Birthday at Nellcote

Hey there! I celebrated another birthday on Tuesday. It was a pretty low key day. V and I checked out two out of the way thrift stores. No major haul but I did buy some goodies I will share later.

In the evening, E and I went to dinner on our 4th post baby date. 

One of the best gifts ever!

Earrings - Handmade by girlgetalife
Ring - Jay Clay Jewelry
Dress - Rachel by Rachel Roy (thrifted)
Purple pumps - Type Z 

Hamming it up on the way to Nellcote

Nellcote is a new West Loop restaurant specializing in french, italian, and spanish fare.

Food p0rn begins now..

The bread is made with flour they make themselves.

Shaved asparagus salad. Excellent flavors. 

Halibut with egg and caviar

I don't normally mess around with unscrambled eggs but I thought I would try something different for my birthday. Delicious. The caviar made the dish a little salty but I enjoyed it.

Rabbit wrapped in bacon.

Isn't everything delicious wrapped in bacon?

I believe I heard the angels sing when I bit into this lamb.

It was the last to come out and it was my favorite of them all.

The dessert made me forget my camera for a minute.

The chocolate parfait didn't come to us looking this way. It was pretty when it came out. I promise.

The taste was similar to a heath bar.

The decor was fabulous and ornate. I love it.

How fabulous are these chairs? I had to sit in one.

My button says "another year sexier". 

I love birthdays you can get away with so much random ridiculousness.

Happy 38th to me and my Mama!

In other news, my blog was featured on the Dots website. Check it out here. Also, there's finally a working copy of my thrifting segment on tv. I have it linked on the right sidebar so if you've been dying to see it, now you can! Go on...give it a look.

Oscar Mayer Lunch at the Southern + Giveaway

A couple of weeks ago, I attended an Oscar Mayer Selects luncheon at the Southern.  I was treated to a cooking demo and taste testing of "southern" style hot dogs prepared by Chef Cary Taylor.

Chef Taylor teamed up with Oscar Mayer to put a new twist on traditional hot dogs. Using one of the newest additions to the Selects line -- the Chicago style hot dogs,  he created:

The South Side - topped with fried green tomatoes, dill pickled okra, and piccalilli relish

The Pit Stop - topped with smoked pork butt, georgia peach mustard BBQ sauce, and chipped cole slaw

The Kentucky Burgoo - topped with summer succotash, pork fat mayo, and fried okra

I've never been much of a hot dog person but I do love southern cuisine so I was excited to give them a try. I was pleasantly surprised. They were very all very flavorful, fresh tasting and filling.

The hot dogs are also all beef and have no artificial preservatives.

Chef Taylor, me and the dogs

The hot dogs!

 I admit it. I tried all of them. They were all just as good as they looked.

pit stop,  kentucky burgoo, hushpuppy

the french quarter

Mac & Cheese on a hot dog?
This was the last sample to come out and it was worth the wait and extra pound I gained eating it.
V would have loved this one.

 Couldn't leave without taking a picture in front of the Oscar Mayer food truck.

I had a great time sampling the new creations and chatting with Chicago bloggers. The "South Side" will be served on the Southern's menu this summer. 

Want to give it a try?

I received an Oscar Mayer gift bag to share. The gift bag includes:

$25 gift card to The Southern

Black Oscar Mayer baseball hat

4 ($1) Oscar Mayer Selects coupons

Recipe cards to create Chef Taylor’s hot dogs with “southern flare”

To enter, leave a comment on this post.
One winner will be chosen on July 9.

Good Luck!


UPDATE!!! The winner of the Oscar Mayer gift bag is......

Sister Save-A-Lot

Thriftanista Style File: Tie front shirt with print wrap skirt

I need a camera lesson for real. My old camera had a setting that worked well for indoor picture taking. Now I just keep fiddling and fiddling and the pics keep getting grainier and grainier.

I took to the streets again. Of course, I have my sidekick with me.

Take 1:

What are you up to, V?

Take 2:

Nice diaper bunch, V.

Take 3:

Done!

Camp shirt - Old Navy (thrifted)
Print wrap dress - unknown (thrifted)
Wood heel sandals - Simply Vera by Vera Wang (thrifted)

I'm giving away goodies from the Makeup Show! Go claim a freebie here.

The Makeup Show Recap + Giveaway

Last weekend I attended The MakeUp Show, the largest professional beauty event in the Midwest. This was my second time going. Last year, I was so overwhelmed by the people and all of the great brands represented. Since I am absolutely not a professional, it was complete overload.

This time around I had the opportunity to go to the blogger preview the day before and learned a lot about the show, some of the products, and what is new in the world of makeup artistry from James Vincent.

I also received a big bag o' goodies!

While at the show, I was specifically interested in snagging a couple of Lip Tars from Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics.  I just love all the bright colors and cool names. The products are also 100% vegan and cruelty free.


I bought Hoochie and Beta.

I tried on Hoochie while sitting in my car.

I stopped by Senna to see what they recommend for my sparse half brows. My mom has completely sparse brows so I should consider myself lucky for the half. :)

The MUA sat me in her chair under the bright light and went to work! I've had a handful of consultations and brow shapings and this is the only time I left feeling confident I could do it myself. Turns out I still need practice but she didn't completely take the brow off and draw it in (yes, that happened) so I can go out in public without sporting a Whoopi Goldberg.

Sorry for being creepy. I was trying to get a good shot of my new brows.

I also wanted to partake of the complimentary makeover by the team from Chicagolicious. I was so close to being next but with all of the re-takes for the show I couldn't wait any longer. *sad face*

 There were gorgeously painted ladies everywhere.

It was so hard to capture how absolutely amazing her lip color was.

Eyebrow & Make-up Artist, Ashley Johns
Isn't she cute?

Owner and her sister, Magnolia Cosmetics in New Orleans
I really wanted to hang out with these ladies. I thought it would be weird to ask them over for coffee though.
They seem like a lot of fun.

...and now for a giveaway.

I'm putting out a virtual free table. If there's anything you want in the picture below. Leave a comment letting me know the best way to contact you for your address. I don't know how much interest there will be so pick up to 3. One being your first choice item. Priority will be given to blog followers.

Giveaway ends when everything is gone. I will start shipping on or around July 1.

Enjoy!

Items include:

*claimed* Bleeding Heart mineral eyez eye shimmer in blue hawaiian, top coat, and tools - Stesha

*claimed* T3 free flow hair brush - girl get a life

*claimed* iNtense pro pressed powder pigments in electric green - Big Girl

 Senna brow shaper duo blonde

*claimed* Senna brow shaper duo ebony - Big Girl

*claimed* Senna brow brush - taylormadeinvites

*claimed* Youngblood luminous creme blush in plum satin - foodieinchicago

*claimed* Bdellium Tools precision kabuki makeup brush - YUMMommy

*claimed* Stila mascara guard & lash comb - Ellen
*claimed* $20 Gift Certificate to Bloom.com (I have 6!) YUMMommy, Ellen, Melody-Mae, foodieinchicago, taylormadeinvites, Stesha

Thriftanista Style File: floral cropped palazzo pants

Pleated front. Nice full legs. Nips the waist. Extra roomy.

It came with a matching shirt that I'm sure to never wear.

 I was going to wear it so you could get the full effect but...no.

The print is kind of ridiculous. Rose, bird and the eiffel tower? Huh?

They remind me of Ms. Celie's one size fits all pants.

 Sparkle tee - DZ

Cropped pants - Strenesse (thrifted)

Leather belt - Coach (thrifted)

Wedge sandals - Nine West (thrifted)

Look at that spread!!!!

What's the weirdest print you've ever worn?

 

 

Thrifted Treasure: By the pound sale at Salvation Army

Something kind of epic happened here in Chicago thrift world last week. Salvation Army had a 3 day (it was 2 but they extended it) .87 per pound sale. Holllerrrr! I've drooled over countless post about NYC's Housing Works by the pound sales. I've scoured "the Internets" looking for such a local sale. The closets I've ever found is in Wisconsin. 

Finally it came to be.

I am certain I had something to do with it. Law of attraction. Ask. Believe. Receive. All that!

I only went one of the days. The schedule went crazy in a good way so I couldn't make all 3 days. 

My total "weightage" was 5 pounds (10 items) and the cost was just under $5 with tax. Let me say that again. $5!!!!! I gave the cashier a $5 and she gave me change back.

What I Thrifted

Gretchen Scott silk dress 

Retail $289

two pair of AG jeans 

Retail $128 - $245

Sam Edelman quilted ballet flats 

Retail $184

Vintage a-line striped skirt

Calvin Klein zebra print tunic

Donna Morgan dress

new with tag still on

vintage silk Talbot's blazer

This is my favorite item!

Vintage striped dress and a wide purple belt

What I Saw

This was not a sale for the faint of heart. It was hot, dirty and grimy.

Just look at this panoramic shot. Don't you just want to dive in? No? Just me? 

V looks like Flat Stanley!

Surprisingly I only saw one person inside a box. She was a #stonecold #hardcore thrifter.

Did someone lose a Manolo?

Are there by the pound sales in your area?

Did you do any thrifting over the weekend?