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Friday, June 9, 2017
Thursday, June 8, 2017
Pom-Poms and Tassels and Ruffles, Oh My!
Dress (similar dresses - splurge or save, I also love this lace bell-sleeve white dress!) - endless rose / Earrings - BaubleBar / Bag (similar clutch here, I also love this splurge nude crossbody) - Ann Taylor / Sandals (similar here) - Dolce Vita
You guys. Why am I most excited about the warm weather? This dress, of course! I bought it on clearance at the tail end of last summer and only got to wear it a couple of times before bare shoulders became a bad idea. Little white dresses have long been a favorite of mine, and with the tassels, ruffles, and pom-poms, this one's definitely the best in my closet.
Shop more little white dresses:
While little white dresses have less options for wearing, because, you know, you can't wear them to bridal showers, engagement parties, or weddings (aka basically all of the times I have to dress up), I love them for a good old fashioned date night. I wore this over the weekend for a date night at Ampersand, and miraculously made it through the evening without spilling any red wine on myself. I love Ampersand because no matter what I tell them I'm looking for in a bottle they always seem to manage to find the perfect one. Sometimes Jeff and I get really vague about our preferences, and the waiter will bring out a few wines for us to taste before committing to a bottle! The perfect bottle of wine plus a whole lot of cheese equals my perfect night!
I'm actually excited right now because I just booked a date night for our wedding anniversary - we're almost at two years!! How did that happen?! It feels like it was just yesterday that I was pulling on that giant white dress to say, "I do." To celebrate the milestone, we're going to do a cocktail tasting at The Aviary because we're several years behind on restaurant trends, and then heading to Bar Siena for dinner because we went a few months ago and I can't stop thinking about it - more pasta please! We've decided on no gifts though, partially because thinking about "cotton" gifts mostly makes both of us think of Gone Girl, and partially because that reservation at The Aviary is almost $200!! There's our gifts right there ;)
Dress (similar dresses - splurge or save, I also love this lace bell-sleeve white dress!) - endless rose / Earrings - BaubleBar / Bag (similar clutch here, I also love this splurge nude crossbody) - Ann Taylor / Sandals (similar here) - Dolce Vita
Previously on KDTI - the white dress, dressed down:
Linking up with Mix It Monday, Trend Spin Linkup, Flashback Friday.
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Wednesday, June 7, 2017
10 Summer Essentials
You guys, I'm ready to call it. Summer is here, and I'm all in. I mean, when I say, "summer is here," I say that with the full knowledge that it doesn't officially start for a couple more weeks, so I'm crossing my fingers that Chicago doesn't come back to get its vengeance on me for jumping the gun.
When it comes to summer dressing, there are a few things on my must-have list. First up is a cute swimsuit and a rash guard. What? A rash guard?! I just discovered rash guards last summer, and let me tell you, my summers have been forever changed. Normally when I'm out swimming for a long time or, more likely, trying to push one of my family members out of whatever float they're lounging on, I start to get worried about getting a sunburn after twenty or thirty minutes out in the sun. Now there's no more worrying, and I can stay out in the water as long as I want. I won't wear a rash guard all the time, but now I always pop it on when I'm in the water!
In that vein, I also love to wear hats now when I'm in the sun. Crazy dark freckles and a very pink nose used to be a big part of my summers, but not any more! I have a cute bow hat to go with dresses and a wide-brimmed hat for the beach, but next up on my list is a panama hat that will stay on this big noggin.
I used to be a skirt girl all the way, but for the past couple of summers I've gone all-in on shorts. I love having a variety, but my two go-to's are white shorts that can be dressed up or down and a pair of distressed boyfriend shorts that will go with everything from tees to swimsuits to pretty blouses.
Some other essentials? A cute summer dress that can go from the beach to date night and everywhere in between, wear-anywhere sandals, a fun summer tote, and a flirty top (this year I'm loving everything off the shoulder and one shoulder!) that pairs great with a fun pair of statement earrings.
Last but not least? A summer sweater of course! I always end up freezing indoors during the summer, so I carry a sweater just about everywhere! They're also necessary for those cool summer nights, and so much cuter than a hoodie! I used to reach for cardigans, but pullovers are feeling really fresh this summer so I'm stocking up ;)
What are your summer essentials??
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1 - suit and rash guard / 2 - denim shorts / 3 - sandals / 4 - hat / 5 - sundress / 6 - statement earrings / 7 - straw bag / 8 - ots top / 9 - white shorts / 10 - summer sweater
When it comes to summer dressing, there are a few things on my must-have list. First up is a cute swimsuit and a rash guard. What? A rash guard?! I just discovered rash guards last summer, and let me tell you, my summers have been forever changed. Normally when I'm out swimming for a long time or, more likely, trying to push one of my family members out of whatever float they're lounging on, I start to get worried about getting a sunburn after twenty or thirty minutes out in the sun. Now there's no more worrying, and I can stay out in the water as long as I want. I won't wear a rash guard all the time, but now I always pop it on when I'm in the water!
In that vein, I also love to wear hats now when I'm in the sun. Crazy dark freckles and a very pink nose used to be a big part of my summers, but not any more! I have a cute bow hat to go with dresses and a wide-brimmed hat for the beach, but next up on my list is a panama hat that will stay on this big noggin.
I used to be a skirt girl all the way, but for the past couple of summers I've gone all-in on shorts. I love having a variety, but my two go-to's are white shorts that can be dressed up or down and a pair of distressed boyfriend shorts that will go with everything from tees to swimsuits to pretty blouses.
Some other essentials? A cute summer dress that can go from the beach to date night and everywhere in between, wear-anywhere sandals, a fun summer tote, and a flirty top (this year I'm loving everything off the shoulder and one shoulder!) that pairs great with a fun pair of statement earrings.
Last but not least? A summer sweater of course! I always end up freezing indoors during the summer, so I carry a sweater just about everywhere! They're also necessary for those cool summer nights, and so much cuter than a hoodie! I used to reach for cardigans, but pullovers are feeling really fresh this summer so I'm stocking up ;)
What are your summer essentials??
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Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Ruffles & Bare Shoulders
Dress (available at Macys and on Amazon! I also love this super similar verison that has adorable shoulder ties) - ASTR / Sandals - LOFT / Earrings (super similar) - BaubleBar / Bag (similar coral bag) - Coach
I actually hadn't worn this dress since we were in Asia (and maybe somehow managed to forget it was in my closet until I saw it was still available at Macys and on Amazon!) but was so excited to pull it out last weekend. I mean, I'm not always the girliest of girls, but it's hard to say no to some fun ruffles.
Of course, you know what the problem with wearing ruffles in Chicago is? Basically, they don't call it the windy city for nothing, and the ruffles repeatedly hit me in the face during our outdoor brunch. Le sigh.
Dress (available at Macys and on Amazon! I also love this super similar verison that has adorable shoulder ties) - ASTR / Sandals - LOFT / Earrings (super similar) - BaubleBar / Bag (similar coral bag) - Coach
Previously on KDTI - OTS dress:
Linking up with Trend Spin Linkup.
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Monday, June 5, 2017
This Weekend...
This weekend I...
...Went out on a little date night with Jeff to Ampersand, our favorite neighborhood wine bar. I'm not sure what makes a wine bar a wine bar besides the fact that they serve wine, but I love that the servers all know a lot about wine there and can always pick out the perfect bottle of wine for us to share despite our vague and slightly differing preferences. Plus, you know, there isn't a bad item on their menu.
...Saw we were supposed to hit the high 80's (yay, almost summer!) and decided to head over to the beach! Despite the fact that we live in a city filled with beaches, Jeff and I have been sadly few times in recent years so I was super excited that we made it. If you've never been to Chicago, we actually have amazingly good beaches. Lake Michigan is so big it actually feels like you're going to the ocean. Minus the waves, salt, and sharks. It was really relaxing though, felt like a mini-vacation!! And an okay replacement that we aren't currently on vacation at the ocean with the rest of Jeff's family, because, you know, we used all of our vacation time to go to Asia.
...Had drinks and a pizza with my parents at Corridor. They were in town for a Cubs game so we had to meet up, and Corridor is one of our favorites and conveniently located near the stadium. More craft beer and more pizza, please!
...Finally got my hands on this pom-pom trim dress in the right size - sizes keep popping in and out of stock so keep an eye out if you're still searching! I'm also excited to give this striped pom-pom trim OTS top a try!
...Took a couple of long walks around the neighborhood to enjoy the weather. Really, not to be talking about the weather too much, but this city really comes alive when the weather is nice so we just had to soak it all in.
I hope you had a good one!
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Friday, June 2, 2017
Thursday, June 1, 2017
What to Wear to a Casual Wedding
Have you ever been invited to a wedding with a casual dress code?
I've been to a few casual weddings (and have another coming up at the end of the summer!), and while I know that the couple getting married intend the dress code to make things easy and laid-back, I've found that it usually causes more confusion than anything! I mean, you want to dress up more than you would for an average weekend, but still have that casual feel.
I've found that for women, the best option is a pretty sundress or maxi dress. I like to think of it as something I would wear for a casual date night with the hubs - my usual plus a little extra festive flair. Keeping your accessories casual and fun is key too. If it'll be chilly, instead of a pretty wrap go for a cardigan or a denim jacket. Instead of heels, choose flat sandals, wedges, or casual block heels (also helpful because casual weddings also tend to be outdoors - you don't want to be on grass in stilettos!!).
More dresses for casual weddings:
Fun accessories:
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I've been to a few casual weddings (and have another coming up at the end of the summer!), and while I know that the couple getting married intend the dress code to make things easy and laid-back, I've found that it usually causes more confusion than anything! I mean, you want to dress up more than you would for an average weekend, but still have that casual feel.
I've found that for women, the best option is a pretty sundress or maxi dress. I like to think of it as something I would wear for a casual date night with the hubs - my usual plus a little extra festive flair. Keeping your accessories casual and fun is key too. If it'll be chilly, instead of a pretty wrap go for a cardigan or a denim jacket. Instead of heels, choose flat sandals, wedges, or casual block heels (also helpful because casual weddings also tend to be outdoors - you don't want to be on grass in stilettos!!).
More dresses for casual weddings:
Fun accessories:
Follow along with everything Kristina does via Bloglovin!
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