Back in the Chi after 13 'lovely' months of Central Illinois. Part fashion, part philanthropy. Making mistakes, but constantly learning. Lover of NPR, pinot noir, and a good sale rack. Amateur curler. Marathon runner. Jaded Chicago political campaigner. Master of Public Administration.
I’m trying to pack my life for the next 11 days into one suitcase, which is kind of a daunting task when that 11 days includes: 3 different states, a ‘fancy’ dress for your grandma’s 80th birthday, a different ‘fancy’ dress for a work gala, a work week’s worth of business outfits, and weekend cottage attire. (I won’t even mention shoes.) Yeah, this is a #whitewhine isn’t it? Moving on.
I was inspired by this post over yonder at Fabulously Average - topping a colorful mini dress with a pleated skirt - and I absolutely loved it, especially when the wind was putting me in a Marilyn Monroe situation and I had a back up skirt underneath that didn’t fly. TMI?
I added a new show to my TV line-up today - Revenge. The producer is the brother of the woman who was assigned to be my curling mentor when I joined the Chicago Curling Club. It was actually pretty good and I am excited to see where it is headed.
I feel like I’ve been making a lot of them lately. Nothing major - just simple careless errors like typing an email to a new potential donor and reading the body multiple times over but sending the email with a subject that is missing the second “r” in “Research”. You live and learn right? I think that I’ve learned in the past few days that I really need to slow down and pay a little bit more attention to detail. I try and move so quickly to get everything completed in a set amount of time because I want to be the girl that is efficient and timely - but that will all mean nothing if people think that I’m careless.
I’m also running out of outfit photos. I believe that these are from a balmy 101 degree day in July where I had to travel to Edwardsville, IL for a check presentation for my coworker at the last minute. Toss a belted cardi over this baby and BOOM! Autumnal bliss.
I also love this braided look - but my bangs aren’t long enough to do it right now. I’m sure they will be in a few days since I’m putting off going to the hairdresser.
Shoes: Anne Klein Target: Thrifted Isaac Mizrahi for Target Necklace: Aerie
I purchased this dress the beginning of last summer at Anthro and I’ve gotten so much wear out of it. It’s even got a little petticoat underneath to fluff it up a bit. I added this new thrifted necklace that I purchased for $1.50 last weekend. Holla!
My posts have really been lacking substance lately, but I’ve had four straight days of 10-14 hours at work so my brain is just fried. We are gearing up for our big Telethon, which I am lead staff on, and there is just SO MUCH to do in the next 3 weeks (1 of which I’ll be in Memphis for.) This is all you get.*
#22, #26
Also, isn’t this ring beautiful? It was my grandmother’s wedding/engagement ring that she restyled after my grandfather passed. It is one of my vintage treasures and I love it with my whole heart because of it’s sentimental value.
*This post is queued as I will be in Chicago as you read it. Also why there is no substance.
I’m currently laying on the floor in my living room, streaming Local 101, because it’s the last day of Q101 in Chicago. I haven’t really listened to Q101 in years, but it is something that I grew up with, and listened to all through high school, so I’m being a bit nostalgic right now. Hate all you want.
Last weekend I spent the whole entire weekend in Peoria. I woke up, cleaned a bit, and went to the Riverfront Farmers’ Market, which was absolutely fantastic. I stocked up on organic sweet cucumbers, green beans, and homemade pickled beets. I then perused some thrift stores and met up with my friend Barath for some gourmet burgers. I wouldn’t say “lazy Saturday”, but it was quite relaxing.
Gotta do this quick as my laptop battery is about to die and I’m too lazy to get my charger, as I’m in bed and should have been sleeping an hour ago. Anyway, I pulled the “layering a shirt over a dress look again” and I think this one turned out in my favor.
#5, #28, #30
As you can tell in this photo (possibly) we had quite the downpour outside, hence the photos with my new garden INSIDE my screened in porch. Pretty soon it’s going to look like Wrigley Field up in my porch. Go Cubs!
…is what I thought of when I saw the rays coming through the top of this photo. More specifically the scene in “Easy A” where Emma Stone gets a card with the song in it and despises it, but by the end of the weekend she’s singing along. Aaaaanyway. These are from last week, but conveniently the post fell on Everybody Everywear day. Yellow!
…to the USA. These photos are from last Monday when my photographer suckered me into walking in a Fourth of July parade…in the suburbs no less. It was probably the lamest parade I’ve ever walked in (let’s be honest - there aren’t many there to choose from) but I still had a good time, and afterwards was rewarded with a BLT, beer, and a matinee of Independence Day. If that doesn’t scream “USA!”, I don’t know what does.
I know that theres are the photos that everyone my photographer Bob, has been waiting for. Photos of me with flying hotdogs! These were taken at the hotdog stand next to Bob’s apartment, at twilight, which explains the blurryness. Not enough light to be clear but not enough darkness for auto-flash. [Side note: This purse and this shirt do not go together. Not because of color, but mainly because it kept popping my buttons open all night. I definitely gave our waitress at dinner a show.]
I wore this fancy little number to my friend Tom’s party (who was back in town for a week from the Navy) and then to my lovely friends’ party in Wicker Park where people lit fireworks off balconies and other stupid things that can injure people. I was then called “The girl who looks like Crocodile Dundee” by some rando - I’m assuming due to my outfit?
#5, #18, #23 - Purse: Dooney & Burke (Mommed), Earrings: The World According To… Necklace: Family Heirlooms
Earlier in the day, Bob’s friend was nice enough to take us on his sailboat on lake Michigan where I was not wearing my 30 for 30 items, but instead opted for a bathing suit and my garage saled hat.
Regardless of where I live - this city will always be my home.
My friends - I bring you outfit number 16. This little ditty was worn last Friday, July 1st on a jeans Friday at work, and on the start to a 4-day holiday weekend. It’s a nice red, white, and blue combo if I do say so myself - topped with a bit of nautical flair. Unfortunately I broke that nautical flair hauling all of my 18 bags to Bob’s apartment. My poor necklace was a casualty. I guess I should either a) start packing lighter or b) stop being really nice and bringing all of my friends cupcakes in my huge cupcake carrier. Thoughts?
#4, #20, #28
The nautical necklace that is currently in the necklace hospital is from Aldo. (Side note - I feel really fit in this picture. Guess all that running is paying off?)
Story about this last picture - I had to run an errand in East Peoria on my way to work this lovely Friday morning, and I stumbled upon this view of downtown Peoria from Fon du Lac drive. Not too shabby from here, right? Too bad you can’t see the semi-industrial-looking river from here that is nestled between the cliff I’m on and the city.
Y’all could say that I was feeling a tad bit “uninspired” last Thursday with my wardrobe. I couldn’t figure out anything that I really wanted to wear in my 30 for 30 items (I still only had 29 at this point) - so I pulled out an oldie but goodie to fill spot number 30. This black dress can be remixed in a variety of different ways, and I don’t know why I didn’t think about it until now. Paired with a scarf and vintage belt on a day that I didn’t want to do my hair - and voila! Magic. You might see this bad boy again in the next few days.
