My salon changed locations without even a word of warning. I call to make an appointment and no one answers. Undaunted, I just go. And there it is, the rubble of four years of an every three to five week commitment- paper over the windows and a tiny sign thanking me for me patronage and requesting I call the new number to make an appointment at the new location.

Except the new location is not walking distance from my home and work! It just won't do. It's just not right. I though Mryka was my friend and she didn't even tell me. I sent my sisters, my friends, my coworkers, and she packs up her wax and leaves without a good bye or at least a chance to sneak in one more appointment. Unfortunately, the world does not stop spinning even in dire situations such like this. So, I pulled myself off the ground, sulked for 20 minutes and make a difficult decision. There would be no trial appointment at the new location, no test run of how long it took to get there, not even that final eyebrow sculpting I desperately wanted. I would have to cut the cord.

I have already been fielding frantic text messages and emails about Myrka's departure and wether or not I have found someone new. So here it is, my official new recommendation: Hayley at Fringe Salon on Milwaukee. She uses hard wax instead of strips which is considerably less painful, takes care to talk to you about exactly what you want and checks in often to make sure it's all going in the right direction, knows about skin care and hair care and dispenses this information for free during your session, and lets you read magazines while she works.

From the darkness comes a bright light. And I hope that bright light is the glow of my face after a facial from Hayley I am getting when I go in next. Hope she works out for everybody else!

It is HOT in Chicago. 90s. No layers. No pants. Not a scrap more then is absolutely critical touching my skin. This dress is a good example of easy, updated vintage. I bought the dress when it was knee length and couple sizes to big. I wore it anyway because I loved the fabric and the lace inserts. It was classic but not modern and hard to wear. I ended up giving it away to my friend Kris who hemmed it up and took it in. Easy to do on a shift. She gave it to Morgs, who wore it to my wedding. Then I borrowed it back. Now I never shy away from shift dresses that are too big, I just make a couple little cuts and a couple little hems and donzo. New old dress!

Dress/Jewelry: Vintage. Shoes: Bakers. Hands: Monster paws.

I went to a frock swap and this shirt was held up. Everyone just turned to me and said "You want that, right?' And I did! I really. really wanted it! Turns out, no one else wanted it.

Shirt: Frock Swap. Jeans: Worn out J. Brands. Couch: Pretty cool. Shoes: Etnies swag.

I don't go around calling things "fierce" or "ferosh" willy-nilly (I generally also don't use the term "willy-nilly," but if we are going there, we're going there), but I couldn't think of any other words to describe these. I mean, just look at them! FIERCE. I'm typing with clawed hands they are so FIERCE.

These little guys are all by Made Her Think. I'm seriously lusting (another word I tend to avoid) over the gold Pendulum Ring, and it's only $55. Would go with everything, is giant, is gold, looks like it could hurt someone. Check, check, check, and check.

The Talon Ring is also pretty sweet. It hooks over two fingers so you get the look of a double ring without having to deal with two fingers being stuck together. Again, I like the gold one best. Cause that's just how I spend my time, liking gold best. This can live on your hand for $110.

I am sure exactly how this Double-Band Ring works. Both rings together and they just have a dangly chain? Or one for one finger another for a different finger? Or (I think this way, and I want it to wear this way), one all the way on and one hanging out over your middle knuckle? Seems like it would be tricky to fit, but fun to wear if it did. Try it out for $132.

As Morgan pointed out, the sparkle things go all the way to the butt! Crucial element.

I've never seen anything like them- plain black or blue front, then turn and BAM! Hit 'em with rows upon rows of smooth backed nails. You'd be able to make a serious exit in these. Yowsers. They are a pretty spendy, about 90 bucks a pair for the Brassy Stockings, but who else will be rocking these? They remind me of all the boots and booties on the Gucci runway this season and considering those are going for a grand and up, these are a steal!

Bump around the Bebarouque site and find all kinds of crazy tights- feather prints, lace, and another favorite- black tights with a seam of fringe going down the back. Looks a little something you might find in one of those photography studios were you dress up like barmaids and old-timey baseball players or gangsters and hold bottles of Jack Daniels and guns to get a photo put in a "Wanted. Dead or Alive." frame. Yep, I have those pictures. Not sure if it's a look I'd want to recreate for everyday, but then again, I'm not sure it's not.

Dark is coming a little earlier, nights are chillier, and daytime breezes are carrying a little chill with them. Fall is just starting to blow into Chicago, it's in the air. After a summer of almost exclusively dresses and sandals, it's time to start thinking about covering up. Sad sigh.

If it has to turn colder, I'd at least want to be looking like Rick Owen's Fall 08 show.

Over the knee boots, bunchy leggings, tiny shorts, close-cropped and slim cut furs, all topped with super structured jackets. The pallete is neutrals with punches of metallics and the textures lean towards leathers and shearlings. Perfectly cool, easy, dramatic, and simple. Love it all.

I was cruising Etsy looking for monocles (more on that later) when I came across the shop for Fleathers. Besides having a name that is really to say- Fleather! Flither! Flather! Feather!- she makes and sells cut leather jewelry, mostly in the shape of feather. Leather feathers, if you will. Fleathers. In any case, some were pretty cute and you should check them out, BUT, it was the other line she was selling that really caught my eye. Rabid Fox is the side project, switching from leather to metals and animals instead of birds as inspiration. And really, really rad.

They seem pretty fun and pretty fierce at the same time, little golden and silver animals to pal around with. These were some of my favorites- the flying swiss cheese looking squirrels, some serious bunny love, a majestic unicorn, double knuckle (!!) jaguars who are about to make out or bite each others heads off, and roaring lions. Poke around a little more and you'll find alligator necklaces, baby bambis, horses, octopuses, and more friends from the animal kingdom. Oh yeah, hungry hippos are really sweet, too. Prices range from $40 to $275 depending on the metal used and custom sizes can be ordered. Silly, sweet, and unique. Loves.

Back to the monocles. Really want one. Why? I don't know, sometimes I just want to have a closer look. Pretending my bubble blower necklace is a monocle only slightly cuts the craving for an actual monocle. Here is a good one, though I may be looking for something a little more decorative. This is from Foundlings, also on Etsy, for about 20 smackers.

Similar to a monocle, but totally different, is this glass moustache. The whole ironic moustache thing is kind of played out, but I'm a sucker for a disguise on a chain. 30 buckaroos, at Jessica Landau's Etsy shop.

Dress: Akira. Shoes: Akira. Hair: In need a good scrubble.

I was on my way to becoming an entire tape tiger when work interrupted. I only had one paw/claw done.

And by "work" I mean "when my afternoon snack arrived." One bottle sparkling water, one tall decaf iced tea, one bowl white chocolate covered pretzels eaten with chopsticks.

I can bust out silver sequin dress to wear to work or pull out a sun dress or sandals just to go get coffee, but come Saturday night, well....

Bobbsey Twins were mentioned more then once. More then ten times, actually. I was unaware that that was still a cultural reference. I was thinking more like Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer without having to chew on pieces of straw and carry hankerchiefs full of provisions around on sticks.

Take the Panda!

Rei Kawakubo, founder and head designer of Commes des Garcon, is getting set to drop her H&M collection in early November. I love these collaborations. Better designers and quality then anything Target's capsule collections are churning out, cheaper then diffusion lines, and opening day usually has more bruising and blood then an average day at the mall. Great fun!

I was actually not as thrilled when I saw the pictures as I had anticipated. Rei Kawakubo doesn't design for the masses, her brand of extremely high end and often almost unwearable clothing is more avant-garde and conceptual then most people can handle on the regular. Precisely why this particular collaboration is so fun. Last years Cavalli leopard print tops and oversized cardigans were perfect for mass appeal of people who already shop at H&M. I think this collection will give serious fashion fans a chance to afford something from a design legend that is so out of reach.

Me? I'm looking at the baggy shorts and cropped tuxedo jacket. Though I'd be in line at 8am just for the sport of it. Already sharpening my elbows....

I like to look like a present sometimes. Not like in a Victoria's Secret giant ribbon bow on my bra kind of way, more of a bow on my head or little bows on my shoes sort of thing. I suppose that would be more looking festive in a general than looking specifically like a present, but then again, we all know my penchant for sort-of costumes. Anyway! Point is! This ring is amazing. I would like it my hand. I consider my hand a little present anyway. It's nice and I still have most of it, so it deserves to be gift wrapped.

Maison Martin Margiela Gift Bow Ring, $245 at eluxury.com. Also amazing from MMM? This crazy Wolf (do you say it "woof" or "woLf"? I say "woof," but my Dad says it that way too, and just try calling my Dad wrong. Not having it. Medium air brushed Wolf Sac, $1,195 at eluxury.com.

That ring is a little Koons-y, yes?

This dog is plastic. But there is a surprisingly comfy plastic chair on either side of him, so he gets a lot of company. Sometimes I tell him about my day. He needs a name, but I don't want to force one on him.

Tanks: Thrifted. Jeans: Yesterdays J. Brands, no baggy so I rolled them up. Shoes: Etnies Swag. Dog: Not really, unfortunately.

We are out of the drippin days, those spring days where the winter melts away and this world is soaked and the ice lawns crack... but I still like this drippy shirt. Love to mix a pattern and a pattern or two.

Shirt: Forevs. Other Shirt: Ralph Lauren, via my mother. Jeans: J.Brand. Necklace: Forevs. Shoes: Urban. Bad Attitude: Lingering, but hopefully on the way out.

I saw this in the window at Forever21. They have eight million separate items in there at any given time so it seems unlikely that they would use outside accessories to style their mannequins. But, I CANNOT find it! It's not online, it's not in stores, it's not in that other little ForLove section... Where in the world is it?! Anyone seen this guy?