winter #2

Today's been one of those full gear kind of days...a real-feel of -6 doesn't really leave you a lot of options.

It's funny how my winter "getup" has changed since last year, and I had put an awful lot of thought into last year's prep. I felt like I made it through just fine with what I had, yet looking back I realize I've changed literally every part of my winter strategy since then...maybe I've wised up a bit?

• Mittens. Last year, I mostly wore thin wool gloves. Now, I have mittens (key to preserving warmth) that are lined with fleece and have a wool outer. Plus the tops fold back so you can play with your phone on the train without releasing all of your heat in the process. If I ever find the person who made these gloves, I will kiss them on the mouth.
• Commuter boots. Last year, I tried to wear one pair of shoes to/at work every day. Normally this led to me either being cold during the commute (if I wore non-fuzzy boots) or hot/silly-looking at work (if I wore fuzzy boots). I wasted countless minutes every morning trying to figure out which part of my day I was willing to forego. Now, I've given up the delusion of efficiency - I wear fuzzy warm boots every day and take a separate pair to change into at work, no questions asked. Because hauling a big-ass bag around for 80 minutes per day is totally worth every blessed warm step.
• North Face coat. Last year, I wore a short puffy coat made of polyester. At the time I convinced myself that I was warm enough. Ha. Ha. Now, I've invested in a knee-length, down-filled North Face coat..because there's a difference between cold and effen cold.
• Moisturizer. Last year, I watched as my skin transformed into a reptilianflaking mess. Hello, dry air! Now, me and my oily skin moisturize twice a day. Ladies with similar skin, you've gotta understand how crazy this is - it seems so wrong! But it feels so right. Okay that's enough about that.
• Vitamin D. Did you know that Chicago gets an hour less of sun each day than Austin gets? ONE HOUR EVERY DAY???????? Last year, I didn't start taking Vitamin D until probably March or so. Now, I'm already back on the wagon. Or off the wagon. Whatever. Wherever the pills are, that's where I am.

I think I'm on the right track to achieving maximum warmth, but that's mostly because I can't fathom adding one more item to cover my body. That being said, I'll probably laugh at myself this time next year after I've figured out more ways to make things a little more bearable. Can't wait!

a baby in our midst

There are only two places I've flown to where I had transforming experience before even getting into the city: Las Vegas - where everyone gets drunk on the plane - and Memphis. The flight crew drowns you in delicious Southern accents and as soon as you step off the plane, the smell of BBQ abounds! How can you not smile at that?

This weekend, I got to experience the Southern immersion by co-hosting a baby shower in Memphis for one of my very best friends, Mama Jackie! (Not her official name but that's okay). I've helped throw several wedding-related parties, but this was my first one for a babe! I've actually only attended one other baby shower in general, so hosting one is pretty new territory. Katie, Patti, and I joined forces with Jackie's mother-in-law, who basically let us use her house and run the show...thanks Janie! Since we were all English majors and Jackie and her husband love to read, we went for an alphabet/book theme. The baby's nursery has two walls of built-in bookshelves, so we had everyone bring a book to help build Baby's new library!

We also had everyone decorate pages for a little alphabet book.

One of the highlights of the shower was Patti's amazing food! I had no idea she could cook like she did, but she "whipped up" an entire spread by herself. This did a good job of reinforcing my current standing as lamest cook ever.

Yep, those are homemade fortune cookies.

My favorite one was "Baby McC will grow up to be a goat farmer."

some sort of quinoa something or other

zucchini tarts

She also cranked out these cute little fabric flowers that we made into nametags. I think I might try to replicate them for...I've been saving some fabric scraps that need a good repurposing (and I'm also actively trying to prove to Brian that I'm not a hoarder).

I didn't get a picture of the favors, but Katie put layered hot chocolate ingredients into bottles...pretty darn cute. All in all, I think we our little suaree turned out quite nicely! Jackie got some adorable things to add to her collection, and it was nice to meet some of her friends that I didn't already know.

I tried out those martha stewart tissue paper flowers.

they're a little more labor intensive than you want them to be, but a nice addition.

Although the weekend really flew by, we got in a couple of delicious meals, a neighborhood walk, and a decent bit of lounging. I know Jackie was exhausted at times, so thanks friend for pushing through for us! The baby is due on my birthday according to her calculations although the doctors say a day later, so I am reallllllllly crossing my fingers for a prompt arrival! It's pretty surreal to have the first baby in our friend group arriving so soon. I'm so excited for the McCrary family to expand and see what kind of little guy/girl we'll be able to watch grow up!

that time DVR totaled my social life

Is anyone else watching too much TV right now? We've got a ton of shows racked up on the DVR right now, and somehow I'm making time for all 10 of them:

Jeopardy: This is the everyday non-negotiable. Alex Trebek is such a jerk and all the commercials are for bladder control but GO KNOWLEDGE! Everything I know about the Yangtze River I learned on Jeopardy.

Dexter: Ugh what is happening to this show?! The writing has totally gone down the tubes. When is it ever appropriate to narrate things like, "I've got to go after him!" followed by running?! Never. Never Dexter.

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills: Not that I didn't sort of love this particular "sect" anyway, but now that one of the cast members' husbands committed suicide and this whole season was filmed prior, it's particularly (I believe morbid would be the correct word) addicting now.

Sister Wives: If I were ever going to use the word "whack" as an adjective, I'd use it now. This show is totally whack. It requires way too much fast-forwarding; all the family members are total goobs; and how the F does this guy support all these kids? But still, we watch.

Modern Family: Sort of hackneyed now, but still funny. Who doesn't love Phil Dunfee?

Boardwalk Empire: I was so into this show last season. Now we've got 6 episodes waiting for us to start caring again. But really...killing, a coup, an affair, more killing...I don't know. If this picks up at all, someone let me know.

Parks & Recreation: Does anyone else watch this? It makes me laugh out loud, every time.

American Horror Story: I hate scary movies. But Brian asked me to just watch the pilot with him, and that's it. I suffered (and I truly mean that) through the first episode - hands in front of my eyes, knotted stomach, praying for it to be over. Awful. But then the next day I was still thinking about the crazy awesome plot that had unfolded while all that scaring was going on. Now I'm totally hooked. It's got such a cool cast (Dylan McDermott, Jessica Lange, the mom from Friday Night Lights, and the mom from Six Feet Under), the story keeps getting better and better, and it hasn't ever been as scary as that first episode again (thank the Lord). I have no idea how they're going to keep up this frenetic pace but I'm committed. You should be too. Seriously. Let's talk.

The Office: Yes they've just continued writing Michael Scott's lines for Andy Bernard. Whatever.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: I hated this when I first watched it. Not now...now, I basically cry with laughter every episode. Brian makes fun of me for how much I want to be Dee, but she's so misguided and awkward and foul-mouthed. Who wouldn't want to emulate that?!

Not that I need any recommendations but we're keeping a "must watch" list for when all these things are over...what shows get you excited?

pin it

If you haven't gotten onto Pinterest yet - and you're female - you're really missing out. I'm so pissed this hadn't been invented when I was getting married, because instead I was forced to painstakingly make a powerpoint of all the pictures I loved to show my wedding planner. (I think I terrified her).

NOW though, you could just send someone a link to your Pinterest page! And you totally wouldn't be a creeper! All my friends currently planning weddings have a page and it's so fun to see what their style is like and what vibe they're going for. Without being a creeper.

I wasn't even sure that I'd be able to find anything to warrant making a page, but once you start poking around, it's totally addicting. A few of us are planning a baby shower for Jackie and it's been so easy to share our ideas and thoughts without emailing a bunch of pictures. (Jackie don't peek!!!) Then you start to realize you can easily fall down the rabbit hole and end up with a page for cool hairstyles, sweet vacation spots, delicious recipes, dream kitchens...or if you're me, a page on "wrapping." (Special insight: I've recently developed a fantasy of one day being known as that girl that always give beautiful wrapped gifts. What can I say, some people strive for greatness!)

Anyway, if you're on there, friend me so we can stalk each other's styles :) Maybe I'll repay you with a fantastically beautifully wrapped present someday!

2011, out!

I hate to move into a new year without figuring out what exactly I did with myself during the last year, and 2011 will go down in the books as The Blur, because I can hardly remember what I did with the last 12 months besides work! Considering this time last year I was unemployed and now I'm happy and confident in my job, I guess all that time at the office was worth it. I truly love my company and feel like I've landed in a place and position where I can really make something of myself...maybe even a [hold your breath] career. But all work and no play makes everyone cranky, so clearly there were some other things that helped keep 2011 interesting:

Weddings! It wouldn't be a complete year without a host of weddings, starting with my Mom, Sally, Jason, Ashley, Jessica (Chi friend), Mary Ella (Chi friend), and ending with a celebration for Keely. We had such a blast at these events and are already counting down to 2012's invitations...Rachel (TX), Shay (IL), Kim (IL), and Zack (CO)...and maybe more to come!

Babies! Some of my very best friends are starting to get pregnant and have babies, which means I'm learning all about crazy smells, bodily functions, and hormones. Del, Alyson, and Mary Jane all were blessed with babies in 2011 and Jackie is up next in February - hopefully on my birthday, as planned ;)

Visitors! Brian and I were racking our brains to figure out where in the world our summertime went, and then we remembered - an epic influx of visitors! All in all, we spent our weekends with 13 friends from college and Texas. Showing people around was such a great way for me to fall in love with this city and be reminded of all the great friendships we've made in other places.

Most of the remaining time was spent hosting parties at our apartment, playing tennis, watching a sick amount of TV, and as mentioned, working. In 2012 I'd love to see "volunteering," "local sightseeing," "church," "an overseas trip," "intramural sports," and "concerts" pop up on this list a little more often. After running through everything that 2011 had to offer, it's clear that the people in our lives are the ones who fill our time and make us happy. Thanks so much to everyone who shared a chat, drink, court, seat, bed, table, meal, and trip with me/us this year!