Weekend Round-Up

View from the office on Friday afternoon.
I love Chicago for plenty of reasons -- weather isn't one of them.

This weekend passed far too quickly, per usual. With dinner parties Friday and Saturday night, and great brunches on Saturday and Sunday morning, the weekend revolved largely around food, family, and friends. 

I introduced J to a small fragment of my big, loud, and (often) obnoxious Italian family on Saturday night. He fit right in (despite not being obnoxious himself) and seemed to particularly enjoy my cousin's impersonations of the family's patriarchs. I even learned something new about one of my uncles' and dad's favorite Italian curses, di cornuto, which means a man's wife is screwing around on him (and he knows it!). Apparently this is a very effective Sicilian insult -- feel free to borrow it if you're so inclined.

We also made a quick stop at the Shedd Aquarium this weekend to do some Chicago exploration. Unfortunately the magnitude of children there led to our rapid exit, but it was nothing a bloody mary afterwards couldn't fix.

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Jellies at the Shedd Aquarium.

2012 Resolutions

You'd think after my long resolutions series last month that I'd be all over thinking up my list for 2012. But it's mid-January and I haven't bothered yet. Partly because I've been preoccupied. Partly because if the world is going to end this year, I'm just going to drink good beer and have fun until it does. Or so I wish.

But really, my only resolution is to keep improving in all areas of life and be the best I can be in all departments.

I told J about my broad New Year's Resolution and he liked it, but said I should make goals that are quantifiable so that I can measure my success. Typical finance guy, worrying about numbers all the time. (Just kidding, J!)

Though I see his point, I measure success in these matters a bit more intuitively. And for that reason, here are some broad goals that I'm going to try and hit in 2012....

Add MORE MONEY to the list, and baby, I've arrived.

And MORE RUNNING because I am nuts and signed up for the Chicago Marathon again. Hopefully coaching, a training team, and fundraising for a good cause will be adequate motivation for me to actually train this time!


[image via They All Hate Us]

[Wardrobe] Wishes Do Come True

Remember last month's Winter Wishlist? Well thanks to Santa being tipped off to a sale on kellywearstler.com and my (not so) trusty boots having their soles detach during a rainstorm, I'm now the owner of my two most coveted wishlist items...

ASH Trash Boots

These bad boys are in the mail as we speak! A huge upgrade from my Steve Maddens.
And I snagged them for 20% off, plus free shipping.
Check out karmaloop.com -- KLSPRING for free shipping over $50, MF20 for 20% off.

Rose Pyramid Necklace by Kelly Wearstler

A treasured addition to my accessories collection.
It's so edgy I checked it in my luggage instead of wearing it through security at the airport.

My favorite look right now: a white t-shirt and jeans with jewelry that's girly, yet so tough that the TSA would claim it could double as a weapon.

Can't wait to stylistically experiment with those rugged biker boots, too. I'm already thinking of fun outfits to pair with them. A delicate sheer top? A little lace? The possibilities are endless.

I'll be doing a style post with my new boots and necklace in the near future -- likely with the one and only "Black Bettie." Check out her new blog, Lifestyles of the Slick & Shameless. Not only is she a good friend, she's also got a pretty dope take on urban style.

And just for fun, look what I spotted in Us Weekly a few weeks back...

I always feel so stylishly validated when I spot trends before magazines do!

Gotham

Looking out on Chicago from the Wells Street bridge.

Last night after the gym, I couldn't help but notice how insanely gorgeous the city looked. The river was placid as can be, with a light rain that was more of a mist. I took this picture to try and capture such a calm and beautiful winter night.

People always ask me, "How can you be from California and like Chicago? Don't you miss the weather?"

Nope. Sure don't. I don't miss the people either. Especially the idiots who incessantly ask how I can possibly cope with snow.

I mean, c'mon. Look at that city. There is a lot more to location besides the climate. And if I can say that in the middle of January, you know I mean it.

A Quick Peek

Sunset over the old Chicago Post Office last Friday night.

The last few weeks have been really great, doing little else besides working and hanging with J. It's pretty amazing when you meet someone who complements your personality and habits perfectly.

I'm still a little shy when it comes to sharing about our relationship on here, but I will say this -- my resolve about the importance of not settling has paid off in a bigger way than I could've imagined. Now that I've met J, it makes me laugh that I thought it could have ever worked with anyone else. When you find someone right for you -- it just clicks. It's fun. Effortless. Natural. And even if this was to all go away tomorrow, at least I know what a relationship should feel and look like now.

And with that, here's a glimpse into 2012 thus far.

In Milwaukee last weekend. After an incredibly fun tour of Lakefront Brewery.

Outside Lakefront.

Bloodies at one of our favorite Chicago brunch spots -- Twisted Spoke.

Collecting Dividends

You might have noticed that I've been kind of quiet this week.

I'm deliriously happy with some new developments (hint: sticking to Resolution No. 04 paid off in a big way) and I haven't wanted to write much. This is because I a) don't want to be THAT girl and be annoying talking about it here, and b) want to keep it to myself and inner circle for now, because it's so wonderful and new that sharing in a public forum would take away from it.

So that being said, I'll be back writing some more soon... but for now, I'm just going to enjoy this time and soak it in -- outside of the blogosphere.

[photo via knight cat]