Blogs make me feel bad about myself.......sometimes.

I LOVE reading blogs. I find so many inspirational, interesting and beautiful things from them. I swoon, I fall hard, I buy clothing and house decor based on seeing them in a blog. However, sometimes when I go down the rabbit hole-also know as wasting hours on Bloglovin and Pinterest, (you know what I am talking about, don't you) I walk away more often than not feeling like a total loser. Who are these amazingly talented women? How are they so impossibly chic every day of their life? What made them use chalkboard paint to create these beautiful pumpkins? What the hell? How did they get so creative? Having access to so many amazing ideas is glorious. I love to incorporate ideas into my wardrobe and my home. It has made me a more creative person, but some days, its just makes me feel inadequate. Anyone else?

J Brand Coated Denim

I tried these beauties on today during a quick pop in at Intermix. I was initially drawn in by the Rag and Bone leather leggings on display in the window. However, I was blown away by the appearance and cost of these J brands. Granted, $200+ is a lot for a pair of pants, but when comparing to $880 for real leather ones, the choice is simple. I think I'll choose a color that is less trendy and more universal (the black) so I can wear them for seasons to come.

What I wanted.....What I bought

Based on the title of this blog, you shouldn't be surprised I love these Miu Miu oxfords.

In a fantasy world it would make sense for me to spend $650 on a pair of glitter loafers. However my day to day life doesn't necessarily require fancy feet. I always kept these sparklers in my mind while dressing. Each time I put an outfit together I was SURE these would have been the item to complete the look (does anyone else obsess like this?) While browsing Target.com yesterday I came across these lovelies for $19.99. 

Pretty good, right? I ended up ordering the gold ones below. I'm hoping for the best. I can't wait to leave little bits of sparkle every where I go! 

Merlot

Ok, so I question oxblood as the new clothing "it" color this fall, but I do think its going to be a huge nail and lip color. I have been on a quest for the perfect berry lip color for a few weeks. I finally picked up the most gorgeous Merlot (color and name) lipstick by Laura Mercier. Its seriously beautiful and it will look perfectly "vamp-y" with my Essie Wicked nail polish. I'll post a pic of my pout soon, until then check it out.

I also picked up a pair of pants that defy explanation. The Elsa pant at Club Monoco has zippers AND pockets on the front which a girl would assume would not be flattering. I was wrong. Some magic was put in these pants....at least for a short and hippy girl like me. I think I am going to put these on heavy rotation.

Butternut Squash Soup

Sunday was THE perfect fall day in Chicago. Sunny with a chill in the air. Like most people, I love the beginning of the fall season...the change in temperatures, the layering of clothes, the boots and jackets, oh my! I also like to switch up my meal planning. I especially look forward to soups which are warm, filling and quick. Below is the recipe for butternut squash soup which is delicious and easy to make. Pair with Southern Tier's Pumking beer and crusty bread. Voila! Dinner is served.

2 slices of bacon

1/2 medium onion-finely chopped

1 large leek 

1 large garlic clove-minced

*3 cups of butternut squash-seeded peeled and cut in 1 inch pieces

1 medium granny smith apple-peeled and chopped

2 cups chicken broth

*purchased cut, seeded and peeled squashed at your local grocery store 

Cook bacon in a skillet and reserve fat. Cook onion, leek, garlic and bay leaf in reserved fat stirring until softened. (about 8-10 minutes) Add squash, apple, chicken broth and 1/2 cup of water. Simmer covered until squash is tender (approximately 15 minutes) discard bay leaf. Either in a blender or with hand mixer, puree soup until desired consistency. Add water if soup is too thick. Garnish with crumbled bacon and dollop of sour cream. Yum! 

Swoon......

I only recently began reading W Magazine. It always seemed too high fashion for me. However, I have started appreciating the sheer fantasy of the photo spreads.  These photos of Karlie Kloss made me swoon. What do you think?

Click here for rest of these amazing photos.

Give me a break

The following is an excerpt of Christopher Borrelli's Chicago Tribune article on Tavi Gevinson, AKA The Style Rookie:

"More important, it was the summer that Gevinson began to transition from novelty to established voice — from being an unnervingly precious middle-school fashion blogger, profiled by the New Yorker at 14 and feted by the fashion industry at 12 (so self-possessed that she turned down "The Oprah Winfrey Show") to being an unnervingly incisive and poised media brand with staying power."

Am I the only one who seriously questions the amount of "self-possession" someone at the ripe age of 15 can have? I worried her exalted status could be setting her up for therapy in the future. 

Seriously, she spoke at TED?

Can you imagine the pressure? Its hard enough just being 16. Yikes! 

Oxblood? I doubt it......

Hello Fashion world! I am going to go out on a limb early in the fall season and claim that I think you are all wrong with the oxblood color. I do not think its going to be the hot new color of the season no matter how hard you try to cram it down our throats. Anyone agree?

Scarves

Ever since seeing this video I have been slightly obsessed with how a scarf can change a look and really add a layer of warmth which is important during most of the year in Chicago. Really, its just another accessory to pine over, so here are a few from a brand I've seen a lot of lately, We Are Owls. At $260, they are pricey, but oh, so, beautiful!

New Years Resolutions?

I am not the sort of girl who makes resolutions. EVER. In 2012, I made one--start a blog, which obviously has been a success....so far. I also decided to shake this whole resolution thing up a bit. I thought I would make a new resolution each month and keep it up along with adding a new one each month. I like to keep things simple so my January resolution was very simple. I resolved to empty the dishwasher each time it was done cleaning. I have been more likely to have a whole new cycle in the sink ready to go before I emptied it. Sorta like the laundry where I'll pick the clean clothes out of the hamper instead of folding and putting away. Wow, that sounds lazy, doesn't it? Honestly, it has really improved my life and attitude in the kitchen. Small changes can really have big results. Honoring my 2012 resolutions, I will drink more water in February and for the rest of the year. I have to figure out what "more" is, but for now I am committing to getting my water from water and not diluted in iced coffee. Wish me luck!

Girl Crush

I have a major style crush on Joanna Hillman, Senior Editor at Harpers Bazaar. I am certainly not alone in this crush. Google her, you'll see. But who else do you know that could sport sequin harem pants so well? Her style is fun and classy at the same time. Nicely done!

Obsessed

I have a teeny problem buying jewelry and I'll be honest, I will buy jewelry from anywhere. I am not a snob about it. If its pretty (and preferably sparkly) with a little bit of a bad girl vibe it will come home with me. It all started with a vintage necklace a few years ago and pow, siss, boom, bam  I was hooked. Since then, I have managed to collect quite a banging collection of bracelets, earrings and necklaces. I hosted a Stella and Dot party on Wednesday and a few hours before the party I was checking out pieces in Coach's collaboration with Tony Duquette. Yes, its a problem.

I am super bummed because I can't figure out how to copy the images of the necklaces I truly covet, but check the link below to see these gorgeous pieces. You might see one on me soon!

Coach

Reading room

I just finished this wonderful, yet very disturbing book by first time author, Corban Addison. The book deals mostly with human trafficking and the underground world of child sex slaves and pornography. On a lighter side, it also deals with the unbreakable bonds of love and hope. The author was able to craft a tightly written story that had me reading way past my bedtime. Let me stress that this was not an easy read (especially as the mother of a daughter). However, I found it was worthy read and I especially liked the references for more information and/or ways to get involved at the end. His website is www.corbanaddison.com

Necklace mini-DIY

If I have learned anything from my years of following fashion blogs its that you own your things, don't let them own you. For example, I bought this necklace a few years ago at BCBG and I must have been having a Madonna moment-- the crosses on this are horrible. I love the rest of the necklace-its sparkly who wouldn't? Then it dawned on me that I can take those crosses off and make the necklace more my style--who says I can't! A little pinching on the metal connectors and off them came. Much cuter, right? 

I can read too!

I just finished reading The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht. The book is a National Book Award Finalist and NY Times bestseller and the author is a prolific writer regardless of her age (which happens to be 26). I wanted to love this book. I had finished a few books in December that didn't capture my interest and I was looking forward to this highly acclaimed one. The writing is lyrical and the author can certainly craft a sentence, but I couldn't wait to get to the end of it- and not in a good way. I enjoyed the individual stories of the characters but really didn't care what happened to them. I found myself anxious at the half way point to just have it be done. It appears that I am in the minority of readers in my review, but it just did't gel for me. I do believe the author is one to watch for future books. 

Crash, Boom.....it feels like a Monday

This morning I backed out of the garage.

This seems fairly common, no? However, because I was rushing (yelling) at my 8 year old, I forgot to wait until the garage door opened completely. Above is what happens when the door hits the sweet spot on your rear windshield. Doesn't your day sound much better now? The good news was the unseasonable 60 degree day we had in Chicago. I felt a little less like a dork since it wasn't snowing in my broken window.

Mahna, Mahna. Do, do, do, do, do......

1/2/3

I got this Rag & Bone jacket on sale at Les Nouvelles and I LOVE it. You might say it looks like a Muppet, but it made me feel both a little ridiculous and happy when I tried it on. That's a great combination in my book. The jacket stands out enough that a simple black tank, jeans and boots are the perfect neutral background to let it shine. Happy Weekend!

Girl & the Goat

1/2

We went to dinner last night at Top Chef winner, Stephanie Izard's, new restaurant. Let me confess a few things:

1) I don't watch top chef

2) I didn't realize why the restaurant was called Girl and the Goat until I sat down in the booth

Seriously, am I the last person to know she named it that because she actually uses goat meat?? I am a fairly adventurous eater (which is surprising since I grew up thinking peaches came from a can) but goat meat? No.

On the bright side, I loved my outfit. Here is an i photo of the ensemble which will have to do until I get my camera back from my mother in law. 

Its a Brad, Brad World!

Is anyone else just "bananas" over Brad Goreski (Rachel Zoe's previous style assistant)?  I think he is fabulous and I love seeing another side of him in his new series, Its a Brad, Brad World on Bravo. Watch it.

Happy 2012!

Welcome to my new years resolution....start a blog...well, that and try to shower every day. And if that resolution sound ridiculous to you, I guarantee that you aren't a stay at home mom of an 8 and 2 year old.

I will be blogging about things that tickle my fancy. What that boils down to, in no particular order, is books, food, fashion and being a mom. Being a SAHM (stay at home mom) colors all the above interest, but I am trying hard to maintain some semblance of life that involves being a person as well as a mom....sometimes thats not easy.