Hooray for the Weekend!

Hopefully you're starting your week with a bang – and if you're in Chicago, that means cheering on our Blackhawks at the parade and rally in Grant Park today.

Also this weekend ...

• After you revel at the rally, head to Jayson Home and Garden for the start of their semi annual floor sample sale. Score half off select pieces and discounts on amazing vintage and unique home goods through Monday.

• If weather permits, head to Logan Square for the Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival for food, music, and of course, art! Grab some grub from standouts like Longman & Eagle, and Puffs of Doom (I discovered these last weekend ... like an oversized airy cream puff, both in sweet and savory versions).

• The Randolph Street Market is back this weekend ... not many festivals have a treasure trove of vintage finds, in addition to music, food, and activities.

Be sure to end your weekend with a celebration also at the Chicago Pride Parade in Boystown! Have a great one.

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

Simple and Silver

The goods:
• dress from Anthropologie
• sandals by Born Crown
• bangles from Winifred Grace, Forever21, IGWT
• necklaces from Gorjana, Winifred Grace 

I cannot pass up a chic, simple, versatile piece. I spotted this dress a while back at Anthropologie and fell in love, first with the silvery-blue hue, and then the easy and feminine silhouette. It's perfect paired with a simple sandal, or even dressed up with a high heel for any events. Bonus for breaking out of my black and white streak!

Weekend Jaunt

One of my favorite things to do in the summer is take quick trips on the warm weekends. It doesn't have to be far – a friends lake house, visit your parents, even just a day at the beach – I just love the drive with the windows down and the almost-instant relaxation that sets in when you leave the city. The best part about quick trips is they can be spontaneous, just grab a few essentials and go! 
  

Clockwise from top: a simple leather tote can hold all of your summer staples  \\  long jean shorts to throw over your swimsuit  \\  an easy maxi dress to go from day to night  \\  chic sandals with a metallic touch  \\  a white hot bathing suit  \\  some stylish protection with a floppy sun hat

Stylish Speed Racer

The goods:
• racecar tee, blazer, heels (now on sale!) from Zara
• jeans from Forever21
• vintage watch
 

I have to start off with a big congrats to our Blackhawks! Speaking of sports, Steve and I watched a little bit of 24 Hours of Le Mans over the weekend – the annual day long race in France. In honor of some pretty vintage vehicles, I'm "sporting" this racecar tee I picked up a few years ago in the men's department of Zara, along with this vintage watch (a collab between IWC and Porsche). Nothing like a speedy start to the week!

Beautiful Buys

It's hard to peruse Net-A-Porter.com and not throw a dozen or so (amazing) things in your fantasy shopping cart. As if it could get any better, a couple of months ago they debuted a beauty shop on their site. An admitted product junkie, I am obsessed. Hard to find cult faves that I can't get at my fave spot, Sephora, are all coralled into one pretty page. 

Beauty doesn't come cheap, so it will be a while before I can test all of the products I'm pining after, but I can still faux shop until then. Below are a few of the things I can't wait to get my hands on ... or rather, on my hands, face, and body ... 

Chantecaille SPF 50 primer - no more greasy sunscreen with your makeup!

Oscar de la Renta nail polish in Flirt (the perfect white shade for summer)

By Terry rose lip balm - I'm a sucker for all things rose, the scent, taste, shade, and flower.

Kevin Aucoin cream blush in Isadore - cream blush is perfect on dewy summer skin.

Rodin luxury face oil - anything that claims to be the fountain of youth, sign me up!

Have a Great Weekend!

It's supposed to be a rainy kick-off to summer here in Chicago – all the better to enjoy some good eats and indoor fun. Why not catch dinner and a movie (World War Z, The Bling Ring, Man of Steel all look good). And, of course, gotta catch the Hawks game Saturday night.

Now ... if the rain decides to give us a break, check out these happenings around town ...

• Head to Red Door Sunday for the Bucktown Bazaar. Shop clothing, accessories, stationary, beauty products and more.

• If you'd rather sip that shop, head to Old Town for the Chicago Craft Beer Festival to taste dozens of brewery specials from around the U.S. and enjoy some sweet tunes.  

• One of my favorite things in summer is strolling the Farmers' Market to pick up fresh berries and pretty flowers. Here's a list of 5 Farmers' Markets to check out, complete with specialty items to look out for at each. 

Have a great weekend!

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

Wedge of White

The goods:
• top and wedges from Zara
• jeans from Forever21
• bangles from IGWT, Winifred Grace
• vintage IWC watch 

It's an unfortunate truth that once the temps get warm enough to wear your favorite summer duds, the office turns arctic. While I could be totally comfortable in a wispy little dress outdoors, I'm sporting some lightweight pieces to stay warm indoors. My fav summery white jeans go mod paired with these white hot wedges and black tunic top ... a cool look for a hot day.

Shop: Winifred Grace

I'm not ashamed to admit that I have a major accessory obsession (I'm quickly running out of room in the set of drawers devoted entirely to jewelry!). I recently discovered the locally designed jewelry line, Winifred Grace. Each piece is stunningly simple and timeless – and even better worn as a group. I couldn't resist adding to my wrist a couple of the Chicago designer's simple brass bangles, and I love my new pendant necklace. And how sweet would the constellation pieces be as gifts?

Below are some of my faves, and you can view her entire collection here.

rectangle pendant

paddle ring

bronze & copper bangle

constellation ring

cuff with pattern

Black Lace

The goods:
• blouse from BCBG
• jacket from H&M
• jeans from Forever21
• wedges from Zara
• bangles from Winifred Grace, IGWT, Stitch
• necklaces from Winifred Grace, Gorjana 

When temps rise, there are fewer and fewer chances for sleek, structured pieces. So when we get "cool spells" like this nice 70 degree day, I'm going straight for my lightweight jackets (I'm convinced I can never have enough!). I love this cropped number, made of structured lace for a summery take on a polished classic.  

Pretty Pretty Pages

No matter what aesthetic I go for in our home – whether its our cool contemporary bedroom, or cozy modern living area – one element is always there ... magazines. Some people say print is dead, and sure I love perusing online blogs and digital magazines, but there's nothing like thumbing through a glossy mag. I've got back issues filed in holders, stacked in corners, and piled on coffee tables, I just can't get rid of the pretty pages. 

It will be many years before my collection is considered vintage, so I love scoping out old back issues. Bookman's Alley in Evanston (which is still open, btw) has a fantastic collection of vintage and antique periodicals, and if you ever find yourself in Paris, Les Archives de la Presse houses an endless collection of magazines covering fashion, decor, design, and more.

Below are some simple, yet stunning ways to display your pretty paper ...

 

Images courtesy of Pinterest

Happy Father's Day Weekend!

Happy Father's Day weekend! If you're in need of a last minute gift for dad, snag a fun little gadget or some vintage auto art for his office, either way, I hope you're spending time with the main man in your life. 

Some fun things to do with dad this weekend ...

• Head to the Taste of Randolph to enjoy bites from the best restaurants in town, listen to great tunes, even watch the Hawks game on a big screen!

• For a smaller crowd, take dad to Roots Pizza for good 'za, great beer, and of course, the game!

• If the weather doesn't cooperate (which seems to be the trend for our weekends), take dad golfing ... indoors. Play18 in the Loop is basically an indoor playground for men. With virtual simulators, pool tables, locker rooms, and a whiskey bar, it's pretty much everything he wants on his "holiday" in once spot. 

Have a great weekend!

Hot and Cold

The goods:
• blouse from Nordstrom
• shorts from J.Crew
• bangles from IGWT, Charming Charlie, Stitch
• necklace by Marlyn Schiff 
• wedges by Nine West 

A few fashionable friends and I were discussing turning over our closets for hot and cold weather. Two girls did the full swap, stowing away their fall and winter duds until the cool weather months come back. I, on the other hand, can't imagine loosing half of my sartorial options! Take this blouse for example: I bought this last fall and wore it under jackets and with jeans and black pants all winter. Now, it balances out these short shorts during these pleasant days (and I plan to toss it over little summer dresses when it's hot). I'm a firm believer in getting the most wearability out of every piece, and while some pieces just can't make that seasonal transition, I have to at least give it a try!

Smile for the Camera

I know I'm late to the party, but I just recently (finally!) saw "Bill Cunningham New York". The fascinating documentary follows the NY Times street photographer through his daily endeavors – snapping fashionable peeps in public, capturing celebs at parties, even the 84 year old's apartment tucked inside Carnegie Hall. It's a fascinating peek behind the lens of the famed photog. See below for just a fraction of Bill's portfolio ... 

Photo of Bill courtesy of the Sartorialist, spreads courtesy of NY Times 

Couple of Cats

The goods:
• blouse from Forever21
• jeans by Citizens of Humanity
• flats from Zara
• necklace from Charming Charlie 

For an effortlessly stylish look, my go to is a blouse and skinny jeans (you can bet it's white or black, coming from my closet). Easy pieces like this make a clean canvas for accessories like this chunky cheetah necklace, which adds a little polish to my simple look.

Similar one, available here. 

High and Dry

Steve and I spent a fun weekend in the big apple, visiting with friends and getting full on fantastic food. But first, I spent a wildly wet rainy Friday sloshing through the city. Tropical storm Andrea may have dumped buckets of rain, but I wasn't about to sit inside all day. With lines for the museums around the block (and let's be honest, I had some shopping to do), I was glad to have my rain gear on hand. Below are my key pieces for staying stylish while staying dry ... 

Clockwise from top:
• Color blocked slicker from ASOS
• slim rain boots (they fold up so they're perfect for travel!), from Piperlime
• yellow plaid umbrella from Bloomingdales 
• trench with zipper details from Zara
• moto rain boot from Burberry
• bubble umbrella (my fave!), from Target

And We're Off ...

I'm welcoming the weekend a little early because Steve and I decided to head to New York. I'm hoping hop over to Brooklyn in search of fun vintage finds, and definitely swinging by Ladurée for a macaron (or 12). 

Meanwhile, around here ...

• If you're as beauty product obsessed as I am, hit up the annual H20 Plus Warehouse Sale this Saturday. Head there early to score the best, since most goods are up to 80% off.

• After you pamper yourself in your new H20 goods, head up to the North Shore Flea on Sunday to score your own vintage finds. Take the scenic route along Sheridan Road and stop by the outdoor art show, Art on the Plaza, to see some pretty paintings. 

• If you can't get that far (and if the weather cooperates) stroll the Wells Street Art Fest and Old Town Art Fair right here in the city.

Have a super weekend!

Photo by Edward Kasper

A Fashionable Fête

Like every good awards show ... it's the red carpet that really counts. And there's no finer fashionable fête than the CFDA awards. There was a number of sartorial stunners Monday night, but a few standouts in my book ...

Erin Wasson in Alexander Wang, with the designer


Ireland Baldwin in David Meister


Hilary Rhoda in Helmut Lang


Karolina Kurkova in Michael Kors, with the designer


Lily Aldridge in The Row


Nicole Richie in Marc Jacobs  

See more fab fashions here.

Photos courtesy of WWD