pretty and fun

an outfit for // lounging poolside.

2013-06-19T07:00:00.000-05:00

Summer finally seems to be here in Chicago (fingers crossed!) and I'm desperately trying to soak up some sun and add a little color to my blindingly pale legs. Since I have sunshine on the brain, I've pulled together some essentials for lounging poolside:

clockwise:

Striped Canvas Tote

Ray-Ban Aviator Sunglasses

Cabana Tile Cosmetic Pouch

Essie "Cab-ana" & "Bottle Service"

Push Up Bandeau & Ruffled Bottom

L'Oreal Sublime Sun Advanced Protection Sunscreen

c/o Hawaiian Tropic Spray Sunscreen

c/o Hawaiian Tropic After Sun Lotion

Tile Beach Towel

c/o Mane Message Headbands

Texturizing Sea Salt Spray

Clinique High Impact Waterproof Mascara

LipSurgence Lip Tint in "Amused"

Knit Tunic Dress

Gigi Sandal

How is your summer tan coming alone? What items are a must in your beach bag when you're laying out?

shops you should know.

2013-06-18T07:00:00.000-05:00

Shops You Should Know is a monthly feature that highlights five of my favorite Etsy shops - it's my way to show off some recent finds and support the small business community on Etsy, while also making the whole Etsy process less overwhelming.

This month there's a fun little twist on the feature - a giveaway! Don't miss your chance to win an 8x10 print from Misha Blaise Design (one of my faves!) at the end of the post.

// Misha Blaise Design

// Pratt Creek Art

// Momentus NY

// Amanda Catherine Designs

// Megan Lee Designs

Here's how to enter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck! A winner will be announced on Wednesday, June 26 so be sure to check back. xo.

marathoning (again).

2013-06-17T21:15:00.002-05:00

I'll be the first to admit that I'm pretty darn stubborn. I love overcoming challenges just for the personal thrill and satisfaction so when I had to miss three big races I had planned due to injury, I was determined to make up for it. So, I did what I said I was not doing this year - I signed up for the Chicago Marathon.

Don't get me wrong, I had a fantastic experience running my first marathon in October. It was more than I expected; an overwhelming combination of accomplishment, gratitude and just pure satisfaction. It was that big crazy goal I had set for myself and the thrill of running 26.2 miles was worth every hour spent training. But it was also incredibly time consuming. When I signed up for my first marathon I was solely focused on the physical aspect - could I run that far? Sure. I largely underestimated how much time I would spend preparing for the race; how many weekends would be consumed by long runs and recovery time (I watched every season of Gossip Girl in the process).

And that time factor is what made me initially decide to pass on running another marathon this year. It was to be the year of the half marathon - a more manageable training schedule and a big personal record I was working toward. But with that suddenly taken away from me, I needed a new goal - something to work toward and prove to myself as a comeback.

I'll be running the Chicago Marathon as part of the American Cancer Society's DetermiNation team in honor of my two grandmothers who I both lost to cancer. Last year I raised over $1,800 thanks to the generosity of my family and friends and felt so incredibly lucky for each of the 26.2 miles thinking of all the support I had both near and far.

So here we go again. Another marathon, more fundraising and another training cycle ahead of me (this time with some help from Nike Training Club on their official Chicago Marathon training team).

Let's do this.

ten tunes // running playlist.

2013-06-12T23:39:00.001-05:00

// image via Mama Miss

There are two things that I love most about running: clearing my head and rocking out to a killer playlist. I don't think I could survive a long run without my headphones and Spotify and I must say, after the Chicago Marathon last year, I have carefully curated the ultimate running playlist. I seriously look forward to it and can often be found rapping while running around the city (yes, I'm that girl).

I know I always love finding new running tunes so I wanted to share ten of my favorites:

Pursuit of Happiness // Kid Cudi
Hypnotize // Notorious B.I.G.
Homecoming // Kanye West
Under My Thumb // The Rolling Stones
Money Ain't A Thang // Jermaine Dupree
Pumped Up Kicks // Foster the People
Still Not A Player // Big Pun
Put It On Me // JaRule (I started every. single. run. in 2012 to this song)
No Diggity // Blackstreet
Little Talks // Of Monsters and Men

Can you tell I'm a little bit obsessed with 90s rap?

What are your favorites on your workout playlist? I'm marathoning again this year (more to come mon that soon!) so I have many, many miles ahead of me and could always use a refresher on my Spotify. Also I'd love to follow you on Spotify - leave me a comment with your username so I can check out your tunes.

the hardest decision.

2013-06-10T22:52:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I had to act on one of the hardest decisions I've ever made, to return Holden to the beagle rescue I adopted him from last year. It was something I knew had to happen and had been in the back of my mind for the past few weeks. Moving turned Holden's world upside down and triggered very severe separation/space anxiety for him - it didn't matter whether I was gone for even just an hour, he barked and paced and generally was miserable. I was in complete denial at first; this had never been an issue in the past. He was fine when I left and I never heard him barking when I got home - were my neighbors just awful? Were the walls in my new apartment really that thin? We tried it all, ranging from Thundershirts to classical music and even the dog version of Prozac, nothing helped and time was very quickly running out before my pet rent would be revoked in my new building. I invested in a wireless camera so I could monitor him while I was gone - this is when it really hit me. Seeing my mellow, easy going dog pace and bark and look so unhappy was heartbreaking and I realized that this just was not what was best for him anymore.

I am confident that Holden has many, many great days ahead of him and that he will find somewhere that he feels safe and is able to not suffer from stress and anxiety. I'm in close contact with his foster mom (the very same home he stayed in before I adopted him) and received a photo of him today lounging in her backyard sunning himself. I have missed that little guy from the second I walked in the door without him and have appreciated all of your kind words & thoughts more than you'll ever know. I can't wait to see how happy he is going to make a new family but wish with every ounce of me that he was still part of mine.

meeting you.

2013-06-07T19:25:00.000-05:00

// via Lily & Val

I wanted to kick off the weekend by taking a second to learn more about you and chat for a bit. I still have a bit of a pinch me moment anytime someone recognizes me or mentions that they read this little blog of mine. Your comments and well wishes during my unexpected blogging break meant the world to me and I'm dying to hear more about what your every day is like and what your interests are.

So, I've got a few questions.

Where are you from?
What is your all time favorite song?
If you had one item to majorly splurge on, what would it be?
Do you have any upcoming trips planned?
What is your dream job?

Can't wait to hear!

monster cookies.

2013-06-05T07:00:00.000-05:00

// Original recipe found via Pinterest

These cookies are intense - in a very, very good way. They're perfectly chewy with a combination of peanut butter, chocolate chunks, M&Ms and Butterfingers, and tend to be impossible to only have one.

Don't believe me? I brought a huge bag to work on Monday (my office has about 25 people) and all of 'em were gone within an hour.

Ready to make some yourself?

Ingredients:

1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. white sugar
2/3 c. unpacked brown sugar
2/3 c. peanut butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 egg
1 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. M&Ms
1 c. chocolate chunks
1 c. chopped Butterfingers

Instructions:

Cream together butter and sugars until smooth. Beat in peanut butter, vanilla and egg until well blended.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda & salt - stir mixture into wet ingredients, then mix in candies and chocolate chunks.
Drop rounded spoonfuls (the bigger the better!) onto a cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees.

Enjoy!

from room to reality.

2013-06-04T07:00:00.000-05:00

I'm as guilty as anyone about pinning away on Pinterest and then never taking any action after the initial moment of inspiration. I've decided to change that and look for simple ways to translate the pretties of Pinterest into every day style, both at home and in fashion.

Since I have home decor on the brain I figured I'd start with interiors - meet From Room to Reality. First up, this dreamy living room:

// Original pin via HGTV

Shop the Room:

Patterned Accent Pillow

Bird Figure

monthly mantra.

2013-06-03T07:00:00.000-05:00

// via Third Street Co.

the perfect weekender bag.

2013-05-30T22:41:00.000-05:00

I have long been searching for the perfect bag for short trips or for bringing workout clothes to the office for a run home for work. It had to be roomy, but not too roomy. Stylish enough to not scream "GYM BAG!" and practical for carrying in addition to my work tote + laptop. Well, check check and check, I have found that bag.

Enter Po Campo's Midway weekender bag. The bottom storage compartment is perfect for a pair of running sneakers (or a few pairs of heels for the weekend) and the interior is spacious but well organized with pockets that make keeping everything organized easy. The elastic on the front is perfect for carrying a yoga mat, jacket or towel and there's even a small exterior pocket for stashing your keys and phone. Bonus points for being water resistant and made with vegan leather that feels as buttery soft as the real thing. And those stripes? I pretty much couldn't ask for anything more (plus the interior is hot pink!)

Po Campo is a Chicago brand built around the idea of an urban lifestyle, with bags that are stylish enough for your commute to work and even several that were made to fit perfectly on a bicycle. It's about experiencing the richness of city life - and looking good while doing it.

A glimpse into my Midway Weekender bag at work (you know, before my race training was ruined and everything):

// Packed full with after work run essentials - sneakers, running clothes, facial wipes, water & the works

* I was sent the Midway Weekender bag to review from Po Campo but was not compensated for this post (actually I've long had this exact bag on my wishlist!) All opinions and product reviews are honest and my own.

sisters weekend.

2013-05-29T12:00:00.000-05:00

I was lucky enough to have my little sister, Elise, here this past weekend - she lives & goes to school back in New Jersey and I don't get to see her nearly enough anymore. It was so nice to have here here for so many reasons; she has the best random one liners, the pups were thrilled to have their auntie here and few things make me happier than showing off this city that I love. The days flew by and the visit was far too short but we managed to pack a lot of fun into a long weekend. I'm already scheming up a way to get her out here again (or permanently ;)) and miss that girl more than she'll ever know.

Sisters are special and mine is kind of the best.

budget friendly // home accessories.

2013-05-28T21:56:00.002-05:00

My unpacked but very undecorated new apartment has me with home accessories & styling on the brain - it's amazing what a big difference a few little details can make when it comes to making a space feel finished. A few of my budget friendly favorites, all under $50!

// 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10

pressing pause.

2013-05-20T22:39:00.001-05:00

Sometimes life throws you a curve ball and forces you to press pause for a bit. Mine came on Friday after life had been whirling by and I had already been barely able to keep up. Starting my weekend off in the emergency room and spending the remainder of the weekend either drugged and sleeping or back at the hospital was a little different as I had planned - I had a to do list a mile long, my first half marathon of the season, two weeks of blogging to catch up on, freelance work to do and a concert to go to. And none of that happened.

As I fall further and further behind on all of the business I've created for myself, I'm (very stubbornly) pressing pause to give myself a little breather. Getting off of crutches is the first order of business at the moment, and we'll see what happens after that.

For everyone who has sent me well wishes already, thank you. Being in your thoughts means the world and has helped me feel less alone in the moments where I feel like I have no one. I appreciate your understanding during this unexpected little break - I do my best to be genuine and authentic on the blog and I don't want to stray from that by carrying on with my editorial calendar as planned.

Be back soon.

xo.

the blowout.

2013-05-17T07:00:00.000-05:00

The blowdryer and I have never really gotten along well. Our interactions together are usually very long, sometimes awkward if there happens to be a round brush involved and at the end of it all, it never ends very well. It's always a rather exhausting process and I'm left with poofy, not really straight, not really curly hair that I end up forcing into submission with a flat iron or completely giving up and resorting to a bun or pony tail.

But one day, that all changed.

Enter Miss Josie at Sine Qua Non Salon, the queen of the blowout.

The first few times I visited the salon I rejected Josie's offer to blow my hair dry. "Nahhh, it never really works. You can just leave it. Not a big deal, no problem." And off I went, with damp hair, completely avoiding the dreaded blowdryer.

But one day she convinced me to give it a shot - I purposely didn't pay attention to avoid the horror of my own sight in the mirror. I knew what was going to happen here, bad, bad hair - but much to my surprise, the result was quite the opposite.

Smooth. Sleek. Just the right amount of volume. She totally nailed it.

Thanks for making me a believer, Josie. You're kind of the best (and lets be real here, she's also the only stylist in the world who has never made me cry from a haircut - you go, girl).

shops you should know.

2013-05-16T22:03:00.000-05:00

Shops You Should Know is a monthly feature that highlights five of my favorite Etsy shops - it's my way to show off some recent finds and support the small business community on Etsy.

See something you love? Have a favorite shop you'd like to share? Let me know!

// Etymology Jewelry

// Little Blue Feathers

// Pencil Shavings Studio

// Marketa New York

// Confetti Design Shop

surviving a move.

2013-05-14T21:35:00.001-05:00

// Always pack the essentials first!

Moving six times in a three year period (including an 800 mile move!) teaches you a thing or two about moving. Through all of the boxes, packing and unpacking, I've figured out some key tips and tricks about how to make the process as painless as possible and wanted to share some advice on surviving a move:

Skip packing your clothes! For items on hangers, zip tie the hangers together, cut a hole in the top of a clean garbage bag and use as a garment bag. If you're using movers (or have super strong friends), leave everything folded in your drawers as they're likely to just shrink wrap the entire dresser to keep everything in place. Need to remove the drawers to lighten things up? Use saran wrap to create a seal around each drawer to keep contents from spilling.
Pack all fragile items together. This one always scares me a bit (what if the box gets dropped!) but I've found it's best to keep fragile items in the same box together - the wrapping around each item will cushion everything to prevent breakage due to contents shifting during transit. Make sure the box is as full as possible to keep things from moving around a lot by using towels or extra crumpled up newspaper/packing materials.
Movers are worth every. single. penny. This is one thing that I only truly appreciated with my most recent move and has completely changed my outlook on moving - movers are super humans & everything will go much, much faster. Do some research using Yelp or Angie's List and stick with a mover with a good reputation - don't be afraid to shop around and get estimates from at least three different companies. Don't let price be the only factor in your decision - ask the right questions and take reviews seriously.
Store things inside of other things as much as possible. We're talking tupperware in the crock pot and kitchen odds & ends inside of that tupperware. Consolidate things as much as possible.
Stock up on garbage bags, newspaper and gallon sized plastic bags. These, my friends, are the true essentials. Cheapo plastic bags are awesome for keeping random items together, garbage bags are great for clothes, linens & towels and newspaper is your best friend for fragile items. Pro tip: you can buy entire rolls of unprinted newspaper!
Get specific with your labeling and try and stay organized through categorized boxes. There's nothing worse than mystery boxes when it comes time to unpack! Planning ahead & labeling each box with a basic description of what's inside beyond what room it's meant for will make your life much easier.
Reusable boxes are the way to go. I worked with a Chicago company called Redi-Box* during this last move - they offer really durable, reusable plastic boxes that you can rent for two weeks with delivery & pick up included in the service. This meant no wrangling up boxes from random places, no packing tape and most importantly, no breaking down & throwing away a gazillion boxes. Bonus points for being really strong (I may have had several boxes completely full of books and magazines - sorry movers!), stackable and eco-friendly.
Have an "unpack me first!" box. Set aside the essentials and keep things that you absolutely need immediately together in one box (make sure this includes toilet paper!). Having a go to box for everything that you use daily will help make you feel less stressed and more settled right from the start.

Overall it's important to stay focused and do your best not to get overwhelmed Set small goals for yourself to help keep your expectations realistic (i.e. I'm going to pack five boxes tonight). When you manage to get in the groove with packing or unpacking, go with it, but don't feel like you need to immediately get everything done at once.

* I received a discount on my Redi-Box order - all opinions and product reviews are honest and my own.

a little jon hamm.

2013-05-13T21:46:00.000-05:00

Tonight I chose catching up on Mad Men and swooning over Jon Hamm instead of getting any real (and much needed) blogging done. Please accept these photos of the most gorgeous man on earth as my sincere apology.

Oh, Jon... you're so perfect.

falling in love all over again.

2013-05-06T17:32:00.002-05:00

My relationship with Chicago is an interesting one - I often joke with friends about how my original plan was to move out to sunny Southern California and I'm still not quite sure how I ended up in an opposite climate. The winter months really get you down; the wind, the snow, the cold, the gloom - it really all wears on you after several months, but then something amazing happens.

The sun comes out. The temperatures rise and you're finally able to shed your coat. The city returns to the lakefront. Chicago truly comes alive once again and you can see it everywhere you look - there's a little pep in people's step and the beauty of the architecture, river and lake returns. I'm falling in love all over again with this city.

This is why we all live here. This is why Chicago is worth it.

saying goodbye to my studio.

2013-05-03T07:00:00.000-05:00

// photo by Stoffer Photography from The Everygirl

Moving out of my studio feels incredibly bittersweet - it was my own decision to move and I adore my new loft but there's just something about this little space that has been very hard to say goodbye to. This apartment gave me my first taste of city living & taught me how to live comfortably within a small space (less than 500 square feet!). It's the first apartment I've lived in that felt "finished" - I'm so grateful for the amazing photos from my feature on The Everygirl; this place really felt like me.

Onto the next chapter and a new space to make my home - thanks for a year full of wonderful memories, studio.

monthly mantra.

2013-05-01T07:00:00.000-05:00

// via Making Things Happen

highlights // april.

2013-04-30T07:00:00.000-05:00

April felt like the calm before the storm as my calendar for May through July has very quickly filled up with races, visitors & trips. It was fantastic to finally get some spring weather in Chicago - sunshine & mild temperatures are good for the soul after being cooped up all winter. Some highlights from April:

Wearing polka dots on polka dots

Gorgeous early morning light on my way into the office

Sticking with the classics - stripes, a trench & some red lips

Joining in on the Throwback Thursday trend with a classic photo

Some fresh flowers in the office thanks to a client

Being featured as one of Rue La La's favorite blogs of the week

Volunteering at PAWS Chicago & getting my puppy fix

Ten gallons of white paint later, I'm not stuck with tan walls in the new apartment

Trying out a drool-worthy Pinterest recipe - Cake Batter Chocolate Chip

Lazy dogs who would much rather sleep in than get up as early as me

Supporting the Chicago running community & the American Cancer Society volunteering at the Shamrock Shuffle

Enjoying some fresh air with the balcony door open

My first ever trip to Eleven City Diner (and having my purse stolen - not exactly a highlight)

Fancy coffee at Intelligentsia & catching up with a friend

Styling tablescapes at West Elm

Pink lips and (shocker!) more stripes

Hosting an event at one of my all time favorite stores, West Elm

Jetting off to DC for a much needed weekend getaway

Seeing the sights & taking it all in around DC

Grabbing coffee with the Bing team & taking the Bing It On Challenge

Enjoying happy hour at my favorite neighborhood bar

Running for Boston with the Fleet Feet Chicago team

An amazing new weekender tote thanks to Po Campo

Long evening walks & trips to the dog park in Grant Park

Friday treats in the office from Doughnut Vault

How was your April? What big plans do you have on the calendar for May?

for mom.

2013-04-29T07:00:00.000-05:00

Mother's Day is fast approaching and I feel like it's always one of the hardest holidays to shop for - moms tend to not ask for much. They play it off all cool that you don't have to get them anything or even worse, ask for something totally practical (and a bit boring). A few ideas in case you're stuck in a Mother's Day shopping rut:

clockwise:

// Beach Towel // diptyque Candle //

Retro Ray-Bans // Farmer's Market Tote

// Bliss Lemon + Sage Gift Set // Korres Lip Butter //

Wide Brim Hat // Locked In Bangle

// Spring Garden Infinity Scarf // Champion Dot Keds //

Ranunculus Blossoms

outfit // a bit of peplum.

2013-04-24T07:00:00.000-05:00

// What I Wore:

Top: Target

Jeans: Abercrombie & Fitch

Sandals: Unknown (SO old!)

Necklace: Forever21

Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs

After many months of resistance, I have given into the peplum trend. I guess the combination of stripes + a killer deal really helped me convince myself to give it a shot - I'm loving this top and how it can easily be dressed up for the office or worn with jeans on the weekend.

Have you tried out the peplum trend? Are you as much of a sucker as I am for stripes? #addicted

easy entertaining with west elm.

2013-04-23T07:00:00.000-05:00

A little overdue but I wanted to share some photos from the Easy Entertaining event I hosted at West Elm a few weeks ago - we had a great turnout and it was so much fun to chat entertaining tips with some of my favorite Chicago ladies (and a few brave men as well!). Some snapshots from the evening:

And some favorite photos from friends:

Thanks Jessica, Molly, Sara, Natalie, Erin, Carrie & Monica!

A very big thank you goes out to West Elm Chicago for inviting me to host (you're the best Jeromy!), to my wonderful coworker, Greg, for the great photos and to Lovely Bake Shop for providing such delicious treats for our guests. I'll be sharing my ten simple entertaining tips & key pieces to have at home to make entertaining easy next week, so be sure to check back.

an outfit for // april showers.

2013-04-22T07:00:00.000-05:00

If April showers really do bring May flowers then Chicago is in for a very lovely month. Our weather has been pretty gross - from gray and gloomy to thunderstorms and flooding, heck, there was even SNOW on Friday. While this week's forecast looks much better (and a lot more spring-like), here's some outfit inspiration for those rainy days:

clockwise:

Blunt XS Umbrella // NorthFace Venture Jacket

// The Rockstar Super Skinny Jeans //

Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil // Hunter Gloss Wellies

// Sparkle & Shine Bobbi Set // Eyelet Top