day off

After two full days of moving, saying goodbye, and flying home...exhaustion is an understatement. I didn't have much of a weekend, and slept a total of 8 hours in 2 days. 

I'll be spending today sleeping, watching TV, snuggling with my pup, and unpacking. 

Oh, and on Friday I decided to cut FIVE inches off my hair. Stay tuned for photos.

thank you.

As most of you know, this is my last weekend in NYC. As of Sunday, I'll officially be back home in Chicago. 

The past year has been one of the craziest adventures of my life, and I wouldn't have done anything differently. I moved here, from Dallas, less then two weeks after graduating, only knowing a few people. As I quickly became unhappy at work, I started daydreaming about starting a blog. 

Well, that became a reality. One I never thought possible.

As I close one chapter of my life, it is with bittersweet emotions that I begin the next. It's never easy to uproot your life, and move to a foreign place. However, I believe that you learn the most about yourself, and what you want from life, when you are put in new and unfamiliar situations. 

"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious, and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." Walt Disney

In the past five years, I've lived in Chicago, Dallas, Paris and New York. 

When I moved to Dallas, I didn't think I could do it. 

I did.

When I moved to Paris, I nearly freaked out. 

I stayed and fell in love with the city.

When I moved to New York, I thought I was a nut case.

It was the best decision of my life.

I can't adequately put into words what this blog, and NYC has meant to me. And because I'm no good at goodbyes, I want to say

Thank you to my readers for reading every day.

Thank you for inspiring me.

Thank you for pushing me to be a better blogger.

Thank you to the bloggers I've met and love.

Thank you to New York for being the best jungle to learn and thrive in.

Thank you to my sister for always being by my side here.

Thank you to my brother and soon-to-be sister for giving me wise advice along the way.

Thank you to my Parent's for supporting my decisions, and allowing me to pursue my passions.

Thank you to the friends who dealt with late night phone calls.

Thank you. 

After five years, four cities and endless boxes, I'm ready to call Chicago home.

"...to me it's so damn easy to see

that true people are the people at home.

Well, I've been away but now I'm back today,

and there ain't a place I'd rather go."

living room

Happy Thursday! Today I'm over at shop talk sharing my dream living room. 

I'll give you some hints: it features my favorite designer, Jonathan Adler. 

And this perfectly pink chair.

Make sure to stop by and show Erika some love! 

dreaming

As a girl, my wish list is miles long. Always.

It is mostly filled with more affordable items, that I can eventually justify.

However, there are some items that I call "a girl can dream" items, that will only become a reality when I win the lottery and/or inherit a large amount of money.

These are timeless, classic and completely necessary to own one day. 

What insane items do you dream about?

goldddddd

When I was younger my family took a summer vacation to Spain. I remember my Mom being obsessed with anything Lladro, a porcelain company that you've probably seen in your Parent's/Grandparent's house. 

I wasn't a HUGE fan of their pieces, a little too grey for me, but I did get to pick out a beautiful piece that one day will be my own. 

iPhone photo courtesy of my Mama

I was reading Traditional Home magazine when I gasped at one of the advertisements. It was a sea of gold goodness, and I was in shock that it was ALL Lladro pieces. 

Holy makeover.

Here is the collection. 

I'll take one of each please.

Starting with the salt and pepper shakers.

1. Tray

2. Salt + Pepper shakers

3. Candlestick

4. Wine stopper

5.Vase

6. Bowl

Which piece would you like to have?

weekend recap//lately

Happy Monday!

This week will be insane. The movers have given me a window of 5 days to pick up my stuff which has me  packing like a crazy person enjoying my last week in NYC. 

I've been treating myself to great meals with friends, shopping and a little sight seeing. 

I had drinks on Stone Street - one of the oldest streets in NYC. So so cute -a must for any New Yorker.

I visited my favorite museum, the MoMA. I forgot they had some of Monet's waterlilies. Gorgeous. 

I sat at a cute cafe in the West Village and enjoyed the most beautiful latte. With Viv of course. 

Now to the weekend.

Friday I saw the new movie Darling Companion at the charming Paris Theater in NYC. I saw it at 12:30 in the afternoon, and was the only one under 75. It was amazing. Oh, and the movie was SOOO cute. Definitely a must see. 

Friday night I had a great night out, and completely ignored the fact that I'm moving. 

a girls night wouldn't be complete without Bitch wine.

Saturday I spent the day with Viv and enjoyed a delicious brunch and some shopping around the city. My search for the perfect pair of new sandals is still in progress. Stay tuned. Viv - why didn't we get a photo?! 

Sunday I spent the day with two of my friends from college. Brunch at Tipsy Parson + The Lucky One Zac Efron = perfect rainy day.

aren't those the cutest business cards?

I'm going to try my hardest to post this week, but I apologize in advance if I'm absent from the blogosphere. 

Packing + saying goodbyes = not my strongest skill.

six things

Hope you all had a lovely week! I messed up my neck in yoga this week (I was overly ambitious and went a few times), and I'm out of commission (until the bar tonight, when I expect to make a full recovery). Neck and shoulders are all kinds of screwy. 

Butttttttttt, I'm over at With A C.h. today sharing five things about myself. You'll definitely want to show Christin some love. 

And, don't judge me when you learn how weird I really am - for those of you that don't know. 

But, in the spirit of sharing, I have a sixth funny story for you.

I can karaoke the s*it out of most Ludacris songs. And no, I'm not even remotely ashamed. I think it's one of my skills. I should even add it to my resume.

Have a lovely weekend! 

baubles + work

Login to Pinterest, open any fashion magazine, or browse your favorite blog and chances are you'll find gorgeous statement necklaces, rings and various baubles.

But how can you wear them so they are work appropriate?

I've compiled three looks that blend baubles, fashion and sophistication. 

Look #1: For the corporate fashionista. 

You: ...work in a sea of black, like on Capitol Hill, and if you wear pink one might think you're the new Elle Woods. Fear not, there is a Bauble for you! 

Dress//Shoes//Necklace

Look #2: The casual worker bee

You: ...work in a casual environment, possibly advertising or marketing. You like to be on trend, but not too trendy that you cause a commotion. You like color, and try and steer clear of black.

Pants//Wedges//Shirt//Necklace

Look #3: Anything goes!

You: ...aren't afraid to experiment. You like classic lines, and pops of color, but find yourself drawn to animalistic prints and flirty fashion.

Skirt//Flats//Blouse//Bracelet//Necklace

Here's to happy shopping and finding the Bauble that's right for you and your lifestyle.

Tucker Spring 2012

Some designers really get me. 

Joie.

Tory Burch.

Tucker.

Just to name a few.

I find myself drawn to their collections each season, while my bank account yells at me each season. Interesting coincidence, right? I love Tucker for their feminine silhouettes, and use of pattern and color. If I could have one of each below, that would be great.

1//2//3//4

What designer do you love season after season? 

let's get cookin'

I love to cook. Even from my teeny tiny kitchen, I find myself whipping up masterpieces (I can call them that because I'm the only critic), a few times a week. It is a cathartic thing for me, and some people have even told me to become a chef.

Yeah right. There wouldn't be any food for my customers. 

Moving on...

A cook is only as good as his tools. Like an artist really. There are some gadgets (or tricks as I call them) that I've learned I cannot live without. 

1. A microplane will save you days in the kitchen when you're zesting, shredding, etc.

2. A garlic roller (or car as I call it) is AMAZING at cutting up garlic. And, only $10! 

3. A grill pan - makes you feel like you can grill all year long.

4. Got this Silpat for Christmas, and I've never had better tasting cookies.

5. A grapefruit spoon - genius.

6. Apple Corer - makes eating cut apples a breeze.

7. A meat thermometer - only recently invested in this, and it keeps my meat looking pretty without all my cut marks to check if it's ready.

8. A Keurig. Need I say more? 

What tools do you use that you can't live without? I'm always looking for new ways to simplify my cooking.

weekend recap

Happy Monday!

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend, and enjoyed the sunshine (if you were in NYC).

Friday was a bit chaotic for me, as I had some big life choices to make. After much deliberation, I have a decided to move back home to Chicago. When I stopped looking at the details, and over-analyzing it all, it was simple really.

More on that later.

I finally purchased this beauty from BaubleBar. It was completely necessary, right? (sorry it's sold out again)

I went out with some of my besties to our new favorite bar in the village - The Red Lion.

Live band. Check.

$3 shots. Check.

Requesting the band to sing "Call Me Maybe". Check.

Good friends. Check.

Hangover. Check.

Saturday I was pretty much useless. Sunday, I went to my sister's on the Upper West Side and then walked about four miles to ultimately enjoy this beauty.

Hope you all have a lovely week! 

friday link love. take 8.

I hope you all had a lovely week!  I was pulled in a million directions, and it was all beyond fabulous. Oh, and I'm completely ignoring the fact that it's Friday the 13th. I'm superstitious, and I don't like it.

Moving on...

My week

I was able to work an event with my old co-workers at the New York Historical Society. It was so nice to catch up and help out for the day (even though it started at 6:30am).

A little behind the scenes courtesy of Eric Draper for The Bush Center

I fell in love with this song. And it's been on repeat all week. 

Around the web

I was inspired to use a bike as home decor after seeing this from Sprinkles on Everything

I want to make this my nightstand from Lark & Linen

And I was inspired, again, by The Everygirl, and the feature on Glitter Guide.

Photo adapted from The Everygirl.

Hope you all have a good weekend and remember to,

white bedrooms

I'm drawn to color. The more color the better. I own more patterns then I can count, and my closet is a sea of colorful chaos.

Well, sometimes I just wish everything was neutral in my life. Color and pattern are great, but there is something so ethereal and refreshing about ALL white. 

White bedding.

White furniture.

White accessories.

Everything. 

So, I looked to Pinterest and starting finding some angelic bedrooms that tickled my neutral fancy. 

The result? Clean spaces with just a POP of color.

via

Here's how you can get this look. If you're like me, and are dreaming of white and ignoring the fact that you're clumsy and will dirty it. 

Headboard//Lamp//Bench//Pillow//Nightstand//Bedding

What kind of bedroom have you been dreaming of lately? 

And, a HUGE congrats to Giovanna of Olive And An Arrow for winning the Madison Elizabeth giveaway! I hope you enjoy your new goodies.

bad reputation

When I saw this picture, I pinned it. Why? Because it's gorgeous. 

via

But when I clicked through the picture, I learned it was a bunch of...CARNATIONS. 

Wait. What? Carnations? You mean women's most hated flower? 

Yes. 

So then I searched for more carnations, and was blown away. I actually fell in love with this cheap, accesible flower. 

I mean, look at these arrangements. Carnations have had a bad reputation because they are easy to find, and are super cheap. Well, I'm officially starting the petition to get their reputation back on track and give them a credible spot in the flower shop! 

via

via

via

via

Join me? 

Also, be sure to enter my Madison Elizabeth giveaway! You have until midnight tonight.

giveaway: madison elizabeth designs

As mentioned last week during my Clagett giveaway, I just love finding new designers on the web. This time it was easy. My best friend and fellow blogger, Madison recently started making AH-MAZING jewelry pieces, and has already had quite the demand. 

It's to be expected when the pieces are so unique and customizable. She just sent me a few rings, and I've been stopped on the street asking where I got them - true story. 

Well, she has generously decided to give one lucky reader a ring AND a bracelet! 

She was always such a generous friend.

Here is what she will be giving away:

One "Love" ring

And one "Love" bracelet

The giveaway will be live until MIDNIGHT on Wednesday, 4/11. I will pick a winner at random and post it on Thursday (sorry, no international entries). 

Here is how you can enter (additional entry for each - a total of 3 entries):

1. Follow The Urban Slant on GFC

2. Follow The White Ruffle on GFC

3. Follow TUS and TWR on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway

Good luck! 

easter coma

I'm currently in an Easter feast induced food coma, and my creative juices are lacking. No new post today -- just a snapshot of the dessert plate from last night. 

Homemade fruit tart, lemon cake, cookies, brownies, carrot cake, and almond tart. 

Holy moly calories.

no judgements, pleaseeeee.

Oh, and I played with this little guy. Blogosphere, meet Cooper, the 8-week old lab my cousins just bought. 

week recap!

I don't normally do recaps on Fridays, but this week was extra special.

Why?

Because I shopped and ate out for THREE days straight with Carly 

Insane. Totally out of character, but sometimes it's essential to take a staycation in your own city. I had so much fun exploring new restaurants, trying SHRIMP for the first time (exotic, I know), and mostly window shopping. 

I mean, how gorgeous is the Tory Burch Madison Ave Flagship? I was good, and didn't buy anything. Yay! 

being tourists in Rockefeller Center, and eating amazeballs pizza at Lombardi's w/ Viv (and Christin)

insane gallery wall at kate spade in SoHo

impulse purchases -- earrings from Forever 21, and a neon tribal phone case from Aritzia.

my fave NYC ladies at dinner in SoHo - Roxy, me, Carly, Viv and Tamra

ended the evening with tequila, wine and dancing. 

I struggled yesterday. But sometimes it's essential to...

Have a great weekend, and if you're celebrating Easter, Happy Easter!