lucky penny was stuck inside a department store waiting out the thunderstorm… and conveniently left her umbrella at home. ugh.

with her nose pressed up against the window, the rain was not going to let up anytime soon. so… she took a step back and much to her surprise, she was standing next to the kiehl’s counter.

her eyes glanced over to the lazy susan full of lip glosses… lined in rows like spices. she picked up kiehl’s lip gloss in “golden berry”, the brightest shade of strawberry (smells like the fruit, too)… and also lucky number 13 in the collection.

it is now her obsession du jour.

lucky penny was innocently window-shopping in chicago’s wicker park (much like ossington/west queen west in toronto) when something sparkly caught her eye.

this stunning neckpiece by elizabeth cole… graceful lines of swarovski crystals anchored by a gold-plated antique chain… made her heart skip a beat… aaaaand it was on sale. *say the magic word: abracadabra*

other chicago highlights included… more sale shopping at barneys, a few blocks away from michigan avenue’s magnificent mile. boy bestie bought his *perfect slim-fit* hugo boss suit for 65% off at saks fifth avenue. score!

don’t dare miss… “the bean” by anish kapoor in millennium park, or “the wizard of oz”-themed playground in lincoln park.

for the foodies… beautiful sleek wood décor (and food to match) at avec, hipster taco/tequila bar called big star, classic deep dish pizza at giordano’s, and room service (order the w burger with fries) at w chicago – city center. read it all starts with butter all week for more!

best. road. trip. ever.

lucky penny wants to collect them all… like scratch n’ sniff stickers.

from vanilla fig and apple blossom, to pineapple ginger cake and angel food (her two favourite scents)… these delicious dessert candles, housed in charming ceramic jars, are by illume boulangerie exclusively for anthropologie.

who needs to bake a housewarming present when these smell sooo good enough to eat? *wipe drool from corner of mouth*

lucky penny is back from a 4-day road trip to chicago with her boy bestie… armed with new purchases still in their shopping bags. *out with old, in with new*

her latest consignment store of choice is lab consignment on ossington. tucked away in the backroom behind kitschy antiques is where owner lauren baker showcases one-of-a-kind pieces for every budget, and sets fair prices with her sellers… everything from rita liefhebber samples and a white imitation of christ summer dress, to prada loafers and gunmetal grey hervé léger bodcon. the shop is only two months old.

surrounded by all this temptation, lucky penny had to keep reminding herself that she was only there to sell (not buy)… *eye on prize*

lucky penny remembers her first pair of chuck taylors… fourth grade and hot pink, natch. fast forward to now, she much prefers their lace-less collaboration with john varvatos.

sharing a little shoe love with her baby niece, auntie penny found the perfect pair… converse has created a collection based on dr. seuss classics like cat in the hat and if i ran the zoo.

thing one and thing two kicks were tempting, but she eventually settled on the classic: one fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish. she might just have to get herself a matching pair!