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?

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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. 

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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'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? 

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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. 

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. 

 
Images Via 

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