Gold Wishbone available here

I'm off to San Francisco for a quick Thanksgiving trip. I'm so excited about seeing my old college roommate, CHRISTIN, and of course stuffing my face. I'm extra excited this year because my birthday isn't on Turkey day - I hate when I have to share my day with a bird.

I'll also be celebrating my GOLDEN birthday on Saturday. Need. New. Outfit.

Have a wonderful holiday!

thanks. but not really.

(yes, I'm still laughing b/c I genuinely think this is high-larious)

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One of my blogger besties, and real life besties (true story -- we talk like all day), Christin posted this insanely funny and truthful, sarcastic, thank you post. 

I nearly died laughing, and just hadddd to re-blog it. I don't know if that's  thing, but just roll with it. 

Highlights of things to be "thankful" for...

 ...instagram because, let’s face it, no one’s life is as cool as it is on instagram.

...the super powered radiator in the building that heats our apartment to the temperature of a tropical rainforest. #itstoohot

Now go show my fave girl some love.

What are you not-Thankful for?

thoughtful thursday

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i want you.

Buy me. 

My golden birthday is in a little over a week, and I've been searching for the perfect handbag. I fell in love with Pashli, and Céline, but my bank account did not. 

Liz blogged about this bag in her gift guide, and I nearly stopped breathing. Isn't she perfect? 

Mom...Dad...Sister...Brother...you reading? Rally the troops and gimme this bag :) 

Please, and thank you.

fancy cocktail accessories

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It's no surprise, I love Society Social. Roxy is a dear, dear friend of mine, and never ceases to amaze me. Her new cocktail accessories had me at cheers, and I had to pick up some goodies.

Oh, and the mirrored tray was something on my wish list, and at $30 I was sold. I think it will be best friends with my perfume bottles. Right? Right? 

P.S. I made a few tweeks to this here ole blog. Specifically some fun facts on my About Me page. I hope you'll visit :) 

happy friday!

I know I've been completely MIA from blogging, and it KILLS me. I hate it. I hate that I don't have time for it, and I hate that I'm not able to read as many blogs lately. 

Not that it's any excuse, but I've been dealing with some not-so-fun stuff, and my mind has been elsewhere. I try to keep the blog as light-hearted as possible, but we all know it's not always rainbows and butterflies. Real life can sometimes come kick you in the gut, and change your priorities. 

The plus side of this? My sister and I decided that amidst all the nonsense in our lives, we need to do something spontaneous and for ourselves. Sooooooo, we'll be taking a trip to my happy place, Paris, in December! 

Le swoon.  I'll be jet-setting for a week before Christmas, and my faux-French heart couldn't be more delighted. 

The past few weeks have reminded me that I'm blessed in so many ways, and when these road bumps come, having a positive attitude will make a less-than-desirable situation bearable. 

I hope you have a fabulous weekend, and do something for YOU, and only you. I support bubble baths, unnecessary glasses of champagne and dancing on tables. 

vote!

I believe one of the greatest freedoms we have as a country, is the freedom to VOTE. I encourage all of you to take five minutes today, read about the issues you care about and VOTE. We owe it to our country and each other. 

TUS elsewhere

SO sorry for the radio silence the past week. I promise to have major life updates tomorrow, it's been crazy, and unfortunately not a "good" crazy. 

But! In actual good/fun/blog news, I'm over on the lovely elembee today sharing my "at the moment" stories. Please stop by and show the always lovely/crazy talented Lisa some love! xo

thoughtful thursday

currently craving: black & gold

Maybe it's the colder temperatures, or the need for more basics in my life - my affinity for stripes, patterns, and color have begun to...gasp...overwhelm me, but I can't get enough of black, gold and white. 

Some of my faves...

grand finale...because who doesn't want to bathe in this tub?

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Are you dreaming in a sea of black and gold, too? 

all tied up.

I interrupt my radio silence (sorry about that, been a bit crazed) to bring you the most amazing impulse buy I had this weekend. 

I'm a huge fan of Twistband hair ties, and when I saw them in shades of neon, and glitter, it was love at first sight. Check them out at Anthropologie, and I think the toughest decision you'll have today is which color combo to order. 

I chose the bottom right - neon, stripes AND gold. #winning

artist spotlight: siiso

I found a new favorite artist via Etsy - Siiso. I love the way she uses color and texture to create these amazingly affordable prints of oil paintings.

At about $35 a PIECE (such a deal, right?), I think I'll need to add a few of them to my walls. I'm thinking an addition to my gallery wall...above the bed...bathroom perhaps. Clearly I'm obsessed.

I digress. Here are some of my favorites.

the perks of being a wallflower

If you do one thing this week, I urge you to see The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

Whether you're 45 and married with kids, or 16 and navigating high school, this movie has something for you. 

I was instantly transported to being 15 again - in all my awkward glory.

This was the kind of movie that made you laugh and cry - in a matter of minutes. It was beautifully adapted from the Stephen Chbosky novel, and in my opinion, has the power to become a coming-of-age classic like The Breakfast Club.

So seriously...go see it...now. 

what's in my makeup bag?

Hop on over to The Vault Files to find out, and show Gaby some love.

P.S. I promise to show more wedding photos, but I'm waiting on the good professional stuff. If you're super antsy, stalk me on Instagram @juliarosinus.

my brother's wedding - sneak peek!

This weekend couldn't have been more perfect, and subsequently I couldn't be more exhausted. 

I'll have a full recap tomorrow, but wanted to share a sneak peek! 

Top image courtesy of Jenny Taylor Photography

Isn't that the greatest photo? We just had to do it. 

Peek of the tablescape designed by the talented Anne Book.

Can't wait to share more tomorrow! xo

my brother's getting hitched!

My brother is getting married Saturday and the festivities officially begin tonight!

I can't believe the weekend is finally here -- it feels like yesterday he proposed. I'm so excited to finally call Jackie family, and to party with all my family and friends. Oh, and the bridesmaid pampering is going to be pretty perfect, too. 

Be sure to follow me on Twitter and Instagram for snapshots of the weekend. 

holy dessert.

yes, this exists, and yes, I made it this weekend (not my pictures, and no source -- damn pinterest).

My friend and I were watching the Revenge premiere and thought about this dessert the entire time, so we made it. And devoured it. 

1. Pop open some crescent rolls

2. Scoop nutella on each side

3. Put marshmallows inside

4. Seal the crescent roll

5. Bake at 350 for about 12 minutes 

6. Eat

7. repeat

Drooling yet? 

my happy month

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Happy October!

This is my serious happy month, and I have decided it's necessary to make a list of things I want to do (I'm going to extend this list until November b/c I said so).

1. Make something with pumpkin at least once a week

2. Go apple picking

3. Drink apple cider (spike perhaps...)

4. Carve a pumpkin

5. Watch Hocus Pocus (multiple times -- see below)

6. Read a good book

7. Make plans for a Paris trip

8. Have a girls night with lots of wine and good food

9. Spend the entire day outside 

10. Enjoy a bonfire (location TBD)

What's on your "I'm so happy it's finally October" list? 

Don't forget...

thoughtful thursday

Buy me here.

Two years ago I got a wool/cashmere blend scarf from Nordstrom, and it is hands down my favorite scarf. If you know me, you know that I live in scarves from now until the flowers bloom again. 

 I try to be frugal with my scarf purchases because I own more than I can count, but these scarves, at $88 a piece, are the best $88 you'll spend this season. They last forever, are SO cozy, and are the perfect weight. 

Have I convinced you yet? One more thing - they come in a zillion and one colors, and will complete all your fall ensembles.

my new best friend

french press

If you can believe it, I only started drinking coffee senior year of college. I guess 19 hours, 2 internships and lack of sleep will cause you to become a caffeine addict. 

Well, since then, I've been addicted. I don't care that people say coffee stunts your growth (I'm already short), stains your teeth (isn't that why they have whitening strips?) etc. I love it. 

My newest coffee obsession is a french press. I won't lie, I had absolutely no freakin clue how these bad boys worked until about 2 weeks ago, and now my life has changed. It's quick, easy, AND delicious. I still have a Keurig, but I have a feeling me and my frenchy are going to be BFFs for a while and Mr. Keurig is going to have to deal with it. 

What's your favorite way to drink coffee? Am I missing out on something equally fab?

good morning baltimore!

I'm off to Baltimore this weekend for a business trip, and I can't stop singing "Good Morning Balitmore" from Hairspray. 

#sorryimnotsorry

I haven't been here since 8th grade on a class trip, and I'm super excited because I remember my 13 year old self loving it! 

Any suggestions of what to do if I have downtime? 

tough choices

One of the main reasons I went to NYC last weekend was to find a rehearsal dinner dress. And that I did. 50% off from Rebecca Taylor. 

Winning. 

I won't share the dress yet, but I do need y'alls help picking out the shoes! I've decided that a deep purple/eggplan/deep red pump will compliment the dress perfectly. 

Nine West

Michael Kors

DVF

BCBG 

Which ones do you like best? I think I'm leaning towards the Nine West ones (now let's hope they're comfortable...)

salty

The main reason I love going to local craft/street fairs is to discover new designers, artists, vendors etc. 

One of the most unique vendors I discovered at the Renegade Craft Fair was Beautiful Briny Sea - artisan salt makers. So neat, right? 

I bought lavender, honey and rosemary. And they have seriously changed the way I cook. It's the only seasoning you need - with pepper of course. 

I highly suggest you email them (their site isn't up yet) and get your hands on some salt, ASAP. 

{info@beautifulbrinysea.com}

Oh, and did I mention they make a TRUFFLE salt? Yes, it's amazing.

fall fashion

Fall is my favorite season. Obviously. 

This past weekend in NYC I was in my happy place because the weather was perfect, and the shopping was even more perfect. I picked up a few pieces for my fall wardrobe, which I think I'll be wearing on repeat. 

Red Denim (they are a deeper, wine colored)

Black Blouse

Leopard loafers

Polka Dot Sweater

Aren't these pieces just perfection? What have you found lately? Do share! 

i'm in a...

...state of mind. 

I'm off to NYC for the first time since moving back to Chicago. I'm SO excited, but there is a teensy, weensy part of me that has a feeling I'm going to want to move back. It's beginning to feel like fall there (so I hear) and it's my favorite season. Maybe I'll be one of those really cool people who lives in one city and works in the other...that way I can get the best of both places...right? 

I digress.

I am seeing some of my faves such as Viv, Roxy, Tamra, and Christin! YAY for bestie reunions, how I've missed these girls. 

thoughtful thursday

etsy spotlight

This past weekend I went to the Renegade Craft Fair with Madi. 

Holy sensory overload.

As I wandered through all the booths, and admired the fine craftsmanship and artistry, I literally felt like I was walking through a real-life Etsy Store. 

Ah-mazing. 

I was also on a mission to find a series of art prints to put in my kitchen. 

Enter: 

Caitlin came all the way from Austin, TX to show her stuff, and I was oh-so-happy she did because I scooped up these three gems. They will live in my kitchen, and be a happy little bunch.

Don't you just love finding new Etsy artists. If you have any that I must check out, do tell! 

always remember, never forget.

I remember 9/11/01 like it was yesterday. 

This day is always particularly tough for my family and I as we lost a lot of good friends on that dark day. Innocent people going to work, who never came home. 

It's been 11 years, and I still get emotional thinking about it. I don't have much else today than to encourage you to tell your friends and family you love them, and say a silent prayer for those fighting for our freedom  and for those families of the victims of 9/11. 

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friday funny

The other day at work my co-worker was laughing hysterically at something. I was obviously ADD and had to know what it was. Note: we typically laugh at the weirdest stuff, and no one else thinks it's funny. 

However, I can promise you will be laughing on your ass in about 2 seconds. 

WTF is this?! 

Oh, it's that bike-harness-thing. 

WHAT?! The author of this article put it into far better words than I could:

Introducing the FLIZ, for people who love bicycles but apparently hate all the parts that make a bicycle go. And yes, it is an actual invention. Simply hunch yourself over into a horribly uncomfortable crouch, strap yourself into the complicated harness, ignore the puzzled stares and uncontrollable giggling of onlookers, and off you go — to essentially walk at a slightly higher rate of speed. 

The mere thought of seeing someone on this cracks me up. And yes, there is a video. 

Happy Friday! 

thoughtful thursday

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weekend recap

Happy Tuesday! 

Don't you just love short weeks? I certainly do. I had a lovely weekend starting by an impromptu trip to Milwaukee to see Carly! 

They really do love their cheese up there. 

Had delicious drinks at a southern/asian infused restaurant. 

My parents came downtown Sunday, and brought little Miss Penny. My mom also bought me some flowers for my apartment -- always lovely. 

And, as promised, I ate some s'mores :) 

Have a great week!