is it fall yet?

As July comes to an end, and I know I'm in for some serious August heat, I can't help but wish for those crisp fall days. It is my favorite season for many reasons: the layered fashions, pumpkin spice lattes and cozy fires (not to forget pumpkin patches). 

Here is what I'm dreaming about...

City walking with Starbucks in hand.

Comfy sweaters and boots.

Infinity scarves and long jackets

Opaque tights

Do you love the Fall just as much as me? 

facelift

Happy Monday!

As I'm sure you've noticed, I gave this little blog a much needed facelift! 

When I started blogging (almost a year ago!), I had NO idea what I was doing - design wise. I was a lost puppy, and paid to have it designed. Well, this crazy blogging world has sharpened my photoshop skills, and with the help of Carly (my coding wizard), I am now in full control of my design! 

I couldn't be more excited to be able to change out my header whenever I get bored, and add things/get rid of things as needed. I feel like this was the final step to being a "blogger". Yay! 

In other news, I had the most fabulous weekend with Carly and Lara. My little irish dancer is finally back from Japan, and obvi it was necessary for her to make a visit to Chicago. 

Appetizers a la Lara and fireworks from her roof. 

Brunch.

Randolph Street Market - holy amazingness.

I really wanted these chairs. I picture them with three fabulous pillows. Swoon.

And some fun on Friday night with my besties.

Have a great week! xo

let the games begin

The Fourth of July is my favorite holiday. Why? Because I love America. So, now that the Olympics are officially beginning, it's basically the fourth of July for 3 weeks. 

Holy amazing.

I'm obviously having a party tonight to honor this three week holiday. If I were crafty, and if my place weren't about to turn into a frat house, I would serve treats like this:

This alcohol fun may not be too hard to recreate.

all images via 

Happy Olympic Games (said in the Hunger Games voice)!

favorites

Equipment: 1//2//3//4

Joie: 1//2//3

If I had my way, all my shirts would be from either Equipment or Joie. I can't get enough of their feminine silhouettes, bright colors, bold patterns and all-around perfect fit. These are my current favorites, and I so wish they were in my closet. 

What brands do you love season after season?

wedding wednesday

1. Beer Tasting, 2. Chair and Shoes. 3. Escort Wall, 4. Magnolia Leaf, 5. Gold Flatware, 6. Large Floral Table Runner 7. Chevron Coasters, 8. Cake, 9. Cheese Display, 10. Beignets in Paper.

In honor of my brother's upcoming wedding, I just had to share their amazing wedding planner's, Anne Book, inspiration board. 

The hardest thing for the bride to decide on was color. Once she decided on shades of blue, teal and gold, Anne worked her magic, and created this beauty. I think color is such an important part of a wedding, and if their October 6th nuptials are anything like this board, I'll be in for a real treat. 

P.S. I'm over on Luxury Garage Sale's blog today talking about my personal style. I recently consigned with them and made some serious $$$ - I HIGHLY recommend their services. 

weekend recap: san francisco

Hello lovelies! 

Sorry for being a bad blogger yesterday - between getting in late Sunday night, and the 3-hour Bachelorette finale, blogging was just not happening. 

But to make up for it, I've included several photos from my weekend in SF! 

The glowing bride-to-be and her new Jimmy Choo stunners.

Pretty place card, cookie and fresh lemonade at the shower for Jackie.

Hello dessert table.

My sister modeling our homemade veil. 

My sister, my bestie. So happy she flew in from NYC. 

A little poolside relaxation at Jackie's house after the shower. 

Gorgeous flower shop in downtown San Francisco.

My favorite store in the Marina district.

Lombard Street. So funny.

Yummy brunch.

One of my SMU besties and my tour guide for the morning. 

It was a whirlwind weekend, but so very perfect. 

if you're going to san francisco...

...be sure to wear flowers in your hair.

I'm off to San Francisco this weekend to celebrate my brother's fiancées wedding shower! I can't wait to meet more of her family and friends, and spend a much needed weekend away. 

And because I'm super nice, and I don't ever take myself too seriously, here is all of us at the Golden Gate two years ago...I can't smile when the sun is in my face. It's an issue. But an issue that provides lots and lots of laughs. 

Have a great weekend! Oh, and I'm getting brunch with a dear friend from SMU on Sunday in the city -- any recommendations my SF friends? 

thoughtful thursday

steal or splurge?

Lately, I love anything gold and dainty. I fell in love with the Catbird pieces on the right, but couldn't justify the prices. 

Enter Urban Outfitters. At $12 a bracelet, I was sold. I even bought two!

Would you steal, or splurge?

apartment sneak peak

I've decided to share some sneak peaks of my new Chicago apartment today! 

I say sneak peaks because these are iPhone photos I took last night, so they are:

a. SUPER low quality

b. not artsy

c. a photographers nightmare

But hopefully you still like them anyways. I'm hoping to have someone with camera skillz come take better shots soon. 

In the meantime...

bottom of console table

one of my coffee table cubes - find them here.

sunburst (or mama monster as I call her) here.

Trina Turk Greek Key rug - here.

who says you can't style a radiator?

bookshelf styling 

my fave new Jonathan Adler pillows from Alex (perk of being friends with an interior designer).

Similar style here.

Hopefully your first reaction wasn't, "can someone please tell her how to take a photo?!" but if it was and you live in the Chicago area - I'll happily accept lessons. 

weekend recap

Happy Monday!

I hope you all had as fabulous a weekend as I did. 

I finally ate at this super cute restaurant by my apartment called The Peasantry. Their tagline is "elevated street food", and it was deeeeelicious. 

Truffle fries and brussels sprouts salad.

Lamb sausage roll. Out. Of. Control.

Macadamia nut churros with hibiscus and white chocolate dipping sauce. Woa.

I squeezed in some cuddle time with Penny Lane. She loves her new toy, and looks sad because I had to leave and she wanted to play more. Poor girl :(

And, the highlight of the weekend was #bloggerblitzchicago! The lovely AV hosted yet another wonderful soirée at an insane rooftop bar in Chicago - Market.  I attended the NYC blitz last year, and met so many wonderful ladies - and this was just as fabulous. 

love my glitterati name tag and tote bag! 

Have a lovely week! xo

happy weekend!

That's all I have today. 

Have a good weekend!