Here in Chicago we have been experiencing a heat wave of epic proportions. I suggest you pour yourself an icy cocktail - I pulled together some bright essentials for staying cool when the temps are on the rise!
Friday, July 6, 2012
Monday, June 25, 2012
Summer Solstice
The longest day of the year, which marks the official start of summer, came and went last week. Now, with the Fourth of July looming, I know it's definitely time to be conscious of the calendar and make the most of the rest of my favorite season! In the same vein as new year's resolutions, I love to make summer to-do lists...So I need to jump on it and:
- Get my patio herb garden underway
- Make room for more shows - live music is the best outdoors
- Take a great road trip or two
- Soak up the sunshine as much as possible!
- Make it to plenty of Chicago's great festivals
- Go for plenty of bike rides
- Check out some great new spots for brunch (my favorite meal)
...what's on your summer bucket list?
Monday, June 18, 2012
New York Hospitality
Last week, the always fabulous NeoCon took over the Merchandise Mart here in Chicago. My personal favorite part of this great event is the opportunity to see keynote speeches by industry heavy hitters. Last year, my favorite was Margaret Russell speaking on her ingenious Architectural Digest revamp.
This year, I was lucky enough to get a glimpse into the life of the man who started the boutique hotel movement, Ian Schrager. For us Chicagoans, Schrager has been on our radar recently for his overhaul of The Pump Room and his new concept, Public Hotel.
Before changing the hotel game, Ian's first major business venture was opening this place. NBD.
I am totally crazy over the variety of amazing aesthetics he puts to use in his boldface lineup of projects. 40 Bond, a residential building in NYC is architecturally totally phenom:
Having your own 'graffiti' installation as part of the facade? Killer.
My fave is the Gramercy Park Hotel, in which Schrager said he wanted people to be able to live with fine art in a way that was previously only accessible by the very wealthy.
The roof deck that puts others to shame.
You're also probably familiar with his South Beach stunners, The Delano and The Mondrian. Swoooon.
In his presentation, Mr. Schrager emphasized that "Good design is good business." and, "Classic, good taste never goes out of style." Wise words, and I couldn't agree more.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
You Got It, Dude.
Monday evening, the red carpet was rolled out for the annual CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) awards ceremony. Obviously always a noteworthy event, this year those of us firmly rooted in the Full House generation were either shocked or very pleased (raises hand). Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen took home the coveted womenswear designer of the year prize for their line, The Row.
Right?!
For those of us who are fans of the Olsens in general, this should come as no surprise. These ladies are definitely a fashion powerhouse to take note of - The Row is on the high end spectrum of their lines, also including Elizabeth and James and Olsenboye, which is sold through JC Penney as a more accessible option. Both of these little ladies have amazing personal style, and I love that they have transferred that into such a successful empire.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
All the Single Ladies...
I spent a lovely weekend celebrating the last single days of one of my longtime best friends, E. We escaped the city for Grand Geneva Resort - spent Saturday afternoon soaking up the sun on the lake, a delicious dinner, and had a little (too much) fun that evening - which is totally necessary for such an occasion! After a relaxing Memorial Day weekend, this was just what I needed to feel like Summer has officially arrived.
Ladies out on the lake
Miss Bachelorette at dinner
Friday, June 1, 2012
June Jams
Though it certainly does not feel like Summer today in Chicago, June is finally here. I still have the slight sting from my Memorial Day weekend sunburn to vouch for it. (slaps wrist) So, by popular demand, I have compiled a fresh playlist for the month - enjoy, and please let me know if you have any recommendations to please my ears ...
Gossip - Move in the Right Direction
Azealia Banks - 1991
Passion Pit - Take a Walk
Rick Ross - Stay Schemin'
Beach House - Myth
Wiz Khalifa f/ The Weeknd - Make Me Remember You
M83 - Reunion
Rihanna - Birthday Cake (Remix)
Avicii - Silhouettes
Jessie Ware - What You Won't Do For Love
Ab-Soul - Illuminate
Karmin - I Told You So
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Man On Fire
Wiz Khalifa - Work Hard Play Hard
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Vanity Fair
Since cohabiting with B, my closet space has taken a serious hit. The tall ceilings are no help when you do not quite graze five foot three. Even after a year in my apartment, there are still certain corners that do not feel 'finished'. I will be making an attempt to use unfinished space to help solve some of my organizational issues. My jewelry collection, while not huge, definitely needs some attention in that department - the tangled necklaces trying to share hooks with someone's work slacks just ain't cuttin' it. My current aspiration is to create a combined area for my cosmetics and jewelry...how to do so without the whole kit and caboodle turning into one hot mess? Still working on that...these images have been serving as inspiration for what direction I need to take. Do you have any ingenious strategies to lend in helping create a snazzy dressing table?
Monday, May 21, 2012
Monday's Muse
Lily Collins (yes, daughter of Phil Collins ; Genesis front man) first caught my eye in her role as Collins Tuohy in The Blind Side. Rather, I should say, her envy inducing eye brows caught my eye. If I had not been so tweezer happy in my teens I would be holdin' strong right there with her. Sigh. In addition to her neck snapping good looks, and rock star bloodlines, she is also British?! Now I'm really jeal. In the meantime, I will continue to keep in mind this lovely lady in an attempt to step away from the magnifying mirror and let my own bushy brows do their thing.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Office Space
Whether you work from home, or just need to utilize a space to control the chaos of day to day life, creating a colorful office space can really bring pleasure to staying organized. You might even enjoy the time spent behind your desk - regardless if it's an entire work week or just paying bills and writing thank you cards on the weekend. Since this is one of the rare spaces that will only be for you, it's a great place to showcase your personal style and tailor it to your exact needs.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Monday's Muse
I have had a major girl crush on Leigh Lezark, [from NYC's dj trio The Misshapes ] forever. I used to take pictures of homegirl with me when I got my hair done. I am fairly certain the result was never as fierce as Ms. Lezark's mane though. The girl has MAJOR personal style that just never misses. These things considered, imagine how tickled pink I was when one of my favorite blogs, Into the Gloss, featured none other than Leigh recently under my favorite part of the site - The Top Shelf. (eee!)
You can check that out here: Leigh on Into the Gloss
Please just take a moment to be envious with me...
I mean...seriously. Do you get it yet?
Friday, May 11, 2012
Let the Beat (mmm) DROP
A week ago, the music industry took a devastating hit with the loss of Adam Yauch, otherwise known as MCA - one third of the Beastie Boys. As a kid growing up in the cornfields of Illinois, you always remember some of the key moments you got a glimpse into what else was out there. For me, the Beastie Boys were unlike anything I had ever heard - or likely, will ever hear again - a pivotal part of the soundtrack of my youth. Their look and sound is like a link to some of the best memories of my life. Only now, in retrospect, do I have a grasp on exactly how innovative they were. I'm glad I pissed my mom off by hanging a subway size poster of their album cover on my bedroom wall - probably one of the better choices I made as a ninth grader. RIP to MCA - and thanks.
This came out in 1992! Unreal.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Right on the Dot
Although dots of all varieties are certainly counted among the spring trends this year, for me this timeless print will always fall into the category of classic. Whether you toughen them up with a biker jacket, or mix your spots a la Blaire Eadie - polka dots will always add a dash of fun to your ensemble.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
May Day Parade
Hello lovelies! Happy May Day - for those of us in Chicago, that means it's time to put down the gun because summer is on the way (though we have had a blessedly mild winter). This time of year always makes me want to shelve my inner emo and dig out something more fun. I thought I'd share my most recent playlist if you are in need of some new tunes (and who isn't?) Here's a taste of what I put on when I take a break from banging One Direction on repeat. Happy listening!
1. Cassie - King of Hearts
2. The Walkmen - Heaven
3. Curren$y f/ Wale - What It Look Like
4. Foster The People - Houdini
5. Rihanna - Where Have You Been
6. We Are The In Crowd - Kiss Me Again
7. Imagine Dragons - It's Time
8. Electric Guest - This Head I Hold
9. Karmin - Brokenhearted
10. Tyga f/ Drake - Still Got It
11. Elle Varner - Refill
12. Frank Ocean - Thinkin Bout You
13. Japandroids - The House that Heaven Built
14. Bobby Womack - Please Forgive My Heart
15. Kanye West - Mercy
16. Chester French - Black Girls
17. Calvin Harris f/ NeYo - Let's Go
18. Grouplove - Tounge Tied
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