Bonjour Spring

I am traveling for work today and tomorrow so no outfit posts for me (but as you can imagine, my "biz casual" outfits aren't far from my average look). In the meantime, it's officially spring and all I want to do is start my garden (but like any good Chicagoan, I know these temps are probably a tease until the real deal).

While we can't be in Paris this spring, but we can pretend at this macaron making class!

And these pretty sherbet polishes are perfect for ringing in spring (I would love to dip each digit in a different shade!)

Paris image from Getty, French macaron image from thisisglamorous, Chanel polishes from Pinterest

Mad Men Style: Betty Draper

Bust out your best scotch ... Mad Men returns this coming Sunday! After a year-plus hiatus, the stylish set of ad execs, their housewives, and secretaries are back to awe us with their mid-century musings. While the men are suave in their suits, it's the ladies that really steal the scenes, namely Joan and Betty. Both leading ladies embody the aesthetic of 1960s fashion, but in two very different ways. With feminine a-line skirts and ladylike touches, below are some finds fit for the former Mrs. Draper.

The Betty-fied goods: 

1. braided pearl and bead choker – $8.80, available at Forever21

2. polka dot gloves – $40, available at BHLDN

3. chain mail clutch – $79.90, available at Zara

4. ivory dress – $199.99, available on ModCloth

5. red swing jacket – $198, available at Anthropologie 

6. nude patent pump – $80, available at Aldo

7. silver and blue studs – $3.80, available at Forever21

8. embroidered violet pullover – $98, available at Anthropologie

9. floral cardigan  – $19.80, available at Forever21

10. lace print cat eye glasses  – $5.50, available at Forever21

11. red dress – $109.99, available on ModCloth 

12. taffeta a-line skirt – $99, available at Lord&Taylor

Red Hot Tuesday

The goods:
• dress from Forever21
• chambray shirt from J.Crew outlet
• sandals by Via Spiga
• silver necklaces from Tiffany
• silver bangle from Barneys
• men's watch

I love this bright, lightweight dress (a $17 bargain from Forever21), but balmy weather like this means the air conditioned office dilemma arrives a little early this year. The dress is perfect for my walks to and from work and lunch hour strolls, and throwing this buttondown shirt over keeps me comfortable inside.

Urban Bargain

The goods:
• top from UO
• wideleg pants from H&M
• necklaces from Vintage Underground 
• espadrilles from Target
• bangles from J.Crew and Banana Republic

We took advantage of this summery weekend by hanging out on our rooftop and driving top down (I even have the pink hue to prove it). With these temps come the summer tops, like this one from Urban Outfitters ... which always has pretty, feminine, and flowy tanks. And this weekend I made a divine discovery, the Urban Outfitters Outlet! The shop that used to sit on Clark at Fullerton moved to Diversey, but they kept the old space as their bargain basement (and I mean bargain ... sweaters and tops for $10, dresses for $20, shoes for $25, men's t-shirts for $5 a pop!). It would seem I'm the last to know about it as the place was packed with shoppers, but I'll be checking there first from now on (especially since I saw a table of green jeans that they currently carry in the regular store). A new fave frugal find.

All the Lovely Louboutins

Last night, Nordstrom hosted a 20th anniversary event for Christian Louboutin's recently released capsule collection, consisting of his 20 favorite designs from years past. My friend, Herminia, and I attended this amazing private event, held in a makeshift "shop-with-in-a-shop" on the first floor, complete with doormen and guest list. Ladies (and their gents) sipped bubbly, enjoyed canapés, and most importantly, shopped the limited edition beauts (and when I say shopped, I mean by the end of the evening, most displays had even sold!). Here are some more snaps of the gorgeous footwear, oh be still my heart ...

We both admired the fancy footwear, but left with only dreams of Louboutins, dancing in our heads (though Herminia did try on a stunning pair of sparkly slingbacks that were hard to part with). 

You can see the entire 20 Years collection here!

I should also note that the 8th photo of that metallic spiked pump is not part of the anniversary collection ... but no less amazing.

Cobalt Crush

The goods:
• dress, wedges and bangles from Forever21
• jacket from UO
• wrap watch by La Mer
• initial necklace from Stitch
• cocktail ring from Lori's Shoes

I've been crushing on this cobalt hue for a while, so when I came across this perfect maxi dress at Forever21, I snapped it right up (for a mere $27, I didn't think twice). A piece like this can dress up with sandals and an evening clutch for a summer wedding, or go ultra casual with flip flops and a tote on the weekends. Lately, I've even paired it with tights, booties, and a leather jacket until warmer weather arrives. Another fantastic Forever21 find, easily styled from season to season.

Irish Indulgences

St. Patrick's day is this weekend and that means serving some of my favorite traditional treats. I plan to make a fresh loaf of Irish Soda bread with this easy to follow recipe and pair it with some salted Irish butter and some delicious preserves (local brand Rare Bird Preserves, offers amazing flavors like Pear Vanilla Pinot Blanc, pictured above). No spread – or meal, in my opinion – is complete without a wedge of cheese, so I grabbed this Kerrygold Vintage Dubliner. To wash it all down, a creamy double-chocolate stout (a fairly recent discovery for me and new favorite treat!).

I may not be 100% Irish, but my appetite may argue otherwise.


And wouldn't these make the perfect St. Patty's dessert?

Speaking of Irish, check out this travel post from This is Glamorous ... after seeing this, Steve and I may need to seriously consider a honeymoon in Dublin!

Summery Skirt Season

The goods:
• sweater from Gap
• skirt from H&M
• pumps from Aldo
• vintage gold earrings
• bangles from Coach, Banana Republic, Temptation

How is a girl supposed to get dressed when the weather on my phone says 66 and sunny, NPR claims we'll hit a record at 81, and my computer says storms? Since all accounts show it's still unseasonably warm, I'm busting out a summery skirt and lightweight sweater (and looking forward to summery outfits through next week, too!). Aaand I suppose I'll be packing a jacket, rainboots, and umbrella today.

Vibrant Vintage

The goods:
• blouse from Gap
• pencil skirt and pumps from Zara
• bangles from Forever21
• wrap watch by La Mer
• jacket from UO

Its 75 and sunny today so I'll baring some skin, since knowing this city, it could quite possibly snow next week. I can almost call this top vintage since I've had it since middle school (I know ... this may be a record keeper, even for me). It's different enough with this bright pattern and tie in the back that it can transition as styles change – like how it was most likely originally paired with some ill-fitting stonewash jeans and a cardigan, but now modernized with this slim skirt and pumps. Just further evidence that I'm in need of a massive closet, since clearly nothing leaves my collection.

Coral Crush

I was so inspired by the bright orange sherbet hues in Kate Spade a few weeks back that I've been honing in on it everywhere I look. Below are a few fun finds in this fruit punchy color, perfect for welcoming this spring weather ...

The coral goods, clockwise from top right: 

• chino shorts – $45, available at J.Crew

• wedge sandal – $102.95, available at Lori's Shoes
• cutaway dress – $158, available at Ann Taylor
• skinny jeans – $15.50, available at Forever21
• colorblock clutch – $159, available at Zara
• geometric necklace – $9.80, available at Forever21
• palazzo pants – $58, available on Nasty Gal
• denim jacket – $24.80, available at Forever21

• belted dress – $68, available on Nasty Gal