Key Learnings, family visits, cupcakes and cold!

Whenever family comes to town, it feels like the longest day(s) ever. There is a lot of prep work in coming up with things to do and back up ideas in case the plan has be changed, mapping out where to eat, what to see, etc. That said, it's still great to have visitors :)

So while I put my apartment back into normal shape now that my brother and SIL are gone, let's check out my key learnings.

Key Learnings:

• Ice skating is a fun idea until you strap the skates on and realize you have zero idea what you're doing

• Zamboni's are still entertaining to watch as an adult

• $3 mimosa's are a great Saturday night companion

• You really love your family when you spend an entire -11 degree day outside showing them the city

• Entertaining guests all weekend is exhausting!

• It takes a lot of tolerance to watch people unknowingly dirty up your apartment and not immediately clean up after them

• Long underwear is never a fashion faux pas, especially when it's cold

• You know you're just like your brother when you both eat an entire mini-cupcake in one bite and don't judge the other person

• Dancing in restaurants near closing time is publicly acceptable

• It's okay to leave barely a 10 percent tip when your dinner in a non-busy restaurant takes 1.5 hours due to poor service

As I mentioned on Friday, my brother and sister-in-law were in town this weekend and it was fabulous. Now that he's married, I don't get to see him as much as I want to, so getting nearly two days with him was a real treat. And because he doesn't spend a lot of time in Chicago, we covered a lot of ground Saturday, full of food, drinks, sight seeing and trying to win lottery tickets to Wicked (which closed this weekend.) It's fun to be a tourist again. 

We didn't get lucky on tickets, but my brother and I did throw caution to the wind and went ice skating at Millennium Park, which did not turn out as expected. We're more "summer sports" people and both of us looked ridiculous baby stepping around the rink (while holding the bars for support) so that we wouldn't fall. After two slips and an hour in the freezing cold, we called it a day, but had plenty of laughs and one great picture.

Forgive the picture. At this point, it hurt to smile because of the wind

Andy and I also checked out a new cupcake place, Sugar Bliss Cupcakes, which is located across from Macy's downtown. What I love the most about this place is that they have full-size and mini-cupcakes, which is perfect if you want to try several kinds at once. Below is a picture of our bounty. I definitely want to go back for the full size Texas Red Velvet cupcake (yee haw!) and frosting shots. Those just sound awesome.

Clockwise: Chocolate peppermint, chocolate/vanilla, chocolate/milk chocolate

Finally, the best part of having my brother in town is that we sat and talked about anything, from movies to politics to news. We have a lot of the same interests so we never run out of things to talk about, which is probably why we were up until 1:30 a.m. on Saturday morning. Oops. And he's the only guy I would let yell "keep dancing woman" at me at dinner Saturday night, when I couldn't control my dancing groove to Rihanna's "Disturbia."

How was everyone else's weekend? Tonight is the SAG Awards so check back tomorrow for my fashion recap. The response was so great from the Golden Globes, that I'll keep it going!

Tidbit Thursday

I'm going with bullets today because my ADD has been a little worse than usual this week and I cannot wait for the weekend (as always.) So let's see what is swimming around in my brain right now.

• Inauguration talk: It's official. We have a new president and I am loving Michelle Obama's style. Lemongrass with green gloves isn't my kind of look, but she is fabulous and I can't wait to see what she wears next

• I'm also finding the Obama girls beyond adorable too. And wearing J.Crew? Even better. I love J.Crew too and the fact that they are sensible about where they shop makes me like them more

• What is up with men wearing sunglasses indoors at night. Let's pause to enjoy the Corey Hart 80s song reference. Why do guys think this is cool? Even with the half tinted shades, it can border on d-bagness if done wrong. Tip: it doesn't make you cooler!

• I'm having trouble losing the weight I put on over the holidays. I know it won't fall off overnight but the fact that it's not going away is taking a toll on my self-esteem

• Lately my gym has been a scene of unique characters, including women with dark, unshaved armpits, lots of boob action and guys flexing in front of women working out. I shouldn't be surprised given that I am a freak magnet

• My buddy Megan sent me a link to a site with "fashion slips" (as in slips for clothing.) I think these are adorable and I totally want the one with ostrich feathers and rhinestones. Allows me to channel my inner Carrie Bradshaw

• I love the Office. I will always love it, but lately, I've been a little disappointed. I still love Jim, Pam, Dwight and Kelly, but the writing hasn't been that great this season and I feel a little let down. But then I see a picture like this and it gets me through :) (I love you!)

• Ashley and Rebekah shared an article from Spike.com about "The 7 Best Butterbodies." I could go on for hours about why this is offensive and how wrong this a**hole guy is about these women, but I don't want to give him any more recognition than I have by mentioning the article. So I'll just give him the middle finger and remind him to call his mom to tell her what he wants for dinner tonight

• I don't care what anyone says. Aretha's bow is bad a** and being the diva she is, she should rock a hat like this. You go girl

Alrighty, well those are my bullets for Thursday. Little on the random side but that's what's bouncing around in my noggin right now. Feel free to also share other random tidbits of what's on your mind too.

Big weekend plans for anyone out there? My brother and sister-in-law are coming in town for a visit, which means I have to plan a weekend full of Chicago activities. This should be interesting!

Tampon Girl

After being so emotional during yesterday's inauguration and indulging my desire to chant, "yes we can," I'm going to postpone talking about it and rather discuss something for the ladies: tampons.

People have always felt comfortable sharing and asking me for things. And lately this includes asking me for feminine products, specifically, tampons.

I don't have a problem with people asking me for this (hi, I'm a girl, which means I have a cycle), but I find it adorable that when people need tampons, they think to ask me. Do I have a tampon-like body shape? That's a rhetorical question. 

Maybe that is my new superhero name, Tampon Girl (don't worry, Rage Girl still exists.) So, if you're mensing and need something to help, I'm here to save the day! I just hope my cape and outfit isn't red. That's not really my color.

But once you've asked me for tampons and I call in my connections to secure one, I will even deliver the product in a Mission Impossible-like covert way. I can be very discreet and I don't judge. You won't see me running through the halls, happily tossing tampons around, asking if everyone wants one.

Oh and the people I borrow tampons from for my clients probably think I menstruate like four times a month. Wouldn't that be awful? But they may think that it explains my crazy mood swings at times. Wait, I hear someone calling for help, Tampon Girl is off to save the day again!

I guess there isn't really a reader question in this post, but feel free to share if people always ask you for certain things. While I don't always have tampons in my purse, I do carry a lot of other random stuff that seem to help people out in a pinch.

Reader note: Also, I just wanted to apologize for dropping off the comment radar for a few days. I've been working on a big project for work and things are finally slowing down. So forgive my absence and thank you for all the comments too! They make my day, especially when things are totally crazy and I'm beyond stressed out.

My introduction to tongue action

Mind out of the gutter. The 20sb January blog carnival topic is first kisses and I would love to share with everyone the story about the first time a man's lips collided with mine.

I was a late bloomer in high school and my senior year was like the pinnacle in my high school career. I wasn't as awkward around people, started dressing in more flattering clothes, got contacts and embraced my big boobs. 

Despite these changes, I was also a huge debate geek and participated in competitions on weekends in spring. And my senior year debate season was the best year, partially because it introduced me to my first kiss, Ben.

Ben was a year younger than me and loved tweed jackets with elbow patches. He was my high school dream boy. He had glasses and Blagojevich-like hair and he thought I was "intriguing." On our Valentine's Day weekend debate, we shared nachos and hot dogs during a competition break and he casually asked if I had a boyfriend. When I said no, he quickly responded, "oh yeah me either, I don't have a girlfriend." This was followed by five minutes of awkward silence and bashful glances.

A week later, we went out on our first actual date (and my official first date with a guy) and saw a movie, chastely holding hands  at the theater. When he drove me home, he was a gentleman and walked me to the door, giggling with me and holding my hand. But because this was my first real date, I had no idea how it was supposed to end. Hug? Kiss? Was I that kind of girl? 

Like a lady, I said thank you for the movie and went in for a hug (because he wasn't leading) and he swooped in like an eagle going for the fish and kissed me right on the lips. Shocked for a moment, the first thought in my head was...that's it? That's what a kiss with a guy is? Fast and quick and a total surprise? Confused, I leaned in for another one, which he again used as a chance to peck at me like a bird, but this time he lingered on me to jam his tongue in there. But before that could happen, I pulled away, thanking him again and going inside.

I watched him drive away and felt this rush of...nervous excitement. A good guy liked me and kissed me and thought I was interesting and special. And I ran as fast as I could to my room to scream in excitement in my pillow, kicking my legs like an Olympic swimmer.

So the first kiss wasn't bad, but I always panic a little when guys swoop in for it. Ease in there, I'm not a fish that's going to get away.

How was everyone else's first kiss? Do you remember it as vividly? Was your first kiss any better or worse?

Key Learnings and hot man bus fail

Since I'm one of the few people I know without HBO, I couldn't watch the Obama We are One concert today (sniff sniff) so I'm relaxing after a nice dinner with friends and preparing for work tomorrow (even though our office is closed.) Oh and I need to bring out my Obama buttons for Tuesday too!

So to help delay me from doing something productive, let's bask in some key learnings together.

Key Learnings:

• Friday fish fries are the perfect way to close a long week

• Tequila served out of a plastic test tube will make you feel like throwing up

• Beer tastes good but can give you a wicked headache the next day (not good)

• When smuggling in candy to a movie theater, avoid food that makes too much noise when opening it so you don't draw attention to yourself

• There are some ugly fur coats on Michigan Avenue

• Grocery shopping when hungry is a bad idea

• Don't sit next to the man rocking back and forth in his seat on the bus, you never know what he'll do next

• Even if a guy says, "This may not come out right but I mean it as a compliment," whatever he says next will be mean

• Telling a woman she's wearing a "grandma sweater" is not a good conversation starter, same with telling her friend that she looks like a lesbian cartoon character

• Beer + good 80s music = dance party in public. I love 80s music

• On bitter cold days, CTA bus tracker (which calculates when bus routes will be at your stop) is a godsend

• Friday Night Lights on NBC is one of the best shows on TV. Everyone should watch it and bask in the hotness of Coach Taylor. Meow

Hot man/bus fail

It has been a long time since I saw a guy who was so attractive that I literally couldn't look away. Sure, there are celebs that I think are very attractive, but not in a sense that when you see them, you can't help but stare at them (in a non-creepy way.) The last time I had that feeling was with a guy in Minnesota...which was....several years ago.

I found myself in a "non-creepy stare" situation on Saturday while I was on my way to see Slumdog Millionaire (great movie). I was sitting on the bus, listening to my iPod, when I looked over and saw a guy, maybe around my age, standing near the back exit. And I have to say, he was the most attractive man I've seen in a while. Like, I could not take my eyes off of him because seeing him sparked a little flutter in my chest. Now I wasn't staring at him like a piece of raw meat, but I dare to say, he was semi-tall, dark and handsome.

And in true me fashion, I didn't take a picture (don't have a camera on my work BB) and while trying to tweet/stare at him, he suddenly jumped off the bus near Tiffany's (is that a sign?) and disappeared in the crowd. I actually thought for a moment that I made him up.

So while it was disappointing and a half-fail that I didn't get to wave or say something to him, I have to say that the reminder that a guy can cause the long-thought-dead flutter in my chest to reappear, is a start. And right now, I'll take what I can get.

Photo Sunday:

En route to the movie, I saw the biggest icicle that I've ever seen and, of course, was compelled to take a picture of it. Enjoy!

How was everyone else's weekend. See any good movies or did everyone hibernate because it's "warmer" but not actually warm?

Stamp of parental/friend approval

Were you more scared to introduce your boyfriend/girlfriend to your friends or parents?

I'm thinking about this because eventually, any man I date will be meeting both, but I don't know which meeting concerns me the most. Actually, concerns is a bad word, makes me nervous is a better way to describe it.

My friends aren't scary but they can be a little intimidating and because I've teased them so much about their relationships, I fear what it will be like when it comes back around.

My dad isn't scary either but he's very...reserved and when he gets that way around guys I like and it makes me very uncomfortable because I can see him scrutinizing them with his eyes. Plus, he's only met one boyfriend before and he hated him immediately so I want to make sure I'm serious about a guy before I bring one in front of him.

(This could happen, fortunately our basement isn't that big)

Maybe this opens it up to a bigger question, how important is your parents or friends approval of your boyfriend/girlfriend? 

One of my friends says she doesn't want her boyfriend to ask for her father's permission to propose, and teases that her fiance will meet her parents at the wedding. I joke about it too because I don't like confrontation and I fear that the meeting could go badly, but deep down, my dad's approval of any man I marry is important to me. And of course I want him to get along with my friends because they are a huge part of my life too.

I know this is a random topic for a Thursday, but I have three days of "matches" to review tonight and this weekend so it got me thinking. Fingers crossed Prince Charming is in there.

How does everyone else feel about this topic?

Reminder!

If you are a 20sb member, you can still vote for me for the Last Chance award! Help me continue to close out my twenties in style. You can vote for me here.

Reader note: I was pretty amazed at the Crocs comments from Tuesday's post. Holy cow. There are some real lovers and haters of it. And I know some of you hate Uggs, but I strongly endorse them too. They kept my feet and legs warm in -25 degree wind chills today. Woo! And to answer sjane's question, no I don't wear Crocs while carrying Speedy. I think the fashion gods would strike me down!

What a Croc of a shoe

A friend sent me an article about 2009 Style Resolutions, which lists out fashion trends that the editors love and hate for the new year.

And to no shock, number seven is about hating Crocs. The little foam devils that promise comfort but are racked over the coals for being tacky.

So I'm going to take a leap and say that this blog, Everyday Adventures, endorses Crocs and won't cave to the demands of fashionistas to have us hide them in shame or delegate them only to the garden. I don't have a green thumb thank you.

Despite my nice taste in clothing and accessories, I don't hate Crocs for a simple reason. They saved me during an awful sunburn on a trip to Florida.

While vacationing in Destin with my parents, this fair-skinned girl didn't spend enough time in the shade and her SPF 30 sunblock failed her, resulting in a painful sunburn (on the first day of vacation too!) Chest, shoulders, legs and feet were burned, the feet burned badly enough that I couldn't wear socks, shoes or sandals. 

To the rescue came my pink Crocs, which gave my swollen feet room to breathe and walk around for a few days until I could handle normal shoes. And honestly, it is nice to not have beach shoes weighed down by absorbed water and they're comfy on the feet during long, hot summer days on pavement.

So while Crocs may not the cutest thing around, I say that Crocs are welcome in my home. Oh, and I have a Mary Jane pair in purple. That's right, I have TWO pairs!

The article also says white tights are out, and I have to agree. I still see people wear them in Chicago, but they scream Pretty Woman circa 1990, if you know what I mean.

Now, let loose on your support or critique of Crocs, I can take it. Go ahead. Heck we even have a Crocs store in downtown Chicago!

Reader note: Thank you everyone for the awesome comments on my Golden Globe fashion awards. I will definitely do them again for the Oscars! And even SAG awards if you want. You tell me!