Hey guys! Happy Monday night! I’m a bit late with this post, but last night was super relaxing and much-needed, so my Type A self isn’t too upset about being delayed.

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Links (mostly from my Twitter):

Baby Boomer bashing. I’m tired of my generation getting flak for “ruining everything.” Really? Most of us Millennials were still in college when the economy started failing. Give us a break!

Tim Baffoe wrote this piece regarding the ongoing Patrick Kane rape trial. It’s very well-written.

Love the concept behind this device that hopes to help prevent sexual assault.

This guide to casually laying off dozens of employees made me laugh. Just journalism things.

The trailer for Spike Lee’s Chi-Raq was released. Thoughts?

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And my week highlights?

• Brunch at Bakin and Eggs in Lakeview with my friend Ariel. I had the croissant bread pudding french toast, and the two of us also had BYOB mimosas.
• Book shopping at Unabridged in Lakeview.
• Gift shopping at Inkling in Lakeview. I bought the cutest little Michigan necklace and a Chicago greeting card.
• A fun night at Streeter’s Tavern in Gold Coast with some of my coworkers. Giant Jenga, beer pong, pool and 90’s music? That’s a solid yes.
• Meeting up with friends at Enolo Wine Cafe.
• I have a new baby cousin! Thomas Abram Patrick was born this week and I couldn’t be more excited to meet him!
• RedEye’s Big Idea Awards. RedEye is one of the Tribune’s publications, so I went with coworkers and had a great time networking, hearing speeches from some of Chicago’s innovators and — of course — trying bite-size pieces of Chicago’s food and wine.
• The most relaxing bubble bath with a book (Go Set a Watchman) and my favorite bath scent.
• A trip to Chicago’s French Market with my friend Weck, who was in town for the weekend with her new husband for some work-related things.

(You can keep up with this stuff as it happens if you follow me on Instagram and on Snapchat: RandiMShaffer.)

What’s on your radar lately? Let me know in the comments!

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Links (mostly from my Twitter):

I could not stop laughing at this video of a prank Aladdin ride in New York City.

Leonardo DiCaprio has a doppelgänger! My only question: Is he single?

My friend Caitlin wrote this insightful post about how you really should not use “girl” as an insult.

I love the concept of this portable cardboard desk.

Urban Decay released its annual holiday Naked Vault. I love my Naked2 palette and my Naked Basics palette, and couldn’t imagine needing anything else, but if you’re a Naked collector, this is a heck of a bargain.

So painfully accurate: Your adult life in graph-form.

How do you make Chicago look a little more New York City-esque? …You litter the streets with trash.

Have you ever though about how you could eat healthier? I know I usually think about this — ESPECIALLY after Halloween. Here’s some info about the Mediterranean diet, which is what I follow for the most part.

Tuckernuck put together this handy Barbour guide for this fall season! I just ordered my first Barbour from Tuckernuck last week, and wish this resource would have been available beforehand, even though I love the jacket I ended up with.

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And my week highlights?

• Going to my friend Greg’s trapeze show at Trapeze School New York Chicago.
• My friend Chelsea’s Halloween housewarming party in Lincoln Park. (I dressed up as “student loans.” Terrifying.)
• Compassion, Fashion & Cocktails at the Godfrey.
• Finishing Amy Poehler’s Yes Please.
• A gorgeous 70-degree November day.
• Dinner (and wine!) at Pizza Rustica in Lakeview. (My friend Ariel and I split the Bianca pizza and it was delicious.)
• Watching Hocus Pocus during movie night with my coworker Haley.
• I tried the Starbucks Toasted Graham Latte for the first time. I wasn’t really a fan.

(You can keep up with this stuff as it happens if you follow me on Instagram, or on Snapchat at randimshaffer.)

I’m really looking forward to the nice weather we’re anticipating this week! It’s so weird to think of 70-degree temperatures in November, and while I love fall, it took so long for Chicago’s summer to start, so I’m not too mad about the warm temperatures hanging around.

What’s on your radar lately? Let me know in the comments!

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please read my disclosure policy.

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Links (mostly from my Twitter):

Cheese is as addicting as crack.

Fellow WordPress-ers! Did you know you should back up your site? Mine was hacked and shut down earlier this year, so take my friend Caitlin’s advice so you don’t end up like me.

Instagram has announced #boomerang, so you can create gif-like sequences on the app.

New emojis! My personal favorite is the middle finger (duh), followed closely by the bubbly.

Kate Spade has introduced a new home collection! So pretty, but probably a little too expensive for my wine-spilling habit.

The Detroit Free Press put together a list of 50 must-accomplish Michigan bucket list items. I lived in Michigan for the first quarter-century of my life and did not do a single thing on this list. Have you done any of them?

Loved this Back to the Future homage from the Michigan State Police.

This guy surprised his girlfriend with two corgis, and it’s absolutely adorable and I cried.

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And my week highlights?

• The Fashion Loves Art show in West Town! My coworker Kasondra bought the two of us VIP tickets for my birthday last week, so we got to watch local designers showcase their collections from the front row. The designs were so cool! The open bar was also a nice touch.
• Drinks, fishbowls and dancing at Crocodile in Wicker Park.
• Some new outerwear deliveries! I got this parka in black as a birthday gift from my dad, and this jacket in sage as a birthday gift from myself. Come at me, Chiberian weather. I’m ready.
• Brunch at Big Jones in Andersonville.
• Drinks at Grandbar in West Town.
• Lunch in Pioneer Court outside of the Tribune Tower. I’m going to miss spending lunch break outside on Michigan Ave.

You can keep up with this stuff as it happens if you follow me on Instagram, or on Snapchat: randimshaffer.

I’m really looking forward to a few things this week. Halloween is coming up (crazy, right?) and I’m planning on attending a midnight showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show with a few of my coworkers. It should be fun!

What are your Halloween plans? Let me know in the comments!

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please read my disclosure policy.

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Links, mostly from my Twitter:

Watch this video of a corgi puppy attacking a mini pumpkin. You’ll thank me later.

Chicago friends! Our winter is supposed to be milder than usual this year.

Love this post on famous quotes reimagined in a way a woman would have to say them.

Tater Tot grilled cheese waffles.

Twitter was pretty brutal with its employee layoffs.

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And my week highlights?

I had a great week this past week. I had a birthday, and while birthdays aren’t a huge deal to me, they make for a great excuse to see so many of my friends.

I’ll be doing a birthday week recap post later this week!

• Book shopping at Myopic Books in Wicker Park with my friend Mickey.
• Sushi at Nori. Alaskan Maki and Green Nori rolls were great!
• Dinner at Chicago Diner.
• Pizza, drinks and Polaroids at Boiler Room in Logan Square.
• …followed by drinks at Slippery Slope in Logan Square…
• …followed by drinks at Emporium in Logan Square. Friday was a busy birthday bar night.
• Drinks at Tin Lizzie in Lincoln Park to catch up with a visiting friend from Michigan while watching the Red Wings/ Canadiens game.
• A fun new Red Wings mug as a birthday gift from a friend.
• Pinterest and craft time with a friend. I made a new gold print of a Hemingway quote to hang next to my bed.
• A Lions win! We beat the Bears. I celebrated by wearing my Calvin Johnson jersey to work.
• These new booties from Sole Society! Love them.
• A birthday Edible Arrangement from my best friend from high school!
• The usual grind at the Trib’s social media desk.

(You can keep up with this stuff as it happens if you follow along on Instagram or on Snapchat: RandiMShaffer.)

This week was definitely busier than most thanks to my birthday, so I’m looking forward to a calmer week! One of my coworkers bought me tickets to the Fashion Loves Art show in West Town, and I’m really looking forward to it! As soon as I figure out what to wear.

What’s on your radar lately? Let me know in the comments!

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please read my disclosure policy.

Happy Sunday!

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Links (mostly from my Twitter):

Want to buy a tower? The one I work in is for sale.

Baby snow leopards.

More and more people are choosing to dine alone. So if you’re not totally phased by the idea of doing that (I am), here’s a list of the best places to do so at.

The Atlantic did a study, and found that you can predict a Twitter user’s income level based on his or her Twitter’s content.

Tomorrow is Columbus Day (I would much prefer Indigenous Peoples Day), and Corporette rounded up a list of sales for you to peruse.

I’m about to make this vegetarian chili recipe for dinner this week.

I liked this piece about why Millennials leave a company. I was nodding my head along with a lot of it. What do you think?

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And my highlights this week?

• Um, hockey is back! I celebrated the Friday night home opener for the Red Wings by heading to Lincoln Park’s Tin Lizzie (Chicago’s Detroit sports bar) to watch my boys shut out Toronto with a beer in one hand and pizza in the other.
• Sephora goodies! I stopped into Sephora to pick up a Naked Basics palette, and ended up snagging some birthday freebies. This year’s handouts were the NARS velvet matte lip pencil both in Cruella and in Rikugien.
• Dinner at Wicker Park’s Piece. Spinach and goat cheese pizza? I recommend.
• Rosé at City Winery‘s Riverwalk location with my coworker Haley.
• Dinner (and hard cider) at Andersonville’s Hopleaf.
• Cheap beer at Uptown’s Carol’s Pub.
• A dark chocolate cake from my mom! She mailed it, and while it got a little lot damaged in the journey, it still tasted amazing.
• I finally pulled the trigger and bought this adorable Gossip Girl coffee mug from The Trendy Sparrow on Etsy. Her stuff is adorable.
• A quick bathroom print rehab. I replaced my “Medieval filth cauldron” print from my last apartment with something a little more girly.
• Drinks at Lincoln Park’s The Other Side Bar. Fun fact: This bar has PBR for $3.50 (cheapest I have yet to find it in this city) as well as $3 Fireball shots. Both deals were taken full advantage of.

(You can keep up with this stuff as it happens if you follow along on Instagram, or on Snapchat at randimshaffer.)

And this coming week?

It should be somewhat exciting! I have a birthday this week (oh man) and I’ll be celebrating it with some of my friends here in Chicago.

What’s on your radar? Let me know in the comments!

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please read my disclosure policy.

Hey hey!

This post is a day late this week- sorry! I’ve been up since 4 a.m. Chicago time, and not that I’m making excuses or anything, but it’s been a crazy busy weekend!

Links (from my Twitter):

Deadspin ran a story about how news reporting has always been ugly. As someone in the industry, I found this fascinating.

I wrote a guest post for my friend Caitlin’s blog on gender neutral names: Check it out!

What’s hot on dating sites? Proper grammar. As a girl with a Tinder bio that literally reads “I will probably correct your grammar,” I can confirm.

A necklace that holds your slice of pizza.

Did you know that 40 percent of millennials pay for news? Shockingly, I am not one of them. I get a free digital subscription to the Tribune as part of my job here, so I rely on that. Do you subscribe to the news?

You can now have dinner in the Great Hall of Hogwarts. Dying.

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And my week highlights?

Central Michigan University’s homecoming! This is the entire highlight of my week, if not the past few months. I didn’t realize how much I missed my little college town until I ventured back for a weekend. (For comparison’s sake, Chicago’s population: 2,700,000. Mount Pleasant’s population? 26,000.)

• The Bird. I miss this bar so. damn. much. It sounds totally weird to say (and makes me seem a bit like I have drinking problems, I know), but the Bird has been my favorite bar since the day I turned 21 almost half a decade ago. It’s the perfect mix of divey, hipster and chill, and it’s guaranteed I’ll run into at least a half-dozen people I know whenever I go. Half of the bartenders know me by name, and PBR is super cheap. This was literally the first stop I made when I got into town.  I’ll stop this love letter now, but I really cannot emphasize enough how much I love this bar.
• The Cabin. Not on the same level as the Bird, but I did work here for three years, and the pizza is better than anything I’ve had here in Chicago.
• Venturing to the Kelly/Shorts tailgate lot. Unfortunately I never went to the game since it was rainy and miserable, but I did go to the lot for half a second before we ditched the stadium scene for the Cabin.
• O’Kelly’s! I hate this place. But I love it. Kind of like the Lions. But, as gross and sketchy and gross and gross as it is, it’s a Mount Pleasant tradition.
• Train Wreck. This is my favorite beer from Mount Pleasant Brewing Co., so obviously I picked up a six pack to take back to Chicago with me.
• Walking through campus. I love CMU’s campus so much — especially North Campus. I can’t put into words how amazing it felt just to be back and walk past the front lawn seal.
• All of my friends. I saw college roommates, CM Life friends, MSA friends… so many friends from so many of my college social circles. It was such a good time.
• Kaya Coffee House. I loved this place in undergrad. I had to work on Sunday, so I spent the entire day holed up in Kaya working remotely. It was such a nice vibe.

And, in non-homecoming weekend highlights…

• Dinner at Oiistar in Wicker Park. I’m usually not the biggest ramen fan because I’m a klutz and chopsticks require fine motor skills, but I’m not going to turn down ramen when it’s cold, drizzly and windy outside… and I’m accompanied by an attractive guy.
• The usual heavy lifting behind the Tribune’s social media accounts.
• Helped my friend Daighna with a photo project… Can you spot me?
• Apple picking in my parents’ backyard.
• I finally finished Devil in the White City. It took a while since I was fact-checking and Googling something new every few pages.
• The most beautiful sunset on my drive up to Mount Pleasant.
• Getting access to Facebook Signal! I had my account verified recently, and now I have permission to use Signal. I’m already excited to see how I can use it at work.

(You can keep up with this stuff as it happens if you follow me on Instagram and on Snapchat: RandiMShaffer.)

After two insane weekends of travel between Chicago and Michigan, I am beyond ready to stay in Chicago for the foreseeable future. I’m really looking forward to a few things this week, like the NHL season opener (Go Red Wings!) and spending a weekend with one of my coworkers.

What’s on your radar lately? Let me know in the comments!

Arigato hey!

What a whirlwind week and weekend! There was so much going on I hardly had time to catch my breath.

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Links:

The Limited’s new brand campaign features actual real boss women. So cool.

Ever wonder what the characters of Star Wars look like now?

My coworkers put together this really cool photo gallery detailing the rise of Chicago’s iconic skyline.

Starbucks lets you place your order from your app now!

This is an old link, but a friend shared it on social media this week and it made me think. Thirteen things every woman learns by the time she is 26. I’m turning 26 in just a few short weeks, and while I do have a bed frame — I still love pre-gaming and shopping at H&M.

I like this rundown on dating apps. I also like the way it ends. “I ended up deleting my profiles because I got overwhelmed meeting so many people so quickly. Turns out, I still want to be single for a while. Which is perfectly fine, too.” So accurate.

The Kitchn has a fall checklist. Casseroles and PSLs, ya’ll.

This is an older link too, but I was helping a friend with some decorating inspo when I stumbled across this tool from Apartment Therapy. If you’ve ever struggled with nailing down the vocabulary to put your style into words, it will definitely help. (I’m a toss-up between “Warm Industrial” and “Classic Glam.”)

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And my week highlights? Where to start?

The biggest high point of my week was my trip back to Michigan for the weekend. My hometown has its annual Fall Festival during the last weekend of every September, so it’s a great chance to meet up with all my old friends from high school and spend some quality time with my family. I took Amtrak home Thursday night, and then spent Friday morning doing yoga and drinking tea on my parents’ porch. No sirens, police scanners, L trains or shouting pedestrians? So relaxing. I walked around the festival with my sister for a little bit, and the two of us sampled fudge, dips, salsas and shave ice cones. Later that night I had pizza and went apple picking with my parents (they have trees in their backyard!) before I went to Captain’s Lounge (the village dive bar) and a friend’s bonfire for the night. I drove up to East Lansing afterward to stay the night with my sister… and then we woke up at 8 a.m. to start tailgating. We never made it to the game (shame) but ended up visiting friends of hers and then going to the bar she works at to watch part of the game. I ended up running into one of my college roommates, and then we went to another house party before my sister and I made stops at Leo’s Coney Island and HopCat (crack fries!) to finish up the day in East Lansing. Whew!

Other highlights?

• Starbucks with my friend Megan! She’s in the process of moving to LA so I had to see her for one last caffeine fix before she left.
• Dinner at Fat Cat in Uptown.
• Skype-ing with some students at my alma mater. Society of Professional Journalists has a chapter at CMU, and the organization president asked if I could Skype into a meeting for a Q&A. It was great! I love seeing passionate journalism students actively taking steps to advance their careers.
• I got my new bedding! I kind of went all out during last week’s West Elm sale and ended up with this duvet cover in both white and gray (I couldn’t decide!), matching shams and this coverlet in gray.
• Fall decorations! Like every other basic white girl ever, I love fall, so I love spending the first day of Autumn filling my apartment with foliage.
• The usual 40-ish hours at the Trib’s social media desk. My boss is on a well-deserved vacation, so my week was filled with quite a few 7 a.m. shifts!

It was such an eventful weekend filled with so many of my favorite things!

And the best part?

I get to do it again… this coming weekend!

I’m going back to Michigan again this coming weekend for my alma mater’s homecoming game in Mount Pleasant. Fire up Chips!

What’s on your radar lately? Let me know in the comments!