Weekend To-Dos

I don’t even know where to begin on where I’ve been for the past few weeks. I can definitely say that readjusting to “Chicago time” was not easy – and then right when I was starting to feel as if I was back on schedule, I came down with a bug and spent my evenings wallowing, watching Friday Night Lights and drinking tea under a big faux fur throw.

Sometimes you just need some time off, I suppose. A chance to slow down and readjust and reassess. I’m not sure why exactly that affected my blogging, most of the time this is such a therapeutic thing. But I’m back now and ready for a weekend. With lots to look forward to I’m sure it will be a good one… Happy Friday!

Tomorrow we're checking out Heritage Bicycles - a combination coffee/bike shop that sells our favorite Stumptown coffee in addition to bicycles. How fun is that?

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No Oscars viewing is complete without a really nice snack. Like these Mac and Cheese Muffins

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After the free photography workshop I took last week I'm hooked. I'm searching for another and planning to register. Suggestions welcome!

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It may not be spring yet, but my closet needs a cleaning. I think ebay is calling my name.

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Brazil and back to reality...

Two weeks since my last post and I’m back to blogging! I had originally planned to post a bit from Brazil, however, internet connection proved to be something we rarely had.

We returned on Sunday morning after nearly 24 hours of traveling and I’m not going to lie, getting back into a routine has been difficult. With Rio being 4 hours ahead I pass out almost every night at 8 pm, which is when I typically write my posts.

Difficulty adjusting aside, Brazil was an amazing adventure. It turned out to be everything we had hoped for and more. From the delicious Brazilian fare, to the white sand beaches on Ilha Grande, to the street art and culture in Santa Teresa, Rio.

Since my trip I’ve received a few email requests for suggestions and tips. As it turns out, more and more people are choosing Brazil as their vacation destination of choice and while I’m no means an expert, I do feel like I have some knowledge to share.

But that will come later—in the form of a few posts on how to see Brazil, specifically Rio, Ilha Grande and Santa Teresa—the three places we spent our vacation.

In the meantime I leave you with some of my most favorite shots from the trip. As you can see we had a fabulous time.

xoxox and Happy Valentine's Day

We celebrated Valentine's Day in Rio.

Guarana- the only excuse, in my opinion, to drink soda.

The deck at our hotel on Ilha Grande.

The Boyfriend, looking very cute in a fedora.

Mountains and sea on the way to Ilha Grande.

White sand beach after white sand beach. This one was 4km long.

Poolside at La Maison, our hotel in Rio.

Poolside at the Santa Teresa Hotel.

Our ridiculous view from one of our rooms in Rio.

A gorgeous home in Santa Teresa.

Brazilian street art.

View from the top of the sprawling city of Rio

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!

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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