the weekend to do list:

run along the riverwalk

watch MSU basketball

try on this nursing dress at Belly Dance maternity

(I lived in my long black maxi dress last summer)

Sunday brunch with my aunt, uncle, and cousins

bath mat

One of my favorite new bath accessories is this rock bath mat. (if you go to the store, it is 20% off the online price) At first my husband thought I was crazy, but I really wanted a bath mat that didn't need to be washed. All I have to do with this one is vacuum it. And it feels SO good on my feet at the end of the day and takes me back to the rock covered beaches in the south of France.

wish list

at P. O. S. H.

salt pot

pancake plate

cute pitcher

pink pie plate

cheese knife and spreader

tunics + leggings

My sister requested a post about leggings.

Not tights, but thicker ankle length leggings, almost like pants.

So here are my suggestions:

*** Note: all items are from Anthropologie and all flatter girls with curves! ***

AG Rosebud Denim Tights

Joe's Knit Chelsea

dvf

Do you think I could wear this dress to a wedding next weekend with a pair of super high shoes?

I was trying on the dress I was thinking of wearing last night and I wasn't feel it.

And I am sick of wearing a basic black dress to every wedding I attend.

Hot Mama

My friend/co-worker has been working very hard to live a healthier lifestyle and she looks amazing. (Amy - I think you always have been a hot mama) Last week she told me that all of her clothing is too big. I immediately jumped at the opportunity to help with this dilemma. On Monday, we are going to check out Anthropologie. Does anyone else want to join us? hint, hint Semi-Hipster Homeowner?

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)

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.

Haven Dress

I am a little obsessed with birds lately.

And I especially love the birds in this colorful dress.

H & M organic cotton t-shirts

I picked up 3 of these last week during the summer sale at H&M.

They were only $5.00 each.

cat woman belt

I found this hip stirr belt on sale at sara jane and thought I could give my linea pelle pocket belt a rest. It reminds me of Kate Hudson.

Tom Ford Claudia sunglasses

I tried these sunglasses on today at Bloomingdale's. I was surprised that I liked the pink/green/grey combo compared to the basic brown.

I opted to spend my money on $5.00 organic t-shirts from H&M.

local designer Kate Boggiano

I came across Kate Boggiano's shirts in the State Street Macy's and she was featured in the June 2009 edition of CS magazine. If you refer 10 friends, she will send you a free white tank top. (valued at $16.95) This line will also be at Fashion at Heaven on Sunday, June 7th. (more info here)

local shopping update

On the way up to my sister-in-law's apartment to get my hair cut, I stopped in Handle with Care on Wells Street.

Here is my review:

The store has 2 rooms: 1 that has clothing and accessories under $100.00 and a 2nd room that has designer clothing and jewelry starting at $250.00. Overall, the store has a great selection of summer dresses and tops. (although I didn't buy anything) I was hoping that there would be more sale items. My favorite items were a black tiered tank dress and jewelry by Citrine by the Stones.

Next up:

• "it's great to be Jake" - Jake just opened a more affordable section of the store with prices ranging from $50.00 - $250.00. I am wondering what you can buy at Jake for $50.00.
• String a Strand on Wells - You can make your own jewelry and the bead selection is the best I have ever seen. (I only walked in and looked) I am thinking of taking my mom and Grandma here when they come in town for my cousin's bridal shower.

Sara Jane

Since the weather has turned warm, I have been walking Henry down Wells street. (many of the stores are dog friendly) Over the past year, I have seen 6 local stores close on Wells - my favorite shoe store One Yellow Shoe included. I recently went into Sara Jane (I did shop here a few times in the past) because of the large sale sign in the front window. And now I have been back a few more times because of the perfectly edited selection of clothing and accessories. While it is nice to get a good deal at H&M, Jcrew, or Anthropologie, I am going to try and spend my money locally. I almost feel like it is my duty to help support local business owners. Is that weird? And I think it will be fun to find new boutiques with a little help from here.
(Handle with Care will be my next stop)

Here are my favorites at sara jane:

Crash and Burn

Since moving to Chicago almost 4 years ago, I have started buying loungewear. As soon as I get home for work, on comes my loungewear. I also don't want to be known in my condo building as "the woman who walks her dog in her pajamas." A couple of years ago, a shopgirl at Hubba Hubba suggested I try on a Crash & Burn sweatshirt. It ended up being so soft and comfortable that I didn't want to take it off. I ended up buying it and have worn it so much that it is starting to get a hole in the sleeve. I have finally found more clothing from this line at sara jane.

My favorite part of this line, besides the comfort factor, is the skull/roses/thorn/rocker look. Normally, I am much more conservative in my dressing.

Sometimes it is nice to dress out of character.

Summer Wedding / Class Reunion

I have my cousin's wedding and my husband's class reunion to attend this summer. I am hoping to finding one dress to wear to both events. I am envisioning a classic/modern dress with a pair of adorable/funky shoes or the other way around (classic shoes and a funky dress).

Should I pick a more relaxed summer dress or something more fancy?

jcrew dresses

kate spade

nordstrom

And some shoes:

tulum swirl pendant

Don't let this picture fool you.
This necklace is huge and awesome.