Have a Stylish Weekend!

Whoa! It's the weekend already. This week has been a whirlwind with projects and events, and it doesn't stop there, this weekend is going to be busy busy and I'm so excited for the Simply Stylist event tomorrow (it's not too late to get tickets!)

Also this weekend ...

• Saturday is supposed to be a gorgeous day out – how about chilling on a river front patio? River Roast opened this week and this ginormous, gorgeous place serves up some seriously good food and tasty beverages. 

• Wicker Park Fest is this weekend – you know the drill: tunes, tastes, a little shopping and some sips.

• Project Runway started up again this week and I'll be honest, I actually had a hard time picking a favorite! There were a number of looks I would wear in a heartbeat (okay this has nothing to do with weekend plans – unless you haven't watched it yet and plan to play the recording). 

Have a great weekend!

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

A Simply Stylish Event

When CakeStyle closed last year, I looked for a company that would allow me to continue to work with my clients both in Chicago and nationwide. I couldn't believe my luck when I came across Keaton Row – it was the answer to all of my stylist prayers. Keaton Row provides an incredible online platform that allows me to pull pieces from shops like Nordstrom, Shop Bop, and ASOS to create (free!) complete lookbooks for my clients. 

I'm thrilled to be one of three stylists to represent KR at the upcoming Simply Stylist Chicago event this Saturday! This awesome event includes Q&A and breakout sessions with industry big wigs, and a chance to network and rub shoulders with like-minded city stylists. If you're a stylist (or want to be), get your tickets here and swing by the Keaton Row table where you can sign-up to gain access to KR's seriously super (stylish) site. Hope to see you there!

Happy Monday!

Happy Monday! I know – they're usually the worst – but I'm excited because today I start a fun new job with a company that I've loved for a while (more on that later). I've been a little flakey lately, failing to get my daily posts up ... well I've been working quite a few projects that have kept me busy busy. I will continue to post as often as I can, but I can't promise it will be every single day. And oh yeah, my outfit posts are on hold until I get a new camera (womp womp). Here's to a fun week ahead!    

Have a Festive Summer Weekend!

Happy weekend! Looks like it's going to be perfect weather (again) for all your outdoor loveliness. We're taking it easy since this is the last weekend without major plans (um, pretty much for the rest of the summer!). Maybe I'll finally catch some rays and get a little color on my blindingly white legs.

Also this weekend ...

• The warm-up for Lollapalooza, Pitchfork Music Festival is this weekend. You can't go wrong with "Beck", and a friend recently introduced me to the rocking "Dum Dum Girls." We don't have tickets – and the site says sold out – but there's always a way, right?

• Festival fashion has become an institution in itself, and no one does it better than Free People. Get all your fringed frocks at Free People's Pitchfork prep parties tonight from 6-8pm – The Water Tower, Southport, and Wicker Park locations are all hosting events.   

• On the street festival side, this weekend there are a few good ones: Sheffield Garden Walk is always a fun time, Taste of River North sounds delicious, and the Chicago Craft Beer Festival has dozens of tasty brews (and a serious crowd – we went in the late afternoon last year and could barely take a sip without spilling).

Have a great weekend!

Photo courtesy of Chicago Reader

You're On The List

Pretty much every single brand has an email list, and if you're like me, you sign up when you see that promise of a discount code. Of course, once I use it, I eventually unsubscribe (or keep an old email address just to send that junk to). But here are a few email lists worth sticking with, a few that I've found continue to show customer appreciation with periodic coupon offers ...

• Henry & Belle – this local denim company makes some of my favorite jeans (perfect amount of give, high enough rise) and they send out discount codes occasionally, which is just dandy if you ask me!

• Cowshed makes some seriously luxurious scented bath products (and they're all natural!). I'm hooked on the Knackered Cow line, scented with lavender and eucalyptus. I'm also a fan of their flash sale codes they send out.

• Ann Taylor has really been hitting it out of the park lately with their clean classics, perfect for stylish work ensembles. I love their generous discount codes, too!

• Moo.com takes your business to the next level with their variety of luxe business cards (I love the mini moo cards!) letterhead, accessories, notecards, you name it! Oh yeah, they email out coupon codes too.

• Ballard Designs is everything my home dreams are made of. We've implemented a few of their decorative items into our current condo (thanks to their coupon codes), but I'm definitely gonna need a big home someday for all the pretty pieces I want!

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

Sale Away

Just like now is the time to score a good leather jacket on sale – it's also the best time to snag some new fall duds at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Starting Friday (or two days ago, for you Nordies card holders), tons of stylish stuff is marked way down, which means now is the time to get your hands on those wardrobe staples for the cooler months ahead. I know, it's sad but true ... autumn is right around the corner, so get ready and set for the stylish new season! Below are some classic pieces that should be on your sale-radar come Friday ...

Clockwise from top:
• A quality knee-length coat (something for those months before the puffy coat comes out). I love this grey one as an alternative to black.

• A new leather fall bag. This Tory Burch tote is perfect for everyday use at work, but chic enough with the chain detailing for the weekend or a night out.

• A nice cashmere sweater. This cream drape cardigan is one of those pieces you'll grab all fall/winter because it will go with everything and last forever (with proper care). 

• Faux leather pants. I snagged a pair last year, similar to these 7 For All Mankind and can't wait to don them again – think of them as a casual go-to, but like your black jeans cooler big sister.

• Heeled black ankle boots. Forgo fancy details like buckles or chains – a simple pair like these awesome Acne Studio boots go with everything from dresses to jeans to leather pants. 

• A versatile wrap dress. There's a reason the DVF wrap dress is a wardrobe staple – you can wear it casual with tights and boots for work or dress it up with heels and a statement necklace or earrings for an evening event. Choose a neutral like this navy one for the most wearability. 

Dreamy Destinations

Steve and I are always thinking ahead to our next vacation. We are lucky to have crossed a few dream destinations off of our list, but still have a long one to choose from. Below are some of our top spots to check out as we look forward to fall travel. What are we missing? And has anyone been to any of the below?  

Morocco offers an incredible package deal – breathtaking architecture, delicious food, and those markets in Marrakech! (I would have to forgo my one carryon rule for luggage to get all my desired souvenirs back).


Iceland looks like an amazing destination – the gorgeous green rolling hills and I'm all about those geothermal pools with mineral rich water that's said to be great for your skin.


Fiji reminds us of our fave spot on Earth, Bora Bora, but if there's a spot even close to similar and we haven't been there yet? I'm in.


An African safari is one of those bucket list trips. It seems like such an unparalleled experience, we've just got to do one someday (even if it does mean pumping ourselves full of vaccines for a few months – yaouch).

Photos courtesy of Pinterest

Bon Weekend!

Bon weekend! It's supposed to be a lovely weekend in Chicago. With no serious plans, we're looking forward to hanging with family and friends.

Also this weekend ...

• Monday is Bastille Day in France, but there are plenty of French fêtes around Chicago. Head to the French Market for a taste of France, or a serious French meal at Kiki's Bistro. 

• Sunday is the World Cup Finals and the games just get more and more exciting. The best way to watch is surrounded by futbol fans ... preferably on a patio with TVs like at Grandview or Smoke Daddy. 

• August isn't far off, which means Lollapalooza is coming up quick! If you didn't score tickets, dine at Quartino this weekend for a chance to win passes.

Have a great weekend!

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

The Summer Necklace

I like to keep accessories a little lighter in the summertime, so I'm loving the long lariat style necklace to layer on top of my everyday pieces. A far cry from the lariat style I wore in the 90's — a lot more beading, a lot less fine jewelry — these thin chains add just a hint of shimmer on top of a summer tan. I'm also pretty modest when it comes to showing any skin, but I love this look with a deep vneck or scoop neck blouse. The only question is which adorable one to get? My current faves ...    

From left: catbird gold bar  //  shark tooth lariat  //  Gorjana honeycomb  //  beaded lariat  //  Rayna Eye lariat

Staple Sale Scores

It's kind of hard to think about wearing a thick, leather jacket in July, but now is the best time to score a sweet deal on this wardrobe staple. I came across this gem on deep discount and couldn't resist (especially given the similarity to my beloved Acne Rita jacket). With fall attire starting to fill stores, peruse those sale racks now for a fantastic classic leather jacket (tip: it goes with everything!)   

Clockwise from top left:  tan Michael Kors moto jacket   //  black denim-style leather jacket  //  white longline jacket  //  grey suede moto jacket  //  classic biker jacket  

The Reduced Republic

After my weekly sweep through Zara (it helps that my husband pretty much exclusively shops there as well), we were drawn to the giant "sale" signs in the neighboring Banana Republic. I always find some great classics here and this trip was no different ... even better, all of my faves were on the sale rack! I came away with the cream colored jacket below and cannot wait to wear it (obviously after this heatwave subsides). Below are a few items I may have to head back for ... like immediately 

Clockwise from top left:

faded chambray shirtdress  //  versatile nude wedges  //  cream textured jacket  //  striped halter dress  //   navy maxi dress  //  polka dot buttondown  //  eyelet aline dress  //  tailored sailor shorts 

Food, Fun, and Fireworks

After a relaxing holiday week (and unintentional hiatus from my little blog due to down interwebs) it's good to be back! I hope everyone had a lovely Fourth weekend ... ours was full of good food (my fave local BBQ and the largest micheladas in town!), quality friend and family time (over patriotic ice cream cake and beer), and of course, some fireworks (I wait all year for this show set to music). Well it's back to the grindstone, so here's to a fantastic week ahead.