Valentine's Day-not for lovers anymore!

I love holidays, especially the Hallmark ones. I love the cheesiness of it, the decorations, the food, I like my hallmark holidays to look like it's been vomited on by that specific day. (Which is why I'm writing this post in pink). And I love Valentine's Day, call me a romantic, but I love LOVE. And although I'm not in love with anyone particular this winter, I am in love my girlfriends! They are all so great. So we threw a "Single Ladies" Valentine's Day party complete with pink drinks, pink champagne, heart cookies, balloons, red and pink candies, chocolate, pigs in a blanket a la Jen. (Unfortunately I was busy playing hostess so I didn't get any pictures of the spread.)

The party ended earlier then I wanted because we had to make it to Uncle Fatty's, a tropical theme bar in Lincoln Park which had ladies' drink free before 11:00--can't miss a good deal! And the following pictures are what followed.

Grad school meets undergrad. My lovely friends Sarah and Kathryn.

Jen and the girls she works with at PRA, Mallory and Carissa.

And me and my hometown love, Jen.

Sara and her Wash U girlfriends who were in town for weekend.

Me and Kathryn. Lovely grad school friend and fellow lover of margs and guacamole.

And me and Wyo ladies, Sara and Jen.

Me and Ms. Belew! Who proved to me that night, you can meet a decent guy at a bar on Valentine's day...I believe this might be an urban legend in the making.

I hope everyone had a fun Valentine's Day! I am off to study for an exam and think of a thesis for a paper due on Wednesday. And next weekend I'm going to NYC to see Matthew and Sharon and Nathalie. And then to Cincinnati for B's baby shower and then back to the Windy City to show B and Mom the greatest American city (possibly greatest city ever).

xo
Amber

A Single Gal Rant...

(Let me preface this by saying, I don’t mind being single. I actually prefer it right now. It allows me to go out with the friends I want, meet new people, move to a new city, watch bad rom-coms, get a cat, explore said new city, etc, etc, etc.)

I hate grocery shopping especially at the local Jewel in my neighborhood and the reason isn’t because I find the task tedious (although I do) but because THEY are there. And who is they?...COUPLES. Now some of you might say this is silly or immature (which by the way, I am many things but immature is not one of them) but there is just something about couples my age grocery shopping together that gets me in a rage (and by rage I mean, I won’t push my cart out of their way when they are trying to pass me in the cereal aisle.) No matter what day of the week I go or what time of the day, THEY are there.

The scene usually involves a cute little petite thing not dressed for Chicago winter in sheer tights and a mini dress (who wears this to the super market) and some poor schmuck trailing behind her with a cart filled with some organic crap (even though he just wants some Easy Mac and Tombstone pizza). And I’ll be the first to admit that it is my envy for this domestic scene that gets my blood boiling, and I also know that just because a couple is grocery shopping together doesn’t mean it’s all domestic bliss at home, but they’ll be happy to know that’s what I project on them.

This annoyance also pertains to couples at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Target, and IKEA. Although I rant and feel bad for the poor schmuck pushing the cart, I am quite certain I will be guilty of this too with my future boyfriend, fiancé, husband, or poor schmuck. Sorry sweetie, in advance, for the grocery store trips you have in your future, but don’t worry I’ll push the cart. Like I said I hate to grocery shop because I find it tedious for some reason, so I’ll want some company.

xo