Archive for March 2009

22 March 2009

Key learnings, birthday PIMP and buzzkill

By: Jessica B.

Well, it’s Sunday again. Why don’t my weekdays fly by this fast? Right now I’m sitting in my apartment with nail polish drying on my toes (which I can’t feel because of the toe-separaters) so let’s knock out some key learnings before one of my little piggies falls off.

Quick note: I’ve been doing a lot better at updating my Tumblr blog, which will focus on fun things I find online that I want to own or recently bought. I thought it would be  fun way to showcase some fun shopping/fashion stuff. Check it out and let me know if you have one too so I can add you to my “follow” list.

Key Learnings:
  • One of the worst feelings is knowing you’re going to throw up and you have to wait for it to happen
  • There is no shame in walking into a store and saying quickly, “hey chicky, where is your bathroom?” It’s better than taking care of your business outside the front door
  • Even if the “club scene” isn’t for you, it’s still fun to go indulge in it once in a while
  • Brunch with friends is a weekend requirement, same with naps on the couch
  • When you go shopping to look for one specific item, you rarely find exactly what you’re looking for (I have more luck when I’m not looking for something in particular)
  • It’s okay to put clothes on over your street ones to avoid the dressing rooms. But be discreet
  • Champagne in a can tastes…not awful, but stick with it in bottles
  • Sleeping past 8 a.m. on a weekend will likely never happen again (stupid weekday sleep schedule!)
  • Trading the puffy coat for a spring fleece is a great feeling
  • You always get sick at the inopportune times
  • If you find an item of clothing you love and that fits well, buy it in at least one other color
Weekend Buzzkill
I’ve been really lucky this winter with not getting sick. I don’t know if it was the flu shot but for once, I’ve not had any head cold, traditional cold or sinus infections. That is until a stomach bug decided to pay me a visit Thursday night through Saturday mid-day. Yes, it was glorious (I’m being sarcastic).
After about two-and-a-half days of hugging the bowl, eating mostly to toss it back up again and sleeping only a few hours a night, I’m ready for this BS to be over with. I was also hoping the bug would have been gone yesterday when my parents came in town for a visit, but alas no. Dad was forwarned about this and I really tried to rally because I didn’t want to ruin their visit, but let’s just say…I can’t go back to Pottery Barn on North Avenue for a while.
Here is a list of other things the stomach bug ruined for me this weekend:
  • Parent visit (the car ride to North Avenue was rough)
  • Brunch at Table Fifty-Two (parents wanted to go but it was rescheduled due to my stomach)
  • Brunch at Nordstrom Cafe (had to settle for a few spoonfuls of soup over my favorite salad ever and dessert)
  • Joy in shopping for cocktail dresses (swollen stomach = three-months preggers look)
  • Saturday morning breakfast (let’s just say, I saw it again)
  • Excitement about friend’s birthday dinner at Vermillion (I was scared my stomach wouldn’t handle the food)
So while the stomach flu won the war, I was able to enjoy a cupcake at Molly’s with my parents. I’ll take what I can get.
And I’m pleased to say that there were no puppy kicking incidents during their visit. My stepmom was actually concerned about how I was doing, offering me water, soup and even breaks to sit and relax. Let’s hope this trend continues!
Birthday P-I-M-P
After a full day with my parents, I gathered with friends to celebrate my buddy Liz’s birthday. First up, dinner at Vermillion (Latin/Indian fusion) in River North. I’m open to trying new foods and I have to say, my coconut chili mussels did not disappoint. I even had the “fusion-style” ribs for dinner, and while they were good, it was a little too overseasoned/charred-looking for me. Yes, this probably isn’t the best food to be feeding an unhappy stomach, but let’s just say, we were seated near the bathroom in case I needed to get there.
And when it’s your best friend’s birthday, not even a stomach flu will keep you down.
Dinner was great and then we headed over to Hub 51, where a friend had a connection on the inside. What was supposed to be a table and drinks turned into a VIP booth at it’s Sub 51 room downstairs, coat check, personal waitress and drink samplers. I won’t lie, this was cool. And it got even cooler when our connection sent over a bottle of Snow Queen vodka (chilled of course) with Red Bull, tonic, soda water and cranberry juice, plus cans of Sofia’s champagne in can and something called “a.m.,” which I’m pretty sure could kill me if consumed in mass quantities.
I am absolutely not a raging party girl or an active clubber, but it was cool to feel VIP for a few hours. And let me tell you, that waitress made a mean vodka cranberry and made hotpants look good again.
And let’s just say, the women’s bathroom was an interesting scene. I think my tweet of “Grey Goose-soaked cougar den…” says it all.
How was everyone else’s weekend? I laid low today to prepare for Art Smith’s Common Threads gala tomorrow night at the Museum of Contemporary Art. I’m not totally feeling my outfit for it, but it will do.
Reader shopping note:
Because so many of you asked about the dress and shoes from Thursday’s post, I’ve included a link to each below:
  • Shoes: Nine West – Maytime heel (note: this is the style of shoe I’m planning to wear, but it’s solid gold and not textured)

19 March 2009

Fashion trends I don’t understand

By: Jessica B.
Tagged: Fashion, shopping
Lately, I’ve been in a spot where all those “moments” when I need something, like a cocktail dress or cute wedding outfit are actually happening and I look in my closet and see no options. Or if I do, they all need altering (the downside to working out) and won’t be ready in time to said event. Which is why a dress for a wedding is en route to me now and I will be recreationally shopping for a cocktail dress this weekend. UGH.
And even looking ahead to spring, I’m back to hating everything in my closet because many of the items are finally old enough where they need to be donated. Thus, I am in the midst of heavy spring clothing shopping and to add to my frustration, I’m not loving some of the trends that I’m seeing.
I am not a fashionista but I am puzzled because several of them do not work for my body type: petite, curvy, full chest, etc.

I’m not knocking any of these trends, but I’m just not sure who buys them. Let’s take a look at a few examples:

Thin, black socks with open-toed, strappy shoes? Would you wear that? Without tights and a skirt? Just because it’s Burberry doesn’t make it right

Popped collar? How have I missed the announcement on this? I do pop a jacket collar but that’s it. Are you pro- or anti-popped collar? I hope I don’t look like this big of a d-bag when I pop it

I love comfy pants in summer, but these are linen (not practical) and something about the front makes me fear what my camel toe could look like. Also, pants would make my “spare tire” look like two are hidden in there
This just looks unflattering. Saggy boobs? Do I need to buy a dress to make mine look saggier?
I don’t hate maxi-dresses but I don’t want a dress that will associate me with pregnant celebs…or Katie Holmes
Skirts/dresses are my favorite part of summer, but not when fabric is slapped together for a “sack” look. Even with a belt, it’ll look like a mumu
I channel my inner Pam Beesly with cardigans, but the longer ones are not “spare tire” friendly and will pill on the butt. I don’t need a pilly butt thank you
Now I’m going to focus on a look I’m very excited about for next weekend. God willing, I will be wearing the following items to an evening wedding. And dare I say, I might look a little hot.

My only fear: this dress has a side zipper, which makes me fear getting it stuck on my broad shoulders and being the “fat girl in a size zip dress.” Maybe I’m just paranoid.

So while my mind is spinning with crazy scenarios, let me know if I’m way off base with my judgements here or if you have any “red flags” you want to add about clothing.
What is everyone else up to this weekend?
My fun plans include a day o’fun with my parents, which means free lunch, lots of attention and at least one puppy kicking incident. Can-not wait. I must brush up on my Vanity Fair reading so I have worldly knowledge to contribute to conversation…and so my parents think I don’t watch as much TV as I do :)

17 March 2009

My fire safety fail

By: Jessica B.

When I find myself in a scary situation, I now know where my priorities are:

  • Gossip Girl
  • Twitter
  • My own safety

Last night I had my first “fire safety” lesson/encounter and let’s just say I get a big FAIL. Big FAIL. It appears as though I have ZERO idea what to do when face-to-face with a serious problem. If I can’t strategically think my way out of it, I’m worthless.

Let me set the scene for you: last night I’m watching Gossip Girl in my apartment when I smell smoke. And not cooking-on-the-grill smoke but fire smoke. I ignore it, thinking it’s not a big deal when then hear a beeping, like from a smoke detector…which isn’t stopping either.
So I open my apartment door (after putting some pants on) and was stunned to see the entire hallway filling with smoke. Thinking I was hallucinating, I went back inside, locked the door and sat back down to watch more Gossip Girl (because I love that show) until I am compelled to get back up and check the hallway again, and to no shock see it filled with even MORE smoke.
Finally, I had a “holy shit” moment, tweeted about the incident, and ran down the hall to find the source of the smoke and knock on my neighbors doors. Hearing a girl in the apartment across from the smoking source, I banged on her door, hearing her angrily telling her friend on the phone to “hold on” so she can answer the “f*cking door.” Sorry, next time I won’t try to save your life. B*tch.
When I point out to her what’s going on, she says to me, “holy shit, what should we do?” Are you kidding me?
“I’ll call 911, I guess?” I said, moreso shocked that the person with the phone has no idea what to do. Maybe she was smoking something else in that apartment.
So I run back into my apartment, call 911, put some slippers on and…well evacuate the building (not using the elevator), where the sidewalk is now filling with my building’s tenants, including women in various stages of dress, and all of their cats. Apparently I was in the minority of not owning one. And when I saw the cats, I couldn’t help but have a flashback to the Office Superbowl episode when Angela tossed her cat to Oscar to save him from the fire. Hilarious.
But the entire time I was out there, I couldn’t help but chastise myself about not grabbing my wallet, or Lulu, or Speedy…or a coat. Oh and the odd girl I alerted to the fire was out smoking, next to the fire truck.
Thanks to my Chicago tax dollars, the fire and police departments showed up quickly and went to break down the door to the apartment on my floor. The culprit? Some a-hole left food in the oven and left the oven on when she left the apartment that evening. Fortunately, the fire department didn’t have to use the hose but I did have to air out my apartment all last night and today. So it could have been worse but damn that smell was bad.
So it was quite an exciting evening. And while I get a big fire FAIL, I did get to go back in pretty quickly and enjoy the rest of Gossip Girl and my new love, Yoplait Chocolate Mousse Whips. After that excitement, I needed to enjoy my Chuck Bass time with a tasty treat, especially after the show has been in hiatus for so long!
Feel free to begin teasing me about my silly behavior or let me know what you would save if you had to evacuate your apartment right away. Or if you did watch Gossip Girl, what did you think?

16 March 2009

Public transportation pet peeves

By: Jessica B.

The CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) is my main source of transportation in the city. Now that I’ve been car-less for four years and try to use cabs only when absolutely necessary, there is a certain amount of adjusting that happens when you rely on public transport.

For example, you “plan” your trips so you can maximize your time out and about. If I go out for the ATM, I also swing by the store and grab a paper too or only got to the ATM when I’m leaving for dinner. If I want to go somewhere on public transportation, I plan on it taking about 30 minutes because, well most trips anywhere in the city take at least that.
But along with these more minor changes, there are certain other things you have to allow for, like the unusual things you notice on the bus, which inevitably begin to irritate you, such as:
  • Cuddlers – If you really cannot stand to be physically separated, I recommend going back to bed. Then you won’t tickle my gag reflex
  • Loud talkers – This includes personal conversations and people on cell phones. One woman was speaking so loud on her cell phone that I could hear her over my iPod, which was IN my ears. Indoor voices!
  • Mistaking the bus for home - It drives me insane when people feel the need to stretch out the morning newspaper on a packed bus. I also enjoy stretching out with the newspaper…at my home. I don’t need half of the Times’ Business section stretched over me, thanks
  • Excessive PDA - Much like cuddling, I don’t need to watch you swap spit and feel each other up. I have Cinemax for that :)
  • Space hogs – I am guilty of this too, but it’s an unspoken rule that when the bus fills up, you move your bag from the seat next to you so others can sit down. Yes, it’s not as much fun, but it’s necessary. People who don’t do that are rude
  • Bumper cars - Eek, another thing I’m guilty of, but I really try to avoid this. This includes having people collide into you with their oversize purses or bags. If I had a nickel for every time I was hit in the shoulder or head by a purse, I could pay off my student loan. And one time, after a chick hit me multiple times in the head with her Puma bag, I pulled out a pen and made a mark on the white leather portion of the bag. Burning in hell, I know
  • Personal space issue – I don’t really have an issue with this, but after having some guy caress my butt on a packed bus once, I get very nervous when I’m packed in. Especially if the person sandwiched next to or behind me hasn’t showered or reeks of cigarettes. That is the worst!
Well those are the top things that irritate me. I may complain, but the CTA still provides me with transportation and provides me with lots of fun stories :)
What are your public transportation pet peeves? Or do you have any great CTA/public transportation stories to share?
Oh and feel free to let me know how glad you are that you don’t have to take public transportation because you have a car. I miss my car and I love driving when I go home, but my stories are never quite as interesting as in the city.

15 March 2009

Key Learnings, St. Patrick’s Day and video games

By: Jessica B.
Tagged: Chicago, Food, Friends

Holy cow what a great weekend. After some level of productivity (that didn’t include liquor,) I am busy laying on the couch like a beached whale, trying to settle my stomach from the green beer and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, while preparing for another week.

So while I continue to whine about having an upset stomach, let’s say, “top o’the evening” to some key learnings.
Key Learnings:
  • Green Miller Lite actually takes better than regular Miller Lite
  • Also, Miller Lite is not the best adhesive for a temporary tattoo. Licking it or ice works better (I prefer licking)
  • Watching Chicago dye the river green is one of my favorite touristy things to do each year
  • I am always in the mood for a Starbucks blueberry muffin (and none of that low-fat stuff)
  • Charging $5.75 for beer on St. Patrick’s Day is highway robbery, but getting two beers for free by accident is awesome
  • It’s okay to judge a 22 year old woman who is drunk and swerving while standing at McDonald’s with her boyfriend. Hey, she could throw up at any moment
  • Watching guys/girls and then girls/girls dry hump each other at a bar is a sign that it’s time to go home
  • You should not apologize for staring at some guy who is simulating oral sex on a large glass. I mean, isn’t he asking for attention?
  • I need to be better about using the “blogger” card
  • It’s okay to call a tourist an “a-hole” when he/she runs into a sitting flock of pigeons, sending these scary, vicious animals flying right at you and your friend
  • Online shopping is an easy way to curb your spending urge, as long as you don’t go too overboard
Go Green!
Saturday was St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago and it gave everyone in the city a pass to party all day and for some, act like total d-bags.
But, I was able to indulge in my favorite tradition: watching Chicago turn the river green. I go every year, regardless of weather, and this year my bestie Sarah joined me. Yes, it was cold, but we had a great spot along the river and then met up with some friends at a local bar, where fortunately the line to go in was quick. One free green beer and tons of memorable photos(all now on my Flickr page) later, I was off to continue my productivity and curb the desire for more booze (more on that below.)
Chicago gets pretty crazy on St. Patrick’s Day, but I still go out for it every year. And maybe next year is my time to indulge in some day drinking, a la college.
Girls Guide to Gaming
Yes, I behaved myself on Saturday because that evening I was invited to an event sponsored by Nintendo DS. The lovely Jenn and Jamie were our hostesses and it was a mix of food, drinks, DS games and awesome Chicago bloggers.
I was never a huge “gamer,” mostly because my brother and stepbrothers used to hog all of the video games we had in the house. But, I used to play a mean game of Mario Brothers and, well, my Tetris addiction is something I don’t talk about. But, this time it was for ladies-only and we got to play fun games like Mario Kart (which I kick butt at), Crosswords, Guitar Hero and Brain Age, which I need to play again because several glasses of champagne can numb the sense a bit :)
The party was a ton of fun, and it was so nice to catch up with my bloggy buddies and have a nice evening out. I even got a DS and game to take home with me! This will make the train ride home in a few weeks more enjoyable.
When the party closed down about 10 p.m., my new buddy Shanti and I headed up to a bar in Lincoln Park, to meet up with a friend of hers and ohhhhhhh my it was like being back at a college frat party. It was…interesting people watching, and I really wish I was more drunk when I was there. The bar was full of blasting music, glass breaking and girls/guys and girls/girls dry humping/grinding on one another. Oh memories. All I need now is some “jungle juice” in a lined garbage container and I’m back in college for sure!
I didn’t get to fulfill my desire to dance on a bar, but that is best saved for next year.
How was everyone else’s weekend? Did anyone else celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?