Forever 21's Exclusive Design Collection

The Budget Fashionista recently shared with us some looks from Forever 21's new Exclusive Designs Lookbook. I always have mixed feeling about Forever 21. I love how affordable their clothes are and that there is alway plenty of variety in the stores. BUT HOT DAMN, it's so hard to shop in there. It is always a mess, always packed, always a line wrapping around the store for the dressing room. Is it just a Mall of America thing or is it like that every where? I must say, though, that stepping foot into the 3 story Forever 21 on Michigan Avenue in Chicago was an out-of-this-world experience. I could have spent hours in that place if Alvi wasn't with me (poor guy). There were so many lines and collections that I didn't even know existed! I think I spent the majority of money from our Chicago trip (besides all the money spent on taxis) solely in that store. Worth. Every. Penny.

Check out some more looks here
My favorite that I've seen so far? This black & white striped jacket.

Chicago Trip

Like I said in my previous post, my Chicago trip was so much fun that it was necessary to have an entire post about it. I know, I know, it was almost a year ago but I still cannot get over it. Alvi and I drove there which took about 6 hours for us. We went over New Years weekend so there was a lot of traffic in the city, but that was half the fun. We didn't hold back when it came to indulging so we took many cab rides and went out to eat all day, every day. We did the usual tourist-y stuff: shopping on Michigan Ave, Aquarium, saw the Bean, the pier, etc. We even went to a Blackhawks game when they played the Sharks. Those Hawks fans put Wild fans TO SHAME. Damn, they love to party. For NYE, we went out to a delicious Italian restaurant and spoiled ourselves with fantastic food and wine and then we walked downtown and then to the pier to watch the fireworks. From there we went to some bars and enjoyed some tequila (me) and whiskey (him). Nothing wild, but perfect. SO perfect.

Above pictures (from left to right, top to bottom) are random photos I still had on my computer from the trip:
1. View from our hotel (Sheraton on the river).   2. cheersing to the new year.  3. our tickets - we were so excited.  4. The bean!  5. View of the river.  6. The fog over the city when we first drove in.  7. Fireworks on the pier.  8. Another bean view.  9. Pretty sunset, pretty buildings.

Road Trip to Chicago Polyvore

Road Trip to Chicago by stellacharlie featuring platform high heels

This polyvore outfit was inspired by a trip that Alvi and I took last year. We went to Chicago for New Years and it was one of the best trips I've ever been on. It was so fantastic that I think I'll dedicate my next post to it.