Hey there, happy Wednesday! How are things? Last time I checked in we were packing up our life in Kansas City and now, we’re living in Chicago! The past five days have been a blur of boxes and beautiful views (which I’ve been documenting on Snapchat). I’m hoping to have more for you on the moving front next week, but until then, a few share-worthy bits and pieces below!
NEW RIDE: Shortly before Pete and I left KC we decided not to bring our car to Chicago. Not only was it going to be crazy-expensive to park it at our apartment building, but we’re in close proximity to nearly everything we need (still figuring out how to navigate the whole grocery situation) and everyone advised against it. Our good friend Keith gave Pete a bike he pieced together and I’m thinking I could benefit from one as well! I spotted this Schwinn cruiser at Target and have since been trying to figure out how feasible it would be to paint. I envision a light pink color with a cute little basket on the front for cruising around. And by cruising, I mean holding onto the handlebars for dear life – it’s been awhile.
ON MY FEET: Do any of you remember LOFT’s white strappy sandals from last season? I picked them up for less than $20 and literally wore them to the ground (If you know me, you know I’m all about cost per wear – these beat out my favorite shorts!). I wore them so much that the traction was non-existent and when we went to get our car detailed, I took one step onto the hot, slippery blacktop and completely ate it. It was a full on movie scene. The cup of water in my hand flew up and came right back down on my head (and down my back) and I was laying there, looking up at Pete in horror with a scraped up hand and bruised ego. It was at that moment I vowed to never wear them again. I quickly realized I needed something to replace my go-to slide ons and ended up finding the perfect pair! Insert the Joie slides. So insanely soft and comfortable. I went up a whole size (as the fit suggested) and I’m so glad I did! Something tells me these will last a lot longer than a year, too.
UP NEXT: I devoured Liane Moriarty’s books The Husband’s Secret and Big Little Lies (the second being my favorite of the two!) and as soon as I found out her newest book, Truly Madly Guilty, was available for pre-order I couldn’t hit purchase fast enough. My Grandma and I are constantly exchanging book titles and she’s planning to pick it up today so we can read it together! Has anyone read Liane’s other book, What Alice Forgot? I vaguely remember renting it from the library, trying to get into it (and failing) and then returning it to avoid a past due charge.
INSTA INSPO: Dare I say this photo from Blair Eadie has me longing to transition my wardrobe over to fall? There is something so unexpected about this look. The wide-brimmed hat mixed with the toggles on her coat and the deep, dark tones paired with bare legs – definitely something I hope to recreate for myself in the coming months.
BKR: I made a rookie mistake and accidentally left my glass bkr water bottle in the freezer overnight. As you can guess, it shattered…and I cringed. Considering I use it all day, every day, I decided it would not only be fiscally responsible to bite the bullet and replace it, but it would also spare the environment from unnecessary plastic water bottles. I went with a new color (Tutu) and a bigger size this time around!
SHOP THE POST:
p/s It’s the last day for the Kate Spade Surprise Sale! If you’re looking to score a new tote or handbag on the cheap, now is your chance. Lastly, congrats to Beth for winning the 3rd anniversary giveaway and to Elizabeth for winning the Instagram giveaway!
Get the bike!! It’s tooooo cute. Also let me know what you think of Truly Madly Guilty – I love those books!
Just got it in the mail today! I’ll definitely let you know 🙂
That bike is super cute! I would suggest looking for a cruiser that has a gear shifter though! I bought a 7-speed Schwinn cruiser from Target a few years ago, and it’s so helpful to have the different gears. I live in a pretty flat city but sometimes you just need the option of easier or harder riding. Also, it’s good to get a bike from Target or a similar store to start with, but it won’t last as long as a more expensive bike. I get lots of comments from bike shops when I take mine in for maintenance about how crappy the parts are. 🙂 Mine is almost 4 years old and I’ll probably be needing to retire it soon.
I have actually read What Alice Forgot? It’s been a couple years or so, but I remember it was a pretty good read. Not perfect, and a little annoying in some parts, but towards the end, it did make me reflect a little on what’s truly important.
Oh, good to know! I know absolutely nothing about bikes (clearly, haha). I don’t know how much I’d be riding it, considering the winters here are long and brutal, but I probably need to give it some more thought! As for the book, I’ll have to give it another chance 🙂
Haha, good point! It’s kind of like summers in Louisiana – we rarely get to go riding because it’s just too hot and humid outside!
I saw some of the other comments recommending bike share programs, and those can be a great solution, especially if you don’t have an easy way to store your bicycle, or ride very often.
And echoing some of the other comments, if you do purchase a bike, definitely get a heavy duty lock for it! I think a lot of them are rated on a scale of 1-10, the higher being the harder to cut through. When you lock it, always go through the frame and the front wheel. A lot of people steal the front wheels and then you’re annoyingly stranded. If you get a basket, lock it up too. And take your lights off. 🙂
We do have bike storage on the lower level of our apartment building, but even with that I’m seriously reconsidering. I passed a bike that was chained to a pole with a missing front tire the other day – so sad! Thank you for all of the tips and tricks, they are much appreciated! I clearly have a lot to learn…haha
The owner may have taken the front wheel off when he or she chained it up. It’s a pretty typical move (I take mine off and just bring it with me in DC a lot of the time. Slightly unwieldy, but better than losing the whole thing to theft). So don’t fret too much about the lost tire; it likely wasn’t lost at all!
The more you know! I sure hope that was the case…I clearly have a lot to learn about owning a bike – who knew!
You should just do Divvy- it’s super cheap for a membership for a year (like 60 or 70 bucks, compared to $7/day if you don’t have a membership), there are stations EVERYWHERE and you don’t have to worry about buying a bike lock, having the bike stolen, etc! Super easy! I bought a bike while I was there and used it about 5 times, then decided a Divvy membership was the better way to go. Living vicariously through you right now, can’t wait to see pics of the place!
That’s insanely cheap – I had no idea! There’s actually a station right on the street in front of our apartment. Woo! I think I’m going to do a little video tour on Snapchat soon now that most of the boxes have been cleared out.
Love that you and your Grandma exchange book titles so you can read them together! So special and so fun! Adding those titles to my own reading list, too.
It’s the best! You won’t be disappointed!
Firstly, I love that bike! It will be SO USEFUL now that you live in Chicago!!
Secondly, you and Sarah are always inspiring me with all the books your read! i need to get on it and start reading again- you’re giving me great reading ideas!
Thirdly, nope, you’re definitely not the only one slowly starting to crave fall !! 😉
I must say, Sarah reads more than I do! I usually read in spurts and definitely more in the colder months, but I’m soooo excited for this one. I just got it in the mail today and can’t wait to start it 🙂
So happy you’re in Chicago! I can’t wait to catch up so soon 🙂
Also, just a quick bike tip: Bikes (unfortunately) get stolen all the time in Chicago. If you have a place to bring it up to your apartment when you’re not using it, that would be the best bet! Otherwise, I’d go with a not-so-cute bike so you can lock it up and not be in the dumps if it is stolen 🙁
Thank you Katie, it really does mean a lot! I’d love to get together. I think you have my number?
As for the bike, that’s what I’ve heard from others, too! We do have bike storage at our apartment, but I’m not sure it’s worth the paranoia when I’m locking it up around the city.