Oh Jeeeze. I should have stayed in last night. After a perfectly wonderful dinner with family, I should have walked into my apartment and stayed there. Of course, I didn't. I know the guy who runs the bar across the street. We'll call him Chester. Chester has a thing for brunettes. Especially those who are not his girlfriend. I have a thing for skinny hipster guys. He's an awkward, skinny hipster guy, so I let him forget about his brunette girl at home... I know, Karma is going to kick my ass again. There's probably some kind of psycho-analysis that could be done about this situation. Blah blah blah, maybe I'm working out some stuff from the last skinny hipster guy and the girl who took him away by messing around with Chester? It really doesn't matter why, but it happens. The last time it happened, I vowed never to go back to that bar. Last night, I thought I was over it, so I let my guard down and walked my trampy ass across the street...

Bad idea. After some champagne and tequila, my devilish side comes out. I let him forget about his girlfriend again JUST for a moment, outside in the snow. I think Chester loves forgetting about her, so much so that not more than 15 seconds after the snow situation, he was all over a different brunette. A mousey server who works for him. The champagne and tequila side of me did NOT like this situation. And I especially did not like the kiss that I'm pretty sure I saw a few minutes later. Chester is shameless for any girl with brown hair. I don't like it when people fuck with me, and I really HATE it when they fuck with me right in front of my face.

My fling with Chester is done. It should have been done before it even started, but like I said, champagne and tequila...

Dress Code.

So, I had orientation yesterday at Paul Mitchell the School Chicago. I better get my closet ready! They have a super strict dress code! I knew I was going to have to wear all black, but I had no idea it would be so specific.

No denim (even if it's black).
No tank tops, or sleeveless tops.
No printed clothing, other than Paul Mitchell logos.
No t-shirts, unless they are dressed up
Skirts must be longer than fingertips.
No hats.
No hair accessories.
No ponytails - up-dos are acceptable only if the bobby pins are hidden.
No shorts.
No leggings unless they're worn under a dress
No jackets.

Yipes! No ponytails! I live in ponytails! I'm going to have to come up with a really fast way to do my hair that makes it look done, with minimal effort. No hair accessories!? So that means I can't wear headbands. Huge sad face.

My whole black wardrobe revolves around my collection of leggings right now. I guess I need to go shopping for some dresses. Dang. This will be an interesting year for sure.

Karaoke Town.

This city is too much fun for me. What kind of respectable 28 yr old woman lets herself be hungover on a Thursday? I do. Last night, a casual little happy hour turned into a deliciously long dinner, accompanied by handfuls of beers, followed up with hours of karaoke. The self-respecting professionals in the group bailed before the karaoke, but me and a couple of other non-working idiots brought the house down at Mother's. There's nothing like a full night of karaoke in an almost empty bar. Brilliant! I am pretty sure I was the star of my own show last night. They could barely tear the mic out of my hands.

My lineup included:
Don't Stop Believin - Journey (the every time standby)
Last Name - Carrie Underwood
9-5 - Dolly Parton
Hot N Cold - Katy Perry
Wasted - Carrie Underwood
Etc...

Here's a little treat from the musical stylings of Alex & Sublime:

Faggy Girl Biscuits.

Today's running playlist made me smile.  Especially THIS Of Montreal song.
To me you're just some faggy girl... :)

The biscuit girl also makes me smile.

7 days.

Until I start school!! ... Again.  I don't think I could be more excited than I already am.  I can't WAIT to get my kit and start the program and start cutting, coloring, styling, everything.

This will be my new home for the next 10-11 months!! 

Sweet Happy Home.

Violet Hour.

So I met up with some friends last night at this gorgous little hidden speak-easy in Wicker Park.  It's nearly impossible to find unless you've been there before.  No windows, no signage, and a barely visible door cut into the side of a long empty wall.  The only indication of it's location is a dim golden lamp hanging above the door, and a great painted mural along the exterior wall.  I love finding myself in places like this.  The lighting is deliciously low and sexy and the walls are dripping with heavy velvet curtains.  It's probably one of the most seductive places I've ever seen.  Their cocktails are phenom and totally worth the hefty price tag for a special night out.  It's definitely a perfect date spot for a Thursday night.  Violet Hour.

My new world.

I feel so lucky.

Lessons of 27

Wow, what a weekend! The birthday celebrations came and went with a bang. This year was seriously one of the best birthdays I've ever had.

I'm officially 28 and I have learned some MAJOR life lessons over the past 12 months.

Top 14:
1. Trust your intuition - the deep down one you sometimes forget to listen to.
2. Perfection is unrealistic.
3. Happiness is a choice - not a job, not a person, not a city, not a place.
4. I love running and I love my runner body.
5. I deserve more than I previously thought.
6. My friendships are amazing when I nurture them and I need them more than I realized.
7. Never let anyone convince you it's safe to love them. If they have to convince you or beg for it, they don't deserve it. (there's that intuition thing)
8. On a similar note, never trust a man who throws around 'Love' 'I can't live without you' or 'I'm going to marry you' after just a few months. It's inevitable that he just doesn't understand those words.
9. Trust life to unfold itself in the ways that are best.
10. Change is the opportunity to enjoy new experiences.
11. I love cities.
12. Kindness makes my whole world better. So does the horizon.
13. My weakness for nerdy hipster guys is something I should probably grow out of... very soon.
14. Feeding my creative soul everyday is non-negotiable.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Beautiful day today. One of the best I've had in years.