Let's Talk About...

...Mexican "Pizza"

2009-10-29T11:16:00.011-05:00

Here's a photo recipe for you! Easy and fun, the Mexican pizza is a quick meal for all ages. Be creative and add your own ingredients.

What I used:
whole wheat tortilla
tempeh
vegetarian refried beans
red onion
sour cream
LaPreferida nacho cheese
salsa
chili powder

I began by slicing the tempeh into thin strips and frying it. Before I put it in the oil, I sprinkled on chili powder.

Spray your griddle with Pam. Spread beans on the tortilla and lay it down on the griddle. Keep it on low heat.

Add the cheese and toppings. I tried the La Preferida nacho cheese and wasn't so happy with it. I'd rather have used shredded cheese. It's up to you! (Also, layer order is up to you!)

Add on the tempeh. (Or, if you are a meat eater, grilled chicken or steak or shrimp!) Then cover it in salsa. To keep all layers warm, I put a pot cover over the entire thing on the griddle for a few minutes.

There's no science to figuring out when to take it off the stove. When you feel its hot enough, it is done! Then add sour cream, cut with a pizza cutter and enjoy!

...My Yellow Raincoat

2009-10-09T08:42:00.006-05:00

Wow 2 blog posts, one right after the other, I'm on a roll. Actually the only purpose of this is to show off my bright shiny yellow raincoat.

Some of you loyal listeners may recall my post from April about a questionable homeless man on the train inquiring about my jacket: Read here.

As crappy as the photo is (thanks, PhotoBooth) it still shows off the coat's shiny cuteness.

Found at NY&Company last April on the clearance rack for $30. In this photo, it is paired with my green scarf from Ann Taylor Loft, also purchased on the clearance rack, for $4.99. (And the soy latte, which cost just a bit less than the scarf...!)

...Just Because You're a Celebrity...

2009-10-08T12:12:00.005-05:00

...doesn't give you the automatic title of Creative Director. However, Lindsey Lohan thought so when she became "Creative Director" for her Ungaro collection (Spring 2010) with designer Estrella Archs.

I was watching the most recent Mod TV podcast a few minutes ago. It featured the shimmering, pasty-clad, vibrantly colored collection, along with random bits of commentary from Lohan. She certainly was not amused by the reporters questions, and during her commentary I wondered how she was standing on her own two feet. See the following screen caps from her interview, for example:(Click on image to view larger.)
Poor Miss Archs looks embarrassed!

Simply dreadful. I know everyone involved in fashion week runs on no sleep. But that is no excuse to look atrocious while presenting your collection!

Here's an idea of what the collection looked like:
See photos of the entire collection on the Oct. 4th Mod TV podcast, and check out some at the Huffington Post.

...MOBY

2009-10-01T09:44:00.011-05:00

-----------> p h o t o s <------------

Have any of you ever had one artist in particular that has touched your life in ways you cant explain? Plain and simple, Moby is that artist for me. I began to listen to his music in high school and for the first time in my life I was moved by songs. I kept following his music through college and it got me through some hard times. I'm not the typical kind of person who is into a bunch of music, and knows artists in and out. But I am that way with one artist and that is Moby. And for the first time last night, I got to see him perform live.

September 30, 2009. Chicago. The Vic. Then, afterward, he did a DJ set at Smart Bar. Wow. Just, wow. I got to the venue early so that I could have a front row spot. It was the most amazing experience. I cried when he came out on stage. Not to mention I'm going through a very hard, stressful time right now...it couldn't have happened at a better time.

He played all my favorites of course. Then on to Smart Bar for his DJ set..! This was more personal, because it was a small club and all that separated us was a 4 and a half foot tall DJ booth, which I did my best to stand on my toes and see him all night.

He took a short break. I followed him, along with a lot of other people actually. When he came back, he walked right in front of me. I touched him.

He was signing autographs as he was DJing at random moments. I borrowed someone's Sharpie and he signed my ticket....!!!!! I looked at him and he looked at me and for a moment we made eye contact. And all I could say was "I LOVE YOU". Pretty sure he couldn't tell what I said, it was so loud. (=

One of the most amazing times of my life. I will never forget this.

...Battle of the Brands!

2009-09-15T16:13:00.004-05:00

This is for the fashionistas out there! ShopItToMe.com is introducing a new kind of bracket I can actually get into. To hell with basketball, these brackets are all about style!

Presenting Shop It To Me Battle of the Brands! Each week for 5 weeks, pairs of Shop It To Me brands will go head to head. Your votes will determine the last brand standing.

Vote on your favorite brands and you could win Marc by Marc Jacobs accessories! We’re giving away a MBMJ wristlet, umbrella, and key fobs. On each Friday of the contest, we’ll conduct a random drawing from that week’s commenters and give away another accessory. So come back each week for 5 chances to win!

If you aren't a member yet, click the Shop it to Me icon on the sidebar of my blog, sign up, start commenting, and maybe you can be a winner! (And even if you don't win, at least you'll be surfing the net in style!)

For those who are already members, just click here to check out the first Battle of the Brands!

...A Roller Coaster of a Day!

2009-09-14T14:43:00.003-05:00

I usually don't blog about my every day things unless they are particularly entertaining to me. Sunday, Sept. 13 was one of those times. Here is a list of what happened to me.

Wake up at 9, make coffee instead of tea
Clean both bathrooms
Cut up giant watermelon
Eat PB&J and coffee for breakfast
Try to do laundry (We have one washer/dryer set in the building, it was taken.)
Lounge around
Shower/get pretty
Attempt laundry again (FAIL)
Take the bus to the Renegade Craft Fair and walk around, was pretty cool! I saw my friend from high school who has a pretty successful jewelry business.
Come home to get my bag of returns at the store.
Look up how to get to said store on Google maps.
Walk out the door, lock bottom lock from inside first as usual.
-->Realize keys were still in apartment.
Make first call to landlord. "Help I'm an idiot and locked myself out, sorry! Oops! Bye!" Also called his house and left similar message.
Head out because hey, I might as well run the errand.
Arrive at store. Make return.
(Hour after I left) Call landlord again. Leave another voice mail. Call his house again. Leave another voice mail.
Wander around the area a bit. (North/Clyborn..around that new Whole Foods)
Call landlord again.
Try on jeans at American Eagle. (FAIL)
Call landlord again.
Call friend who lives in the area to see if he could look up locksmiths on Yelp for me. No answer. No one else was around. Call mom.
Mom texts me #s of locksmiths. (I asked her to spare me the "you need to be more responsible" talk.)
Back home on 72 North Ave. bus.
While on bus, I call numerous locksmiths. Only one answered. $90 first lock, $30 for additional.
*Silent cry on bus*
Walk from Damen/Milwaukee/North to my house. Call back locksmith. "Ok, I have no other choice."
Buzz neighbor to let me in front door.
Walk up to roof. Sit on roof 45 minutes waiting for locksmith.
Locksmith arrives, unlocks door in 30 seconds.
Saw off arm, give to locksmith.
*Silent cry in kitchen* (Ok so it wasn't silent..so what.)
In effort to feel better, I head to gym. (Keys in hand.)
Gym for an hour. This time I lift weights and really get out the aggression.
Drive from gym to Strack and Van Til, I have no fruit in the house besides the watermelon. I need fruit.
Purchase three reusable canvas bags full of fruit and one single serve teeny tiny bucket of ice cream.
Oh, and the Morning Star products are 3 for $8! Unheard of! Stock up on meat free indulgences..
Attempt laundry again. Finally, I have underwear.
Watch MTV Video Music Awards while eating fruit.
Put away laundry.
Update Facebook status.
Blog about my roller coaster day.
Bed!

(If any of you know of a locksmith in Chicago that doesn't cost that much..um...please...let me know!)

...My Online Portfolio

2009-09-08T09:42:00.002-05:00

Here it is, everyone. Spread it like the plague, and help me expand my career!

LaurenKleiman.com

...Junk Food!

2009-09-02T11:04:00.004-05:00

This post is specifically for Will and Denny over at the new Gays of Your Life podcast here in Chicago.

They gave me a shout out on Episode 6, and mentioned my blog, and how I like the healthy food. Which is true, and my last 2 posts have been about that. HOWEVER! I love to splurge on the junk food once in a while. And I'd like to show these boys some proof of that. Here is a photo of the big sloppy meal at In n' Out my friend and I shared when I was in LA in May '09. (They made me a burger-less burger..!)

And...proof I ate it...

I can't resist a French fry! Just looking at that picture makes me want some right now..and it's not even noon yet.

So go check out their new podcast, it is simply adorable.

...not too healthy "healthy food"

2009-08-18T15:22:00.003-05:00

I recently recorded an episode of Meat Free Radio, where we spoke about the high fat content of sandwiches that people would otherwise think are healthy. It got me to thinking about the things I sometimes buy for lunch. For the most part, I pack my lunch at home and bring it to work. But sometimes I don't have time to do that, or I just want something different, so I'll go eat somewhere.

Our conversation on the podcast made me wonder about the fat content of some of the things I order for/with lunch. I was unpleasantly surprised, so I decided to share the most shocking results with you.

I found all of this nutrition information by going to each restaurant's website and searching for the nutrition information.

Quizno's Veggie Sub
(small size, whole wheat bun, cheese, lettuce, mushrooms, onions, banana peppers, guac)
18 grams of fat

Dunkin' Donuts Reduced Fat Blueberry muffin:
10 grams of fat

Panera Reduced Fat Blueberry muffin:
10 grams of fat

Panera Mango Smoothie
10 grams of fat (!!!!)

Chipotle
Vegetarian Burrito Bol
(rice, beans, sauteed fajita veggies, guac, cheese)
28 grams of fat (cheese and guac add the most fat of course, so at least its somewhat "naturally occuring" fat)

Qdoba Naked Taco Salad
Grilled Veggies, Cheese, guac, corn salsa, lettuce
same as Chipotle

What foods do you eat that are probably high in fat but are supposed to be somewhat healthy?

...My Veggieversary!

2009-08-16T20:05:00.004-05:00

August marks the two year anniversary for me being vegetarian. Its been a great two years and I don't plan on reverting any time soon! Hail vegetables!

...a weekend at "home"

2009-08-04T11:34:00.005-05:00

Most, if not all of the people I know in Chicago are not from here, and their family doesn't live here. When I go back to South Bend, Indiana, to visit my family though, I don't say, "I'm going home this weekend," because my home is now Chicago. I never really considered South Bend my home, either. I think though I was born in NY, I consider Ohio my home because it is where I grew up. I always thought of South Bend as a vehicle to get me where I am today. I never wanted to be there, but I am thankful it has brought me to Purdue, (I wanted to stay in-state for various reasons) and now that education and general knowledge of the working world brought me to Chicago. And I'd like to think Chicago is pretty permanent, for a few years anyway.

What do you think? Leave a comment.

(And hello to all my lurkers out there. Ryan, this means you.)

And here is the family cat, Misty. And a clever LOL caption.

...Test

2009-07-30T10:58:00.003-05:00

This is a test for a logo I designed. How does it look on your screen? Pixelated, grainy, JPG-fragmented...Just plain ugly?
Click each to view full size.
Comment!

...Global Visitors

2009-07-27T12:42:00.005-05:00

I was just checking out my Google Analytics for this blog, and I noticed I had quite a few visitors from other countries.

(click image to view larger)

So, welcome everyone to my blog, I'm very glad you are reading! Drop me a comment if you are from another country. Maybe even in your language! Tell me who you are!

...New Haircut!

2009-07-24T10:06:00.002-05:00

Haven't dyed it pink yet, but I chopped a lot off. Just thought I'd share! This is a photo I took using iMac's Photobooth program. Not the best, but you get the idea. Accompanied by a tall non-fat cafe misto. (And yes, I took napkins to use a oil-blotters!)

...Updates!

2009-07-22T14:41:00.002-05:00

If you are reading this through Google reader (or maybe some other RSS feed reader, I'm not sure how the others look) click here right now and go to my actual blog site! Check out the renovations and new banner!

Banners are going to change more often, so if I put up a new banner with a post I will note it at the beginning of the post! All banners are designed by me. If you want help designing a simple banner for your blog, feel free to drop me an email!

The current banner features an edited photo I shot in LA. Let me know what you think of the new, simple layout. I even edited the HTML a little bit, ALL BY MYSELF! *gasp*

...Upgrades!

2009-07-14T10:49:00.008-05:00

I recently bought an iMac! It was SUCH an upgrade from what I was using at home--a 12" iBook G4, purchased my junior year of college at Purdue, making it over six years old. Still just barely works.

Now I have a 24" iMac! Here are some photos of the old and the new...

Also with the iMac (which I purchased with the education discount thanks to my best friend Jackie who is a kindergarten teacher!) I got an iPod Touch. Apple has a promotion going on where you can get a couple different rebates with the purchase of an iMac, including a full rebate for the 8 gig iPod Touch. So that is what I got! The other (and only) iPod I had was the first generation iPod Nano, only 2 gig! I won that at my previous company's Christmas party a few years ago. I enjoy not paying for iPods!

The new computer required a new workspace, mainly so I could get it away from the window to prevent glare on the monitor. So I rearranged my room and redecorated it, too!

Give me ideas of what apps to download! I also need suggestions for where to buy a Wacom tablet at a discounted price. And for the near future, maybe some suggestions would be nice for a monitor color calibration system. Leave suggestions in the comments!

...Summer Skin

2009-07-07T15:33:00.004-05:00

A quick tip for those of us with shiny complexions:

Don't spend money on those little blue oil absorbing sheets anymore! The next time you're at a restaurant that gives out brown paper napkins, take a stack of them with you. (Cut in quarters if you want to make them portable, and hold together with a binder clip!) Instant oil absorber sheet, for free! In my oily Italian skin opinion, they work much better than the blue blotting sheets.

--> Did you also know that the blue sheets contain mineral oil? Why would you want to add oil to your face if you're trying to eliminate it? Starbucks napkins are made from 100% recycled fibers using a bleach free process. You can find that printed right on the napkins.

Give it a try and let me know how you like this alternative!

...Pride48.com

2009-06-26T16:46:00.004-05:00

Most of my readers are well aware of Pride48.com, but I just wanted to remind all of you, and alert any new readers of this event.

Beginning tonight (Friday, June 26) at 7pm Eastern/6pm Central, visit Pride48.com and listen LIVE to podcasts of the GLBT community. Show your support and participate in the live chat rooms accompanying the broadcast!

Follow @Pride48 for updates on the live shows!

I would like to wish the city of Chicago a very happy pride weekend. I feel honored to be a part of such an open, liberal and accepting city!

...ShopItToMe.com

2009-06-18T11:11:00.004-05:00

I wrote this post because I was asked to be a guest blogger for ShopItToMe.com! You can view this post on their website by clicking here.

Shop It To Me has also featured this blog on their "Featured Trensetters" page!

If you aren't signed up with Shop It To Me, drop me a comment and I will send you an invite. If you're wondering what this is, here's an excerpt from their website:

What is Shop It To Me?
You can think of Shop It To Me as your free personal online shopper. Select your favorite apparel brands (such as Theory, Prada, Armani, Ella Moss, Juicy Couture, Seven Jeans, DKNY, or BCBG) and sizes. We'll scour the websites of leading retailers like Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, Banana Republic, Gap, Zappos and Bluefly and send you a Salemail™ - a daily or weekly email summary of which new items go on sale in your size.

Now, on with the post!

In the current trend of layer upon layer of drapey clothes and wedged, million-strap-strong shoes, accessorizing is so important to add the finishing touch to any outfit, no matter the occasion. Stack on the bracelets. Show off of your gold toe ring. But how does your necklace accent your neckline? Here are some basics to keep in mind:

Crew:
We've all had those t-shirt and jeans days, where we throw on our favorite plain crew neck. Ditch the plain Jane look and dress it up with long layered necklaces. Try something beaded so you can add little touches of color that accent the shirt.
For a lower crew neck (not as high as a crew, but not as deep as a scoop) try a dangly choker necklace.

Collared Button-Up:
If you are wearing a button up, collared shirt, consider wearing a couple shorter layered necklaces either under the shirt with the first button undone for a work look. Or, for an after-work look, try longer layered necklaces over the shirt with another open button and a camisole underneath.

V-Neck:
Choose a necklace that sits right above the V. Try a Y-shaped necklace that sits closer to the neck, or something with a bold pendant. If the V-neck is very deep, choose a longer necklace that follows the neckline. Remember that a necklace is an accent to your garment, not an invitation to your cleavage!

Scoop:
Try a larger necklace that fills up some of your declote. Make sure your top doesn't compete with the jewelry. Choose something less bold for a patterned shirt, and something bigger and more detailed for a solid.

Here are a few necklines in which I don't think necklaces work. In these cases, choose dangly earrings instead!
- Halter
- High cowl neck, or draped neck (Let the collar/drape make the statement!)
- One-shoulder tops (If you want something extra, try an upper arm cuff on the arm with the bare shoulder.)

...Space Monkeys?!

2009-06-10T11:08:00.006-05:00

I usually refrain from sharing links on the internet but this one is worth everyone's while.

**Note! I do not condone animal testing. I just think this is peculiar and strange and everyone should see these photos just for the pure fact of how bizarre they look.

National Geographic shared photos of the first chimps sent into space, which happened fifty years ago on May 28th.

Three chimpanzees named Duane, Jim, and Chu sit strapped into spacecraft cradles at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, in January 1961.

The chimps were among 75 trainees slated to ride into space before humans, to help researchers test the physiological and neurological stresses of space flight.

...My Trip to LA!

2009-05-29T15:35:00.015-05:00

Finally, I bring you a log of my trip to LA! I went there from May 14th-May 19th and stayed with my long time friend Eric.

There are LOADS of photos on my Flickr site. Click on the "All Sizes" icon on any of those to see a super-sized view! Here's the breakdown:

Thursday 5/14
Arrive at 10am Pacific time.
My flight left Chicago at 6am Central time, which means I got up at 3:30am central to catch the cab at 4am. I was tired!

Eat at Pei Wei.
I was starving, and tired. Apparently this place is a chain, but it was yummy! And tofu everywhere.

Walk around Pasadena & Old Town
Eric lives in Pasadena, so he showed me around. Beautiful mountains everywhere. Old Town is a little area with shopping and restaurants, a nice place to walk around.

Nap
Yea, by about 5pm Pacific, I was DEAD tired.

Mediterranean food!
Perfect to have after a good nap, and a nice way to round out my first introductory day.

Friday 5/15
Visit Gnomon School of Visual Effects
This is where Eric works! It was really nice inside. I got a photo editing instructional DVD, thanks to sir Eric. (Thanks a BUNCH to sir Eric for that, actually!) Afterward, he took me to their occasional coffee stop next door at....Gold's Gym. Wow. I never wanted to leave a place so quickly in my life. haha!

Hollywood, star walk, autographs in cement..
Since we were in Hollywood already, we made this the Tour Hollywood Day. And everyone is right...its not all that glamorous. Its sort of run down. Sad almost. I was expecting Vegas, but I got Branson, Missouri. I got to see a lot of rummage stores, adult themed stores, multiple places that said "XXX NUDE!", and lots of magenta colored hair, as I mentioned in my previous blog post.

Farmer's market
There was a nice farmer's market in Hollywood with lots of places to shop, not just for fruit! It was a beautiful, hot sunny day. I enjoyed this area a lot. I also tried my first blood orange. YUM.

In & Out
Yes, I ate here. I had to. You all know I love a french fry. I also heard that on their "secret menu" they had "grilled cheese" which was really a burger without the burger. This thing had tons of fatty cheese and I think thousand island dressing? Well it also had lettuce, which made it healthy, right?? Of course it was followed by a massive amount of french fries. But I had water, I skipped the soda. Figured I'd give my body a "little" break!

Griffith Observatory/Planetarium
At dusk we headed back out to the Hollywood hills to go see the Griffith observatory. Its very high up and has a 360 degree view of all of Hollywood. Its amazing, you could see everything. It had a cool space museum inside, and a reallllly nice planetarium presentation that made us feel about as small as ants.

Saturday 5/16
Brunch w/Brian and Frank of the That's What She Said podcast
I was excited to meet the cast of the TWSS podcast! Christian wasn't able to attend, but I met up with Brian and Frank in Hollywood for some yummy food. They are really nice guys, to say the least.

Santa Monica beach & boardwalk, 3rd Street Promenade, Pinkberry
After lunch, we drove out to Santa Monica. I got to see the Pacific Ocean, finally! There was a touristy boardwalk. There was also a nice shopping/walking area called the Third Street Promenade. That is where I enjoyed my very first Pinkberry!

Sushi
So tired from all the stuff during the day, we laid low at night and had some vegetarian sushi at a little place in Pasadena.

Sunday 5/17
Burbank
Burbank is a nice little city. Very very clean. We walked around, saw the Cartoon Network building and had lunch. And sangria!

Malibu
We headed out to Malibu on the Pacific Coast Highway. It was so beautiful. I saw so many mansions in the hills and ocean, ocean, ocean! We stopped at a little area in Malibu where I've heard we might see some famous people..but no luck. But we did see some amazing views, once again.
On the way back to the Pasadena/LA area, driving along the PCH, I was looking out the window and saw dolphins jumping in the water!! I've never seen one before in the wild. This was reallllly exciting for me! I just wish I could have snapped a photo in time!
We parked the car and stopped for a little beach break. Too bad there wasn't any really good beach day, it was always overcast and a bit chilly down by the shore.

Rodeo Drive, paparazzi
We drove down Rodeo. And we didn't get out! We were sweaty and gross from being outside all day. I don't think they would have let us walk around like that, haha! We saw an Audi R8, which costs around $110,000...eh, no biggie, right?
As we were just about to turn onto Rodeo, I spotted a group of paparazzi crowded around *someone* at a restaurant. There were so many paparazzi, I couldn't see who the famous person was!

Pizza
So exhausted from walking so much and being such tourists, we ordered a pizza and watched Ren & Stimpy on DVD. I went to bed early!

Monday 5/18
Little Tokyo, China Town
Walked around Little Tokyo and China town. I bought rice crackers, Eric bought an action figure robot thing, go figure. Again I ate Pinkberry. (It doesn't get old) It was a cute area in downtown LA, but not everything was open because it was a Monday.

Huntington Gardens in Pasadena
In Pasadena there's about 200 reserved acres of gardens and museums and a library. There was so much at Huntington, one could really spend all day here. Being the designers we are, we really wanted to see the oldest bible on record in the museum, from the 1400s. Its one of the fist printed books in existence today!
We also walked through the gardens. My favorite was the cactus area! It was a nice way to spend a sunny day and see some pretty vegetation that is native to California. (And some awesome olllddd books!)

Vegetarian Thai Food on Melrose
For dinner I really wanted to eat at the all-vegetarian/vegan Thai place on Melrose. It was SO good. I even took my leftovers on the plane with me the next day.
This place is in the same area where Lauren Conrad works at People's Revolution. (MTV's The Hills! hehe)...and yes, I made Eric drive around the block after dinner just so I could snap this photo! What can I say, I'm an obsessed fan!

Sunday 5/19
My last day here.
I had to leave for the airport at 1, so in the morning I helped Eric grocery shop. The poor boy goes out to eat practically every meal. He wanted to know "stuff to buy that I can like, make myself, maybe?"

We walked around Old Town a little bit before I left. It was bright and sunny as usual! Afterward we had lunch at Panera, then it was off to LAX.

I had a fun time. But unlike Northern California, I just can't see myself living there. Its very spread out. Unless you're in the really rich areas, LA is kind of...dare I say dirty? The outskirts like Burbank and Pasadena are nice though. I'd like to go back and see Orange County and San Diego.

Don't forget to check out all the photos, in their full-size glory at my Flickr site!

...I'm "Dying" to Try This

2009-05-26T11:52:00.006-05:00

If you know me in person, you know I have short hair, which requires a cut every month. I usually get bored with my current style, so its pretty much always changing. I've been wanting to experiment with a brightly colored high light for the longest time, I've just never been able to justify spending 70 extra dollars every month to maintain it. I might just have to bite the bullet and try it out. I've wanted candy apple red, but my recent trip to Los Angeles as proved my color choice is wrong, because almost everywhere I turned in Hollywood I saw...

So yes, the upcoming color seems to be magenta. Though what I what I saw wasn't just high lights, it was over all magenta color. I'm not that brave, but definitely willing to try the high lights. I will post a photo, stay tuned!

Have you seen any crazy hair color in your neck of the woods? If you live in Southern California and have also noticed this trend, do tell!

...I'm Still Here!

2009-05-22T10:56:00.005-05:00

Yikes, its been a whole month since I've last written. I just wanted to let you all know I am still here! I've had a lot of nice things going on for me in the month of May. I just got back from a long vacation in Los Angeles, which I will write about very soon, and I have a lot of photos to post as well.

Other than that I've been doing my freelance and job searching! I will soon have a portfolio site online. My lack of web design skills is sort of a set back..luckily I have a very talented friend who is going to help out.

Here's a retouch I've done recently that I like quite a bit, click the photo for a super sized view. You can find more retouches here.

Its Memorial Day weekend! I finally get to see my best friend's new baby, who will only be six days old when I see her! I'm sure I will post a photo of her as well.

Stay tuned, I know you're all just dying to read another post!

...My Subway Encounter

2009-04-20T10:21:00.005-05:00

Last night, as I was going home on the blue line from the This American Life Live at the Chicago Theater, I was asked by someone for change so he could transfer trains. I replied honestly this time, "I have no cash on me, sorry."

It was raining, I was wearing my fabulous yellow raincoat. (I can't find a picture of it, or even a link. I got it on clearance.)

Moments after he asked me for change, he said, "I like your coat."

"Thank you," I reply.

"What is it?" he asks.

"...I'm sorry?" I didn't know what he meant..I realize split seconds later he means, "Who is it?" as in, "Who designed it?" Which is odd to me, b/c didn't he just ask me for spare change earlier?

"..You know, like, is it designer?" he snaps back at me.

You know how you can have an entire inner dialog in about 2 seconds? Here's mine:
This guy just asked me for change. Is he homeless? Then he says he likes my coat. And he asks if its designer. Is he going to steal my coat? Maybe he's a student and is really without any change for a transfer? How can one's voice go from sounding like they are homeless needing change to sounding like they are a gay student at the fashion institute? God I hope he doesn't try to steal my coat.

"...Oh its not designer," I reply. "Its just from NY & Co."

Why did I even say where it is from? If he is homeless and wanting to steal my coat, it doesn't matter if its designer or not. But I said its not designer in hopes it would be of less value to him, making him want to steal it less.

He shoots me a look as if I just walked out of WalMart with a bag full of clothes I'm going to wear during NY Fashion Week because I think they look good.
"That IS designer!! New York and Company is like, the BIGGEST producer of women's apparel...like the biggest in THE WORLD!" he informs me.

He then rolls his eyes, gives one of those scoff sounds from the back of his throat and turns to look out the window. (We were under ground at this point.)

Someone please tell me why this homeless fashionista is judging me because I don't think NY&Co. is a designer label. For your information, I got it on clearance for like 80% off the original price. Which at NY&Co, is pretty much the same cost as a transfer.

...A Quick Bit of Trivia About My Apartment

2009-04-02T14:51:00.003-05:00

Last week I went on a crazy internet rampage trying to figure out how old my apartment/flat is. I found lots of cool stuff along the way, but eventually came upon this bit of info that says the building is 90 years old. (Really it says 86, but the date @ the top of the page says 2005.)

How cool is that, a 90 year old house. (Its an apartment but I call it my house.) Anyway, earlier this week I was speaking to my landlord about the property and he said its even older than that, saying it was built in 1913, making it 96! So if I stay here for 3 years, get ready because I'm throwing the most fun birthday party ever, not only to celebrate my house's 100th, but to celebrate my 30th! (Gulp...)

On top of it all, he told me that the store downstairs used to be a deli. In the basement--get this--there was a smokehouse AND a butcher shop. The owner of the store lived on the first floor and had tennants on the other two floors.

There's your trivia of the week!