Twenty Six

Dress: Gift from mom (boutique in Breckenridge, CO.) Shoes: Old Navy.
Necklace: Francesca's. Bracelet: Renegade Art Festival. Earrings: Target. 

Well, I'm officially in my late twenties! I turned 26 yesterday and honestly could not have felt more celebrated by my friends and family. Thank you to everybody that made me feel so loved.

My day was filled with sharing breakfast, lunch, and dinner with wonderful friends, spending sometime reading in my back yard, watching a rerun (or two) of mad men, and catching up on some work emails from the Memorial Day weekend. 

All in all, a great day.

I wore this outfit out to dinner with some close friends to a mexican restaurant in town to celebrate. My mom actually bought this dress for herself when she was out in Colorado with some girlfriends but when she got home she realized it didn't fit quite the way she was hoping. Worked out great for me! 

Anyway, here's to another year. 

I have no idea what will happen but I'm trusting it'll be a good one. 

Excited for what's in store! 

Heat Wave

Skirt: Old Navy. Tank: Lululemon. Shoes: Nine West via DSW
Earrings: Target. Necklace: F21. Sunnies: Urban Outfitters

My goodness it has been warm here in Chicago the last couple days. 

It's unbelievable to me that on Monday there was frost on the ground and then be 80 and sunny the next three days. 

I don't want to jinx it but I think summer weather has officially arrived.

My roommates and I are pretty cheap and haven't gone the air conditioning route just yet. So that means lots of windows open, an unhappy kitty, and clothes that don't really touch my body. This is my go to "it's so hot" outside outfit. I'm a sucker for a maxi skirt during any season but they really are perfect for days like these when it's just simply hot. 

April Showers

Dress: Anthropologie. Jacket: Michael Kors (via Nordstrom Rack.) Aviators: Urban Outfitters.
Shoes: Cole Hann (via TJ Maxx.) Hair Piece: F21. Bracelet: Renegade Art Fair.

My gosh has there been April Showers here in the Chicagoland. Here's to a past weekend full of sunshine and hopefully tons of May Flowers. 

And speaking of showers, this is what I wore to my future sister-in-law's first bridal shower. I will admit at about 2 PM when it was a breezy 43 degrees, I was second guessing not wearing tights. But I refuse to wear tights anymore, tights are for October, not April. 

Here are some more bridal shower pictures. 

My brother Andrew and me.

Perfect flowers for a perfect Bridal Tea.

Bride and her bridesmaids! (Becca is in white.)

'Tis the Season

Shirt: F21. Sweater: JCrew. Denim: Citizens for Humanity.
Boots: Frye boots. Earrings: JCrew. Pin: Gift from mom 

It's finally here. Christmas time. It's amazing how immediately after Thanksgiving everything happens to be in full blown Christmas mode. It seems everywhere you look, twinkle lights are on and Christmas Carols are playing. 
And I am not mad about it.

 The day after Thanksgiving, JJ and I decided to have a date day instead of participating in any sort of Black Friday sales. We walked around downtown (I must admit, ducking in and out of stores because it was so frigid!), drank some hot chocolate, ate an early dinner and went to see Skyfall. 

It was the perfect way to begin the holiday season.

Significant Moments

Dress: Madewell. Blazer: Gap
Bag: Marc Jacob's (via Nordstrom Rack)

Kate has been mentioned in about 50% of my blog posts so it only seems fitting for you all to meet her! Here she is ladies and gentlemen, my best friend and my roommate.

I'm really grateful for Kate's companionship. She's been around for a lot of big moments in my life and just as many silly moments that have been the most significant moments. 

She's stood next to me during times that my heart is broken but also in times where we watch mindless reality TV and laugh together about gossip magazines. I've spent countless nights in her trundle bed and gone on more shopping trips than I'd like to admit. I also wouldn't make any huge life decision with out her wisdom.

Everyone should have a friend like this. 

Mothers

Jacket: Michael Kors (via Nordstrom Rack). Sweater: Nordstrom Rack. Skirt: Old Navy.
Boots: Frye (via Nordstrom).
Necklace: Anthropolgie. Ring: Lia Sophia. Earrings: F21. Sunglasses: Target
Nail Polish: OPI "ski teal you drop" + Essie "matte about you." Lip Stick: Revlon Lip Crayon.

It was a beautiful 68 degrees in Chicago a couple days ago. It's always fun to be able to walk the streets of the city in the fall, with the changing leaves, and not be freezing cold. Even though it was pretty warm out it felt like the appropriate day to bust out the fall maxi skirt.

Heading into the city, I knew that I wanted to take pictures on the Museum of Modern Art steps. When Kate, Lisa, and I arrived at the steps there was a huge sign that said Mothers spinning outside. Mother's Day is still six months away so I'm stumped on it's importance.  

Here, see for yourself!

Eight Dollars

Jacket: Free People. Sweater: Gap. Skirt: Francesca's.
Tights: Gap. Boots: Nordstrom. Purse: Etsy (The Bag Shop.) Sunglasses: F21
Necklace: Jewelry Party. Earrings: F21. Bracelet: Renegade Art Festival. Nail Color: OPI "ski teal you drop"  

On Saturday my bff/roommate Kate and I went back to the town I grew up in. We had a lunch and then walked around for a little bit. I like this outfit for a lot for two different reasons.

First. I was perfectly dressed for the temperature on Saturday afternoon. Sometimes in the fall it's hard for me to pick the right amount of clothing to wear. Tights? A jacket? Or maybe a coat? I never really know. But a-ha! I nailed it with this one.

Second. The necklace. I'm starting to accumulate a handful of statement piece necklaces but the best part about this one is its price. Only $8! A good friend of my mom's had a jewelry party where everything was $8. This necklace looks more expensive than that to me and I'm not mad about it. I love a good bargain. 

Church Doors

Blazer: JCrew. Top: Anthropologie. Skirt: Nordstrom
Shoes: Pink (via Lori's Boutique) Necklace: F21. Bracelet: Renegade Art Festival. Purse: Borrowed (from my mom)

Since starting echo grace a couple months ago, I have started to look for different places that could be fun backdrops for pictures. This church is on the way from my office to the train station and have always made a mental note that these doors are great.

Last night JJ and I went out on a fancy little date to celebrate dating for three months (I know, huge milestone.) We were on our way there and got caught in some traffic so we decided to take a different route, right by this church. So guess what I made him do? Obviously take these pictures. 

As I got dressed yesterday I was really excited about this outfit.... I don't love it as much as I was putting together this post. Seems fair not to love every outfit I put together, right?

Here's to next time.

All Things Fall

Sweater: JCrew (outlet.) Pants: H&M. Shoes: Nordstrom (Mizz Moo)
Earrings: Urban Outfitters. Sunglasses: Urban Oufitters.
Ring: Banana Republic. Bracelet: Renegade Art Festival. Nail Polish: OPI, "You don't know Jacques."

It's (almost) the most wonderful time of the year!

What's the best thing about the fall?
Orange pants and a cable knit sweater.
Sun and temperature in the 50's.

Homemade chili for dinner (thanks to my roomie Kate)

Fall. I love it. 

Perks

Shirt: F21. Skirt: Francesca's. Shoes: Nine West (Nordstrom Rack)
Necklace: Lia Sophia. Earrings: H&M. Ring: Lia Sophia. Bracelets: F21. 
Purse: TJ Maxx. Nail Polish: OPI (kiss me on my tulips)
Dog: FLASH 

There are a lot of wonderful things about dating JJ. Two of those perks are his phenomenal photography skills/willingness to take my blog pictures and his adorable terrier puppy Flash. 

JJ went to Honduras for 3 months last fall to film a documentary of an incredible story about kids who have grown up on a local trash dump graduating high school (don't worry way more to come about that.) During his time there the house mom's dog had puppies. So of course JJ thought, why not bring home two Honduran puppies! He brought home Radley for his parents and he's a proud papa to Flash. 

Although I'm not ready to commit to my own puppy, it is a delight having a little guy to take on walks and cuddle with. As I was editing these pictures I also realized he is quite the model and made all of these pictures better.

On a Runway

Shirt: American Apparel. Cardigan: Splendid (via Anthropologie.) Shorts: Gap.
Shoes: Urban Outfitters. Belt: H&M. Bracelets: F21. Earrings: Francesca's. Nail Polish: OPI (Lincoln Park After Dark)

I know you all totally thought I was referring to a fashion runway but alas I am not. (I wish.) The reality is I did get to walk on an actual airplane runway on Friday. I was literally on a runway! I woke up this morning kind of aimless and just threw this on. I actually really like this outfit. It was super comfortable but is a bit more exciting that just shorts and a t-shirt. 

JJ's dad is a pilot and grew up in a neighborhood with airplane hangers and a runway in his back yard. Crazy, right? I was a little bit unsure if these pictures were actually going to look okay and turns out they're great. Even got one of the photographer.

Come, look at that guy. He's the best.

Fashion Before Comfort

Dress: J.Crew. Shoes: Nine West. Hat: J.Crew. 
Necklace: F21. Earrings: H&M. Sunglasses: F21 

One of my good childhood friends and my brother's best friend Kyle got engaged to a wonderful young woman named Sadie a handful of months ago. This weekend we got to celebrate their engagement at Arlington Race Track here in Chicago. I must admit, I am not much of a horse fan or really a gambling fan. But I will tell you, I am a huge fan of the fashion. You want me to wear a cute dress with a big hat? I am in.

 I really do love this outfit a lot. When I got this dress I didn't think I'd get the opportunity to wear it much but thank goodness for weddings, I've been able to wear it to many bridal showers and engagement parties. 

Although I'm a fan of this dress, it was not the most practical for a day at the track. A 90 degree day in fact. I did not even think to look at the temperature when I got dressed in the morning. Oops? As I was dripping with sweat all day (and complaining,) JJ kept teasing me about my high school motto, "fashion before comfort." I instantly regretted sharing that story with him. And you know what, as ridiculous as it may be, I will still stand by it. Even if I am a hot mess of myself at a race track. 

Lesson learned, I need to check the weather first. 

Truly Madly Deeply

Dress: Covet Boutique in San Francisco.
Necklace: Standard Style Boutique in Kansas City. Shoes: Rampage (DSW). 

Me with my high school girlfriends Kelly, Gwen, & Alex.

The first kiss!

Here it is, the last San Francisco/Napa Valley post and it's the wedding post! For some reason picking out a dress for this wedding was so difficult for me. Thank goodness San Francisco has great shopping and a cute little boutique on Union Street saved me. (Note: Look! Pink Lipstick too!)

The bride Laura has been a close friend of mine since elementary school. I'm not sure if everyone loved Savage Garden in the late 1990's but gosh we did. You may remember them from their hit "I Want You" when they reference cherry cola. Well anyway, they came out with a song called "Truly Madly Deeply" when Laura and I were in 5th grade. And instantly we were obsessed. Like most preadolescent girls do, we dreamt the boys we had huge crushes on were singing those beautiful lyrics straight to us. I remember on sleepover laying in her older sisters bed  playing that song on repeat, not talking to each other, and dreaming of our 5th grade heart throbs. (Shockingly) those relationships didn't work out for either of us, but a girl can dream, right?