Day 304 is spooky!

Spooky decorations courtesy of my crafty mom. Happy Halloween!

Day 303 didn't melt

After being out for most of Sunday, I was surprised to come home and still see snow on the ground! We got a total of about three inches here in Bucks County. Autumn just about disappeared!

Day 302 is an early snow day

What!? Snow, on October 29!? It doesn't feel like autumn. This was truly a bizarre sight as I drove home early this morning. Today will be full of movies, tea and napping. Perfect snow day!

Day 301 decorates cleverly

I pass this house on my way to/from work. They have clever Halloween decorations, that I'm surprised haven't caused a car accident as people stop to look. This was the best shot I could take while stopped at a red light. I can't wait to see their Christmas decorations!

Day 300 gets crafty

For a Halloween party, my friend and I are dressing up as Ghostbusters. Drs. Venkman and Spengler, to be exact. I couldn't be more excited. And we're making our costumes. I went to Home Depot to craft guns to attach to our proton packs, which my friend is making. I can guarentee that I was the only person at Home Depot shopping for a Halloween costume.

Day 299 is so peaceful

Last full day with mom during her visit (sad face) and we finally made our way into downtown Chicago. It took over a week for there to be enough time in our very busy itinerary for this. We did get rained on a bit towards the end of our exploring, but the clouds and the grayness of it all did make for a pretty backdrop. This is Buckingham fountain (now turned off for the winter), with a bit of Chicago in the background. I think next summer I'll be spending a lot of my time here getting work done!

Day 298 isn't from around here

Mom and I went around my hood (obviously my fave thing to do with visitors!) and explored some Wrigley Field a bit. I've never actually seen a game here, but from the outside, it's one of my favorite places. It's so old school and wonderful. The colors and design and setting and everything about it just suggest it doesn't come from a time that I'm familiar with (and it really doesn't), which maybe is why I'm so fascinated by it. But be prepared - if you come to visit me in Chicago and you've never been here, there's a 115% chance we'll take a stroll past Wrigley so you can take it all in for yourself. :)

Day 297 is ON THE RUN!!!!

... well not really. But this sign wanted me to be. Or maybe I wasn't the audience. Either way.... whoa, sign, Whoa. Calm it down a bit. This is at the coffee place that's technically closer to me than Starbucks. But starbucks doesn't assault my senses with agressive signage about soup, ya know?

Day 296 is perfect

Mom and I decided to cap off our very long day of exploring the city with a giant sushi dinner and a movie. It was lovely. After having 2 engagement shoots that day, I was exhausted and it was exactly what I needed. Except really, when is sushi and a quiet night in not exactly what I need? :)

Day 299 gets some me time

My mom's birthday is this month. In the mail today she got this 15% off coupon from Anthropologie. Plus this adorable bracelet. How sweet of them to mail these out!

Day 298 kicks alot

As I mentioned a couple weeks back, I joined a kickball team. As promised, here's a photo of our team, Sir Kick Alot, in action. Nevermind the fact that we lost big time. Because it's fun!

Day 297 for free

I got one of those cards from Dunkin Donuts for a free iced coffee every Monday for a month. Sweet deal! I missed the first couple weeks in October, but since then, I've been making it a point to actually go an get my free drink. It makes Mondays more bearable. Pumpkin iced coffee? Yum. For free? Double yum!

Day 296 had a good run

Well friends, I've officially accepted technology in my life and bough an iPhone 4! It's a sign of the times! I've had this RAZR since 2007. Yes, you read that correctly. 2007. I'm not going to lie, I will miss this crappy little phone! It's had a good run and got pretty beat up along the way. But, I'm saving it as a back-up and to keep old texts, for sentimental reasons.

Day 295 is good luck

A ladybug landed on my scarf!! That's good luck right? It was pretty hard focusing this picture because, well, I was trying to take a picture of myself without scaring away my little good luck charm. It only kind of worked, but you get the gist right? I wonder when I can cash in my good luck.

Day 294 is where again??

On Friday my Ma and I made our way out to Goose Island for some errands and an adventure. It's actually right in the city but feels so isolated and strange and warehouse-y. I snapped this on the bridge that takes you onto Goose Island. Pretty gorgeous and looks not at all like I'm in a major city, right?! Magical.

Day 293 is on her way

My mom got into Chicago this Thursday. WOOHOO!!! I believe we've already discussed my fear of train platforms, oncoming trains, dying via trains, etc.... Well... nothing's changed! The tracks where I was waiting for the blue line to take me to the airport to pick up mom are right off the highway. I mean... mere feet away from very fast moving traffic. I basically found a pole and stood directly next to it, as far away from the tracks as possible, and tried not to have a panic attack before the train came. So scary!

Day 295 is an excellent marksman

This morning I went to a craft fair with my mom at a nearby church. The church is huge, with many hidden stairways and rooms. We were discussing how creepy it would be to get lost there at night. In one of the rooms I saw this trophy, mounted above a shelf on the wall. What an odd trophy! Boy Scouts rifle team from the 70s. I wanted to swipe it. But, stealing from a church? That can't be good.

Day 294, light my fire

My friend had a mini-bonfire in her backyard tonight. It was chilly, but nice by the fire. Wine, pizza, smores, scary stories and friends is a great way to start the weekend!

Day 293 is a Gozer worshipper

I nearly lost it when I heard Ghostbusters was going to be re-released in theaters this fall. It's playing for three nights only (last Thursday, tonight and next Thursday). I was more than a little excited to see it on the big screen, as it came out in '84, pre-Katie. The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, Louis Tully running out of Central Park, "I collect spores, molds and fungus" - what a great movie-going experience!

Day 292 can whistle

One of the upsides to being disorganized is discovering things I forgot I owned. Like this necklace. It's a cheap little number from Forever 21. I love the pattern and length. Plus, I can use the whistle if I'm ever in a jam!

Day 291, boo!

Here's another glimpse at my mom's Halloween decorating prowess. A ceramic ghost with a tealight candle, now hanging from a tree. Boo!

Day 292 knows the best part of waking up

I had the kind of night that demanded the first thing I do this morning was make coffee. Before anything else was done, said, turned on, moved, etc.... coffee was to be had. I'm sure you understand this, fellow coffee drinkers. Also lesson learned that going out on a week night will not, in fact, be less intense than going out on a weekend. I was all wrong in that assumption. Here's a top view of my french press with some fresh beans ready to be freshly... pressed? You get what I mean.

Day 291 can't do that....

I apologize for the poor image quality. (Click the pic to zoom and get a better look). Basically an impromptu game of limbo started at a bar last night. It was all fun and games until they reached the 20 inches off the floor stage of the game. Then everyone in the bar was like "no way". But we were wrong. One lone soul attempted, and conquered. Actual cheers erupted. It was fantastic.

Day 290 buys local

I really, really love the Goose Island brewery beers. They're in all the bars and stores here, and are well loved by the locals. And since I'm trying to be a local, I've totally hopped on the bandwagon. And it was a great decision. The 312 is my absolute favorite. But coming in a close second is their Fall Harvest Ale, which I just tried for the first time the other day. Yum!

Day 290 is a tree pin

I bought this weird little tree pin at a flea market, surprise surprise. I feel like it jazzes up my jacket a bit. Maybe I'll chop down a few branches and make one from scratch!

Day 289 turns into a pumpkin

My good friend Sarah had a surprise birthday party for her mom today - it was a wonderful celebration! She did a great job party planning. Most importantly, her mom was surprised. Also, Sarah baked these pumpkin cakes! I can't even begin to think how to bake something so adorable. She's such a crafty lady!

Day 288 loves foliage

Another thing I love about autumn? FOLIAGE! Bucks County is especially beautiful at this time of year. I loved the way the sun hit this particular tree. So many leaves! It'll be a sad day when they fall.

Day 289 = roomie day!

Even though we live together, I hardly ever get to see my roomie. We decided that Sundays are roomie dinner (if not all day) days. Today was an all day roomie day. Wake up time? Noon. Breakfast? A feast prepared just for me! A bit of napping and video game playing during the middle of the day, and then dinner. FYI kids - I'm quite the chef. I tried a new chicken parm recipe tonight, and it knocked their socks off (we had guests at our roomie dinner!). Just like my chili - lives were changed. Homemade sauce, pan fried chicken, sautéed zucchini. BAM. I'm literally waiting for the Food Network to call me up and offer me my own show. Should be any second now.... waiting.... waiting.... I'll let you know when it happens.

Day 288 does sushi right

Saturday was "get to know your neighborhood" night. Kicked it off with some drinks, then sushi up the road, followed by a nice sampling of some of the bars positioned just a few hundred feet from my front door. Best to get to know these places now before the winter. So back to the sushi. It was sushi because I when am I not eating sushi lately? We ordered all of the things. I mean... all of them. The waitress loved us. We just kept ordering more and more delicious sushi and dessert! Eeek the dessert was just so good! I talk about food a lot, huh?

Day 287 loves love. Ya know?

This is the view from my back porch. During sunset it's all kinds of spectacular. When I snapped this I was on my way to do some rogue photographing of two dear friends engagement. It's exactly what you're imagining. I hid in the bushes/trees in a park across from "the spot". It was dark and there were scary noises coming from the bushes but I persevered in the name of Love, damnit! It all went down smoothly and, phew!, she said "yes". Sigh... Love is wonderful.

Day 286 does it family style

BAM. This happened. Thursday was part 2 of what we're now calling "family dinner". It's the greatest. I'm a fan. It means I get to eat food with my friends, and pretty much nothing makes me happier than that. I made a chili. It changed lives. VA made these crazy awesome cookie bowls. (See mine sans chocolate chips in the back. Awww yeah.) They baked a little, well.... crazy. But were seriously delicious so it didn't matter. The food and the company was just top notch. Family dinners ftw.

Day 287 likes your 'stache

My friend had a birthday party tonight. Someone brought these wonderful fake moustaches, as it was a costume party. I may or may not have worn one after a few drinks. The one I wore "The Snob" should obviously be called "The Hitler."

Sidenote: The screen on my camera started to act a littly funky shortly after I took this photo. So, apologies in advance if the next day or two of posts are late. That is, later than I've been posting recently...

Day 286 is a chicken (salad)

After having chicken for dinner, I had a ton of leftovers. So, I made chicken salad! With red grapes, celery, mayo and just a tiny bit of cinnamon. No recipe, because they make me nervous.

Day 285 can see the stars

The moon tonight is really really great. I don't think it's a full moon, but it's close. It is gigantic in the sky though. Also tonight I just realized you can see the stars in Chicago. The previous two cities I lived in, that didn't happen! NYC - dirty air, pollution, etc... Seattle - clouds, rain, etc... I feel a little spoiled by this new development!

Day 284 is sticking around

Remember this? It's literally still happening. At this point it's just fascinating and fantastic. Fascinatingly fantastic if you will. It's location has moved ever so slightly in the past few days. But thinking about allllll the people who must walk by it each day, it's still there?? Really?? Kinda cool.

Day 285 sounds exactly like Jackie, that's fantastic!

I may or may not have purposely slowed down at a yellow light on my way home to catch the rest of Jackie Wilson's Higher and Higher. Thank you XM radio! If this song doesn't make you think of the Statue of Liberty, pink slime and Bill Murray, then we can't be friends.

Day 284, game on!

Well friends, I joined a kickball league! Tonight was our first game and it was super fun, even though we lost 10-6. I left my camera in the car, as I didn't know what the field situation was going to be. So an action shot will have to wait until the next game. But in the meantime, here's my team shirt. Philly Sports Network doesn't mess around!

Day 283 is a dancing queen

Seems I've danced my way through another pair of jeans. I didn't notice this until this morning - which makes me slightly nervous as I was wearing these jeans all of yesterday and noticed nothing all day. Was I walking around all day with a giant hole in my jeans? Potentially. Do I want to know if that really happened. Nope. A replacement pair is on the way. Let's see how long until I dance through those!

A perfect Day 282 sunset

This was what we were greeted with upon returning to Chicago on Sunday. A gorgeous sunset, clear sky and warm evening. Pretty divine. I really love that I get to call this place home.

Day 281 says "I do"!!

One of my best friends since HS walked down the aisle this weekend and I was so honored to be there to celebrate with her and her family. She was simply stunning, everything was perfect, and the best part? She didn't stop smiling the entire day. Sigh. Isn't love grand? Love you, manda!!


ps. BONUS ROUND! Us 3 kids all went to HS together. Reunion, what what!

Day 280 is crunchy

Fall colors everywhere! The Chicago sidewalks are covered in orange and red and yellow leaves and it's quite stunning (and crunchy!).

ps. Can you accept my late post apologies?? I just got back from a fun filled weekend in GA and the post-wedding partying recovery has been rough. Working on it!

Day 283 is spacey

I got home from work later than expected tonight. After eating a delicious sandwich, I decided to go to the gym. Despite fighting an oncoming cold, it felt good to work out! I parked under this light and thought it looked a little spaceship-y from my car. Maybe it's the cold meds working?

Day 282 likes fresh flowers

To match this unseasonably warm weather, here's some cute flowers! Zinnias are one of my favorite types of flowers and mums are just autumny. That's all.

Day 281 celebrates Fallsington

Today marked one of my favorite autumn days in Bucks County - Fallsington Day. It's a celebration of historic Fallsington. It features flea markets, crafts, autumn treats and more! The weather was beautiful. I thoroughly enjoyed buying things I didn't need and eating funnel cake. It was a great day. Only 364 days until the next Fallsington Day!

Day 280 did not get slimed

My friends and I made a quick stop at the grocery store. My eyes went straight to this toy crane machine with a stuffed Slimer doll. I know, I know - it doesn't really look like Slimer. But the Ghostbusters tag on his little arm assured me that it was. If you know me, you know I love Ghostbusters. Love it. My one friend, who admittedly is a bit of a gambler, tried her luck at the machine. We each threw in some money, as she got really close to winning Slimer for me. No such luck! But it was fun to give it a try. You win this round, Slimer.

Day 279 is a good witch

And the Halloween/autumn decorating continues... Just a little ceramic witch's shoe to spice up this tree!

Day 279 was in great company!

I was treated to a simply incredible dinner tonight, courtesy of my Uncle Greg who happened to be in Chicago this weekend on business. Somehow I knocked it out of the park with restaurant choice. Everything was perfect, including the funny little coincidence of my Uncle having grown up in the same small Italian town where the Chef was from. This translated into food showing up at our table "gift from the chef!". Sweet jesus, I didn't realize that happened in real life! Our final treats were these two desserts. One of them was a deconstructed carrot cake that certainly made a carrot cake lover out of me. The second was some kind of apple fritter/bacon/ice cream situation. Oh yeah, I said bacon. Going forward I'm going to require all my desserts to have bacon. Cause why not?

Day 278 is lost and not yet found

This book has been on the ground for 3 days now. I finally decided to take a picture of this poor forgotten thing. I'm kind of hoping the owner walks by it by chance in a week and finds their book. But I hope no one pees on it or something in the meantime. Those thoughts have kept me from touching or moving the book. My roomie and I have been texting each other every day that it's still there. A simple "Snow Crash!" and I know the book hasn't moved. I guess that is kind of weird...

Day 278 in print

I really dig the print of my new shirt. It's sheer, so I wore it with a black camisole. A perfect choice for the not-quite-autumn-yet weather we had today.