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!

I Spoke Too Soon!

Just Friday I was posting about the lovely sunshine and sure enough it went away over the weekend. We did get some more snow last night. For most of the time I have lived in Chicago, I worked downtown. Several years ago, I changed careers and took a job in the suburbs. I don't love having to drive to work, but I absolutely adore my job, so I do it. However my drive is rather lovely. I drive up Sheridan Rd. through the city and into the North Shore. I drive along the lake and pass my favorite park. I drive through the great campus of Northwestern and onto the cutest part of Wilmette, Lake Ave.

This is the street I drive every weekday. It has old fashioned lamps, that are delightful when turned on. During the summer, the leaves are full and the trees make a tunnel to drive under. The snow is quite lovely and peaceful.

Two of the cute houses I drive by. P.S. Cute is very expensive in this neck of the woods.

And since I have to do some walking, this year I purchased these:

Kickin' It Old School

Randomly, I was in a going-out-of-business Lady Foot Locker. All the shoes were 50% off. It was pretty picked over, but I did find one pair that I felt compelled to take home. They are not really "me", but I couldn't help it.
The Adidas Superstar:

A little history on why I liked this shoe. When I worked for The Walt Disney Company, I had to wear all white leather tennis shoes with my costume (all uniforms are called costumes). I wore an all white version of this shoe and loved them. Once I saw this show with the pink stipes and the pink/green/yellow logo on the heel, I just had to have it. Although, if it wasn't 50% off, it would probably still be in the store.

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!

Welcome to My Closet, Skyla

When I realized my friends and family pass for Coach expired on Sunday, I knew a little present was in order. I hopped on over to Coach on Michigan Ave. and spotted these cuties. They were already on sale for 50% off and I used my coupon for another 20% off. I love them so much.
Coach Skyle Pink Patent with Bow:

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!

Bonwit Teller

I have always been a shopper. My mother is a shopper, her mother was a shopper. You get the idea. My very first credit card was the Amex under Daddy. Pretty normal. This was at age 13. Not so normal. But, you never knew when an emergency would arise. Like most people as I grew older, I acquired various credit cards, especially specific store cards. One of my favorites was my Bonwit Teller card. I adored the store and the card. It was so pretty and girly. None of the shimmery, logo-y, pick your picture kind of card. Simple, lovely, clean. My favorite outfit was from 7th grade. White knee length dress shorts with a 3/4 length boat neck shirt in black. The front had a silouette of a french woman walking her poodle in on the front. The image was woven into the shirt and was entirely white. Her scarf was red. I wore this with knee socks and penny loafers and a red grosgrain ribbon headband. Talk about true love. I miss that outfit. And Bonwit Teller. It went out of business a few years later. Here is a picture of the credit card.

Kate Spade

Just a quick note this morning, Kate Spade redesigned her website. I love it. It looks great and all ready for Fall. Please check out the Bon Vivant collection. Bon Vivant means a person devoted to refined sensuous enjoyment. Patent leather galore. Pink and Black. Bows. Amazing! I adore patent leather. I always always have at least one pair of patent leather heels and patent leather loafers in my closet at all times. I have worn patent leather loafers since I was three. I will definitely need one (or more) of these bags for Fall.
Perhaps this one first:

The Bon Vivant Mini Simone in Pink.

Lovely Autumn

Here in Chicago, we have had a very mild summer. It also seems as if summer is/has not happened. Autumn is my favorite season and with the fall Lilly catalog coming out, it has me thinking and planning my fall wardrobe.

Growing up, I only wore navy blue (my mother's signature color) as my dark color. I didn't wear black or brown. Mostly, because my mother preferred navy. After I graduated from college and was preparing to work in the 'real world' I embraced black. It made me feel like an adult. Well, over the past year, I find myself moving back towards navy. The more I look at the pieces I do have the more I am considering going back towards navy as my dark color staple. I just really love the color. Alot. With that in mind, here are a few of my favorite pieces from LP Fall '09:

I would wear this with a chunky light colored necklace and some type of nude shoe.

This cardigan with a navy skirt.

With navy tights and even a navy turtleneck underneath.



With a navy cashmere cardigan.

Ciao!