thoughtful thursday

what I'm loving wednesday

I've done some shopping lately, and just had to share my purchases with you. They are all super affordable, and have made this month oh-so-perfect. 

Essie Nail Polish in Waltz - the perfect opaque white shade for summer.

Bare Minerals "Pretty Amazing" lip color in Ambition - the pink gloss I've been dreaming of.

Moroccan Oil Shampoo - lives up to ALL the hype. I've never loved my hair more.

Xen-Tan - the absolute best non-smelling sunless tanner. Works like a charm, and gradually tans you. Highly recommend.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Aviators - feminine aviators that are one of my favorite purchases in a while.

Lori's Shoes Spiked Bracelet- the greatest addition to all my arm parties. 

What have you bought lately that you love? 

weekend recap

Hello lovelies!

I hope you all had just as fabulous a weekend as I did. I was in Austin celebrating my brother's fiancées bachelorette party, and we did just that. SO much celebrating! I couldn't have asked for a better group of girls to be bridesmaids with, and Austin was the perfect city for the occasion. 

I brought my boots out. 

I took shots.

I got sunburned. 

I'd say it was a success. 

Day One.

Ooo la la! 

We made friends with the most fabulous guys from NYC and they were our boat captains. Perfect.

Such a great weekend, and I cannot wait to call Jackie my sister. 

heading south

I'm heading south today to Austin, Texas to celebrate Jackie's bachelorette party! I couldn't be more excited to put on my boots, rekindle my romance with Tequila, and be in the company of people that say "y'all".

My inner Texan is just itchin' to get out. 

This is where you can find me by day at the W pool.

And by night on 6th Street. 

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I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend, and enjoy the sunshine. 

Until next Tuesday...

thoughtful thursday

wedding wednesday

With my brother's fiancées bachelorette party this weekend (yay), I thought it would be fitting to participate in a Wedding Wednesday. 

I love giving gifts. When I was younger, I would get so excited to give people their birthday and Christmas gifts, that I had a very difficult time waiting until the actual day, and usually gave them early. What can I say, I've been told I'm a really good gift-giver (or people are just really nice and afraid to tell me I suck at it; either way I'm okay with it). 

With Jackie and Ted's wedding fast approaching, I've started making my list of possible gifts. I've decided that this is completely necessary. I'm thinking for a bridal shower, or a "just because" gift. 

A custom return address stamp for all their thank you notes. 

Brilliant. 

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I just love them all. Decisions, decisions, decisions. 

In other news, I fell in love with Phillip Phillips last night on American Idol. I mean, this song? Amazing. And yes, I'm probably still the only person who still watches this show at 23, but I don't care.

these are a few of my favorite things...

...dresses.

The one thing that I know about my body is that shorts don't flatter me. I've tried every brand, style, color, cut. You name it, i've tried it. So, I rely on dresses and skirts to get me through the warm summer months. 

This is quite easy this season with beauties like these. 

I'll take one of each, please.

1//2//3//4//5//6//7//8

All brought to you courtesy of J.Crew and Madewell, my go-to places for easy summer frocks. 

Happy Shopping! 

weekend recap

Happy Monday!

With NATO in full force in Chicago, I took this weekend as an opportunity to start watching a TV show that I'd heard SO much about. 

It's been less then 48 hours and I'm already on the 11th episode. Addicted? Yes. 

In other news...

I did manage to go downtown with Madi all day Sunday. We spent a good part of the day doing this...

Yea...we did manage to do this ALL by ourselves, but then Madi's car alarm wouldn't stop going off, and the battery died again. So AAA saved the day. 

Three hours later...

Prosecco was completely necessary. Along with Sprinkles. 

Where I managed to get Penny Lane a doggy cupcake. She ate it in .002 seconds, and gave me these adorable eyes. I just love her. 

Also, be sure to check out my post on Ashley Nicole Catherine today. Some fun tips for getting outside and enjoying the summer weather. 

xo.

thanks NATO

I'll be the first to admit, I'm NOT happy that NATO is going to be in Chicago. Starting today until Monday, the city will be an absolute disaster, and it's really affecting my going out schedule (honesty is always the best policy). 

This pretty much sums it up.

Yeah. Okay, I know I live north of the city, but still. I don't like this. 

I guess I'll just take this an excuse to drink lots of wine stay in, watch trashy TV and snuggle with Penny Lane. 

What are my fellow Chicago-ans doing this weekend? Stay safe and avoid the protestors! 

interior design obsession

Since I moved back to Chicago, I've been actively searching for jobs. Well, to learn about the interior design industry, and keep busy, I've also been working part-time for Alexandra Berlin Design. 

Ah-mazing. 

It has been so fun learning about the industry, getting lost at the Mart, and most recently perusing a marble warehouse for a client's bathroom - where I fell in love with cararra marble. I love the clean lines and simple colors of white and grey. And did you know that according to the sales lady, it is also the most affordable of the marbles? I'll take two slabs, please.

Here are my favorite spaces using this perfect material.

Sources: 1/2/3/4

Do you just drool for that chevron tiled floor? It's unreal. And, I would just love getting ready in that bathroom every morning. 

scarves as art

I've recently been obsessing over scarves, framed, and used as affordable art. What more could be better? The bold colors and patterns are just up my alley. 

Perfection.

I saw this first image and nearly drooled. Vintage Hermès equestrian scarves?

Yes please.

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Then I searched for more inspiration and loved these as well.

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I'm thinking when I get my next apartment, I will scour the vintage markets for an Hermès scarf, and frame it in the hallway. 

Thoughts? Do you like this trend, or should scarves be strictly for wearing? 

P.S. Liz is coming to my house today to help my Mom clean/organize/shop her own closet. I'm seriously SO excited, and cannot wait to report back. I know it will be nothing short of fabulous.

weekend recap

Happy Monday!

I started out my weekend by going out with some of my besties. I still pinch myself that I can go out with them every weekend! So surreal that I'm back in Chicago. 

Saturday my brother cooked us all a southern feast. Pork, Ribs, Mac n' Cheese, Slaw. 

It. Was. Insane. (I'm dumb and didn't take pictures). 

I started off Mother's Day with a walk/run (let's be honest -- running isn't one of my strengths, but I'm trying). The weather was insane, and the lake was stunning. Definitely my favorite part about where I grew up. 

This house is for sale (for $3 million - EEK). Can I have it? Pretty please? 

We then went out to dinner at RPM - yes, for you reality TV junkies, this is Bill and Giuliana Rancic's new restaurant. I was skeptical because I'd heard mixed reviews, but honestly it was AMAZING. Everything I had was drool-worthy. Especially the dessert. 

yes, that is a ball of hazelnut ice cream with chocolate and crush hazelnuts on the outside. And a knife in the middle, ya know, because it was SO big. 

And, this weekend marked exactly one year since I graduated. Wow. Time really does go by way too quickly.

Have a good week! xo

paris dreaming

With a week that was tougher than normal, I wish I were this girl. Happily sitting in a park, looking at the Eiffel Tower. In Paris. 

Le Sigh.

Have a great weekend! xo

thoughtful thursday

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the everygirl + wedding week

Last night I attended The Everygirl Wedding Week party at BHLDN in Chicago. It was perfectly fabulous and girly. 

A beautiful store + cocktails + desserts + creative company = perfection.

I was finally able to meet some of my favorite Chicago bloggers, and my brother's wedding planner - Anne Book (who will be featured on TEG later this week)! 

Danielle and Alaina threw a fabulous fête, and it made me oh-so-happy that I now call this city home.

A perfect Tuesday evening. 

xo.

apartment help: jewelry organization

I have a problem. 

I'm addicted to jewelry. 

Baubles? Yes please.

Delicate pieces? Duh.

Costume jewelry? Obviously.

But after moving, and realizing my organization system was NOT okay (an entire drawer filled with bags, boxes etc) I need to change things up in my next place. 

Help me decide? Aw, thanks for saying yes! 

a girl can dream of a space like this...

What system would you use? I'm leaning towards everyday objects - so fun, and unique. 

weekend recap

Happy Monday! 

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. 

I started it off by going to Home Depot and Costco with my Dad. We picked up some beautiful flowers for our garden. Typical suburban activity.

Hopefully they look like this when they bloom.

I did a little retail therapy with my Mama, and fell in love with the entire collection at Madewell.

Saturday my friends had a little party for my return to Chicago. We had so much fun drinking, dancing, and singing Call Me Maybe. Duh.

I spent Sunday recovering and hanging out with this little nugget. I just adore her weirdness.

Have a great week! xo

fabulous fêtes

Sorry for the delayed post. The internet here is SUPER sketchy. You'd think I was living in the backwoods somewhere with dial-up service.

Moving on...

This weekend my bestie Madi, is hosting a little Welcome Home Party for me. Which happens to fall on Cinco de Mayo AND the Kentucky Derby. 

Dilemma. 

Do we serve Mexican Flare or a little Southern Hospitality? 

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Or...

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I'm leaning towards taking out my maracas, and celebrating like this guy. 

I shall call him Taco.

Whether your taking tequila shots or sippin' on a sweet Mint Julep, have a fabulous fête filled weekend!