Austin vintage

One thing I really enjoyed about Austin is the abundance of awesome little shops that are all over the city.  On our last day in Austin (a chilly one at that) the boys played at this place called The Parlor (we had pizza for all but 2 meals, I kid you not. And I could eat it day after day w/o complaints).  Anywho, down the street and next door and across the street, everywhere, there were vintage stores galore! 

I went into this store, Blue Velvet, and was smitten with so many things as soon as I walked in the door.  Unfortunately, the price tags weren't really where I wanted them to be, but it was still fun to shop in nonetheless.  My friend Jonny & I tried on shades, hats, etc.  Our friend Jake ended up buying a sweet shirt but alas, it was too small.  So I scored!

Hog Wild was next door to the Parlor, so I had a chance to peruse this one as well.  Our friend Bill scored some knick-knacks from here.  Tons of furniture, clothes (I found an awesome motorcycle jacket but it was the real thing, and bad ass, and they knew it) and housewares.  The people were nice and the store was really cool.  If you're in the area you probably know exactly what I'm talking about.  It's definitely worth a visit.

I know there are tons of vintage stores around Chicago, and I love going to them.  But there's just something about stumbling into a store like these in a different city that makes me far more excited!

I'm back!

Hi everyone, I'm finally back to the windy city and I have very mixed emotions about it.  When I left, it was beautiful.  Now that I'm back, it's not as beautiful.  What gives?  What did I ever do to you, Chicago? 

I had a great time down in Austin.  It's a great city with great people and lots of excitement.  A lot of fun was had, a lot of music was heard and a lot of pizza was consumed. 

A ton of SXSW-related posts will come in due time, don't you worry.  But I must say, I had such a wonderful time and I love my friends so much.  My favorite moment of the entire trip was on Friday night, hanging out on our friends porch, drinking beer.  We were getting ready to go watch a show at this house party and we had spent the whole day at the French Legation just drinking and listening to good bands play in the sun.  Our friend Alex makes these shirts for Mittens on Strings and they are fantastic.  He sometimes does a raffle at their shows and gives away these "one of a kind, mildly amazing t-shirts" to lucky winners.  Our friend Nathan was the raffle winner and so Alex decided to pull out every single shirt from the inventory and explain them all so Nathan could choose the best one.  Let me just say, it was the most hilarious 20 minutes. 

See, this is an animal having a really great dream.  But thatt animal is dreaming about not another animal, but that really great smell that animals love.  This, I never knew before!

No explanation necessary.

Three lonely birds.  Always have to work and never play.  That's why they're going on vacation, taking some time off and relaxing.   Going inside to stay. 

It was a great time and I'm sad to be back to reality!  More to come!

photos via sxsw.com and mittensonstrings

Day Dreaming again

It's only 10 a.m. and I've already experienced a roller coaster of emotions.  Stress, frustration, you name it.  So to keep me going, I just have to think of where I'll be a week from Wednesday...

God bless Texas (or something like that) for being warm and sunny and extending open arms to thousands of hipsters every March. 

And as for Anna's lurgy - get better my dear.  We're so glad to have you home!

Waaaaaarmth!

Oh how I am craving some warmth and sunshine.  I know I won't get much of it around here, so that's why I'm headed south with Mittens on Strings to attend South by Southwest and soak up some rays.  I can not wait to step off the plane in Texas, put on some sunglasses and feel that warmth hit my pasty skin.  Dreaaaaaaming of sunshine, aaaaaaaaaaaah, sweet sunshine.



Music, friends and sunshine.  I. can. not. wait.

2010: The year of travel and love

This year has been declared the year of travel, the year of love, the year of happiness and new beginnings. 

First up: California

San Francisco, Napa, Lake Tahoe all in one long weekend! 

It will be fun, productive, romantic, adventurous and lovely all in one!






Next up (March): Austin, TX

Badger & the boys are playing SXSW again this year and I am going with them.  I went with them in 2007 and had a really great time.  So I'm pretty excited for this years adventure too!









Honeymoon: Italy

Since my mom bought us an Italy travel guide, I guess it's been finalized.  We're going to Italy!  I don't know when (obviously after August), I don't know if we can afford it (where there's a will there's a way) and I don't know how long we'll go (hopefully a long time).

Rumor has it, we may be traveling to Vegas for Badge's stepbrother's 21st birthday in November.  We'll see if we are traveled out or broke or what! 

It's going to be a wonderful year!