Chicago Maid-Rite and elephant necklace

As former Iowans, Timmy and I are both fond of Maid-Rite. When I heard that Chicago's first Maid-Rite was officially open, I decided to surprise Timmy by taking him there. While the sandwiches tasted the same as I remembered, unfortunately, the Chicago location does not have a butterscotch milkshake like the Maid-Rite I'm used to. The milkshake machine was taken apart while we were there, so, we weren't able to get another flavor. The service was great though.



Rather than getting a traditional "Maid-Rite" (loose ground beef on a bun), Timmy decided to get "The Rare Bit"; "The Rare Bit" is loose ground beef served open face on rye bread with a white cheddar sauce. I don't think our location offered that, however, our Maid-Rite was pretty old school, and did quite a few things differently than other locations.




After eating at Maid-Rite, Timmy and I decided to walk up to the Boys Town neighborhood and do some shopping. While heading to one of our favorite stores, we stumbled upon Gift on Belmont. I now have a new store to add to my favorites list. Gift on Belmont is a jewelry and accessory (mostly jewelry) store. Almost everything at Gift on Belmont is under $15. It reminds me of the jewelry section at Forever 21 magnified by ten. Even better the owners (I assume they were the owners), seemed very nice. One of my favorite parts was something I almost missed; a dresser filled with miscellaneous rings and hair accessories. I also really loved the statement necklaces they have hanging on the wall on the counter side of the store. If you love inexpensive jewelry, you'll definitely want to check the store out.

As you may have noticed, I have an obsession with pachyderms, so, when I saw this big (and admittedly loud) elephant necklace at Gift on Belmont, I fell in love. I couldn't justify spending much on a necklace so bold that I'm not sure how much I would wear it, therefore, I was pleased to find out that it was only $18.

Audiences' album release party October 5th

Audiences, a local Chicago band, is having their album release party this Friday, October 5th, at the Metro.

Carbon Tigers, Parlours, and Hemmingbirds will also be playing. There is no cover charge if you RSVP here before October 5th, otherwise, it is $8 at the door. The doors open at 8:30 pm, and the show starts at 9:00 pm.




This show is where you can grab one of their awesome USB drive albums ...if you are lucky. There will only be forty. Maybe I should make Timmy camp out for one :).




If you are not already familiar with Audiences, check out their official video for "Ghosts" created by Aaron Sweatt




***Click here to view more Chicago ideas.***

How to wear camo

I have always had a love for camo. I have a camo jacket that belonged to my grandpa that I used to wear a lot in high school. The jacket was big on me, so, I looked like Linda Cardellini's Lindsay Weir from "Freaks and Geeks"...



That is why I'm glad that camo has become "trendy" lately. Now it is being worn in more fashionable and lady-like ways than I was wearing it in high school. Here are some of my favorite camo looks from around the web:

Source: carolinesmode.com via FlyingPurpleHippos.com on Pinterest

Source: carolinesmode.com via FlyingPurpleHippos.com on Pinterest

Source: alltheprettybirds.blogspot.com via FlyingPurpleHippos.com on Pinterest

Source: afoona-pea.blogspot.com via FlyingPurpleHippos.com on Pinterest

Source: chicisimo.com via FlyingPurpleHippos.com on Pinterest

Source: unlimitedbyjk.com via FlyingPurpleHippos.com on Pinterest

Source: wendyslookbook.com via FlyingPurpleHippos.com on Pinterest

Source: 1.bp.blogspot.com via FlyingPurpleHippos.com on Pinterest

Source: chicisimo.com via FlyingPurpleHippos.com on Pinterest

Source: img3.tuita.cc via FlyingPurpleHippos.com on Pinterest

Source: fashionagony.blogspot.com via FlyingPurpleHippos.com on Pinterest

Source: i.kapook.com via FlyingPurpleHippos.com on Pinterest

Source: ohmyvogue.com via FlyingPurpleHippos.com on Pinterest

Source: strut-thetrend.blogspot.com via FlyingPurpleHippos.com on Pinterest

Source: thestyleagenda.com via FlyingPurpleHippos.com on Pinterest

Source: wendyslookbook.com via FlyingPurpleHippos.com on Pinterest

Source: chictopia.com via FlyingPurpleHippos.com on Pinterest

Source: 4.bp.blogspot.com via FlyingPurpleHippos.com on Pinterest

Cheesecake brownie bites meme

I win at baking.

Tall girls and corsets

*****All photos and links to Windy City pin-up have been removed from
my blog as I can no longer recommend working with the photographer.*****

How do tall girls with a larger chest wear standard (off-the-rack) corsets?

For Halloween I am (trying) to make an Ophelia Overdose costume based off the photo below of her that was taken by Moritz Maibaum (wig by Ophelia Overdose and wardrobe by Lost in Wonderland).



When my corset is positioned in its proper place for my waist, it is about three inches too short on top (it hits at the perfect place on the bottom); that results in my chest being flattened and squeezed out all over the place in the most unflattering way.

As you can see below, I had the same problem when wearing a corset for the Day of the Dead shoot I did last year with Windy City Pin-up but until now I didn't share any of the photos where the problem showed. The problem is significantly worse in the corset that I bought for the Ophelia Overdose costume (so much so that I'm not sure I want to share it).

[ image removed ]
The problem may just be the shape/cut of the bustline, however, I can't see to find an inexpensive corset cut in a more shapely way. I am pretty bummed because after all the work I've already put into the wig, and finding the right lace, spikes, etc. to make the corset, I don't see any way that I can make a standard inexpensive corset work because of my height/shape. I was so excited about making my own unique Halloween costume and I was even looking into trying to get a shoot set up for it.

Cubs Social Media Night

On Monday, Timmy, our friend Kristen, and I went to a Cubs game. Kinda.



Monday was Social Media Night at the Cubs vs Pirates game. I've been to a Cubs game before, but it was/would have been Timmy's first.

The game was scheduled to start at 7:05 pm, but we got to the stadium at 5:30 for the pregame show and giveaways at the Captain Morgan Club. Around 6:45, it started pouring.



Ronnie Woo Woo said he heard the game was supposed to start around 8:30, so, around 8:00, we headed upstairs to the stadium as it had stopped raining. After grabbing some food and waiting a while, we were informed that they were waiting for another storm to pass.



When it started pouring again, we all headed under the stadium to wait. Around 9:30, four hours after we arrived at the stadium, we gave up and left to go out to eat. The game ended up starting at 10:42 (three hours and 37 minutes after it was supposed to, and over five hours after we had got to the stadium), and didn't get over until three hours later.

Since I had taken the day off work for the game, and Timmy had never been to a Cubs game, not getting to see the game was rather disappointing. While I understand a team not wanting to lose money for something out of their control (weather), when there is a rain delay, it sucks for the fans that they have to choose between losing the money they paid for their tickets or waiting until the weather decides to cooperate. A 1:30 am end time on a Tuesday morning is not very feasible for most people with jobs. Some teams have a rule that if the game is delayed more than two hours, you have the option to use your ticket purchase price towards a different game, which I think is the fair and fan-friendly way to go (unfortunately the Cubs do not do that).

On the plus side, we met some cool people from the suburbs, and we got a special Cubs Social Media t-shirt for our ticket price.



Timmy and Kristen also got to try the winning Social Media hot dog. It had mac and cheese and Parmesan on top with truffle essence.

Shady boyfriend meme - Halloween

I decided to turn my boyfriend Timmy into a meme. You can see the first one here.

My first Modcloth purchases

Last week I placed my first Modcloth order. My love of pachyderms is evident by the fact that three of the five items I purchased involve elephants (the items I ordered are shown below).


P.S. Get $20 off your $50 Modcloth order using my personal link (new customers only): http://sharethelove.modcloth.com/a/clk/3bQq58.

You MUST enter Modcloth using the link above to get the $20 off, and you MUST be a new customer. The deal is good through October 2nd (after that you'll only get $10 off a $50 order).



"Keep on Trunkin'" scarf


"Trumpets for Crumpets" ring


"Trunks Full of Taste" salt and pepper shaker set



"Good Afternoon" dress in royal blue. I am not sure if this dress will fit or look right on me but since they have free returns, and I had free shipping, I figured it was worth a try.


"Miss Mary" Flat. I have been wanting some comfortable flats that will look nice with dresses, but I'm not sure if these would look too childish on me, or strange since I have large feet; but again, I figured they would be worth a try.

What I Ate - Cell phone edition

Hummus, pita, and veggie tray at Fizz.




312 beer bread with sharp cheddar cheese spread at Fizz.





Beer battered fried cheese curds at The Bad Apple (This counts as one cheese curd, right?).




Timmy had "The Hangover" (burger with house glazed ham, fried egg, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, ketchup, mayo, mustard, provolone & fries on a pretzel bun) at The Bad Apple.




I had "The Big Texan" (burger with house pulled pork, fried onion rings, and BBQ sauce on Texas toast) at The Bad Apple.

Shady boyfriend meme - Pico de gallo

I decided to turn my boyfriend into a meme.