Jonathan Adler Treats

I was visiting my second hometown a little while ago and had a few minutes to pop into Jonathan Adler. I could really own everything in the store, but alas my paycheck does not permit that. Here are a few itmes, I am really coveting: St. Tropez pillow is so pretty and colorful. Plus, it makes me want to take a little vaca.

I think this very cute ellie notepad would be a welcome addition to my desk.

And the best piece of all is the ellie cookie jar, that I am loving in all white.

I am really developing a huge love of all white ceramic animals and have a feeling sometime in the near future I will be starting a new collection.

Summer Essentials

We are two months into summer, but I wanted to do a little post on a few summer essentials for me. Of course, everyone loved Sandra Bullock (and her wardrobe) in The Blind Side. This movie inspired me to wear The White Watch. Mine is a Michael Kors from Nordstrom.


My summer bag is the Big Buddha Mia. (A funny note: this bag is vegan. Who would have thought?) This bag was an O magazine favorite in January 2010. I actually found it downstate at the gift shop in Starved Rock State Park. Definitely the best thing about our outdoor adventure. The color says tan, but it is actually almost a pearly light pink. This bag also graced the most recent Project Runway, runway in fuschia. There is a good chance the charcoal color will be my winter bag.

My summer shoe is the Elaine Turner Liz Flat in Raffia with Black Patent Leather Trim. This shoe also comes in a pink patent, but the black works with more of my wardrobe. I love these shoes because they are unique and comfortable. Most days my shoe choice is a peep toe heel, but depending on what I am doing at work, I have to cover my toes and these shoes do it perfectly.


My summer nail polish shade is OPI Strawberry Margarita. And yes, I like to wear it both my fingers and toes.

And with the ridiculous heat, I need the ever trusty Tervis Tumbler with me at all times. With a clear lid and a red straw!

I hope everyone is enjoying there summer!

Anthro on Thursday

As I was both drinking my morning tea and browsing on Anthropolgie. Of course, there are so many adorable lovelies on Anthro, but here are few that really popped out at me.

Tea & Crumpets Apron
I love the white ruffle, the pale aqua and of course, the Carrie Bradshawesque flower.


And while wearing my Tea & Crumpets apron, I would enjoy a biscuit from this very cute jar.


My love for Anthro and Elephants comes together in the adorable Elephant Salt & Pepper Shaker. I like that they are white and would really pop against a pretty table runner or table cloth.


Many months ago, I came across this picture and have been hiding it away, waiting to post it. Anthro's signature cups and put to a very unique use. I think this would be lovely for a bridal shower or spelling B-A-B-Y for a baby shower.

Nantucket Nirvana

On Wednesday, New York Magazine's Fashion Blog, The Cut, announced a collaboration of Sperry and Tucker Blair! Sperry is opening their own stores and will carry Tucker Blair belts. Let's hope they put one in Chicago for all the boaters on Lake Michigan and that before long, they will carrying the TB headbands.


Photo from The Cut

Apple Fest in Long Grove

This past Autumn, the girls and I ventured to Long Grove, IL. Long Grove is about 35 miles outside of the city. Each October they celebrate Apple Fest. Everything is apples, apple cider, apple donuts (Yum!), caramel apples, apple butter, apple cocktails, apple beer, brown bag apple pies, the list goes on and on. In addition to a wonderful festival, Long Grove is seriously adorable. There are cute shops, cute restaurants and cute buildings. I love the coziness of LG and how perfectly cute the little town is. It was still warm in October, that the flowers were still in bloom.

The Long Grove Time Piece:



The Long Grove Apple Haus, where we enjoyed apple cider and hot, fresh baked apple donuts. Delish!

The 'town square'. All the shoppes surrounded this area. It was bustling with people the entire weekend. The sidewalks are brick and beautiful flower plantings are everywhere. It was so nice to be there with the crisp, fall air and the smell of warm donuts.

One of my favorite shoppes, Within Reach. I purchased a black and white polka-dot wristlet with a pink S on the front. I also purchased a lilac tea for one set and some apple tea sachets. This is the back entrance and was all decked out for Autumn.

After a little shopping and snacking, we decided to rest by listening to the music. The stage was in the covered bridge. So picturesque:

A little resting spot:

And my favorite photo of the day, a cowboy right in the middle of suburban Chicago. He was the real deal too.

Chicago French Market

A few weekends ago, I ventured to the Chicago French Market. The CFM is an indoor marketplace selling fresh groceries and flowers, along with many food stands. The purveyors are all local businesses and local ingredients (as much as possible). Because the CFM is pretty new, there are only a handful of vendors. The goal is to eventually have to be close to Milwaukee's Public Market. It was very pretty on the inside and I am glad there is a lot of room for growth.

The Apple Stand - look how shiny and yummy these apples look:


The Flowers Stands were also one of my favorite parts. I especially love pink and orange together in the form of gerber daisies.


My lunch was from Pastoral. Pastoral is a local artisan cheese and gourmet foods shop.

I had a lovely sandwich with herbed goat cheese, avocado, roasted red pepper, and tomato all on warm french bread. It was delish.

For dessert I had the best crepe this side of the Atlantic. It was a fresh made crepe with smeared Nutella, marshmallow sauce that was then broiled, with graham cracker crumbs and banana's. It was amazing.


Each weekend, they are adding more vendors and shoppes which is very exciting. I am already trying to figure out when I am going to visit next.

A Glint in My Eye

Yesterday during my trip out, I popped into Nordstrom and spotted this cutie. Of course, I had to have them! They are made of fuchsia satin and the 'bow' is so pretty. They are also very comfy, because the heel is a little over 2". I think they will look great peeking out of dark jeans. Or paired with a black dress.

Spring Arrives at Kate Spade

Earlier this week, Kate Spade unveiled the Spring Collection online. I am a devoted KS fan, so of course I was anxiously awaiting the weekend to see it in person at the store on Oak St. My top four choices are below!

Charm City Ostrich Maryanne

I love the purple color and think this is a great color for Spring. I can imagine this with lots of different colors. It would be bright and cheery with magenta or quietly sophisticated with navy blue. Perhaps a navy blue sheath and this bag for a day on the town?

Eaton Square Straw Large Tote

The polka dots and bow get me every time. Every. Time. This would definitely be my default everyday purse.

Julibee Stripe Ellie

Navy Blue and Lime Green is one of my favorite all time color combos. I can even pinpoint when I first loved it. My mother and I had purchased an outfit from Sake in Carew Tower in Cincinnati that was a navy pleated skirt, nevy and lime striped shirt with a lime with navy trim cardigan. That and my navy penny loafers equaled one great outfit.

Wellie Magee Bag

The Wellie bag made the lst for the cheerful stripes and being water proof. When it rains in Chicago, it rains in crazy directions so often times, an umbrella only covers your head. This is a great alternative to getting your nylon KS's wet.

Hopefully one of these will move from the wishlist to the closet soon!

Pink & Green Treats

Last week, I was in F.U.N. in Glenview. I heart this little store. They are primarily a personalized stationary and invitation store. However, they do have little sections full of fun products. Cute books, totes, wrapping paper, notepads, etc. I didn't really have a purpose to be there, but I was close and mostly was looking for a pick-me-up present. How delighted was I when I discovered the cutest kitchen products. I ended up with a clear recipe box with pink and green trimmed recipe cards, a p&g measuring converter (this is on a cute ring, tied with grosgrain), extra p&g recipe cards and a small p&g argyle notepad with pen. I just love what I picked out and can't wait to start using it.

Hinsdale: Part Two

While visiting the Lilly store in Hinsdale, I popped across the street to The Yankee Peddler. TYP is a super cute boutique with lots and lots of fun treats. They have tea towels, candles, lotion, wall art, cake stands, books, aprons, tableware, vases, purses, paper goods, baby gifts, etc. I wondered around looking at every single thing for about 40 minutes. The owner was so nice and we had a wonderful time chatting. I also wanted to own everything in there. This is the storefront. (I could not get the sign due to a weird angle.)

Finally, after much looking and chatting, I decided on the following items:
A lovely light aqua vase/glass. I love the feel of it in my hand and the color. I would put three little hydrangeas in there, tightly wrapped. Or perhaps with some fresh juice on a Sunday morning. The second treat was a book on where to buy Vintage Paris Couture. Each section is divided by arrondissement. The book only fuels my re-discovered obsession with Paris & France. Julie & Julia also contributed to its' resurrection.

Lilly Pulitzer: The Hinsdale Store

Here in Illinois, the only true Lilly store is in a very nice suburb, Hinsdale. Last week, Thursday on my way out of town, I decided to pop in. This is the first time I have been in the Hinsdale store. I know that seems a little crazy, but Hinsdale is a bit of a drive (on the worst interstate) from where I live on the Northside. The LP store is in this little 'downtown' district on First Street. There were several adorable shops and restaurants that I would like to go back too. Like all Lilly stores, it was immaculate and brightly colored. My favorite part was how spacious the store was and that the racks and shelves were not crazy crowded. It was all beautiful. And they had so. much. stuff. Here are a few pictures of the outside. So adorable, right?




While I was there, I picked up my Twenty Ten Agenda and a cute little coin purse. The coin purse is a piece of citrus and on the flip side says, 'it all started with a juice stand.' I absolutely cannot wait for 2010 so I can use the agenda.

Calling Cards

In addition to the cocktail hour, I would love for calling cards to make a huge comeback. I am almost out of my current calling cards, so I am shopping around for something new. I have found so many that are adorable and fun, that I am having a hard time deciding. I would like for the cards to list my name, phone and email. My current cards are from Crane's. They are a light white with an old-fashioned phone logo on them. They list my name and phone number. I think adding my email address is key.
The choices from Boatman Geller:



I have always loved toile, especially black and white. I have the most adorable set of handmade boxes in b&w toile. I picked them up during a trip to Nashville and we were at a Fall Festival on one of the plantation homes. They make me smile whenever I look at them.

The other three options are from Red Stamp. They have a more modern touch to them. Again, I really like them all.




This last one is for the Nautical Preppy:


What to choose???

The Cupcake Invite

As I have mentioned before, I tend to pick up little treats as I see them. During one of my trips to NYC, I was in Kate's Paperie and found the cutest invitations.

I know the picture is a little hard to see, but it says 'A Tea & Cupcake Party'. They are from Mr. Boddington's Studio: Couture Correspondence. There are just so many things I love about these invites. Tea, Cupcakes, Pink and Green color on the front, the bunny. Each box contains six envelopes; three pink and three green. One day, when I have a little girl, we will throw a lovely tea and cupcakes party. Just for fun.

I Heart Target

Earlier this summer I was in Target and discovered so many cute, preppy pieces at such amazing prices. I definitely heart Target.

The cute madras skirt. Perfect with a white polo, navy sweater and white topsiders.

Fun green skirt with embroidered starfish. Off-white polo and rattan flip flops.

Colorful pink and green shorts. So many options; navy polo for both or if I am feeling festive, pink shorts with green polo and green shorts with pink polo. Fun!

Anchors Away

One of my favorite shoppes in NYC is Fishs Eddy. I have so many great pieces of tableware from this store. These sailor glasses are a great new addition to their product line. I like the navy blue and the anchor on the side.


These glasses are also very cute. Anchors and ropes:

Cute and inexpensive treat for our Nautical Preppies.