Joy for All

The other day the Nordstrom catalog arrived! Just in time to get me thinking about what I wanted to put on my Christmas list. I always have a hard time putting things on my Christmas list because I fall in love with something and then a couple weeks go by and I'm over it or I just fall so in love with something I just go out and buy it right away, plus it doesn't help that I work in the mall and it can fuel the addiction. However in the last few months I have been seen on Housewives of New Jersey & Housewives of Atlanta these great crystal necklaces & bracelets. 

As soon as I saw them I had to get my hands on them or something similar. I came across these...

I liked but didn't love. I had put the search of these on the back burner but then to my surprise when I got the Nordstrom catalog ...

These are them!!!!! They are a perfect replica of what I saw on Housewives

 Then flipping through the catalog I saw some other things that jumped out at me... 

Please we all know my slight obsession with everything working out so this page was my dream

OMG! Glitter, sparkle and Sperry's - do I need to say more?? 

Then they had a sample of this fragrance and it smelled fabulous

So I couldn't wait until Christmas Day to see if my hubby got me the necklace & bracelets so I went out and bought them but don't worry I had every intention of wrapping them and putting them under the tree to wait until Christmas morning and act surprised. So check them out... 

Don't mind the weird face

Gorg right? However when I opened the box that they arrived in I was highly disappointed because each bracelet was already missing several crystals and same with the necklace. And they weren't cheap mind you. So I called the closest store to me to see if they had anymore and I could just exchange and they came back with disappointing news that the two they had in stock were also missing crystals. So all that excitement I had for these pieces and already planning outfits around them I made the executive decision to return them because I don't want to deal with missing crystals. So now I have room for 3 more things on my Christmas list. What now?? 

Run Forest Run part 2

So as many of you may know I love working out and a few months ago I had gotten a pair of fabulous new running shoes. While they defiantly fit my need for running and doing lots of cardio I have recently joined another gym which practices Crossfit and my new running shoes just weren't doing the trick for me. Plus I noticed a lot of people were wearing those toe shoes (which I'm sorry I just can't buy into) but there was this other shoe that other people were wearing called the New Balance Minimus. Now there are three different types of the shoe and after I did some research and lets just be honest I saw all the color choices for all three types of shoes I decided on the Trail version. I was so excited to get them because I thought now instead of not wearing shoes I'll be able to wear these and I'm sure they will help my performance some. So I went to the New Balance store and I picked up my new shoes! Check them out! 

I have to say I swear by these shoes. They are extremely comfy and they are perfect if you're lifting weights or doing low cardio. You truly feel like you're barefoot but it adds just the perfect amount of support. This will def be a shoe that I will keep in my collection. 


Happy Working out! 

City Life

Chicago has been so fortunate with an Indian summer- I cannot believe how nice it has been, almost makes me think we may not get a winter (I'm keeping my fingers crossed we don't). I was off on a Saturday (rare very rare that this happens) and it was unbelievably fabulous out we decided to go down to the city. We had my step-son that weekend so we thought it was a perfect family outing. Now I don't get to the city that much and I know I'm going to sound like a typical suburbanite when I say this but I just hate driving down there and sometimes taking the train just is such a hassle so I hate to say it but I don't take advantage of the city as much as I should. 


So we got all packed up checked the train schedule and started our day in the city. We had no plan or agenda just saw where the day was going to take us...

After we arrived in the city we started to head towards the lake and walk along Michigan Ave. Yes I know very touristy but we thought why not check out the stores and maybe get some good ideas for Christmas. 
Along the way we stopped and looked a the famous window display of Macy's for Christmas. I have to say Marshall Field's was much better. While the window displays weren't that whimsical and magical as I remember the outside looked nice. 

We then just started walking down to Millennium Park. Here are a couple of photos along the way...

We then finally arrived at Millennium Park. Great photo ops there! 

After we looked around and spent some time in the park we headed down Michigan Ave. 

  I had told my husband there was no way I came all the way down to the city without getting some Sprinkle Cupcakes. They are TO DIE for!! So my lovely husband lead the way all the way up to the North Shore so I could fulfill my desire for some Sprinkle cupcakes. 

We walked out with 7 mouth watering cupcakes (red velvet is my personal fav) and carried them all the way home to enjoy as a treat. 

All and all I couldn't have asked for a better day off. Got to spend time with my family and enjoy the beautiful city I live in. 

Thanks for so many things

I'm really sorry I've been MIA- as many of you may know I work retail and as one can imagine or try to it is INSANE out there!!! I've already started putting in my 12 hour days. However I have kept a long list of things I want to blog about and I am going to try and get on a schedule promise. 


However today I wanted to take a moment out because while there is so much I want to blog about especially with Christmas quickly approaching instead of my first blog being about what I want I wanted it to reflect what I'm thankful for. 


There are so many things that I am truly thankful for and I am not going to bore you with them. However as I was reflecting today as to what I am most thankful for I was able to dwindle it down to my friendships. 


Over the past couple of years I've learned that the people in my life and the friendships I have held onto are priceless and when you're having a bad day or when your family has turned their back you've always got your friends to pick you up. It's the friends that if you don't talk to for days & weeks because life gets in the way they don't mind and you pick up right where you left off. Or send you a text or picture that makes you pause for moment and brings you back to the innocence of life. 


So thank you to all my friends in my life for bringing me the meaning of life and for being who you are. 


Happy Thanksgiving! 

Flea Market part deux

So if you remember my last post about flea markets I defiantly had my nose up in the air about them but then after I realized you could truly find some hidden gems I slowly took my nose out of the air. So over the weekend it was fabulous weather here in Chicago- here are some photos of truly how fabulous the day was ...

P

Driving down one of the side streets- I love my town in the fall because of all the trees and leaves changing colors

The Lake in our town- truly a picture perfect moment




 So I just couldn't let this day slip by so I packed up the hubby and I was off to go enjoy this day. What were we going to do you ask... well I wasn't exactly sure yet. First things first we were starving so we hit a local restaurant that we eat at pretty often. I normally get a chicken sandwich but today I was feeling like I wanted to change it up. So I got a pulled pork sandwich and let me tell ya it was YUMMY! I couldn't finish it all because it was so much. 

We had a few errands to run which we did and then we had heard there was a flea market near us so I thought why not go check it out. We got our ticket and started our search for whatever jumped out at us. Of course my husband found something right away- a beanie and then some hot wheels car- it was the same model as his first car. I guess he is trying to relive some of his youth...I hope this isn't an onset of a mid-life crisis. Haha. 

So as we were walking around a couple things caught my eye...

 We all know how I love sweets- although I resisted because I was still full from lunch. Plus I got my fix by the smell alone. We then went into one booth and you know those hats that are popular right now with animal heads?

Well this one vendor had one where the ears came down and you could put your hand in the ears and it was like mittens. I couldn't resist and had to try it on. This was the result...

How cute?! I didn't buy it because I mean really I would never wear it- but it was a good laugh. Then we came across this...super creepy I thought. 

Just looking at the picture gives me goosebumps! 

We then wandered where there was more food and I came across this booth who was selling worms in dirt- do you remember eating this as a kid? I sure do. 

I didn't want to leave empty handed but I just didn't find anything that jumped out at me. Then as I was looking at the booths in a basket I saw these cute headbands that were knitted and had a little flower on them. I immediately thought of Whitney Port from The City when she wore one similar in an episode and I had been obsessed since. 

Check out my version! 

Cute right?!?! They were asking $9 and I tried to get her down to at least $6 but she wouldn't budge so I ended up buying it for $6. But similar ones go for as much as $25. So all in all I consider I got a deal! 

I have to say it was a great way to spend my Saturday.