Stripes

I am whole-heartedly obsessed with this stripey cutout bodycon dress. It has so many fun details — wait and back cut outs, shoulder cutouts, and even a reverse high-low hem in the back.

South Philly has been same-ol', same-ol'. I've been working on getting my patio and pool and finished up so I can simply enjoy summer nights in my own little oasis. The garden is growing — seriously, I am stoked. It's my first garden and I have the cutest little bean sprouts popping up!



I keep talking about how much I love ShoeDazzle. I mean, look at these shoes. These incredibly comfy and I always get compliments on these. I actually just placed an order for another pair of shoes from the site — I think that will bring me up to five shoes and one bag. Really. It's addictive.


Side note, this little pink house across the street from mine is abandoned. It has tons of character and I feel like it would be absolutely darling if someone swooped in and fixed it up. Who wants to be neighbors?

Sierra Leon Striped Cut Out Dress, c/o SWAYCHIC
Dannie sandals, ShoeDazzle
Prism necklace, Urban Outfitters

Weekstagram // June 16

Well, I'm obsessed with the new VSCO Cam update in case you couldn't tell. It's pretty fantastic and I highly recommend it!

• Found a flea market in South Philly.
• Finally dug out all the weeds in the back and planted veggies!
• Pool, watermelon, beer time in the pool.
• New hair color! This is my favorite so far — equal parts Lavender and Titanium! Meow!
• This past Monday was my three year anniversary at Urban. I celebrated with this cookie from someone else's desk.
• South Philly window dogs.
• A little Throwback Thursday action. This is from Columbus, Ohio, in 2009. That was a seriously awesome summer.
• Brunch.
• My favorite vintage find in a very long time. I picked up this Vintage Chicago O'Hare Airport pennant for under ten bucks. I'm in love.

Follow Mini Penny on Instagram @Chaplinnn.

Weekstagram // June 8

• I picked up a couple of amazing greyscale Chicago flag patches.
• Diner dinners.
• I have had an Arrested Development XL tshirt that I have been waiting to do something with. I decided to make a patch out of the Banana Stand graphic and put it on this UO floral tote. New favorite.
• My parents came into town and I saw the Liberty Bell for the first time. Tourist fun!
• Obsessed with this MINKPINK dress!
• I bought a pool. Like a giant, inflatable pool. Best decision ever.
• Urban Outfitters summer BBQ included a photo booth! Fun!
• My hair has been perfectly lavender-curly lately!
• Storm Andrea caused crazy rain for us yesterday on the east coast. No bueno! But at least I picked up these Nike Air Max 90 Infrareds...

Summer

Some of you may have noticed that I do this horrible thing sometimes where I go blog-MIA. I really hate it. But sometimes, ya know, it's nice to step back and sort of get your shit together.

I have officially been in Philadelphia for seven months. It's been rough. Since the last time I wrote, I've had to face some unfamiliar situations: taking steps backwards to take steps forward, asking myself where my priorities lie, standing up for myself. None of it has been easy.

I feel as though a big reason that I can connect with you (yes, you) is because I've been brutally honest through all of my writing. I've had no hesitation on subjects that have affected me - everywhere from job uncertainty to times in Chicago that I didn't know if I'd even be able to afford to eat. All of this shameless spilling of my guts has been a weird, non-narcissistic therapy. I've made friends and actually feel that a part of where I am today is because of Mini Penny.

This sounds like a goodbye note, right?

It's not.

In recent months I've had to come to terms with a truth brought upon me by my peers — I have a rather lime-lighty day job. There are things I can't share. I can't cry about how much I think I dislike Philly and then expect to be successful at the office. Nobody likes a whiner. At the same time I can't come on Mini Penny and share all of my tales of good travels via work — because then I look as though I'm using my career as a sort of pedestal to further Mini Penny.

Mini Penny has been and always will be about me. Amazingly enough, I'm about to hit my three year mark at Urban Outfitters and, damn, UO is a pretty huge part of me. I started this blog because I was inspired at my little part-time retail job in Columbus, Ohio. I built and built and gained confidence and grew up. I've struggled with the fact that I can't deliver to you, the people who helped me with this confidence, the complete story of me due to fear of being viewed as unprofessional or appearing to not be 'on-brand' for UO. Honestly, I've been a bit heart broken over it and have had to try to draw some sort of line in the sand.

So, slowly but surely, Mini Penny will begin to build again. Regrettably, my career endeavors may be a bit hush-hush for a bit. While the stories are fun, I truly love my job and would rather be safe than sorry.

So, with that out of the way, what have I been up to?

Last time we talked, I had just dumped a guy. Now, I have a new one.
Last time, I was homesick. I just got back from Chicago on Tuesday.
Last time, I had pink hair. Now, it's sorta purple... ish.
Last time, there were 3 seasons of Arrested Development. Now there are 4.
Last time, I didn't have a Star Wars tattoo. Now I have a Death Star.
Last time, I hadn't seen my parents in a year and a half. Right now they're staying the weekend at my home.

Not too shabby.


Can I just say that upgrading to a super gorgeous man with a face tattoo who can also take photographs of your outfits RULES because you end up getting sassy-sexy-derpy face like this one? Okay, I'm done gushing. He keeps bothering me that I haven't blogged about him yet, so there.

As of now I have no summer travel plans with the exception of some work training in the Carolinas. I hope to be taking another short trip to Chicago at the end of summer, budget permitting, but you guys know me. I have the tendency to buy plane tickets to the midwest on a whim.


Tell me, lovely Minis, what have you all been up to?

White Cotton Round Neck Women's Tee, c/o ZLZ
Kimchi Blue Rosie Pin Up Shorts, Urban Outfitters
Prabal Gurung for Target shoes, Target
Pyramid Necklace, Urban Outfitters
Skull Bracelet, Urban Outfitters
Chain bracelet, H&M
Banded rings, Topshop

Weekstagram // April 21

• New manicure featuring some fun and colorful symbols.
• I picked up this print at the Awesome Dudes Printing Garage Sale last weekend. This one is by Eric Kenney.
• This ice cream truck has been showing up at work. I can't say no to a rainbow cone!
• I picked up another pair of kicks from ShoeDazzle. I'm sort of super addicted to this site!
• I got some rad nail charms from HexNails. These came just in time to give a proper 'Fuck you' to the now-ex boyfriend — who I found out was cheating on me in the sleaziest way possible. Here's to being single again and not putting up with someone's creepy. Oh and some adorable nails.
• Roxy had these funny little baseball prints. There's something morbidly awkward and funny about this one.
• Record Store Day? I didn't want to wait in lines, so I spent mine listening to some of favorites from my existing collection.
• Picnic-print pants and big shoes for a sleepy Friday.
• I picked up this great dresser from Jinxed. Yesterday I finally got the closet together and hung some prints. Hooray!

Follow Mini Penny on Instagram at @chaplinnn

Mint Condition

I always experience this little phenomenon the first day of warm weather — you know, when you wear a skirt or shorts without tights for the first time in months — that I just sort of feel, well, naked. I was pretty inspired by Delightfully Tacky's locks and decided to bring back my old extensions. Consider me obsessed all over again.

Bring it on, weather.

I purchased these shoes from ShoeDazzle. It's sort of my newest crush. If anyone is interested in joining, feel free to do so here!

Weekstagram // April 7

• Started pulling out the garden out back and found a bunch of old bricks. So excited to start planting veggies!
• Picked up some new kicks from ShoeDazzle.
• I entered this photo of Kingslet in American Apparel's Pet Pic contest. He ended up winning third place! SUPERMODEL!
• Had a rough week, so The Boyfriend brought me tulips.
• Fun prints at the office.
• I scored at the URBN Sample Sale — ended up with many pairs of Vans and this killer pair of Jeffrey Campbell moto boots.
• Warm weather, pink hair, braids. Spring outfit.
• Playing frisbee with Dumptruck at the Navy Yard.
• Took Kingsley on a Sunday walk to Federal Donuts!

Obsessed // Nike

I don't know what my deal has been lately — either I'm jumping on this trend or it's of The Boyfriend's influence. But lately, I've been dying over getting some sneakers. No, not only platforms. I'm talking running sneakers.


Nike, in particular, has caught my eye with the Air Max 90s. There are tons of colors and variations — it's hard for me to make up my mind. These darker tones are amazing, yet I can't help but to obsess over the infrared color ways.

Photo Credits: [x] [x] [x] [x]

I think another part of is attributed to the growing number of sneakers that I'm seeing on street style blogs and Pinterest. Not just Air Max 90s, but a variety of styles. There's something about them that is so fun and playful with a little bit of edge!

Is anyone else into the sneaker trend? Maybe not specifically Nikes, but any trainers for that matter?

Nails // Jumpman

Click to Enlarge for Detail

So, The Boyfriend loves Michael Jordan. Being from Chicago and a fan of 80s/90s pop culture, I can't argue. The other day he surprised me with these awesome decals — in four different colors. I couldn't help but immediately paint my nails teal and pink with some glitter and a pink Jordan on each thumb. This Etsy Shop has tons of different decals. Check them out!

Fred Perry x Amy Winehouse

I've noted multiple times my love of Amy Winehouse and Fred Perry. For years I've lusted after the FP x AW collections, and now that I'm on the East Coast, the NYC Fred Perry and FP Surplus are only a short train ride away. Back in December I picked up three pieces from past collections — this leopard polo being one of them. It's easily the most I've ever paid for a piece of clothing, but it is certainly coveted now. It has an ultra-subtle leopard print and white laurel wreath. Epic.