a beer, a bite, and a book.

when i venture on over to the boardwalk, it's usually for 3 things. a beer, a bite, and a book. all 3 if i'm feeling lucky and my wallet is feeling heavy. the latter hasn't been the case lately either.
while we're at it, let's be honest and say that those 3 things fall under the category of: "if i don't have these things included in my week, my week is incomplete" list. and the "if i don't have these things in my city, i'm not moving there" list.
and really, there are only 3 places worth visiting on the boardwalk in kansas city. chipotle, borders, and houlihans. those beautiful establishments being so near and close to me have further chalked another line on reasons for why i love the midwest and why i'm spoiled (to be living in a great city).

however, not every city has these features. columbia does. & where i live now does too. however, some do not.

thus, i've come up with a small list of reasons why i'm not living *there*.

1. if there isn't a chipotle in my city, i'm not living there.


2. if there isn't a place where i can get cheap books or a place where i can get a 30% off coupon every week to buy a book, i don't want to live there either. (excluding the library).


3. if there isn't a place where i can get a cheap drink that doesn't just feature crappy domestics and actually has a locally brewed craft beer on tap even though it's a craft beer, then i don't want to move there.

i was spoiled in my time in columbia with their businesses in the district. i had literally all three of those locations in the same 5 block radius and the majority of them on the same street. given, it was a college town. ragtag (hipster dive bar + cafe + bistro + indie flicks) & addisons (great food, great drinks, and great people). a chipotle just off of campus was great too. & this cute little used book shop on 9th street called get lost! books. maybe i'm just being nostalgic or just getting really excited to visit there on monday. probably both.

in my former days (aka 2 months ago) i was dwelling in middlebush hall for hours hearing lectures about theories and themes then waltzing over to the district to grab a beer, a bite, or a book. now, after laying out at the pool & brainstorming ideas for my resume, i, the middle-class suburban white college grad living back at home have to drive 5 minutes west to the boardwalk to satisfy my beer, bite, and book itch.

trend: slouchy work boots & dresses

i know a good pair of riding boots and cute summer dresses are trending right now for the ladies. even taking those summer dresses, adding tights, and a cardigan aid in an easy transition for a fall outfit. however, i'm not sure i how i feel about the slouchy worker's boots flapped over and paired with a dress.

once wed posted a photo from feather love photography with a beautiful bride at a legit location. the bridge had a pair of comfortable boots on as she strolled down the aisle.

[caption id="attachment_491" align="aligncenter" width="199" caption="photo credits: the feather love photography"][/caption]

jcrew featured a lady rocking a similar pair of these comfortable shoes paired with a sweatshirt dress.

i can dig it.

jcrew july 2010 shoe flop

i stopped by jcrew after i got off work today to browse their new clearance items. i picked up another one of the vintage dyed t-shirts that they sell for $30 bucks a pop, for $7. however, as i was thumbing through their catalogue, i found a couple of things that made me go, "hrmm..." also, i'm not quite sure why jcrew is so easy to pick on.

and sometimes i wonder what were they thinking when they decided to buy for their store.
this has almost become a regular thing around my blog. these are women's shoes that i found browsing through their july mag.

women's grommet macalister boots. uh. what?



it looks like stella b zotis got a hold of these. remember her from season 5 of project runway. the "i love leather. leather & grommets" lady. yikes, jcrew.

a touch of red

my two dear friends got married this past weekend in paola kansas. the wedding photos haven't been released yet, but here is a shot of their engagement photos.
so beautiful.

[caption id="attachment_478" align="aligncenter" width="376" caption="nick & katie, photography by the smiley face collective."][/caption]

the ceremony  & aisle set up was extremely unique because the alter was placed in the center of the room, with chairs surrounding the couple & respective bridal party + groomsmen.

i added a little pop to my sports coat. remember those little felt flowers i made & attached to headbands. yeah, i had one of those little guys laying around. with the slip of a gold safety pin. the red flower added a nice dandy touch to compliment my strip of red in my fedora.

chicago tourist

timing is everything in photography.
the bus.
the musican.
the stereotypical asian tourist with his stereotypical camera in hand looking stereotypical oblivious.



(chicago 2005)