Dolce vie Target?

Dolce Vita has joined other fashion friends and are offering their famous soles to the patrons of Target. To be be quite honest I'm not too sure if I can see the exact resemblance perse...

These exact same pair were retailing on Endless.com upwards of $100+ a mere four months ago. They are currently offfered at $24.99 on target.

They have since been 'unavailable' from non Target websites.

Bloomers

There are some trends that you can be sure will never pick up steam again. Bloomers, for instance, apparently only for the settling of the states. Or so I thought. Imagine if you will a flowy summer cotton dress that by design is so airy fabric is barely touching the body. Like this:

Then imagine if you will me flip flopping down the stairs to the underground corridor to catch the Redline. Then imagine a train coming at the speed of light creating a wind tunnel that pushes through the corridor and carries through to said stairwell. Lastly imagine suddenly being able to see your hemline without looking down. Sigh.

In efforts to minimize future embarrassing events I figured some collection of the below would work and help disguise what in reality may be a non sexy Marilyn reenactment with - "Hmmmm, that's a lovely jumpsuit she's wearing but I could have sworn it was a dress"

*all bloomies from Forever21 for $5.80

Chicago Fire Jam

Tonight after a brisk walk at the lake we were headed on home when we heard the call of the drums. Literally. There was a large crowd gathered and in the arena like center were several performers spouting out fire from various instruments. It was so unexpected. It was so engrossing and in that full moonlight - it truly was magical. Turns out it is one of the many Chicago Fire Jam's held each summer. Namely during the summer months, friends gather every full moon of the month, near Foster beach and there are drums and pyrotech performances. Starting in 2004 amongst a group of friends celebrating a birthday it looked at though there were several hundred gathered there tonight. Happy Birthday fo'sure. And these are not child's play performances. Every person that walked into the circle were melodic and truly as one with their instrument. It was tonight that I kicked myself in saying - I HAVE got to start walking around with my camera.

So the best I could do was find some prior footage online that hopefully conveys what a nice treat this was.
This guy was the first one I saw tonight:


I would have been happy to have seen this guy as well.

I Heart Free People

When I saw this look come through on my email I literally sighed. This is the epitome of the look I try to achieve. Romantic, comfort, feminine with an edge. So if you see me strolling through Uptown with every piece exactly as such - don't judge.

It's unkind.

SPAM - I'm onto you

Dear Mr. SPAM (virus - not the unidentifiable meat),

You seem to think my very dear contacts are there for your entertainment and distraction. I'm here to tell you - I'm onto you mister. I have researched heavily, contacted the big brass and if you don't leave my email account alone - "I'm gonna open a can of whoop a** on ya!" My contacts (aka friends) are very near and dear to me. You cannot keep pestering them with deals for $1 electronics, work from home jobs, insurance deals that no one has ever heard of or phalluses cloaked under the guise of another email title.
So to avoid the inevitable beat down I say - back the hell off. This is one battle your going to lose. Do not let this sweet exterior fool you - I got five reasons why you need to step off....1-2-3-4-5...

CTA sightings

The sightings that Chicago transportation system offer never ceases to keep me entertained. Even when I am bone tired and zoned out, something always manages to catch my attention.

Tonight I saw two young star crossed lovers gazed lovingly into each others eyes (they had to all that separated their bodies was mere molecules of air) and they embraced for a passionate kiss that rivaled the Ross/Rachel kiss.

immediately after they broke apart they both yawned.

Swiveling my head to the far right I see a highschool kid who has some greta kicks on and is jamming to her tunes with a don't mess with me look on her face (coincidentally one I feel I have perfected mastered admire). Next to here is the sweetest elderly woman who I spied was missing all her teeth. Gum City. She reaches into her purse to withdraw what looks to be a Walgreen equivalent of a Pucci makeup case and takes out a small rectangular sheet of thin paper. She then proceeds to roll herself a joint.

City of broad shoulders indeed.

It's a wrap...

These hot sultry days leave me forever on the quest for what to do about my long straight locks. Its whisper thin texture generally feels like a bad curse when I am  forever trying to tuck every last piece back. Enter this fabulous gadget from Forever21. It combines the sweet country nature of chiffon floral with a practical black elastic band to feed to practical yet fashionable side of every girl 'blessed' with long fine hair.

Two dollars and eighty cents well spent!

All laced up

One of this season's hottest articles is the laced up boot. Its ultilitarian look melds nicely with the military trend that just won't quit. Perhaps the utilitarian brought on the military? - Chicken/Egg. Tomato/Tomahto.

Here are some options that should fit the bill. And foot.

1. Steve Madden Harllem - $129

2. Jeffrey Campbell Bradley - $199

3. Prada Lace Up - $790

4. Seychelles Romance - $139.95

Curb the Urge: Bandeau Dresses

I saw a version of this Urge dress at bloomies earlier this summer and I was drawn to its simple lines and summer color. The version I had seen was actually color blocked like the Curbed version in a yellow and grey - now sold old. However, the $195 price tag for the above version still remains. Although a fond lover of Theory, I think the two bills is a tough pill to swallow for what is essentially a casual summer dress. A long time resources for Curbed versions - I found this similar dress at Forever 21 for a fraction of the cost . Twenty four eighty to be exact.

Comic Relief

I saw this forward via twitter (original link here). This was particularly funny to me becasue we have a neighbor who is exactly like Shannon.
Read the entire length as it will put a smile on any Friday!

Why never to ask favours from the designers
Story goes :

Shannon (the secretary) has lost her cat and has asked David (the graphic designer) to help with a lost poster. This is their email correspondence...

Read from top to bottom….


From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.15am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Poster

Hi

I opened the screen door yesterday and my cat got out and has been missing since then so I was wondering if you are not to busy you could make a poster for me. It has to be A4 and I will photocopy it and put it around my suburb this afternoon.

This is the only photo of her I have she answers to the name Missy and is black and white and about 8 months old. missing on Harper street and my phone number.
Thanks Shan.



From:David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.26am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,

That is shocking news.

Although I have two clients expecting completed work this afternoon, I will, of course, drop everything and do whatever it takes to facilitate the speedy return of Missy.

Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.37am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Poster

yeah ok thanks. I know you dont like cats but I am really worried about mine. I have to leave at 1pm today.


From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.17am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
I never said I don't like cats. Attached poster as requested.

Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.24am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

yeah thats not what I was looking for at all. it looks like a movie and how come the photo of Missy is so small?



From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.28am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster


Dear Shannon,
It's a design thing. The cat is lost in the negative space.
Regards, David.


From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.33am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Thats just stupid. Can you do it properly please? I am extremely emotional over this and was up all night in tears. you seem to think it is funny. Can you make the photo bigger please and fix the text and do it in colour please. Thanks.


From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.46am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster


Dear Shannon,
Having worked with designers for a few years now, I would have assumed you understood, despite our vague suggestions otherwise, we do not welcome constructive criticism. I don't come downstairs and tell you how to send text messages, log onto Facebook and look out of the window. I have amended and attached the poster as per your instructions.

Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.59am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

This is worse than the other one. can you make it so it shows the whole photo of Missy and delete the stupid text that says missing missy off it? I just want it to say Lost.


From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.14am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.21am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

yeah can you do the poster or not? I just want a photo and the word lost and the telephone number and when and where she was lost and her name. Not like a movie poster or anything stupid. I have to leave early today. If it was your cat I would help you. Thanks.


From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.32am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Awww

Dear Shannon,

I don't have a cat. I once agreed to look after a friend's cat for a week but after he dropped it off at my apartment and explained the concept of kitty litter. I have attached the amended version of your poster as per your detailed instructions.

Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.47am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Awww

Thats not my cat. where did you get that picture from? That cat is orange. I gave you a photo of my cat.



From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.58am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Awww


I know, but that one is cute. As Missy has quite possibly met any one of several violent ends, it is possible you might get a better cat out of this. If anybody calls and says "I haven't seen your orange cat but I did find a black and white one with its hind legs run over by a car, do you want it?" you can politely decline and save yourself a costly veterinarian bill.

Regards, David.


From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.07pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Please just use the photo I gave you.


From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.22pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.34pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww


I didnt say there was a reward. I dont have $2000 dollars. What did you even put that there for? Apart from that it is perfect can you please remove the reward bit. Thanks Shan.


From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.42pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.51pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Can you just please take the reward bit off altogether? I have to leave in ten minutes and I still have to make photocopies of it.


From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.56pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 1.03pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Fine. That will have to do.

Fall Back

Perhaps it's the sweltering heat. Or maybe the never ending humidity. It could even be the fact that I was lulled into a false sense of complete exhilaration with that week of near perfect weather. But man.......iz hot outside. Don't get me wrong, I was dreaming of this season, willing to pay for it even..but you lose these thoughts the second your company moved to a new building that doesn't believe in turning on the air for consecutive hours in the day. Punks.
Left to my own wandering thoughts I started to research into what I would want my fall wardrobe to feature. Enter: Knit Sweaters. I'm not talking whispery thin see through merino wool. I'm saying, cable knit stitch, nearly see through gaps with clear definition of the person's silhouettes

And to think I came up with multiple wish items:

1. Jet Stream Cardigan - Anthropologie - $88

2. Whipped Woolens Cardigan - Anthropologie $128

3. Cable Knit Open Cardigan - Gap - $44.99

4. Sonia cardigan - French Connection - $128

5. Knitted Diamond Cut Jumper - Topshop - $80

6. Knitted shrug - Topshop - $70
7. Prada Hand Knit Sweater - Bergdorf - $1250
8. Yarn Sweater top - Forever21 - $29.80 

Misery loves Co.?

Last night I came home and turned on the telly and realized I had accidentally DVR'd the movie Misery. Now don't get me wrong, this film was arguably pure cinematic genius but imagine my reaction when I came home to enjoy a large bag of microwave popcorn and the agreed upon one hour long Law & Order when to my surprise Kathy Bates and her hammer wailing self comes on. This movie is one of those that you can't watch too often yet you can't not watch. I had several images/scenes to choose from to place here but to be quite - achem - candid....every       single         one          scared the begeezus out of me. So here is an allusive, mysterious (read: chicken sh*t) image to stir up some interest.

Comedy of Errors

Every have one of those days that you just couldn't get jack sh*t right? Well I am having that day (month) right now.

Tasty Festivities

Chicago may not have a ton of claims to fame (depending on who you ask) but one thing we have cornered the market on is eating. Lots of it. Just recently my friends and I spent an embarrassing length of time at the Taste of Chicago and are not ashamed to admit it. We clowned around, goofed on each other, tasted the edible offerings and basically enjoyed Chicago in the summer. Taking a break to let our stomachs digest we posed with our Chiquita banana crowns oblivious to the fact that a bunch of grown adults on any other occasion would not be caught dead in it. Neither would they be caught with their four friends in it.

As if the turkey legs, sweet potato chips, tacos, Connie's pizza, fries, sweet corn, shrimp kabobs, banana egg rolls, rice pudding, hot dogs, funnel cakes, and churros were not enough. We piled into the car - excuse me - rolled into the car and drove to a small little joint that served fresh crushed Italian ice.