A vintage find

Josh found this beautiful book at a little shop in downtown Evanston this weekend.  We spent a wonderful afternoon there, walking around in the sun, drinking milkshakes, exploring the little stores, and eating tapas with his brother.  Summer is upon us, and it is wonderful!

Isn't it wonderfully descriptive?  I'm planning to cozy up with it tonight, after dinner.  Maybe it will inspire me to write a story or two!

Have you found any new treasures lately?

Fishs Eddy

This October, as Josh and I were strolling the streets of NYC with our sisters, we spotted a delightful little shop and wandered inside.  We found a place of shopping photography heaven!

I mean... really?!?!

 

I left with a lovely, glass decanter (only $7), a sweet and simple bottle opener, and some new photographs to edit.  My, I do love New York!

Happy Thrifting

There was a bag sale at the thrift store on Thursday.  I couldn't resist!

See the black garment with the white collar and red belt?  That's a vintage dress.  It's awesome.

Plaid, high-waisted shirts and a few "old man" sweaters.

I've wanted a pair of those kicks for years!  After a quick cycle through the washing machine, they'll be ready for my feet!  Hooray!

Mail Time

Josh and I received several Target gift cards for Christmas.  (We created our wedding registry there.)  I had asserted with fierce frugality, "We will save these cards for June," but $6.00 for a pair of shoes is rather irresistible.

The box arrived yesterday, a welcome treasure amidst the steady influx of used textbooks.  Oh, of course, assigned reading is fascinating and beneficial, but I occasionally lapse into a shameful fit of excitement over material things.

This week has been a flurry of activity, moving from one class to another, to work, to the ATM, to youth group at my beloved church in the suburbs.  Have I mentioned that I am unduly blessed?

I am studying the book of Genesis, the book of Romans, photography, drama, and forbidden knowledge in literature.  My professors are brilliant and engaging, and I often sit shell-shocked as my presuppositions are blasted into oblivion.  My readers, rest assured that I know nothing, and that I deserve less than nothing.  My education is precious, an undeserved crown, and I intend to write to you more intelligently.

I blog about snowfalls and thrift shops, Chicago and Christmas decorations, but of what importance are these things?  Why do I take pictures and post narcissistic blurbs about my fleeting existence? The things of God deserve more mention than my daily doings.  I am quite negligible, but He... He is enchantingly beautiful.  Christ haunts me with His faithfulness, pursues me with intensity, and His Word sharply slices through my delusions of grandeur.

On Christ, the Solid Rock, I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand 

Cookies and Consignment

It is wonderful to be home!  This house is comfortable and familiar, decorated for Christmas and bustling with my siblings.  This is a fun place to be!

We spent this afternoon decorating our famous (well, they should be famous) sugar cookies.

My sister and I also ventured to Second Go-Round!  It was great to visit old friends and hunt for bargains.  As always, I was not disappointed.

I even found a suitcase for $5!  Score!  During this brief visit, I have also gone to the seamstress with my bridesmaids, had lunch with dear high school friends at a local Mexican restaurant, rehearsed music for an eclectic, candlelight, Christmas Eve service, and decorated a Christmas tree with my fiance's family.  Even more memories are to come!

Christmas time is here!

Autumn Finds

Fall has arrived!  Though Chicago taunted us with 80-degree weather last week, the temperature has finally dropped, and the trees are brilliantly colored with oranges, yellows, and reds.  Glorious.

The "theme" of this week was Missions Conference!  Moody Bible Institute annually hosts this event, a congregation of worldwide missionaries and agencies, a refocus upon evangelism and the global church.  Though classes were canceled, we students were required to attend twelve conference sessions (in addition to regularly scheduled work and ministry commitments).  The week seemed short-lived and very, very busy.

Josh and I broke away from this busyness on Thursday afternoon.  He had noticed a consignment shop near the Sheridan Red Line stop, and he determined to take me there.  (He knows me well!)

My favorite consignment store in North Carolina is called "Second Go-Round."  See the correlation?  This downtown shop was certainly an upscale boutique.  The average price range was $39-$99!  At home, we charge $7-$20 per clothing item, so I cringed at most of these price tags.  Josh insisted on buying something for me, but my indecisiveness combined with the pricing made this a difficult process!  After combing the racks (twice) with my patient fiance, we did not leave the shop empty-handed.

Thrifting is marvelous, and spending time with Josh is even more so.  This week, he and I had several formative discussions about our internships, our future, and even a specific organization with which we would like to serve.  What an exciting season this is!

Second Go-Round

Well, I am finally enjoying some quiet after a busy weekend at Second Go-Round!  I have worked at this little consignment shop since I was seventeen years old.  Today marked my final shift, and I was glad to spend it with my sister.

We have custom name tags.  (Yes, we are that cool.)

Seriously, most of my wardrobe has been purchased here, one special piece at a time.

I will miss working (and shopping) at this special boutique.  Nothing in Chicago compares!