Trick or Treat

It seems that there are two parties on Halloween – those who love the holiday and those who don't. 
I do love it, but not for the costume parties ...

Halloween always has built-in decor with the autumn foliage 

I absolutely love scary movies (with a light on, next to Steve, from behind a blanket)


I love candy all year round, but have a serious weakness for candy corn and those mellowcreme pumpkins 


I love pumpkin season, funny how a gourd can make such pretty decor 



Happy Halloween!

La Maison

After returning from Europe (where all of the interiors are lovely and French and fabulous), Steve and I were determined to update our place. I immediately got to work perusing all of the amazing home decor sites and collecting inspiration. We've started swapping some furniture and I can't wait to share our updates. In the meantime, I have to share my fave new sites that have become my daily reads ...

Remodelista – calls itself the sourcebook and it really is
The Hunted Interior – a whimsical, colorful site, often with DIYs
Domaine – clicking through this site is like thumbing through a gorgeous, picture filled home mag
Habitually Chic – another dose of pretty pics
    

Pictured in collage above: vintage jars, vintage framed silhouette, antique silver teapot, Voluspa candle, mansard mirror, olive branches, gold rock lamp, tufted loveseat, bronze table

Bottoms Up

One of the sweetest spots in France is also one of the most hidden. Below the streets of Reims are miles and miles (and miles!) of caves, where every single bottle of Veuve Clicquot is aged. It's the most lovely labyrinth of bubbles, complete with easily the best bar in the world at the end – the Veuve tasting room. I could've stayed all day listening to our tour guide tell us all about the tasty beverage, how they still employ people to hand turn a selection of bottles, and how to note the differences between the rosé and le Grande Madame rosé (both amazing, then again, if it says champagne, I'll take it). Photos cannot convey the sheer size of these caves – or delightful taste of our favors – but it's definitely worth sharing ...      

Cozy/Cool/Classic

Without fail, Coach releases an array of lovely pieces with every new collection. With luxe leather and golden touches, this season is no exception. What an amazing addition any of these pieces would make to fall ensembles ...   

Clockwise from top:  cable knit sweater  //  wool and leather coat  //  leather trousers  //  jaguar print cape  //  plaid tunic dress  //  polished mini borough bag  //  gold and black heel

Happy Halloween Weekend!

Happy weekend! Sporting any fun costumes this weekend for Halloween? Last year I was Karl Lagerfeld, and Coco Chanel the year before that, so I suppose it's only right I continue my fashion-related get ups ... maybe Anna or the eternally stylish Iris Apfel.

Also this weekend ...

• Before the winter weather really hits, hit up the Randolph Street Market, and maybe even score some last minute halloween accessories for your fashionable costume.

• I've always wanted to take the Haunted Chicago bus tour, which visits a number of sites around town (and unnervingly passes by my building all the time, hmmm). What better time that halloween?!

• I love Longman & Eagle for their warm and inviting atmosphere, especially in this chilly weather. This Sunday they are having a pumpkin carving party, complete with hot cider, s'mores, whiskey ... oh my! 

Have a spooky weekend!

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

Pretty and Petite

The other day I posted some of the pretty scenes from the Palace of Versailles – and as gorg as it was, my heart swelled when we visited one of the smaller residences on the grounds ... Petit Trianon. Marie-Antoinette would retreat here, trading in the incredibly ornate palace for the much more simple, but no less beautiful, Petit Trianon, a little over a mile down the most lovely tree-lined road. With a lot less gold and more stunning stone work and white washes, this place made me instantly rethink my entire home decor ... 

Fall at Your Fingertips

I typically wear nude nail polish year round, but when autumn hits, I can't resist the deep, romantic shades. Below are a couple colors that really fit the fall bill ... plus my good ol' pales polishes that are always in season.

Mad for Plaid

It just got chilly here in Chicago, which means we're in full-blown fall fashion mode. I'm loving the plaid pieces that are everywhere right now – it's the perfect way to incorporate color this season. Below are some great finds that will continue to add color well into winter ...

From Top: 
Zara Jacket  //  Plaid Scarf
Satchel  //  Plaid Sleeve Sweatshirt
Sheer Blouse  //  Pencil Skirt
Tunic Top  //  Plaid Sweater
  

The Royal Treatment

Ask me a few years ago and I would tell you that a day trip outside of Paris seemed like a waste to me – why leave the most stunning city in the world for that long? What if I miss something beautiful? Turns out everything gold, grand, and gorgeous is located in one place, the Palace of Versailles. We spent the good part of a day there and I am still in disbelief that it is real (let alone that people have actually lived there!) Every twist and turn of the 25+ square miles of palace property is everything that decadent dreams are made of. No photos can do it justice, so I will share my favorite details of one of my new favorite places on Earth ...