Please Help Us Find Kitty

Edit // Kitty has been located! Thank you for all of the shares, tweets, and good vibes wishing her return. She was found between the walls of the building where she had fallen through about 10+ feet of electrical wires and pipes. She is doing just fine and is at home with Geoff.

Remember good ol' sweet Kitty?

I was so saddened today to receive a text from Geoff that Kitty is lost. While he was away at a new store opening build, one of his roommates accidentally let Kitty out. She's now lost in Brooklyn and we're eagerly awaiting any news on her whereabouts.

I know New York is a big city and she's a little cat, but if anyone by the grace of all that is the internet happens to stumble up this magical creature, please tweet me @jessiebarber or shoot me an email minipennyblog@gmail.com. We want Kitty to be safe and come home!


She's a cozy little fluff ball.


And is super friendly and approachable.


Please help!

Of course, if anyone can help us find her, we will be forever grateful. Thank you all for the retweets, etc, and helping us spread the word.

BROOKLYN! #Help us find Kitty. Twitter @jessiebarber. #lostcat #brooklyn #nyc #cats vine.co/v/bJPWe0PE9JZ
— Jessie Barber (@jessiebarber) January 30, 2013

Girl Power

You know that flu that has been going around? Yeah, I got it last week. Ouch. For someone who rarely gets sick (I like to think that I take pretty decent care of my body), it knocked me on my butt. My joints were in so much pain that I couldn't move, let alone did I have an appetite. I missed out on three days at the office and an entire weekend.

I'm finally getting back on my feet this week (and toes, as you can see above). The good news today? I found a house that I like. I looked at it on Friday and am in the process of filling out the paperwork. Yeah, it's a rental, but I don't feel like I'm in a mental place to root down anywhere just yet. I'm super excited at the prospect of having my own space again.


This is probably one of the warmest, coziest coats I own, by the way.


Okay, I want to back up a little bit. My current roommate (who also shoots a lot of my photos for me) hates these shoes. He brings it up every time I wear them and I think a big part of it has to do with my fashion influences growing up. See, when I was a pre-teen in the mid 90s, I worshipped The Spice Girls. It's funny to look back and realize just how much influence they still have over my closet  — and I attribute my love for leopard print to my favorite Spice Girl, Scary. When Buffalo-esque trainers started popping back into style, I had to get some. Hence these gothed-out Y.R.U. Qozmo sneakers. I love them, Lou hates them.


So over the next couple weeks, it's a pretty high possibility that I'll be moving into my new home. Let's all cross our fingers!

Qozmo Platform Sneakers, Y.R.U.
Over-The-Knee Suspender Tights, UO
Striped bodycon dress, H&M
Pink oversized sweater, H&M
Teddy Bomber coat, UO
Tassel necklace, UO
Men's black beanie, URBN Sample Sale

Change

Then you better start swimmin' or you'll sink like a stone. I took a tad break from posting to sit in my own thoughts for a bit. I came home to Philadelphia and wrote a small recap of my Chicago trip and felt refreshed. But, see, there's a keyword in here: home.

I have fought with myself to call Philadelphia my home. With Chicago, it was natural. I can be totally bored but walk the streets and feel safe and curious and entertained. Philadelphia has been a slow transition and a struggle to say the least. I have cried a lot and I have worried about my path.

But I feel better now.

Ohio is home and Chicago is home. And now, Philadelphia is home. I moved, yes, but it doesn't change where I came from. The Midwest is so strongly embedded in who I am and no location change will ever take that away. If anything, ripping myself out of my comfort zone has made me feel more proud of where I came from and where I'm going.

I'm on the upswing now — I'm on the brink of signing a new apartment lease (so pumped) and I'm finally making some friends and getting out in the city. I'm getting it together. And I finally feel optimistic.

Work is pulling me through everything. I am excited every day. Every time someone asks for my story, they point out how amazing it is that everything fell into place for me like this. And they're so, so right.

I think there's a common misconception about me (and probably other bloggers as well, as I've come to learn this about many people whose careers are heavily internet-based), but I am shy as can be. I'm awkward.

So this is a lesson I've had to learn for the past few months. The times are changing and I can't fight it, no matter how badly I wish I was hanging out with my old friends or getting into my old troubles. It's time to make new friends. And get mischievous here. And stop being so worried that people will think that I'm that 'weird Internet girl.' Because you know? I am. Fuck it.



And with this comes an unexpected change. For the past year and half, I've sported the same hair. On a whim, I decided to go with a nice wine and (very) faded pink.


Let's do this, Philadelphia.

Sparkle and Fade Mesh Dolman Sweater, Urban Outfitters
Second Skin Denim in Charcoal, Cheap Monday
Kimchi Blue Toe Cap Wedges, Urban Outfitters
Cat and Skull Cameo, Rudy's Roundup
Lipcolor: Oil Slick (sheer grey), Urban Decay

Weekstagram // January 12

A crazy week yet again!

• Currently obsessing over OCC Lip Tars. Review coming soon!
• The weather has been unseasonably warm and bright. No complaints coming from this Midwesterner.
• The Less Than Three art show by Todd Quarles of Wooden Heart Workshop opened this week at The Navy Yard. Really cool stuff!
• I love mail. Received my Word. Notebooks and Ryan Holiday book. Can't wait to get into these pages!
• Lou ordered me stickers of my favorite meme, You Tried.
• Pugs. I mean, really. Look at this guy.
• I dyed my hair red! After a year and a half of the same haircolor, it was time for a change.
• Coffee Chats at work with the amazing Kevin Lyons. It's so cool to find something inspiring each and every day!
• And of course, fun stuff, too. 

Follow Mini Penny on Instagram @Chaplinnn 

Word. Notebooks

These little notebooks came across my Tumblr dash over the weekend and I had to look them up immediately. I've mentioned multiple times that I've been having a bit of an obsession with the camo trend lately — I'm not sure if it's a tie back from growing up in the country or my highschool and college years spent in the hardcore scene (ya know, dudes who only wore camo shorts and New Balance...). Either way, these are adorable!


I'm a list-maker. I love lists. The huge selling point for these little companions is how the pages are laid out just for that. Bullets, important points, process and complete — a quick and organized way to keep my day-to-day lists in order.



The Word. Notebook comes in various versions of camo and solid colors. They're pocket-sized, in packs of three, and made in the USA — you can pick up a set for ten bucks.

Another plus? I ordered these on Sunday and they were in my mailbox on Tuesday. How awesome is that?

2013 Resolutions — Well, Sort Of

I normally don't make resolutions. I guess it's because I'm terrified of the cliché that they'll last a month and be over — and besides, I like me, so what do I want to change?

The only time I have ever "made a resolution" was last year. And by all means, it was late. In February I decided to stop eating meat. I knew it would be easy considering that I had almost entirely cut meat out of my diet for the year and a half prior to this decision. With that being said, it's been a piece of cake being vegetarian and I have no intentions of going back. It just... fits.

So this year, with my new life in Philadelphia and my new career, I wanted to pick some things that fit. Things that aren't necessarily an attempt to change, but goals. These are my five resolutions (for someone who doesn't make resolutions).

Image via Xenadu

1. Purchase New Wheels — I haven't had my bicycle for about two months (it's still back home in Chicago) and I'm missing it pretty badly. Prior to my consideration in Philly, I was on the lookout for Puch Magnum. I really want to pick up a moped this year for easy transportation, a new hobby, and a new learning experience. Oh, and I might get a new bicycle as well.

Image via DailyFrenchie

2. Adopt a Furry Friend... or Two — It's no secret that I've wanted a dog for many years. And considering that people bring their dogs to work every day makes my want grow even more. My heart keeps going back to French Bulldogs (and a cat, too, of course) and I'm pretty excited about finding the right addition to my life this year.


3. Read More About My Career — The things that have gotten me to where I am have been admittedly self-taught. A lot of it has been trial and error over my blogging career and I want to shrink the margin for, well, more error. This year I'm really investing into learning as much as I can through studying, observing, and interacting with users and other brands.


4. Travel More Often — I'm lucky that I have a job that allows me to travel, and I plan on participating as much as possible in the adventures that lie before me.


5. Get Religious About Pinterest — I'm done with Tumblr 'likes' for images I want to save for future posts. It's just too messy. I've found Pinterest to be a much better way for me to organize my inspiration for proper future crediting. Check me out here.

What about you? What are your goals for the year?

Obsessed // 5PREVIEW

It's no secret that I've sorta got a thing for European brands — Wood Wood, Acne, Cheap Monday, and my newest obsession 5PREVIEW.


I love the greys and blacks used in the AW2012/13 collection. Check out this oversized faux suede shirt and the short tailored vest.


This Hooded Parka is to die for.


And this silk scarf.


Perhaps my favorite pieces from 5PREVIEW are their jabs at designer lines. Naturally, I love this PERRY tee (a parody of Fred Perry) and the Y5L Tee (a parody of YSL).


I picked up this Via Cavour tote this week — it's enormous and perfect for work and overnighting. You can find them here. I'll be outfitting it shortly!

Images via 5PREVIEW Blog

Check out their blog for loads of inspiration!