Four days and the Smart Home
I am slowly preparing for the GRE. I'm taking it on Wednesday. I'm really not looking forward to it, and $150 seems like a lot of money to spend on a test when I'm only applying to one school - though I must admit, if I'm going to apply at all, the program I'm applying to is absolutely a perfect fit for me. This time last year grad school was totally not on my horizon at all. Right now it's...sort of on the horizon. I would be ecstatic to get in to my program of choice and have that door opened for me, but I have a perfectly viable - if not in some ways more appealing - contingency plan that I would also be content with. I have always been a strong standardized test taker, so I'm trying to not get too worked up about the exam.
Today I went to the Museum of Science and Industry, somewhere that I probably haven't been since middle school. Loli and I went with my mom and aunt to check out the Christmas trees before picking my brother up from his apartment for break. The trees were cool (though no Brazil tree - what the hell?), and we got to take in some other exhibits as well. We went to the White House exhibit, which had a lot of artifacts and ephemera from various administrations, as well as the main attraction - a scale model of the White House with fully decked out rooms. The attention to detail was great - I liked the little version of Bo in the yard, and I had no idea the movie theater was so big!
The thing that I was interested in during the trip was the Smart Home, Chicago's greenest house. The house was incredibly sexy and of course very eco-friendly. I loved the open floor plan and the abundance of various decks and outdoor spaces that are part of the house. Despite a $500,000 price tag for that particular model, the house was very efficient while remaining modern and livable. I would have honestly moved right in if they would have given me the option. Even the bathroom fixtures were very architectural and to my liking. You would never know you were living in a house that only cost $10 a week to heat and light.
Today I went to the Museum of Science and Industry, somewhere that I probably haven't been since middle school. Loli and I went with my mom and aunt to check out the Christmas trees before picking my brother up from his apartment for break. The trees were cool (though no Brazil tree - what the hell?), and we got to take in some other exhibits as well. We went to the White House exhibit, which had a lot of artifacts and ephemera from various administrations, as well as the main attraction - a scale model of the White House with fully decked out rooms. The attention to detail was great - I liked the little version of Bo in the yard, and I had no idea the movie theater was so big!
The thing that I was interested in during the trip was the Smart Home, Chicago's greenest house. The house was incredibly sexy and of course very eco-friendly. I loved the open floor plan and the abundance of various decks and outdoor spaces that are part of the house. Despite a $500,000 price tag for that particular model, the house was very efficient while remaining modern and livable. I would have honestly moved right in if they would have given me the option. Even the bathroom fixtures were very architectural and to my liking. You would never know you were living in a house that only cost $10 a week to heat and light.
1 comments
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Christmas volunteering
Before coming back home for the holidays, I researched a variety of ways that I could be active in the community, and have continued my search since I've been back, looking for means of giving my time to those less fortunate. I've always been an active volunteer with a variety of organizations since elementary school, and I enjoy doing it as a means to fill my time while I have a break from most of my other obligations.
I've researched food banks, homeless shelters, even the Salvation Army and similar giving-based organizations (though I've been soured toward SA for the recent controversy surrounding their alleged immigration verification process). Frankly, the entire process has left me extremely frustrated. It is VERY difficult to find information on local organizations looking for more than just money during the holidays. It seems kind of messed up! There are very few outlets for the average person to donate their time, particularly if you don't belong to a church or philanthropic organization. I'd rather not just throw money at a cause or drop off a toy in a toy drive box (though both of these types of programs have their merits, and I plan on participating in a toy drive alongside whatever volunteer opportunities I can find since I donate money to other groups throughout the year). I just think it's strange that with the prevalence of the internet and the number of needy families and individuals around the country, particularly during times of economic hardship, that there are so few resources for people looking for local opportunities to help others. I'll probably resort to calling around to different food banks in the areas to see if they need drivers or other types of labor.
Just some of my thoughts on something I've been frustrated by this holiday season.
I've researched food banks, homeless shelters, even the Salvation Army and similar giving-based organizations (though I've been soured toward SA for the recent controversy surrounding their alleged immigration verification process). Frankly, the entire process has left me extremely frustrated. It is VERY difficult to find information on local organizations looking for more than just money during the holidays. It seems kind of messed up! There are very few outlets for the average person to donate their time, particularly if you don't belong to a church or philanthropic organization. I'd rather not just throw money at a cause or drop off a toy in a toy drive box (though both of these types of programs have their merits, and I plan on participating in a toy drive alongside whatever volunteer opportunities I can find since I donate money to other groups throughout the year). I just think it's strange that with the prevalence of the internet and the number of needy families and individuals around the country, particularly during times of economic hardship, that there are so few resources for people looking for local opportunities to help others. I'll probably resort to calling around to different food banks in the areas to see if they need drivers or other types of labor.
Just some of my thoughts on something I've been frustrated by this holiday season.
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Lions and leopards and LaCroix, oh my!
Lately I've been getting into the wonderful world of vintage accessories. Buying new jewelry just doesn't give the same satisfaction - the thrill of the hunt is virtually eliminated, and it doesn't feel as special when there are four identical pieces sitting next to it or just under the counter. I also have a major soft spot for ethnic jewelry - I regularly wear a strand of metal beads from Ethiopia with a strand of fat blue beads (made from recycled glass!) from Nigeria.
Two of my most recent pieces I actually found in the same shop. The first is a great Christian LaCroix signed belt, complete with huge buckle and monogrammed star charm. The belt reminded me of styles by the fantastic (and often insanely priced) Judith Leiber and Christopher Ross.
The other piece is a Bergere stunner from the 70s - a leopard cuff with maximum shine that wraps all the way around and has a nice weight to it. Very Kenneth Jay Lane, though with better craftsmanship and attention to detail. The stones on this piece are actually clear, but it photographed green from all the gold.
My aunt also brought over two fantastic, delicate rings to give me tonight. Each has a row of eight stones (one has sapphires, the other has diamonds), and they fit together in a wave shape. She bought them in the 70s in San Francisco and they no longer fit, so they were passed on to me! A nice surprise. I was actually able to stack them with another sapphire and diamond ring that I already wear on a daily basis.
I also picked up a really interesting (and surprisingly sexy) YSL sweater, but I haven't been able to get a picture of it yet.
Two of my most recent pieces I actually found in the same shop. The first is a great Christian LaCroix signed belt, complete with huge buckle and monogrammed star charm. The belt reminded me of styles by the fantastic (and often insanely priced) Judith Leiber and Christopher Ross.
The other piece is a Bergere stunner from the 70s - a leopard cuff with maximum shine that wraps all the way around and has a nice weight to it. Very Kenneth Jay Lane, though with better craftsmanship and attention to detail. The stones on this piece are actually clear, but it photographed green from all the gold.
My aunt also brought over two fantastic, delicate rings to give me tonight. Each has a row of eight stones (one has sapphires, the other has diamonds), and they fit together in a wave shape. She bought them in the 70s in San Francisco and they no longer fit, so they were passed on to me! A nice surprise. I was actually able to stack them with another sapphire and diamond ring that I already wear on a daily basis.
I also picked up a really interesting (and surprisingly sexy) YSL sweater, but I haven't been able to get a picture of it yet.
1 comments
Labels:
Bergere,
Christian LaCroix,
Christopher Ross,
Ethnic,
Jewelry,
Judith Leiber,
Kenneth Jay Lane,
Vintage,
Yves Saint Laurent
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Boot lust
I am absolutely dying over these Fendi boots. If I could only have one new pair of shoes for this season (or maybe even the rest of the year), these would be them.
STYLEBOP.com | Grey/Hazelnut Ankle-Boots by Fendi | The latest trends from the Fashion Capitals of the World
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STYLEBOP.com | Grey/Hazelnut Ankle-Boots by Fendi | The latest trends from the Fashion Capitals of the World
Posted using ShareThis
1 comments
Labels:
Ankle Boots,
Fendi,
Lust,
StyleBop
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Absence
I was sick for a while with norovirus, and then I was busy busy busy with finals, freelancing, studying for the GRE, and everything else. However, during that time, this little beauty from Rozae Nichols came into my life. A $585 piece of eye candy became a sub-$100 purchase that is now in my closet. I am the queen of bargains.
2
comments
Labels:
Rozae Nichols
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Trends
- Alexander McQueen
- Ankle Boots
- Bally
- Balmain
- BeijoFlor
- Bergere
- Cashmere
- Chanel
- Christian LaCroix
- Christopher Ross
- Chunky Sweaters
- Ethnic
- F/W 2009
- Fendi
- Fiorentini + Baker
- Haiti
- James Perse
- Jewelry
- Judith Leiber
- Kenneth Jay Lane
- Kill City
- Lanvin
- Leather
- Louis Vuitton
- Lust
- Metal
- Mini Market
- Moschino
- Opening Ceremony
- OPI
- Paris
- Partners in Health
- Ray Ban
- Revolve
- Rick Owens
- Rozae Nichols
- S/S 2010
- Shoes
- Skulls
- Stephen Sprouse
- StyleBop
- Umbrella
- Versace
- Vince
- Vintage
- WAYWT
- Yves Saint Laurent






