Christmas Wish List

You know you're getting old when any given wishlist consists mostly of things for the kitchen. I'm really trying to think ahead here and stock up on things I don't have for when I have another apartment. I'll sneak some DVDs and music on the list so I'm not totally lame. If only that Lana Del Rey album was already out...

It Might Get Loud on DVD
(Amazon)

Documentary about the electric guitar from the viewpoints of The Edge, Jimmy Page, and Jack White

Immersion Blender
(Target)

Preferably with detachable end

Full Sized Coffee Maker with Custom Brew Strength
(Target)

4 Piece Glass Cylinder Canister Set
(Target)

Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland
(Amazon)

Florence & The Machine- Ceremonials
(Amazon)

Christy Fringe Moccasin Slippers
(Target)
Chestnut, Size 9

Melio Frosted & Mirror Finish 20 Piece Flatware Set
(Target)

Set of Plain Black or White Dishes

Bridesmaids
(Amazon)

Mossimo Kloe Wedge Booties
(Target)
Black, Size 9? I guess I'll need to wander in and try these on

Wamsutta Down Alternative Comforter
(Bed Bath & Beyond)
Full/Queen

Binx Faux Fur Duvet Cover Set
(Bed Bath & Beyond)

Black, Full/Queen
(This might be a bad idea... I don't know that I'll ever get out of bed. But I think now that I've seen it I am going to have to have it one way or another. I'm sorry, savings account.)

(Most pictures linked to specific website)

Wow, that was a terrible idea. Every time I make a Christmas List I always find so many things that I never thought of and end up falling in love with them. (Cough... duvet cover, you will be mine.) Looks like my savings account might be taking a pretty big hit post Christmas with all this home shopping!

I also feel the need to disclose that I ridiculously contemplated registering for a "wedding" to myself at Target just to get some organized list of everything I'll need for a new apartment. I thought that might be taking advantage of the system though. That wedding I went to last weekend had me so excited about EVERYTHING on their list... and also a little sad that someone already bought them the waffle maker. Isn't it just so much more fun to buy presents for people that you would also love getting? Now I'm in the mood to start making my lists for what to buy everyone else!

What's on your Christmas list this year?

Photo Booth Fun

Saturday I went to my friend's brother's wedding, and much to my delight they had a photo booth at the reception. These are my FAVORITE and this was the first time I've been in one at an event like this. Even more fun was the little scrap book station they had set up next to the photo booth so you could make a page with one set of the picture print outs for a book the bride and groom got to keep.

I couldn't resist sharing these with you as soon as they were all posted on the photographer's Facebook page.

And last but certainly not least, my favorite picture of the bride and the groom:

Tulle Time

Yes, you're welcome for that cheesy Home Improvement reference.

We have less than two weeks left in the Chicago apartment and are trying to make the most of it (though I'll be gone this weekend for a wedding), so last night we went to dinner at one of our favorites: Sullivan's Steakhouse. Long Island Martinis, Filet Trio, and White Cheddar Au Gratin Potatoes? Check, check, and check. Yum.

I love this dress because it's comfortable, cute, and so easy to accessorize with a million different things. I like to keep a little edge on the tulle so it doesn't look too frilly, and these boots did just that.




Oh! And you'll have to excuse me because it does have a little bit of product in it, but for the most part my hair is still pretty silky and shiny from the olive oil treatment the other day- even after a coloring! I'm thinking I might start doing these at least once or twice a week.

Now you'll have to excuse me, I'm off to pack for my second of three moves in less than 6 months. Let's cross our fingers that by the end of January I'll be settled in Denver and won't have to worry about moving for a while!

Olive Oil Hair Treatment

Last night I found myself on some crazy kick looking up all sorts of homemade beauty treatments. I may just have to start a new feature and regularly post some of these, because I found so many I wanted to try. The first one I knew I wanted to do was a basic olive oil hair treatment.

My hair is pretty dry. I don't know where I got it from, because most of the women in my family insist on washing their hair every single morning so it doesn't get oily. I've always found that mine is way better if I go a few days without washing it, but that rarely happens and it sometimes can get TOO dry. On a daily basis I usually put a little bit of Moroccan Oil in it, but I tried this treatment and I'm hoping it will eliminate the need for that at least for a few days at a time!

It's really simple- no specific ingredient amounts, no official way to go about it. Here's what I did:

Put about 1/4 cup of olive oil in a small bowl, little mug, or anything that can be microwaved. Microwave for about 30 seconds to warm it up a little bit.

Make sure it's not too hot (for your fingers or your scalp) and just start scooping small amounts into the palm of your hands, rub it around to coat your hand, and then work your fingers through your hair. I also took the ends of my hair and dipped them full on in the olive oil, squeezing the extra out.

Your hair does not have to be dripping wet with olive oil. In fact, it's better if it's not. Just make sure you've coated it all and there aren't any dry spots. Some sites recommend trying to avoid your scalp so it doesn't get oily, but I didn't have any issues with that, particularly since it's been a little chilly and my skin has started to get a little bit more dry.

Put it up in a bun to keep it out of the way and leave it in for 1-2 hours. I was just hanging around the apartment looking at some blogs/watching Tuesday night TV, but if you're doing something where you're worried the oil might get on something you can cover your hair with a plastic bag or saran wrap.

Shampoo hair thoroughly to remove all oil and condition as you usually do.

(Several recommendations stated they left the treatment on overnight, but others said they tried both versions and leaving it overnight didn't make much of a difference. You can also add a few drops of essential oil in the scent of your choice to the olive oil before heating it to give it a more specific smell, but if you don't have any don't worry... your hair is not going to smell like olives.)

I definitely started noticing my hair felt softer and shinier immediately as it began to dry, and the next day this still applies! It even looks better than when just using the Moroccan oil, with a more consistent shine throughout.

Let me know if you try this or have any other suggestions to add! I don't think I'd recommend it for anyone who has oily hair naturally, but if you have dry hair this should work wonders. I'll be sure to update with how long the extra shine lasts.

I Just Can't Get Enough

Have you heard of Spotify yet? If the answer is yes and you still don't have it, believe me when I tell you that you want it immediately. I heard about it what must have been two months ago but I don't think I really understood what it was and only downloaded it a few weeks ago.

Basically it's an online streaming service FOR FREE. At least for the first six months. With a minimal amount of ads per hour the artists still get paid without you even subscribing, but after six months of your use restrictions on play time and number of plays are put into effect. I've only had the service for a few weeks but I am already totally willing to subscribe: for $10 a month (yes, the price of one album on iTunes) you not only don't face these restrictions but are able to stream the music offline and download it to devices such as your phone or iPod.

I understand any issues this brings up in the music industry, but I do think it is a great middle ground that still allows artists to benefit while working with the changes technology has brought about. I know that I certainly will continue to buy the albums I really like, because sometimes it's just nice to have that physical copy, and I do believe in supporting artists you like. This is just a great option to explore and sample new music, especially with the collaboration with Facebook that allows you to share playlists or albums with friends and even directly send music suggestions. Besides, how many times have you wanted to buy music from iTunes only to get sick of it a week or two later and not ever listen to it again?

Here are a few of the albums that I REALLY can't get enough of on Spotify, some that I have already bought and others that I have every intention of buying:


Cold War Kids: Mine is Yours


Florence and the Machine: Ceremonials


Pistol Annies: Hell on Heels


the bird and the bee: Interpreting the Masters Volume 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall and John Oates


Two Door Cinema Club: Tourist History


Is Tropical: Native To



Interested in any of those, or any other albums you have been thinking about lately? What are you waiting for? Go get it!

Jane of the Jungle 3.0

This year Jane came back with some new and improved accessories: real flowers, false eyelashes, green eyeshadow, and JUNGLE ANIMALS.

Despite the fact that these masks are truly some of the creepiest things I've ever seen, I was ok with Steven and Adam wearing them to complete the look. The flowers were a last minute addition thanks to me forgetting the usual go-to's in Chicago. I ended up buying some fake vines from Michaels, some Alstromerias, and hot gluing them both to an old bangle and a hair barrette. They were wilting by the end of the night, so they were really a one shot accessory, but I LOVED them. (Not to anyone attempting this: super glue is NOT an option. I first bought the wrong sized glue sticks and ended up trying to settle for super glue which really only got on EVERY FINGER but never made the flowers stick.)

I also ended up loving false eyelashes way more than I thought. They weren't TOO difficult to put on and nowhere near as awkward as I thought they might feel. I only wish I hadn't accidentally dropped them in a sidewalk grate when taking them off later in the night. I'll definitely be buying some more.

About Time for a Jacket

I just bought this jacket today at Forever 21 and I LOVE it. The lining is so warm without being too heavy,and it was SO cheap.... oh, and did I mention how soft it is, both inside and out? I have definitely needed a jacket like this, that works for fall or winter, for a while. Has anyone else seen any other cute jackets or coats that could easily transition from Fall to Winter?

Quilted Patch Suedette Jacket
Forever 21+
$39.80

Halloween's A Comin'!

I was starting to get concerned that it would never feel like October. I think all of the traveling and not officially living in one place right now has my sense of time a bit skewed and it has been the first year I haven't spent months thinking about what I'm going to be for Halloween.

I knew I wanted to reprise the role as Gretchen the Biergarten Girl since I have only worn that one once, but I hadn't thought of anything new. I think I'll still probably just do remixes of old costumes, but I'm looking forward to another Jane of the Jungle and maybe even a Cowgirl to use those good ol' boots and bring out the long-lost leopard print cowboy hat. Any suggestions for the name to accompany that one? Costumes are always much more fun when they have alternative identities to go with them!

What are YOU going to be for Halloween? Do you have any creative costumes that you have come up with using just what's in your closet? Sometimes those can require the most creativity not only in wardrobe but in hair and make up, and they're always a favorite of mine!

Now I just need to find a replacement beer mug for Saturday's tailgate, since mine seems to be packed away in the midst of all this moving...

A Night Out in Denver

Outfit
Dress: TJ Maxx
Leggings, Purse, Cardigan: Old Navy
Boots: DSW
Socks: Target
Necklace: American Eagle
Bracelets: Charlotte Russe

I just got back from spending a few days in Denver and I miss it already! The day we landed the weather was right around 50 degrees, which was a welcome change from the temperatures in the 80's that we had been experiencing in Chicago before we left. I'm not totally in love with Indian Summers... when fall gets here I am always much too excited about it to have it taken away again so soon!

The temperatures got up to the 70's the other two days in Denver, but because we would often leave in the mornings and not always come back until later at night I had to work with layers to make sure I wasn't too hot/too cold at any given time. This outfit was the perfect blend for a nice dinner at the Capital Grille downtown on Larimer followed by a few bars with my dad and what ending up being nearly a whole convention of friends from his industry who were in town. I am absolutely falling in love with these boots and I am so glad I kept them! (They were a bit of an impulse purchase and I wore them around the apartment for two days trying to decide)

Larimer Street in Downtown Denver