Chicago and jellybeans

I'm very close to my 4 year anniversary with the city of Chicago. We have a very love/hate relationship. Meaning, mostly it hates me.

Yesterday I drove from my apartment to Joanns to pick up some felt, beads, and fabric. The store is about 6 miles from my apartment, a straight shot. It took me 30 minutes to get there, and 45 minutes to get home. WHAT? Oh, and two cars almost hit me because both drivers were on their cellphones. Needless to say, I got home very grumpy and did NOT want to do ANY crafts until I had time to decompress.

So I did, then I made a ton of stuff, including this little guy. My first attempt at a jellybean stuffed plush.
I then cracked open a bottle of wine, and watched the Michigan State Spartans beat Notre Dame in a HUGE upset! AMAZING GAME. This is my new wine stopper thanks to my good friend Bridget. I adore it.I posted a ton of new stuff on my store please check it out.

I am going to go meet up with a high school friend, then go eat empandas. See, Chicago you're not ALL bad...

My purchases!

Saturday, Keith and myself went to the Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago. It was located right in the heart of Hipsterville, Wicker Park. After doing some errands, and somethings we had to do, we drove south from my apartment and hit Kohls first. I got these stylish gray knee high boots, and cardigans to match. Thanks to my awesome Mom for buying me new “back to school” clothes. Adorable!

Anyway, we parked up by North on Milwaukee. For those of you in that area, you know how congested that area is, we were lucky to find parking. Anyway, we walked to the show in the rain sharing a brand new umbrella from Kohls. It’s big enough for TWO. (that way we can be close) We got the craft fair after about a 10 minute walk, and I felt instantly overwhelmed. So many booths!

We walked around, and I would “ooh” and “aah” over various things and call Keith into the tent to ask his opinion. We would occasionally walk right past a tent that didn’t catch my eye and he would say “See? This is some people go through craft fairs, we can’t get mad when they don’t stop at our booth.” He’s always so...logical.

Anyway, First thing I got was this AWESOME tangerine and lavender soap from Metropolis Soap Co. It smells heavenly. Seriously I placed it in the bathroom last night, and this morning while getting ready I asked myself outloud what smells SO good? That single bar of soap on my shelf. It’s very bright and playful too. I really like the colors (and smell!)

Then we went to the next tent (or like two away) and ran into this CUTE shop from Seattle, called the cakespyshop. The lady explains she put everything in her bag on the airplane and felt very lucky. I was so interested in her work, I barely listened to her as Keith and her had a chit chat. CUTE CUTE CUTE! My favorite is the wallet with a cupcake with brass knuckles against a pie with a knife.

I was disappointed in their lack of fun jewelry. Most of the stuff I saw was metal, very chunky, heavy pieces that sold for way too much. I did see someone make the ribbon necklace I have tired way better then me.

The Nicole Necklace by Loki's Jellybeans

Only, her’s were actually worth wearing.

We continued on our merry way when Keith found two small pins we wanted to get our friends in a cute card place. I don’t think we caught their name because they were too busy setting up at 11:30, when the show opened at 11. I get that it takes awhile to set up, but I wish more of the vendors were ready to go when the show opened. I felt invasive going into their unfinished booth. We kept going until we found this AWESOME shop,Overdue Industries. It sells planners, coasters, magnets, notebooks, and keychains from images from old books. I was looking through the coaster when I came across a blast from my past- SHE-RA! I knew I needed to have them, so I gladly gave up my $10 for those.

Keith was geeked to see Pixel Party there. We searched all his pins for the perfect one for his labcoat for work. He got some thing I have never heard of. Then Keith got me this cute little Bowser on a kart. Love him, but only if he was baby bowser. He is my favorite!

So we moved on and kept checking out fun little shops. But I found one last place to spend more money. Marmalade Hills is awesome and if from a small suburb next to my hometown. So I explored their store, and tried out there fun lotions. I got a “spa” candle there, meaning you take the wax and it is actually a moisturiser and rub it on your skin. I also got a thing of chapstick, yup I like chapstick far too much.

Overall, good experience. I was let down when the record store D.J.ing played Stuck in the Middle with You which happens to be my favorite song and my ringtone and all these hipsters started rocking out to it, and then I determined I must be a hipster too. Also, lunch was kind of disappointing, but that's what you get from eating at a taco stand that is suspicious.

Oh! I have been so BAD at blogging. Well, I have a excuse, sort of. This week has been very busy. I had my first batch of students at work, and my first girl scout meeting.

Right now we are getting ready to go shopping at Renegade Craft fair.

I will write it about it upon return.

fall!

So fall is coming. fast! and for those up here in the north, that means winter is also coming. I am not sure how I feel about that part, but fall is my favorite. I seriously cannot wait. I have my favorite sweaters ready to wear, and my favorite scarves all picked out.

Fall is also a big time for me to get back on my goal list. Summer is nice, but it’s a.) hot, b.) everyone goes out in summer and around chicago that means a ton of people are everywhere and c.) I love my air conditioning. So alas, I started my goal list again.

Goals:
1.) Make a meatloaf. This may seem like a weird goal, some might think “this isn’t a goal, get a cookbook you dumb girl” Well it’s a goal for me. I don’t cook too much and when I do, it’s mainly the same things. My boyfriend loves meatloaf, so I’m going to try it.
2.) Make an apple pie. I never have. why not?
3.) Pick a recipe book and go through as many recipes as I can, excluding fish. I need to develop my skills in the kitchen. Plus eating at restaurants all the time in Chicago is way too pricey. Recently I started cooking without a cookbook, it’s nice, but I need some variety in my meals.
4.) Make everyone on my list at least ONE Christmas present. This will start this weekend. I will document as I go. Without revealing too much (don’t worry Kim)
5.) Lose this extra weight I added on. I can do this, even if I do want to make meatloafs, apples pies, and various other non-fish recipes right? :) 15 lbs by Christmas. Easy!
6.) Start sewing. I have plans. I just need to check this old machine I have.
7.) Blog more, tweet more, promote my shop more. Yup. enough said.
8.) Run more. I stumbled upon this little gem today. Disney has a marathon! WHAT? I figured if I run it maybe in a year or two, that will give me (and the boy) an excuse to go back so quickly. Since our last trip was ah-mazing there.
9.) Learn one new skill. I’m leaning toward needle felting, although making rings is up there too. Oh decisions, decisions.
10.) Be more positive. Love my family and friends. and be happy.

I think these are pretty sound goals. I have various other things like start modifying stuff, because I find My Little Pony Mods the funniest thing ever. My boyfriend modifies nerf guns now. Who knew?

Oh and watch close to every MSU football game this season. Go State!

This post did not start out to be about me and not my business. But I guess since I make the business why not. My goals are not private, and this way I can make myself do them since they are out in the open now.

I will post more about the shop when there is more to post. Until then.