Floral & Stripes

Dress - c/o Tobi (pattern also available in this lace-up back version) / Bag (also comes in navy now!) - Tory Burch / Heels - Sole Society / Earrings - J. Crew / Sunglasses - Target

Back in the day (ahem, 2013) when pattern mixing was super in, I loved mixing big, loud patterns together on the daily, namely florals and stripes together. I don't know what's happened over the last FOUR years (what?!) but my closet has gotten a lot more subtle - fewer prints, fewer bold colors. While I'm loving the simplicity of my closet, every now and then a girl needs a good pattern, amiright? I was super excited to find this pretty floral dress from Tobi - it's definitely more subtle than  the florals I used to go for, but in a good way. For a little throwback though, I decided to pair it with the striped trench I picked up a few years ago - it's such a fun coat to be able to pull out of my closet every spring. It's not available anymore, but I found this almost identical one, and I also love this tan version and this cropped trench with striped cuffs (which I maybe just ordered ;).

This post is basically a mash-up of all of my current favorite things, so allow me to wax poetic for a bit. This bag? Oh my gosh this bag. So I had a couple of pretty big giftcards from work and my birthday, and I decided put them together to buy what's basically my dream bag. (Well, you know, besides a Chanel bag, but there's no way I'm ever springing for that!) How gorgeous is the quilting?! I also love the convertible strap - it makes the bag work for basically any occasion. I really wanted the nude color (because hello gorgeous!), but I have a history of staining light-colored leather bags, and didn't want to ruin such a pricy bag by carrying it too close to my dark-wash jeans. I love the black because it's classic, but it just became available in navy too which is so cute.

Okay, onto the earrings. I'm freaking loving the statement earring trend, but the majority I want are just too heavy for my ears. My aunt had to have surgery on her earlobes from wearing too heavy of earrings so I've always been freaked out by anything that pulls on my ears. These ones weigh basically nothing! Like, I have some others that are lightweight but still are substantial, these ones seriously feel like you're just wearing studs. Until it gets windy and one smacks you in the face ;) I love the little pink pom poms, but I'm also considering them in white - so pretty!!

Oh, and these heels? They just might be the most comfortable in my closet right now, and they go with everything. With a sweet floral dress like this, they add a little edge, but they work really well with serious boss lady dresses too and add fun detail to casual tee shirt and jeans outfits. I waited for over a year before deciding to finally get them, and I really can't believe I held off for that long. Silly 2014 Kristina.

So, you know, don't be surprised to see all of my favorite things again... and again... and again ;)

Dress - c/o Tobi (pattern also available in this lace-up back version) / Bag (also comes in navy now!) - Tory Burch / Heels - Sole Society / Earrings - J. Crew / Sunglasses - Target

Linking up with Trend Spin Linkup, Style Sessions.

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This Weekend...

This weekend I...

...spent a whole lot of time celebrating Jeff's birthday (which is actually today)! We had a bunch of friends over on Saturday to hang out and watch the pre-Kentucky Derby races, and then all headed over to Wrigley Field to watch the Cubs lose terribly and drink a surprising amount of rosé for a baseball game ;) It was freezing (bad Chicago!), but luckily we were in a skybox so I spent most of the time staying warm in there. We go to a game every year for Jeff's birthday and I always think I'm going to be able to wear dresses and sandals for the first weekend of May. It has yet to happen.
...drove out to Jeff's parents' house in the suburbs for another birthday celebration with his family - three cheers to more cake!!
...got excited when I saw that this trench with the cutest striped cuffs is on sale! I saw it in stores but didn't even try it on because of the $160 price tag - now it's just $90 so I had to put in an order. I got it in two different sizes, fingers crossed one of them fits! I also realized last week in NYC that I barely own work-wear anymore, so despite the bad reviews I ordered these gray skinny pants. I'll let you know how it goes ;)

I hope you had a good one! Tonight the birthday celebration continues with dinner out at Sirena Clandestina - can't wait!!

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Friday Finds

one / two / three / four / five

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A Little Gingham, A Lotta Stripes

Tee (more gingham here and here) - J. Crew / Jacket (super similar version) - Michael Kors / Jeans - Gap / Flats - Banana Republic / Bag - Sole Society

Uggg you guys, can I complain about the weather for a second? Living in Chicago I know every year that the cold weather is going to drag on and on, but it really got me this year. We had a few beautiful weekends, and now... I mean, I'm going to need my winter coat today!! Major sad face. Really though, I got married in mid-June (almost TWO years ago now - what?!) and it was about 50 degrees at my outdoor rehearsal dinner, so really, I should never be surprised. I just want to wear some skirts without freezing to death. 

Okay, weather rant over.

I just got back from New York and you guys, it was so cool! I was in the city for less than 48 hours thanks to a cancelled flight and some major delays, but I'm already dreaming about going back. Maybe with Jeff this time instead of my co-workers ;) I was there to go to a conference and thought I wouldn't have any time for fun. I ended up opting out of the parties on Tuesday night though because I was running on less than four hours of sleep thanks to my flight delays, so I pushed myself to do a little bit of exploring before I crashed. My hotel was in Times Square (I know, I know) and I was on foot so I didn't make it super far, but I did visit Central Park, 5th Avenue, Rockefeller Center, and Bryant Park. Next time I want to stay in a different neighborhood and really get a feel for the city! And maybe spend more than 90 minutes wandering. 

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Dressing the Dining Room for Summer

My house lacks a lot of places that are traditional for decorating, like a mantle or a front porch, so I tend to concentrate my efforts in the dining room. Really, nothing else in my house changes seasonally besides swapping out pillows and blankets. But putting down some new summery pieces in the dining room always seems to do the trick!

I had the room still in pretty heavy winter mode, and got inspired by a Target catalog (ahem, I may have a problem) to change things up. I originally bought this table runner from Target, but it was too small for the table so I swapped it for this one I found on Etsy. Usually I'm a little iffy about buying things from Etsy because it can be so slow. My last purchase took over a month to arrive! This one was super speedy though and got here within the week. 

My main complaint with this room was how blue it felt originally, but with the addition of the green table runner, giant (faux) plant, and pink artwork it's starting to feel a lot more me. We're also adding little touches of pink throughout the rest of the living room to make everything feel more cohesive (including these adorable tasseled pillows!) 

Man, this whole decorating thing is a process, am I right? We moved into our place almost a year and a half ago now, and it still doesn't feel "done" - maybe it never will? I just never put that much effort into decorating before because every place I lived felt so temporary (like the six different places I lived in college), but now that Jeff and I have put down some more stable roots I want to make a lot more of an effort. A lot of parts of our home still feel unfinished, so I'm actually considering hiring a decorator just to put the final touches in - if you have any recommendations in the Chicago area definitely let me know! 

These pictures were taken during April - I have a new print from my subscription to White Brick Lane up now for May! 

Sources: 

Table and Chairs - Walter E. Smithe

Bookshelf - Crate & Barrel 

Faux Fiddle Leaf Plant - Silks are Forever

Table Runner - JustMeeCT

Round Jute Chargers - Target 

Napkins - Target

Print + Holder - via monthly subscription to White Brick Lane

Gold Pineapple Glasses - W&P Designs

Pink painting - by me! 

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Chambray for Spring

Top (sadly sold out, but I also love this one and this one!) - Madewell / Jeans (I also have and love this distressed pair) - Gap / Necklace - BP / Flats (a few sizes are back in stock in blush!) - Banana Republic / Bag (similar) - Coach

Helloooooooo from New York City!! I haven't been here since I was a freshman in high school on a school trip, so I'm definitely excited to be back. I'm here for work and won't really have time for exploring, but I am hoping to venture a little further than Times Square this time ;)

That first trip to NYC was just supposed to be a fun trip with our music department - we planned a few performances but we were mainly going for a fun thing to do on spring break. There was a big meeting about the trip and everyone put down deposits on September 10, 2001. In the next couple of weeks, the trip almost got cancelled, but ultimately the teachers in charge decided we would still go and we would make the trip about giving back. We played at firehouses for first responders and had a song commissioned to honor victims, and instead of just selling candy bars to pay for our plane tickets we hosted a couple of big fundraisers to raise money to donate. The trip ended up being so much more than I expected it to be, and is definitely something I'll remember forever.

Not to abruptly change topics, but hellooooo, how cute is this top? I almost sent it back because I wasn't 100% about the shape, but I am so glad I kept it. With the fun sleeves and the bow back, it has been my go-to over the past couple of weeks. Paired with white jeans and this pretty necklace my sister gave me for my birthday (thanks girl!), it's definitely perfect for this (slightly chilly) transition into spring. But thanks to the breezy shape I definitely see it working really well for summer with white shorts and some fun statement earrings!

Top (sadly sold out, but I also love this one and this one!) - Madewell / Jeans (I also have and love this distressed pair) - Gap / Necklace - BP / Flats (a few sizes are back in stock in blush!) - Banana Republic / Bag (similar) - Coach

Previously on KDTI - white jeans for spring: 

 

Linking up with Style Me Wednesday, Style Sessions.

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This Weekend...

This weekend I...

...Went out to Bottled Blonde on Friday to celebrate a coworker's last day, and things got a liiiittle out of hand. Sorry if you saw any of the snaps!
...Spent all day Saturday hiding from the monsoon that was happening in Chicago - Jeff and I literally didn't leave the house!! We spent the day binging on Parks and Rec and ordering every meal. I'd like to say that I got a ton done, but our internet was super spotty (probably from the deluge of rain) so I barely accomplished anything.
...Went bowling for our friend's kid's fourth birthday party, which meant babies and bowling balls everywhere! I managed to show off my distinct lack of bowling skills, and considered borrowing the chute the little kids were using to launch their balls ;)
...Drove out to the 'burbs to have dinner with my sister's family, and corrupted my niece with her first cookie. She had never had a cookie before, but thanks to the Cookie Monster knew exactly what they were when I brought them into the house and knew that she definitely wanted one. What a little smarty pants. Then she put a cracker in my rain boot to say thank you, which was a fun little surprise to find later ;)

I hope you had a good one! I'm actually headed off to NYC for work tomorrow so things may be a little quiet around these parts - see you on Instagram!

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