I have been wanting to take pictures at this school forever, as it is a truly magical place. Reminiscent of my childhood dreamland, the vivid colors and depictions bring me to life. I kept my outfit light and airy cinching this feminine LWD with a rugged leather belt. Adding edgy or contrasting pieces brings dimension and interest to simple dresses. The frilly heels and colorful necklace also bring a level of detail to the ensemble, making it my own. If worn with different accessories, this dress could go just about anywhere. It is important to keep classic and versatile pieces in your wardrobe — the LBD is no longer your only option. What are your go-to pieces?
Wearing Calvin Klein dress, J Crew belt, Tom Ford sunglasses, Gucci handbag, Chan Luu necklace and Beverly Feldman slingbacks.
Last Friday, David and I went to the Jammin’ at the Zoo concert with Colbie Callait headlining and Andy Grammer opening. It was a fantastic event and an intimate setting on Lincoln Park Zoo’s South Lawn. Seating is first come first serve and tickets are really cheap, only $23 when purchased ahead of time. I would totally recommend going to one of the concerts next summer, unfortunately this was the last of the year.
As for the performers, Andy Grammer was both uplifting and talented — a great opening act. His performance was energetic and diverse featuring him play both the guitar and keyboard, singing, and beatboxing. Headliner, Colbie Caillat delivered a beautiful show. She actually sounded better live than on her CD, which I would have thought impossible! Her delivery was refreshingly down to earth and all about the music. My favorite part was that she kicked off her heels during the second song and finished the show barefoot.
Colbie Caillat’s ensemble at the event was very simple yet glamorous. Her hair and make-up — natural and elegant. Her electric blue maxi featured a a high slit, keyhole and detailed tie in back. She rocked a wrist full of bracelets and a long pendant necklace both on key with current trends.
My lovely cousin Erin came to visit this past weekend, so I of course took the opportunity to capture her beauty on film! We decided to do a full transformation. New outfit, makeup, hairdo — the works! We hit up TJ Maxx and found this fun dress and loved the bell sleeves and DVF-like print and decided to do a 70′s theme. We topped the dress with a burnt orange hobo, assorted bracelets (both from TJ), my mom’s vintage gold necklace and Erin’s brown booties. This look is perfect for fall, functional and will easily transition to night by swapping the boots for a pair of heels. The best part. We got everything for under $150!
For Erin’s makeup, I enhanced her naturally gorgeous blue eyes with metallic copper and deep blue shadow. To make her eyes pop, I blended the blue in her outer corner and crease. I coated her lashes heavily with black mascara, added coral blush to her apples and a magenta lipstick for color. To create her chignon, I started with a high ponytail, formed it into two loops and secured them with a second hair tie. I fanned the loops to form a full bun and secured with bobby pins.
Wearing Max Studio dress, Tasha bracelets, vintage gold necklace and Bakers boots.
A special thanks to Erin for letting me do my thing! I had a blast and love you so much! By popular demand, here is a close up of Erin prior to the makeover with her natural curl and gorgeous face! Cheers!
Alexis Bittar is one of my favorite jewelry designers right now, and I am obsessing over the 2012 Resort line. Every piece is so unique yet always distinguishable. Here are some of my favorite photos from their lookbook, which in itself is quite unique. What are your thoughts on these twilight-esque portrayals of the line?
Super excited about my birthday, I was feeling fun and colorful last night and ended up with this funky little number. Polka dots have been showing up on celebrity trend pages a lot recently, so I am thinking they are going to be big in fall. I added a pop of color with this vintage scarf that belonged to my grandmother, and topped the look off with a crystal clutch and a bunch of resin bangles and bracelets. I bought this clutch for a black tie wedding, but thought it would be fun to resurrect it last night to add some sparkle! It’s always great finding a use for those special occasion items stored in the back of your closet.
I have been really into the wrist party trend and am taking full advantage of the chance to wear all my bracelets — at the same time. David is taking me to Boka tonight for my birthday. I am not sure what I will be wearing yet, but I know it will involve lots of wrist candy! Have a wonderful Thursday everyone!
It’s time for a humpday treat ladies… and gents? Last night my bestie, Bridget, came over to celebrate my birthday week with a fabulous girls night! One bottle of champagne in, we decided it was time for – a makeover. Now I want y’all to know, I LOVE makeovers. Recreating makeup and hair looks is one of my absolute favorite things to do. After some serious contemplation, we decided to try a ”going out” look and ended up with this beautiful golden smokey eye and tousled beach waves.
To create the natural looking wave, I used a 1/2″ curling iron and curled 1 inch sections. The trick to getting a wave and not a curl is to start wrapping the hair at the base and work your way down to the end of the sections. Once you have section clamp the iron at the base and continually turn, while loosely gripping the hair until you reach the ends. This technique builds body and volume as it curls not only the ends but the body of your hair as well.
When determining an eye makeup approach, it is always important to consider both shape and color. For Bridget’s eyes, I wanted to play up her unique almond shape and light brown coloring. To brighten the eye, I started with a metallic gold base shadow working from the inner corner out. I then layered a dark brown in the outer corner creating a fan shape that went up and out. To make Bridget’s eyes appear larger, I angled the shadow upwards. I then added depth with a black liquid liner again following the same upwards angle towards the outer corner and just beyond the edge of the lid. We finished the look with multiple coats of black mascara and champagne colored liner applied to the inner corner for brightness.
To sculpt Bridget’s face, I used a matte bronzer under her cheek bones and along the base of her chin. We then added a pink blush to the apples of her cheeks for color. A little gloss on her lips and the look was complete! Be-A-utiful!
There is something magical about the magnificent mile. It can bring out the inner shopaholic in even the biggest of retail cynics. On Sunday, David’s parents took us out to dinner to Bandera, our favorite restaurant in the city, to celebrate our birthdays. It was a beautiful evening, topped off with photos on scenic Michigan Avenue. In my opinion, Chicago has some of the most beautiful architecture in the country. As a downtown dweller, I sometimes forget how glorious our city is. We are so wrapped up in traffic and avoiding the ever-present tourists that we forget to enjoy the most admirable aspect of living in this wonderful city. So, next time you are downtown, take a moment to appreciate what is ours. Stop letting those pesky tourists hog all the glory .
Here, I am wearing a Milly dress. If you don’t own one, I highly suggest making the purchase. There is something about the cut and designs that conforms to and enhances the female form.
Wearing Milly dress, Oliver Peoples sunglasses, Louis Vuitton handbag, vintage gold bracelets, pearls and Vince Camuto heels.
A bit of a tomboy, I love wearing pieces that make me feel feminine and girly, and lace has just that effect. For balance, I toughen up the look with leather and raw denim. Boldly shaped silhouettes and sharp accessories can also be used to modernize the timeless fabric and add dimension. Most exciting is the presence of lace in many fall lines including Jason Wu, so expect to see it everywhere. Definitely a look worth investing in, so get to shopping everyone!!
Love how the skyline is captured in my glasses. Such a beautiful city.
I made some super stylin’ new friends while taking pictures! Aren’t they too cute!
Wearing Calvin Klein blouse, Seven cut-offs, Jack Rabbit Collection belt , Chan Luu wrap bracelets, vintage gold bracelets, vintage Gucci watch, David Yurman ring, Juicy Couture sunglasses, Tory Burch tote and Carlos Falchi wedges.
My hope when starting this blog was to record my happiness, and invoke readers to find their own. Smiling and laughing are my favorite things to do. My boss told me last week that I am easily excitable, and I like to think that is a good thing. Being able to enjoy life and find happiness in the every day mundaneness gives me purpose. I want to share that with everyone and help you find your own reasons to smile, whatever they may be.
Experimenting with fashion is my outlet, my passion. I dress only for myself. My outfits are an expression of whatever I am feeling that day. I challenge everyone to base their outfits on emotion, not on what they think matches or coordinates, but with how it makes them feel to put it on. Don’t second guess your choices, just feel your look and go out and share it with the world! True beauty does come from within, and if you are genuinely confident it will shine regardless of what you’re wearing. So dress for YOU!
For today’s post, I thought it would be fun to share some of my most recent giggle inducing moments. When you see something funny, by all means laugh. Don’t waste it. Just let go. So here it goes.
This is my fiance David, the world’s most perfect human being. In all seriousness, he is a walking, talking, breathing angel on earth. For his birthday Friday, I got him a guitar. Although he doesn’t know how to play a lick, he has been jamming out for the past 36 hours straight. Seeing him so happy is without a doubt my single most favorite thing about living. Notice also that he is wearing a t-shirt displaying the periodic table of elements, another of his birthday gifts. David is a genius, a HUGE nerd, but he embraces it and that is part of what makes him so wonderful. He is so truly happy just being himself that you can’t help but want to spend every moment with him.
While walking the dogs this morning, David discovered this epic display of humility and snapped a pic for me. I was rolling with laughter in bed. You can’t help but love someone who hangs their tighty whities across their front yard for the world to see. Everyone wears undies, so why be secretive about it. No need to be ashamed. Embrace life. That is what this neighbor taught me this morning. Let go of your insecurities and just live your life!
Lastly, this youtube video. It’s been out for a few years now, but it still manages to make me just as happy when I watch it today. Whenever I am feeling down about life or just need a little boost, I watch this little girl and remember that life is great! Thanks Jessica!
Well, that’s all I’ve got for now. Happy Sunday everyone!
In September’s issue of W, cover model Kristen Stewart is without a doubt breathtaking. Elegant. Timeless. Gorgeous. I could not be more infatuated with these photographs. I’ll take one of everything she’s wearing, please. Which pic is your favorite?
Photographs by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, and styled by Edward Enninful. Images via W Magazine.
I have been wanting to take pictures at this school forever, as it is a truly magical place. Reminiscent of my childhood dreamland, the vivid colors and depictions bring me to life. I kept my outfit light and airy cinching this feminine LWD with a rugged leather belt. Adding edgy or contrasting pieces brings dimension and interest to simple dresses. The frilly heels and colorful necklace also bring a level of detail to the ensemble, making it my own. If worn with different accessories, this dress could go just about anywhere. It is important to keep classic and versatile pieces in your wardrobe — the LBD is no longer your only option. What are your go-to pieces? 
Wearing Calvin Klein dress, J Crew belt, Tom Ford sunglasses, Gucci handbag, Chan Luu necklace and Beverly Feldman slingbacks.
To create the natural looking wave, I used a 1/2″ curling iron and curled 1 inch sections. The trick to getting a wave and not a curl is to start wrapping the hair at the base and work your way down to the end of the sections. Once you have section clamp the iron at the base and continually turn, while loosely gripping the hair until you reach the ends. This technique builds body and volume as it curls not only the ends but the body of your hair as well.
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