Randi with an i
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  • Outdoors
  • Flagstaff
  • Travel
    • Travel
    • India (Yoga Teacher Training)
    • Peace Corps Ukraine
  • Lifestyle
    • Forestry + wildfire (my day job)
    • Yoga (my night job)
    • Our house + renovation work
    • Wedding planning
    • Our huskies
    • Sustainability
    • Books + movies + music
    • Skincare + haircare + physical self-care
    • DIY + decor
    • Odds and Ends
  • Stuff I like
  • About
    • About Randi
    • Contact
    • Professional ish (AKA: portfolio)
    • Disclosure and privacy policy

Weekly Sundown Rundown

May 31, 2015 March 13, 2024 Randi5 comments

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Links:

I love The Everygirl’s weekend city guide to Chicago. I just moved here and have been completely inundated with visitor requests since arriving, so I’m always looking for fun things to do with those visitors that aren’t too tourist-y.

I (finally) tried Chipotle for the very first time a week ago and I might have already eaten it like four times so I’m really excited to try this recipe for DIY sofritas tacos.

And speaking of DIY food, my friend Angela posted this yummy looking recipe for ricotta stuffed shells.

Elite Daily has a list of reasons why you should take a break from social media. As someone who spends at least 60 hours a week on social media (no exaggeration — I work in social media), several of these really hit home for me, especially no. 5.

Elite Daily also has 25 things you didn’t know you could do with wine this summer. This is my new summer checklist.

Actually no, my summer checklist includes these can’t-miss summer restaurants in Chicago.

And more summer booze. My former roommate sent this Smirnoff-sponsored Buzzfeed post on boozy frozen summer desserts my way, and while I normally ignore any and all sponsored posts on Buzzfeed, 1. I love my former roommate and 2. Smirnoff was my beverage of choice in college. I’ll bite.

Caitlin over at And Possibly Dinosaurs has a list of staycation ideas. She lives in Michigan, but it looks like a lot of her ideas can be easily replicated in other areas.

Melissa McCarthy has a new clothing line. It’s one of those things that seems all inclusive with body-positive messages, but in reality the line only serves women sizes 4 and up, meaning it still excludes a lot of women and their bodies.

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And this past week’s highlights?

  • My first encounter with the Michigan Avenue bridge! I work just north of the Chicago River, so sometimes I venture across the river on lunch break to grab a bite to eat. All the bridges that cross over the river draw up for boat crossings, so I was delayed on my way back to the office because of the bridge.
  • A visit from out of town friends meant a day of sightseeing for them. We took a walk through Millennium and Grant parks.
  • Mag Mile shopping! This adorable piece in navy is finally mine!
  • Brunch at Kanela.
  • Perfect spring weather spent with an Oberon and a new friend (and a golden retriever puppy!) at Northside in Wicker Park.
  • Booze-filled conch shells at Three Dots and a Dash – a tiki bar in River North.
  • Some more decorating and unpacking.

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You can keep up with this stuff as it happens if you follow me on Instagram or add me on Snapchat at @RandiMShaffer.

I’m finally starting to settle into my apartment, which is such a nice feeling. I’m still waiting on a few more things that had to be ordered for the space, but I already can’t wait to show you guys my storage and decor solutions. On the agenda for this coming week? A few late night shifts at work and hopefully a run to get myself a new Illinois ID.

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

IMG_0372.JPGThis post contains affiliate links. For more information, please read my disclosure policy.

 

 

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Daily city dwelling essentials

May 29, 2015 August 1, 2017 Randi12 comments

Moving to a big city is a big change.

I can honestly hear you thinking “Duh Randi” right now.

I knew moving from my town of 20,000 to a city of 2.7-some million would be a big change, but I think that almost every small-town native can confirm that — no matter how much you research or how much you think you’re ready — nothing will ever truly prepare you for actually moving to the city.

Regardless, I am absolutely l-o-v-i-n-g my time living here in Chicago.

My life has changed in a lot of ways since I moved here two weeks ago, and I’m already realizing there are so many little material things that I heavily rely on every day when it comes to living and working in the city.

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Follow your bliss

May 26, 2015 May 25, 2015 Randi6 comments

An old friend of mine had a favorite phrase – “Follow your bliss.”

I’ve always thought it sounded pretty. Chase your happiness. Seek your ecstasy. It makes sense, right? It’s such an easy philosophy to live life by.

Do what makes you happy.

But I never truly understood what it meant until recently.

(Warning: personal reflection/ totally personal and cheesy life lesson ahead.)

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Download me, print me and frame me if you wish!
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Weekly Sundown Rundown

May 25, 2015 March 13, 2024 Randi2 comments

Hey all! Happy Memorial Day weekend. It’s the end of my first week in Chicago and honestly, I have never, ever, ever been happier. Here’s a weekly wrap-up/ kickstart for you.

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Links:

How to save money decorating via the Everygirl. (90 percent of what I’ve looked at online this week is home decor, sorry!)

Stop feeling lucky to have him when he’s fucking lucky to have you via Elite Daily. SO. MANY. PRAISING EMOJI HANDS. HERE. This one really hit home with me due to recent life events, so if you’re dating a jerk or know a girl who’s dating a jerk: read and share.

Popsugar has tips for washing dry clean only clothing at home.

The definition of hell for each Myers-Briggs personality type, brought to you by Thought Catalog. Apparently my version of hell is giving terrible advice to my friends. I can see it.

Corporette has your rundown of Memorial Day sales, so if you’re not at a beach I would recommend checking out the list.

Leighton Meester is pregnant! Flashback to this story and laugh. “Hear that, van der Woodsen?”

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And me this week? A whole lot of unpacking! Highlights include…

  • Starting my new job! If you missed the memo, I recently (ie: last week) moved to Chicago to start a new job working in social media at the Chicago Tribune. This past week was my first week and I love it so, so much more than I thought would be possible! Everyone I’m working with is completely awesome and I’m really loving the work I’m doing. Plus, check out that view in the Instagram collection below. Tribune Tower itself is incredible, and I’ve been sharing snippets of it on my Snapchat (@RandiMShaffer) if you’d like to check it out.
  • Unpacking and furnishing my apartment. I posted a bit of my design inspo earlier this week on my blog, and started making plans to get my new home set up. This neighborhoods poster is one of my favorite finds so far. I know there’s been some interest in a new apartment tour once it’s finished, and I can’t wait to share! But unfortunately, it’ll probably be another few weeks before I’m ready to make that post. Keeping you on your toes, duh.
  • A visit from my little sister! Her visit included two brunches – at Kanela Breakfast Club in Lakeview and Broadway Cellars in Edgewater, a trip to the Chicago outlet malls, a trip down Mag Mile, a visit to Ikea, my first ever Chipotle experience, Giordano’s and some much-needed grocery shopping. (Outlet mall purchases include this dress in black and this top, among other things.)
  • Dinner at Vapiano in the Loop with my high school friend Megan and her dad, who was in town to run a marathon with her this weekend.
  • An actual bath. My old apartment — and the apartment before that, and the apartment before that, and the house before that — all had standing shower stalls. But, ironically, this apartment has a full bathtub, even though it’s the smallest space I’ve ever lived in. I took full advantage of that midway through an intense week of work and moving, thanks to Gossip Girl and some Lush goodies I got from my brother’s girlfriend. Thanks Kayleah!

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

And this coming week? More work! I always joke about how I wouldn’t have to work again in my life if I had a dollar every time I said the phrase “news doesn’t stop for holidays!” I’ll be working this Memorial Day (Because, yunno, news doesn’t stop for holidays) and spending the rest of the week hopefully finishing up my apartment. I have a few more things I need to pick up to add to it and then finally finish unpacking and putting together furniture. I’m working four 10-hour days this week so I can start a shift to my new Sunday through Thursday schedule next week!

What about you? What’s going on in your life lately? Do you live in Chicago and want to meet up? Let me know in the comments!

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

 

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Apartment inspiration

May 19, 2015 August 14, 2015 Randi19 comments

First- I really want to apologize to everyone for being so absent lately. I’ve never moved my entire life to another state before, and I’m completely overwhelmed, exhausted and maddeningly busy trying to check off item after item on a seemingly never ending to do list, all while trying to get accustomed to an entirely new city and an entirely new job.

But, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! I signed and overnighted my apartment lease late last week and my moving crew (huge shout out to Phi Delta Theta at Kettering!) dropped my boxes, bags and bins off in my new abode this past Saturday.

This apartment is kind of exciting because it’s my first “real” apartment by myself. In the past, I’ve either lived with roommates, boyfriends or family members. I had a one-bedroom to myself for an internship four years ago, but I was only there for three months and only during the week. It was such a temporary stint that I never bothered to furnish or decorate my living room and only brought a bed and a dresser with me.

Since that internship, I’ve lived in a college party house with eight or so of my closest friends (miss you 1018!) and several two bedrooms with other roommates.

So, this apartment is a little different. I leased a one-bedroom within Chicago’s city limits, and I’m really excited to put my own personal touch on it. It’ll be a bit strange getting used to living by myself, especially in such a big city, but I’m already thinking about what I’m going to do with the (very small) space.

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Weekly Sundown Rundown

May 17, 2015 March 13, 2024 Randi10 comments

Hello from my new Chicago apartment! I’m really sorry I’ve been so absent lately but moving has been a complete pain. Thank goodness this adventure is almost finished!

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Links:

New Taylor Swift video.

I love this site that lets you figure out what your name would be based on popularity in another year.

Refinery29 has an interesting article about trying the ancient Egyptian skin care routine.

The Kitchn has cupcake baking tips.

Racked has a quick piece about the most returned items at Sephora.

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And me this week? I had the whole last week off work. And short of packing, I really didn’t do too much at all. I…

  • Watched the 90’s version of Total Recall with my parents.
  • Unpacked my Mount Pleasant apartment.
  • Repacked for my Chicago apartment.
  • Bought a new chair off of a Facebook yard sale group.
  • Drove four hours to Chicago on Friday just to pick up my apartment key and measure the dimensions of my new apartment, and then drove four hours back.
  • Had dinner at Red Lobster with my parents and grandmother.
  • Packed up a UHaul, drove four hours to Chicago, and unloaded the UHaul.
  • Took my brother and his three fraternity brothers (Shout out Phi Delta Theta!) to Giordano’s for post-moving dinner.
  • Spent more time unpacking.

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Obviously, my week was totally not eventful at all. But still so busy! I’m looking forward to starting my new job tomorrow, getting Internet installed in my apartment and unpacking/ decorating my small little space. I can’t wait to share it with you!

What’s on your radar lately?

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My favorite Mount Pleasant eats

May 12, 2015 February 22, 2022 Randi7 comments

I mentioned earlier this week that I’d be saving all my foodstagrams for a single post, and here it is. I love food. This really isn’t a secret. Aside from meat and super spicy things, I’ll eat practically anything, and I will almost always pick a unique local joint over a typical chain restaurant.

One of the worst things about saying goodbye to Mount Pleasant is saying goodbye to its food. After eight years in this city, I’ve come to love several restaurants and eateries in this little town, all for many different reasons. As soon as I found out I’d be leaving, I embarked on my #mpfarewellfoodtour to eat and drink at each of my favorite establishments one last time. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve probably noticed my excessive amount of #foodporn ‘grams. If you’re a Mount Pleasant resident or ever stop by town, these are 12 of the many places I could recommend, in no particular order.

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Weekly Sundown Rundown

May 10, 2015 March 13, 2024 Randi8 comments

Happy Mother’s Day from my parents’ house! I hope you had a chance to spend time with your momma today. Mine is currently lecturing me on laundry, so it’s good to be home. 🙂

IMG_0371.JPGLinks:

I love this line of brutally honest empathy cards, designed by a former cancer patient.

Refinery29 did a collab with Old Navy and Liz Adams of Sequins & Stripes featuring spring fashion for chilly areas. As a lifelong Midwest resident, I give a hearty amen. Nothing more frustrating than seeing crop tops and midi skirts roll out in mid-April while I’m still watching the snow fall in my La Canadiennes.

The New York Times wrote an expose on the real cost of low cost manicures in NYC.

I’ve been drooling over the Chicago apartment tours on The Everygirl lately since I’m moving into a new space in Chicago in a week.

I love this xoVain post on finding a true red lipstick.

Five ways to eat chia seeds for breakfast.

In case you forgot how awesome Jennifer Lawrence is, Popsugar rounded up a list of her best quotes.

The Everygirl also has some summer reading list suggestions.

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And me this week? It was so productive! I…

  • Signed a lease on an apartment in Chicago! It’s a one-bedroom with a closet near the red line. I had been stressing out about finding a place for weeks so this is such a huge relief.
  • Completed faculty orientation for my new position as AN INSTRUCTOR AT CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY! I’m so thrilled! I was approved to teach two social media-focused journalism courses through Global Campus, so it will be online and distance learning. This means I’ll be able to fit it in with my new job working social media at the Chicago Tribune. For those of you who don’t know, CMU is my (two-time) alma mater.
  • Entirely moved out of my apartment in Mount Pleasant. Huge thanks to my brother and his Phi Delta Theta brothers for serving as my moving crew! They spent all of Saturday hauling my belongings (ie: clothes) across the state… and they get to do it again in a week once I move it all down to Chicago. (Love you guys.)
  • Had my going away party at the Bird. I’ll miss that bar more than I can even comprehend.
  • Worked my final three days at the Morning Sun. My amazingly wonderful coworkers gifted me with several Starbucks gift cards and a card!
  • Finished up my #mpfarewellfoodtour. One of the biggest comments I get on my roundup posts is “that food looks so good!” I’ll spare you the foodstagrams for today and recap my fave Mount Pleasant eats later this week.
  • Spent Mother’s Day weekend with my parents. We watched 90’s action movies, ate pizza and I gifted my mom chocolate and flowers.

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

And me this coming week? Needless to say, life has been a little hectic and crazy in the best possible way lately. Between packing, finishing up my last few days at work, driving to Chicago multiple times to apartment hunt, saying goodbye to so many friends and completing faculty orientation at CMU, I’m super excited to have this entire week off of work. I’m planning on going through my belongings (hello Craigslist and Goodwill) and re-packing for the Chicago move. I’ll also be giving myself some much needed time for yoga and running, baking with my mom and sleep!

How was your Mother’s Day? What’s on your radar? Let me know in the comments!

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Weekly Sundown Rundown

May 3, 2015 March 13, 2024 Randi11 comments

Happy Sunday from Chicago! I’m back here again working on apartment searching, and I’m cautiously optimistic that I might have finally found something! Let’s hope so.

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Links:

I really need to go to this summer camp for grown ups.

I love that this blogger spoofed off of the baby posts – 18 months! – and highlighted her likes, dislikes and accomplishments at her current age.

This amazing save by Petr Mrazek during Monday night’s game six of the Red Wings/ Lightning series.

Tricks for a good night’s sleep.

Stylecaster has a list of stylish gifts for Mom. (Mother’s Day is next Sunday, btw!)

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And me this week? I have been so incredibly busy not only finding somewhere to move and packing up to move there, but also trying to cram all of my favorite mid-Michigan places and activities into the two short weeks I have left! I started the #farewellfoodtour to say goodbye to all my nostalgic restaurants and eateries. I…

  • Spent last Sunday night at O’Kelly’s, playing Cards Against Humanity and drinking Bud Light with coworkers. O’Kel’s has an expansive burger menu named after all of the Chippewa sports legends. I had my first (veggie) burger, a patty topped with mozzarella cheese sticks (!!!) and ranch.
  • Caught game six of the Red Wings/ Lightning series at the Bird Monday night. This is my favorite bar in the whole entire world and I will miss it so. much. when I leave here! I had a (veggie) Bird burger. Why did it take me eight whole years to try it?
  • Went to a retirement party for one of my undergrad J-School profs… at the Bird, of course. Caught the last Red Wings game of this season (such a bummer) and hung out with several former classmates and instructors.
  • Had lunch at Shin’s Korean Restaurant, another favorite I’m going to miss, with my coworker Paul.
  • Had dinner at Killer Hibachi – Mount Pleasant’s only Japanese fusion restaurant – with my coworker Nate.
  • Started packing. Tried to figure out if you could pack with one hand and eat Cabin pizza (another Mount Pleasant favorite) with the other. No, no you cannot.
  • Drove to Chicago. My elementary school friend Megan is lending me her apartment for the short time I’m here. (THANK YOU MEGAN!) I stopped in Elkhart to pick up my friend Emily and then we went apartment hunting Saturday. And guess what. I…
  • Found an apartment! I haven’t been approved for the lease yet, but I filled out an application and forms for a credit and background check, so fingers crossed guys!
  • Had bean burgers and spicy bloodies at Fat Cat in Uptown.
  • Had dinner at Giordano’s in East Rogers Park.
  • Had brunch at Kanela Breakfast Club. I had challah bread french toast with apricot sauce and a sweet lemon creme fraiche. And a mimosa (pitcher).
  • Hit up the Magnificent Mile for some shopping today. Purchases include this lipstick (Girl About Town), this dress in navy with white polka dots (on sale for less than $10!) and some of my favorite basic t-shirts. I’m also thinking about getting a new crossbody, since I have a feeling I’m going to need one once I move here for good. I’m kind of torn between this Kate Spade piece and the (oh so typical) Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac, both of which I looked at in Nordstrom. Opinions? (Leave them in the comments!)
  • WORKED 40 HOURS. In case you were wondering, no. I did not sleep at all this week and likely won’t for another three weeks.

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And this upcoming week? Big plans! I have tomorrow and Tuesday off to finalize some leasing stuff here in Chicago, drive to my parents’ house to pick up some packing boxes and pack up the rest of my apartment. I have a late night work meeting on Thursday and my last day of work, followed by my going away party, on Friday, and then I’ll be packing to move all of my belongings from Mount Pleasant to my parents’ house to prepare to move to Chicago. So, so busy!

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

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

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My Mount Pleasant loft apartment tour

April 29, 2015 August 15, 2016 Randi16 comments

This is kind of a bittersweet post. I recently accepted a new job in a new state, so at the moment, my Mount Pleasant loft apartment is packed up into boxes, bags and bins.

But, I still wanted to share it with you. One of my biggest pet peeves is the “blogger apartment tour.” Whenever a blogger I follow touts an apartment tour, I always get really excited. I know a lot of these girls live in small studio or one-bedroom spaces, just like me, so I get eager to see the small space solutions. I’m curious to see how said blogger maximizes storage or makes use of a confined layout. But, nine times out of 10, the post ends up being a 12-photo set of high bokeh detail shots of accessories, faux fur, stilettos and a table setting. This always ends up as a complete letdown.

It’s misleading and unrealistic.

I’ve always been pretty open about what my post-graduate life is actually like. I think a lot of us young women are in similar situations. We’re just starting off in the workforce with jobs that pay a decent amount more than minimum wage, but nowhere near enough to fund a lavish lifestyle, especially when you factor in student loan payments. Some of us live in small studios, some of us live with family members or significant others and some of us have roommates. It’s totally unrealistic to expect a plush airy city loft or spacious suburban sun-soaked mansion right out of college, and I hate that a lot of young female bloggers feel the need to portray a life different than the one they lead.

So, that’s why I decided to share my full apartment and its layout with you.

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HELLO!

Randi with an i

Randi M. Shaffer

Hi! I'm Randi. I spend my days working in forestry and wildfire, my nights instructing yoga and my weekends exploring northern Arizona (and beyond). I'm a former journalist, a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer and a Midwest native. Welcome!
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