top five: books

I was quite the bookworm growing up. My parents tell me I learned to read at three and never looked back. When I moved to the States at the age of 6 and had to learn English, I used books to make the process infinitely faster. Reading books like Black Beauty and Little Women was like entering a whole new world. Like the picture above, it really was magical. At school, my English wasn't up to par - I had a funny accent and oftentimes, everyone spoke too fast for me to hold intelligent conversations. But with a book, that was different. I could read as slow or as fast as I pleased. I could look at the individual words and letters and look at the pictures if I found myself lost. They gave me the context I couldn't find in my everyday life, and reading gave me the ability to imagine that I was as witty as Jo or that I, too, someday could have a horse. 

I don't have as much time as I used to to read novel after novel (though oftentimes I wish I did!), but I try to take in as much of the written word as possible, often through The New Yorker or The Atlantic or The New York Times when I don't have the focus or the time to digest a longer piece of work. And it really is digesting - I am a firm believer in re-reading.

There are so many good books out there, but these are my top five, in a not-so-firm order:

To Kill a Mockingbird

A Raisin in the Sun

Pride and Prejudice

Twelve Angry Men

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

  

Do you love to read? What are your top five (or ten) books?

Happy Monday! 

image: Lori Nix, "Library" (2007) via

this weekend

I apologize for the radio silence around here lately. James and I decided to take his unemployment in stride and take the time to spend more time together while we can. He's been coming with me to work (so thankful to be able to do that) and sending out endless resumes and cover letters while I work. 

Now that the snow earlier this week (see above) has come and gone, we're going to take some time to walk around the city in semi-warm weather this weekend, probably around Wicker Park/Lincoln Park. I have to admit, this whole let's walk around and see what we find thing isn't really my cup of tea - I'm an incessant, unapologetic planner. But, it will do us both good to just relax and let things be, so I'm game.

Here are some things to check out this weekend:

Can't stop singing this.

Intrigued to try out these and these. Would you recommend?

Really want to make this.

Want this.

Dreaming of this.

Touched by this.

Have a lovely weekend.

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

can we talk about...

via

...what happens when your significant other loses his or her job?

James lost his job yesterday, and I am still shell-shocked. I want to be so supportive and hold his hand, while at the same time trying to quell the panic going on inside my head.

A day removed from the news has given me enough distance to realize that we will be all right. We have a great support system, and while it will be hard until he finds a new job, we'll be fine, and we have plenty of blessings to be thankful for, not in the least the fact that we have each other.

So I guess all I can do is let him know that I love him and that we're in this together. He's been so proactive about this whole thing (much better than I've been, I admit) and already has a handful of jobs he's already working on cover letters for.

To everyone struggling, I know it's hard to keep going, to keep believing, but keep on keeping on. You're certainly not alone.

Have you had a significant other or loved one lost his or her job? How did you cope? What did you do? I would really love to know. 

Thanks for stopping by. 

wishing for spring

here

Looking through Madewell's online store has me wishing for spring twice as hard. It has been my go-to place for cute, reasonably inexpensive shoes every since I bought my first pair of their famous skimmers this past Thanksgiving. 

On a semi-related note, taking a break from shopping has really allowed me to take inventory of what I need in my closet, namely:

1. black leather boots that can be dressed up or down (I have super dressy leather ones and semi-casual suede ones and nothing in between)

2. a pair of brogues (in this color, they'd go with everything)

3. an easy-as-pie dress (or two, for the days when my coordination skills are seriously lacking)

4. wear-them-every-day sandals (this or this...or both?)

5. animal print skimmers (because leopard is a neutral...wink)

6. cute caps (good for my eyes and my inner fashionista)


I'll keep these in mind and try to cross off the list as the year goes on. 

I love the See by Chloe dress, but at $275, it's out of my budget, so I'll either wait for it to go on super sale (fingers crossed!) or try to find something similar. I've also decided that for the spring/summer, I wanted one simple, adorable, flat sandal for everyday and one dressier yet season-appropriate pair of sandals. I'm debating between the Madewell ones above and this one. As for the dressier pair, this pair has stolen my heart. 

In addition to the two pairs of shoes, my spring/summer wishlist rounds out as follows:

1. Aviator sunglasses

2. white shorts

3. white jeans

4. white t-shirts (see a trend?)

5. a big umbrella

6. rain boots

7. summer scent

8. bright bag


Now, if only spring would actually come...


Do you have spring fever? What have you been eyeing?

this weekend

James and I are planning to go to the Philippines this April. My hometown of Bangui, Ilocos Norte is so beautiful (the picture is of the beach about a 10-minute walk away from our house). I haven't been back home in over two years, and this time, I'll be going with James. I'm so excited for my family to meet him. Here's to his passport coming soon so we can buy tickets!

This weekend, I'm going to be thinking about home, and all the things I love about it:

mangoes

soda in a bag

Jollibee

barbecue (and street food in general)

Here's to good memories, old and new.

Have a great weekend!

images via 1 2 3 4 5

bag love

here




Clearly, the only thing I'm questioning about this bag is which size I should go for. ;). 

I've wanted a bag/clutch that had an element of PVC/clear material in it but that a) didn't cost an arm and a leg and b) wasn't so trendy that I wouldn't dare wear it when this season of PVC-madness goes away. It's got enough classic features - the structure, the substantial hardware - to make this bag less kitsch and more a twist on a classic. I love the color, and I'm a fan of Marc by Marc Jacobs purses - not too expensive for great quality and style. Definitely a contender for my spring/summer bag.

Would you wear a clear bag? Which of the two above would you pick? I'd love to know!

can we talk about...

...the Art Institute of Chicago?

I've lived in Chicago since I was six years old, and I do consider it my American hometown. I love its big city sophistication with its small city charm and super friendly people. We midwesterners shoot it to you straight, and I appreciate the simple honesty in that. In addition to the amazing people, Chicago has tons of amazing places to visit, one of which is the Art Institute.

In addition to being a school, the AIC is also an art museum. I've visited numerous times, and I haven't come close to seeing everything. Every time I visit, I give myself at least four hours to do the visit justice. As you can see from the picture above, the museum is grand with such beautiful architecture that truly rivals the art it showcases. It's always lovely to see surroundings reflect and enhance the contents on display. 

While I usually make it a point to see this painting and this painting every time I visit, I specifically wanted to see a new exhibit on Greek, Roman, and Byzantine art and didn't visit those paintings this time around. Even so, there was so much to see, and I felt compelled to take some pictures to share.

On our way back from the exhibit, I was drawn to this Buddha sculpture...

...and this sculpture on the west side of the Grand Staircase.

I am always incredibly impressed by art, in all forms. As someone whose drawing skills begin and end with stick figures, I am incredibly fascinated by such vivid works of art, be it an incredibly ornate Bible, an ancient necklace, or great sculptures that are imbued with such minute details that I forget they're made of stone and I really do feel the Buddha's sense of peace and the strain of muscle as man fights lion. 

On a silly note, we each snuck pictures of each other!

 If you're ever in the Windy City, stop by and see the Art Institute. It's totally worth it!

shoe love

For these next few iterations of shoe love, I thought I'd delve into shoes I own and love. 

These pumps were bought on major sale around November of last year. I love the rounded toe, the manageable heel, and the bright pop of color. I wouldn't call them go-to all-day work heels, but I can keep them on for a good 5 hours before they start to become uncomfortable. I'm planning on wearing them more as it warms up (wedding season, anyone?). 

I've also got my eye on these. Fingers crossed for a sale (yeah, right).

Happy Tuesday!

gifts

James and I celebrated Valentine's Day the weekend before at a lovely restaurant, but some presents from my lovely fiance came this weekend.

I love a neutral eye with a little bit of a "wow" factor, and once I saw this palette , I was sold. I own two eyeshadow duos and two eyeshadow singles from NARS, and I've always had great color payoff. The texture of my shadows are so buttery and easy to blend, and with NARS' eyeshadow base (the set comes with a mini travel version as well as a short-handled eyeshadow brush), they don't budge for the entire day. The compact is great for travel with its slim size, and the palette is so versatile for day or night that I can see me just bringing this for eyeshadow on a trip and being completely satisfied. Total LOVE.

This nail polish has become a quirky new fave: the pink base is quite classic, but the micro glitters and the bigger pieces make it really fun. It comes in 5 perfect-for-Spring shades.

My nails look like mini Cadbury eggs. How fun is that?!

This lipstick is so creamy and glossy, I loved it at first swipe. I was strolling through Sephora with gift card in hand and was drawn to the sleek packaging and a rainbow of colors. After swatching a couple of colors, I went with #12. I think it will be great for spring, and I have nothing like it. I haven't always been a fan of YSL beauty products - they were and are a bit pricey for me. But with a gift card and James pronouncing it "a great color" (this is high praise from him), it came home with me. As did this mascara, which has become a new favorite. I wanted a mascara that gave me some drama and volume without clumping. This does that for me, and then some. Plus, it smells good. YSL's beauty products all have a little bit of fragrance - nothing overpowering and the scent goes away after awhile, if you're sensitive about scents. I'm all about how something smells, so it's a bonus for me for the mascara. It comes in several colors, in addition to a true black. I went with the sea black, a blackened navy.

#12 is a lovely coral (its name is Corail Incandescent). The color payoff is wonderful - rich color with a sheen of gloss. After a few hours on me, the gloss goes away but the color remains and ultimately fades over time. I find myself touching up sometime in the early afternoon if I put it on around 8:30 a.m.  and then another touch-up in the early evening.

I didn't spend all of my gift card, but a good chunk of the remainder went to these two powders: the one on the left is loose, and the one on the right is pressed. I had been unsatisfied with my previous powder: there was always some discoloration no matter how little I used. I decided to give this one a try when I heard good things about it - some have called it "photoshop in a pan". If that's the case, then that will be a bonus - I just want a powder that sets my foundation without leaving a chalky residue. I prefer loose powders, but I bought the pressed one as well for ease of travel.

The compact is very generously sized, and although it looks a ghastly white in the pan, it goes on sheer on your skin.

It's so nice to receive gifts, especially from someone you love. Thanks, baby!

I hope all of you had a lovely Valentine's Day.

Here's to a great week and Happy Monday!