Spooky Sunday

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Well, first things first: I moved.

My anxiety over the past couple weeks has been through the roof — I realized I signed an 11-month lease and not a 12-month lease, my roommate was moving back to Arizona, and that I was a month behind on planning. Engage freak-out mode. I got lucky and found someone to rent me a room temporarily while I put all of my things in a storage unit. The "catch"? It's in Andersonville.

Don't get me wrong, Andersonville is pretty awesome. In fact, I spent the day wandering around and like it quite a bit. But Logan Square is just... home. Or I'm attached to it. Or something. I feel like I'm in a foreign land. It's a new experience to say the least.


So I put all of my things in a storage unit. I have no experience with storage, so this was a little feat on its own. My dad drove up from Ohio — aka lifesaver — to help me move since literally everyone I knew was out of town or busy. We spent twelve hours shlepping my belongings from my apartment, to his truck, and then from to truck to the storage unit and to the rented room. After my dad left, I went to a house party with my pal Angus (which you guys probably haven't heard about in, um, a few months).  I was mega tired and ended up passing out and not being much fun.


Well, for starters, I now live beside a cemetery.


For lunch Angus and I went to a cute little place called Kopi. They had lots of coffee choices and it was pretty difficult to pick what I wanted because everything looked so delicious. I can easily say that I'm going to be going here quite often.


We also stumbled upon the Puppet Bike puppet show, which I have seen once before. I swear that this has to be the cutest thing in existence. I gave the kitty puppet a dollar tip and he blew me kisses. AH!





We spent the rest of the afternoon hitting up little delis, checking out a comic books store, and meandering the markets. It's really quite wonderful. Oh, and better yet? I live across the street from a thrift store. Oh goodness!


So aside from the housing hiccup in the road, things have been awesome. I know that this is just one more obstacle that I can (and will) overcome and be back on my own in a short period of time. Not to mention that I'm flying back out to Philadelphia on October 9th! Fall is officially here, we're creeping up on my favorite holiday (Halloween!) and Chicago is just as grand as always.

Oh and thanks to Angus for snapping a couple photos for me!

Floral bodysuit, UO
BDG High Rise Shorts, UO
Lace kimono, thrift store
Tights, H&M
Leather Litas, Jeffrey Campbell
Gold cuff, H&M

Friday Finds // 1:Face

I'm pretty picky when it comes to watches, hence why I rarely ever rare them. Not surprisingly, I prefer watches that lack bling, are a little sportier, and are modern. I was pretty intrigued when I read about 1:Face Watches — and even more interested in the aid behind the clocks.

Weekstagram // September 22

The temperature drop here in Chicago has been utterly delightful. I'm so excited for autumn and hot coffee and pumpkin-flavored everything!

• I spent many nights at the coffee shop working on the Etsy Shop! I think working away from home is the best way to stay focused. I am moving out of my apartment, so everything in my shop is 35% off with the code MOVING2012! And remember that all US apparel orders have free shipping!
• I spent lots of time doodling and laughing with Phil over cartoons concerning my injured wrist.
• There's a little diner in my neighborhood that I like to visit after the Sunday farmer's market, sit in the window, drink coffee, and admire cute hipster dads.
• Yep, I took the plunge. After waiting in line at the Apple Store in Lincoln Park for a whopping six minutes, I have myself the new iPhone 5. It's beautiful!
• My old record player bit the dust a few months ago, and I nabbed this temporary replacement from my boss for twenty bucks. Not bad. It's one of the small, portable briefcase kind. Not the best, but it'll do for now!
• Testing the front-facing camera on my new phone and showing off my favorite cat-print scoop neck tee from work.
• The Lomography Gallery Store is now open in Wicker Park! I wandered in here yesterday and met some really cool people. They're having an opening party on October 4th that I plan on hitting up. You should too!
• On my rainy adventures yesterday, I also wandered into a record store that is literally five minutes from my apartment. I've lived in this neighborhood for almost a year and I didn't know about Logan Hardware! They have an arcade in the back!
• And of course rainy Chicago days call for thigh high socks, Docs, and my favorite anorak. 

Follow Mini Penny on Instagram @Chaplinnn

September Birchbox Review

Phil Chester Photography

Last week I had the privilege of shooting with my old friend Phil Chester who was in Chicago for just two days. I've known Phil for a few years and have watched his engagement and wedding photography skills evolve into something quite extraordinary. I was such an enjoyable experience to revisit some old memories and even have him teach me a thing or two about his post-processing. He sent me the finished photos late last night and I'm so excited to share them with you.

If you get the opportunity, check out his online portfolio. He is about to make the big move to Portland (from Columbus) and I'm so happy for him! Thank you, Phil!

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Photos courtesy of Phil Chester Photography.

Manic Monday

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My obsession for fall? Cheap Monday second skin denim. I've picked up a few pairs of these and needless to say, I'm totally in love. "No white after labor day"? Who cares.

New Etsy Items + Moving Sale!

Edit // All items have sold! Thanks!

Weekstagram // September 8

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Another fast week in Chicago!

• I'm obsessed with Cheap Monday Second Skin denim.
• Speaking on denim, check out this spread we've got at work!
• Enjoying a vegan peanut buttery chocolate thing and a dirty chai at a mediocre coffee shop.
• Meeting new friends and realizing short timeless can be a tricky process, but every day I remind myself that Everything Will Be Okay.
• Work projects have been taking up my time.
• Just because it's September doesn't mean it has cooled down (yet).
• I got a couple hours hand-lettering on our chalkboard halls at work!
• Big Brother Matt vs a giant burrito during our Labor Day outing.
• More hand lettering to go along with my work project!

Follow Mini Penny on Instagram @Chaplinnn

Renegade Grunge

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It's Saturday! And it's Renegade weekend!

Lauren and I took the train down to Wicker Park today to see what was going on at the Renegade Craft Fair. There were so many booths and so many people — it was almost too much to handle. There were lots of great pieces that I wanted, but I'm trying to save for some *potential* good news that *might* come soon (look at me being all secretive).

Weekstagram // September 1

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I cannot believe that it's September already! With all of my Philly excitement lately, I managed to miss a couple of Weekstagrams. Whoops!

• Another heat streak in Chicago means that I prefer to relax in front of my fan when I get home from a long day of work.
• Seinfeld shirt? Don't mind if I do.
• This whiskers pint glass is my new favorite!
• I picked up the most amazing blue (blue!) denim at Levi's last week.
• My DIY dino necklace, as spotted on @UOChicago's instagram.
• Finalized my fall closet clean up. So much work.
• I've become pretty dependent on coffee these days.
• Cat faces at The Field Museum.
• Finally picked up Cloud Nothings's Attack on Memory on vinyl. So much love for this band!

Follow Mini Penny on Instagram @Chaplinnn!