memorial day bbq '07

Emil's mom had a mini-BBQ in the backyard in celebration of Memorial Day and her baby boy's upcoming 24th birthday (5/31).

As you can tell, I didn't really shower or put on appropriate clothes for the occasion. I just rolled out of bed, threw on my glasses, and tied my hair up and was ready to grub on burgers, hot dogs, sweet corn, and grocery store birthday cake.

So basically we spent the day in the sun eating and throwing around the baseball. The things Emil would do to get Kayla to play a game of catch with him.

Don't worry, I eventually decided to bathe...

outfitting: megan's confirmation

Patrick Robinson Pleated-Front Medallion Print Baby Doll Dress:
- $29.99 @ Target

SM New York by Steve Madden Brown Grooviee Ballerina Flat with Bow:
- @ Mervyn's

"The Lord is my shepherd; surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." - Psalm 23:1,6

To my little sister Megan:

As you confirm this faith in God -- a faith of your very own, may you know from deep within you
that you'll never walk alone; that God is there to guide you along life's changing ways...

...to comfort you in trouble, to share your happy days, to support you when you stumble, to correct you when you're wrong and sometimes just to listen as together you walk on.

Though your Confirmation Day will soon be at an end, your journey lasts a lifetime and you've found a lifelong Friend.

Love Always,
Your big sister

outfitting: eat green eggs & talk to statues

Proenza Schouler Long-Sleeve Polo Sweater:
- $29.99 @ Target

Proenza Schouler Dobby Striped Canvas Shorts:
- $22.99 @ Target

Red Wool Beret:
- @ Mervyn's

Oversized Black Sunglasses:
- Free from a Gift Bag
- See Optometrists, Mongols, BO-rritos

Harajuku Lovers Music Double Def Watch:
- $29.99 @ Nordstrom Rack
- See Optometrists, Mongols, BO-rritos

Dooney & Bourke Brown Suede Bag:
- $10.00 @ Baras Thrift Store
- See I Heart Chicago's Magic Bean, Chicago Sights & Deep-Dish Pizza, Welcome to the Windy City, Buffets Are Good 'Til You Need To Barf and Drive, Sleep, Drive, Arrive in Vegas

Bongo Silver Sequined Shoes:
- $14.99 @ T.J. Maxx
- See Chicago Sights & Deep-Dish Pizza, Optometrists, Mongols, BO-rritos, Jewel Tones, Day Trip to Santa Barbara, BooBoo Arrives on Valentine's Day, Winter '07 TCA Press Tour, Christmas Day at the Bahia and Shark! at Scripps

On our last day in Chicago, we had a green eggs and ham breakfast at Kitsch 'n on Roscoe -- the vintage restaurant that was featured on "$40 a Day with Rachael Ray." The place was cozy and the food was yummy. For the rest of our day before our flight home, we did a ton of walking around downtown. We checked out the "Married with Children" fountain, Navy Pier on Lake Michigan, Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, and the Cool Globes exhibit scattered outside of the museum. We took tons of pictures, but the best part was just hanging out with Liz and being able to talk about our lives. Definitely a great end to an awesome trip to the Windy City.

outfitting: who's geoff?

Patrick Robinson White Poet Blouse:
- $29.99 @ Target

Citizens of Humanity Avedon #133 Skinny Leg Jeans:
- $110.00 @ The Warehouse Sale

Ann Taylor Orange Belt w/ Tortoise Shell Buckle:
- @ Baras Thrift Store

Patent Yellow Heels:
- $13.99 from eBay
- See Boxeight Collective Show, Kitten Fashion Week and Day 1 of Top Model Buzz Session

Pink Elastic Headband:
- Free from LF Store

After a couple shots at the Sofitel Hotel Bar, Liz and I decided to roam around our hotel. We took pictures behind a bar, inside the bathroom, and in front of the elevators. We then proceeded to print out our boarding passes at the business center and that is where we met Geoff Stults' acting coach. I think Liz and I are the only two people actually watching "October Road," so to almost meet a star of the show was pretty exciting for us -- it may have also been the alcohol. And of course being in front of a computer forced me to go on Myspace to leave a comment for Liz (who was sitting right next to me) about how we needed to find out which room Geoff was staying in at the hotel even if it meant that we had to knock on a bazillion doors. We never actually found him, bummer.

outfitting: i heart chicago's magic bean

Ezekiel All-Over Print Nina Hoodie:
- From the Dean
- See Day 1 of Top Model Buzz Session

Patrick Robinson Brown Wide-Leg Linen Pants:
- @ Target

N.Y.L.A. Blue Leather Ballet Flats:
- @ Macy's

Dooney & Bourke Brown Suede Bag:
- $10.00 @ Baras Thrift Store
- See Chicago Sights & Deep-Dish Pizza, Welcome to the Windy City, Buffets Are Good 'Til You Need To Barf and Drive, Sleep, Drive, Arrive in Vegas

Liz and I went out for another day of sight-seeing in Chicago and even though we had to run back to our hotel in the rain, I had so much fun taking loads of pictures at Millennium Park. Oh how I love the giant mirrored bean (aka Cloud Gate). Crown Fountain was amazing and the various sculptures make great photo ops. We were there for hours until it started sprinkling. Believe me, running with flats in the rain and without an umbrella ain't pretty.

outfitting: chicago sights & deep-dish pizza

Patrick Robinson Blue Short-Sleeve Woven Shirt:
- $19.99 @ Target

DKNY Jeans Neon Shorts:
- @ Marshalls
- See Neon Signs

Bongo Silver Sequined Shoes:
- $14.99 @ T.J. Maxx
- See Optometrists, Mongols, BO-rritos, Jewel Tones, Day Trip to Santa Barbara, BooBoo Arrives on Valentine's Day, Winter '07 TCA Press Tour, Christmas Day at the Bahia and Shark! at Scripps

Dooney & Bourke Brown Suede Bag:
- $10.00 @ Baras Thrift Store
- See Welcome to the Windy City, Buffets Are Good 'Til You Need To Barf and Drive, Sleep, Drive, Arrive in Vegas

outfitting: optometrists, mongols, BO-rritos

A&F Long Sleeve Sequined Top:
- @ Abercrombie & Fitch

Viktor & Rolf Red Bubble Skirt:
- $59.90 @ H&M

Harajuku Lovers Music Double Def Watch:
- $29.99 @ Nordstrom Rack

Bongo Silver Sequined Shoes:
- $14.99 @ T.J. Maxx
- See Jewel Tones, Day Trip to Santa Barbara, BooBoo Arrives on Valentine's Day, Winter '07 TCA Press Tour, Christmas Day at the Bahia and Shark! at Scripps

Oversized Black Sunglasses:
- Free from a Gift Bag

outfitting: welcome to the windy city

A&F Embroidered Top:
- @ Abercrombie & Fitch

Patrick Robinson Twill Cargo Pants:
- @ Target

A&F Embellished Green Flip-Flops:
- @ Abercrombie & Fitch
- See Drive, Sleep, Drive, Arrive in Vegas

Dooney & Bourke Brown Suede Bag:
- $10.00 @ Baras Thrift Store
- See Buffets Are Good 'Til You Need To Barf and Drive, Sleep, Drive, Arrive in Vegas

Yah! I finally earned a free round-trip flight on Southwest Airlines. My flight to Chicago was 100% FREE, which meant more money for SHOPPING! I loved the fancy Sofitel hotel we stayed at in Chicago. The room was spacious, the bathrobes soft, the staff friendly, and the ambiance superb. It was pretty warm the evening we arrived -- no winds yet -- so we walked (without jackets) to a nearby sushi restaurant for dinner. Sushi is delicious no matter where you eat it! On our way back to the hotel, we stopped to buy flowers for Nhat's graduation the next day and Starbucks (I don't drink coffee because it gives me a headache, but green tea lattes are yummy). After a long flight across the country, a full stomach and a comfy bed with big soft pillows are simply awesome.

outfitting: kayla's 14th birthday

Ellemeno Green Floral Print Layered Tank:
- $2.00 @ Mervyn's

Paul & Joe Navy Herringbone Bermuda Shorts:
- $26.99 @ Target

Old Navy Flip-Flops:
- @ Old Navy
- See Neon Signs

First things first, Kayla is 14! Happy Birthday Nator!

My how she's grown. I miss baby Kayla, who was cute and took a lot of naps. Tween Kayla, on the other hand, is not-so-cute and rarely takes naps. She's kind of weird, very paranoid and messy. Like all little sisters, she's annoyingly annoying, but I love her, she makes me laugh, and sometimes I miss her -- sometimes.
Kayla loves her Hometown Buffet. And I'm dead serious when I say that she eats at least 8 plates per visit. Yeah, it's pretty gross...