repurpose

I found this wooden utensil holder at the thrift store and thought it would be a great storage option for other things as well.  With a little sandpaper and a few coats of paint I was able to turn it into something to help me organize the top of me dresser.

currently loving 6.23.12

Herbal Essences Body Envy Conditioner: I have been using this shampoo and conditioner combo for ages and absolutely love it. I recently discovered this packaging with the pump which makes it so much more convenient to use.
Butter London Nail Polish in Yummy Mummy: I started work not too long ago so I've been wearing more work appropriate colors on my nails during the week.  I absolutely love this color and the butter london formula. It is the perfect nude color with tiny tiny flecks of glitter so it doesn't make my nails look dead which many nudes do.
Not Your Mothers Girl Powder Volumizing Hair Powder: This does wonders for flat hair. It lifts at the root while sopping up some of the oil at the same time.
Slatkin and Co Green Grass Candle: This is bizarre because I never thought that I would like a candle that is supposed to be grass scented, but to me it just smells like spring flowers with a hint of grass. It makes the house smell so fresh and clean.
Nature Valley Peanut Butter and Dark Chocolate Protein Chewy Bar: These are so yummy and have 10 grams of protein. I eat one after I work out or during my 15 minute break at work. They keep you full for a long time and are much cheaper than other protein bar alternatives.
Black Target Wedges: These shoes are both comfortable and cute. They can make any outfit look a little more dressy, and I will definitely be wearing them more often because they can pair well with a lot of things.
Fendi Bag: This used to be my mothers. Although its worth too much for me to be comfortable carrying it all of the time, I love that it is gigantic and a neutral color.
Turani Passion Fruit Syrup: I purchased this from world market and have been putting it in my coffee in the morning. It definitely adds a little something to regular coffee. I can't wait to see how else I can use it.
Fifty Shades of Grey: It seems like everyone has read this book or is currently reading it.  I try to save it for when I have some down time at work but it's so addicting and sometimes I can't put it down. Disclaimer if you haven't read it: It is very sexual and the writing is far from fantastic. I love it anyways.

a very wise woman once told me...

The hardest part of having someone visit is knowing that they're eventually going to have to leave

I recently had family visit from California for about a week. This was well overdue because we don't really get a chance to see each other too often. It was a good excuse for my extended family get together which is something that, nowadays, doesn't happen as much as it should. I had the week off of work so I was able to show them around downtown and just chilled with the family as much as possible. I think they had a good time and I appreciate that they were able to travel to Chicago.

Now it's back to real life...

sharing an ipad / brothers / aunts and uncles / skyline / dinos at the Field Museum / Reef being silly / Chicago River / bean / Millennium Park beer garden / classic bean picture / playing in the water / Reef having fun / cousins / the youngins holding hands / my basting stick / pig roast in the backyard / adults and johnny / ipads for everyone / the great-grandma / my cousins with our grandmother / Edmyr and Reef

crosses

I bought this plain white blouse from a local thrift store for somewhere around $1.50 because I really liked how the buttons looked in the back.  I later decided that it was a little too boring so I stamped on some crosses with puffy paint and a stamp that I carved out of a potato and hacked off the sleeves.  The paint was a little messy, but I love the end result.

Urban Kayaking

Jeff and I recently got a chance to use our Groupon for urban kayaking that we purchased a while back.  We chose to take a historical tour down the Chicago River via tandem kayak.  It was a nice opportunity to see the city from a different perspective and learn a little bit about the buildings that I see every day.  

The tour was about two hours long and consisted of pedaling up the river a few miles and then back down again.  Every so often we would stop and gather so that the tour guide could tell us a little bit about what we were seeing.  Throughout, there was a good mix of information on both architecture and history given by the tour guide who was very friendly and personable.

Something to note is that more than likely you will get wet even if you are extremely careful.  That just comes withe the nature of paddling.  The river is not the cleanest so you just have to be okay with dealing with that.

 You share the river with tour boats, police, and even geese so the water can get a little choppy at times. The tour is meant for everyone, including beginners, but those kayaking for the first time can feel a little stressed at the beginning. However, I am pretty sure at the end of the tour everyone felt comfortable inside their boat.

It was a great experience and I definitely recommend it if you are looking to try something new and a little bit outdoorsy. I learned a few historical facts and had a good time while doing so.  HERE is a link to the website if you want to check it out. They also offer different tours including a sunset tour and a firework tour if history isn't your thing.

driving away from the day

 I just got back from a graduation party
I always forget how much I love driving home in the middle of the night during the summer with my windows down and great music playing in the background. It's one of the many reasons I love summer.

 Today was incredibly hot  so I tried to wear minimal clothing without being too scandalous...

 white boyfriend tank: forever 21

navy printed skirt: goodwill

brown and cream weaved belt: urban outfitters

 gucci handbag: from my mom

Ralph Lauren sandals: from my mom

Skincare Lessons Straight From Pharmacy School

I've gone through one year of pharmacy school and I feel like I still know nothing about drugs.  But what I can tell you is that aspirin makes one of the greatest spot treatments for acne around because it is dirt cheap and highly effective.

A little bit of science for you:
Aspirin is also known as acetylsalicylic acid with salicylic acid being its main metabolite.  Sound familar? That's because it is the active ingredient in many toners and acne medications.  Salicylic acid is an oil-based exfolient that works to rid of dead skin that can clog pores.

What I like to do is add a little water to a tablet and wait until it dissolves in order to form a paste.  I use a cotton swab or brush to dab that lightly onto any problem areas and let it sit overnight.  This can be very drying so I recommend using it only for a small area at a time.