Weekend Fun: Barely

I am peaking my head out for a moment after holing myself up in my apartment for a few days to study for my mid-terms. UGH. That, and I have a visitor who Nerms is not too fond of, so I've been interrupted quite frequently by hissing fights and surprise attacks. Can't we all just get along?

Weekend Fun: BYOP

My roommates and I had a Bring Your Own Pumpkin party this weekend. We had spiced apple cider, candy, cupcakes, Goose Island Harvest ale, baked pumpkin seeds, and apples and caramel dipping sauce. I set up the center piece for the table, which was pretty fun.
Before:After:Pumpkins:

Colorful Fall

While I was out walking really early this morning I found these bright flowers peaking through in gardens. Makes me feel kind of like my mom, taking pictures of flowers, but they are pretty right?

Happy Saturday

Oy this was a long week. I am so happy it's finally the weekend. I meant to post a happy weekend to everyone, but for now I'll leave it at happy Saturday! This one's definitely relaxing...

Weekend Fun: Dinner, Dessert, and a Miniature War

My parents had a Mexican-themed party tonight. Steak tacos, rice, beans, and then blueberry sauce on vanilla ice cream for dessert. Yum! A friend's little boy likes to play with my sister and my old toys. Tonight's game was "war". He had it set up pretty well I thought, which was kind of sad seeing as he's 6 and can imagine war so well, but also a little humorous.

Burberry Rain Coat

I had the best afternoon shopping with my parents. We went to the farmer's market, and then my Mom and I went to the mall. She was so sweet and bought me some cute new shoes, and blue corduroy pants. But the highlight of my shopping trip was this Burberry rain coat which I made the mistake of trying on. I am now starting a fund to raise $695 for a jacket that protects me from the rain...from Burberry.

Weekend Fun: Chicago's Rooftops Rival NY's...sort of

This weekend I went to a fun party at a friend of a friend's new condo. Besides there being about 35 sorority sisters, and maybe 10 (frat) guys, the rooftop view was amazing. The Chicago skyline is so different than New York's, and so glittery!

Backyard Rain Party

It's kind of sad that this is the only picture we took of the whole set-up, but there was so much drinking going on I think people forgot to take photos! But my sister's engagement party went smoothly, even through the pouring rain. We got the blue tent last minute just as an extension to a really pretty white one. My mom did all of the table settings and candles.

Congrats Lisa and Mitch!

Back and Blogging

I arrived back in Chicago today after some camping in New Jersey. It was a really great time, and much more dry than I expected. We grilled over a fire, ate fresh peaches from an award winning peach stand, and saw more stars than I've seen in years. I would post pictures if I hadn't left my camera in New York :(

So I'm back and thinking about desk chairs. These 3 are pretty similar and from 3 different places. Craigslist a supposedly Eames chair, C2b Milan chair, and Ikea Gilbert chair.I like the simplicity of these desk chairs, reminiscent of school desk chairs. I'd love to have one and keep a pretty pillow on it as cushion. Pillows from Etsy: Kitchniche, Karen Hiltondesigns, Joom

Long Weekend

I'm off to New York/New Jersey (yes New Jersey) to go camping for the weekend. It's strange now that I live in Chicago to be "vacationing" in NYC and NJ. Anyways have a great couple of days!

Farewell to NY, Coney Island Style

Friday a big group of people I've known for 5+ years went to the Cylones game in Coney Island. I got some pretty good shots of the parachute ride, fireworks during the game, and the amusement park. It was the perfect last night in the city, heckling the players, eating hot dogs, and spending $6 a beer. Best New York send-off ever. I highly recommend this for anyone in or visiting New York.

Coney Island and Big Move

Tomorrow straight from (my last day of!!!!!) work I'm going to Coney Island with some friends for a Cyclone's game. It's my first trip there, after 5 years of living in NYC. Can't wait. Then I'll finally be moving on Sunday. I know. I've been talking about it forever everyone's like "haven't you moved yet???" See you sometime on Sunday when I hope to be able to get online. Have a great weekend.

America's Birthday

Yesterday was so much fun though it didn't go quite as planned. The plan was to enjoy food and drinks on the roof of my friend's office/warehouse where there's a great view of fireworks. Then it started to pourand the party moved indoors where he stores merchandise for his online business.
Someone ran out and bought a bunch of umbrellas though and saved the day just in time for...
And my favorite.

Happy 4th!

The 4th of July is my favorite holiday. It's totally relaxed, doesn't produce any of the hype that some other holidays do, usually involves a barbeque, and of course fireworks. I'll be on a roof in Astoria, Queens all day, so have a great day!

Weekend Fun: Brooklyn, Anthropologie and Puppies

I visited Prospect Park for the first time the other day, and am sad I didn't go there before my last month in New York. It's awesome! There are designated bbq spots and everyone is so relaxed, and it's less crowded than Central Park.

View leaving the park:On the train back to Manhattan:
How cool is this Princess and the Pea display at Anthropologie?Only in New York. This poor guy looks so bored. (At Forever 21)

Weekend Fun: Rooftops and Blueprints

I went to another rooftop party this weekend, this time close to Times Square. The view was so cool, and it was so bright from 42nd street lights that there was no need for lights on the roof. Though I am not a fan of this area of NYC, being so high above it all felt was really fun!

Also got a chance to catch up on my magazines, including Blueprint which I've been meaning to read for awhile now. I have so many new ideas for my new bedroom!

Weekend Fun: Stencil Decorating my Wardrobe

So I did it, I created a stencil and painted the inside of my wardrobe. It bares a striking resemblance to my grandparents 70s orange kitchen citrus wallpaper...but whatever. Should I paint over it? I'm not sure I love it like I loved the image below :(

Weekend Fun: NYC Rooftop Views

One thing I'm really going to miss when I move to Chicago are the amazing views from NYC rooftops. This weekend I went to a rooftop party that had the most amazing view down 1st avenue. Does anyone have tips on how to take nighttime and skyline photographs?? Here are my efforts, one with flash, one without.

Weekend Fun

I promised myself I would never apologize for not posting, because that just seems silly. But here I am anyways, apologizing for my lack of posts.

On another note things that got done this weekend:
-Saw a really awful scary movie (The Omen, wouldn't recommend it)
-Bought a really cute vintage fan
-Played ping pong for the 1st time in a long time and LOVED it
-Found the perfect pair of summer wedges (red, will post pics soon)
-Signed the lease to my new apartment in Chicago! Moving 3rd weekend of July all the way from NYC. This entire process was about 1,000 x's easier than finding an apartment in New York. Who knew that brokers could actually be nice, and that sometimes apartments are sold without a one month's fee, and that they'd introduce you to your neighbors who are moving in the same month as we are. Going back to the Midwest is sounding pretty good....

Weekend Fun: Quick Shots

Saw some pretty things already this weekend, figured I'd post them real quick. I really like the idea of things living within concrete and bricks, and finding unexpected life in strange places in the city.Bricks underneath fruit
I thought it looked like trees were making a river through the buildings.Water under the bridge

Ok, back to enjoying the weather...:)