Happy 4th of July!

H & M organic cotton t-shirts

I picked up 3 of these last week during the summer sale at H&M.

They were only $5.00 each.

Movie Review:

The Proposal

1. It has beautiful scenery and reminds me of Men in Trees.

(I miss that show)

2. The house set in Sitka, Alaska is amazing. I can't find pictures of the outside - You will know exactly what I am talking about as soon as you see the movie.

It is my dream house.

3. Ryan Reynolds - super cute

4. Sandra Bullock's ponytail is adorable. And I can finally wear all of my hair in a high ponytail!!

5. Ryan Reynolds - I now have a small crush on him, after my husband and David Letterman.

***photos from Walt Disney Pictures***

Summer Reading List

any other suggestions??

cat woman belt

I found this hip stirr belt on sale at sara jane and thought I could give my linea pelle pocket belt a rest. It reminds me of Kate Hudson.

favorite shoes

My favorite new shoes for this summer recently went on sale at Nordstrom. And hence the picture of them on my feet. I love the glow of hot pink.

bring on the SPF

Now that summer is here, I have been smothering myself in the following products:

(spf 30 for the face - this is by far the BEST face lotion with spf that I have ever found period.)

This is for general daily use -

if I am going to be outside for longer than 30 minutes, I use at least spf 50 or 70.

As seen on...

I love the outfit that Haven and Anne created last week on The Fashion Show. Bravo is offering a version for sale online, but the print is not the same.

(the original design is on the left)

Oak Street Beachstro + Taste of Greece on LaSalle

= last Saturday night.

Yummy

Anthro

I have been waiting for these 2 shirts to go on sale at Anthropologie. I was happily surprised to see the gingham tube top on sale today. Now, for the Tibi blouse, I might have to wait....

Tom Ford Claudia sunglasses

I tried these sunglasses on today at Bloomingdale's. I was surprised that I liked the pink/green/grey combo compared to the basic brown.

I opted to spend my money on $5.00 organic t-shirts from H&M.

renewable resources

all from at west end

MIA

Sorry for the lack of posts.

We have been very busy for the past few weeks.

We went to a wedding at the Brookfield Zoo - and for the first time in my life, I wore the same color as the wedding party.

cocktail hour with the monkeys:

Printer's Row book fair:

Cubs game on the last day of school (we try to go every year)

and George getting ice cream on the way home

Shawna turned 30! Her husband organized a surprise Cubs roof top party.

(I had the shirt made at strange cargo)

Old Town Art Fair and Wells Street Art Fair:

This is my favorite poster yet and it is now hanging in our bedroom. And it cost $10.00.

my favorite house in the Old Town triangle

Our first day off

My husband and I went to the Real Pirates exhibit at the Field Museum on Monday. (We tried to go on opening weekend, but it was sold out) The exhibit was very interesting because the pirate ship they found was originally a slave trading ship. I received more of a history lesson than I was expecting. You also get to see part of a stolen treasure.

After we left the museum, we walked through Grant Park to Macy's.

my favorite part of the store:

Tiffany mosiac tile ceiling in the original Marshall Field's building on State Street

sunglass tee

available here

And if you want to make your own custom tee, visit strange cargo in Chicago. (on Clark just south of Addison) You can find a vintage looking Cubs tee or make an Uncle Jessie tee from Full House.

summer shoes

These are what I wear all summer:

Jack Rogers in platinum

Birkenstocks

Minnetoka moccasins

reef flip flops

Havaianas flip flops (in silver and black)

local designer Kate Boggiano

I came across Kate Boggiano's shirts in the State Street Macy's and she was featured in the June 2009 edition of CS magazine. If you refer 10 friends, she will send you a free white tank top. (valued at $16.95) This line will also be at Fashion at Heaven on Sunday, June 7th. (more info here)

Jennifer Aniston

Is it just me or does Jennifer Aniston continue to look better and better? And she just turned 40. I love everything she has been wearing to the premiere of her movies.

local shopping update

On the way up to my sister-in-law's apartment to get my hair cut, I stopped in Handle with Care on Wells Street.

Here is my review:

The store has 2 rooms: 1 that has clothing and accessories under $100.00 and a 2nd room that has designer clothing and jewelry starting at $250.00. Overall, the store has a great selection of summer dresses and tops. (although I didn't buy anything) I was hoping that there would be more sale items. My favorite items were a black tiered tank dress and jewelry by Citrine by the Stones.

Next up:

• "it's great to be Jake" - Jake just opened a more affordable section of the store with prices ranging from $50.00 - $250.00. I am wondering what you can buy at Jake for $50.00.
• String a Strand on Wells - You can make your own jewelry and the bead selection is the best I have ever seen. (I only walked in and looked) I am thinking of taking my mom and Grandma here when they come in town for my cousin's bridal shower.

Jenny Han drawstring beaded caftan

I am loving this shirt for summer.

I am addicted to...

my YSL Radiant Touch Touche Eclat. And I gasped aloud when the pen would not click, meaning it was gone. This instantly makes me look like I have slept for 10 hours. Once you start using it, you can't go back.

work bag

I am in desperate need of a new work bag.

It needs to be large enough to fit file folders and have a zippered pocket.

Does this one look like a work bag?

It really is a diaper bag.

If I keep the changing pad at home, do you think others will notice?

Sara Jane

Since the weather has turned warm, I have been walking Henry down Wells street. (many of the stores are dog friendly) Over the past year, I have seen 6 local stores close on Wells - my favorite shoe store One Yellow Shoe included. I recently went into Sara Jane (I did shop here a few times in the past) because of the large sale sign in the front window. And now I have been back a few more times because of the perfectly edited selection of clothing and accessories. While it is nice to get a good deal at H&M, Jcrew, or Anthropologie, I am going to try and spend my money locally. I almost feel like it is my duty to help support local business owners. Is that weird? And I think it will be fun to find new boutiques with a little help from here.
(Handle with Care will be my next stop)

Here are my favorites at sara jane:

Summer To Do List:

take yoga classes at my gym

play tennis and take lessons

paint new art to hang above our couch

keep my tomato plant alive

ride my bike more

learn how to grill

take a few professional development classes

clean out our storage bin (make better use of our space)

go to the beach (with my SPF 70)

golf

kayak on the Chicago River

make a pillow with fabric I bought at Ikea

and complete each of the walking tours in this box with my husband

Fiona Paxton necklace

I am hoping that a knock-off of these necklaces are made soon.

balcony makeover

I wanted to make our balcony a little more inviting this summer, so I found cheap pillows at Ikea and chair cushions from Target. The pillows were $1.99 each and the cushions were $4.00 each. I also sneaked in the gnome I have had a crush on too.

Do you see the city garden on the large balcony down below us?
(next to the barren landscapes)
I wish I had a green thumb.

Here is my patio tomato plant that is waiting to be repotted.

In 65 days I should have tomatoes, if I can keep it alive.

***update*** Workout in the Park

Last weekend, I went to Self magazine's Workout in the Park, held in Butler Field. The event was well organized and for $15.00, you got in the event and a year subscription to the magazine. There were 3 different areas/classes going on throughout the day. Each class lasted for 20 minutes - which was the perfect amount of time to try different workouts. We ended up doing Hippie Yoga, Beach Body, and boxing/cardo.

me, my sister, and my sister-in-law

As we were leaving, Jillian Michaels (from The Biggest Loser) was hugging fans. She was teeny tiny - my sister thought she was sitting down.

Summer

For some weird reason, I can't get enough of seeing new grill accessories.

(and I don't even grill, my husband does it)

I am adding that to my list: learn how to grill this summer.

Crash and Burn

Since moving to Chicago almost 4 years ago, I have started buying loungewear. As soon as I get home for work, on comes my loungewear. I also don't want to be known in my condo building as "the woman who walks her dog in her pajamas." A couple of years ago, a shopgirl at Hubba Hubba suggested I try on a Crash & Burn sweatshirt. It ended up being so soft and comfortable that I didn't want to take it off. I ended up buying it and have worn it so much that it is starting to get a hole in the sleeve. I have finally found more clothing from this line at sara jane.

My favorite part of this line, besides the comfort factor, is the skull/roses/thorn/rocker look. Normally, I am much more conservative in my dressing.

Sometimes it is nice to dress out of character.

don't eat the marshmallow

I found the most interesting article ("Don't" by Jonah Lehrer) on self-control in the May 18, 2009 issue of The New Yorker. As a high school teacher, I can tell which of my students would not have passed the marshmallow test.

(here is a link)

Jon & Kate plus 8

I really hope this story is false.

Summer Wedding / Class Reunion

I have my cousin's wedding and my husband's class reunion to attend this summer. I am hoping to finding one dress to wear to both events. I am envisioning a classic/modern dress with a pair of adorable/funky shoes or the other way around (classic shoes and a funky dress).

Should I pick a more relaxed summer dress or something more fancy?

jcrew dresses

kate spade

nordstrom

And some shoes:

Going Green

Even though it seems like we are never going to sell our condo, I am still gathering ideas for the future. (we have had a ton of 1st and 2nd showings, but no offers)

For now, here are 2 eco-friendly ideas:

dual flush toilet

I saw these toilets all over Rome.

I like the idea of using different water amounts for going #1 and #2.

Nature Mill Composter

You can also make your own worm compost, but for city folks this one is easier.

Tulip Time and Mother's Day

On the drive home to Michigan last weekend, we stopped in Holland just in time for the last day of the Tulip Time Festival.

And my Grandma's house for Mother's Day dessert.

When my Grandma makes dessert, she makes at least 3 or 4 different desserts.

She is the best Grandma.

I will post the recipe for the strawberry pie soon.

Dinner

Mexican turkey chili (click here for the recipe)

I also tried Bethenny's goat cheese and sundried tomato chicken recipe last week and I loved it! And you could make this with blue cheese and pears (or figs) instead of the goat cheese/sundried tomato.

tulum swirl pendant

Don't let this picture fool you.
This necklace is huge and awesome.

workout in the park

Self magazine Workout in the Park

Saturday, May 16th

11am - 3pm

Butler Field, Grant Park

$15.00 - which includes a year subscription

(Jillian Michaels will be appearing)

lulakate

My mom noticed this store while we were walking around King Street in Charleston, SC. After we walked in, we found the best locally designed and made dresses and shirts. And they make custom bridesmaid dresses. If only I knew this 2 years ago when I was planning my wedding.

zero calorie cupcakes

Summer in Chicago

I am filling in my new planner today and looking up all the free things to do in Chicago this summer. Here is my list:


Printers Row Literature Festival: June 6-7

Concerts in Millennium Park (starting at the end of May)

Taste of Chicago: June 26-July5 (free concerts include Counting Crows, Barenaked Ladies, Ne-Yo, the Wallflowers, and Buddy Guy)

Air & Water show: August 15-16

Movies in the Park: starts July 14th (see below for the complete schedule)



The 2009 Movies in the Park lineup:
July 14, 2009 @ 8:58 pm: Sunset Boulevard (1950)
July 21, 2009 @ 8:52 pm: Duck Soup (1933)
July 28, 2009 @ 8:45 pm: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1950)
August 4, 2009 @ 8:37 pm: Born Yesterday (1950)
August 11, 2009 @ 8:27 pm: Psycho (1960)
August 18, 2009 @ 8:17 pm: Young Mr. Lincoln (1939)
August 25, 2009 @ 8:05 pm: Tootsie (1982)

(more info here)

Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld

I can't put this book down.

Remember my post about this Marc by Marc Jacobs dress?

Goldenmeans found it for sale on Gilt Groupe today.

Spring in the city

Due to a 70% chance of rain at the Kentucky Derby, my husband and I stayed in Chicago and enjoyed the perfect spring weather.

Here are pictures from last year:

I love spring in the city and especially the tulips.

Bullseye Bazaar in Chicago

Here is a sneak peek inside the store:

My husband and I spent Sunday afternoon walking around the city. I also checked up on the Target pop-up store that is opening on Thursday.

445 N Michigan Ave

I plan on going after work.

I am a sucker for bows

And I love this purse:

(especially in black and white)

Kate Spade bow group esti handheld tote

the perfect LBD

classic DVF black wrap dress + nude shoes = the perfect outfit

I am thinking about making this purchase. The Julian wrap dress has been around since before I was born, so I have time. And I can stop going to Starbucks every other day. At $4.00 per latte, 3 days a week, it will take me 6 and 1/2 months of going without Starbucks.

Mother's day ideas: part 2

I completed my Mother's day shopping yesterday. I took the easy route and picked up 2 of each item- one for my mom and one for my mother-in-law.

initial pocket mirror from anthro

(Karen and Kathy)

Kate Spade candle

school boy blazer

I really like the school boy blazer look with jeans. It looks like a Jcrew catalog.
Speaking of Jcrew, here is their version. I think I am going to hold out until the fall.
(pic from cupcakes and cashmere)

Shop Local

Two of my favorite local artists are having an opening house:

April 30th from 7-10pm

Feather Loft

355 N Laflin

Chicago, IL

Bead Designs by Dana

and

Up in the air somewhere

I also want to visit:

Post 27

George Lowell

Target's Pop-up store that is coming in May

sandal booties

Call me crazy, but I really like these Maison Martin Margiela shoes worn by Rachel Bilson.