How Cool Is This?!?

genius...
Cornered Coffee Table by Bobby Berk

I Want It Now!

This bag turns me right into Veruca Salt from Willie Wonka. That famous scene where she is throwing a screeming (/singing) tantrum to her father about wanting a goose that lays golden eggs. Yes. That is how I feel about this ridiculous brown leather weekend bag from m0851.

Dreamy

Fun!

Wish I Were Here

Manly Men

Here are a few rooms that I love that have a definite masculine energy. They are the typical black and silver bachelor pad though, these rooms have comfortable style and places to sit and read a book (about sports of course). I love the combination of leathers and deep dark paint colors with the textured area rugs and touches of rich wood.

Lockets

Lockets make a great personal gift for the holidays. Here are a few that I found on Etsy that I adore:

{Ruby Ann Designs}

{Kimari Jewelry}

{Sweet Little Frostings}

Some Lovelys

I am so busy these days that I have not had the time to focus on this website. In an effort to get back on the creative train, here are a few lovely pictures that have inpired me recently:

{via Audrey Hepburn Complex}

Design Star

Yes this post is a million years late, I still want to make sure I feature the amazing Emily Henderson. She recently won HGTV's Design Star - the reality show where the winner gets their own show on HGTV. Emily has such a unique style compared to many of the more traditional designers typically on the network. (Her style fits much better in the blog world - being that she is a fellow blogger.)





The above picture is of her own home (love.). Her show has now been airing - and its focus is to have a person's home reflect who they are - and their personal style. She primarily uses their wardrobe/fashion sense to determine what their personal style is. For the final project on Design Star, she created a room to reflect her personal style:




I love this space SO much. The eclectic mix of masculine wood stumps and cowhide and midcentury furniture pieces with the soft feminine touches (like the patterned walpaper and ornate mirror, and white painted chair) work brilliantly with the mettalic touches (like the vases on the shelves and the coffee table). Great job Emily! I can't wait to see all you do!

.

Ah Paris...

Ode To An Apple

Honey Crisp, Honey Crisp - how I love thee.
So so sweet and yummy.
You taste scrumptious with peanut butter (crunchy of course).
Definitely the one for me.

Fall Fun Day

Tomorrow is one of my favorite days of the year! My family and I head up to Michigan to pick pumpkins right from the patch, fill bushels of apples off the tree, and collect rocks from the beach. I can't wait!

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{via Audrey Hepburn Complex}

What a beautiful fall day!

Cowhide Rug

I bought a rich brown cow hide rug yesterday! I have wanted one for years, and IKEA just lowered the price - so I couldn't resist. Now I just have to figure out the perfect spot for it!

Footwear Fantasy

At $235, price is the only reason I can come up with why I do not absolutely need this pair of boots. I saw them in Hanig's the other day, and the leather is so soft and looks like they will wear beautifully. Ah...

Venue One

I recently started working as the Venue Representative for Venue One - a new event space in Chicago. Our first event took place last May (pre-opening) and is currently featured as the cover shot on this summer's Biz Bash Magazine! We also won the award through Biz Bash for 'Best New Venue'!!!


The official first event takes place in a couple weeks, but here are some raw shots of the space:




It is a warehouse/industrial space in the heart of Chicago's West Loop neighborhood (located right across the street from Harpo Studios). Unlike some of the other loft style venues, Venue One is polished and sparkling new. It is a blank slate ready to be transformed into whatever you can dream up. There are two levels which allows two events to go on at the same time. I can go on and on about the great features of this place (that is my job afterall), but instead I will share a couple more photos from our first event:




Website & Facebook Page

Coo'ing Over Coral

I just came across this picture of a Martha Stewart room that I am in love with. It is so soft and feminine. I love the various tones of coral as well as the muted tones of yellow and gray that play off the coral so well. Add in wide molding and textural velvet with a bowl of fresh blooms and you have a room that is enviable.

Onesies

With my best friend just having her first, I have babies on the mind. I wish I would have come across this photo earlier (like when I was planning her shower). The idea of using the classic white onesie as decoration for a baby shower is a brilliant idea. They are cost effective and create such a clean and crisp look. Plus, the mom-to-be can take these home after the celebration to use on her little one!

Lucy Jean

I am such a proud 'aunty' of newly born little Lucy Jean! She is so perfect, and I can't wait to get to know her and see her grow up. Babies have a way of filling you with so much love.

Breathe!

My best friend in the whole world is in labor right now (actually she has been in labor since yesterday morning!). I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the news - they still don't know if it is a boy or girl!ba

Dress To Impress

{via Audrey Hepburn Complex}

I need some work dresses! My dresses that I own are either good for going out or hanging at a backyard bbq. I just got back from doing a little shopping...and no luck - couple shirts and some pants. Why am I having such trouble finding a couple 'right' dresses?!?

Hipstamatic

I recently downloaded the Hipstamatic app on my iphone and have been having a blast with it. While I am still trying to figure out the different options (lenses and film etc), I will try and put together a collection of photos soon to share!

Get-Away

I am DYING for a vacation right now. (Un)Fortunately, summer is my busy time for work, so there is no time at all to get out of town for some much needed R&R. Instead I am left dreaming up where I can escape to once the weather starts to turn sour here in Chicago... Maybe Greece...or New York...or the Caribbean...or London...or even Mexico...

There's No Place Like Home

Ok, I know the Hunter boot thing has been in for a while - not only are they functional, they are also incredibly stylish. This past weekend at Lollapalooza I saw a girl wearing the original short Hunter boots in glossy red. She had them paired with an adorable navy halter dress. The rain might have put a damper on the morning, but looking at her playful rain wear put a smile on my face. Add to my wishlist - check.

Sophisti-cat

Apparently I love all pink rooms. This one is done SO well though. I love the girly pink walls pared with elegant x stools, modern art work, and a tribal area rug. The coral lampshades and stunning pillows are the perfect finishing touches. Love love love.

Yellow Cake

Isn't this cake so pretty?!? It is Martha Stewart (of course). The pattern is such a perfect take on the architectural patterns that are so popular right now. The butter yellow color actually invites me to eat it...I wonder what flavor is inside...

Burlington

{via Audrey Hepburn Complex}

I went to a friend's lake house in Wisconsin this past weekend. It is my favorite weekend of the year. Forget all your worries...After grilling up some meat for lunch, we took the pontoon boat out to the middle of the lake for a mid-day swim. Dinner brought a whole new array of grilled meat (Mitch's skirt steak is a personal favorite), tasty salads, and homemade sangria (with fresh grated ginger and marinated peaches). We danced, we sang, and of course we drank. I can't wait until next year.

Girls Rule

{via Audrey Hepburn Complex}

I have started a new job recently! One of my favorite things about going into an office and meeting with clients is that I get to dress up in pretty clothes. I love working backstage at concerts more than anything, but all I wear for that is t-shirts and jeans. Now I get to put on pretty dresses and strappy sandals! Yea to being a girl!

Sweet and Feminine

This little corner of a room is perfect in every way. I want to curl up with a book and a cup and saucer full of earl gray tea right there on that chair. Maybe snack on some shortbread cookies...Don't you love how the painting is hung low enough to be part of the seating area?!?

Baby Mama

I just came across this baby picture - and holy cow! Nicole of Making It Lovely has taken on photographing her adorable daughter every month in the same chair adorned in the same outfit until she turns two. Aside from how great an idea that it - check out the disgustingly perfect room that acts as the setting to these photo shoots.

I love everything about this room, and wish it were mine. I am pink with envy at every detail. That soft mustard curtain tied back with the pale powder-pink toned tassels is a favorite touch. Few people would have the (excuse my language) balls to dive in head first into an all-pink room like this. The rug, the pillows, the sophisticated hue of pink champagne on the walls are done perfectly. This proves that when done right - this concept does not have to be in-your-face obnoxious. Love it Nicole!

Every Rose...

How amazingly beautiful is this bouquet!?!? I don't typically care for gerber daisies (I think those are gerber daisies in there), but the combination of the deep red with the soft apricot looks gorgeous paired with the dusky sage eucalyptus. Plus, the whole photograph is really done well - what a stylish bride!

Happy Sunday

I hope everyone had a great weekend! I worked so hard Friday and Saturday that I slept away most of today. I wish I would have enjoyed the sunshine a bit, but I suppose I needed the rest...I should have gone at least to lay by the pool with friends or enjoyed a cocktail on a patio. Oh well...there is always tomorrow!