almost famous

Maybe It's the Holiday season, maybe it's the winter, maybe it's the post-college blues...whatever it is, I'm missing Chicago like woa.

Even though I was just back, I find myself missing it more and more. There is something about the place you grew up that no other place will ever be quite the same. 

Don't get me wrong, I love New York, but I think a part of my heart will always be in Chicago. 

The one movie that will always make things better is Almost Famous. It is the most perfect movie ever made, and the soundtrack is equally amazing. It depicts the era that I would have liked to live in, and masters the art of story telling through the most intricate of characters. 

Today I leave you with a snippet of the best scene in the movie. 

William: "I have to go home."

Penny Lane: "You are home."

Penny Lane: "A ticket to Morocco. A seat by the window please."

Happy Wednesday! I'l actually be heading back home again this Friday to attend my Mom's first art show! Stay tuned for more details :-)

Christmas Craft

Today I'm excited to be linking up with Hi Sugarplum for the official start of...

The theme for today is a "Christmas Craft". This is a particularly stressful, albeit inspiring post for me. Ever since Pinterest came out, I've been very inspired to raid the nearest craft store and find my inner Martha Stewart. I find myself dreaming of glue guns, sparkles, crepe paper and glitter. However, I have yet to actually complete something. 

Enter this post. 

After spending hours online scouring DIY blogs and Pinterest, I found three crafts that I would just love to make. 

Disclaimer: I have not personally made any of these crafts...yet. I take no blame for future meltdowns, confusion and/or frustration that may be caused by attempting to make these. However, I do believe that each of my readers have far more DIY skill then me, and that you will ALL perfect these crafts.

I hope you all enjoy these and please let me know if you make any of them :-)

Wreath instructions

Stocking instructions

Snowman instructions

week (end) recap!

hello my lovely readers!

sorry for being so MIA -- I was enjoying some r&r in Chicago with my family and friends. I loved every minute of being home, but missed the blogosphere.

I've got some exciting link-up's happening for Christmas, and they start tomorrow! Get excited.

For now, I'll recap on everything that I've been up to.

I left work early last Tuesday to go home, but before I left, my amazing co-workers threw me a surprise birthday party! Don't you love the GIANT cupcake shaped cake? It was deeeelish.

After delays at LGA, I happily made it home to my precious puppy.

I went out with my best girlfriends in the city...

Celebrated my birthday with my family (thanks sis for the timex watch!)...

Helped (more like drank wine) cook a Thanksgiving feast (the mashed taters were my fave, and the stuffing...and the cranberries, okay EVERYTHING)...

How cute are the napkin rings my Mom found?

Went bowling with my family and got second place -- apparently I'm a good bowler?

Finally, I joined the masses and shopped on black friday. I didn't get any amazing deals, but found cute stuff nonetheless.

via

via

via (unfortunately sold out)

via

I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving holiday and took time to remember all the amazing things we have to be thankful for.

I will be spending the next month burning off the calories consumed, and preparing for Christmas. Eek.

Stay tuned for Christmas themed crafts tomorrow!

my kind of town...chicago is...

Just a few more hours of work and I'll be on my way home to...

CHICAGO! 

I haven't had a long vacation since spring break, and it is MUCH needed. I'm going to enjoy the things that I miss while being in NYC such as...

A fireplace to drink hot cocoa and read by.

My car. I really miss my car.

My puppy.

My Family.

Sarkis. Most amazing, unhealthy, amazing, amazing, food.

The Lake. I know it's winter, but I just miss seeing it every day.

I apologize in advance if I'm a slacker over the next few days. My mind is officially in lala-land and I'm in desperate need of some R&R. 

What is getting you through this week?

weekend recap

I had another "I Love NYC" weekend. I got another fantastic Shellac manicure at Lucky Karen's Nail -- seriously the best nail salon in the city. I decided to go with red and gold sparkle on top! What do you guys think??

I then walked around with my friend, and rested up for my insane Saturday.

My sister and I agreed to be mock jurors for Fordham law students on Saturday morning. Great idea in theory...but it was NOT fun. The "trial" lasted 5 hours, and I was bored to tears. I guess I can cross lawyer off my list of potential careers. However, the building downtown had insane views of the city.

After that we got lost in Chinatown and Little Italy, and stopped for delicious italian food. And, because we're crazy, we walked ALL the way home from downtown. We stopped, of course, at ABC Home and Carpet, and marveled in all of the amazing christmas decorations. Too bad they weren't budget friendly.

Saturday night my friends and I celebrated my birthday (it's on Thanksgiving) a little early, and had a delicious dinner at BBar, and ended the night dancing at Nolita House. Yesterday was a little rough -- can't quite party like I used to. Thank you to all my friends who celebrated with me -- xoxo. (Pictures coming soon!)

Tonight my sister and I decided it was completely necessary to channel our inner 15 year olds, and see Taylor Swift at MSG. SO excited. I'll be sure to post pictures tomorrow.

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend, and that you all enjoy the short work week!

I leave you with my puppy chewing her new bone on my Dad's slipper. So precious.

P.S. Head over to Long Distance Loving today for a recap of last weekend's Blogger Blitz -- SO much fun! 

unexpected gorgeous-ness

I've been looking to my Pinterest boards lately for inspiration. My apartment is almost completed (thanks to Alex) and I'm just looking for ways to add an unexpected "Oh!" moment when people walk in.

It is very easy to fall into a cookie cutter mold when decorating, and I've tried to stray from that. Granted, my budget isn't the best for everything that I want to do, but thanks to Pinterest, a girl can dream. 

Soooo, because Friday is the most amazing day of the week, I leave you with some of my favorite "drool-worthy", "what?!", "oh! that is perfect!" moments in various homes.

I just love everything about this room. So bright. So gold. So major.

I have ghost chairs around my dining table and I LOVE how they change the mood of a room.

How amazing would it be to walk into a house and see THESE stairs?! Omg.

I absolutely adore the base of this coffee table. Need. Now.

Alex designed this bathroom, and since seeing the finished product, I want every bathroom to have a wall like this. Seriously.

Such an unexpected use of an old trunk. And more ghost chairs. Love.

THE FLOOR!? Omg. Insane. Amazing.

I leave you with a touch of pink and sparkle. Such a girly room -- and TOTALLY unexpected wall treatment.

Also, I want to wish my wonderful Mama a happy happy birthday!! I won't reveal her age, but she doesn't look a day over 30 :-) See you next week (with presents)!

Happy Friday Everyone! xo

how to: wear a scarf

My favorite way to accessorize an outfit is with a cute scarf. I tend to wear them all year round - varying the fabric, weight, color etc. In the summer I like to wear light, bright scarves with a plain tank; in the fall/winter I wear tons of cashmere, cotton, wool etc. I never leave the house without one. My most favorite scarves are the plain, cashmere ones from Nordstrom. They are about $100, but are SOOOO comfy and come in a zillion colors. Well worth the price.

Below are my current loves and an AMAZING video on how to wear a scarf 25 different ways. My favorite look is the "Celebrity" style. So comfy chic.

i love everything about this look. stripes. scarves. boots. heaven.