Tacos at Big Star

There is a place in Chicago that gets so busy in the middle of the day that you have to wait over 2 hours for a table.  No, it isn't some snooty 5 star restaurant or the newest locale to try the next new fusion flavors.  No no.  It is Big Star.  A taco joint that sells $8 pitchers of Schlitz beer and $4 tacos in Wicker Park.  But in all honesty, it is the best taco I have ever had...at any price.  Located in the renovated Pontiac Grill (which was renovated from a car garage and was uber dive...), Big Star seats most of patrons outside in bright yellow, metal chairs.  Yes, there is a long wait and you can't really have parties of more than 4 (unless you are OK with pushing tables together) and yes, its cash only but, it is completely worth it.

We knew it would be hard to get a table on a Sunday afternoon so we went in an off time (3pm to be exact) and we still had to wait at the bar for 20 mins.  It was totally worth it.  It was a beautiful day and I knew I would be sitting outside for I wore the new sun-dress I bought at Target on sale.  It was a perfect lazy Sunday...

Dress: Target

Shoes: Target

Necklace: Frank Gehry Tiffany

Gnome: gift...his name is Bob.

Things I Have Never Done Before - Harem Pants

I have a lot of friends who are from the Middle East.  It is sort of just one of the results of going to university in Chicago.  One of my best friends, Derya, is capable of styling just about anything and making it look fantastically chic.  She's tall, thin, beautiful and Turkish; apparently in Instanbul, such fashions as Harem pants are common.  I have seen her wear them many times and have always thought, "I would love to wear Harem pants and be able to pull them off with out looking stupid."

Ok, so these are NOT traditional Harem pants.  They are the modernized version from Charlottle Russe but, I still feel like they are a fashion risk for me.  I am not sure why I consider them risky.  Maybe because I don't feel as fashionably chic as my friend Derya.  I think these should have been styled with heels; maybe strappy sandals.  What do you all think?

Tank: Forever 21

Necklace: Vintage

Harem Pants: Charlotte Russe

Bangles: Gift from my friend Jaya on her trip home to India

Sandals: Target

To be on Pointe

Recently, I picked up the March issue of Marie Claire and while reading, I got caught up in story written by Ning Chao called "So You Think You Can Dance?" about seeking out adult ballet classes in order to get the "dancer's body".  I wasn't so much enthralled by the cardio/workout aspect of the but, by my sudden sadness.  I won't lie.  I feel this way every time I read, watch, hear or even think about ballet.  Being a ballerina had always been a dream of mine.  Not to much to perform for Joffery or some other famous company but, to just dance.  As a kid, I was in love with dance however, it isn't exactly the cheapest hobby out there and my parents could never afford the semester fees, clothing, shoes and even the schedule (in order to take the requested minimum of 6 or so classes a week, it takes a lot of logistics).  In reaction, I took classes here and there, joined the school's dance company in high school (NOT to be mixed up with Poms...I was NOT a Pom-girl) and taught myself via video and the internet.

Anyways, my point is...I am fed up!  I am taking ballet.  And doing it the right way.  Just like Ning Chao, I am going to enroll in an adult ballet class at the American Dance Center here in Illinois and just do it for ME.  In reaction to this decision, I went eShopping...

 

 

 

 

Other than my epiphany for ballet classes, my day was fairly boring.  Chris and I painted our upstairs bathroom and hallway and actually managed to replace the toliet!  Ah, the joys of homeownership...  So here is my outfit from Friday instead (much better than my tee and jeans for painting).

 

Cardigan: UO

Tee: Thrifted

Necklace: Grandmother's from Morocco

Skirt: Thrifted

Leggings: Hue

Boots: Target

Belt: Target 

And then I turned twenty-seven...

This weekend (which for me started at about 2pm on Friday because I left work early) was my birthday.  I feel like it flew by so fast and now I am facing another week at work...again.  I think birthdays are funny now that I am a older.  Part of me loves that I am an adult with a great job and an amazing husband and on the cusp of stepping into family life and the other part of me really misses my days in Chicago going to see bands at dive bars and having to thrift because I was poor and not just because I liked it.  Twenty-seven to me is a weird age.  I don't feel twenty-seven.  In all honesty, I felt my age until I was about 17 and then I just stopped.  I dont think like a 27 year old should but, then again, what is that exactly?  Does anyone else feel this way?

Well, regardless of the above paragraph of philosophical thought, I was extremely lazy in taking any outfit pictures this weekend.  I only managed to capture Friday because I loved it so much and I got home early enough to take it in another room in my house.  Saturday we went out for sushi and drinks with friends but I forgot the camera and today (which is my actual birthday) we shopped for a new bike for me (I got one; a mountain cruiser.  Bike trip pictures will probably end up on here) and then sadly had to attend a funeral for a close friend's sister.  So, all I have is Friday's outfit.  But to be honest, it was my favorite of the weekend.

Blouse: Richard Chai for Target

Vest: ModCloth

Brooch: vintage

Jeans: Edun

Boots: Target 

I hope everyone had a great weekend!  And thank you so much for all the lovely comments lately!