Ever heard of Everlane?

Posted on March 1, 2012 by carlieblissirwin

I just got an email from Everlane letting me know that I’m now a member. (I kind of forgot that I signed up in the first place!)

Everlane is an online retailer that sells designer-quality products, all under $100. Right now they only have t-shirts and tote bags, but they introduce new designs every month.

I must say I’m intrigued. Anyone else a member?

I was just thinking about stocking up on basic tees for spring, and Everlane’s are only $15 – not too shabby. And at $30, the totes are pretty tempting too…

Images from everlane.com.

Happy Leap Day!

Posted on February 29, 2012 by carlieblissirwin

This is a photo of my friend Jessica. Amazing, right?

I’m proud to personally know such a talented person.

Or maybe I’m confusing the feeling of pride with the feeling of complete inadequacy and board-like flexibility? Either way, if you’re anything like me, please do NOT try this at home.

Photo by Gina Uhlmann Photography.

February Photo a Day: Money

Posted on February 28, 2012 by carlieblissirwin

Thanks to a fortunate turn of events, I’ve managed to combine yesterday’s topic (something you ate) with today’s topic (money), resulting in one glorious photo.

The ten dollar bill you see here is the money I saved by being the lucky recipient of a free lunch at Chipotle today!

This particular location (Grand & State) is always crazy-busy, and apparently the nice people who work there like to challenge themselves (or maybe they’re just bored). Anyway, they randomly picked me at the end of the line and said that if I made it to the counter in less than 7 minutes, my food would be free. It was like winning the lottery!

Unfortunately, it took 8 minutes for me to get to the counter. But… they gave me a free lunch anyway! Love those guys!

By the way, I know my burrito bowl looks all green and gross in the picture, but I assure you – it was delicious. I just love me some guac.

Nail art

Posted on February 28, 2012 by carlieblissirwin

(source)

I’m sorry, but I cannot get on board with this. I know all of the lifestyle and fashion bloggers out there are doing it, but I am just not a fan of nail art.

First of all, it looks way too difficult for an non-artistic, shaky-handed person like me to master.

Second of all, a fingernail is a pretty small area of real estate. Why clutter it up with stripes or polka dots or little flowers? Too busy, I say! I much prefer a simple, chic, solid color.

And there you have it – my unsolicited opinion of the day.

Red carpet comments: Oscars 2012

Posted on February 27, 2012 by carlieblissirwin

I am no authority on fashion. But I do I have thoughts and occasionally even opinions. When beautiful people in shiny outfits parade down a red carpet striking poses that scream, “Look at me!” I say, “Ok!” And then my simple non-fashiony brain comes up with thoughts like these.

Emma Stone

I like Emma Stone, I really do (see?). But I liked her a little bit more when she had a neck. That massive bow is really going for the jugular. It’s like she’s being strangled in the prettiest way possible. I see this photo and all I can think is BOW! BIG BOW! SMALL HEAD! I’m sure the rest of the look is lovely, but HUGE BOW! Sorry, what was I saying? PINHEAD!

Stacy Keibler

Hmm, looks like George Clooney dropped one of his accessories on the red carpet. Oh well, I’m sure someone will find it and scoop it up before it gets stepped on. I think the same thing happened to his cuff links at the Golden Globes.

Ellie Kemper

I think this is my favorite look. Impeccable bang/dress coordination. Plus it’s shiny and reminds me of Katniss’ Girl on Fire outfit in The Hunger Games. I miss Cinna.

Rooney Mara

Wait, no – this is my favorite look! Beaming down to the red carpet from that Tiffany’s in the Sky, the Ghost of Audrey Hepburn BROUGHT it! And her bangs are totally kicking Ellie’s bangs’ ass (asses?).

Gwyneth Paltrow

Like the annoying child who believes that donning a bathroom towel turns him into a superhero, Gwyneth here would just like you to please pay attention to her. She is wearing a cape, so that makes her cool. And invincible. But I have to give the woman credit – she’s wearing her hair the way I wear mine when I work out, and she still looks chic. Blast! But let’s not forget who named her child after a fruit…

Kristen Wiig

Since Kristen and I are totally BFF, I’m not going to say anything about how she looks like a feather duster made out of human flesh. Well ok, maybe we’re not best friends, but we totally would be if we ever met. Plus, I know if I made fun of her, she’d come back with some sort of hilarious zinger because she’s so funny and clever. So… yeah. Kristen – call me!

Images from chicagotribune.com.

Celebration station

Posted on February 27, 2012 by carlieblissirwin

Last Friday, we met up with some friends at Old Town Social after work because we had not one, not two, but THREE reasons to celebrate:

1. My 30th birthday!! Reason enough, I’d say. But also…

2. Our friend Emily got a new job!!

3. Will got a new job!!

And what’s a celebration without sparkling wine? (Answer: Not a celebration.)

We even ended the night playing giant Jenga at River Shannon. Perfection!

I was having so much fun that I kind of forgot to take pictures for this blog post. So these three are all you get.

Side note: It looks kind of weird in the pictures, but that brooch I’m wearing with my necklace actually belonged to my grandma way back when. I found it at my parents’ house a couple months ago. Vintage costume jewelry score! (Thanks, Grandma!)

February Photo a Day: Night

Posted on February 26, 2012 by carlieblissirwin

I took this photo one night last fall on my walk home from work.

Ben Franklin looks quite fetching in the moonlight, no? (I’m not sure if that’s who this is supposed to be, but who else in history had such a loveable potbelly??)

February Photo a Day: Bathroom edition

Posted on February 25, 2012 by carlieblissirwin

Once again, I’m playing catch-up with this photo challenge. Lucky for you (or not), both photos I’m posting today take place in my bathroom!

Yesterday’s photo: Inside your bathroom cabinet

Ok fine, this is not my bathroom cabinet. I thought I would spare you because my bathroom cabinet is gross. And it’s not the stuff in it that’s gross, it the actual cabinet. I think it’s from around 1972. Let’s just say that with this apartment, we’re paying for the location (which is great!).

Today’s photo: Green

Bathroom towels! Pretty self-explanatory.

Your attention please

Posted on February 24, 2012 by carlieblissirwin

This is important.

Does anyone know of a grocery store in the Chicagoland area (or within driving distance) that currently sells Bagel-fuls???

(source)

As I have mentioned before, my mother has an unhealthy obsession with this particular brand of frozen breakfast food that has become increasingly hard to find in local grocery stores. Recently, the situation has become dire, as she has depleted her stockpile and scoured countless frozen food aisles in the Western suburbs to no avail.

Are they discontinued? Apparently not, since she continues to receive coupons for them in the mail. Salt. In. Wound.

Before she resigns herself to a Bagel-ful-less existence, she has asked to me appeal to my blog readers with the hopes that at least one of you has recently spotted them somewhere, anywhere in Northern Illinois (she may even be willing to drive across state lines). I figured I could do this much for her, since she has done a *few* things for me throughout the course of my life.

So, if you’ve recently had a Bagel-fuls sighting, for the love of God, please comment below! And give the woman a reason to wake up in the morning.

Thank you!