Review // Fergie for Wet n Wild

Let's get something out of the way — I am indifferent on both Fergie and Wet n Wild. I don't dislike either, but I don't consider myself a fan of either either. So how did I end up with four Fergie for Wet n Wild products? Answer: Walgreens.

Los Angeles

It had been over a year since I visited LA — last time was for the Spring Breakers premiere and party in Hollywood. This time around, I was solo and working on another fun project and still had time to explore for myself, visit friends, and shoot around.

Weekstagram // April 27

Flying across the country is really something amazing. Despite all of the 'annoyances' of flying, viewing the world from tens of thousands of feet in the air is still something I find to be fascinating. And the span of landscapes across the US are varying and beautiful.

Aerial photography can create some of the most surreal and beautiful images of our Earth. I snapped this while heading west last week — coincidentally on Earth Day.

Follow Mini Penny on Instagram at @minipennyblog.

Profound LA

You guys, LA treated me so well. I always forget how much I love California until I visit — then it all comes flooding back. Palm trees and sunshine are it. Next week I'm going to share some of my favorite snaps from my (short) trip to DTLA. For now, let's all appreciate how much I've been lusting after — and now loving — men's crisp, vintage-inspired baseball jerseys. Sports? Yup. Sports.

Silver Screen Style // The Addams Family

I'm keeping on that Anjelica Huston kick and totally ignoring how "out of season" this movie may be. It doesn't need to be Halloween to dress like Morticia, so get to it.

Vintage Books

"If you go home with somebody, and they don't have books, don't fuck 'em!" — John Waters

Don't be fooled — this isn't a summer reading list. Instead, I thought I'd share a few of my favorite vintage books from my collection. Over the years, I've obtained tons of books (apologies to anyone who has ever helped me move) as gifts, as impulse buys, out of pure want. I love books. And I love the quirky old ones that have found their ways into my home even more.

Packing for Los Angeles!

Woof! Just last week I was daydreaming about getting out of dodge — and tomorrow I'll be taking a short three-day trip to Lala Land! I have fun project lined up that you guys will hear more about later. Until then — I had a good time packing some basics for the west coast.

Weekstagram // April 20

This week I stopped by one of my favorite Chicago museums — The International Museum of Surgical Science.  It's a great little spot tucked away on Lakeshore just south of Lincoln Park. I first discovered it about five years ago on one of my little trips to Chicago from Columbus, checking it out on a free day and really enjoying the architecture of the old building and the contents within it.

Follow Mini Penny on Instagram at @minipennyblog.

April Shop My Closet Sale

Florals, polka dots, and furs in this month's Shop My Closet sale. Hop on over for first dibs and fresh markdowns on March items. Always free shipping in the US! All items have sold out.

You've Got Nail 36

These nails were inspired by a set of binoculars I saw yesterday at the International Museum of Surgical Science. I've been meaning to do something similar to these for a while and was pushed over the edge, so to say, this morning.

Back and Forth

I hope you are all having a fantastic week! I rolled out of bed to grab coffee with Jess the other day — this is sort of a "lazy day" outfit. Sweater, jeans, sneakers and a beanie.

Introducing SOSH Chicago

The best thing about Chicago is that there is so much to discover. I'm always hearing about new bars and classes and restaurants — but sometimes get stuck in a rut of going to the same place over and over again. Have you ever been sitting around trying to figure out what to do with your friends? Something different? Which bar to go to? What's happening this weekend? My friends and I do this all the time. Of course we have our neighborhood bar that we love and our weekly farmer's market, but when we want to mix it up, what the best way to get suggestions?

Ghost Totes Now Available!

I'm so pumped about the new Ghost Totes that are part of the An Honest Tote by Mini Penny line! They have just been added to the Etsy Shop and are available in either black or white stitching.

Weekstagram // April 13

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting Jessica's kitten Theo. I love rescue stories — and Theo is especially awesome. Jessica adopted this little dude from Tree House Humane Society in Chicago. When he arrived at the shelter, he was missing part of his back right leg. They're not really sure whether he was born that way or if he had some sort of accident. Either way, Tree House performed surgery on this little dude so he wouldn't bump on it every times he walks. And now he scuttles along just fine and has fully adjusted to being a tripod kitten. Theo might have the most energy of any kitten I've ever met — during playtime earlier this week, he wore me out first!

If you're looking into getting a pet, consider adopting from a local shelter or rescue center. There are so many great pets who need loving homes!

Follow Mini Penny on Instagram at @minipennyblog.

Wrap It Up

No exaggeration, one of my favorite things about gift-giving is the tradition of wrapping. When I was a kid, my parents used to let me wrap all of my brothers' Xmas gifts (hey, it kept me busy for a few hours, it was one less thing they had to worry about, and I was great at keeping secrets). Since then, if you receive a gift from me, you can expect it to be wrapped up in a fun package.

Silver Screen Style // Royal Tenenbaums

My first ever Silver Screen Style post was a Wes Anderson movie — Moonrise Kingdom. Keeping in theme with yesterday's WomenCrush Wednesday, I am featuring movies this month which include the lovely Anjelica Huston. Wes Anderson films are always styled so well and have great color palettes, so Royal Tenenbaums seems like a good place to start.

WomanCrush Wednesday // Anjelica Huston

The first time I ever saw Anjelica Huston was in The Addam's Family in the early 90s. Heck, I was a kid. But I did love Morticia. She had that sly smile and sassiness. Now, when I look at Huston's other work, I see a lot of those characteristics that made me like her so much as a kid. She's a knock out with great talent that just won't quit — her repeat roles in Wes Anderson movies are a great reminder of that.

It's Happening!

Yesterday I was able to shed a layer. My fluffy coat was making me too warm. You guys — spring is totally happening.

April Wishlist

Have you guys heard of Upstate? I recently stumbled upon their site and I'm in love with everything. I wish I had the skill to DIY something like this, but I'm pretty sure I would never achieve its perfection. However, their stuff is fantastic and serves as some pretty amazing inspiration for playing with color this spring. I'll take one of everything.

Weekstagram // April 6

I'm surrounded by creative people all the time. It's a really, really great thing for me. This week, I had yet another friend be selected for the Instagram featured users and have decided to explore a bit of my own creativity with some shots here and there. I used to shoot a lot of personal work back when I did photography, and fell off of that habit after booking weddings almost entirely burnt me out on the craft. The rise in mobile photography apps like VSCO Cam and Mextures, combined with admiring the work of those around me, has certainly sparked my interest again. Every week, Instagram has a themed Weekend Hashtag Project, and I'm going to try to participate in it. This is my entry for this weekend's #WHPHandInHand prompt.

Instagram noted that hands are extremely expressive — and I agree. I've always loved shots of hands. As makers, even the cuts and stains of our hobbies and jobs tells a story of who we are.

Up until recently, every Sunday I was blogging a weekly recap of my week's worth of Instagram shots. I feel like those posts can be a bit repetitive considering that a lot of you already follow me on IG. I do share outfit photos on that platform, but I am anxious to start mixing it up.

Follow Mini Penny on Instagram at @minipennyblog.

You've Got Nail 35

Remember tying a knot around your finger as a way to, uh, not forget something? Before the days of iPhone reminders, I suppose this was a pretty good way to remind yourself to feed your Tamagatchi or tune into TRL (or whatever the heck we were all doing back in those days?) or to call your mom at 7pm from the mall pay phone. Anyway, I think Spring could have used one of these a few weeks ago. I think it forgot us. I heard an ice cream truck go by my house today — instinctually I wanted to run outside for an ice cream sandwich, but I know the sunshine is still deceiving us. By the time I put on pants, that ice cream truck is going to be gone.

Obsessed // Men's Fragrance

I'm as big a fan of borrowing from the boys as any — blazers, oxfords, haircuts. But a long time ago I discovered my very favorite thing: men's fragrances. Now, I'm not talking gross sweaty hockey gear (ew, seriously... get that on lock down, dudes). I'm talking woodsy, leathery, and earthy scents that have now taken over my vanity and home.

Reset

I tagged along yesterday with my super-talented friend Steven Sampang for some exploring between the South Loop and Chinatown. There has been a lot of grumbling around Chicago in regards to the never-ending cold, but there is honestly no other place I'd rather call home.

April Color Palette

I'm excited to see powder blue on everything from leather jackets to accessories this spring. I really love this particular shade of blue. It's the right amount of moody mixed with happy pastel. And for April showers, what a better way to righteously shift to spring.