Any old Tuesday

Today we have our first cocktail party at the pinup studio.  I'm looking forward to it, but I'm also exhausted.  And, it's crazy humid out today...  good times all around.

And WOW, my bun looks huge in that picture.  I swear it's not that big in real life.

More artwork

This past weekend, I headed up to Milwaukee again to visit with Lauren and Kevin and see Liam for his birthday.  It's amazing that both him and Brody will be a year already!

While I was up there, I stopped by MEM's house to say hi and pick up a frame to use and then swung by Grammy and Papa's to say hello.

I have had this idea for some artwork in my dining room, but as usual, have been second guessing myself.  (What is wrong with me... I am never not head strong in my decision making)

So, of course, I couldn't wait to get started.

Here is what the picture from MEM's house looked like.

I saved the poster for her and just wanted to use the frame.

I didn't get pictures of this whole process, but I used some high gloss white spray paint that I had left from previous projects.

Then, a few months ago, I bought this box of pantone postcards on Amazon.  My plan was to use these for art work - sort of like paint chip art that is so popular right now.

It took a couple hours while the frame was drying to figure out how I wanted to assemble the postcards.

After I had them laid out in a way I liked them, I went through and taped them all together so they wouldn't slide around.  Then, I taped them onto the piece of foam board that was in the back of the original artwork.

Here is the finished piece...

And the finished piece in its new home.

I'm really happy with it and it makes me feel better that after over a year, I finally have some artwork in my dining room.

Is this week over yet?

I am the only one that seems to be having the week from hell?  It is crawling by and my mood seems to be getting worse as the week goes on.  Also, I'm getting really lazy.  This morning I barely put makeup on (I used to excuse that my skin needed a break - totally justified) and I only dried the roots of my hair (because come on, my hair needed a break too)!

Also, the dress I am wearing today I am wearing out of comfort.  It is one of two dresses I have ever purchased from Target... not that I don't WANT to buy dresses from Target, but because nothing EVER fits right at Target.  Nothing.  Ever.  I can buy shoes, accessories and cardigans from Target.  That's it.

Anyways, I saw this on a friend years ago and immediately went out to buy it.  I don't wear it often, because the waist is a little too high (shocker), but it has earned the price I paid for it.  So I keep it around for occasions like this.  Days when I don't really care and I just want to be comfy.

Since moving to Chicago, I have developed a really judgy hobby of analyzing and critiquing people's outfits/style when I am walk Samson around my neighborhood.  I have seen some crazy things.  The other day, I saw this guy.... with this backpack.

Seriously.

Also, why I'm on a random tangent.  I just finished ready Mindy Kaling's book, Is Everyone Hanging out Without Me?  (And Other Concerns), and this particular page had me laughing out loud in my bed.  She was talking about one night stands.  How she has never had one and doesn't understand why they are preceived as something everyone must do.

I laughed especially because she is so easily distracted and come on... that bit about not wearing underwear - hilarious.

If you are a single, 30-something (or really any woman looking for a quick distraction), I suggest this book.  It is a super quick read and there were several parts I just laughed out loud with.

And there is your random post for the week.  Tomorrow some of my grade school girlfriends are coming over for a casual dinner and hang out and then on Saturday, I am heading up to Milwaukee for Liam's 1st birthday party.

Is it September yet?

When Sh*t gets real...

*Alternative title: Why being a grown up sucks.

I'm sure you noticed that about 90% of the time on this blog, it's all sunshine.  Outfit posts, funny/bad dating experiences, my foray into decorating.  The truth is, I sensor myself here.  I sensor myself because I am afraid to share some things with the family and friends that I know are reading this.  Why?  Good question.  Maybe because airing my frustrations and concerns is scary.  It's documented.  It's not like I told it to you in conversation and then can deny it later.

While my decision to move back to Chicago could not have been better, this past year has not been all roses and nights out with the ladies.  There are large parts of it that suck.

At the beginning of the summer, I started to feel really off.  I felt noncommittal about everything.  Nothing made me feel excited anymore.  I just felt blah all the time.  I also was feeling increasingly frustrated with my friend situation in Chicago.  Realizing that I cannot solely rely on a few select friends to keep me entertained (because they also have other things to do)... I started to feel really down.  In a discussion I had with Brooke, I realized that maybe I am a bit depressed.  I know myself enough to know when something isn't right... and something definitely isn't right.

This summer has helped a bit, getting out and doing things.  But it's not back to normal.

I'm sure some of this has to do with just general life stress.  And maybe addressing those stresses will help alleviate my issue... and maybe it won't.

I am taking steps to handle those stresses in my life and focus on things that will help take my life in the direction I want it to be going.  And if that doesn't work, then I have my regularly scheduled doctor's appointment where I can talk with her about how I have been feeling.  And figure out where to go from there.

A letter to myself

Dear self:

Okay.

So, you have really enjoyed your summer this year.  You have done fun things.  You got out of your apartment. You feel better about how you used your free time than you did last year.  It's been a great summer.

But some things definitely slacked because of it.  Mainly, working out.

Let's be honest, there have been multiple times where you have looked in the mirror or just felt crappy and thought - ugh,  I need to get in shape.

So... no more waiting.  We need to make things happen.

This summer was about getting out and having a good time with family and friends.  This fall is going to be about you.  We are getting back in shape.  No more wishing you looked better... we are making it happen.

You have three weeks left of summer and then vacation.  After vacation, we need to make a workout schedule and stick to it.  No more complaining about how tired you are.  No more wasting your gym membership.

We are making this happen!


Motivating you in love,

Me


*I will share my workout schedule (with hopefully some help from Lauren).

Finally, some art in the bedroom

I don't know what my problem has been with decorating this place.  As my mom could attest (based on the number of "ugh, I don't know"s that I utter when we are out shopping), I've been having a hard time committing to decor ideas/purchases for my apartment.  Maybe its the fact that everything is costing me money right now and I'm trying to be cautious of how I am spending my money.

Also, I blog/internet stalk a lot of websites.... a lot.  About a year ago, I found Brittany Fuson Paper online and love her adorable fashion illustrations.  Let's me honest, I LOVE all kinds of fashion prints.  I have a whole pinterest board just for fashion prints and I already have some Inslee By Design prints in my hallway.

So imagine my excitement when I see a post on facebook that Brittany Fuson was having a half off sale on a bunch of her prints.  That was enough to push me to order four of my favorites.

My initial thought was the buy wide mats in various colors to play up the colors in the illustrations and then buy some simple white frames.  After cruising around Michael's, I decided that I was just going to go simple white mats and silver frames.

I think my decision was better than my original plan.  The white mats and silver frames make the prints stand out more and will be easier to transition to future homes/spaces.

I love them and I love how artwork in my bedroom is finally (over a year later) making it look like I actually live there.  It takes it from an apartment to my home.

Now, if I can just buy a real mirror to hang instead of the makeshift one I have.  Oh, and if I can finally find some throw pillows to make my bed look more pulled together.

*I also have some ideas for artwork in my dining room (the last space that really needs something) and also in the bathroom to make it a little less utility.  Maybe another year from me.

**I kid about the year.... hopefully.

Has this week been shitty for anyone else?

Because it has sucked for me.

How is it possibly only Thursday?!

Yesterday, I had one of those days where I wanted to punch everyone.  It was rough.

Then, I had a rescheduled meeting with Heather about event planning.  I grabbed a bottle of wine on my way out the door because it was that kind of day.   My meeting with Heather went really well (and the wine certainly helped my mood).  It was nice to have a fun, creative discussion with a woman I admire for her creativity.

The rest of this week is pretty slow for me, which I am excited about.  Lots of lounging on my couch and getting some stuff done around my apartment.

*This post really doesn't give you anything important or exciting.  Just popping in to write something.