Experiencing Some Technical Difficulties

Happy Sunday, Minis!

I want to share my deepest apologies to all of my readers. I have encountered a series of unfortunate events that have restricted my photography and blogging abilities — hence why you haven't heard much from me.

A few years ago I was assisting at a wedding shoot in Columbus when the main photographer dropped my Canon 550EX Speedlite on the concrete. It has been finicky ever since and finally in just the past couple of weeks it has bit the dust. I have attempted surgery and a variety of other things, and none of them have solved the hot shoe connection issue.

The Chicago transition has admittedly been tough for me financially, so at the moment I'm going to be sitting with this broken flash. I do have some new items for the shop that I'm going to attempt to shoot with natural light, so let's all keep our fingers crossed!

Otherwise, I have so many outfit combinations and posts to share with you all. A lot of things have changed for me over the past month and I need to keep blogging to keep my sanity. There are potential changes for my work life as well, but I'm not going to get too far ahead of myself just yet.

Again, apologies all around. Technology — it's both a blessing and a curse.

Layers and Vacation

Click to View on LookBook

Vacation so far has been amazing. I shared with you the images from the work party and have been enjoying time with my friends here in Chicago — but best of all, on Sunday my best friend bussed in from Columbus.


Kelley and I have been friends for a while and have had so many laughs over the years. I am so excited that she got the chance to visit this week. We've spent a good amount of time going out, meeting people, shopping, and eating delicious food. We have been having an excellent time!

Images from my Instagram (@chaplinnn)

Images from Kelley's Instagram (@kelley_b)

Kelley also brought a gift — this amazing bolo tie! I totally adore it and it's probably one of the most unique pieces of jewelry I've gotten in a long time. Thank you, Kelley!


I also picked up a pair of Dr. Martens 1460 boots a few weeks ago. We've had a few snows here in Chicago and these boots have been a total game changer. They're great in this Midwest winter and I definitely recommend a pair.



I also took her down to the planetarium for [what I consider to be] the best view of the skyline! Luckily the weather hasn't been bad since she got here and we were able to pull this off without freezing to death.


This outfit is from Monday when we hit up Cloud Gate and shopping on Michigan Avenue. I bought this J. Crew coat about four years ago back in Columbus and it has been the only winter coat I've needed since!

J. Crew tulip coat, J. Crew
Fred Perry Deconstructed Messenger Bag, UO
Wood Wood Samantha 113 Cardigan, UO Surplus
Striped shirt dress, thrifted
Bolo tie, gift from Kelley
Panther ring, Rudy’s Roundup
Wolf ring, UO
Studded bracelets, XXI
Tights, H&M
Thigh high socks, Target
Dr. Martens 1460 Boots, UO
Obey jacket (layered under coat, not pictured), UO Surplus

Snowday and Free Shipping!

To kick off the lovely snow + the return of Mini Penny, domestic orders now get free shipping with the code SNOWDAY at check out. Only at the Mini Penny Shop and only until January 25th!

Rock 'n' Bowl

First things first, I am terrible at bowling. I'm the first to admit it. It's one of those things, similar to karaoke, that doesn't really matter when you're with a group of good people and having a good time.

I am officially on vacation from work for almost a week and a half, and our post-holiday and post-inventory party at work was such a killer way to kick off my freedom week.


I have been so excited about all of the people I work with — it's an entirely different world than Columbus. The men and women that I surround myself with for forty hours a week are kind and unique and great to pull inspiration from! The environment is so open here that it makes going out easy and effortless — we're all about having a good time and being friends. Love!

D'Rico and Matt

Ben, Karina, and Matt

Xtina

Jaz

After bowling we managed to cram all of us into two cabs and hit up an industrial/goth/80s bar. It was pretty amazing and we had an excellent time!

I have been getting requests for more outfits, and not to worry! I have outfit posts planned. My best friend from Columbus, Ms. Kelley B, busses into Chicago tomorrow. We will be having lots of fun little adventures. This is going to be the best staycation (despise that word!) ever!

I'm Back!

Well, well, well, Minis. It's been nearly three weeks since my last post — not intentional, of course, but I've spent the time getting some things in order and making new plans for Mini Penny.

Firstly, anyone who works in retail knows the strain of the holidays. The lines both before and after the season are a challenge in themselves. I've been coming home from work exhausted. Many of you follow me via Instagram/Tumblr and get to see how un-exciting many of my days really are. We are in the midst of our end-of-the-fiscal-year inventory and I'm pulling extra long days. Yeesh!

Aside from getting sucked into my day job, things are changing around this place. The biggest shift in my personal life has been my separation from my (now ex) boyfriend. This is something that has been causing me to keep to myself for the past couple of months — not out of sadness so much as a simple desire to sort out my feelings. I'm not one to air my personal affairs and details on the internet, so I can only say that I had to make a tough decision that ended up being best for both of us.

So what does all of this mean for Mini Penny? A few small tweaks, of course, but overall I have come to realize that I just need to keep on truckin'. Since I moved to this city I have had nothing but great friends and even greater times, and I'm not ready to let negativity stand in my way.

Thank all of you for sticking by me through the past three weeks. I promise to get this back into a consistent working order now that I have my heart in the right places.

In the mean time, please be sure to check out the new items in the Etsy shop. There are some lovely goodies!


Southwestern Printed Sweater Size S-M, $25


Striped Sweater Tunic Size L, $20


Vintage Nashville Tennessee Tee Size S, $16

In 2011

2011 started off with a new addition to my life — Kitty. Early in the year, Geoff and I adopted a five month old kitten from a nearby shelter, causing my heart to be filled with an indescribable amount of love for this little furry creature.


I started Mini Penny Blog in March, kicking things off with my first DIY tutorial — our custom bicycle store.


At the same time, I also launched the Mini Penny Shop on Etsy. The blog and shop have been my favorite adventure this year!


Shortly after opening Mini Penny Shop, I started my Quaint by Number project. It was great to see my idea of custom paint by number kits materialize! Speaking of which, I have a bunch of new kits to list...!


I completed a 30-Day Fashion Challenge.


I started posting my daily outfits and actually had over 120 days of consecutively posting my outfit every day. The only time I started missing days was when Geoffrey was out of town on business and I took a road trip to Chicago! I definitely miss out daily outfit post adventures!


I made friends with a Stegosaurus.


It was a great summer with pool time and sunshine!



We checked out the Olentangy Indian Caverns.



Somehow we also survived a canoe trip...



Of course it wouldn't be summer without grabbing a blanket and settling into Columbus's annual community festival.




My brother, sis in law, and nephew came to visit from San Diego, so we went and made friends with all of the animals at the zoo.


We caught fireworks from the baseball stadium on the Fourth of July.



Saw lots of good live music, including three of my favorite current bands — YACHT, STRFKR, and Chromeo.


I was honored to be selected as a featured member for StyledOn in July.


The world lost a great musician and one of my most admired fashion icons — leaving me to realize to never take my talents for granted.


I got fringe for the first time since elementary school!


The Ohio State Fair provided some colored entertainment this year.


Mini Penny was selected as a top blogger on MTV Style!



Geoff and I took a road trip to Pennsylvania for his family reunion and took the time to visit Fallingwater.


Stanley came to visit from Santa Monica!


In September I took an extremely bumpy solo road trip to Chicago.


But finally met my Tumblr friend, Daina, in real life.


I learned the true power of social media.


Geoff and I hit up my hometown for the Pumpkin Show.


And we had a totally excellent Halloween.


I took a huge step in my life and moved to Chicago.


And immediately got back on my bicycle and felt at home.


Mom came to visit me for Thanksgiving and we had a great time!


And Geoff came up for my birthday!


Finally, it was absolutely wonderful to be included in ModCloth's Spread the Cheer Event!

2011 Favorites?
Film: Midnight in Paris
Book: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?
Album: Reptilians by STARFUCKER

So needless to say, 2011 was amazing. I met amazing people (both in person and through this awesome blogging community) and plan to make 2012 even better!