Cheeky + Comfy

I am 110% a total sucker for a t-shirt with a fun little phrase on it, specifically if it's in a super simple font and able to be dressed up or down. My new favorite was a whopping $10 at Target and says "WILL WAKE UP FOR BACON" on it, but I'm still looking to expand my collection and I think these recent finds from Old Navy fit the bill. Add in some seriously comfy pants and you pretty much have my attire from the second I get home from work on Friday straight through the weekend. Looks like I need to do some shopping.

women's slub knit tees  //  jersey tuxedo joggers  //  drapey cinched pants

And speaking of the weekend, we've got a fun one ahead of us! We're spending Saturday meandering around granite warehouses trying to find the perfect slabs for the kitchen, and Sunday kicks off my birthday week with the hubs treating the 2 of us to a magical event they call Lobsterfest in the city. I've been promised my favorite donuts for breakfast if I get up early enough… which is, of course, yet another good reason to go out and buy pants with an elastic waistband. 

Happy Friday friends! 

If I had a Million Dollars: Birthday Wish List

I'm back. For real this time. I miss blogging, I have lots to blog about, and so I'm going to blog. Shooting for a few posts every week while I get back in the swing of things, starting with a nice little roundup of goodies since my birthday is coming up next week. So here ya go friends, my wish list for the big 3-2!

Lena & Dakota Flash (temporary) tattoos  //  Sleep is my Cardio tank  //  Skin the Bluff Concealer 

Oh How He Loves Us phone case  //  donut cake  //  Kate Spade watch

Bobbi Brown shimmer brick  //  TOMS

If I had a Million Dollars: Spring Dream

I should be packing up the last of my things at my gramma's, going to bed early, or browsing around online for things we need for the house... but instead, I'm blogging. Surprise! I figured it was time to treat myself to a little "window" shopping online since I've done very little besides house stuff lately. And we all know that fitting all these little pictures into a square box calms me, so there's that.

blazer  //  necklace  //  desk lamp  //  end table

soludos  //  ipad mini folio  //  makeup melt

In My Dreams

People. Selling a house, looking for a new one and, you know, still having to go on with day to day life and responsibilities... it's kicking my butt. Poor Dan has had to deal with me through meltdown after meltdown, and unfortunately I'm not sure there's a clear end in sight. To keep myself sane for at least a few minutes, I thought it'd be fun to look at some recent pins of perfect, amazing, beautiful rooms that I will most definitely use as inspiration in our new home (whenever we manage to actually find one!)

Behold -

built-ins, books and window seats = heaven

farmhouse table for the win

a bananas half bath

a bold accent wall for the fireplace

mixed colors, patterns and surfaces done perfectly

tuxedo kitchen + open shelving

breakfast nooks make me think of summers in Wisconsin

oriental rugs and bentwood chairs pretty much always make me swoon

Target Strikes Again

Our house has been on the market for a whopping 10 days, and we've had a bunch of activity, an open house, and even a second showing for a potential buyer! Needless to say, I'm a bit stressed about it all - mostly because the thought of packing up EVERYTHING we own is incredibly daunting. Just the thought of wrapping every. single. dish. and every. single. glass. makes me anxious. But, the excitement over what's to come combats any other feeling, and I truly can't wait to see what's next for Dan and I (and the Buddy Louie!)

When I need to just zone out and focus on something besides the house being on the market, I let myself daydream about what our new house might be like... and of course, how I might like to decorate it. I absolutely love how versatile and classic Target's home decor line has become, and one of my favorite things is to go through and see how different pieces might mix together to create a room. Here's some recent favorites that would pair well with our existing couch for a living room or family room setting!

library style storage  //  lamp  //  frame

rug  //  bench  //  mirror  //  pillow 1 & 2

Half Bath

Every single new house we've looked at so far has at least 1.5 bathrooms. To say that I am thrilled about this would be a massive understatement. Outside of the fact that having a second bathroom would be a HUGE convenience, I am more excited about the endless possibilities for a dramatic statement in a half bath with wallpaper or stencils. Given that I painted our current home's bathroom super bright teal when we moved in, I imagine it's no surprise that I think a bathroom is great place in any home to have a little fun with decorating, since it's typically on a smaller scale as far as room sizes go.

Examples:

an old favorite, imperfect black dots make a statement without looking too busy

textured grasscloth wallpaper comes in almost any color and pairs well with a painted vanity

this bathroom from Domino is full of texture and layers of pattern

more black and white, but in burst form

I. Heart. Gold.

vertical stripes naturally make a teeny room look and feel larger

Links

Pave link bracelets have been taking my precious blogosphere by storm in the last year or so, and surprise, surprise, I really wanted to get my hands on one. But, uh, I didn't really have $72 for a bracelet. I've seen knockoffs for less, but still at $50 or more, which is still way out of the budget.

And then the ever-awesome Target struck again, coming out with a perfect knockoff of the knockoffs for a measly $20, and I was sold.

So let's play a little game, shall we? It's called Find the Knockoff! For real though, can you tell which one is from Target?

Yeah. Me either!

Spoiler alert - it's #3, and you can buy it online or find it in store right HERE. I snagged mine yesterday at the location by work and am extra excited to wear it to a good friend's wedding tomorrow night.

Happy Friday! May your weekend be as unforgettable as I'm planning on mine being.

If I had a Million Dollars: Holiday Wish List

Tis the season friends! The season of caramel brûlée lattes in red Starbucks cups, having my space heater running all day under my desk, lots of family time, tons of cuddling under warm blankets with the hubs and Buddy Louie, pine scented candles and of course... insane sales and some of the best shopping of the year. While I tend to get a little stressed about finding the perfect gifts for everyone, and also have to force myself not to do the "one for you... one for me" thing on every purchase, I truly do love hunting for Christmas gifts for our families and friends, and this year is no exception. I've got a spreadsheet with links and gift ideas ready to go, and will be getting up extra early tomorrow to be sure I get through all of the Black Friday ads before Thanksgiving family time. It's the most wonderful time of the year!

And in the spirit of magic and wonder and shopping, I put together my yearly wish list - and surprise!! - most everything I want is gold. Shocking, I know. If I'm being totally honest, there are very few things I actually "need" this winter. I am in need of a few good and warm chunky sweaters and a new pair of slippers, but other than that I'm just oogling some goodies here :). 

copper measuring cups (& spoons!)  //  color block sweater  //  phone case

popsugar must have box  //  eyelash curler  //  cheeseboard  //  infinity scarf

slippers  //  earrings  //  jeni's cookbook

If you could pick two items from the roundup, which would they be? I would 100% go for the phone case and the pop sugar monthly box - it's a bit of a splurge but holy moly... bananas incredible. Some of the goodies from previous boxes are items I've coveted for ages - imagine them just showing up as a monthly surprise on your doorstep! I imagine it would be like having a really awesome friend who knows you better than you know yourself shopping for you monthly and packaging everything up in a pretty little box for you to open and swoon over. I had a Birchbox subscription for a couple of years but found myself not using many of the monthly beauty samples. I have no doubts every last pop sugar item would get PLENTY of use around these parts!

New Home Dreaming

It's incredible to me how much my style has changed over the course of the five years that the hubs and I have been homeowners together. Thankfully, it's changed for the better, with a newfound love for neutrals with pops of pattern, color and texture... instead of where I started with an overwhelming love for color, color and more color.

As we dream about a new house, I'm quickly getting excited about a clean slate for decorating. (Not to mention getting excited about having all kinds of fun things to blog about again!) I find myself more and more drawn to a palette full of gray, navy, white and gold, and cannot wait for the chance to transform our new living spaces into a home we can see ourselves in for decades to come.

Here's a roundup of some things I'd love to incorporate if the spaces are right -

I've honestly never put a whole lot of time, effort or money into lighting, but I am totally in love with these capiz orbs for over a dining room table or in an entryway, and the industrial pendants are perfect for over a kitchen breakfast bar!   //  We've never needed a media cabinet in our current house, but I'm hoping for a new house where I don't have to mount the TV over the fireplace.  //  These Ikea shelving units have been hacked a million times with gold spray paint, so I'm sure it's no surprise I want one.  //  I've also never put much thought into seating, because our teeny living room houses one small couch and the hubby's recliner, and that's all we have space for. How neat would it be to have a pair of chairs in a family room or one in a bedroom somewhere?? And how about with a funky gold ottoman to kick your feet up on?  //  And oh, that bed. We all know how much I love that bed. 

Tufted and Navy and Beautiful, oh my

Emily Henderson's ridiculous, amazing, incredible sense of design just slays me. Every. Single. Time. I adore her. And she recently posted a master bedroom makeover that literally had me drooling when I laid eyes on it. Major MAJOR inspiration for my next bedroom here folks. And by "inspiration" I obviously mean "totally knocking this off as closely as possible the second I have a new bedroom".

I have to have that bed. I mean, I HAVE to. I have daydreams about a curling up in a beautiful tufted kingsize bed on a regular basis, and the fact that this one is a stunning navy AND HAILS FROM TARGET is seriously just absolute perfection. And can't you just picture my awesome new faux fur throw at the foot of the bed? I can't get over it. And the campaign nightstands with those gold geometric lamps?? I'm obsessed. 

In other news, as long as I can work out the timing, I will soon be the proud owner of this adorable little settee for a whopping $20 -

Tell me that wouldn't look stunning reupholstered in a funky pattern or a gray linen for a sweet little sitting area in that dream master bedroom?!? It's meant to be.

Anyone want to buy a charming little 3 bedroom house in a fantastic location?? I'm ready for a blank slate.

Cuddle Time

The other day, I got an email from my Upshot friend Gail (who's wedding invitations were designed by yours truly) that said "I know you want one of these. It's part of our thank you to you. Pick a color. Just do it." The email included a link to the infamous West Elm faux fur throws, and Gail was spot on in knowing that I really really really wanted one. I also appreciated her "just do it" because she knows me well enough to know that without that, I likely would have written her back and said no :). Have I mentioned lately that I miss my Upshot pals?

So after a LOT of going back and forth and asking Bridget for her opinion, I settled on the ombre mocha color, and a few hours later I had a confirmation from Gail that this gorgeous throw is on it's way to me next week.

People. I cannot WAIT to cuddle up with this thing.

Good luck getting me off the couch when this baby arrives, hubby. 

Happy Friday friends! Here's to the weekend where I swear I'm getting back into a gym routine. Wish me luck.

If I had a Million Dollars: Fall Wish List

My mom reminded me the other day that she checks in on my blog regularly, and *ahem*, it's been a little sporadic lately. I can tell you about how I was sick for the last 2 weeks, about how the hubs and I are kicking around the idea of selling our house sometime soon-ish (I KNOW, crazy!!!), about how I'm designing a handful of last minute projects for 2 upcoming weddings, about how I'm working on a super secret project with the bestie that I can't share just yet, and about a million other things that I'm sure you don't really want to hear about... but all of that factors in to why this blog has unfortunately moved to the bottom of my priority list lately. Instead, I figured I'd try to make up for the lack of content with some pretty pictures, because regardless of how old I am, I (usually) still listen to my mother. So in an effort to get a little somethin' somethin' up on the blog... behold, a sampling of my fall wish list!

purse  |  watch  |  pillow cover

phone case  |  toms  |  carafe

candelabra  |  hamper 

I need another purse like I need a hole in my head, and the price on this makes me want to cry a little... but it's a wish list, and this purse is perfection, so deal with it. I made up for it with a super affordable must-have watch and a sort of matching phone case for my brand spanking new iPhone 5S (thanks to a gift card - let's not go thinking I suddenly have money or something). The hamper is so amazing I think I might require that it fit in the bathroom of my next home, and the candelabra is my favorite item in the latest round of Nate Berkus for Target goodies. So. Darned. Pretty. 

Happy Monday!

Wish List: Drink Service

Confession time: I go on craigslist at least twice a day just to do a search for "bar cart" and see what pops up. I've wanted a brass or gold bar cart for AGES, and I used to just search for one randomly online or if I was at a flea market, but then my dream cart popped up on craigslist and I missed out... hence the overly cautious several times a day checks now.

While I love the idea of a vintage cart, there's just not a whole lot out there in a price range I'm willing to go for. Often times, the carts people are selling on craigslist hit well over $300, and given that we aren't REALLY big drinkers at all and this is solely a pretty and stylish purchase and not a necessary one, I'm just not going to spend that kind of money on it.

And then I saw a new pin from my mecca, and I just might be over wanting a real vintage piece, because this baby is pretty well near perfect if you ask me.

Ooooh. Ahhhhh.

At $129, Target's version of the classic (brass!) bar cart is a steal compared to others. I'd probably swap the wood panels out for glass or mirror, and throw a few bright accessories on there to style it. But see those gold confetti decanters on the bottom shelf that are totally reminiscent of something from Kate Spade? Yeah, I want those too. And given that they're crazy affordable and I don't actually own a decanter, I'm thinking I'll go ahead and order one just as soon as I can! 

What do you think of the new Target entertaining collection? Clearly, I'm a fan!

If I Had a Million Dollars: Fall Wardrobe

Like it or not, fall weather is right around the corner here in Chicago, and given the mediocre weather we've had for the majority of August, I wouldn't be surprised if cooler temps sneaks up on us sooner than later. Given that I am far too lazy and cheap to go get another pedicure so sandals look cute and I have a closet full of long sleeves and sweaters but sorely lacking in tanks and tees... I suppose I shouldn't be too bummed that it will probably be time for light layers before I know it.

August is the one time a year where I feel like I sort of almost care about fashion, and that is simply because of the GIGANTIC September issues of magazines like Vogue and Elle that are full of hundreds and hundreds of pretty pictures that even Gap and Old Navy lovers like me can find themselves drooling over. Usually, I refrain from buying these issues because I know I will purchase very little of what's in them (if anything), but this year I've decided I'm going to treat myself to a couple and see what all is out there in the forecasts for fall clothing.

Ever the wannabe fashionista, outside of magazines I continue to rely on things like Pinterest for outfit inspiration. I have high hopes for a comfy yet casually sophisticated wardrobe for the coming season, and plan to do my best to track down at least some of the items in this little roundup -

Top row: a touch of camo  //  distressed denim  //  an oversized and insanely cozy gray sweater

Middle row: floral pants  //  the perfect white tee  //  graphic tees for under cardigans and blazers

Bottom row:  elbow patches  //  a comfy white sweater  //  a little bit of leopard

all images sourced from my Pinterest

The Prettiest Chair You Ever Did See

I've written before about my case of baby brain, but last night I took that to a whole new level. You see, thanks to all of the time I spend reading blogs and looking at Pinterest and oohing and aahing over fabulously designed nurseries, I have fallen in love with certain baby things to a point that is dramatic and unexplainable.

Like a very very very expensive rocking chair.

But oh, it's a pretty rocking chair.

And it was randomly on Gilt (and already sold out) a couple of weeks ago so I decided to just waitlist myself to see what would happen. And then last night I got an email that it was available and this happened -

Me: So honey... we need to talk.
Dan: No
Me: No for real
Dan: No. You're giving me your "we need to talk because I want to spend lots of money face."
Me: ...

Darn him for knowing me so well.

So I used a few bargaining points that I had carefully prepared for our conversation:
1. When we DO decide it's time to get pregnant and have to start shopping for baby things, it's gonna get expensive QUICK. Why not get what I imagine is one of the largest purchases out of the way now when we aren't super broke and stressing about re-budgeting for a bundle of joy?
2. Dan really wants me to breastfeed. And while I may feel different once I'm actually knocked up and have that whole miracle of life thing going on, I have quite a few (strong) reasons for not wanting to. But, I promised him a long time ago I would at least give it a fair shot because it means so much to him - and it's waaay cheaper than formula obviously. SO, if I'm going to be spending that kind of time feeding... well then I want an extra comfy and stylish chair to do it in. And really, bottle or boob, from what I've heard, you spend a heck of a lot of time in a rocker feeding the nugget and rocking them to sleep - better make it cozy.
3. I have googled this chair until I cannot google it anymore. I have read every available review online. I have seen it come back in stock on baby websites only to see it be out of stock again almost immediately because smart mamas are snatching it up. It's a coveted piece, and seeing as it's been on my radar for nearly 2 years, I figured this whole flash sale was a sign it's meant to be.
4. Um. It's gorgeous. And post-kids it would look just as gorgeous in any other room of the house.
5. The hubs has a recliner in the living room that I despise (and that's putting it nicely). Don't get me wrong, it is real good and comfy, but I didn't pick it out and it is also over-stuffed, beige, way too big for the room and dirty and old. Consider this my version of a slightly unnecessary but have-to-have-it chair.
5. It was on sale!!! We saved an average of about $300 off the retail price with the Gilt sale. Holler!

And it happened. My awesome hubs went for it and said I could order the chair. Whether he agreed with my reasoning or just wanted me to shut up is up for a vote, but I don't care because I am giddy with excitement over this purchase.

Friends, I present to you, the Nursery Works Empire Rocker. It's tufted. It's slate gray. And it's mine allllll mine!

Tell me that's not stunning.

Let's just go ahead and swoon together for a few images shall we?

I'm in love, I'm in love and I don't care who knows it.

Happy Friday all! I'm headed to my cousin's wedding tonight and I cannot wait to hang out with the fam. They're a good time, and I'm certain there will be lots of fun stories to come from tonight.

Oh, and for the 4 people reading this that are wondering. I am not pregnant. Promise.

If I Had a Million Dollars: Touches of Gold

I've noted my newfound love for gold in other posts, and if anything the infatuation is only getting stronger. I constantly find myself looking at things around the house wondering if I can paint them gold - like lamps and curtain rods and bathroom fixtures - and I assure you it doesn't stop there. I suppose I only used to think of gold equaling gaudy jewelry, but it really is a gorgeous and classy neutral, and I'm anxious to bring a few more touches of it into our home. I know I've posted a couple of these exact items in the past, so apologies for that, but I'm still swooning over them so that says something, right?!

lamp  //  bookends  //  cake  //  s&p grinders

gumball machine  // tray  // end table

A few notes about my favorite items above:

I'm not one for expensive furniture, but I genuinely look at this end table every single day lately. Our current end table cost $7 at Ikea, which makes this one at $134 a tough sell for the hubs, but I WILL purchase it the next time I have an extra hundred bucks laying around (Do you like how I say that as if that happens all the time? It does not.)

That gumball machine is next up on my DIY list - that is, as soon as I get my hands on a regular old school red one and a can of glittery spray paint. I'm embarrassingly obsessed with this project. 

And finally, I know a big giant cake covered in metallic frosting is hardly something for the home, but a certain someone has a birthday coming up (yay me!) and I've decided that along with spending times with friends and dinner at a restaurant off of my "must-try" list, a gold cake is a necessity (hint hint, hubs). :)

I'm Back

Well I'm no healthier than I was earlier in the week (womp womp), and was so exhausted yesterday that the hubs and I spent the majority of the day laying around at home. We ventured out to the golf club with FIL for a couple of hours, but after lunch and a little sun we called it a day and headed home long before seeing any fireworks. While the 4th of July isn't my all-time favorite holiday or anything, I think I was pretty much born to hang out on the grass listening to music and eating BBQ, so I was a little bummed at our decision to stay in most of the day, regardless of the fact that it was probably the best thing either of us could have decided to do for our health. But missing the fireworks was kind of the final straw for me, and after spending the last several days moping around about being sick I figure its about time I snap myself out of it and just accept that I'll get better when my body is ready to. What better way to start feeling a little more peppy than to do a bunch of virtual wish-listing? ;) As usual, the collection of things I'm lusting over is across the board - ranging from a cheeky sweatshirt to kitchen stools from my mecca (Target, duh) that I have absolutely no use for but feel like I should buy for a future house because they are that perfect (and that affordable). Here's a roundup of fun little things I've got my eye on.

wifey sweatshirt  //  abstract pillow  //  zebra pillow

skin shammy  //  bracelet  //  keychain

wedge sandal  //  tic-tac-toe  //  industrial stool

Pretty Things

Last week was rough. So naturally I decided to kick this week off on a lighter note - with a collection of pretty things currently on my wish list. I always find my wish lists to be a little amusing with their mix of items. I may quite possibly be the only person I know that's coveting a scarf with zebras all over it at the same time as fancy salt & pepper grinders. As for the other items - I'm thinking I will finally bite the bullet and use my Bauble Bar points to snatch this necklace up since I can't stop staring at it, and considering I've been looking for a plain white cake stand for ages I just might treat myself to one of these this week. Happy Monday!

scarf  //  salt & pepper grinders  //  notepad  //  tote  //  lip crayon

necklace  //  juice cleanse  //  cake plates

Stacked

With short sleeves becoming a regular occurrence (finally!) it's time to get some new arm candy. I've been more and more into gold jewelry lately, and love how a few bracelets look stacked together. Here's a little roundup of some bracelets I've got my eye on for the warmer weather!

1  /  2  /  3  /  4  /  5  /  6  /  7  /  8

Which ones do you like best?

If I had a Million Dollars: Spring Wish List

It's Spring!!! I mean, it's technically been spring for quite some time now, but thanks to the ever-elusive weather of Chicago, it's only just started to feel like it. It's been nearly 80 degrees for the past few days, and although it looks like that's not going to last into the weekend, it's warm enough that I feel like I can put away my sweaters, which is cause for celebration in my book since it makes the closet so much less cluttered for a few months. It's the little things.

And speaking of little things, here's a roundup of some goodies I've got my eye on lately.

striped tee  |  primer  |  necklace  |  pitcher  |  pencils  |  pillow cover  |  matches

I have $30 in credit for Bauble Bar, so I'm thinking this necklace (that will cost me just $9 after my credit and looks like it will go with ANYTHING) is in my future. The extra-long matches are becoming more and more necessary every time I try to light a candle with a normal match at home and burn my fingers (just me?), and the pillow covers are ridiculously perfect for the spring and summer, but currently out of stock. Perhaps an actual "necessity," the primer is supposed to be great for acne-prone skin, includes a clinically proven treatment for breakouts and works as a base for makeup. I have to get my makeup done for Bridget's wedding and considering I wear nothing but a BB cream each day, I know wearing foundation even just for one day will be a disaster for my skin. Thankfully, my super fashionable and makeup savvy sister-in-law filled me in on the wonders of a primer, and it sounds like this might just do the trick.