A Little Plaid

Dress (wearing a regular large, not the tall size) - Old Navy / Flannel (similar here and here) - J.Crew Factory / Bag (similar here, here, and here) - Coach Factory / Booties - TOMS / Necklace - Stella & Dot / Sunglasses - LOFT

I'm ready for fall now. But Chicago doesn't seem to be quite cooperating - it was almost 90 yesterday! 

What's a girl to do? Tie a flannel shirt around her waist of course and call it a day. 

I may have done it twice this weekend with the same flannel. It's fun with a tee and shorts too, but I love it paired with this comfy tee shirt dress (which I previously wore here and basically wear every chance I get). It's amazing because it's such a blank slate (and basically like wearing a nightgown). Add a sweater, add a scarf, add a jacket, or add a wrap and it becomes a completely different look. I bought the same dress in black too but haven't worn that one nearly as much - I'm guessing it'll get more wear though as things cool down and we get a little further into the season. 

Oh, and if you're trying to hide a baby bump, let me tell you, tying a shirt around your waist is the perfect method. My bump is sitting pretty right under that tie and no one is the wiser. Until they see me eat, I swear I had three lunches yesterday ;)

Not to completely change gears or anything, but you like my haircut? I went in for a cut and a deep conditioning treatment over the weekend, and I was laughing because I literally couldn't remember the last time I had been in. Ummm, it was MARCH!!!!!!! How on earth did that happen?!? So I was avoiding visiting her because I didn't want to dye my hair during the first trimester, so my roots were a mess and I was feeling blah and just wearing my hair up every day. But I didn't realize I had done six months of avoidance!! I got my "usual" lob cut and she cut off five inches. I'm so glad to be back to this short length though, someone needs to remind me that my hair just looks so much healthier when it's short, plus it's so easy to style. Keep me in check, people!

Dress (wearing a regular large, not the tall size) - Old Navy / Flannel (similar here and here) - J.Crew Factory / Bag (similar here, here, and here) - Coach Factory / Booties - TOMS / Necklace - Stella & Dot / Sunglasses - LOFT

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Nordstrom Anniversary Sale - First Glance Picks

Oh hey there, in case you somehow haven't heard the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale starts today for cardholders (apply here if you want to shop the sale early - otherwise full access starts on July 20th). There's always a ton of hype around the sale, but I wasn't too excited for it from looking at the catalogue. However, now that I'm able to see everything that's available, I'm getting really pumped for all of the basics, as well as seeing a lot of my favorites from the sale last year come back.

Nordstrom has free shipping and free returns with an unlimited return policy (I seriously saw a woman return a pair of boots she had bought five years ago on a card that was now expired, and they gave her a full refund!) so my recommendation is, if you see something you think you'd want, just buy it now since you can easily return it later. Last year I tried to budget and only ended up keeping a few things from the sale, and ended up going back and buying a lot of the basics from the sale later at full price.

So, onto the good stuff!! Let's start with bottoms. These leggings are my absolute favorite and I buy a new pair every year (come in plus sizes too) because they're so comfortable, have a long enough inseam for me, and don't fall down. I also grabbed these faux leather leggings last year and love them (worn here) - they're also available in a moto style. I also bought these jeans last year and love them, they're perfect if you carry a little more weight around your middle.

faux leather leggings / patterned leggings / black leggings / jeans / sweatpants

Okay, now it's on to sweaters! I'm clearly dying to add a pink cardigan to my closet - I already ordered this one ;) But really, the thing I would snag now would be a poncho sweater - I have a feeling this plaid one is going to sell out ASAP!! 

Pink Circle Cardigan / Colorblock Poncho / Gray Wrap Sweater / Pink Car Coat / Cream Cardigan / Gray Cardigan / Gray Car Coat / Pink Short Sleeve Wrap / Plaid Poncho / Pink Cardigan

There weren't a ton of coats and jackets that caught my eye, but if you've been loving the burgundy coat that I share all the time (including in our Paris photos!), there's a super similar one on sale now! This jacket is also really similar to the faux suede jacket I snagged last year (worn here). I'm also really strongly considering this zip-up casual jacket - Jeff has one like it and I was jealous of it all of last year!

Fleece Pullover / Cream Wrap Coat / Burgundy Leather Trim Coat / Faux Suede Jacket / Zip-up Jacket / Gray Wrap Coat

OMG, shoes. Lol, did I wake up a little too early this morning? What I'm most exited about are sneakers in this sale, which may be a sign I'm getting old - how cute are these pink ones?! I'm also loving the idea of a waterproof boot for winter so I don't have to wear my snowboots every day like I did last year - either these heeled boots or the over the knee version.

Black Sandals / OTK Boots / Pink Sneakers / Black Studded Mules / Black Heeled Mules / Riding Boots / Blush Slip On Sneakers

As far as tops go, I'm mostly looking to stock up on tees like this one during the sale, but there are a few fun blouses out there too! I already have this tee in red (worn here), so I'm excited to see it in black and white stripes!

Black Tee / Patterned Blouse / Striped Long Sleeve Tee / Burgundy Long Sleeve Tee / Striped Bell Sleeve Tee

In case you aren't quite ready to shop for fall yet, there are a bunch of cute dresses included in the sale too - you know I'm loving this blue striped dress!

Blue Striped Dress / Sweatshirt Dress / Black Striped Dress

There weren't a ton of bags that caught my eye, but I have been wanting a new tote and the color of this one is gorgeous!!

Mauve Tote / Burgundy Crossbody / Tan Tote

Aaaaaand, we're done!! Here's hoping this post was helpful as you shop the sale - let me know what's your favorite!

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Root for the Home Team

Sweatshirt - L.L.Bean / Jacket and Jeans - J. Crew / Flats - BP / Bag (similar) - Sole Society / Watch - Wristology

Who else is excited for baseball in October?

Okay, honestly, I'm not really a sports person per se, but really, I can't help but get swept up in the playoffs again. I mean, heck, as a Cubs fan I literally never got to experience the playoffs until a couple of years ago, so it's still new and exciting enough to hold my short sports attention span.

Of course, we all really know I'm in it for the beer and the snacks ;)

During the playoffs last year, a bunch of my friends started going to the same bar for every game (and even sitting in the same booth and drinking the same beers), and we decided to start it back up again this year. Sports superstitions are the most important of superstitions - frankly I'm glad that Jeff has decided he has to drink Sweetwater 420 for every game instead of wearing the same pair of socks without washing them or something. Tonight though, instead of heading to our Cubs playoff bar, we have tickets to the game so we're headed to the stadium!! The Cubs haven't done great in this round so far (ahem) but I'm hoping tonight is the night they turn it around! I also have my eye on a little Hot Doug's ;)

When it comes to dressing the part, I usually opt to go for rocking the team colors these days versus a team tee or hoodie - it just feels more me! Over the weekend I pulled on my new favorite sweatshirt (so freaking cozy - I sized up to an XL because I wanted it a little oversized) over a blue and white striped tee, added my red bow mules (because they're totally sporty) and, of course, my Cubs hat to watch the game. Tonight though, since we'll be outside the whole time, I'm planning on layering a flannel shirt and a fleece for a little extra warmth. Oh, who am I kidding, I'm a total wimp so I'll also have a warmer coat and a beanie and a snuggie and furry boots and can I just bring my whole bed with me to the stadium?

Go Cubs Go!!

Sweatshirt - L.L.Bean / Jacket and Jeans - J. Crew / Flats - BP / Bag (similar) - Sole Society / Watch - Wristology

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Casual Fall Style

Three cheers for sweater season! I'm having a hard time not adding every sweater I see to my closet. I took a little shopping break with my coworkers yesterday and had to literally hold myself back from five or six super soft and cozy ones. This striped turtleneck is super adorable, and I can see it being perfect for a lot of fall activities, from picking out a pumpkin, doing a little fall wine tasting (like I'll be doing in a few weeks, eep!!), a road trip to see the fall foliage, or even next month for a casual-but-still-put-together Thanksgiving. In the fall I like to mix rich accessory colors, like these pretty burgundies and tans and olive - they add so much dimension to your outfit. Oh and I'm dying over these little monogrammed stud earrings - I'm not even a monogram kind of girl but I may need these!!

lip pencil / earrings / coat / sweater / leggings / watch / loafers / bag

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Fall Favorites

As much as I want it to stay summer forever, I am excited to pull out some of my favorite pieces from last year again and mix them with a few of my newer purchases.

A great pair of ankle booties is definitely a must-have for fall, and this pair is so comfortable! I bought them last year and wore them literally every day for months, which is crazy because I have never before found a heeled shoe that I wanted to wear more than one day in a row. I'm seriously considering another color.

When it gets a little too cold for ankle boots or I just want to switch things up, these riding boots have been my favorite for years - I think my original pair pre-dates this blog! After an unfortunate zipper incident where I literally ripped the zipper off of the boot while traveling and then abandoned them out of anger in our hotel room, I repurchased the same pair because I missed them so much. Before my amazing ankle boots I wore them basically every day for about 9 months straight through rain and snow and ice for four years in a row, so I think I can forgive them a faulty zipper.

When it's time to pull out boots, it also means it's skinny jean season! I love skinny jeans year-round, but they're definitely essential when you need a pair of pants that you can tuck into taller boots. This pair from Madewell is my current favorite, they have the perfect amount of stretch without stretching out, and the lack of distressing means I can wear them during Chicago's cooler weather without getting frostbite.

A plaid shirt is a definite must for fall, and I love this flannel version I picked up from J. Crew Factory last season. It's cozy, it's warm, and can be easily dressed up or down. Want to switch things up? Their classic gingham shirt is a perfect choice, and is thin enough to layer.

While the weather stays warm, I like to switch off between my utility vest and jacket. Both are so easy to wear and basically go with everything, and help you figure out what to wear during those days when it's sixty degrees when you leave your house in the morning but eighty by the time you're heading to lunch.

For cooler and rainy fall days, a lined and hooded jacket is the best. I picked up mine at Nordstrom Rack last spring and somehow managed to wear it a ton before summer weather hit. Something with a hood is not only great for chilly weather, but is also necessary in Chicago where it's usually so windy that an umbrella doesn't always work on a rainy day.

Want to see me wearing almost all of these at once? Yup, turns out that happened ;)

What are your go-to pieces for fall?

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