A[nother] Day Downtown

I am happy to say that for once I have been neglecting my blog due to, well, actually living my life.  Thanks to the boyfriend I have been able to work diligently on actually crossing off everything on my bucket list this year.  It's amazing how one person can change your life so much.

I pulled a number of items off of my Chicago Bucket List to accomplish this year.  (Who knows how long I will be living this close to Chicago...)  Everyone knows, Chicago is known for their hot dogs and Italian beefs.  I, personally, am a huge fan of a Chicago style hot dog - no ketchup here!  The boyfriend on the other hand, he does it all wrong.  But I relucatantly digress.  We stopped by Gold Coast Dogs for lunch, which in all reality was a snack.  Um, what can I say...I like to eat....

 #108. grab a hot dog from Gold Coast Dogs

When we walked up to Gold Coast Dogs I nearly turned back around and dragged Ken to the cute tavern down the street.  This so-called "Chicago tradition" was connected to a generic Popeyes!  WTF?!  But, I was convinced to give it a try.  Hey, it is just a damn hot dog after all.  I ordered a cheddar char dog.  Ken got a Chicago style char dog.  When we got our dogs I'll admit I was a little confused.  The ends are cut making them look a little but funny...almost like squid.  But once I took a bite I realized we came to the right place.  I guess you really can't judge a book by its cover.  One point for the boyfriend.

Just a couple months ago, we visited the infamous Skydeck at the Willis Tower.  The view of the city is incredible.  Although we went on a rather cloudy day, walking onto the "ledge" was still a great experience.  It had been years since I had done that - it may have even been while it was still called the Sears Tower.  This past weekend we ventured back downtown and visited the very similar Hancock Observatory.  The difference?  The view of the city and instead of a glass ledge they have an "skywalk".  Luckily, it has warmed up a smidge here and the airwalk was tolerable.  I can't imagine visiting the observatory in midsummer at sunset, it has got to be incredibly hot.  It was toasty up there when it was only 40 degrees so I can't even imagine.

We hadn't planned on grabbing drinks, but we seem to always find a way to booze it up.  We figured while we were in the Hancock we might as well check out the Signature Room lounge again.  The last time we went we were just a couple tables away from the floor to ceiling glass and we vowed to go back until we got a window seat.  Well, this time we got one!  And I don't mean to brag, or maybe I do, but I am fairly sure we got the best table there.  I only say this because everyone wandering around taking pictures kept telling us so, and it was a perfect combination of city view and the lake.  But what made this time incredible was that we went just in time to watch the sunset - from the 95th floor of the Hancock!  Truly an amazing view!

Our last trip was to a Cajun restaurant that Ken loves.  I quickly saw why.  Heaven on Seven has character - and good food.  They had the best bloody Mary I have ever had.  And I've had quite a few.

 All in all, another amazing day downtown Chicago.  Now we just need the weather to warm up a little around here!

New Year, New Beginnings

I know, I know. A generic, cliche New Year post 2 months late. But hey! this is how I do things...half ass. Sue me.

I'll skip the bullshit, 2012 was not a good year for me. I spent majority of the year telling myself things would get better. They had to - because there was no way it could get worse. Lesson learned: not a good idea to say that, because that's when they do.

I couldn't be more excited that 2013 has gotten off to an amazing start. I actually feel like I am living my life again, and after a year of standing still, I have some catching up to do. My boyfriend has been amazing (and patient) enough to spend an awful lot of his free time go on random bucket list adventures with me.

While all of the little things we have done so far mean a lot to me, I also want to get some of my larger bucket list goals accomplished as well. Being broke and working too much kind of hinder my ability to do this, but I have managed to book my dream vacation.

I am going to Grand Cayman in April!

Yup, if you get anything from this pointless post, that should be it.

Can you be jealous?
...just for a second?

I have been wanting to run [errr fly] away to the Cayman Islands for quite a few years now. It was actually supposed to be my honeymoon destination. But hey, I don't have time to wait for that.

Until then, I plan on taking more risks and living my life every day.

2013 Bucket List

1. get a fish pedicure
2. visit the Hancock observatory (3/29/13)
3. go skydiving!
4. drive around Lake Michigan
5. go Zorbing!
6. have drinks at the Signature Room on the 96th floor of the Hancock(2/2/2013)
7. try Absinthe (3/3/2013)
8. take a picture on the Willis Tower Skydeck (1/23/2013)
9. go camping
10. visit the Brookfield Zoo
11. learn how to use chopsticks
12. learn how to play chess
13. go indoor rock climbing
14. sit in an outdoor hot tub while it's snowing
15. kiss someone at midnight on New Year's Eve
16. smoke a hookah
17. surprise someone
18. take a picture with a BIG snake (3/3/2013)
19. be romantic, just once. it probably won't kill me...
20. visit the Adler Planetarium (1/23/2013)
21. go cave-ing
22. watch the sun set (3/29/13)
23. slow dance with someone special
24. go on a roadtrip
25. stay up all night and watch the sun rise
26. make a snowman (1/26/2013)
27. get a spa facial
28. buy an expensive pair of pumps
29. go to a Chicago Wolves game(2/20/13)
30. go to a Blackhawks game
31. touch a Beluga whale at the Shedd Aquarium
32. eat flaming cheese in Greektown (1/23/2013)
34. do the Polar Plunge
35. try sashimi
36. have a beer at the Landshark beer garden at Navy Pier
37. go to a White Sox game
38. milk a cow
39. escape to a cute little bed & breakfast
40. go ATVing
41. go to a dinner theater
42. brew my own beer
43. take a picture with the giant Bean in Grant Park (with Peanut!)
44. have a drink at the Mars Cheese Castle (2/17/2013)
45. go horse back riding
46. Miller Brewery Tour
47. eat alligator (3/3/2013)
48. thread my eyebrows
49. go to a Chicago Bears game
50. do a zipline course
51. go on a casino boat
52. make someone a [meaningful] mix tape - er CD
53. dye my hair bright red
54. stay at the Hardrock Hotel (2/2/2013)
55. go to the Jack Daniel's distillery
56. stay at the 5-star Peninsula in Chicago
57. check out the chocolate bar at the Pen
58. get a drink at the Margaritaville Chicago (1/23/2013)
59. go on a Chicago ghost tour
60. kayak down the Chicago river
61. get another tattoo
62. kiss underwater
63. get out of debt!
64. get all dolled up and go on a fancy date!
65. take more risks
66. make a blanket fort (2/22/2013)
67. stay in a 5-star hotel
68. drink moonshine
69. spend an entire day snuggling
70. eat an ugli fruit
71. go to an ice bar
72. drink a flaming shot
73. get doughnuts from the Doughnut Vault
74. go on a random Groupon weekend getaway
75. go to Howl At The Moon (and order a bucket of booze!)
76. Visit Wildlife Prairie State Park
77. have brunch and mimosas at Hamburger Mary's
78. jet ski in Lake Geneva, WI
79. eat a sundae at Margie's Candies
80. go hiking at Starved Rock
81. ride a mechanical bull
82. do something that makes me anxious
83. get 1000 followers on my blog
84. stargaze
85. try pizza beer
86. see the Blue Man Group (3/2/13)
87. eat a tequila worm
88. take pictures at the Buckingham Fountain (at night!)
89. try fried ice cream
90. have sex 20 days in a row (TMI, I know!)
91. have dinner in Little Italy (2/2/2013)
92. hold a tarantula
93. kiss at the top of the Navy Pier ferris wheel
94. try one of the Food Network's Top 5 Most decadent desserts (2/6/2013)
95. visit 10 local breweries (2/10)
96. write in my journal for an entire month
97. lose 10lbs - and keep it off!
98. watch the sun set in the Cayman Islands (4/26/2013)
99. go parasailing
100. go on vacation with someone special (4/25/2013)

101. try 12 kinds of exotic chocolate
102. touch a sting ray (4/27/2013)

103. hold a sea turtle (4/26/2013)

104. go horse back riding on the beach (4/26/2013)

105. get a passport (3/6/2013)
106. jet ski in the ocean (4/27/2013)

107. go to King Spa
108. grab a hot dog at Gold Coast Dogs (3/29/13)
109. get a cupcake from More
110. race a turtle at Big Joe's
111. splash around the Crown fountain in Millennium Park
112. make a scrapbook
113.

Starting Over

Blogging feels foreign now. There was a point where I loved keeping track of all my adventures and adding items to my never-ending bucket list. But this summer proved to be one of the most difficult periods in my life thus far. My entire life was abruptly turned upside-down. The whirlwind of emotions and changes were more than I could handle. I put all of my goals - and my list - on the back burner.

But, as they say, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

It's peculiar how things work. I recently became better acquainted with a friend that I have actually known for a while now. And the timing couldn't have been better.

This friend has a bucket list too! Think Step Brother...

 "Hey!...Do you like guacamole?"

 "Yup."

 "Did we just become best friends?"

 "YUP!" 

#8. take a picture on the Willis Tower Skydeck
Everything happens for a reason, right?! I'm thankful to have him as a friend and start living again. In just one day downtown, he helped me to cross 4 things off my Chicago List. Flaming cheese, the [yawn-inducing] Planetarium, and drinks at Margaritaville. Now I have big plans to drag him with me to do all kinds of stuff.

 Long story short, I'm back! And I'm ready to start crossing anything and everything off my list.

Infinity Bucket List

1. tan on a nude beach
2. go on a camping trip
3. ride in a hot air balloon
4. kiss in the rain
5. watch baby turtles hatch
6. learn how to use chopsticks
7. go snorkeling
8. learn how to play chess
9. celebrate mardi gras in new orleans
10. drink coffee in Seattle
11. ride an elephant
12. drive on route 66
13. go parasailing
14. dance with my dad at my wedding
15. kiss someone at midnight on New Years Eve
16. go ice skating in Chicago
17. volunteer at an animal shelter
18. ride in a helicopter
19. pilot a plane
20. jump off a waterfall
21. white water raft
22. go skinny dipping
23. stay at the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas
24. drive a motorcycle
25. drive stick shift
26. go on a cruise
27. go on a safari
28. get married
29. stay in an over water bungalow in Bora Bora
30. pick out a Christmas tree
31. rock climb
32. go to Disney world
33. wear a pair of thigh high boots without feeling like a hooker
34. eat a dragon fruit
35. thread my eyebrows
36. smoke a cigar
37. have a picnic
38. milk a cow
39. swim with manatees
40. see the northern lights
41. learn how to bartend
42. make a gingerbread house
43. stay at a bed and breakfast
44. take a picture with a tiger
45. have my own pin-up photoshoot
46. cliff jump
47. hold a koala
48. stay in a tree house
49. ride a horse on the beach
50. do a zipline course
51. visit the mall of America
52. cage dive with sharks
53. visit all 50 states
54. spend an entire day watching Disney movies
55. go to the Jack Daniel's distillery
56. learn how to do things to my hair
57. learn 6 different eye shadow styles
58. do the polar plunge
59. attend the Taiwan lantern festival
60. read Dante's Inferno
61. visit Stone Henge
62. see the Niagra Falls
63. visit Times Square in New York City
64. have my book published
65. crowd surf at a concert
66. make a blanket fort
67. donate blood
68. jump off a waterfall
69. go whale watching
70. eat lobster in Maine
71. learn how to ballroom dance
72. go to bathhouse row in Arkansas
73. swim with a dolphin
74. go to an NFL football game
75. go on a wolf tour in New Mexico
76. ride in a dune buggie
77. visit Yellowstone National Park
78. go to a Redwood Forest
79. see a cactus in the desert
80. go camping
81. experience zero gravity
82. get hypnotized
83. jump into a pool fully clothed
84. attend a comicon event
85. go to the top of the Eiffel tower
86. see the Blue Man Group
87. go RV-ing
88. visit the Taj Mahal
89. bathe in a natural hot spring
90. have sex 28 days in a row
91. see the Cirque de Soleil
92. hold a tarantula
93. get a henna tattoo
94. visit a real castle
95. ride a gondola in Venice
96. learn to speak Spanish
97. drive a monster truck
98. go to a burlesque show
99. see Beauty and the Beast on Broadway or in a theatre
100. volunteer at a wild animal sanctuary
101. start a fire without matches
102. write in my journal every day for a year
103. climb to the top of a lighthouse
104. touch a Beluga whale at the Shedd Aquarium
105. go indoor rock climbing
106. see dolphins in the wild
107. swim in the ocean
108. go to Sea World
109. go to Disney World
110. go to a casino
111. try absinthe
112. have a super hero movie marathon and not feel guilty about it!
113. sit in a outdoor hot tub while it's snowing
114. be the kind of friend I would want to have
115. smoke a hookah
116. go to a chocolate spa
117. go cherry picking in Traverse City, Michigan
118. visit a rain forest
119. swim in an infinity pool
120. stay at a hotel with a swim-up bar
121. go to Heaven's Trail, Ireland for my birthday
122. go some where I can wear a gown

Chicago Bucket List

1. ice skate downtown during the holidays
2. visit the Hancock observatory
3. have dinner in Chinatown
4. go to the Taste of Chicago
5. splash around the Crown fountain in Millennium Park
6. have drinks at the Signature Room on the 96th floor of the Hancock
7. visit Garfield Park Conservatory
8. take a picture on the Willis Tower Skydeck (1/1/2013)
9. go on a Chicago river boat tour
10. visit Brookfield Zoo
11. ride on the 150-foot Ferris wheel at Navy Pier
12. go to a blues bar
13. go to a Cubs game
14. take a picture with the giant bean
15. enjoy high tea at the Drake hotel
16. go on a shopping spree on the Mag Mile
17. eat a rainbow cone
18. visit Lincoln Park Zoo
19. eat a Royal George 25-scoop ice cream sundae at Margie's
20. watch the saint patrick's day parade
21. visit the *green* Chicago river for st. patty's day
22. use the Chicago water taxi
23. visit the Field Museum
24. watch a movie in the park
25. get chicken and waffles at Chicago's Home of Chicken & Waffles
26. see the Buckingham Fountain at night
27. take a picture with my Chinese zodiac statue in Chinatown
28. go to the Green City market and buy fresh fruit and veggies
29. visit the Adler Planetarium (1/1/2013)
30. go to a Blackhawks game
31. touch a Beluga whale at the Shedd Aquarium
32. eat flaming cheese in Greektown(1/1/2013)
33. swim at the North Avenue Beach
34. go to the Polar Adventure Days
35. enjoy dinner in Little Italy
36. drink a beer at the LandShark beer garden at the Navy Pier
37. go to a White Sox game
38. get a cupcake from More
39. eat at a Swedish restaurant in Andersonville
40. drink a beer at Goose Island
41.
42.
43. knock back a cold one at Hopleaf
44. go to the Shedd Aquarium
45. have brunch at The Publican
46. walk around the "hidden garden" in Lincoln Park
47. grab a hot dog at Gold Coast Dogs
48. get a cocktail at The Violet Hour
49. go to a Wolves game
50. eat pizza at three different restaurants
51. go on a dinner boat cruise at Navy Pier
52. grab a bite in Ukrainian Village
53. watch fireworks on July 3rd
54. stay at the Hard Rock Hotel
55. get a beer at the Bar DeVille
56. try Mario's Italian Lemonade
57. check out the chocolate bar at the Pen
58. get a drink at Margaritaville (1/1/2013)
59. go on a Chicago ghost tour
60. kayak down the Chicago river
61. eat an Italian beef
62. go to a Bears game
63. take a picture at the top of the Sears tower
64. eat at Wings Around The World
65. watch the Chicago Full Moon Fire Jam
66.
67. go to Ribfest!
68. race a turtle at Big Joe's
69. eat smoked salmon from Calumet Fisheries
70. eat at Pueblito Viejo
71. tour a brewery
72. eat at a food truck
73. get doughnuts from the Doughnut Vault
74. grab a drink at a bar.
75. order a "bucket" of alcohol at Howl at the Moon
76. go to a dueling piano bar.
77. have brunch and mimosas at Hamburger Mary's
78. watch a sunrise at the lake
79. eat a sundae at Margie's Candies
80. take a helicopter tour of the city

Supre Strapless Tanning Lotion Review

Type: Dual Bronzer
Extras: Skin Softening Extracts, Caffeine, Bronzer
Scent: Mandarin, Mango, and Sugar Cane
Size: 8.5 oz. Bottle / 0.5 oz Packette

Strapless Dual Bronzer provides maximum tanning results by combining DHA and natural, streak free bronzers with a nurturing blend of 9 skin care and conditioning ingredients for deeper color and healthier-looking skin. Add in ultra silky silicones, and your tan will be dark, smooth and ready to hit the town.

• Dual bronzers allow skin to further darken up to 12 hours after UV-exposure and can last up to 8 days for smooth, longer-lasting color.
  
• Carob Extract boosts the natural tanning process and helps maintain your color for a longer period of time.
  
• Caffeine, Cocoa, and Algae Extracts help tone, firm and reduce the appearance of cellulite.
  
• Sugar Cane and Milk Thistle plus Vitamins A, C, and E help promote younger, healthier looking skin.
  
• Advanced Silicone Blend contains innovative skin conditioners to lock moisture into the skin, leaving it incredibly smooth, soft and silky.
  

After building my base tan with Designer Skin's Secret Rapture in a two week span of short tanning sessions, I was ready to experiment with some bronzers. I found a packet of Supre's Strapless tanning lotion for a mere $2.00 on eBay. I am picky about bronzers since in the past I have tried a few that left me more of an unnatural oompa-loompa color than bronze. I also hate when wiping your hands off immediately after application still leaves you with dark streaks on the inside of your fingers. There is nothing attractive about that.

Strapless is a great Level 2 bronzer. The dual bronzers help add a healthy, natural glow while carob extracts help your skin get the most out of your session. Caffeine and cocoa help tone and firm skin. Added extracts such as Sugar Cane and Milk Thistle help the appearance of your skin and the added silicone keeps your skin feeling super soft. My favorite bonus to this tanning lotion (aside from the awesome smell!) is the added moisturizers. I don't feel like I need to run home and slather lotion all over myself.

The Mandarin, Mango and Sugar Cane scent is a nice fruity scent that is subtle enough that you don't have to worry about showering immediately after tanning. It smells pleasant even after your tanning session and does not leave you smelling of burnt flesh. The light, sweet scent lingers on your skin for a couple hours.

I was able to find a 8.5 ounce bottle of this tanning lotion for $20 (including shipping) on eBay - brand new and sealed. On eBay you can find a sample packette for around $2. My tanning salon retails this bottle at $45 with a sample packette being $6.

Overall Rating:

Designer Skin Head Over Heels Review

Type: Dark Bronzer
Extras: Shave Minimizing Formula and Shimmer
Scent: Candied Plum
Size: 8.5 oz. Bottle / 0.5 oz Packette

Legs for days and dark color to be envied! Get carried away and fall Head Over Heels™ in love with your sleek, tone and golden legs! Formulated with those hard-to-tan areas in mind, this mix of the darkest bronzers and subtle shimmer will deliver all the dazzling dark color your heart desires!

• Infused with Caffeine to tone and tighten
• Shave-minimizers help inhibit hair growth to keep legs smoother
• Superior Dark Bronzers deliver dramatically dark color for maximum results
• Subtle Shimmer for an illuminating glow

Tired of having your legs 6 shades darker than the rest of you?
After building my base tan with Designer Skin's Secret Rapture, I began to notice my stomach and back were incredibly dark and my legs and arms and other hard to tan areas were lagging behind. I decided to give the NEW Designer Skin Head Over Heels a go. The superior dark bronzers help add that extra boost that the thicker skin on our legs needs to get just as dark as the rest of us.

Head Over Heels is perfect for your legs with added shave-minimizers to promote smoothness and slow down hair growth. Caffeine helps tone and tighten your skin for extra sex appeal while subtle shimmer gets your legs noticed. And don't worry, by subtle shimmer I mean light shimmer that makes skin glow rather than send you into full-on stripper mode. I love to use this lotion on my hoo-ha, my ass, and my legs as I have a harder time getting those areas dark. I have had great results.

The Candied Plum scent is pleasant and smells nice when first applied. Some lotions can leave you smelling burnt after a nice, long tanning session. This fragrance only enhances with the heat and develops a warmer, more potent Sugar scent. It is perfect if you have to head straight from the salon to work or out. You will smell delicious!

I was able to find a 8.5 ounce bottle of this tanning lotion for $25 (including shipping) on eBay - brand new and sealed. On eBay you can find a sample packette for around $5. My tanning salon retails this bottle at $50 with a sample packette being $8.