Louisville -- Day 2

So much to do in L-ville! Check it out!

Day 2 of Louisville! Naomi and I went to the Frazier History Museum and then strolled around downtown for a bit. There were tons of things to take pictures of! So great. Here are some pictures from our adventure. 

What I Wore :: July 10, 2012

I went to go see my friend Naomi of What Naomi Loves in Louisville last week! We spent part of the day at the Frazier History Museum and found perfect spots to take outfit photos downtown! That huge thing behind me? That's the HUGE bat in front of the Louisville Slugger Factory and Museum. So fun. 

Dress :: Forever 21

Belt :: Came with another dress

Shoes :: TOMS 

Sunglasses :: Ray Bans

Pin :: Thrifted

Hair Scarf :: Thrifted

Watch :: Urban Outfitters

Louisville -- Day 1 (Plus Crossing Something Off My List)

Last week, I went to go visit my good friend Naomi of What Naomi Loves in Louisville!! It was wonderful, and I'm so happy I got to spend some time with her. This was my first trip without my parents (though I did see my mom for a minute while I was in Louisville), so I got to cross something off my list! Here are some pictures from the trip!

These were the bike racks all over the city. I thought they were so dreamy. 

Painted turkey in a parking lot. 

A beagle puppy that Naomi was watching.

Beautiful shoe display. 

Tandem bike!!

Sleepy puppy.

I loved this shirt!

This shirt was pretty cool, too.

Frozen yogurt at Lula's. 

Hula hooping! This took forever to get. 

More tales of the trip to come!

Also, check out Naomi's Blog, too, to see more photos from my time there. =]

Turn Signals

Remember when you're learning how to drive and you think "Oh, I'll never need to use turn signals" "No one uses turn signals" "Even my grandma doesn't use turn signals (Which is a total lie, my grandma doesn't even drive on the highway)". But anyway, the point is that you never really pay much attention to them. Well, I hope this post changes your mind.

I was on my way to my nanny job in North Center on Tuesday. I was going north on Damen. I've been riding on Damen for about a year now, and I feel like I know it pretty well, probably better than any other street in the city. I was at Roscoe and Damen. I used to turn right on Roscoe to go play dodge ball. There's a great vintage shop not half a block down. I got my new tubes at the bike shop down the street. It's a lovely intersection.

There were three cars all lined up at the stop light.  I had been down through that intersection at least a hundred times, if not more. The light turns green before I reach it. The first car starts to go through the intersection.  I am already up to speed with the third car. It’s white and a middle aged woman is driving it, wearing black sunglasses and looking straight ahead. I hope she had NPR playing. Or some form of jazz. So then I see the second car. It’s not going straight. It’s starting to turn. Right. On to Roscoe. I slam on my brakes. But we still collide. I hit the rear back door. Everything stopped at that intersection.

I don’t remember falling. I remember trying to cling to my bike, trying to not fall. I remember the back of my head hitting the pavement. I remember touching my head to make sure my helmet was on, that I didn’t leave it at home. I remember pushing my sunglasses back onto my face. I remember pushing the bike off of me and checking to make sure it was ok. I remember looking right to see if the woman would get out of her car. I remember the man on the blue bike had called to make sure I was ok. I had forgotten that everything had stopped, that people actually notice me.

Another man in a SUV called out to me, “Do you need someone to call insurance for you? Need us to call the police?” The woman still hadn’t gotten out of her car. I shouted, “No, I’m fine! I’m okay!” because I didn’t know what else to say. I just wanted to get out of that intersection as quickly as possible.

I got on my bike, everyone still was asking if I’m alright and I still tell them that I am fine. My heart is pounding. I just want to get out of there. I pedal away awkwardly. I’m still shaken by what just happened and I didn’t really want to process it in the middle of the intersection.

As I ride north on Damen, the woman in the white car who I hoped was listening to NPR or jazz rolls down her window and calls “Are you sure you’re alright?” She is a mother, I can tell. Probably with a daughter my age. I smile and tell her that, “I’m fine” and she smiles back and keeps going.

I was really lucky. Lucky that I had my helmet on. Lucky that I walked away with my bike intact. Lucky that I walked away intact. But others aren't so lucky. Some lose their bikes or their lives. I'm lucky all it gave me was a bruised arm. This could have been avoided had she used her turn signal. I would've been able to slow down enough to let her turn before I crossed through the intersection. So please, my friends. Use your turn signals. Let others know what you're plan is in that car of yours.

I'm still a little shaken (I almost got ran off the road today by a truck) but I'm not going to stop riding.

Bikes 'n Stuff

One of my favorite things about summer is being able to bike everywhere. It's great exercise and way fun. It can be kind of intimidating, though, when you ride with traffic. Everything happens so quickly and things can turn wrong very fast if you don't do things properly. So really, what I'm trying to tell you is to be safe! Please! Even if you don't bike, look out for us. We don't want to get hit. It's easy to forget to wear a helmet, but it's also easy to never forget to. Be the smart guy (or gal) and ALWAYS wear a helmet! No one cares how dorky you look. Plus, helmet hair can be super hot. 

New handlebars!

"We can change things if we want to, and it's time we did starting today"

My bike is so wise.

Always wear sunscreen! It can get super hot and getting a sun burn is no fun. This stuff is ALWAYS in my bag. It goes on easy and takes up minimal space in your bag. 30 or higher is ideal if you're gonna be in the sun for long amounts of time. I usually do 45 or higher (sometimes 80). If you have tattoos, make sure those are covered or have been protected by sunscreen. Nothing is worse than getting a tattoo touched up because you didn't put sunscreen on. 

Make sure your bike is locked up, proper, too. A U-Lock is choice, but others prefer cables. These blue bikes are always locked up like this at my Trader Joe's. It makes me smile. 

Hydration is also key. Nothing is worse then when you're dying of thirst and your water bottle is sitting on your counter at home. 

It's also a good idea to bring along a wrench and a flat kit. You never know when you may need to fix something while you're on your ride. 

But most important of all, remember to have fun. What's the point of doing anything if you're not enjoying it??

Stay safe, my friends. =]

Sometimes.

Sometimes it's ok to eat just carbs and listen to music you loved years ago while reading a beautiful book. Especially after a trying day. A trying day you got through and can now relax. Go relax!!