Black Friday Favorite Loot

We braved the Black Friday crowds. We started at 11 pm on Thursday night because that is when everything started opening. For two reasons, well three.

1. Social Observation

2. Great Deals on things we need and some we don't

3. and to feel like we are interesting and exciting people that actually do things (we didn't realize this until we were halfway through the night of no sleep, so that could be the no sleep talking)

On Part One: We noticed a lot of truly ridiculous people. Out of control. Running with carts and knocking you over, almost. Then there were an abnormal number of international people, we would estimate 85 percent of the people at the outlets (our first stop) were international. Asian, everywhere but Tommy Hilfiger, there they were all European. And although we thought many people were ridiculous (like the 200 plus people waiting in a line outside of Juicy Couture in 30 degree weather) we had to admit we were one of them, hard pill to swallow but it is good to learn about yourself.

On Part Two: We bought a much needed vacuum, some more towels, a few Christmas presents. All good useful purchases. Then I spied a $5 dollar rack with these beautiful babies.

Although I may not have needed them, I have had my eyes open for a pair of black heeled boots with a bit of a gun metal, " I am tough" look. And at 5 bucks, who can complain???

And although we were not among the crazies that waited outside of Target for it to open, Dom somehow managed to wrangle one of only 4 of these in the store for only 7.99!

On Part Three: It was rather an exhilerating and fun experience, kinda a stupid American thing to do. But it was fun spending time together, people watching and catching some deals.

Cookie Exchanged

I feared the cookie exchange would be pretentious. That my cookies would be inadequate, that I would not fit in. It was none of that, it was small and warm and fun and yummy. Best first experience at a cookie exchange ever. 

and here is all the yummy exchangedness (yes I know that is not a word)

Delicious and thankful to have gotten out into the world outside my campus community. Feeling refreshed and warm and Christmasy inside.

Cookie Exchange

Going to a cookie exchange tonight. Only problem is I am terrible at cookies, ask my husband.They never taste right. So I decided to go with nothing fancy as even the classic chocolate chip cookie alludes me.
I chose a full proof sugar cookie, cooked it for two minutes less than I should have (because I always burn the bottom).

And the first frosting recipe that popped up on the internet.

It was a long process for me, the cookie illiterate. Very long.

But I got to use the the sprinkles I had to order from England (because the US has something against them)

And I got to decorate them, again, it takes me forever. Literally 3 hours on 7 dozen. But that part was fun.

In the end they actually taste alright. If you like sugar cookies. And the best part is I get to come home with some truly wonderful cookies!

Ahhh.. Christmas is here.

Black Friday

Anyone out there going to face the early morning crowds?

Well we are. We have planned our attack on Target. Check here for the Black Friday flyer.

Although neither of us are super into it this year we did find the ultimate of cuddle blankets last year and it is still as wonderful as ever. And it is big enough for too blanket hoggers. (and it's only 20 dollars this year.)

But it's time to stop borrowing the dorm vacuum and buy a small one for ourselves, and I need a substitute mixer until my kitchenaid is fixed. Or if it can't be fixed, someday, replaced. A moment of silence please. sniff.

And whatever other movies and random stuff suit our fancy at 4:00 in the morning.

Or area all you smart people going to wait for Cyber Monday?

Happy Day Before Thanksgiving Everyone!

Things I am Thankful for:

My freshly broken dishwasher, because it reminds me that a dishwasher is a marvelous luxury and that many people don't even have dishes.

My ear infection, because it reminds me how blessed I am to have health insurance.

Painting and sanding furniture in near freezing weather, because it reminds me that I am blessed to have a healthy capable body.

Having near freezing weather, because it reminds me of how truly mild the climate here is and how blessed we usually are.

Not having a working heater, because it reminds me of those that are truly cold.

Both of our DVD players not working, because it connects in new, non-comatose ways.

As I am typing this. I realize how truly overloaded we are with worldly possessions. It is time to separate the wants from the needs and to care for those who have unfulfilled needs.

Art Show

So our school is having a staff/faculty art show. I am thinking about entering just for the fun of being in an art show. But I just cleaned out my portfolio of random paintings and I am not feeling inspired enough to paint.

So I guess photography it is...

But I'm not sure what to submit. A little help friends?







And I think Dom should submit one of these...





Can we get a vote?

What We Really Did...

And although it may have looked like we were super sightseers, all we really did was relax and do nothing together and it was awesome!

Although we made the fatal mistake of buying the same pants, but it was fun!

And we drove around Deerfield
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And ate Dunkin Donuts

And watched stuff on Netflix

It was perfect.

Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago was amazing...even at 50 mph

I had no idea what I was in for and at about 30 seconds a master piece painting...it was worth the aching pain in our calves (I guess I can only count for mine)

Does this little girl remind anyone of anything?

I am dying, I can't remember the name of this one or even the artist... I think it is Berthe Morisot but I can't remember. Can anyone ease my pain and help me out?

The Windy City

Stacey and I loaded the train for Chicago to pick up Brooke

After the "crap shoot" at the train station we made it to Chicago and after a short walk (1.8 miles) to our hotel we were off to sightsee.

And we had a pie, I feel wierd even typing it...we had pizza.

Leaving Las Vegas

Our last stop on our tour la viva vegas was the one and only Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign

Well we had fun and saw a lot of random, cool, creepy, and/or gross stuff.

But we were ready to head home.

And I had to pack to go visit Stace and Brooke in Chicago for the First Annual Roommate Reunion.

Viva Vegas: Pawn Stars

We have been kinda obsessed with Pawn Stars. They are on the History Channel and they know so much about random stuff.

So Since we were in Vegas we added it to the list of things to do.

Dom put on his negotiation face while we waited in the line outside.

Still waiting in line and taking pictures of anything to not be bored...

Once we got inside (which is remarkably tiny) we saw a lot of stuff from the show.

anyone out there watch Pawn Stars and remember the episode they made wine?


Found out that these gold clocks are called death clocks because the maker probably died making it. They used to soak them in Mercury and then burn it off, in a closed room. Thank you science for teaching us not to do things like this.

Viva Vegas: Fremont Street

Although I had never heard of Fremont Street it was a highlight for me.

It is the old downtown in case you, like me, did not know.

The entire length of the downtown area is covered with a screen canopy.

And they play music videos on it. Here is KISS

They played Time Warp and people were actually dancing to it. It's a jump to the left...

I guess by people I just mean me.

I spent most of time trying to get the right photos to make this...I know this trend has kinda pasted...but I still love it!