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.