Guest Post... {Super} Salads

I'm over at The White Ruffle today sharing some of my favorite recipes with Madison. Make sure you stop by to have a look!

xo

It may still be winter here... But spring has sprung in the new Anthro catalog

I am really, really digging the color combos in Anthro's February catalog. It was waiting for me when I got home last night and after flipping through I have to say I want just about every item in there. 


There's something I love about bright colors paired with contrasting neutrals. These clothes feel easy and energetic without being too over-the-top, not too mention extremely versatile.


And don't you just love the movement of this shoot? Where are all these ladies going? Somewhere fab I'm sure. 

Weekend Recap

Happy Monday! Hope your weekends were fab. Mine was spent working on lots of projects to be revealed soon, preparing for Brazil and meeting and dining with lots of friends who I hadn’t seen in far too long.

What is it about a long catch-up with a good friend that is so therapeutic? I always leave feeling refreshed, centered and as if I could conquer anything…

Here are a few photos I snapped over the weekend! Cheers to a great week ahead!

Coffe with friends...

Adorable owl glasses from my dear friend Katie

Dinner date with Jason and Jess at my favorite Thai place Silom12

Bundled up and repping The Boyfriend's Pendleton scarf... Not sure I'll give it back

Whole Foods Sushi for one

Don't Think... Just Let it Flow

Last night The Boyfriend and I went to a concert.

At a movie theatre.

I have to say, it’s the only movie I’ve ever been to where glow sticks are present and there’s dancing in the first row beneath the screen.

We went to see Don’t Think—a film that captured a full length concert by the Chemical Brothers at the Fuji Rock Music Festival in Japan last summer. You may recognize the Chemical Brothers as one of the groups that contributed to the Black Swan soundtrack and more recently, they won best score for the soundtrack in Hanna.

As you can see below, the images were stunning. I couldn’t stop discretely snapping pictures with my phone. There were times when I completely forgot that I was watching a film… I literally felt as if I was in the crowd in Japan.

So look it up— if it’s near you I highly recommend checking it out.

Oh, and happy weekend! So glad Friday is finally here!

{Guest Post} Beach Essentials for a Winter Getaway

My first winter in Chicago I made the mistake of not planning a warm-weather getaway during that painful winter stretch of January, February and March...

Needless to say, I learned my lesson and last year we spent a week in the adorable town of Seaside, Florida.

When you live in a place like Chicago a little beach time is almost mandatory to during the seemingly endless winters and I've become a firm believer that if you don't get away at least once you'll go crazy...

With Brazil just about a week away I asked my real-life friend and bloggy friend Madison of the amazing blog The White Ruffle to share her list of Beach Essentials with me in my first-ever guest post!!! If there ever was a gal who loved the beach it would be Madison. She makes it a point to spend lots of time each year in her childhood town of Manhattan Beach, Cali. and I just learned that she'll be heading to the Cayman Islands next month. Head over to Madison's blog and check it out!

Thanks so much for sharing your beach essentials Madison!

**********************************************************

Hi all! I'm Madison from The White Ruffle and I am so happy Haley  invited me over today to share some of my favorite beach essentials! It's hard to even think about going to the beach with all this crazy weather going on in Chicago these past few weeks, but unlike the rest of us Haley is jet setting off to Brazil next week to experience some sunshine! Take me with you!! I am beyond jealous and with her leaving it gets me thinking about heading to the Cayman Islands next month. Can't wait! 

Here are a few of my favorite beach must haves:                                  

1. Beach Cover Up via

2. Fun Beach Bag to hold all your stuff

3. Amazing Bathing Suite via

4. A Great Book

5. Sun Screen and Lip Balm (total must haves)

6. Some Cute Flip Flops via

7. My favorite pair of Tom Fords via

8. A Hair Brush (a must have after you go for a swim)

9. Comfy Towels via

Thanks again to Haley for letting me share some fun beach tips! Remember to put on the sunscreen, it's so important!! Other than that enjoy and have fun... and bring me with you!

xoxo,

madison

{Makeup Must-Haves} What's in my bag...

I’ve never been the type of gal who piles on the makeup.

My makeup minimalism is especially easy to pull off in the summer months. Skin bronzed and hair sun-bleached blonde, summertime gives that enviable natural glow and it’s oftentimes easy to leave the house wearing little more than a swipe of moisturizer, mascara and a tinted chapstick... And a sundress of course.  

But in the winter months—and especially the winter months in Chicago— I find myself relying much more heavily on a makeup routine—one that will not only protect me from the elements, but will keep my fair skin from looking translucent as well.

It’s still nothing extreme, but over time I’ve filled my bag with a few foolproof products that round out my makeup must-haves. I tend to reach for products that will give me a bit of a glow without being too time intensive to apply. I guess you could say I go for makeup that tries to look like it's not makeup.

Here’s what’s in my bag…   

1. Kiehls Midnight Recovery: For alert and circle-free eyes on dreary winter mornings

2. Lancome 'Le Crayon Kohl' eye pencil in Black Coffee: Foolproof pencil for defined eyes

3. Chanel Shadow in 20 Taupe: The perfect amount of shimmer in a light shadow  

4. Lancome Miracle Teint Foundation: Truly a miracle potion. Highlights and erases dark circles

5. Mountain Peaks Makeup Bag: Love Anthro's makeup bags

6. Benefit 'They're Real' Mascara: Clump-free all day long

7. Benefit 'Sugarbomb' Blush: For rosy cheeks even in the dead of winter

8. Neutrogena 'Healthy Radiance' Moisturizer: Smooth, lightweight and non-greasy feel

  

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff... The Glow

In celebration of moms who seemingly have the knack to do it all – The Glow is a website that offers a glimpse into the worlds (and homes) of inspiring moms in the fashion industry.

And check out DwellStudio founder and creative director Christiane Lemieux’s NYC digs and adorable family. Not sure about you all, but I love the idea of a disco ball in my lofty living room and dance parties with my someday kiddies.

Her advice to moms everywhere isn’t too shabby either: "I hate this saying, but 'don’t sweat the small stuff' is true. I now try to let the small stuff slide—there will be lots of small stuff so I make it a point to focus my energy on the big issues."

I’ll have to remember that someday…

Monday Crush List xo

On Friday we left work in the midst of a heavily falling snow. It was the perfect way to start a weekend that was mostly spent holed up in the apartment catching up on Downton Abbey (my newest obsession), trying out my new food processor (must-try hummus recipe below) and starting to dig out warm weather clothes from their hiding places. Brazil is only about two weeks away and at this point it still feels like a dream.

Thought I’d start the week out with a crush list. Happy Monday. 

Have a serious crush addiction to this hummus

I have a crush on this dress... I wonder if it would like to come to Brazil

I have a crush on these suede flats

I have a crush on this bracelet

I have a crush on this shabby chic dresser

Have a crush on these frames

I have a crush on these ceramic planters

I have a crush on this pretty glass

I have a serious crush on these shorts. Must. Find.

I have a crush on this scarf

I have a crush on this DIY heart garland

I have a crush on these gold letter necklaces

I have a crush on this farm table

Weekend Recap... Picture Perfect

I had such a great weekend in Michigan visiting and catching up with my extended family. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again—sometimes it just feels good to get away from the city… Especially when your destination involves lots of clean white snow and some peace and quiet.

But as nice as it was to get away I did enjoy returning home last night to a boyfriend who missed me and our place that is all our own.

Homemade meatloaf, a bottle of wine and 'Hanna' on Netflix was a great way to end the long weekend and ease back into the week…

Hope your weekends were fab!

Apartment Envy...

Obsessed with everything, E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G, about this colorful SoHo loft.

It belongs to Devon Radziwill and was photographed here by Vogue.

Lucky Duck...

Girl from Ipanema...

It’s a fact that travel is one of my favorite things.

And who doesn’t love it? There’s nothing better than a really great vacation—just packing your bags and checking out for a while. I could travel every day of the year.

Last year The Boyfriend and I were so lucky to get to experience so many great places together. But at the end of 2011, with about a half dozen domestic vacations under our belts, we decided that in 2012 we had to get out of the country.

That’s why when the opportunity to go to Brazil presented itself about a week ago we had to grab it by the horns. For the past 7 days I feel like I have been studying for an upcoming exam—reading books, blogs, the travel section of the New York Times—anything I can get my hands on that will tell me what I should take advantage of while we’re there.

At this point we have a pretty good idea of what the trip will look like but we’re still seeing things every day that we feel we must do.

So if anyone has any tips they can share I would really appreciate it…

Birthday Bash

So I realize my birthday was almost a week ago, so I promise that after this post I won't say another word about it... But I couldn't go without sharing some of the photos from my little soiree on Friday night. 


Friends came from far and wide to help me celebrate and ring in another year. And it was such a nice evening. 


We gathered at Clutch, one of my favorite bars in my neighborhood. It's warm and intimate and they have a great art collection and beer selection. I have to say, it was one of the best birthdays I can remember. 

xo