Thursday, June 27, 2013

recent purchases

recent purchases

here

 Hello, all! I am not fully recovered yet from my sinus headache/cough/cold/mild asthma bug, but today is the best I've felt in over a week. I still have wicked coughing fits, but the interminable headache is gone, as is the overwhelming congestion. Progress.

Lately, it's been hard to remember what it feels like to not be sick, but my recent purchases are evidence that, yes, I once felt good enough physically to have gone on a little shopping trip with my sister.  

What I bought:

Express holographic pumps (sold out) || I'd been wanting silver pumps but didn't want to spend too much money. I finally found this pair on major sale for $24. The quality is decent. The heel is a bit steep (4") but these aren't shoes I'd wear all day anyway.

Clarins Splendours bronzer and eyeshadow palette || My obsession with Clarins started with this lipgloss. After hearing great things about this collection here and here,  my curiosity was piqued. These are definitely a splurge. I haven't tried them yet - the design is so pretty that I'm afraid to touch it! When I do, I'll definitely do a post on them.

Gap leopard print sandals (sold out online) || These sandals are currently unavailable online save for a random pop-back, but I found mine in store, so definitely check stores near you if they catch your fancy. I wanted a sandal that was no fuss but was slightly dressier than a flip flop. I was going to go for the simple black pair for a neutral sandal, but leopard's a neutral, too, right?

 Banana Republic x Milly elephant shorts || With an in-store promo and an additional 10% off for using my BR card, these shorts came to $25. I had given up on ever finding them in store in my size once they sold out online, so I was excited to not only have found a pair but for such a great prize. I've already taken them out for a spin and making plans to do so again. If you can't find a pair at a BR store, there are some on eBay.

Banana Republic x Milly elephant makeup case || This, too, was bought with a promo for ~$25. Super adorable, but I'm undecided as to whether I'm keeping. I have other makeup bags, so I don't really need it. That being said...ELEPHANTS. I love them.

Old Navy knotted-back dress || This dress was a surprise purchase. I didn't have high hopes for it when I picked it up off the rack, but I tried it on anyway, and I'm glad I did. A casual dress that draws attention to curves in the best possible way. The length is good, and it drapes nicely on me. This was bought during Old Navy's one-day dress sale for $8. 

It feels good to be back. Thanks for checking in.  

Monday, June 24, 2013

under the weather


Hello, friends. I am still fighting off a vicious cold/sinus infection. I've been drinking my weight in tea and OJ, but my head still hurts and I'm feeling no better. I hope to get back rolling soon, but honestly, I don't want to do anything but sleep right now.

I hope you're doing better than I am!

Happy Monday!


image via

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

on my wish list

on my wish list

here


Hello, everybody! I apologize for being MIA, but I came down with something on Sunday night, and I'm still recovering. It's been a not fun couple of days for me. On the plus side, all that time in bed meant lots of reading, and of course, internet surfing. I saw these new arrivals at Coach and was immediately intrigued. I love their new website design (so chic), and they have new pictures shot by The Sartorialist. How great are these colors for the summer? They'd be great in the fall as well - I'm loving that deep raspberry color, and of course, the grey. These babies are now on my wish list.

What's on yours?

crossbody || phone wallets: robin's egg blue, black, grey || satchel

Friday, June 14, 2013

this weekend


I am so happy that the weekend is here! James and I are headed out to breakfast/brunch at our favorite diner tomorrow. He's getting a haircut, and I'm looking forward to reading on the couch with a cup of coffee. It's also Father's Day this weekend, so we're heading to my parents' to spend some time with my dad on Saturday, and of course, watching the Blackhawks (me) and Bruins (James) hash it out in Game 2 of the Stanley Hawk finals. Sports, brunch, and just chilling...sounds perfect.

What are you up to this weekend?

p.s. I saw this image on pinterest and I couldn't stop looking at it. Such style, no?

Thursday, June 13, 2013

playoff hockey will be the death of me...



 In case you're not into sports and don't know, my hometown Chicago Blackhawks are in the Stanley Cup Finals against the Boston Bruins. Yup, the Bruins, from Boston...where James is from. Needless to say, watching the game last night was an awkward place for both of us. Whereas we've been cheering for our teams together this entire post-season, that became impossible last night. Our living room was eerily silent, save for simultaneous exclamations of "Get the $%&?-ing puck out of there!" (James/me) and "Go to the $!%&-ing net!" (me/James). Things got more tense as my third period elation as the Hawks tied it up at 3-3 gave way to the anxiety of overtime to the double anxiety of double overtime to the downright exhaustion of triple overtime. I'm half torn between the exhiliration of watching truly amazing hockey played by two teams I respect and the sheer stress of the possibility of every game being like this.

Playoff hockey is bar-none, the best playoffs in sports. It may very well be the death of me, but I'm too tired and happy to care... :).


Wednesday, June 12, 2013

gift guide: father's day

gift guide: father's day

here

My dad is a really hard person to shop for. While I am too often tempted by something new, he doesn't go shopping unless he really needs something, and while he may admire or want something, he often doesn't have the compulsion to actually buy anything. When the women in my family do get him something for his birthday, Christmas, or Father's Day, he often says we should have just saved our money instead of spending anything on him, which makes me want to give him more things because he always puts our needs before his. I'm definitely getting him a card, but I haven't figured out an actual present. Perhaps a nice dinner or a DVD set of a tv show he loves but no longer airs. In the meantime, here's a little guide of sorts for those of you who are in need of ideas for Dad.

one ||  for the dad who always gets caught in the rain. the black is sleek, while the bamboo handle gives it a dapper touch.

two || for the dad who loves his toys. if you're splurging, go for the tablet; for a little accessory, go for the case (in monogrammable leather).

three || don't forget the card. if you think of nothing else to give, give him the words that tell him exactly how much he matters.

four || for the dad who loves the water (and comfort). the navy is as classic as it gets.

five || for the dad who loves steak, a good set of steak knives is a must (as is a good steak).

six || for the dad who's a caffeine junkie. easy and convenient, he can have his cup of joe in minutes.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

pssst...


!!!. yes. get excited. more info here.

recent purchases

recent purchases

here

I must have had summer days on the beach on my mind  when shopping this past few weeks. The 4th of July is right around the corner, and when I saw this tank top, I was sold. It's a bit kitschy, but so what? :). It would go great with cut offs and fireworks. I've recently become converted to the versatility of denim vests, and this one looked so crisp in white. I was so excited to try this coverup from J.Crew only to have it be completely unflattering on me (doesn't it look adorable on the model, though?). I sent it back and tried this one instead...it's perfect, with just the right amount of peek-a-boo and coverage going on. Definitely size down - I'm quite busty so I usually size up to an XL to accommodate, but the L was comfortably snug and fit better in the waist than the XL would have. Of course, looking great at the beach requires some sweat...how cute are these tanks?! I ordered them with some shorts and capris last week (when I was taking a break from wedding frenzy...thank God for online shopping), and now I'm ready to get back to a regular work-out schedule. When I was reading my blog roll this morning, it was so fun to see other bloggers (here & here) talking about Old Navy's active wear...I guess great minds think alike. :). And lastly, a splurge...I'd been wanting a white bag but couldn't pull the trigger on other options I had been considering (like this one). But then I saw this beauty. It was still more than I wanted to spend on a high maintenance bag, but Bloomingdale's was having their friends and family sale and I had a rewards card and gift card that I'd been stashing, so this came down to about $115 after taxes. Still expensive for sure, but a lot less than I would have paid otherwise. 


What are your recent purchases?

Monday, June 10, 2013

back to reality



Whew. The weekend was lovely and full of love, laughter, food, alcohol, and fun. Now it's back to reality. My feet are so tender from all the dancing and walking, I have bags under my eyes from lack of sleep, I have no clue where half my things are, but it was all worth it. Your best friend from high school only gets married once! Congrats to Reg & Paul!

How was your weekend? 

P.S. I was so in love with my makeup for the wedding. I had false lashes added (first time!), and I must say, they're a revelation. Any recommendations on a good brand of falsies for a newbie like me?

Friday, June 7, 2013

this weekend (wedding frenzy)

wedding

here 


Happy weekend, everybody! Things have been crazy around here...everything except my best friend's wedding has fallen to the wayside...my apartment, my laundry, this blog... James has been great tolerating the general chaos of our lives, but both of us can't wait until Sunday when all this wedding frenzy dies. We're excited to see our friends start a new chapter in their lives, of course, but it will be nice when things get back to normal. 


Have a great weekend!


Tuesday, June 4, 2013

pssst...

j. crew picks

here

...J. Crew's having a sale! Get 25% off your entire purchase with code 'summer'. My picks are warm-weather-centric. A linen nautical tee is summer in a piece of clothing. If I were to splurge, I'd totally go for these shoes - the perfect nude blush color with dainty, subtly-glittered straps. Perfect with a cheery pedi. I'm being good though and only going for this easy piece.

one || two || three
four || five || six || seven 

Monday, June 3, 2013

monday must-have

monday must-have

here


Who What Wear had a nice slideshow of ankle-strap flats in my inbox this morning. These are my favorites. I recently bought an inexpensive pair ($12!), and I've used it so much that I'm considering getting another pair. I love the snakeskin on the Sigerson Morrison pair above, but this clear pair is cute, too (and a lot easier on the wallet). 

Have you tried ankle-strap flats?