Happy Weekend!

Hello all! I hope your having a lovely weekend! I am in Chicago and finally found my dream apartment! It is fantastic with a perfect location, way more than I could ask for! I am thinking I I will have "before" and "after" makeover pictures to post by next month. Today it is off to Ikea to find furniture! Hopefully I can resist buying 16 boxes of Swedish Fish! While I was apartment hunting this weekend I came across an adorable shop called P.O.S.H. It is a small boutique, with adorable kitchen decor, dishes, linens, and home accessories that is french or european themed. Think anthropologie home section but actual vintage goods! Here are some of my favorite finds on their website, but there is so much more in person. If you ever find yourself in Chicago, be sure to stop by. Happy Weekend!

Candy Land

Don't these chocolate covered sunflower seeds look delicious? They are from Dylan's Candy Bar, a candy store/website created by Ralph Lauren's daughter, Dylan Lauren. The website is adorable and the sweets look so fun! I want to try these colorful seeds! They would be the perfect combination of salty and sweet! Plus I like the sleek packaging, :) Happy Weekend!

Artist Corner

I always like promoting artists and in particular, local artists. My friend Matt is a great wedding photographer and I am loving some of his work lately so I thought I would give him a shout-out here! He takes gorgeous wedding photos that in my opinion remain traditional but still have an artistic and whimsical flair. (Not everyone wants fake mustache pictures! :). Check out his website!

Artist Corner

I am absolutely in love with the work of Blanca Gomez, a graphic designer working from Madrid. She makes amazing prints and I loved so many I had a hard time picking favorites for this post! They are whimsical and classic, and remind me of childhood storybooks that had awesome sketches, like The Phantom Tollbooth. I must, must, must have several of these framed in my new apartment come August. Check out her website and etsy shop for more prints. Happy Weekend!

I've got the Blues

Ok, so I have been hesitant to jump on the blue nail polish trend but I think it can be done under a few conditions. I like blues that are deep and more of a navy, along the lines of a preppy, nautical blue like Chanel's Blue Satin. Or, denim blue, like OPI's No Room For the Blues is an option and could make a summer tan stand out and look really sexy. Or you could just look ridiculous with blue nails so I guess the key here is when and where you're wearing it. Personally I think as long as you avoid turquoise and green blues (which makes me think of lizard hands) it can be done tastefully! I am attempting to go blue at my next manicure so we will see! I never, ever steer from reds or pinks or purples so I am going out on a limb. Have any of you had luck with blue nails?

Fabulosity

I love perfume and even more I love perfume in pretty containers! Benefit has a new line of perfumes and since I am a packaging nut, (talk about judging a book by it's cover) I was immediately drawn to these. There are 6 total with scents ranging from peonies, jasmine and musk to tranquil violet. Not to mention they look like cocktail shakers with a shiny and fabulous gold top so they are perfect to spritz on before a fabulous summer cocktail hour!

Rad

Urban Outfitters is now offering a service where you can build your own bike! You can choose from two options, the Aristotle which is pictured above or the Plato which has a more vintage feel. Then, you can customize all the details and colors, down to the bike seat or choose from pre-made color combinations they suggest. The colors to choose from are very pretty and chic; all lovely pastels and neutrals with some pops of groovy colors. They are each $399 which I think is reasonable for custom colors. This is definitely on my lust list. I love bikes and wish I could ride one everyday!

Mason Jar Cocktails

I love the idea of serving cocktails in mason jars, especially at a summer BBQ. I personally like mine with long island ice tea, or another great cocktail is a Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka. And if it's a party, may I also suggest serving some Tangy BBQ Sandwiches on ciabatta rolls, Paula Dean Sweet Potato Fries served in newspaper or wax-paper cones, and Key Lime Tart. Oh and don't forget the the classic checkered linens! Black is a chic option instead of kitschy red or blue.

It's a Man's World

Hello readers! I hope you all had a lovely 4th of July weekend! I had a fun party with pictures to follow soon! In the meantime, I have been in the process this week of picking out new glasses and tomorrow is the big day! After many try-on sessions and internet browsing, I have decided that men's frames are the way to go. They are very chic, and happen to be in right now which is perfect since I have a rather large, square head and large frames flatter my face. What do you think of the men style trend? Is it so Annie Hall or so not feminine? Frames: Orvis, Ray Ban.

Obsessed

Lately I have been obsessed with finding a distressed leather backpack for the fall. I found this one at the US Topshop website. Isn't it lovely? It makes me want to walk across a campus where the air is crisp in a big cozy sweater to the library to fill it with books. It is by all accounts actually a book bag anyhow and very 90's casual chic. I love this weather but seeing things like this make me lust for fall!