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

Lightweight Leather

The goods:
• blouse from Zara
• jeans, jacket, earrings, and shoes from Forever21
• necklace by Gorjana

It may be June, but I won't put the leather away just yet - it adds some edge to these "spring" looks, like this simple blouse and jeans. I'll admit that I'm alright with these cooler days, I know they're numbered and it gives me a chance to get some extra wear out of my lightweight jackets (a similar one to the above, available here).

Fab Under Foot

Always on the hunt for the perfect ballet flat (I raved about my marvelous Repettos before), I've recently come across a new fave. Porselli flats are perfectly precious pieces that are made completely by hand in Milan (since, like, forever), and like a true ballet slipper, the super soft shoes break-in to fit your feet perfectly. These simple classics are so comfortable, you almost want to break into a pirouette (like the Scala dancers in italy, all outfitted by Porselli). These were one of those finds that after walking all day, made me want to run out and buy every color and style ever made, now that's amore.

The fabulous Garance Doré shares a peek into the charming, no-nonsense Porselli shop in Milan ... so when's the next flight?

Photo Courtesy of Garance Doré