Sunday, October 26, 2008

Key learnings, prowlin' and randoms

It's Sunday again and in Chicago, we have gale-force winds outside, which are gusting up to 50 m.p.h at times. So earlier today, I rescheduled my regular walk because I was nearly blown over from the strong winds (and to blow me over, that has to be a strong). Now, I'm sitting here and looking back on my weekend, enjoying a Honey Crisp apple (my favorite fall treat).

Please join me on my learning expedition.

Key Learnings
  • Channeling E.T., Rocky and the Unabomber when dressing for your weekly walk will get you strange looks on the street
  • There is no shame in hiding your favorite purse under your coat to protect it from the rain, even if you look ridiculous
  • If you can help it, don't come home to a messy apartment after a long day
  • Volunteering can actually be fun
  • When in doubt a milkshake or chocolate donut will make you feel better
  • It's okay to nap before going out to the bars, even if you're in your late 20s
  • When it's cold out, fashion doesn't matter. Wear a proper coat and keep the cute outfit on underneath (example, a gold lame, backless dress with a chain back is not appropriate when it's 40 degrees outside)
  • Carpenter jeans do still exist and still make your butt and hips look big
  • No matter how cold it is, ice cream always tastes good
  • The "Sex and the City" movie, even on second watch, wasn't any better than the first time I saw it
  • The lack of available champagne at my salon is unacceptable
  • Beer hungover is better than wine hungover
  • Prowlin' is fun, when there are guys to be on the prowl for
Prowlin'
Yes that's right, Cheryl and I went "prowlin'" Saturday night for guys...because I still have to make out with three of them this year. 

We got dressed up and went out in Lakeview, but unfortunately I missed the memo that this weekend everyone was going to be out of town. It's like those weekends in college when everyone goes home and you don't and there is no real reason (like a holiday) why everyone is gone. Two unpacked bars, three beers and two vodka tonics later, it was time to call it a night. 

Guess we'll have to try prowlin' another time. Watch out guys! I was unsuccessful in my makeout mission now but that will not always be the case.

Randoms
I completely forgot to mention that I was able to do a mini-bloggy meet-up last week with D from All Things G&D. A Madtown, Wisconsin blogger, we got together for dinner at Grand Luxe Cafe (with a window seat) and had a lovely time chatting. It was so nice to talk Wisconsin, design, blogging, work and shopping. Plus, I introduced her to my "happy place" aka Nordstrom's and its shipping policy to Wisconsin. I cannot wait to meet up with her again and go shopping!

Finally, I finished Twilight today, after going on a marathon reading session this afternoon. I've been delinquent in my reading because of my legwarmer mission, but fortunately reading is back on now! Overall, I liked the book and I'm curious to see what happens in the next installment. Fortunately, it's an easy read, but I thought it definitely got more interesting in the last several chapters of the book. Promise, no spoilers but so far it's good :)

How was everyone else's weekend?

37 comments:

Kendall said...

I've heard so much about the Twilight books that I'm almost tempted to try them myself.

As for my weekend? http://theoddduckling.blogspot.com/2008/10/and-im-not-even-blaming-my-dog.html

LBluca77 said...

I hate coming home to a messy apartment too, mostly because I know it is my fault that it is messy.

I think there was a drought of men in every city in America this weekend.

Unknown said...

i have the twilight books on my 'to read' list - i've heard only good things about them.

my weekend..,umm...pretty hot and kinda steamy-lol.

KA said...

Wine hangovers are the worst! Oh man the headache is terrible! The upset stomach, the ickyness. Ugh, it's making me sick just thinking about it

Anonymous said...

Woman. You let me know the next time you want to go prowling. It'll be so worth it your brain will melt (Maybe.).

Rebekah said...

Save the purse, save the world!!!

And hooray for prowling! Even if no desirable makeout partners are out and about, it's good flirting practice :o)

My weekend? Heh. Helping E move... I wrote a bit about that - it was eventful, but only in my head.

Heidi Renée said...

I would love to prowl with you! I imagine I would make an excellent wingwoman. And you'd always get first pick, haha.

bianca said...

"There is no shame in hiding your favorite purse under your coat to protect it from the rain, even if you look ridiculous"

I've totally done that. No shame. I worked hard for that bag and I'll be damned if it gets ruined!!!

Bummer that people were out of town. I hope your next outing is more successful!

Maki said...

Ah huh! This is why you were tipsy!:) I agree, beer hangovers are so much easier than wine hangovers. Really, some wines give me a major headache!

Protect your purse at all cost, that's a must!!! I'm glad that you had a nice weekend:)

Mandy said...

The purse must be saved. Naps are glorious. Twilight is highly addictive. I have been looking for your weekend learnings..lol. Love them! My weekend was great, besides the fact that OSU lost to Penn State.

Anonymous said...

I want to read Twilight too. I've heard too much about it to not read it at this point.

I spent last night window shopping at my happy place (Old Orchard) and spent all of today at work.

The wind is crazy!

LJ said...

Your right it so cold out! The wind is quite ridiculous. I would love a chocolate donut right now :) Maybe it weren't freezing rain out, I would indulge.

Rachel Burton said...

I've been meaning to read Twilight. Sounds like a great idea for a too-windy-to-go-outside day. Good luck on your next prowl!

Anonymous said...

You crack me up girlie. Here's to hoping things turn around soon! =) So bummed, I saw a super hot guy today, but looked at his hand, yep married. Why are all the hot ones married?

L.C.T. said...

My favourite lessons are not coming back to a messy apartment/room, it just makes it worse doesn't it! Also the milkshake, for me, chocolate milkshake ALWAYS works. Aaand napping before going, it makes sense right?!

Kyla Bea said...

I've been thinking about the winter fashion item too - I completely agree. I have a long black coat and I'm wearing long john's under my skinny jeans these days, and it's only uphill from here!

Cheryl said...

I am almost done with Twilight, getting there but not quite yet. Did you get a muffin yesterday? I totally did.

I guess we just have to keep trying to prowl, on the weekends when people are actually in town and going out, that is.

Anonymous said...

Sorry your prowling efforts didn't pay off. Next time for sure!

My weekend was nuts. The move went better than expected thanks to manfriend and his impeccable moving talents and desk-destroying skills.

In between the move I tried to squeeze in as much homework time as I could...which was often pushed aside for something else more "important." Procrastinator? Me? Never!

Can't wait to show you the new place!

That Girl said...

You know what else with the messy apartment? It sucks to come home after grocery shopping to a messy kitchen. This weekend I actually did my dishes BEFORE shopping and felt much better putting stuff away without the clutter.

Rachel said...

Before reading the second book get rid of all sharp implements and black hair dye.

You'll see soon enough....

Anonymous said...

I love naps before bar nights... it makes me so much more peppy.

Ashley D said...

My weekend was pretty boring, mostly just full of studying. But I agree, ice cream always tastes good, no matter how cold it is outside.

Maris said...

a few thoughts:

1. Wine hangovers are the devil
2. Honeycrisp apples are delicious
3. I MUST start reading the twilight series.
4. thank you for giving me a craving for a chocolate donut. do they make those with splenda? haha :o)

Lauren said...

Instead of channeling Rocky while getting dressed, I channel him while i'm jogging.

This turns into me dancing sometimes. The song is so catchy!

Megkathleen said...

Naps are okay at any age. I always take naps before going out - I don't know how people manage otherwise!

Lauren Elizabeth said...

Every time I nap before I go out, I get super drunk. It's like it oddly lowers my tolerence.

Daisy said...

Carpenter jeans!! Nooooo! Dude didn't you get the 90s memo? It's flared cords and vans only please... My weekend was wonderful- sunny and autumnal, with plenty of walks in the park and even a cinema trip thrown in. And I made the most of our extra hour for daylight saving by staying out late late late on Sat!!

Anonymous said...

I really thought I was the only female in America to not be totally in love with the SATC movie!

Megan said...

All I have to say is that I hope you have a LOT of time on your hands before you start the second book. After the first one you can take a break, and you can read the first one over a longer period of time, but about 50 pages into the second one you will NOT (like seriously I sneaked the book in class and at work) be able to stop reading until you are done with the fourth. But they are amazing and totally worth it!

Anonymous said...

I would totally prowl with you, too. Not that I would actually be hoping to snag anybody, since I am super duper taken, but I'm quite the outgoing girl, pretty good at talking to guys and would definitely be a great wing-lady.

Your talk of honeycrisp apples makes me want a caramel apple. Yum!

And I am lucky -- I don't get hangovers when I drink beer. At all. Wine hangovers do suck, though. I went to a party on Friday night and they had an open wine bar, all free, except I can't drink right now because of my egg donation, so I was sad. The cabernets looked sad that I wouldn't be drinking them, too! ;)

SA said...

Totes agree on milkshake and/or chocolate doughnut. Those simple little things can be like heaven.

Bad weekend. Stupid Michigan State how I hate them grrrr.

Anonymous said...

I didn't like the Sex and the City movie either!

I'm not sure what your make-out goal number was...but since becoming single I have a new goal of making out with 1 boy a month (until I decide to be in a relationship again, and I have so far been successful!) Hooray!

Pretty Unfamous said...

I'm always prowlin' at bars. It's bad. Someone needs to cut out my ovaries, because I'm as hormonally charged as my 14-year-old self!

A Girl said...

I finished Twilight 2 days ago (starting New Moon now), and I'm totally obsessed! I watched the movie trailer like 20 times, and as I wrote on my blog, "I'm one step away from having sex dreams about cute vampires" ;)

Anonymous said...

I hate coming home to a messy house after a long day! It just makes me feel stressed.

As for my weekend...I cleaned my house. Lame, I know. But next weekend is my birthday, Dirty Dancing, and downtown girl fun!

Anonymous said...

How bad does the Sex and the City movie suck?! I was so over Carrie and how self-absorbed she was. I know she was like that in the show too, but 2 and a half hours of her was quite tedious.

Ray said...

Mark my words, the MINUTE I take my last final exam this semester I am going out and getting Book 1 of Twilight!! I want to read them so bad I can't stand it.