My Leading Lady

Last week I lost my style icon, top coach of kindness, and the most eternal optimist – my nana. She was always spotting the silver lining (or a good bargain) and exemplified all of the best personality traits I hope to mirror. I'll be spending this week with family, but I'll try to catch up on here in a few days. In the meantime, I'll share this old post which shows just a few snaps of my glamorous grandmother and her killer (frugal) fashion sense.     

Have a Rosy Weekend

This week took an unexpected turn and my little blog took a back seat. Everyone have a fantastic weekend – be kind, think positive and remember that life is better viewed through rose colored glasses.

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

Beaded Bargain

The goods:
• vintage beaded jacket
• black trousers by Catherine Malandrino
• rose gold leather clutch from Gap
• pumps from Zara
• earrings from Forever21 

Like any good vintage junkie, I snap up any pretty piece that I spot even if I have no where to wear it at the time (there is a way to style pretty much any and everything). I saw this black and white beaded jacket – in perfect condition – at Salvation Army for $8 (a no brainer). I paired it with these black trousers for a friend's store opening last week, keeping accessories and hair/makeup to a minimum – I already had a whole lotta sparkle happening. I love the weight of quality pieces like this, and would love it with skinny blue jeans and black sandals for a spring night out.

On a routine scan of Etsy, I came across this similar one which I love!

Steal vs. Splurge

One of my favorite looks for spring is a simple top, flowy skirt and a statement necklace (here's hoping I get to actually wear this sometime soon, not such a cool look when it's still snowing). I've been seeing a lot of sparkly options around lately, luckily covering every price point.

From left: $11.80, Forever21  //  $138, JCrew  //  $400, Lulu Frost

... and to be honest? I'm actually digging the Forever21 find the most!

Road Trip!

So it may not be the Pacific Coast highway or a north eastern dream drive, but Steve and I are finally doing a fun road trip. We bought a car down in Little Rock and we're taking it home to Chicago in a couple of weeks. I was hoping we'd locate a car up in Alaska or down in Florida, so when Steve said he found the perfect one in Arkansas ... well, I was stumped (I mean, I know nothing about the state and I couldn't identify any bucket-list spots along our route off the top of my head). Turns out we're in for a pretty fun trip ...

We'll fly into Little Rock (1) and head over to Memphis to check out Graceland! From there we're cruisin' to Nashville (2) for the night and we can't wait to eat and shop our way through the music city. After that we're heading to southern Illinois to hit up the wineries (3). Finally, we'll swing through Champaign/Urbana, Illinois (our alma mater) on our way home to Chicago (4). 

Of course, we're open to fun suggestions or must-sees along our route and I can't wait to report back on what fun sites we see!

Happy Chilly Spring Weekend!

Happy first weekend of spring! Of course, we all know our Chicago spring doesn't really start for another month, it's still going to be a chilly weekend. I think the funny chart above pretty much sums it up. 

Also this weekend ...

• I know we're all looking forward to warmer weather, but why not indulge in the warm treats around town while we still can, like the spicy and sweet Mexican hot cocoa from Mindy's Hot Chocolate or the French onion fondue from Maude's Liquor Bar (or if you're ambitious, try your hand at this copy cat recipe)  

• One of my fave shops in Chicago, Stitch, is opening their brand new space today. Head to 1927 North Damen tonight from 5-8 pm to check it out, enjoy some sips and a free gift with purchase! 

• The Rebuilder's Exchange on Webster Avenue is celebrating 5 years of helping architectural salvage junkies like myself find those fun pieces for their homes or building projects. To do so, they're holding a party and fundraiser at the new Lagunitas Brewery in Pilsen. Get all the deets on the Salvager's Ball here.

Have a great weekend!

Photo courtesy of longliveirony.com

Oh Hello Ban.Do

I've been a longtime fan of Ban.do and their adorable accessories (my fave being my mini heart). Well now they've gone created a bunch of additional cuteness with fun, bright gifts, just in time for spring ...   

From top:  wristlet  //  phone charger  //  gem speaker  //  printed umbrella  //  whimsical drink koozie

Transition Layers

The goods:
• silk dress from Calypso (similar one available here)
• jacket and boots from Zara (also love this one)
• gifted clutch
 

So it's not spring yet, but I also refuse to wear my heavy coats anymore, which means it's time to layer up. This thin silk dress will be perfect come summer, with wedges and a jean jacket, or on the beach with sandals and a statement necklace ... but until then I'm throwing some thick tights underneath and my leather jacket over it for this in-between weather.

Fab at Your Fingertips

I reserve precious space on my phone for apps that I truly use ... if I haven't used one in a few months, it's out. There are a few that have proven to be life (or at least, money) savers ... those brilliant helpers that I'd wished for at my fingertips actually exist ...

Hukkster tells you when items go on sale. So that dress you've been eyeing at Anthro or cute pair of pumps from Nordstrom are juuust out of budget? "Hukk it" and the app will alert you when the price drops!

SkinDeep is a blessing for your skincare routine. Scan or look up products and up pops a detailed report on any harmful ingredients and a scale of how good or bad it is. Just be prepared to get the dirty truth on some of your faves.

Fooducate is like SkinDeep for your grocery list - scan your items and it grades them (like an apple is A+, while those "healthy" chips are actually a D). It clarifies what harmful ingredients are in the bad stuff, and evens suggests healthier options!

Invisible Hand sounds creepy, but this price hunting tool is fantastic. Scan or look up an item you're shopping and it will tell you where to find it for cheaper, as well as any coupons available for it. (I have yet to try, but they say it works on flights and hotels too!)

Hotel Tonight is like bargain shopping for those super swanky hotels that are normally way out of budget - but only for that night. Steve and I have used it on a few weekend trips to NYC (that's right, we flew there without any reservations), but we scored deals at The Dylan Hotel one weekend, and The High Line Hotel another (both normally $250-$400/night). 

Spring Fling

It's finally here – a week where the low temps aren't in the chilling teens or even 20's – and this means tucking that monstrous puffy coat in the back of the closet and sporting some lighter layers. I must say one of my favorite items is the spring coat ...  when it's cool enough to still need an outer layer, but also a chance to get more creative than your typical black winter one. Below are some pieces I would love to don on these "warmer" days ... 

1: pastel faux leather jacket
2: tan twill hooded coat
3: suede fringe jacket
4: cream shearling biker jacket
5: green wool coat
6: fur and leather trim vest