found a fundraiser that seems to fit in perfectly with what I do here. Thanks to For Me, For You for pointing me in the right direction.

My Love for You has created a Gulf Fundraiser that will open on Monday, June 28th at 2 pm [CST]. As of yesterday there are 83 confirmed artists and print shops who will donate one hundred percent of the proceeds from their work to The Gulf Restoration Network. So please visit The Big Cartel Shop on Monday and, if you are so inclined, purchase something to help in this time of need.

Pretty lady.

{via}

I love this outfit. And I love this location -- I want to be there RIGHT NOW. Oh well. You know what? Three out of five pieces in this outfit are from Forever 21; that is pure craziness. If I looked like this coming out of Forever 21 I would surely shop there more, if only for that cardigan. I think what I like most about this outfit is that I would never have paired that dress with that cardigan, but it looks fabulous and I give a silent nod of approval from my bedroom.

I love scary movies.

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I grew up on the classics. I've missed out on all the movies that most of my contemporaries have seen; well, mainly the comedies. Name a comedy, especially the gross ones, you watched when you were younger and I've probably never seen it. What I have seen are all of the black and white movies you've heard of, and probably some you haven't heard of, too. I used to rent these, or watch the taped from tv vhs,with my mom every weekend and those times still happen to be some of my fondest memories. Above you will find The Haunting. They made a pathetic and dismal remake of this perfect movie a few years back, but don't be confused, the original is where it's at. I don't think I've ever been as scared watching a movie before or after seeing this puppy. Watch it at your own risk.

{via}

This guy is Ten Little Indians, which was my FAVORITE Agatha Christie book. [I've also read all of those. I had a really dorky childhood, just quiz me on my musical knowledge.] I haven't seen this in years, and I have a feeling that it would be extremely campy, but just might be the nostalgic kick I've been looking for.

{via}

And then, Rebecca. Alfred Hitchcock. No need to say more. Other than, my Mom probably quotes one line from this movie more than once a year.

{via}

Aaaaahhhh, All About Eve. Not a scary movie, and not really suitable for this post, but it is the movie I watched over and over and over again. I love Bette Davis and thought she had conquered the whole acting thing better than most, especially in this movie. It doesn't get better than this. [See, I said it again. But really, this is the best.] "Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy night." It doesn't get more iconic than that. In fact, I became so obsessed with this movie and Bette Davis in high school that my drama teacher gave me the honor of assigning me a scene from the musical adapted from All About Eve...but there was no one to do the scene with me, so he performed it. It was weird. And this is embarrassing, so I will move on. I have a thing for movies, and I feel like I'm extra judgmental of modern movies because they really just don't make them like they used to. I am way too young to say something like that, but it is true.

Stuff No One Told Me.

I was directed to Stuff No One Told Me through Refinery 29 and I couldn't be happier. There are twenty in total at the moment and some of them are spot on, some of them are hilarious, some of them are sadly true. These three were my favorite and I just had to post them here.

This is it.

Okay, here's the deal -- I don't have any pictures of my friend's wedding. At least, not yet. We took pictures, but they are on my date's camera and I'm not really sure when I'll get them because they are most likely sitting in his camera for not an eye to see. I will do my best to get them to you as soon as I can. You should know that I did try to get him to take pictures with my camera for this very reason, but he shot me and my poor little camera down, which is probably a good thing because he's the photographer, not me. Because of this I have really been struggling with a post idea. I guess I just want to show off what a beautiful day it was and feel like everything else pales in comparison.

So, I am resorting to my cat. I finally uploaded these photos from a time when Buster decided to douse himself in my sink. He has always liked to drink the dripping water from my bathroom faucet [I assume because it's colder?], but he really went to town this time and I found it hilarious enough to take too many pictures.

Sidenote: Sorry for the gratuitous bathroom shots. Didn't I already mention I am not a photographer?





UPDATE: I JUST happened to see this on mi amiga's facebook page. Click here to see some amazing photos of an amazing day!!

[And, uh, Katy, if you don't want me linking to your photos, just tell me and I'll take it down immediately, which you prolly won't because you are on your honeymoon and all.]

MIA.

{via}

Hello, folks! The wedding was a smash, so much so I'm afraid I'm gonna take a bit of a blogging break today. I'm tired and lacking in inspiration. I assure you I will be back tomorrow.

I found this photo on Home Sweet Home and can't stop thinking about it. I wish I lived here. That is all.

Happy Weekend.

What are you up to this weekend, friends? I am off to Wisconsin and thought I should do a wedding post since my lovely friend, Katy, is getting married this weekend!!! I am beyond excited for the wedding and have already packed all my waterproof makeup for the occasion. I can't wait to see my friend in a beautiful dress bestow her love to a wonderful man. In her honor I wanted to post some wedding pictures that've made me swoon. I wish for her such beautiful and magical moments as these and much, much more. And I can't wait to dance.

I love to wedding dance.

One and two.
Three through seven.
Eight through ten.

A new mission.

I saw this on Design Crush yesterday and it kind of took my breath away. It is for this reason that I need to start reading again more regularly. These moments are great, but what I truly appreciate [and it is much akin to this] is when an author can articulate a thought that I never fully understood before. I've always had a strength in emotions, being able to feel and emote and relate to others emotionally, but being able to articulate how and what I am feeling has never come easily to me. I can work my way up to it, but it's so refreshing when someone succinctly says what has been rambling around my head for too long. Moments like these always catch my breath.

I used to try to write down all of these snippets of truth to my life, but have woefully fallen behind. Or really, had sort of forgotten that mission in my life. Much like many other missions that I was once so strong in pursuit of; remember when I meditated and loved it? Yeah, it's fuzzy for me too. I can never decide if these are lost battles, or something needed in a time of my life that has since been fulfilled. Most of the time I feel like the latter is just a rationalization. For you see, consistency and follow-through have never been my strong suit. But I digress.

I need to start reading again. Why don't you give me some suggestions of books you've read and loved? I generally like emotional, character-driven stories, but that's kind of a given, right?

This elephant forgot me.

Don't you hate it when you sit on things and then miss out? I had my eye on this elephant planter on etsy, but decided to wait because well, I've gone a little bedroom decor crazy and need to settle for a bit. But I thought he would be perfect, no matter where he ended up in my place. Guess someone else thought so, too.

I think I'm trying to create my own menagerie. I already own an owl lamp, which I adore and have for the past two or so years that I've owned it. And then I'm still thinking about this pink fawn. Remember him? He has already gone down ten dollars! [I understand talking about this guy is antithetical to the post due to my price watch, but I think vintage and Urban Outfitters are two very different things. Even if they don't want to admit it.] Well, add ol' elephant planter and we'd have ourselves a menagerie. Too bad someone out in the world doesn't want me making Tennessee Williams jokes all the time.

Well, the Universe [yup, capitalized] should know that I have my eye out for a white elephant planter. And not just because I went to the White Elephant last weekend and tried to buy every elephant figurine they had in the joint, only to be told that they weren't for sale because...they are the White Elephant. Like people don't already know that. Not just because of that.

Speaking of shoes.

First things first, this picture doesn't nearly do these shoes justice; they are so much cuter in person. For real. I was on the bus yesterday on my way home from work. [Sidenote: It took me AN HOUR to get home from work, it usually takes 20 minutes. It took me 40 minutes just to get on a bus! There is nothing worse than waiting for what seems like forever for a bus only to see it pull up completely full. Over and over again. Okay, I'm done bitching.] After I finally got on a bus I ended up standing near a most stylish lass wearing these shoes, which completed a perfectly put-together casual outfit.

Near the end of the bus ride [at least for me] she accidentally hit my leg and apologized. I took this break in silence to compliment her on her shoes. She told me she got them from Bakers. What?! Then she was kind enough to tell me the brand, so I could find them easily on their website. This was the moment where I vacillated between telling her I had a blog and remaining mum. I ultimately decided against telling her just because it was so weirdly quiet in there; the only thing people could do around me was listen, and I was surely too embarrassed to announce to a crowd of strangers that I cultivate a blog of materialistic goodies.

This is when it got awkward for we ended up getting off at the same stop. Me after her. I, for a second, considered asking to take her picture since we were out of the silence, but then I was convinced she thought I was following her. So I walked away. Said nothing and just walked away. Eee gad. That was awkward.

Anyway, she left me with some super cute hot pink shoes. Well, she didn't leave them with me, you know what I mean.

Oh, and they come in grey and black. She told me they also came in mustard and I was bummed when that color choice wasn't offered online, but it may be in one of their stores. Who doesn't want a pair of adorable mustard shoes? Did I mention that they are $30? Sold.

Boat shoes!

I've wanted a pair of boat shoes for some time now. I think they would look so cute with shorts, skirts, dresses, and jeans. Really, you can't go wrong here. I'm especially digging the first pair. Even with the mesh. I never thought I'd be excited about mesh, but ladies, that time has come. Now I just need to decide if I should get the boat shoes or TOMS. Ugh. I am terrible at decisions. And only to make matters worse, JCrew has a fabulous metallic gold pair that are freaking fantastic!

Question.

Which of these do you prefer? I know the second pair is kind of out of control, but they'll be the only piece of jewelry that I'd wear. Oh right, for the wedding THIS WEEKEND!! I have a purple dress and want to wear some fun earrings. The first pair is more subdued and seems like the obvious choice, but I wanted to get your opinion.

Also, sorry for the photos. I took them with my iphone and the hipstamatic app, which I downloaded right before taking these pictures. Uhh, obviously. Hopefully I'll get a better hang of it sooner rather than later.


After writing this post I realized that I wasn't really happy with either choice and went back for more. Hence, the turquoise pair, which I totally think I am going to wear. I like how the blue juxtaposes the purple and they seem fitting for an outside wedding. Also, I think I'm going to save the second pair for Christmas. Don't they kinda look like Christmas trees? Or at least, Christmas ornaments.

ZZ Top would be so proud.

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I wasn't going to post this as it has most definitely made the blog rounds, but I broke down. And you know why? THOSE LEGS. I mean, come on! Does she not have the most amazing legs you've ever seen? I don't think you could Weird Science better legs if you tried.

I think Chloe is one of the coolest cats around. In fact, she is intimidatingly cool. So much so, I would literally pretend not to see her if we ever came into contact. I think it would be like staring into the sun. Or an eclipse. She is like an eclipse.

Wow. I got really carried away there. But seriously, if you like yourself some Chloe you should go here to watch a video of her hanging out and shopping in New York City. It doesn't get much better than that. (Do I say that too much?) And this pic is way too cute.

(I'm sure it is only a matter of time before I post about Jeanne Tripplehorn because I obviously have a Big Love thing happening here.)

Miss Marc Giraffe and more.

{outfit info}

I've had this dress sitting in my Polyvore for quite some time; I loved it the first time I saw it. Then I found those shoes and wanted desperately to find a way to combine the two. I'm not sure if it is the most successful outfit, but I was trying to do something different. (I feel like everything I've created so far is kind of predictable.) It all came together thanks to the giraffe earrings, aren't they awesome?! I'm not even really sure where someone would wear this puppy, but whoever would, I'd like to be their friend. Or really, if someone wanted to buy me those earrings, I'd be their friend, too.

BUT. I just wasn't finished with this lovely dress*. I thought I'd come up with something else for it. I went for the same feel and use of the dress, though I'm sure you could dress it down just as well. (two uses of the word dress in one sentence!) I wanted to show that you can make one dress have so many different feelings, for lack of a better word, to it due to accessories. These two outfits would be worn by very different ladies, but could show up at the same place.

{outfit info}

*If you can't tell, I went a little Polyvore-crazy this weekend. Putting together these outfits requires more patience than the week can afford me. Although, as I'm typing this I'm realizing you won't know that I did these during the weekend due to my scheduled postings. Ah well, I created all the outfit posts over the weekend. There.

Say yes to stripes.

I have fallen head over heels for stripes. (Isn't it obvious?) I'd love to own these mixing bowls. Aren't they fabulous? They'd be such a great addition to a kitchen. I love the idea of finding pattern in your kitchen; a place which generally, I think, lacks in pattern. I found them in Elle Decor, but I can't seem to find the actual bowls in the link they provide. It sends me to a site, a site that makes it quite obvious I wouldn't be able to afford these bowls anyway. Ahhhh, one can dream.