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!