State Fair {Style}?

{SS} here!

Yesterday, the bf and I decided to take a trip to the Minnesota State Fair... it was hot, it was crowded, it was crazy, but in true fair fashion, it was a blast!

We had some good eats, saw some loud and smelly animals and even got to meet some pretty amazing people! 

Also, let me just tell you... the styles at the fair are NUTS. I'm talking: fanny packs galore, cut-off tanks on men, filthy-feet filled flip-flops, lots of hair scrunchies, odd hats, crude t-shirts, short shorts and every other crazy style you could imagine. Whewwwww! 

I was hot in my black t-shirt and jeans, but at least I was dressed pretty darn "normal". 

Here are some photos of the day's adventures:

First, we headed to the KFAN radio station booth where the bf was thrilled to get autographs from his favorite radio personalities, The Common Man and Dan Barreiro.

Next it was time for me to get a photo with some actual athletes... not just guys who talk about them on the radio... and look who we just happened to run into! None other than Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau, and they actually asked me to pose for a photograph with them (something about a calendar with beautiful women or something...) ! They were thrilled that I finally agreed!

As if that photo wasn't cool enough, I next ran into...

THE PRESIDENT of THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

who kindly agreed to pose for a photo with me (I only wish he would have uncrossed his arms)...

After our impressive photo ops it was time to EAT. On our way to find corn dogs (a fair STAPLE for me... this year we tried --and liked-- wild rice corndogs) we stopped for a quick photo in the SPAM store, where I got to sit in the Spam Throne, as Queen of the Spam!

 Because I chickened out and never actually dyed my hair blonde like I had planned (I'm kidding), I was pleased to find this Viking's helmet which allowed me to test out what I would look like as a Blonde... needless to say, I think I'll stick to red...

And last but certainly not least, I was thrilled to find this Hyena at the fair who graciously stayed still (and didn't eat or even paw at me) for a photograph with me so that I could prove to my 8th grade science teacher (who will most likely never see this blog...) that my mom was right when she told me that there are hyena's in the United States. Despite believing my science teacher when he told me that hyena's don'tt exist in the US and that my mom probably meant to say Coyote, I should have known... my mother is always right (well, I better not say always...). 

All in all I'd say it was a great day at the Fair!!

I can't wait to see what kind of adventures next year's fair will bring to us since the bf decided that next year we are going from 6a-12p... oh my...

xo, SS

Home sweet home!

{kh} here!

Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE being home? I was born and raised in St. Paul and nothing feels better than being back.

I went to Chicago for 4.5 days and just got back this afternoon. Why did I go? To do a couple of informational interviews and see if I could see myself moving.

And the answer?

Not likely. 

I liked the organizations that I met with. One of them seems to work with a client population I am particularly interested in- adolescents with addiction and eating disorders. It's beautiful inside but...it's in a suburb with NOTHING to do (no joke) and not accessible by public transit. The other is in the Gold Coast neighborhood and would likely be an easy transition as I am affiliated with the organization. I love the Gold Coast but don't think I could afford it. Plus, I just didn't love Chicago. Even the pizza underwhelmed me!

 

 {the view from my hotel room...}

What was nice was that I stayed in a {somewhat} swank hotel just blocks off of Michigan Avenue. Convenient!

Now you would think that someone into fashion would be {lady}gaga for Michigan Avenue. It has every store you could think of wanting and more. I went to Top Shop and Zara. Kate Spade. The J.Crew on Michigan Avenue. Watertower Place. AND I WASN'T THAT IMPRESSED.

The only place I bought anything was...The Gap

There were so many people and things to see. I was underwhelmed by a lot of things and the collections I was impressed with were too extravagant for this grad school budget! However, I am drooling over the Garance Dore for Kate Spade collection!

It made me realize how much I love St. Paul. Sure, we aren't the fashion capitol of the world but that's ok. I mean, I am not all that trendy.

 {this is what I wore on the plane}

{here I am trying on a peplum dress. you want me to put a skirt around my waist over a dress? no}

But I am myself and a-ok with it. I like my style and it works for me. It's a bit more classic and refined but still has room for fun. 

Looks like you're stuck with me MN!

{kh}

P.S. Want to know what part of Chicago I {really} liked?

THE FIELD MUSEUM

I could have stayed here all day.   I could have spent hours in the dinosaur hall alone all day.

{obsessed with Sue and these elephants}

{there's a big nerd trapped in me}