the present state

We're in the home stretch, you guys. It may not look like it by this picture of our living room, but I swear, we are ::thisclose:: to being packed and ready to move. And I. cannot. wait. Living in boxes has led to way too many occasions where I stub my toe/bang my knee/hit my elbow simply because we're running out of room as we try to pack our lives in convenient, portable boxes. Moving is expensive, so we've been trying to watch how often we eat out and have resorted to just making quick (cheap) meals in our kitchen while simultaneously packing said kitchen. We left out two mismatched plates to serve us for the next three days, and every time we make something, we have to wash it out so it's ready to be used by the other. It kind of reminds me of college.

And to continue the theme of chaos and randomness in our lives in this blog, I wanted to mention a review of sorts on two things I recently purchased:

Ann Taylor Gallery Tote

This tote is made of vegan leather, and while I usually prefer real leather, this bag is so soft and so light, and I have no fear of scratching the "leather" since the polyurethane can handle some beating. I've been eyeing the Pashli from 3.1 Philip Lim for awhile, and the zippers of this tote are definitely a nod to that. AT was having a friends & family sale where everything was 40% off, and in addition I had a $40 gift card, so this tote cost me $18.80 + tax. At that price, it came home with me to be my low-maintenance work tote. It retails for $98, which I think is a little high, but with a promo like 30% off, I think it's a worthy piece. The straps are long enough to fit on the shoulder, yet not too long to be ridiculous as a hand-held tote or on the crook of the elbow.

There are four functioning zippers in total - two in the front and two in the back. When they're unzipped, they reveal a tan/dark brown/white polka dot pattern, which I thought was a fun touch. The inside only has one zippered pocket in the back in the same polka dot fabric as the zipper insert. I don't mind not having more separation too much - more pockets would have been great, but not a deal breaker for me.

And the second thing: 

 

 Coach Saffiano Leather Phone Wallet

I purchased this wallet with a gift card I had been saving. After endlessly muttering to myself about how great it would be if I had a wallet that would hold my phone and my credit cards, I finally went out there and bought said magic wallet. There are plenty of these phone wallets out there, but I went for this one because I liked the slim profile, the button closure, and the detachable wrist strap. I also liked the fact that this was in saffiano leather, a hardier leather that would stand up to constant use (and some drops!).

The inside is also leather and comes with 5 credit card slots (1 being the ID slot with a plastic covering). I like that this limits the amount of cards I can carry, but the slots can easily store 2 or 3 cards each if you want to carry more. The left side of the wallet has a pocket for the iPhone. It's built for the iPhone 5, but my iPhone 4s fits securely in it, too, and I've heard other people tell me that their Samsung Galary can fit in it as well. The back has a zippered pocket for coins. There's no explicit "cash" pocket, but I just use the little slip pocket behind the credit card slots as the place for the random bill or receipt. I've only had this for a week or so, and I already don't know how I managed without it. It's so convenient for on the go and for those out the door runs.

Happy Monday!

recent purchases

here

I was up late with James trying to whittle down the massive episodes I have on my DVR while also listlessly browsing through websites. I had these sweaters in my virtual cart from the day before since they were on sale for 50% off, but I hadn't pulled the trigger because I couldn't decide which to buy. I could see myself wearing all three colors equally, but I didn't want to spend more than $100, so I had to whittle 3 down to 2. I offhandedly typed in the new promo code J.Crew had for an extra 40% off final sale items (still going on, promo code is style40 + free shipping on anything today only), not really believing that J.Crew would let me stack coupons like that, when lo and behold, it did work and my sweaters were now $26.50 apiece. Considering that they retail for $88 and I had been ::thisclose:: to buying them at the earlier reduced price point, I quickly checked out. I was half thinking they wouldn't ship at that price, but they arrived yesterday. I had bought a fourth one, but I didn't like the color and returned it. True to its name, the sweater fits loosely and is oversized. I bought them in a size smaller than I usually wear, and it was just loose enough without being sloppy. I love that the back is slightly longer than the front for a casual look. The merino feels great, and I like that it's a lighter weight sweater since most of my other sweaters are thicker. 

While returning the unwanted fourth sweater, I did a quick breeze-through the sale section. I happened to fall upon these two striped shirts (short sleeve; three-quarter sleeve is sold out). I remember making a mental note when they were newly released but with their original price, I shoved them way back in my mind. With an extra 40% off their sale price, they came to $15 apiece. They are so soft and have a shrunken fit that's super flattering but not too tight. And so, my love for stripes continues.

 I had been meaning to check out Drew Barrymore's Flower makeup line long before now, but it's exclusively sold at Walmart and the nearest one to me in the city is about 30 minutes away.  When I went dorm shopping with my sister on Saturday and found myself at a Walmart in search of a mini ironing board for her, I took the chance to pick up some pieces. A lot of the nail polish colors were right up my alley, but I limited myself to the inky blue shade called April showers. I bought one high-shine lipstick in Petunia petals, one lipgloss in Pretty-in-Petunia, and one lip crayon in Airy orchid. I heard great things about the cream eyeshadow, so I picked up two, one in Awesome Blossom, a lovely muted brown that would be a great neutral, and one in Wild Geranium, a soft peachy pink that would work great as a highlight color. I really like the white/black/rose gold packaging. The lipgloss is not too tacky, and the lipstick felt like butter and had intense color payoff. The lip crayon was just okay - I liked the color well enough, it felt lightweight and smooth on, but I just didn't get as excited about it as the other two. The nail polish is glossy and on me, doesn't cheap easily which is always a plus. I found the eyeshadows easy to blend and the colors beautiful. The one tiny problem with it is it's definitely shimmery. It's not glittery, so no glitterbomb look to be afraid of, but a little goes a long way and might be best suited for nighttime wear. If you're looking for good to great drugstore makeup, I think it's a good line to try. 

And lastly, you've already seen this bag, but in the interest of full disclosure and because I love it, I've included it in this list. I used my proceeds from consigning a lot of things that didn't make the cut in our pre-move clean out to make the purchase, so the hit was a little easier to absorb. Still, no regrets. :).

What are your recent purchases?

uniform

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While I try to mentally plan out what I'm wearing a day or two in advance, there are days when I fall behind and I don't have the time or the wherewithal to do anything more than to put some clothes on with the sole purpose of avoiding indecent exposure. On those days, I reach for my uniform - dark skinny jeans, a basic tee with an interesting detail (i.e. stripes!), a go-to pair of shoes (pumps if I need to dress up, ankle boots if I need to be mobile), sunglasses, and a structured, semi-large bag (it needs to be large because I carry a lot with me, but the structure is crucial if I ever want to find anything). I almost always wear a watch (I hate to be late, and I've never gotten in the habit of checking my phone for the time), and if I can eke out the time, I throw on simple studs and a delicate necklace to look a little bit more put together. 

What's your uniform?

Christmas in July

A sneak peek for tomorrow...the box (and its content) really makes me feel like it's Christmas in July. Any guesses as to what's inside?

We are in the height of pre-moving frenzy (read: endless packing), so it might be a little sporadic on the blog, but as soon as we're done moving and unpacking, I'd love to show you guys our new place!

Happy Tuesday!

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

currently loving: may

here

I've always been a fan of other bloggers doing a regular roundup of their current favorites, and I'd like to start doing that regularly on this blog. As I try to be more selective of what I add to my closet, it's easy to focus on the bad purchases. While this isn't a bad thing in and of itself (I'm learning not to repeat said bad purchases), it gets to be a downer if you don't take into account the good purchases. 

So staring with the past month, these were my favorite good guys:

Dolce & Gabbana light blue. An oldie but a goodie. Now that the weather is warming up, I've returned to my perennial spring/summer favorite. I've worn this scent for years and years. I know it's fairly ubiquitous, but I've yet to find another scent that I like more.

Clarins Instant Light Lip Perfector in #06. The perfect, barely there nude lip balm/gloss hybrid. With just the slightest hint of shimmer, it makes my lips look just right. I don't know how it does it, but I'm sold.

Donna Karan Woman.  I received a deluxe sample of this perfume, and I was immediately intrigued. The scent is unabashedly womanly. Not delicate, not sweet, but sensual and female. I like to use just a little on my wrists and behind my ears. The past few days have been rainy and gloomy, and I've found that this scent stands up to it and gives me a little pick-me-up. 

NARS x Pierre Hardy in Rotonde. My new favorite blush. NARS is one of my favorite makeup brands, for a variety of reasons, one of which is the company's dedication to creating makeup shades for a very wide range of skin tones. This blush is easy to blend and easy to layer. When other blushes have either not shown up on my skin tone because of lack of pigmentation or have had the color but have been impossible to blend, this one is so easy to use and so beautiful. 

Old Navy boyfriend khakis. I bought these khakis in the coral red, promptly fell in love with the softness and fit, and proceeded to buy the army green, black, white, and kelly green pairs. 5 pairs later, I'm seriously tempted to get more colors...they're that good. Old Navy is often hit or miss when it comes to quality...these are a definite hit.

Zara white and nude sandals. I've worn these babies with everything - with jeans, with skirts, with a sundress to my sister's graduation. Perfect whether dressed up or dressed down. The thicker heel makes them comfy and suitable for all day wear - I wear them for 6 hours with no pain (and only a tolerable ache in my arches after 8+ hours). Worth the $49.90 + tax I paid for them.

Coach Penny and Longchamp Le Pliage Cabas. I've alternated between these two bags for the past month: the Penny for the weekend and the Longchamp for the workweek. The small size of the Penny forces me to just carry the basics - phone, keys, cash/cards, and lipgloss. On the weekend, what more do you really need? The Longchamp has been a workhorse. I owned the shopping long-handled version of Longchamp's famous totes in college and used it to death over the course of 3 years. Now that I don't have textbooks to carry, I prefer the more streamlined shape of the Cabas (short handles, open body with no zipper). This shape is discontinued (boo!), but they're on eBay fairly regularly. Just do a saved search and you'll be updated about the available options. Like other foldable Le Pliage bags, the Cabas lacks structure on the bottom, so I ordered a base shaper via eBay to help the bag keep its shape. 

What are you currently loving?

back to black

here 


I have a long-time love affair with black, a love affair that shows no signs of ending any time soon. I love its versatility, its timelessness, and its mystery. The right little black anything always feels fresh. 

Black is definitely the most represented color in my closet. At last count, I own 12 pairs of black shoes. I have a nice little pile of black t-shirts - perfect for all the times "I don't know what/have anything to wear". But, funny enough, I own just two black bags: one evening minaudière and one semi-structured satchel (okay, I own four, but two of them are work/travel totes). Maybe it's because I vowed in the past I would never buy anything black again, but I honestly think it's because I don't know if I've found the perfect one yet (at least, not the perfect one that I can currently afford...I'm pretty sure the 2.55 and the Cabas Chyc are perfect). 

Black is so simple and ubiquitous that sometimes settling for less than perfect makes the bag/dress/shoe go from classic to boring in a heartbeat. But I've re-devoted myself to the impossible search, and found some options. For under $400, the Coach and Zara bags are a great deal for the quality and style (I have the dark brown version of the shopper, and it looks and feels more expensive than $150). For under $850, the Pashli and the Prisma are two solid options. I love the reinforced corners of the Wang and the functional zippers of the Lim - black with a little edge. If we're talking about breaking the bank, the silver hardware 2.55 is pretty much tops when it comes to black bags. I think the silver hardens up a pretty conservative purse and makes it more versatile for a variety of events/lifestyles. I'm also really intrigued by the Cabas Chyc from Saint Laurent Paris. I love the iconic but minimal hardware, the practical but chic shape, and the multiple options for wear (top handle, shoulder, crossbody). I think I'm going to hold out for one of these two, even if that takes awhile. Because if there ever was a time to invest in a bag, for me it would be a black one. 

I don't know why I've resisted for so long, but it's official: I'm going back to black. 

gift guide: mother's day

here


Can you believe Mother's Day is less than two weeks away? I've already bought my mom a present, but when I was still in need of one and searching far and wide, I came across so many things my mom would like but wouldn't actually buy for herself for one reason or the other, and I thought it would be nice to put them together for a little gift guide.

Every mom deserves a little bling. This bracelet is such an elegant statement piece without being too over the top.

For as long as I can remember, my mom has always done her nails. She's always stuck with neutral, office appropriate colors, so this red nailpolish with a lipstick to match would be a little push to live it up on the weekends.

Who doesn't need a new iPhone case? This striped case is a little nautical and fun.

This yellow case would be a compact way to hold her essential cards in a smaller purse, like this one that can be monogrammed.

These soaps are so pretty, are super moisturizing, and have a lovely scent. Bonus: they say "good mother" in French. Sitting on the matching soap holder, they'd instantly add a dose of chic to her bathroom.

Scarves are always a great accessory. This patterned scarf would be a great addition to her collection. 

Of course, the classics never get old. Flowers and a special little dessert are a great way to show your mom how much she means to you. 

Last but not least, no matter what you get her, make sure you wish your mom a Happy Mother's Day through a special card, on the phone, or, even better, in person. Tell her how much she means to you. It's the best gift!

currently eyeing

here


I've been really into ladylike pieces recently, so it's no surprise that I've got my eye on this skirt - the shape and color are classic while the drape is such a beautiful detail. Worn with these heels and this vest, it would be a great classic look with just the right amount of edge. For summer, this shirt with a pair of cutoffs with these sandals would be fantastic, and this tote would be the cherry on top. I'd also wear this dress to death in warmer weather, along with these sunnies. I'm also easing my way into a more fit life all around - this pair would be great to replace my current running shoes that are on their last leg, and I've heard so many things about this book. For a date night out, I can totally see myself reaching for this dress - what a great color! And lastly, I know it's crazy to think about fall since spring just got here, but when I saw this bag, I mentally started an autumn wish list.

white vest || black skirt || striped dress || lace up heels || running shoes
red dress || leopard sandals || tortoise sunnies || tiger tee || striped tote || book || navy satchel

brands I love: saint james x coach

here


Stripes may be synonymous with chic French style, but they go with laid-back American luxury quite well. Two brands I happen to love get together for this oh-so-nautical collection. That maxi dress? LOVE. 

See the full collection here.



Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. I love stripes; I love Coach...so of course I was stoked by this collaboration and wanted to share.

bag love: red, white, and blue

here


Oh, to pick all three...but one can dream, right?

red/white/blue

shoe love: pick three

here


Even though it snowed all day today in Chicago, I am adamantly holding on to my belief that spring is right around the corner. I can't wait to be able to wear cute shoes again! After scouting various websites' spring shoe offerings, I've narrowed it down to these three groups: the sexy dressy sandal, the cute flat sandal, and the cool city wedge. 

Which three (one from each group) would you choose?

group 1: Sam Edelman Abbott in peach + gold or white + silver or Coach Leighann in white snakeskin

group 2: Madewell boardwalk sandal in white, navy + green, or brown

group 3: Sam Edelman Sutton in leopard, nude, or black

bag love

here


I'm super happy about Coach's comeback. They've gone back to sleek designs in their signature leather. They've just released a whole new collection for spring, and this satchel is calling out to me. It comes in 5 colors and a perforated version, but I'd pick the yellow.

Psst! For all you in need of a last-minute Valentine's gift, see above. ;) Happy Valentine's Day!

Which would you choose?

spring wishlist

here

 The weather in Chicago has been ridiculous lately. In the past week, we've had snow, freezing rain, and fluctuations of 20 degrees in temperature. Today is 45 and drizzling, tomorrow will be 62 and storming, and by Thursday will be at 19 and possible snowing. Needless to say, I have no idea how to dress appropriately much less presentably, and I am truly, truly earnestly waiting for spring to arrive. Which explains why I've been aimlessly perusing the web for anything spring related and why I now have a spring wishlist:

1. cognac colored tote + crossbody

2. chambray shirt

3. simple, bold watch

4. pretty, soft nails

5. warmer season, lighter scent

6. animal print flats

7. chic flip flops

8. nude wedges you can dress up or down

9. classic, flat sandal

10. timeless shades

11. delicate earrings, necklaces, and bracelets  

 

way to go, Coach!

Is it just me, or has Coach upped its game lately? I've always been a fan of they're classic aesthetic highlighted by their supple yet durable leathers. I still have a classic, all-leather bag I received from my mother for my 20th birthday. It's Americana at its refined, minimalist best. But I was turned off for awhile when Coach began coming out with questionably bedazzled designs. The brand's clean lines had been replaced by a riot of chunky Cs and less-than-stellar textiles. I'm so glad to see it come back to its old glory with timeless designs in modern colors for a really nice blend of traditional meets modern. For the craftsmanship, design, and quality of materials, the prices are more accessible than similar brands who offer the same services but at considerably higher price points. 

I want the entire look above - the bag, the shoes, the short trench. 

Other designs that have caught my eye:

Legacy Perforated Leather Romy bag

Nala pump

 Legacy Minnie Duffel

And for my guy:

Crosby business card case

Legacy passport cover

Bleeker Legacy weekend tote

Has Coach been catching your eye lately?

in the bag

clockwise from upper left corner: iPad, Midori elephant paperclips, Moleskin hardcover 12-month weekly planner, checkbook, Sonia Kashuk snakeskin makeup bag, Louis Vuitton Epi wallet, Ray Ban New Wayfarer sunglasses in tortoise, Power Mate Plus for J. Crew backup iPhone battery + USB (other colors), headphones, pencil case from China to hold my pens, Michael Kors cardholder to hold my rewards cards/coupons, Kate Spade cardholder for my less-used credit cards

in my make-up bag, clockwise from upper left corner: Ricola cough drops, Dolce & Gabbana the one rollerball, Stila 3-eyeshadow pan (similar), pill case, L'Oreal Le Balm in nourishing nude, Laura Mercier lipgloss in blush, Laura Mercier sheer lipstick in tender lips, Tide to go mini, Prestige eyeliner in chocolate, Clinique High Impact mascara in black, Jack Black lipbalm with SPF in natural mint, L'Occitane shea butter hand cream, oldie-but-goodie heart compact from my sister

Needless to say, I carry a good amount of stuff with me. These days, they're all in this bag. A Christmas present from James...love! The color is so pretty (it makes me smile just looking at it), plus the size, lower-maintenance patent leather, crossbody strap, and front semi-hidden compartment for my phone and lip balm make it perfect for my on-to-go lifestyle. 

Coach Juliette in crimson patent leather (other colors; loving the green one)

seeing red

polyvore set here

one: NARS nail polish in Jungle Red 
two: OPI nail polish in Red Lights Ahead...Where?
three: J.Crew Tippi Sweater in Heather Burgundy
four: MAC lipstick in Russian Red
five: NARS lipstick in Autumn Leaves // six: Madewell Suede Sidewalk Skimmer
seven: Zara Basic pumps // eight: Topshop Alvin boots
nine: Dannijo cameo-crystal drop earrings // ten: J. Crew Biennial Satchel 
 eleven: Coach Legacy Crossbody // twelve: Current/Elliot Rider legging jean



I am loving the slew of red for fall. Whether siren red or deep burgundy, it's such a rich, versatile color that's a perfect match for fall's cooler temperatures. On nails, go with moody crimson (1) or watch-me red (2). For the perfect fall sweater, pick a saturated hue in a simple cut (3) and pair it with an equally saturated pair of jeans with a little equestrian twist (12). Lips can be coppery (5) or showstopper (6) red. Pick an attention grabbing bag, either large (10) or small (11). Zara makes a great red pump (7), but if boots are more your thing, Topshop has these buckled boots (8) in a deeper oxblood. Meanwhile, Madewell has some suede flats in a rich red (6). Lastly, I think the most glamorous way to wear red this fall is through a pair of statement earrings, perhaps like this Dannijo pair (9).


Are you seeing red and loving it?