That One Friend

This is so totally me.  Blush.  The horror.

I'd like to echo the sentiment of someone who commented in the thread - I don't know how a relationship status whether one could give good advice or not.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Whatcha Eatin?

I'm posting this because it's hilarious, even though I'm one of the biggest offenders:

Why have we started doing this?  Is this like when someone posts on facebook 'omg, I love my bf soooo much' - like they're trying to prove a point?  What point are we trying to make?  That we're well-fed?  

A Slip of the Lip....

Recently, I bought a cute dress online at a little store I've discovered called the little red dress boutique.  I've found that shopping online for clothing can be difficult for two reasons: a) things don't always fit as cute as they look like they will, and a cute fit is half the value and b) sometimes, no matter how accurately the store tries to portray its clothing, things don't always look exactly as one would expect.

Anyhow.  I took a risk and bought the green dress.  I've had positive experiences with this store and its quality/customer service in the past, and the price was pretty good.  I was only slightly worried about the issues I mentioned above.

Well, I received said dress.  It looked great when I pulled it out of the box.  However, I immediately noticed a problem....  It is virtually see-through.  In the dress/store's defense, it was advertised as 'unlined'.  However, I didn't realize it would be this riske.

I was then faced at a crossroads.  What do I do?  Do I return it?  I feel returns can be difficult with online orders (unless you're dealing with zappos) - although I don't know red dress's return policy offhand, I know often times you lose something (shipping, return shipping, etc.).  That and I HATE making returns.  I am not sure why.  But I really really do.  I may have simply reached capacity on returns during my childhood (thanks Mom).

I started digging in my underwear drawer, looking for the perfect nude pair.  I stumbled upon something I hadn't seen in a very long time and didn't know I still had.  Ladies and gentlemen, drumroll please....

A slip.

Yes, a slip.  Do they still make slips?  I know this slip was (eeeek) at least 10 years old, dating back to my college sorority days when I had to buy a white dress for initiation.  Have slips gone out like pantyhose?  I might be inclined to believe so.

Anyhow - I tried it on underneath the dress. Viola!  Perfect.  The dress looked great, the slip was completely unnoticeable, I just felt like I was harboring a dirty secret (better or worse than spanx?  don't answer that).

Is it still acceptable to wear a slip?  Is it acceptable for anyone under the age of 65 to wear a slip?  How do my other girls out there handle it when a dress is sheer?

Skirt or Belt?

I, very officially, feel like an old person on this one.  I'm one step away from yelling at kids to stay off my lawn and turn the music down.

That being said - I was shopping this weekend.  I went into Abercrombie (yes, I know).  I was curious what they carry these days.  I saw the above.  

It's a skirt.  I, too, was a little confused.  Now, I'm not necessarily all about dressing modestly.  I'm not bothered by teenage girls in half-tops or short shorts.  However, this, in my mind, is a step across the line.  And, if the person wearing this isn't a teenager - well that's even worse!  

But serious now.  How does one wear this?   How does one, ahem, bend over (even slightly)?  It literally looks like a belt?

I'd like to think fashion wasn't so bad when I was younger.  And I'd also think that, when I was younger, I would have had the good judgment not to buy this or try to wear it.  I really really hope so.  

P.S.  Comment on the '30% off' irony.

A Pre-Date Googling, Part 1

So I read this very interesting article in April's Glamour magazine about the dangers of pre-date googling.

It probably won't surprise my readers to learn that I'm a pretty big offender on this front.  Knowing myself, this probably isn't going to stop me.

Basically, this article stated that it takes out the organic element of getting to know a person.  We make too many assumptions based on what we find online.  One of the points they brought up is we might find 'deal breakers' online that we would normally excuse in real life because either there might be some  additional explanation, or the real-life chemistry might be so strong that this becomes irrelevant.

However.  I, like almost all single people in Chicago, am on a little site called 'OKCupid'.  For those not familiar, there's the standard profile portion, plus an unlimited amount of questions one can answer about him/herself on sex, values, religion, etc.  One can answer the questions him or herself, then answer what one deems 'acceptable answers' from a potential mate, and whether or not one deems this question important.

When I filled out said dating site profile, I answered a TON of questions.  This, in theory, helps better match me to those similar.  Now, let me tell you, for almost every guy I have encountered on said site, I have seen some question that I didn't like the answer to.  Some question that I felt I could cut a guy on.    (Are you happy with your life? What are your feelings on group sex?  Is it ok to date someone already in a relationship, if no one else finds out?  How often do you do things out of spite?)

However, as I did this, I thought about two important facts.   Perhaps I was inferring too much on a guy's character based on a bad answer (he couldn't be attracted to someone whose body-type wasn't right?  this must mean he's superficial, or a workout fiend!).  Or, more likely, if I'd met this guy in person, these questions most likely wouldn't have come up in conversation on the first couple dates, so would I have dated this person anyway?  Would I possibly end up in a serious relationship with this person?  And more importantly, how many people out there do I think I know that might, in secret, have these weird-ass inappropriate (per my standards) answers to these burning questions?

Your thoughts?  Do you judge people on what you find out about them online?  Does anyone else on OKCupid feel she (or he) could cut practically everyone based on these questions?!

Happy Birthday, Now Come Buy Something

So, as my readers know, my 30th birthday has come and gone.  Eeek.

Something I noticed this year (beside the greetings on all forms of social media):

It started mid-March.  A store I frequent sent me a card - Happy Birthday, Jaime - please enjoy an additional $5 off the next $25 you spend.

Then the emails started.  Happy birthday - enjoy 10% any item in the next 90 days.  Enjoy $10 your next purchase during the month of your birthday.  Enjoy 25% off at checkout - enter code 'birthdaygirl'.

Everyone does a birthday coupon these days.  Which is, in theory, genius.  Because we all feel like we're getting a treat.  Only, we have to spend money to receive said treat, and it might be money we weren't planning on spending in the first place.  And, is a part of this preying on our vulnerable emotional side?  Maybe we're feeling a little sad, getting older and all, then all of a sudden we get a message from an old 'friend' (or store), and suddenly we want to go feel the love?  They wished us a happy birthday, it made us feel good for a bit, so maybe it's ok to go spend a little something on ourselves there.  Ok, maybe I'm being cynical here.

Have too many places adopted this practice?  Is it becoming white noise (i.e. daily deals)?  It's starting to feel that way.

Have you all bought yourself a birthday gift with a coupon?  No judgment if so.  I'm curious how successful these efforts are.   I prefer Sephora's free birthday gift.  Just sayin'.

Should I Have Opted for A Polite 'No Thanks'?

Another OKC adventure.

A guy starts messaging me.  He looks nice from his one pic; his profile is a little empty.  His first message is brief, but I decide to give it a chance.  We're talking; it turns out we're in the same line of work.

We start having a nice conversation about that; I then ask him where he likes to hang out.  He starts talking about his neighborhood.  He made the comment that he's had some trouble meeting women in his neighborhood.  Why so, I ask?

"They are all fake and lame."

Well, something about this didn't really sit right with me, and I kind of felt like I was at a crossroads in the conversation with him anyway.  I wasn't really sure if we were hitting it off and had much in common besides the same line of work.  I didn't reply.

I received another message (which I found odd, seeing I hadn't replied yet).

"Would you like to go out sometime?"

I suppose I could have written back a polite 'no thanks'.  I'm bad about that with online dating.

Then another message:

"Happy Easter."

"I know you're busy and all, but I find it hard to believe it could take you that long to type a couple words."

"You can't answer a simple question?"

At this point, I have blocked him.  And I feel confident I have made the right decision.  I'm curious if he's tried to message me again and received some kind of notification that he's blocked.  And I fear the day I randomly run into him at an industry function.

Absolutely Terrifying

A Cruel Tease

And here, I thought Joey Tribbiani wanted to see what I was up to....

Whop whop.

Save the Rainforests?

I just got the following message on a dating website:

Your face would save the rainforest.

What does that even mean?  I assume it's a compliment, but I'm not 100% sure.  My face would inspire people to make more environmentally sound decisions?

Or, is it maybe an insult, but maybe I'm just some stupid self-centered girl who'll assume it's a compliment and say 'thanks!'

Although he doesn't look like the kind of guy I'd be interested in, or seem to have much in common with me, I kind of wanted to reply, just saying 'what does this even mean?', but I was advised by a good friend that 'this is his trap.'

Your thoughts?  Anyone else receive a really strange compliment?  Anyone know what this means?

A Tourist's Guide to the Full House House

Recently, I went to San Francisco for work.  I had been there back last September.  And I missed the opportunity to do something very important - to see the Full House house.

Ok, for those, like me, who are Full House aficionados, if you will.... Here's a quick guide to 'the Full House house' for those who might be visiting San Francisco.

Generally speaking - there are three options:

1)  1882 Girard Street - this is, allegedy, the address the Tanner's said they lived at.  Source unknown.  However, to my knowledge, there isn't much there.

2)  1709 Broderick Street - this the well-known white house with the red door, seen below.  To my knowledge, from some brief online searches - this is a private residence.  Someone bought it; someone attempts to live there in peace (with occasional full house enthusiasts coming by knocking).  If you look on Google maps - this address is noted as 'the full house house'.

3)  The Painted Ladies in Alamo Square - this is, IMO, what you really want to see.  Aside from being famous historical architecture (or something like that), and, generally pretty - these babies are from the opening scenes where the Tanners have a picnic and play kickball.  They are also accompanied by a nice little park across the street from them (Alamo Square) where you can sit, chat, and enjoy the day.

So in short, for Full House enthusiasts, those are your three choices (that I know of), along with my recommendation.  Anyone else know of anywhere else Full House significant out in San Francisco?  You got it, dude!

It's Coming....

So, I am knocking on the door of 30.

Now, last year, I made an executive decision to not make a big deal of my birthday.  I had a nice dinner with two girlfriends, but otherwise, there was no major celebration.

Anyhow.  This year I'm going to do something big.  I want it to be casual and comfortable.  I want it to be easy for people to come and go as they please.  I want it to be inexpensive and chill.  I can't quite have people over, because my apartment is too small.  So I'm thinking of doing a local bar or restaurant.     Any suggestions?  What did you all do for your 30th?  Are there any cheap yet-still-decent bar rentals in Chicago?  What do you think I should do?