Things I don't Understand (in no particular order)

Riding the train every day, I see and hear things that make me wish 1.) that I could take my phone out and snap a photo right. at. that. second; and/or 2.) that someone else was there to observe many of the following.
Some of the other things that I list are merely things that I have tried and decided that they are not good but are instead, very evil.  See boyfriend jeans & ponchos 

Toe socks

Twilight (& the appeal of either one of its male leads)

Hair feathers

Airbrushed anything

The Bachelor

Cropped shirts

Boyfriend jeans - are they tight enough? Baggy in the right places? I give up.  Too much thought goes into purchasing a pair of bf jeans.

Navajo Print - is that PC? Native American print??

Adults wearing sock monkey stocking caps

tennis shoes and pantyhose - that's what flats are for, designing women

Harry Potter

why everything that I see at Urban Outfitters (right now, at least) looks like Goodwill in my hometown, 13 years ago; UO - please go back to being fun!

gastronomy*

white sweat pants - also add to this category any sweat pants that have a word across the behind

ponchos - unless you are a gaucho; for that matter, add gaucho pants to this list; I don't have a horse and ponchos make me look fat and/or pregnant.  I cannot justify the purchase of what looks like an afghan with a hole in the middle.  In fact, I've tried one of those, too.  It just doesn't work!

Ed Hardy &/or Affliction - full disclosure: I only recently learned about Affliction.  It is equally as bad as Ed Hardy.  Another disclosure: I don't think I know anyone who wears either brand.

*Note:  I have tried to understand this to no avail & with a great deal of heartburn.

Always in? Classy Dresses.

Classy, fitted dressy appear to be hanging around for awhile.  Now, if we can just convince designers to keep using high quality fabric, we'll be in good shape.


This is Tracy Reese, via Cake Plate - Napa, CA.  Hands down, one of my favorite boutiques in Napa Valley.

Another Tracy Reese favorite:


Very versatile.


Tucker Shirt Dress

The front is great, but wait until you see the back:


Tracy Reese is on fire.

Christmas List

I don't really want anything for Christmas -- I already feel super lucky that my husband planned such a fun trip.  That's enough.  However, it's always fun to have a wish list a FABULOUS wish list.  Just for fun . . . 


 Like this Herman Miller Chair - Amazing.  So classic and simple. 
 Crate & Barrel Arden Candleholders (Disclaimer: I've been eyeing these candle holders since 2010). 


This fun print from 20 x 200: 



In The Library 
by Tatsuro Kiuchi 





For my office?  KY Bourbon trail?? Found here


Pecan Art - sentimental because of my family's farm: Found Here





Seen HERE. 
Jim Beam KY bourbon bottle collector's edition. features the wood duck art work of j. lockhart, a world renowned canadian artist.


 Tory Burch Reva Classic Ballet Flats. Love


Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren Jacket, Long Sleeve Plaid Printed Faux Fur Hooded Moto

My new fave - BDG jeans

So, for awhile I was a believer in my Ann Taylor skinnies.  However, I felt like the butt of the jeans kept getting baggy because of the stretch.  I recently discovered the BDG skinny jeans at Urban Outfitters.  They are the exact color and cut I've been looking for for months.  AND ++++ they're on sale right now.  Loves.

I got a pair of very Americana-blue looking ones and a darker pair that squeeze my guts and look oh so hot. Those will have to wait.  I just need a black pair that I can get away with wearing to work. . .  .

Old and new

We had an amazing time with our families on vacation last week.  I love going back to all of the places I've loved over the years.  Somehow, we managed to hit them all during our week-long roadtrip to KY, IN, and MO.
We started in Indianapolis with our friends from our med/law school days.  They just purchased a beautiful home and were so excited to entertain houseguests.  My girlfriend and I had a blast at TJ Maxx/Homegoods, as well.  However, she has a serious lamp addiction that should be addressed.  I, on the other hand, picked up

Lilly Pulitzer "Charlotte" sunglasses


and a sleeveless pink and green Lilly tunic top, along with a bright pink open sweater, also courtesy of Lilly.



We met up with some old friends for cocktails and dinner before heading south to Evansville for a few days.

We had a great time eating and spending time with my husband's family.  We got lots of sleep, as well.  I'm also pretty sure that we ate bacon five days in a row . . .

More on our vacation later.  Next stop, KY!

Spring cleaning

In honor of spring, I decided to clean out my closet.  I struggle with keeping a balance of older classics, items that will eventually come back into style, and trendier pieces.  More recently, I've definitely had trouble dressing for the times in between work and formal events.  I wear suits to work almost every day.  Day to day, it's easier just to throw on skinny jeans and a sweater -- in the winter, at least.  During the spring and summer months, I wear lots of sundresses, shifts, and cropped pants or skirts.  I haven't quite gotten the knack of dressing for the winter months.  It's easier just to pile  on clothes until the cold can't reach me!!

Here is my closet before:

After -- much better:

Even more fun than dressing myself . . . dressing my husband!

I like to change his wardrobe every spring/summer too.  These are a few of my favorite things right now.

Kiel James Patrick Slim Fit Bracelet - John Galt


So preppy and fun!

1901 Saddle Up Oxfords


Vineyard Vines - Elliot Plaid Whale Shirt


J.Crew - always love gingham


Banana Republic Heritage Casual knit blazer



Southern Proper - Sweet Magnolia Gent tie



Brooks Brothers Milano plain front lightweight chinos



Brooks Brothers Bermuda Shorts



Ralph Lauren Aberdare Plaid swim trunks



Ralph Lauren cardigan  -- love this look!

Ann Taylor's ridiculous suit sale . . .

I was able to combine a 30% coupon with a 30% off suit sale.  I snagged this adorable suit for a whopping $150.  Full retail price with Chicago sales tax would have been around $312.

I love the feel of the stretch tweed.  It's great that it is a little edgier than the rest of my suits, as well.  I like the detailing -- especially the exposed zippers on the back of the sleeves and the buttons on the back of the bodice.

My only beef with Ann Taylor is their consistently disappointing lack of sizes.  I could probably use a size smaller in the skirt but the nearest one is in Wisconsin or on 5th Avenue in NYC.  I think I'll just make do with what I've got. Yay for new suits!
 

Clothes for spring :)

Hoot, Where When Tank from Modcloth

You're so Clover Modcloth dress

Dreaming of Blue dress Modcloth  - my personal favorite.  It will probably end up in my closet before too long :)

This suit from Ann Taylor is more fun than more conventional suits.

This jacket/dress combo is kind of amazing.  Courtesy of Lilly Pulitzer.

This is all wishful thinking . . . the weather outside is decidedly not springlike :) 

Love Fashion . . .

Thirty days of Thanks - On fashion

I love all things clean, simple, and classic. Read: preppy.  I've tried funky.  Sometimes it works, most of the time it doesn't.  I can get away with mixing them a little but I tend to stick to my roots.  I love that look for guys, as well -- just a little less put together and matchy.  I'm good at jeans and flip-flops but now that I'm not in college anymore, it just doesn't feel the same.  I feel like it takes awhile to develop a personal style. . . I'm still working on it.

I really like this new line by J. Press for Urban Outfitters.  However, the NY Magazine Fashion Blog has it pegged -- real preps probably won't stop by UO to pick up things like this.  In fact, I'm pretty sure that real preps aren't naked.  Instead, they're probably born in cravats and pocket squares :)



I'm pretty sure that Southern preps are my favorite, though.  I like something a little more original and less commercial/contrived than

Southern Proper is still pretty spectacular. I don't know a southern girl who doesn't love her pearls.  I don't care how much of a tomboy she claims to be -- check her dresser, check her jewelry box -- she's got a pair of pearls. Maybe not something like these pearls but something a little more authentic.

I'm a huge fan of their prep belts but I still think that Vineyard Vines is far and away the best.

Lilly Pulitzer is great, too.  However, it's a little too beachy for Chicago -- we wear lots of black in these parts :)


As much as I love preppy -- I love a good deal.  Bargain shopping is a subject for another day . . .

Don't hate me . . .

But I absolutely love this skirt.  I saw it on Michigan Avenue as I was walking to work this morning.  It looked like a dress, when paired with a black boatneck top.  Ahhhmazing.

I could literally wear almost everything in Ann Taylor.  She was an annoying broad while I was attempting to purchase bridesmaids' dresses from her for my wedding but she's matured.