my stolen sense of fashion strikes again

Sundays are usually kind of depressing to me, especially when on Monday you have to go to a real job. This was my second such Sunday in a long, long time, and I wanted to avoid the feeling of depression and head out for some fun. Dweebcentric agreed to meet me for a mid-afternoon showing of Volver at the local mall, but first I had to stop by DSW to get some higher heeled shoes. For someone on the shorter side, like me, it’s either buy really high shoes or get all your pants hemmed. I opted for shoes.

The one thing that always annoys me about DSW is that there are too many shoes to choose from. I’m not good at making decisions, so this is frustrating. I end up making several rounds, narrowing things down by style and color, then height, then price, then fit. It’s exhausting. But on Sunday I was particularly efficient, in and out of the store in 30 minutes or less, with the perfect pair of shoes – perfect because they were free. The cashier rang up my other purchases, but the shoes never made it on the bill. I was puzzled by my small bill and checked the receipt before I left the store. Spotting the problem, I tried to explain to the cashier what had happened, but he insisted my bill was right. Who am I to argue?

Later, before the movie began, I was telling Dweebcentric about my fantastic free shoes. As I went to describe exactly what I had bought, I happened to glance down at her shoes. My shoes. She was wearing my new shoes. Or I was wearing her shoes? Out of my thousands of choices of shoes I had, unbeknownst, chosen the exact same style as that of my good friend.

Figures.

H&M Shoes

This was taken at the H&M in Chicago. Does it reminded anyone else of the room full of victims’ shoes at the Holocaust Museum in DC? Interesting decorative choice.

it may finally be winter

Last night I washed some of my sweaters and set them out on our balcony to dry. I checked them before I went to bed and they were drying nicely, despite the cold weather. But when i woke up this morning they were frozen solid. The funny frozen sweaters made me laugh so I propped them up and took a picture.

I’m glad I cleaned them all just in time for the cold weather.

the memory keeper’s daughter

Among the gifts I received for Christmas was a book, The Memory Keeper’s Daughter, by Kim Edwards.  I finished it this morning and am blown away by the novel.  It is incredibly heartbreaking throughout, but fabulous and well-worth the read.  I won’t give you a review here, as I could never do the book justice, but I will offer it as a recommendation.  If ever you’re in a mood to read about other people’s problems, as well as contemplate every choice you’ve made in life, please pick up this book.

winter winds

My trip turned out to be pretty good. Things were a little disorganized and I spent two crazy nights in the apartments of people I hardly knew – one night I even shared a bed with a pit bull. (The next night I wasn’t even lucky enough to get a bed).

My favorite pizza place was closed, but I learned that Tel Aviv Pizzeria (kosher) has some pretty good deep dish. I made it to my favorite Thai place for lunch one day but sadly, it wasn’t as good as I remembered.

Best of all, I got to see all my old friends, old co-workers, bosses and clients.  I’m glad I’m home though. I’m exhausted and it was just really, really cold.

deep dish

I lost a great post earlier today trying to fiddle around with the html.  Drats.  It was about Chicago and all the great food there.  It even provided a list of all my favorite Chicago eateries.  This was inspired by my upcoming trip to meet up with some old friends and hang out at all the places we used to frequent in the city.  I leave tomorrow and can’t wait.  The pizza calls me.

from afar

This picture doesn’t really do this display justice. You’ll just have to trust me when I say it was one of the most amazing Christmas displays ever. It sits on a hill and is as big as a house, so when you round a bend in the road it appears to you as a message from God.