statement necklaces

Bubble Necklace in new colors at jcrew

Hoss Papaya Rind necklace

(I found this at Koros for 70%off)

coin necklace by Dana Reed

(she will be at the Gold Coast Art Fair next weekend)

epic stones from anthro

(and also seen at Atlantis Home)

multi-chain from BR

giant turquiose Cliffhanger necklace from anthro

wish list

Steve Madden Tayla pump (15% off at SteveMadden.com)

Camilla Skovgaard

Stuart Weitzman Alex espadrille
(they remind me of my favorite Stella McCartney straw shoes)

road trip

To celebrate my last day of teaching summer school, my husband and I drove to the historical town of Galena, IL.

(we also stopped in Iowa at the Field of Dream house)

wine tasting

We stayed at the DeSoto House Hotel.

We ate at this wonderful local restaurant

and my adorable, sweet, and handsome husband insisted that we stop at The Milagro Studio and pick out a piece of jewelry for me. I did not object.

class reunion

I decided on this pink/grey snake skin wrap dress from Nordstrom to wear to my husband's class union. I also wore it to my nephew's baptism.

Birenzweig dress/update on the sidewalk sale/review of Koros

I am turning 30 in a month, so I bought myself this sexy little number to wear for my birthday. I might add these shoes... if the price goes down soon. (I am hoping for 80% off) I found the dress at Koros during the West Loop sidewalk sale last weekend. It was my first visit to the store and I didn't know what to expect. When I first walked in, I thought it was an art gallery. (see pics here) Yellow chairs, huge crystal chandelier, cow hide rug.

The owner/model/stylist (all the same woman named Kristin) was very kind, helpful, and honest while I tried on various dresses/tops/skirts. She asked me about clothing that I already owned and tried to help me find things that were different from what I already own. (this is a good thing because I seem to stick to the same look over and over again - she helped me see beyond what I normally wear and found pieces that were unique and flattering for me) The customer service was the best I have ever had at a small boutique. For example, she told me to buy a cheaper dress/tunic over a more expensive dress because it could transition into the fall. The entire store was marked 40%, 50%, and 60%, which made clothing that is normally out of my price range in my price range. And the clothing is amazing.....like art: unique, trendy but not over the top, classic with a twist, and funky all at the same time.

West Loop sidewalk sale

July 25 & 26: Saturday 11-6pm and Sunday 12-5pm

Participating Stores:

Bess & Loie
Erin Gallagher Jewelry (check out her jewelry - it is beautiful and affordable)
Koros
Pivot Boutique
The Oprah Store
Tribeca Boutique
2 Sisters Boutique
Smitten Boutique / Magnificent Milestones
Fig Tree

I was also told while I was in the boutique SaraJane last week, that the owner is going to be having 40% off everything in the store soon.

papier mache menagerie

These little creatures are so very cute. And they are made from recycled cement bags. (available here and here)

Diane Fres

I was in a bidding war on ebay over this vintage Diane Fres shirt. I gave up and let the other lady win.

fit flop

I guess it was not a good idea to wear my flip flops on my walk to (and from) Millennium Park last week. It was around 4 miles total and my feet still hurt. After seeing the fit flop on numerous women walking around the city and a raving review from superfantasticgirl, I am considering getting a pair.

Kaya day spa

After work and lunch with co-workers, I finally redeemed my gift certificate for a deep tissue massage at Kaya. (it was a gift from my husband) I also decided to add a pedi because they give the best pedicure and my feet have been looking a little rough. As I was paying, the receptionist honored this coupon ($10.00 off) even though I didn't know it existed.

Restaurant Review

This week, I ate lunch outside at the Plaza at Park Grill (the food was okay) and visited the new modern wing at the Art Institute with my husband, mother-in-law, and father-in-law. The best part of the beautiful new addition is the view from the restaurant Terzo Piano. (see photo above)We had drinks and dessert (chocolate semi-freddo with Spanish peanut nougat and caramel, which is like a frozen mousse). It was so good that I plan on going back for lunch.

from the kitchen of...

This stamp from sweetpaperie is adorable.

floral and leather: part 2

I have been noticing a ton of floral and leather paired together in the fall catalogs that have been arriving. I am still in disbelief that fall is going to be here soon. This leather and floral trend was popular already this spring. (see this post) So I am adding a brown leather jacket to my fall clothing shopping list. (along with new underwear and jeans - I really like these Anoname jeans at Sara Jane) I am going to start by trying on this jacket from UO.

Akiko dress

What about wearing this Akiko dress to my husband's high school reunion?

Bridesmaid

My super talented cousin, who lives in NYC, wore this dress and shoes as the Maid of Honor in her sister's wedding. (you can see her picture in the post below) It was perfect for a summer wedding. I think she should become a stylist. (her necklace was a smokey grey bib necklace from BR)

Aldo Faeroe shoes (on sale)

Jcrew Cotton Candy Erica dress

Weddingbee: Mrs. Powderpuff

My cousin Anne, who writes for the weddingbee, got married this past weekend in Michigan. It was a beautiful outdoor wedding and the weather could not have been more perfect.

my Grandma and I wore similar shoes

my other cousin Katie was the maid of honor and also sang the sweater song from the Old Navy commercial during the ceremony (more info on her dress and shoes in a different post)

my dress and feather belt