Ensemble: Emerald + Dots

I love my new neighborhood.  It's right in the middle of everything, yet my street is so quiet it could be in a small town.  I think my favorite part is that there's a park a block away in either direction.  My boyfriend for some reason thinks we don't belong in the parks since we don't have a dog or a baby (which are very abundant here), so I suggested we get an empty stroller to push around and just tell people the baby is asleep.  Which, frankly, is a lot creepier than just hanging out in the park sans [fur]baby.  

 Sweater - F21 (similar here) / Blouse - NY&Co (similar here) / Jeans - Gap / Boots - Enzo Angiolini / Bracelets - Target and ASOS / Watch - Michael Kors

On a sidebar, I (temporarily) lost the charger for my fancy camera when I moved, so I have a couple sets of pictures on my old camera - whoops!  Don't worry you guys, I found it, along with my tax forms.  Haven't found my leather waterproofing spray though, which would really come in handy with all of the snow we've been getting...




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Wednesday Words: Picasso Style

"Bad artists copy.  Great artists steal"

- Pablo Picasso

I thought this was a funny quote, especially since on Monday I went to the Art Institute of Chicago and saw the special Picasso exhibit.  Apparently he was accused of copying a lot of people at the beginning of his career.  

I love the Art Institute but haven't been in years.  What finally got me there was that my new student ID gets me in for free!  I was feeling really inspired, here are a few of the pics I snapped:

 

Unfortunately I didn't take notes so I don't remember who painted any of these (except the last one, which I recognized as Matisse and then Googled to make sure).  But, if you're really curious, I can always run back in with my free pass and check them out again! 

P.S.  Do you find it amusing when people use their iPads as cameras?  I'm sorry, but you look a little silly, especially when taking pictures of famous paintings.

P.P.S.  Think the concept of a crazy cat lady is new?  Check out this Picasso painting from 1901, "Crazy Woman with Cats":

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Ensemble: Sparkle Chambray

My favorite outfits are simple but with special details.  This Target sweater has been on major rotation for me over the past couple of months, I mostly want to wear it every time it comes through the wash.  

Sweater (similar here) & Chambray - Target / Jeans - Old Navy / Boots - Enzo Angiolini / Necklace (similar here) - LC Lauren Conrad / Watch - Michael Kors

Taking outfit pictures always makes me think about when I used to watch ANTM.  Oh, who am I kidding, I still watch it basically whenever it's on the TV.  Look Tyra, I found the light!

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26!

Oh hey, today is my birthday!

Birthdays always remind me of poor Jessica Simpson on Newlyweds, talking about how old 23 is.  Oh Jessica, what would you think of me now at 26?  

I'm excited for 26.  I think it's going to be a great year.




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It's Friday, That Means Cats

Happy Friday everyone!  It's my birthday on Monday, so I'm counting Birthday Weekend as starting now.

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Have a great weekend!!

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Want/Need: Spring Wishlist

All of the spring lines are calling my name.  Some of my must have items are:

1. Printed Skimmer Jeans / 2. Ditsy Heart Shirtdress / 3. Floral Blazer / 4. Vegan Leather Mini Skirt / 5. Deborah Dot Scarf / 6. Iris Bag

What's on your spring wishlist?

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Wednesday Words

"If it scares you, it might be a good thing to try." 

- Seth Gadin

I'm not so great at trying new things.  I tend to overthink and worry my way back into my comfort zone.  But this week I finally got around to my starting on my 2012 resolution (yes, 2012) and started taking a class through the Art Institute of Chicago.  I can't believe it took me this long, but I'm glad I finally decided to go for it.  And that I wore my glasses, since they really helped me fit in ;)

Have you gone out of your comfort zone lately? 

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Ensemble: Basic Layers

So, fun story.  I moved into a new place last week and thought the balcony would be a good place to take some outfit pics.  What I didn't realize was, the door to the balcony locks automatically, which put me outside without a coat, cell phone, keys, or money until my boyfriend came home and rescued me. At which point I had ripped off the storm windows to try to break in and propped open every emergency exit in the building.  

Button down (old, similar here) and tee - Old Navy / Jeans - Gap / Shoes - LOFT / Necklace and watch - NY & Co / Bag - Target (similar here)

On another note, I used to always have problems with too much layering because my body reacts very strongly to small temperature changes (apparently this is common among redheads, but I'm not naturally a redhead so I can't really call that one).  Then I discovered layering with teeshirts instead of sweaters, and I've been a happy camper ever since. 

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Chocolate Chip Monday

Chocolate chip cookies always seem kind of basic to me.  When I see chocolate chip in a line-up, I usually go for something more exciting.  Then I eat a chocolate chip cookie and remember they're the most amazing things in the world.  I was at my parent's house abandoning some of my possessions on Saturday and discovered some that my mom had made.  Then I had to go home and bake some myself.



Everyone has a favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe in their back pocket, so I won't share mine here (especially since it's c/o Betty Crocker).  I have picked up some tips along the way though on how to make your cookies awesome instead of sad and flat, the most important of which is to make sure all of your ingredients are room temperature, not just the butter.

I think the boyfriend is very pleased with his new roommate ;)




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Necklace Storage

Happy Friday everyone!  I'm really looking forward to this weekend, with the exception of having to clean up my old apartment before giving the keys back.  I'm loving the new place so far (despite getting locked out sans coat the third day there!) and am starting to settle in.  I haven't quite figured out what to do with my exploding necklace collection yet.  I used to have them on pretty hooks on my wall, but my vanity is now in front of a row of windows.  I'm trying to decide if something like this will work in my closet:

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Or if I should try to get my hands on some sort of jewelry organizer...

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Or if I should try to DIY something...Decisions decisions!  Anyone have any necklace advice?  I seem to have quite a few.  

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I hope your weekend involves more exciting things than cleaning and organizing!




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Things I Love...

A few of the things I love:

- Laughing until I cry

- Sparkles, glitter, and sequins

- Cuddling on a chilly day

- Pink, purple, and more purple

- A fresh manicure

- A full 8 hours of sleep (or 9... or 10...)

- Ice cream sandwiches

- Laying in the sun

- Anything tiny and cute (teacup pigs, cupcakes, fun size candy bars...)

- Socks straight from the dryer

- And of course, my family and boyfriend ;)

Happy Valentine's Day!  

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Wednesday Words

"We are all a little weird and life is a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with the mand fall in mutual weirdness and call it love." 

- Dr. Seuss

This is by far one of my all-time favorite quotes.  My sister actually recited it during her wedding last fall.  Happy almost Valentine's Day!  

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Ensemble: Pink + Bows

Apparently I've been on a real pink kick lately, it must be in the spirit of Valentine's Day.  I mentioned on Friday that I moved last weekend, when I was putting clothes in my new closet I realized just how much pink my closet now holds.  I actually wore this for our last-minute Superbowl Party, I don't particularly care about football so I decided to go super girly instead of attempting anything sports-related.  

Sweater - Old Navy / Tee and Jeans - Gap / Boots - Bandolino / Watch - Michael Kors / Bracelets - LOFT / Ring and Necklace - LC Lauren Conrad

I think this is the last outfit from my old apartment, I'll have to find a place to take pictures in the new place.  It isn't quite all put together yet, but hopefully soon!




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Free Valentine's Day Fonts

Love is in the air!  Here are a few of my favorite fonts for Valentine's Day: 

KG Eyes Wide Open / BlackJack / Rawengulk / Noteworthy / Shelter Me / Janda Elegant Handwriting / Honey Script / SkarpaLT / Just Realize / CAC Champagne / Aliquam / KG Love You Through It

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Insta-Friday

Happy Friday everyone!!  This is a particularly odd Friday since I'm moving tomorrow, so my bedroom is currently full of boxes (and let's face it, lots of garbage bags because I refuse to buy boxes).  Instead of looking at all of this mess, here's a few of my recent Instagrams:

Doing wedding crafts with my future sister-in-law: yay color blocking!

New favorite snack!  Anyone know where I can find these at places that aren't German cultural festivals?

A reminder next to my desk at work.

My sister and I bought some sexy new Valentine's Day pajamas.

New LC heart ring!

The tiniest of all of the beers - but 11% ABV so it all evens out.

Stalking out people's accessories in the check-out lane

Guess who lives in my building...

Finally bought the booties I've been dreaming of.  

Like what you see?  You can follow me on Instagram here - let me know your user name so I can follow you back!




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