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!

Room To Live In

I came across this picture recently and fell in love for various reasons. First of all, this looks like a room that you can really live in (not that it isn't also perfectly styled...). I love the perfect combination of glamor (with the crystal chandelier and the mirrored console table) and real living (like the wooden chair and grouping of liqueur bottles).

More than anything right now, I would love the ability to walk right outside of my place - those French doors leading out into the fresh air and sunshine are so enticing. Some day...

I'm On A Boat!

Ok, no that's not me...

This past week I worked at Soldier Field for The Eagles concert. Our production office had the MOST amazing view. The entire room is surrounded by windows - one side faces the inside of the stadium (perfect for overseeing goings-on), and the other side faces the marina in Lake Michigan. The rich blue skies brought out many boaters onto their sail boats each day.

So - my goal is to get out on a boat soon. I want to lay on the deck, drink some fresh squeezed lemonade, and read a romance novel..anyone...?

Kitchen

Check out this dream kitchen. I am sitting here drooling over the checkered floor, the gigantic wood island, and the gobs of shelving!

Bensimon

While in New York last month, I picked up a pair of elastic slip-on black Bensimons. It is a French brand of shoes - and I am obsessed. Though black is my color choice, they come in a huge rainbow of colors. They are super comfortable, and I wish I could wear them every day...if only sneakers were appropriate for all situations...

A Book A Day...

I have been a reading machine lately! After flying through the (ahem...) Twilight books (yes all four of them), I am now onto the third Stieg Larsson book - 'The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest'. This series is so riveting - plus the fact that Lisbeth Salander is freakin' kick-ass.

Though this was intended to be the third in a series of ten novels (the author unexpectedly passed away before finishing the other books), I can't wait to see what (violent) adventures happen to wrap it all up!

What great book are you reading right now? I would love any good suggestions to add to my list!

Dreamy

I LOVE this room. It is seriously like a dream. The collection of vintage plates against the dove gray wall is such a beautiful contrast to the warm chunky wooden furniture. Plus, who wouldn't do just about anything to have a set of built-in drawers like that!

How Cute

How cute is this room?!? It makes me want to paint the floors throughout my place in bright vibrant colors!

Pretty

{via Lovely Clusters}

{via Design Sponge}

Rain Rain Go Away

I am working a big music festival today, and the morning started with a HUGE downpour of rain. I couldn't see out my windshield driving in early this morning - the clouds were a murky and grey and dark. While we had quite a bit of sunshine throughout the afternoon, the rain is back to drench the thousands of sweaty concert-goers. Ew...

Martini Bar

Check out this beyond perfect build-your-own martini bar by Sunday Suppers. Besides the fact that I have been really into martinis lately, I cannot get over this breathtaking set up. What a gracious blend of chic modern style with thoughtful vintage touches - this is how I see my life.




Mix up your favorite blend of vodka, soda water, vermouth, and 'dirty' water. Garnish with any of the plentiful garnishes (salty olives, fresh lemons, or crisp cucumbers). This makes me not only want a martini, it makes me want to throw a party to set up a display like this and share a martini with friends. Cheers.

Market Days

Today is Wednesday - which means the Green City Market is open today here in Chicago. If only I could get myself up and about and motivated, I would love to go see what is around this year!

Sun Porch

I wanted to share this picture that I came across recently. I think it is a sun porch! How I would love to have one of those! I am crazy about the natural sisel rug topped with boldly-striped and over-stuffed furniture. Plus, that book shelf (wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling) is to die for. I love the white magazine boxes scattered throughout to create some unity. Gorgeous.