Rizzo would approve.

Sometimes I get a little sick of all the sparkle that is so readily available during the holidays.  There, I said it.  Well, sick of it isn't really the best term, more like it loses its frivolity and unexpectedness.  I think it would be more unexpected to ditch the sequins and rock something with a great pattern.  (You gotta have something crazy happening somewhere; I'm not very staid when it comes to dressing.) 

I think this dress would be FANTASTIC with some cranberry tights and cream sweater.  Can't you see it?  I can!  Or if cranberry tights scare you away, this dress would be most perfect with a precise red pout.  I love the 50s style and think it adds enough whimsy to replace sequins.  Especially if you twirl.  

Roaming around town.

{outfit info}

Hey there, casual.  I've missed you.  I would kill to roam about town in this puppy.  Those tights are cable-knit, in case you can't see; I think the texture really adds to the outfit.  I was looking for a scarf that was more plum-colored, but was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked the lighter purple scarf with the outfit.  I think it's unexpected and charming.  And I'm a big fan of any outfit with a good pair of brogues.

This might be one of my favorite outfits I've put together, if I don't say so myself.  It's tough to look effortlessly put together, and I think this is casual rock chic at its best.  Again, if I don't say so myself.  What a braggart I've become!

What do you think of said outfit?  Anything you'd do differently?

ps Four new Facebook fans:  Thanks, team!  Only five more to go.  

From War to Peace.

I was going to buy one of these for my mom for Christmas, but I've been told we're on a Christmas gift ban.  At least for them.   "Just be good," that's all that my mom wants.  Well, she sure is missing out because this would've been an awesome gift!  You should get one for your own mom, or someone else special in your life.  Or not so special.  Whatever.

This pendant is the combination of a heart and dove and is made out of recycled copper from disarmed nuclear missile systems.  How incredible is that?  (And it's only $22!  Score.) 

There are MANY pieces to choose from, this just happens to be my favorite.  You should definitely go check out the store for yourself and not just to cross someone off your Christmas list.  

Still stuffed.

I was searching for an image under the term "full" or "stuffed" and this one came up in Etsy.  Glass Half Full** is what it's called and I was drawn to it, so I thought I would use it.  Even though it doesn't really have anything to do with the post.  Oh well.  You can't win 'em all. 

How was everyone's Thanksgiving??  Sorry if I didn't explain that I wasn't going to be posting those two days, but it was kinda nice to take a couple days off.  And I didn't really have much to say.  I had a lovely Thanksgiving filled with lots of food, wine, and family.  It was really great to be able to spend it with everyone.  I would be lying if I didn't say it was a bit tough to be away from Buster after finding out his news (no updates on that as of yet), but a plane ticket is a plane ticket and life has to move on.

In other news, it's my birthday on Wednesday.  Eeep!  To be honest, birthdays always make me feel a bit weird, like the light shines a little too brightly for comfort.  I know that it's my own neuroses, but I can't help but feel strange and uncomfortable whenever it comes around.  It's like New Year's Eve, but personal.  You know how you always feel like NYE is supposed to be the greatest night ever and if you don't have the BEST TIME it's always a let-down?  (You don't feel that way?  I'm jealous!)  That's how I feel about birthdays, but on a personal level.  I just become way too self-aware.  (Wow, I really am Debbie Downer today.  Sorry, friends.)

ANYWAY... I was thinking it would be an awesome birthday present if I could get my Facebook Page up to 100 fans.  We're currently at 91 and I think it should be easy enough, right?  SO, if you read this here blog and like it, why don't you "like" me on Facebook?!  I try to give a little something extra that you won't find here to make it worth your while -- I'd bake you a pie if I could!  Or you could become a follower because new followers ALWAYS make me rillll happy!!  I sure would like those birthday presents.

**How ironic that the name of the watercolor is Glass Half Full and I'm such a downer today!  Sorry for the funk, I promise I won't use this blog as a venue to complain all the time.  I promise.  

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hi, folks!  I wasn't thinking I'd be able to pop in, but give a girl a glass of wine and time to kill at an aiport (plus her laptop) and I'm ready to rumble.  I got to the airport so early and managed to FLY through security.  Seriously, I was the only person in my checkpoint line.  Way to go, Midway.  You really stepped up your game!  The best part is that I managed to get on an earlier flight and will (hopefully) get home two hours earlier than expected.  (My flight is already delayed half an hour.)

I managed to pack and pull my apartment together in remarkable time this morning.  I'm halfway between proud of myself and worried that I've forgotten half the things I need.  We'll see how that goes.

I got some sad news at work today, well not about work, but I was at work.  My vet called to tell me that Buster's kidneys aren't functioning properly and that is most definitely a problem in any cat, but especially one that is only three years old.  It's been a tough day and I actually don't think I can type much more about it because I'm in public and CANNOT stop crying whenever I think about it.  It's not fun to be the girl crying in public... alone.  I'm not really sure what all that means and my vet said that other tests need to be done to figure out what exactly is going on, but it can all wait until I return.  It breaks my heart to think of Buster all by himself (I do have someone checking in on him), but my vet promised me that he's feeling fine and it all can wait.  Shitty news when you're about to head to the airport, for sure.  But I have to remember that there are worse things to hear than your cat is sick.   

Anyway.

I hope you all have a fantastic Thanksgiving!!!  I hope you eat tons of food and drink lots of wine and have the holiday of your dreams.

I have a lot of things to be thankful for, but I am incredibly thankful for all of you!!

photo credit: debrossehardesty

Er, sorry.

I don't have anything as of yet for today.  Sorry, guys!  I'm a terrible procrastinator and still haven't packed for my flight home today.  Hopefully I will be back with something later; I cannot end on this piss poor note!

Please send me good packing vibes.  Thank you. 

I Give Thanks.

{outfit info}

We're getting close, guys!!  I thought I'd put together an outfit for a perfect Thanksgiving day meal.  Something comfortable [and with a little give!], yet classy enough to please the 'rents.  Personally, I can't take my eyes off of those boots; they're beautiful and mainstream with a little toughness.  The perfect classy boot, if I don't say so myself.  Well, perfect if I had an extra $700 to blow.  But, you know.

What do you guys normally wear for T-Day? 

It always feels a bit weird to dress up just to eat a meal in my parents' house, but I think it's nice to step it up a notch.  Though, it isn't very hard to step it up when your normal vacation wardrobe consists of yoga pants.

Jeffrey Campbell does it again.

All Lori's, All Day.  This must be my motto for today.

I saw these boots and sighed out loud.  I think they would be perfect for Chicago's winter.  Of course they'd need to be weather-treated, but I actually think the more beat up they get, the better they'd look.  And I'm swooning over this color.  I would wear these with black leggings all winter.  All winter.  They have rubber on the bottom, so they won't slip.  Perfection, I tell you.

And, I think they'd be great for a not-so-brutal winter location.  Feel free to wrack em up, ladies!

Update:  It's 65 degrees today.  Whattup, Chicago?  You're making my posts incredibly inappropriate. 

Black and tan.

Happy Monday, folks!  I'm super stoked for the short week ahead and can't wait to see my friends and family soon.

Isn't this bag great?  I love the combo of black with tan handles AND THEN the pop of red lining.  I die.  And I think it's a great size.  Just perfect, not too big nor small -- Goldilocks would approve.  I think my favorite part about it is that it fits into the ladylike category, but has a modern edge with the color combos.

What do you guys think?  I'm always on the hunt for a great bag!

ps The new issue of Rue Magazine is live!!

Weekend.

I was really struck by this.  I'm drawn to type tattoos and the font [print?] on this one is so lovely.  I approve of this message.

I'm missing a segue... 

I have quite the jam-packed weekend ahead.  Dinners and birthdays and Harry Potter, oh my!  THEN it's Thanksgiving!!  I'm flying home to spend time with the fam, most especially the lil' kiddos I mentioned yesterday.  [Let's hope Bronson doesn't put two and two together!]  I CAN'T WAIT!  So much so, that I've talked about it in an entirely inappropriate weekend post.  Ooops.  I always get ahead of myself, especially when excited.  That's one thing you should know about me:  Impatience breeds with excitement and I turn into a crazy lady.  Actually, just kind of child-like.  Always have been, always will be.

Random:  Getting your eyes dilated kind of sucks.  I don't remember it being so uncomfortable.  Not to mention I felt like a crazy werewolf whenever I looked at myself in the mirror. 

God, I am just filled with the non sequiturs today, aren't I?

What do YOU have planned for this weekend?  Whatever it is, I hope it is a happy one!       


Found on pinterest. 

Tooth Fairy.

I'm not gonna lie, I'm struggling for posts for today.  It happens sometimes.  I had the haircut last night, then talked to my mom for too long, and had to give Buster his medicine.  Sooooo, yeah.  I'm struggling for a post.  Since I can't think of anything else I figured I'd tell you a fun story.  [Sorry for those in my life who've already heard it.]

My sister has a five year old in her life at this time.  Bronson.  Bronson's the best.  [So is Jordan, the nine year old!  But this story is not about her.]  Sometime last week my sister texted me a picture of an adorable Bronson missing his big, front tooth.  It was decided that a dollar would be fitting because it was a front tooth and a dollar made this Bronson veeerrrryyy happy.  So happy that he came home from school the next day with his SECOND big tooth missing.  Then a few days later, a third went missing.  [This kid obviously likes his cash!]  When he started working on his fourth tooth in the car my mom made an executive decision...

Mom Cell:  Hello, Tooth Fairy!
Me:  Uhhhhh, hi???
Mom Cell:  I'm here with Bronson and he's pulling his teeth out, so I told him we would call the Tooth Fairy and she would talk to him.  Can you talk to Bronson about not pulling his teeth out, Tooooth Faaaiiirryyy??
Me:  Really?  We're gonna do this?  Uh, okay.

[phone passed to Bronson]

Me:  [in light, airy voice] Hellloooo, Bronson.  It's the Tooth Fairy!  I've heard you've been pulling your teeth out.  It's a rule I have that I can't visit the kids who pull their teeth out.  I can ONLY visit you if your teeth fall out on their own.
Bronson:  BUT, you visited me before!
Me:  Well, yes, but that was when your teeth fell out, right?  Are you going to stop pulling your teeth out so I can come visit you again?

[Bronson hangs up on me]

Bronson:  The Tooth Fairy is MEAN and I am NEVER talking to her again!!!
Sister:  Bronson, are you going to pull out any more teeth?
Bronson:  [pause] No.

Another job well done!  Feel free to give me a call if you need to terrify a child into submission.

You say I only hear what I want to.

Can we talk about this?

I'm not gonna front.  We all know Lisa Loeb is known for her specs, but really?  When did that song come out??  1994?  Now, don't get me wrong.  I LOVE that song.  In fact, I know every single word, and I've talked about how I don't normally know lyrics.  Serious history, folks.  That's what that song is.  But that's what I mean... history.  What's up with Lisa Loeb coming out with an eyewear line NOW?!  Don't you feel like it's a little too late?

I want to support my ladies and not be snarky.  But sometimes, I gotta snark.  Sorry.

ps If you want to do some snarking yourself, I got me some haircut last night and the bangs are back.  For evidence please visit my About Me page.

Dear rae.

I've recently become kind of obsessed with this sweet jewelry shop, dear rae.  Aren't the pieces fantastic?  Delicate, yet whimsy and I can totally get behind that.  My favorite is the tiny crown ring, sooo adorable.  How about you? 

Lanvin for H&M.

What do you think, ladies?  Lanvin is making a debut at H&M this Saturday and I'm sure you'll have to get there preeeeeetty early to get your hands on one of these pieces.  I'm especially drawn to the grey tulle dress, but is that really a surprise?!  You can go here, to the Fashionista, to see the rest of the pieces.

I, personally, don't have the internal fortitude to stand in line and fight other ladies for some clothing; I'll leave that up to the pros.  Are any of you planning on duking it out for something special?  If so, what?  And if you do, please let me know about the quality.  Thankyou.      

Velvet + Leopard = Happiness.

 

{outfit info}

Like I said, I'm starting to really get into the holiday mood.  I went shopping with a girlfriend this weekend and we were both excited to see the holiday decorations were all up at the ready.  I say, bring it!  

I wasn't really preparing this outfit with the holidays in mind, but once I added the red velvet blazer I knew it was all over from there.  Obviously, the spirit has permeated my every move.  I feel like this outfit would work for any holiday party, but it's definitely on the conservative side.  I'd say it would be perfect for your work holiday party.  That is, of course, if you don't have a fancy work party that would require a dress.  And what's an outfit without a little leopard print, right?  If I'm being really honest here, I would wear this outfit anywhere.  If I don't say so myself.     

Hmmmm...

Alright, ladies... how do we feel about the muff?  I know it isn't the most practical of cold weather gear annnnnnddd it's kind of laughable.  BUT, if you can get over that I think it would be fabulous, just fabulous for a fun night out.

I was obsessed with a vintage [was it vintage then, or just now? -- I'm not sure] fur muff my mom had when I was a kid.  It was frequently an addition to my dress up outfits.  So, I'm going to officially stand on the pro muff side.  And proudly so.

I mean, it's being sold at Urban Outfitters, so there must be some sort of demand.  Right?  Or maybe this is just a hipster-turn gone wrong.  Seriously, what do you guys think?    

The beez neez.

{via ffffound!}

Isn't this adorable?  I love it against the wood; the natural texture is in fantastic juxtaposition to the frilly design.  Sign me up.  

How was everyone's weekend?  What did you do?  Tell me, tell me!

After a pretty nerve-wracking [re: tear-inducing] late night trip to the animal hospital on Thursday I found out Buster has a UTI.  Poor guy!  He was drugged and obviously not feeling well and it's just so hard to have an unhappy kitty.  I have to give him liquid medicine twice a day for ten days and he is NOT A FAN, though he seems to be starting to feel a little better.  I hope he's back to his normal self soon.  While I wasn't occupied with Buster I took a girlfriend shopping and we found some fantastic pieces for her and had some dinner and drinks with friends.  All in all, a good time.

Er.  This is kind of a random, non-productive post, but I'm feeling a bit scattered.  Forgive me, I'll be back on my game soon.  I promise.      

Weekend!

{sunshineartdesign}

Do you guys remember these things?  What are they called?  Am I wrong in thinking that they are the same thing, if not related to those little yellow "flowers" in people's yards?  My memory is failing me.  What I DO remember is picking them and making a wish while blowing to make sure each piece flew away.  If they were all gone once you opened your eyes then your wish would come true.  Did you guys do that too or am I totally sounding strange?

Anyway, I wish you all have a wonderful weekend!!  It's been the longest week ever, right?  Some ups and downs and I am ready to just chill out.  I actually have the same plans that I had last weekend and I am totally okay with that.  What are your plans?

ps I already bought my Harry Potter ticket!!  Eeep.  I am SO excited!

pps I totally set up my hair appointment!  Remember when I talked about it forever ago here?  Next week I'm gonna need luck with the hair dresser wrath, and I have absolutely decided to go with the bangs.  Thank god for decisions!

You crack me up.

I'm starting to get pretty excited for the holidays.  Perhaps it's because I've already booked both my Thanksgiving and Christmas tickets and that always makes it more real.  Really though, now that I think about it, Thanksgiving isn't that far away.  Er, but that isn't really what I'm here to talk about. 

Hello, nutcracker.  Fancy meeting you here.

West Elm has done it again and I'm smitten with these nutcrackers.  I think it would be a nice cheeky homage to my former dancing days and a good warning to the boys in my life.  Double win!

Um, did I mention that part of the proceeds go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  That's pretty awesome, too.  If you're into that sort of thing.  [just kidding.  this is, of course, a great thing.] 

Cape town.

I am now officially obsessed with capes.  I love how they feel effortless yet can completely pull an outfit together.  Whenever you wear a cape you always look like a girl who knows what she's doing.  Effortlessly cool.  That's what a cape is.  And the girl who wears it.   

I found this guy on Etsy.  It's vintage.  And only $45.

Someone NEEDS to buy it!

Stat. 

Yes, please.

I love all of the above.  Love. It.

It's like she's on her way to kick Little Red Riding Hood's ass.

In the best way possible, of course. 

I had to.

Do you guys know This is Photobomb?  It's a website where people submit their photos in which they've been photobombed, or perhaps they were doing the bombing themselves.  You know, everyone has done this to you.  You've gathered all of your girlfriends for a cute group photo only to see later that there was some stranger or friend doing something funny or strange in the background.  Go to the site, you'll see what I mean.

Well, I saw these on Twitter last night and laughed out loud.  Click here to see the rest of the photos; I was especially partial to the cat bombs.   

 
Sorry if you don't think these are funny!  I'll be back to normal soon.

Airport Arrival.

{outfit info}

I spent the last weekend planning my holiday vacations.  Are you guys doing the same?  I've lived in a different state from my family for over nine years now and it has become a very common thing for me to figure out flights and schedules and luggage that I almost don't think about it.  Almost.  I have to admit, every year is slightly different and I'm still figuring out the best combination for all of the above.  Sometimes I pack too much, sometimes too little.  Sometimes I stay too long, sometimes too little.  I will master it all one day, I promise. 

Today I've put together the traveling outfit to end all traveling outfits.  I think it would be comfortable, and warm, and transitional, and the shoes are easy to remove.  Best of all: it's stylish.  All of the above are paramount to an airport outfit.  And I'm especially partial to this one.

Do you love it?  Or do you think it's ridiculous [yes, those are faux leather pants]?

[Let's forget that these TOMS are a man's shoe because that was the color and texture I wanted and couldn't find it elsewhere.  At least not quickly enough.  You know what I mean.] 

Sweet Dreams.

I keep coming back to these pillowcases.  I kinda love them [no pun intended], but I wonder if I would get sick of them.  They also come in black and beige, but I am, of course, partial to the pink.  What do you guys think?

Wish I were here.

Mondays always come too quickly, yes?  Even though we had an extra hour yesterday I am still feeling haggard and tired.  I want to spend my day in this room!  I want to crawl into this bed and read books or stare out that window.  Or let's face it, just stare at that crazy ostrich on the wall. 

I saw it on The Decorista and you have to jump over to see what this room looks like now, and the rest of the apartment.  It is all too beautiful for words.

Especially words by me.

On a Monday.   

Happy Weekend.

You guys know Sharon Montrose, right?  She takes the most amazing and adorable pictures of animals, as evidenced above.  I fell in love with this baby raccoon.  Doesn't it look like he knows how to get down?!

I hope you have as much fun this weekend as this baby raccoon would!  What are you guys up to?  I'm hoping and praying for no snow even though it's supposed to be sixty on Sunday; Chicago can be a cheap  trick when it comes to weather.  I plan on doing some drinking and shopping [not for me, I'm still on my shopping hiatus - but with someone else to offer my expertise] and catching up since I bailed on last weekend.  And am very much looking forward to it.

Footloose and fancy free.

These photos have been making the rounds, but I can't help it -- I had to share!  Feast your eyes on The Ballerina Project and the many photos of ballerinas doing their thang in various spots of New York.  I'm obsessed with the juxtaposition of ballet and city.

Have I ever told you I used to dance?  I was a competitive dancer for fourteen years of my life [well, not competitive for fourteen years, I was probably in company for six or seven years] and still swoon when I see good dancing.  Ballet was never my forte and my studio mostly excelled in other aspects of dance, but beautiful pointe work can still take my breath away.  I was in The Nutcracker every year and made my friend promise me that she'd see it with me this year, finally.  The thing is, when you are in The Nutcracker and it becomes this chore and annoying thing you have to do every year, you're definitely not stoked to see it as an audience member.  But, I feel like I've come far enough and am nostalgic enough to ooohhh and ahhhh this year.  I WILL make it happen.

I actually took a ballet class a few years ago for exercise and, more likely, to see if I could still do it.  It was the most discouraging thing ever.  My brain was all, "I know how to do this!  I remember this!" and my body was like, "Hell no!  You might as well be speaking Greek."  The teacher told me I was being too hard on myself, but she had no idea -- I used to win awards for this sort of thing and now I can barely pirouette!  I told you:  Depressing.

I am afraid I am relegated to audience member and gawker of the beauty of dance from now on.  I am ready to embrace it as a relic of my childhood [don't even ask me about dance camp] and I'll happily do so here.

*First seen on For Me, For You 

Enough said.

From my favorite tumblr:  i am a map waiting to be navigated. 

Kate Moss.

The new and final Kate Moss collection for Topshop has hit the airwaves.  Or cyberwaves.  Or whatever.  Either way you look at it, I like it.  It's more than I'd like to spend since I'm currently on a spending hiatus.

Did I not tell you that?  I'm on a spending hiatus.  Well, a clothes/shoes/purse spending hiatus.  Not a wine spending hiatus -- that would just be a fallacy.

But YOU should not be on a spending hiatus and I think you should check er out!  There is so much more than the three dresses I've posted here, including a To.Die.For glittery column gown or two.  You know.  I want to wear that first dress with tights and boots SO BADLY.  Can't you just see it??  I can.  It's totes my fav-o-rite.

Get yee to a website [or brick and mortar if you're so lucky] and posthaste.  I am sure these dressings won't last very long.    

1 / 2 / 3

Cocktail hat.

Oooo, I love this.  You know how I feel about adorning the head.  [If you don't, feel free to read this.]  I think this is the perfect addition to a fancy outfit.  It lays flat so you won't feel too obvious, but still adds extra flair.  Perfect!

Gifted.

Hey, guys!  It's November and there is no better time than the present to start thinking about gift-giving.  Though, if we're being honest here, I'm a wait-to-the-last-minute kind of girl when it comes to gifts.  Usually.  Maybe not this year!  All thanks goes to Ez of the delightful and peaceful Creature Comforts for putting the answers to all my gift questions in one place.  Drumroll please....

Let's give a big welcome to Gifted Magazine!

Not only has Ez created a magazine worth perusing for articles and DIY treatments, she's also included an awesome gift guide with clickable links!  Gotta love it!  AND the items are totally affordable.  Ez totally knows what this girl wants!  Check it out, friends.  You won't be disappointed.  

Auld Lang Syne.

 {outfit info}

It's never too early to plan an outfit, right?  If I had an unlimited budget this is what I would wear for New Year's Eve.  I love any excuse to wear anything that sparkles and New Year's Eve is certainly the best of all excuses for unadulterated bling.  

I just want to say that I am obsessed with this cocktail ring.  Isn't it amazing?!  I thought it went so perfectly with this dress.  I die.  

And, you know me -- I'm always dying to throw in some color and, better yet, an interesting color combination.  I know it's not for everyone, and it would be so simple to use a black clutch instead.  However, I think that the pairing of the two colors stands up to the flashiness of the dress yet doesn't compete with it.  And that is exactly what this dress needs, otherwise it might look like the dress is wearing you.    

Wowza.

OMG.  I want this cape in my life.  I will let you know know when these puppies [not the actual puppy] go on sale, but probably not until I've procured my own.  Thank you.