And lately, where is what is keeping me in front my screen (both phone and computer) more:

I blame Twitter and my super chic friends for getting me hooked on Fab. I’ve only purchased some chocolate sea salt caramels and a print now but I have a huge “wish list” of things I would like to buy. Journals that look like Legos? YES. Prints of Chicago El stations? YES. Turkish-inspired jewelry and earrings that look like a butterfly wing? YES PLEASE.

Seriously, I am going to be so poor because of this site.

And Pinterest. I joined, pinned several things and then promptly stopped using it. It’s so easy to pin things and I have no idea why I took a break. But over the last week, I am back and on this site A LOT. Clothes, shoes, apartment inspiration and my absolute favorite, guy/girl celeb crushes. I am a pinning machine.

Now, I have to limit myself to viewing/pinning each day because otherwise, you will never see me again.

Speaking of which, it’s almost my dedicated Pinterest time, let’s see what everyone is sharing today.

What keeps you on the computer more than it should?

But I’m not great at making at giving gift ideas for myself. I have a tendency to just buy whatever I need/want and have a hard time putting that in to a list for others. This is a very frustrating process.

So after much thoughts, online searching and auditing of my apartment, below are the items I hope Santa brings me this year

Echo Tech gloves - I definitely need these to use my phone in winter without losing a finger from the cold

Canon S95 camera - I still use a point-and-shoot a lot when I travel and I badly need a nice one!

Cuisinart Immersion Blender – Love the color and need one for my baking and cooking adventures!

Fresh gift set - I am obsessed with this Brown Sugar scrub and lip gloss. Let’s dress it up

Money for Paris – Yes, trips are expensive, I could use any help I can get :)

Frye Melissa Button boots – I blame TC for getting me in to these but the color is to die for! And fits my man calves

Yep, that’s all on my list this year! I’ve also noticed that my holiday gift list ideas get super boring now that I’m an adult. One year, I asked for stamps and a vacuum cleaner. I was beyond excited when I got both. It’s the little things right?

What’s on your “wish list” this year?

I consider myself to be a pretty optimistic lady. I’m “glass half full” all the time, but lately I’ve been a bit more of a Debbie Downer.

Okay, maybe not THAT bad, but maybe a little bit of a Wallowing Winnie.

Here’s what’s brought this on:

• Pink eye. Woke up Thursday morning with it and have never had it before. Now I can’t wear eye makeup or contacts for a week. I’m really not digging for sympathy here, but this has taken a blow to my self esteem. I know I need to be au natural in the eyes but I feel embarrassed to have people see me. It’s tough
• Elevator. My building elevator has been out for more than five weeks and no one is telling us when it will be fixed. I hope my legs are like steel when it is fixed

But, I’m working through this little turn of bad karma and balancing out the negative with positives, such as:

• Working out. Even after a long day, I’m forcing myself to go and feeling better after. Great stress reliever
• Costume planning. Over the next two weekends, I have theme parties that I’m attending and I’ve been really scouring for some fun stuff for my costumes. I love a project :)
• Red lipstick. I never wear it but in prep for these parties, I treated myself to some, since that’s some of the only makeup I can wear right now. After sampling a few on Saturday, I found one that suits me and seeing my red lips in the store mirrors did make me smile

So that’s why I’ve been a little slow in posting lately. Once I get over this Debbie Downer/Wallowing Winnie hump, I will be back to being me, and being a little more regular in posts.

How is everyone else??

Let’s take a look at some stuff I’m loving this fall, non-weather wise.

Truffle honey butter – Was served this at a new Chicago restaurant, Morso, in Lincoln Park as part of my meal and nearly licked the mason jar it came in clean. Sadly, service at the restaurant wasn’t great that night so to make up for it, my waitress gave me a hunk of it to take home. It’s delicious, I would eat it with a spoon. I want more right now.

Suri’s Burn Book – A coworker shared this Tumblr and Twitter feed with me and I’m 100% obsessed. I literally check it daily for Suri’s new bitchy, mean girl commentary of celeb children and it has made me cry laughing several times. Let’s just say, she’s not a huge fan of the Jolie-Pitts and Garner-Affleck kids. She also has a huge ego, I love it.

The Real Milania G – As a Real Housewives of New Jersey fan, this is pretty much the best Twitter feed ever. The faux Twitter profile, written from the point of Teresa’s devil child Milania is really damn funny, especially during the RHONJ airings. I highly recommend it.

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery – I’m pretty much a Kiehl’s addict already but I finally started using my samples of this product at night and my face feels like butter. I have really dry/oily/sensitive skin and this feels really soothing and hydrating on it. Literally, I love the way my skin feels with this. It’s a little pricey so I’ll stick to samples for now but LOVE.

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment – Friends have been using Fresh products for a while and preaching about their awesomeness but after my regular lip balm ran out (goodbye Burt’s Bees!), I picked this up at Sephora and cannot imagine living without it. Yes, it’s a little pricey too but I love how soft it makes my lips and gives them a little tint too (without being tarty). I will have to see if others agree they’re kissably soft one day.

Riding Boots - Two years ago I got my first pair of flat riding boots from  Banana Republic and have almost destroyed them from use. They’re super comfortable and perfect for wearing in snow and winter weather. Now I’m on the hunt for a new pair and finally found some similar ones at Nordstrom. They’re a little pricier than I wanted to pay but since I know I’ll wear them out, I’m okay with it. It’s almost boot season!!

What are you loving right now? Big weekend plans?

And no I’m not saying that as I have a full closet full of fall clothes that are sitting there with the tags on. My tendency to keep and wear things until they, well wear out, is coming full circle again and I literally don’t have much to wear.

Especially things that fit.

So Saturday, I put my iPod on, went dead inside and went shopping in downtown Chicago. I worked Michigan Avenue like it was a pole, getting in/out of stores and in/out of clothes as quickly as possible.

As always, I was prepared, wearing no jewelry and very thin tops so I could try on things over my clothes whenever possible. I hate waiting for dressing rooms.

If you know Chicago, this will make sense, and if not, well hopefully you’ll still see how productive I was. I went from H&M (north end of Michigan Avenue) to Banana Republic, Express, Forever 21, Nordstrom, Ann Taylor Loft and Gap (ending at the south end). I only took a 15 minute rest at Nordstrom to enjoy coffee too (and rest my arms).

And (un)fortunately, the shopping venture was pretty successful too.

Deals of the day:

• $24 fedora at Gap (so fabulous) for $8
• $138 dress at Banana Republic for $45

In the end, I came away with several pieces I’m anxious to try on again and hopefully keep. And I have more that I will need to add, but this will definitely help.

The one thing I did try on (and tweet/Facebook) that I didn’t get was this

I have a history of trying on sequin dresses but this time, is was a Banana Republic Monogram dress that made me look like sparkle Barbie or Elle Woods dipped in sequins. It was itchy, loud and PINK. But part of me loved it. But at $200 and so much more to buy. I couldn’t justify it. Also, I don’t even know WHERE I would wear something like this.

How was your weekend?

So now that I’m helping Chicago’s economy by doing a little spending, I’m making a little list of things I’m loving right now.

Target’s Grocery - Okay this is a little lame but I’m obsessed with the grocery section of Target. City grocery stores (even chains) are expensive but this is SO NOT. I love it.

Chobani Blueberry Yogurt – I was not a Greek yogurt fan at first, but now I’m loving this. It’s a little pricey but a nice treat

Nordstrom-brand necklaces – I bought one about a year ago and I wear it all the time. Affordable and the metal doesn’t fade after multiple wears. I just picked up the Etched Link one this weekend. LIKE!

Kiehl’s Acne Blemish Control Daily Skin-Clearing Treatment – My pale skin shows scars pretty well but this has helped soften the scars I do have on my face and neck. LIKE!

Truffle Salt - I brought a LOT of this back with me from Italy and it’s so tasty. Adds so much to regular pasta dishes, popcorn, etc. LIKE!

Sequin enamel bracelets (Brights and Ikat) – Found them at Nordstrom and fell in love! Stackable and bright, two things I love in bracelets

Moleskine notebooks – My stationary-savvy friend introduced me to Moleskine and I picked up an adorable red journal for Italy. A) I never lose it and b) the bookmark and elastic closure keeps it from getting damaged

Summer nail polish colors! – My go-to colors are OPI’s Feelin’ Hot Hot Hot for my toes and Essie’s Guchi Muchi Puchi for my fingernails. Time to get back in the mani/pedi routine!

What are some of the products or foods you love right now?

Oh and it’s 20 degrees in Chicago, so winter is back and that is not helping me be distracted from shopping either.

So this intense savings time has made me rely heavily on online window shopping (thank you Pinterest for keeping me sane) and making a list of what I want to buy post-trip so I don’t go out and buy it now. But this desire to spend money has also lead me to actively window shop for things I absolutely do not need.

It’s as if my brain just likes the creative stimulation of non-trip-related research and mentally buying things. That’s what I’m telling myself at least :)

For example, here are things I’m window shopping for that I don’t need:

Condos - I blame my intense HGTV addiction for this. I online shop condos and get design/decorating ideas as well from places like Pottery Barn, Pinterest and Anthropologie. It’s intense. Sometimes, I daydream what I would do to decorate those condos, like install double ovens, butcher block countertops…take me away…

Wallets - I found a charming Louis Vuitton wallet two weekends ago that I was coveting pretty hard core. I had no intention of buying it, but looking at it, when I absolutely don’t need it, was interesting

Other trips – Yes, I have a trip within a month and the planner part of me is already very loosely researching my summer trips to Portland, Seattle, Louisana and Vancouver. Seriously, I need to stop!

Cosmetics - I have more samples and beauty products than a Nordstrom counter. I don’t need more of this stuff but I cannot resist in looking. Um, getting samples of products I’m looking at don’t hurt right?

Clearly, I need to start reading again and avoiding any store unless my item to purchase meets a rigorous screening of “do I need this before my trip? No really, do I?”

Do you online shop for forbidden things? If so, what?

Movie review: Hoping Matthew McConaughey can keep his shirt on in The Lincoln Lawyer

I’m still scared to go in my closet and weed out what doesn’t fit or I haven’t worn in a bit, so while I’m playing the avoidance game there, I’m looking ahead to what I do want to be buying this spring (in moderation.) I feel like my taste in clothes and style changes yearly or evolves so I try to manage what I WANT and what I NEED to replace.

I’ve scoured online and my fashion magazines and below is my list what what I have my eye on to be welcomed in to my home, and closet this spring.

Stripes! Tough for me to wear (thanks to my bosom and hips) but I love this look because it’s casual but put together. Okay, I’d probably replace the khakis with jeans but that’s just me

Sparkly shoes (I must have these TOMS)

Big, bold rings (fab! And I love turquoise)

Messenger bags (difficult with big boobs but still functional)

Bright colors! (I cannot wear orange but I love the bold print and I got this Hot Pop Pink color from Shellac on my nails at the Beauty Show over the weekend. Obsessed)

Wedges! Perfect for the petite girl that is awkward in heels

Yes, all of these are on my shopping list. What about you? What are you shopping for this spring? Any big weekend plans?

Update 3/17: Review of Revlon’s CustomEye eyeshadows on the review blog!

She said I was a DD, I said I was a D. We bickered, passive aggressively snapped at each other and in the end, she was right.

I am now a DD. DAMNIT. I have Jessica Simpson-like boobs. DAMNIT AGAIN!

Even though my new bra fits much better than my old ones, I fought her on that size right down to the end. Why? Because I didn’t want to give in and be a DD.

I hear so many times on fashion shows that it’s not about size, it’s about fit. Well let me tell you something sir or madam, that is easier said than done.

Size and age may only be a number but it in some situations, that number is important to people. After years of hovering between a size 13 or 14, I’m very proud and possessive of my size 12 body. At my thinnest, being between a 10 and 12 was huge and I would prance around in my size 10 skirt like I was the sexiest thing alive. But, if I tried on a skirt that looked fab but was a size 14, I probably wouldn’t buy it…because it’s a 14. Mentally, that’s taking me back to my heavier days and I refuse to feel that way again.

I know the logic on this is backward but mentally, I can’t get over that hump. I would rather squeeze myself into something a little smaller, with a number and size I can live with rather than go up a size.

Others won’t know but I will and if I can’t pull it off, why force it? Of course, I won’t be prancing around in something ridiculously small or bad looking, but I’ll just have to search harder to find an outfit or top I love that will fit me as me and in a way I can feel comfortable with.

What about you? Do you believe fit is better than size?

Let’s venture in to my brain :)

• Found out today from Nora and other Twitter friends that they DID see me on Oprah today. That totally made my afternoon. Tonight, I saw it with my own two eyes! I’ll try to grab a picture of it to show everyone. If you DVR’ed it, I’m at the commercial break around minute eight
• I’m thinking of taking the 30-Day Vegan challenge. I think it would be a great opportunity to readjust my diet but giving up dairy would be a huge problem. I love dairy…a lot
• The movie trailer for Something Borrowed (inspired by Emily Giffin’s “pink book”) was finally released. I’ve watched it probably 10 times. My man, John K, is looking SUPER hot in this yet again. I’ll be seeing this
• Bethenny Ever After starts in two weeks on Bravo and I cannot wait. I would love to have tea and scones with Bethenny and Gail Simmons. They are my Bravo girl crushes
• My HGTV addiction is on full-force. I am obsessed with House Hunters and Selling New York. Makes me want to have my own home
• An SLR is in my future but I can’t pull the trigger to buy. Sometimes, I hate being so cautious with spending
• I’m also becoming addicted to Fringe and Parks and Rec. Both are must-watches in my DVR and I look forward to both each week. My Pacey crush is getting bigger too
• I have another week to take vacation this summer. I’m thinking of Seattle and Portland or Seattle and Vancouver. I honestly cannot decide

Well, I think that covers just about everything I’m thinking about right now.

What’s on your mind? Any big weekend plans?

That’s right, MORE SNOW. Fortunately, it wasn’t as bad as Minneapolis, but still, it’s getting bitter cold here and I am literally afraid.

Despite the bad weather, I was a woman on a mission: get in the holiday spirit come h*ll or high water. The tree is up, new holiday music is downloaded, now came the next stage: buying Christmas gifts. With a water bottle and my friend Liz in tow, we hit Chicago’s seventh circle of hell: Michigan Avenue on the weekend.

I know, I tease about tourists sometimes but seriously, downtown on the weekend is a nightmare. But we embraced it (in the rain) and worked our way from one end to the other, with a list of people to shop for. And after a full day outdoors and a quick Amazon order, I am 90% done with my shopping. I just have one more trip to make this week and I’ll be in good shape.

It’s such a good feeling because now I get to WRAP gifts.

Tonight, I’m also indulging in another one of favorite holiday traditions: Watching Love Actually while writing out my Christmas cards. GAME ON!

Before all of this insane holiday activity, it was the annual work holiday party, where I agonize over what to wear for easily 24 hours. I have no idea why I constantly fail at finding a cute but appropriate outfit. But this year, I found a dress from Forever 21 that I was peer pressured into buying and it turned out pretty perfect:

Now I have another year before I’m faced with this awful decision.

Oh and once my holiday shopping is done, I can focus on this next weekend. WIN!

How was your weekend? Are you done holiday shopping?

It’s officially really fall in Chicago. Only in the Midwest does the temperature drop 20-30 degrees overnight.

But even with the change in temperatures, I had a lovely little weekend, where I finally started utilizing a few of my gift cards, you know, the things I tend to hoard? Yeah, well I started really USING them this weekend. Not all of them, but just a few.

I may be a purse girl but I love shoes too and lately, I’m in BAD need of fall shoes. And with the entrance of straight leg jeans to my wardrobe, I need a few more options to wear with them.

And because I’m behind on trends, I decided to use my Nordstrom rewards certificate to get a pair of TOMS shoes. Everyone I know that has a pair of TOMS loves them and I support the company’s mission to give a pair of shoes to someone in need.

Are they super fashionable? No. But they are seriously comfortable and look good with straight leg jeans. Yes. Win/win.

I can’t wait to wear them this week, look how cute they are!

The other new addition to my house goes back to my birthday. Yes, I know it’s over but I finally used another gift card I got for it on Friday, one that was insanely nerve wracking and thrilling at the same time: iPhone.

Not my actual iPhone

YES, it is here, in my house, sitting next to me on the couch right now. I put my big girl pants on Friday and walked into the Apple Store to get it and after a few panicked moments, my Blackberry was dead, contacts were transferred and I was the proud owner of a new baby girl iPhone.

And as with all new parents, the first few days were an adjustment, including late nights (trying to figure out how it works and downloading apps). I still don’t totally know what I’m doing, but so far so good.

So if you have any app recommendations or want to try face time with me, let me know!!! I’m dying to take advantage of both.

Yes, right now I’m a little obsessed with my phone. I cannot stop searching the app store, bus tracking for friends and I actually get giddy at text messages. I’m 16 all over again.

How was your weekend? Are you doing fall clothes shopping right now?

Movie Review: Easy A. Let’s see if it gets the grade included in the title :)

Let’s see what sick stuff I’m thinking about this week:

• Glee starts in two weeks. My level of excitement is dialed up to 11. I really hope season 2 doesn’t suck
• I didn’t get the iPhone last weekend and now am thinking about holding off until after Denver in case something goes wrong while I’m gone. Maybe I’m crazy and should just get it and stop worrying
• I’ve been craving sushi like crazy lately. I want it all the time. Maybe my body wants me to be a mermaid or fish
• Fall is definitely coming to Chicago. Time to start eating more and working on my “winter coat”
• Why do I keep getting these painful, below-the-skin blemishes on my face? Those f*ckers hurt
• I love the show Teen Mom, but I don’t love reading about them on the cover of entertainment magazines. These people are not MTV celebs. Please stop!
• Few of my friends love to hug but I know they really missed me when they voluntarily hug me after being gone for a while. It feels awesome :)
• I’m officially on a strict spending budget, minus Denver, until I get my bonus. Between paying my credit card and Nordstrom bill (damn you birthday!) and now booking Mexico for November, I’m getting a little freaked out. Why does this stuff all come together at once?
• I’ve started dancing when I’m alone in elevators again. I hope the security people aren’t jealous of my sick dance moves in the security camera*supastar!*
• I keep hearing the phrase “dry humping is not a f*cking joke” from Going the Distance in my head and laughing, I am so immature, especially when it comes to dry humping

Also, I’m going to try and get a Roomba video going this weekend, provided my teenage girl cooperates and I don’t have to pull her off the Wii Fit again. Kids.

Thank you for visiting my brain again, I promise I cleaned out all of the inappropriate things I was previously thinking (and dreaming) about. Your virgin eyes are safe!

Also, I’m taking about movies I love over at Katelin’s blog while she’s gone. You can find me here.

What’s everyone else up to this weekend? Anything fun or anything on your mind to share?

Dramatic, I know :)

But before I move on from my birthday bliss (okay I might extend it into this weekend, sue me!), I wanted to share some highlights from the weekend, including food and presents!!!

Yes, photos from Saturday night haven’t rolled in yet (I’ll be looking into that tomorrow) but I was a good girl and behaved, so nothing scandalous.

I love good food and dining out, and Chicago is a great place to indulge in this. So I made a list of three places I wanted to dine out for my weekend: Longman & Eagle, Epic and Sunda. I wanted to go to places that have been on my “list” for a while and these won out!

And of course, the food was yummy at all three. No food porn from Longman but here is some from Epic and Sunda:

Epic’s house gnocchi with lamb sausage and swiss chard (even got dad to try and like this!)

NY strip steak

Sunda’s Lemongrass beef lollipops

And then it was dessert time!!! I LOVE cake but last year was the last time I could have my childhood birthday cake because the bakery was closing :( But this year, dad surprised me with cupcakes from Sprinkles, look how cute this is!!!

For presents, I was a little TOO good to myself this year :) I say that I was making up from last year, when I got nada because…well I don’t know why.

So here’s what I got:

• Roomba!!! She’s here!! Be on the watchout for adorable videos coming up
• Dutch oven. It’s risotto time!
• Big Buddha bag (the teal one I posted on my wish list here)
• Mac iLife 09 update. I know, functional

I’m so happy with everything. And I was very fortunate to get a HUGE surprise from my dad:

OMFG. I nearly blacked out when I saw this.

So all in all, it was a great birthday weekend.

How was everyone else’s weekend? Do you like to treat yourself when it’s your birthday?

So here we go: My name is Jessica and I am a gift card hoarder.

HOLD ME!

Yes, it is that bad.

While cleaning out my desk this week, I found a gift card I received a while ago and never used (likely because it was buried in a mound of crap in my drawer, but that is another post).

I went home and looked into it’s value and realized the $50 was now worth $20, thanks AMEX for monthly deduction charges!!!

Disappointed, I remembered that I keep all of my gift cards together on top of my stereo at home, so I couldn’t help but wonder (in my Carrie SATC voice), what else do I have hoarded up there?

The answer was….horrifying.

I found at least $300 worth of gift cards to the following stores:

• JCrew
• Nordstrom
• Macys
• Target
• Sephora
• Lettuce Entertain You (local Chicago restaurant chain)
• Gap

I would not believe I had that many and to so many places, one of which I’ve had for TWO YEARS. I am a gift card hoarder.

Fortunately, none of them have lost value, but the Nordstrom ones need to be re-issued because they did expire, but thanks to a little complaining, that was resolved.

Oh my god, how do I do this???

It’s simple, I get them and think I will find something perfect to spend it on, only to talk myself out of it when I actually find it. For example, if I find a great jacket at JCrew that looks amazing on me and I love, I immediately remember that I have a gift card, but then think, “hmm, I could spend it on this but what if I find something better, then it would be a waste!”

Cue six months to go by and that gift card is still sitting on my stereo and I’ve purchased both dream items at JCrew at full prize (and 9.75% sales tax).

This is a bigger issue of me holding back to find something better, but I cannot believe I had that many.

My new plan is this: I only ask for a gift card to a store I already know I want something from, then when I get it, I FORCE myself to go buy it, no second guessing. Oy.

What about you? Are you good about using gift cards? Or are you a hoarder?

I’ve mentioned before that Nordstrom is my happy place, especially during sale time. So before the Anniversary Sale ended this weekend, my friend Liz and I went to check it out one more time…and I was a bad girl.

Being practical, I got a gorgeous deep purple cardigan and a pearl/gold necklace. Be honest, is the necklace too granny? I saw it in the older adult section on a model and now that’s all I can think about.

Being impractical, I found these adorable fingerless long gloves (cashmere, woo!) for fall and a matching cowl scarf. I cannot wait to wear them!

I fully intend on rocking the 80s that day, complete with Rick Springfield, WHAM and a little Tiffany. If only there were matching legwarmers!

And then I flashed back to another practical purchase I made with TC at the sale last weekend. I found this sweater in the teen section (I have no idea how this could fit me).

No joke, the teen section clothing is not very flattering in the boob area…for obvious reasons

Then some co-workers and I met up Saturday for lunch at Sun Wah BBQ in Uptown, where you can get peking duck and pig and it’s done with tableside presentation. Oh my god this food was incredible. Look at the ducks we got!

Yeah, I had a moment where I felt guilty eating them, but I got over it as soon as I tasted the deliciousness.

Add in some fried rice, bok choy, broccoli, homemade bao, plum sauce and noodles and it was a feast in every since. I needed a nap after.

Finally, after a nice workout today, I decided to hit up Sprinkles Cupcakes downtown because the curiosity to try it was killing me. And when I got there, I was shocked to see a line outside the door and almost wrapped around the block. So after a long wait, I got two cupcakes to bring home and a frosting shot. I’ll likely be awake until I have to go to work tomorrow. But in all seriousness, yeah, Sprinkles Cupcakes are really good. I won’t lie.

How was everyone else’s weekend?

I have an addictive personality and I can get fixated on stuff and then I cannot stop gushing about it. No, that is not meant to sound creepy OR stalkerish.

Let’s take a closer look at what I’m currently obsessed with:

• Longchamp Le Pilage tote – I have this in the medium and large size and LOVE IT. I had to replace my medium one lately because I literally wore it out after three years. They are perfect for travel and everyday
• Red wine – Yes, Napa has made me fall in love with it. I have started enjoying a glass more regularly at dinner (on the weekends for now) and it’s just so…yummy
• Kiehl’s Acai Berry Cleanser - This was an impulse buy and I love it. The foam feels like kisses on your face. KISSES
• Bethenny Getting Married – I love this show, so much that I will rewatch reruns! I would love to go get coffee with her one day, I think we would both have a good laugh
• Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer – I wore this to Pitchfork in 90+ degree weather and it didn’t run down my face while sweating. Obsessed!
• Homemade pizza – I made one this weekend with Mexican Jack cheese, ricotta and sweet onions. OMG it was SO unhealthy but delicious. Isn’t that how it always works?
• Ice cream – Yep, still obsessed with this one. I have a tub of French Silk ice cream in my fridge and I have no idea how I will be able to resist it
• Red velvet cupcakes - My coworker brought some in from Sugar Bliss today and I immediately dove for one of the two available Red Velvets. Yes, I love them that much

Yes, clearly I always have skincare, makeup, food and TV on the brain. That’s normal right?

What are you loving lately? Any big weekend plans?

Movie review: That’s right, another one. This time I’m keeping it lighter with Despicable Me!

But as much as I love them, I hate shopping at cosmetic counters because I am weak in front of the salesladies.

You know how it goes, you look for one product, maybe ask a few questions and then a sweet saleslady swings by you, smelling a new credit card and says something like, “can I help you find something?” or “oh my gosh you have gorgeous skin.”

Yes, that last phrase is my kryptonite. Once I hear that, I tend to open up my wallet as easily as a girl lifts her shirt on Girls Gone Wild.

No joke.

The saleslady always says how gorgeous my skin is but, of course, she has something to make it better.

Better? But everyone compliments me on my skin now! What is it missing??

That’s when she pulls out the mirror and magic light that makes every pore look the size of a quarter and makeup magically flakes under it and you wonder, OMG how did I go outside looking like this? HELP ME saleslady, help me!

And she does, putting on products, powders and creams that make you look amazing and sigh in relief that you now look like a normal person again and not a monster.

Now, I must have all those products too, I can’t NOT go without them anymore! And sometimes, rather than ask how much each is, you just buy, nearly choking on the bile in your throat when the total of $200 magically appears. Four products for $200? WHA?

Sometimes you pay it, sometimes you don’t. After being caught in that trap several times, I’ve learned to slow down and take breath and critically look at what I need now and what can wait. Just because you want them, doesn’t mean you NEED them all right now.

So Friday when I stopped in at Nordstrom and casually walked by the Laura Mercier counter, being drawn in like a praying mantis, I came out with only one product, one I actually wanted to get, but the lure of more is now planted in my brain.

But after going home and thinking more about it, the cosmetic counter deprogramming began and I’ll be able to resist…for now.

What about you? Are you able to resist the cosmetic counter unscathed? What store is your crack den?

Well this week is a big one: Conan and VEGAS! And I’m super excited about both. But rather than spend the entire weekend doing errands and chores like I did pre-Nola, I did the opposite, be as lazy as possible.

Part one of laziness consisted of reading. Now that my library card is up and running, I’ve been trying to read a lot more and honestly, I forgot how much I enjoyed it. But now I have more books than I have time to read (oops!).

Here’s some of the books I’ve read lately:

I love Kelly Cutrone and really liked this book. Lots of great tips.

Yes, this is a teen fiction book, but it’s based in Wisconsin and a Romeo & Juliet-like look at farm and football

I know, it’s not a very impressive list, but it’s a start!

Part two of laziness was downloading photos from my camera, where I found these two gems:

3 Little Pigs sandwich at Silver Palm (featured on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations Chicago episode). The sandwich is pork, ham, bacon cheese and a fried egg. Thank goodness I split this with TC. No joke, I got the pork sweats

Hilarious sign in the Silver Palm restroom. Seriously, I want this at my house

Part three of laziness actually included trying on clothes to decide if I should return anything before I leave. I got this combat-style jacket from Banana Republic at more than half off, but I’m mixed on whether or not I should keep it. I feel like it makes my boobs and shoulders look like a linebacker, but it is flattering at the waist.

What do you guys think?

So that was the extent of my weekend fun. Now it’s time to read, rest and prepare for a big week!

How about you? How was your weekend?

New Movie Review: Iron Man 2 w/lots of RDJ deliciousness

Well, the weather sucked in Chicago this weekend. Nothing ruins a weekend like rain, clouds and fog. So I decided to do some of my favorite rainy day/weekend things around my house.

Okay I can’t really say that picking up the piles of clothes and papers in my apartment is fun but I did some general not-so-fun-but-necessary-stuff like:

• Pay my renter’s insurance (I know it’s necessary but I didn’t like writing that check)
• Fill out my passport paperwork and get my birth certificate together (yay! It’s here!)
• Book car and hotel reservations for my second big solo trip
• Create an itinerary/event flow for my NOLA, Vegas and yet-to-be-announced trip

I knew I was working in my field for too long when I made an event flow for my own personal vacations. But, when you have confirmation numbers, hotel details and addresses spread all over the place, it’s good to be organized :)

Yes, I love organizing things. It doesn’t really matter what.

And once this mature adult sh*t was over, I was ready to have a little spring dress fashion show. Just because it’s 40 degrees outside (Chicago! You’re killing me!!) that doesn’t mean I can’t try on my pre-spending freeze dresses and dream of warm weather.

My biggest challenge with dresses is the boob-area. I’m busty to begin with and some dresses make my D-cups look like Heidi Montags. I’m not so keen on that, which is why I mostly wear dark color dresses, to help keep it under control.

And so far, I’ve found two I’m pretty excited about (apologizes for the sucky photos, rain means no good light in my place):

Old Navy – $19.50

JCrew – $69.50

Oh yes, I’m dreaming of warm weather right now!

And finally, when it’s pouring outside, I love curling up on the couch with movies. And right now, I’m totally obsessed with the Wii Netflix feature. It syncs my instant Netflix queue to my Wii so I can watch movies on my TV anytime. Um, amazing. I have a little Arrested Development, 30 Rock, Office and several documentaries in my queue right now and the convenience is amazing. My only complaint? Not in HD so the resolution is good but not great. But again, convenient and I like that.

How was everyone else’s weekend? Are you Netflix Wii obsessed? Do you love spring dresses?

Movie review: Caught up with Jenny from the block and some HOT new many candy in The Back-Up Plan