Finally started on that wedding album

My husband and I finally got cracking on designing our professional wedding album. It is a lot of work, and we spent about 2 hours to get just 3 pages done! I told him I would like us to work about 4-5 pages a weekend so we can have it printed soon. Good thing that I looked at our proof book so many times that I know right away which photos I want in each section and which photos not to bother experimenting with.

I just feel like we always have stuff to do that I haven't even started on ordering prints for my bridesmaids! I plan on getting them a small photo album each filled with our professional photos (since we own the proofs, it is cheap to get them printed)...i hope to have that taken care of by the end of summer.

Chicago summers are awesome

I went to the Taste twice last week...first on Friday which was opening day. I went with my team for lunch. I just bought a strip of tickets for $8 and I used that up. I pretty much bought my standbys from Tastes of years past, which is a chicken wing from Harold's, Eli's cheesecake, Italian fries and a steak taco (i got all taste portions for variety). I brought my own bottled water since I didn't want to waste tickets on getting water from the festival.

On Saturday afternoon my hubby and I went to meet up with some friends at the Taste again. We were there for Stevie (Wonder that is). He put on a great show. The crowd was terrible, but my friends got a spot on the lawn early on which was pretty good and we got our blanket on there and everything. I felt bad for the people stuck behind the steel gates because there was nowhere for them to go, but Stevie has that effect...you just want to be in the same venue as him! hehehe. The acoustics weren't that good but everyone was so happy and dancing and singing along that it didn't put a damper on the day. He sang a lot of good favorites, especially "I Just Called To Say I Love You" and "Higher Ground". Aly and AJ are playing the last day of the Taste this Sunday and I'm pretty sure I'd like to make it out for that one as well. I will have to update my ipod with more songs of theirs though but I think the crowds will be better...especially most of them will be shorter (as in younger) kids. hehehe.

After the show we took the hike to Navy Pier and hung out by the beer garden. There was a salsa band playing and a lot of people were dancing. Even though my hubby and I took salsa lessons, we were tired from walking and instead just got more food and chilled with my friends over some beer. We also stayed for the awesome fireworks show. We sat on the steps by the beer garden for it. But after the fireworks, we were able to grab seats on the couches by the boardwalk thingy. We hung out for about an hour or so more.

Aaaahhh now this is summer!

Other things to look forward to:

Cirque du Soleil "Kooza" - in the United Center, July 17th. My hubby scored $90 tickets for free at work! For all the years I've been going to Vegas, I never once went to see a Cirque show but always wanted to. Look at the picture below. I wonder when did these people start their gymnastics/flexibility/ballet training??? Yikesssss.



Coldplay concert - Forgot the date I think this is sometime in August? Hubby is a big Coldplay fan. We also saw them play about 3 years ago last time they came to town. Tickets are $90 also but hubby is paying since I took care of the NIU football season tix. Maybe there'll be a Gwyneth/Apple sighting in the audience (haha she'll probably be in a luxury suite away from the throbbing masses)

Odyssey dinner cruise - July 5th -

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it is my sister's big 30th birthday so we're gonna celebrate with a bang! Me, my husband and my sis' bf are gonna take her on a dinner cruise. We got the fireworks option where we get to stay on the observation deck and view the Saturday night Navy Pier fireworks. Sure it is cheaper to just get off the dock and watch it from the shore like we did this past weekend but for $20 a person more...oh heck she only turns 30 once, and who knows when we'll be back on such an experience right. It's pretty pricey $120 a head plus all the taxes/fees/fuel surcharges etc, plus we are splitting it 3 ways instead of 4 since we are treating her...it is more like $237 a person. But like I said it's a big birthday and she's worth it :) I don't mind spending money on things like these now because they are experiences much like how my hubby and I are planning to travel more instead of buying material things. Also the option we got included a Celebration package which includeds a souvenir drink mug with premium drink ticket for each, souvenir boarding photo/frame and a "special dessert presentation"...dunno what that entails, guess we'll find out. Anyone been to the Odyssey before and want to give any feedback? My high school had an after-school dance moonlight cruise there but we were too poor to go what with paying for a new dress, hair, makeup and shoes, we opted for a house party instead with beer (figured the Odyssey wouldn't serve us...lol).

White Sox game (August 9th) - going with hubby and a bunch of his friends. This one is gonna cost me $40 but it includes the food for the pre-game tailgating. I'm not really a big fan of the Cell, the steps are just way too steep...but I figured this will probably be the only baseball game I'll go to this year. Again, should be a good time to be had with friends. For the first time I'm also taking one of my good girlfriends so at least there's someone to gossip and peoplewatch with.

So much to do so little time!

Ice show is done!

I realized I haven't blogged much this past two weeks. I have been very busy both at and outside of work. We had the ice show last week and it went great. The dress rehearsal was on Thursday so I left work early, and we also had a photographer come in and take pictures of the participants solo and in their groups. I did order one of the smaller photo packages for $22 to send to folks back home. On Friday, my friends and husband came to watch the show. My family and MIL came on the Saturday night show. I didn't fall (thank God :) ) although i did miss my spin on the second night. My toe pick just kinda got stuck on the ice and it prevented me from entering the spin. I was sorta pissed about that because I had my lesson at 7 am that day and I was spinning pretty good, as well as during warm ups and practice during the afternoon. However my family didn't notice the mistake (there was too much going on since I was in a group of 4) so all is well. And my hubby taped the Friday show with no mistake in it...PLUS it saves us $40 since we don't have to order the DVD from the professionals the rink hired. I still can't believe they are charging $40 for a measly DVD, not even the Official Olympics DVD cost that much. And it's just one disc!

I also ordered a souvenir hoodie which should come in tomorrow. It has the show's logo on the front and the dates, and then all the skaters' names on the back. It is $29.00. I like hoodies anyway and that's what I usually wear (with jazz pants) during lessons. I also usually wear them later in the year to the chillier football games. It is a worthwhile purchase. I also plan on reusing our costume as a practice dress. Except for the glittery multicolored part on the top and on the sleeves, the rest of the dress is plain black velour...so I can just put a zip up hoodie or sweater during class or practices if I don't wanna "stand out" too much. I'm glad that it is something I can use again on a normal basis as opposed to my previous really "showy" costumes.

I heart public transportation

With today's high gas prices, I am very glad that I take the train to work. I also don't need to do "double up" since my office is right in the Loop, so I don't have to leave extra early to make room for a ride on the CTA or L Train once hitting downtown. My office is a mere 10-15 minute walk (depends how I'm dragging) from Union Station. Of course, I am also glad that I don't leave behind a big carbon footprint.

I was always used to not having a car and now I am glad that I have always been that way. In college I either walked or took the Huskie bus around campus or in town. I know of classmates who drove to class despite the lack of parking spaces and the risk of getting a present from The Evil Parking Ticket Lady. When I interned in the city for the summer before my senior year, that got me even more used to not having a car and deepened my resolve not to bring mine to campus (i had a white Corsica sitting at home back then). What was the point, I'd say...if I brought my car to campus, I'd have to wake up extra early just to get a parking spot prior to class (and I liked my naptimes back then). Or I'd be forced to be DD when my friends and I go out. Plus, the Huskie bus line was being paid for by our student fees anyway so why not utilize it?

Sure I'd hitch a ride with a friend if I know she/he would be going to Walmart. I'd usually buy them a beer next time we went out or feed them from my wonderful meal plan at the dorms. But if there wasn't anyone to go tot he stores with I wasn't above taking the good ol' #7 downtown De Kalb Huskie bus.

And people ask me why I didn't gain any weight in college, even now. It's because I did a lot of walking!

Currently we spend about $300 a month on gas because my husband has to drive to the city for work, since the Metra doesn't start its runs that early. At least he is off of work by 8:30 am and doesn't have to pay for parking...street parking is free until then.

I found this article online that talks about people who give up simple luxuries and entertainment so they can have room for gas in their budget. (I'm still on the once a week Starbucks rule). But for us, money I am not spending on gas can still be used for other things. Thank goodness I don't have to give up skating!

My Metra pass is $116 a month but it is deducted pre-tax so it comes out to about a $100. My Pace/CTA bus pass is $36 a month. How much do you spend on commuting per month?

My hubby is looking into getting a bike for fitness purposes...he borrowed his uncle's bike last week and went riding down a trail near our ice rink while I was inside having my lesson. He enjoyed it a lot and thinks it would be a good Saturday morning routine for us, both of us getting our exercise for the day. We would also use it towards quick stops at nearby stores so we don't have to take the car out. Anyone else looking to reduce their carbon footprint and save money on the gas front?

Pinecone survey

The other day I filled out a Pinecone survey. I recieved my $3 payment thru Paypal. They are pretty fast. I've also been getting a lot more of the "household questions" which are mini questionnaires that they use to gauge what sort of next survey they will send next. I hope this means they'll send me more surveys...I've been getting two a month now, whereas before it was one every month or less.

Good deals at CVS

CVS is found in practically every block of the city, so if I need one or two items I just go there instead of waiting for the weekend to hit Target. They also usually put items we need on sale anyway. Here's the stuff I saw on sale today:

12 pack Scott toilet paper for $5.99 --> gonna buy one but will wait till after work so I don't have to lug it back and forth
Ajax dishwashing liquid for $0.88 --> got a bottle for my mom
CVS brand baked or regular cheese snack cracker (compare to Cheeze-its, my fave snack at work) - 7 oz box for $1.99

and my favorite: Arizona iced tea in 23 fl.oz can or bottle (different varieties) - buy 1 at $0.99, get 1 free so it's like $0.50 for each...cheaper than your office vending machine pop and bigger too! Good to take for those summer picnics or work lunches.

My fave is the green tea with ginseng...i take this stuff like fish is to water :)

I believe the sale ends this Saturday so stock up people.

Still limiting my dining out during the week

Since my friends and I pretty much meet for happy hour about once a week every or every other week, I have really taken measures to curb spending on other areas....more specifically, lunch at work. Even though it is super gorgeous outside and that I work in downtown Chicago (where awesome eating places abound), I still try to bring my lunch everyday and for the most part it is working. So at least even if I spend $15-20 on happy hour I am compensating by saving on other areas of the budget.

I haven't been buying Starbucks neither! Last time was the $2 shaken iced tea with my co worker. Today I had hot cocoa I made in the office with stuff I brought from home. Other times I'm so busy I forget to make myself hot cocoa or get hot water for my green tea.

But still it is such nice weather outside that you just wanna be outdoors, eating and laughing with your co workers or reading a good book! Anyone else feel that internal struggle? =)

I go to our office gym 3x a week during lunchtime, so that helps with the temptation to go eat out anyway. After the gym, i heat up my food and eat at my desk while working. At least I got my exercise routine over with too.