Haircut and Literacy

I needed a haircut because I haven't got my haircut since I've been back from Europe and I've always heard good things about the Aveda Institute in Cincinnati so I decided to try the Chicago location out. Its pretty cool because students cut your hair (of course their instructors check up on them).
I didn't get anything too crazy done, I just basically just got my ends and layers cleaned up but the best part was the my stylist, Alyson, was very Cincinnati (Anderson- to be exact) and she was real cool. She graduated from DAAP and decided that she wanted to do more hair and makeup kinda stuff at fashion shoots so started the program at Aveda. She gave me a lot of advice on hair and products-so it was real fun.

Today, J and I went to the volunteer dinner at Open Books. Its a real cool place that promotes literacy throughout Chicago. I signed up for a couple of events and J signed up for one, but it was still a lot of fun to get out of the house and do something different.



Now I'm watching MTV, Pageant Place, and Miss USA is wearing the same earrings that I have. pretty cool

Sunday

Today we finally completed our living room with a fine futon frame.

In our move we somehow lost 2 pieces of wood that connects our old futon together so for the last 3 weeks we have just been sitting on the futon mattress. Thanks to my favorite website craigslist we were able to buy a nice futon frame. Its not as nice as our old one but at least we have something more than a mattress on the floor to sit on.

For dinner I made a nice potato and onion frittata with a bell pepper saute courtesy of a Martha Stewart Everyday Food Recipe. Yum Yum. IT was my first time making a frittata-it was super easy, healthy and as I mentioned yummy!

Finally, we went and saw Beowulf. I absolutely hated it. It was a horrible adaptation that changed the story so much it was almost unrecognizable. They tried to make it more modern by adding a sexy Angelia Jolie to the mix..
granted the way the movie was made did have its interesting points. It was digital which was cool sometimes but a little cheesey at other times. Like when Grendal was killing people and blood was everywhere I couldn't even cringe (and normally I would) because it would be like cringing watching a video game.

It is interesting that the story of Beowulf has been around since the 10th century and you would think that Hollywood would understand that something that has survived that long doesn't need a screenwriter messing with it...Neil Gaiman should be ashamed of himself. Anyway, wikipedia has some basic info on Beowulf. Read Here.

On a Budget: Saturday night and Homemade curry

After hanging out with Kari and having a ton of fun last week we put away our wallets and decided to stay in for the night.

I made homemade curry which turned out to be very yummy- Sweet potatoes, spinach and chickpeas served over rice with warm pita bread.






we also watch the last couple episodes of 30 Rock and drank some wine that Kari brought us as a housewarming gift.

I've been very budget conscience the last couple of days so tomorrow I'm going to celebrate by going to a coffeehouse called, "Coffee Tree and Tea leaves" and treat myself to a cup of tea!

4 days, 3 nights with Kari

Its been a very eventful 4 days. Here is some highlights:

Monday night: dinner at Crust with 1/2 priced bottles of wine..nice.

Tuesday: shopping downtown at H&M, eating at a really weird food court at Water Tower Place Mall. Then went and had drinks at The Signature Lounge, which is in the John Hancock Building. It was a really cool view but a little loud and packed.

Later that night, Kari and I headed to the Gold Coast area to Japonais, which was ultra trendy but the drinks and desserts were very good. I got a martini with an edible orchid in it and for dessert Kari and I split "Coffee and Doughnuts"

Here is the review for Chicago Magazine:
COFFEE AND DOUGHNUTS
Japonais
The pedestrian-sounding dessert seems out of place at a sophisticated sushi restaurant; but this playful take on traditional breakfast fare is a smart way to end the day. Channeling the best of both the East and the West, these doughy, chestnut-filled beignets are rolled in cinnamon and sugar and served warm alongside airy, mousse-like green tea semifreddo for dipping. 600 W. Chicago Ave.; 312-822-9600 [$9]

On Wednesday we went to Wicker Park to boutique hop, got a snack at Letizia, where I got a super sweet lemon cookie and a hot tea. Later on we headed downtown to eat some Chicago-style pizza at Due, went shopping at Forever 21, and finished the night with the premiere of Project Runway.

Today is Kari's last day so we are headed to Orange for brunch and then she gets back on the megabus and heads home.

Kari comes to Chicago

Kari is in Chicago and we are exploring the town!

Check out Kari's blog here to see how she has been mobile blogging her trip.

Winter Coat

After searching forever and the looming cold approaching I headed downtown to Macy's. First, Macy's downtown is pretty cool b/c its about 7 floors of shopping, I made it 4 of them. While I was there Martha Stewart was going to be appearing to "light" their 70 something foot Christmas tree. I didn't hang around b/c I had a date with Potbelly.

The coat is a DKNY coat, style Bette, "wool-cashmere blend fashions a duffle coat with incredibly soft faux fur trim along collar with detachable hood and ear flaps"
its 70% wool blended with a lot of other stuff.

The best part of the coat is that it was originally $325 but because I shopped the Veteran's Day sale I got it for like 40% off paying about $195. Much cheaper than I thought I would pay for a good winter coat.

I'm ready for the cold...(well almost I need a hat and gloves!)

Roscoe: The Chicago Cat

I have a cat or I guess I should say a cat has me.

His name is Roscoe and he was a stray cat that showed up on Amy and Rich's doorstep a week before we moved. The pound told me that he probably wouldn't get adopted and would be put down - so that was that and so on moving day, Roscoe came with me!

Hello to Chicago

I've been in Chicago one week tomorrow. I finally unpacked and minus a few problems (a broken dresser drawer and missing parts to the futon) everything is going well.

This week I've been working on my resume and unpacking trying to get back to some sort of "normal." Yesterday, we were finally able to get out of the house and we headed to Michigan Avenue.

Downtown is fun. I love walking around but I really like my neighborhood b/c it is quiet with tree lined streets and then I can hop on the L and be in downtown in no time.

Tomorrow I head to the library to get the card that is the most important one of all.