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!