Lessons learned while shopping

Yesterday I had an appointment downtown on Michigan Ave. after work.  It happened to be in Water Tower Place so I found myself wandering over to the H&M and Topshop after my appointment.

H&M was having a big sale I guess and I've been successful finding blazers there before.  I spent maybe 10 minutes in the store before I walked out.  The place was a disaster.  There were racks of clothes just randomly placed about the store, things were flung over the racks, and on the floor below the racks.

There is a reason I very infrequently go to discount stores (like Nordstrom rack, Marshalls, etc.).  I cannot stand when clothes aren't organized and neat looking.  What about that mess would make me want to  buy anything?  Maybe I'm getting older but that was not cool.  I walked right out.

Then I ventured over to Topshop.  I see lots of dresses online that seem like they would be so cute.  I found a handful and went into the dressing room.  I knew they would be short, but I figured at least trying them would like me know for sure that they would not work for me.  I was right.

They looked like little baby doll dresses - it was kind of ridiculous.  But at least I know now.  It was what I expected, but you never can really tell for sure without trying things on.

One of these days, stores will sell the TALL sizes actually in the stores instead of only online.  Yeah, I'm talking to you GAP and Banana!!!

St. Patrick's day festivities

Yesterday my office held a press conference for the St. Patrick's day initiative we were working on.

Here's one photo my coworker grabbed of all the ladies with Patrick, the man in charge of the Chicago Shannon Rovers.

Life List

Sometimes, there are things you do so that you can check them off your life list.

Participating in the Southside of Chicago St. Patrick's day parade.

Saturday was a really long day with Lauren's bridal shower and I crashed and burned around 8:45 on Saturday night.  I knew I had to get up around 6:30am to get ready, walk Samson and head over to meet our trolley.

Having completely forgot about the time change (thank God I use my cell phone as my alarm), I was exhausted in the morning.

It was rainy all day, but at least mildly warm (45). The parade itself was not as crowded as I was expecting, though I think a lot of that has to do with the no consumption rule change two years ago.  And it is LONG!!  14 city blocks is a long parade.

I made it home around 3:30 and was pretty much done for the remainder of the day.

Here's my best rainy day parade attire.

For a girl's who's favorite color is green.  I don't really have much of it.

b-u-s-y

I think I've said this before.... I'm feeling overwhelmingly busy right now.

With Lauren's bridal shower on Saturday, getting their wedding invites together and being in the Chicago southside Irish parade on Sunday - I am SWAMPED!

I am planning to try to tackle some things from my 101 list, but it may have to wait.

1 Year

Today is my one year anniversary at my job in Chicago.

And it's supposed to snow 6-9 inches.

I wore a dress to celebrate.

*dress - inherited from Amanda, tights - target, shirt - jcrew (old), shoes - Steve Madden

Don't worry, I brought my snow boots.

I can't believe I've been here for a year.  I don't know how time went by so quickly.

Goals Update: February

Sorry this is late.  Usually, I pre-write my goals update if I am going to be gone/busy at the end of the month.  This time I just wasn't prepared.

So here it is!

1. Complete at least 2 items from my 101 IN 1,001 LIST each month - Done.  Barely, but done.  You can read about them HERE and HERE.  I feel like I may need to print off the list and carry it around with me.  Or else, pre-plan which things I would like to accomplish on my list each month.  We'll see.

2. GET IN SHAPE - Started at least.  I joined a gym, so that's awesome.  And I started my half marathon training.  I missed week one because of being sick, but now I'm back on track.  I'm into week 3 now.  The best part about it, the combination of the the running training and the incentive to visit the gym 36 times in the next 90 days to get my $180 enrollment fee back is awesome!

3. EAT BETTER -  Aside from my recent trip to New Orleans where I am not sure they know what veggies are - I have been eating pretty well.  I am still interesting in exploring a bit more, but for now and how busy I am, this is good.

#24 - Get a facial

I completely forgot that I accomplished this a couple weeks ago.

I had a silk peel (which really wasn't a peel) from Leah Chavie Skincare Boutique.  I saw an offer for them on Living Social, did a bit of research and found out there were really close to my house and had some really great reviews.  So I figured, why not?

The facial felt amazing.  I left the appointment feeling super moisturized and glowing.  Which was good since I had to go bridesmaid dress shopping downtown with no makeup on.  Awesome.

I really liked the silk peel and will probably go back there for something in the future.