This Weekend...

This weekend I...

...Epic failed on taking photos of anything we did!  But I did snap this of some pretty flowers I picked up for the dining room.
...Also epic failed on our Friday plans.  We were supposed to go to a sake bomb party at Sushi O Sushi, which as been super fun/a total train wreck when we've gone before.  But I'd been sick all of last week and still wasn't feeling great on Friday so I decided to do the responsible thing and sit it out.
...Had a big group of Jeff's friends over for dinner at the last minute on Saturday and constructed an epic taco bar with maybe eight too many topping options.  Looks like it's going to be leftover tacos for the rest of the week!
...Picked out our save the dates and made some decisions on hotel blocks and my bachelorette party.  I'm not sure if I've mentioned it here, but we're planning on New Orleans for the bachelorette party.  I've never been before so I'm super super excited about it!
...Grabbed a pizza with Jeff's dad at Flo & Santos.  There can never be too much pizza in my life.
...Congratulated two newly engaged couples and a couple that's expecting, and met the first baby to enter our group of friends.  I think we're officially adults now!
...Went out for tapas and sangria at Mercat a la Planxa, which is definitely our favorite place for tapas downtown, and stuffed ourselves full of Iberico ham.  Our first date was tapas and we got engaged in Spain, so tapas is always our go-to for date night.
...And then had a super nerdy afternoon by myself binge watching Lord of the Rings extended edition special features.  My siblings and I have watched the special features so many times that we sometimes find ourselves quoting them, which is amusing to our family and slightly infuriating to our significant others.  Oh, that crazy Weta Workshop...

I hope you had a good one!

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Current Wishlist

I am not ready for fall yet.  I keep seeing people talk about how they want fall to get here faster, but after last winter, all I want is sun, sun, and more sun.  Most of my summer weather has been in the seventies, so I want a few more hot days to spend at the beach before the temperatures start to drop.

While I'm not ready for fall weather yet, I definitely am ready for fall clothes!  With all of the new fall styles in stores, I have really been having to hold myself back and think about what I really want and need for next season.  Here are a couple of items currently topping my list:

Cute Sneakers - In between boots, boots, and more boots, I'm looking to wear more sneakers this fall to keep my feet (and my physical therapist) happy.  Luckily there are a ton of cute styles out there right now, and this animal print pair definitely caught my eye.

Graphic Tee - This is one trend I cannot stay away from.  Old Navy has started in on the trend, and at $15 each, who can say no? (Um, I couldn't, because I definitely bought this one ;)

Moto Jacket - These have always been a fall staple for me, I love how edgy they make me feel.  My current moto jacket is looking a little worse for wear these days, so I'm looking for a replacement.  This light gray, quilted version mixes the right amount of edge and femininity for me.

Plaid Scarf - Giant plaid scarves were huge last fall, and they're definitely going to stick around this year.  For the best selection of plaids, try checking out the men's section - this scarf is from men's! 

Leather Sleeve Dress - I love anything with a little leather detailing.  Pairing it with stripes definitely makes me swoon.  I'm looking for anything with a little leather detailing this fall.

Sparkly Earrings - While I normally am drawn to a little sparkle, right now I'm loving the look of crystal jewelry.  With a hint of mustard, this pair is perfect for fall.

Printed Clutch - Clare Vivier's foldover animal print clutch has been huge over the past year, but now I'm loving the simplicity of her flat bags (especially ones with fun prints like this one).

Jewel Collar Sweatshirt - I'm glad that this trend hasn't gone anywhere, because I am still loving anything with a jeweled collar!  They dress up anything (even this casual sweatshirt) without the need for adding additional accessories.

Have you started shopping for fall yet?  What's on your wishlist?

Linking up with Friday Fab Favorites.

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#strugs

I had some great post ideas for this week, but then I came down with a nasty summer cold that has kept me glued to the couch watching ANTM reruns on Oxygen.  Since I've been in my sweats all week, I didn't exactly have an outfit post ready to go for today.  Then I was looking through my photos, and found this set from late spring that never quite made it up.  I usually try not to wear all items from one brand, but I love that since these were all purchased around the same time from Loft the colors work really well together.

Tee, Sweater, and Skirt - Loft (old) / Heels - Steve Madden (old) / Watch - Kate Spade

Do you find yourself wearing outfits with items from the same store, or do you like to mix things up?

Linking up with Monday Bloom and Little Friday.

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Our Engagement Photos

I feel like I've been talking about our engagement photos for forever (we had to reschedule three times because of weather) but they're finally here!  We decided to take our pictures down by the Adler Planetarium so that we could get a little bit of Chicago skyline and a little bit of beach.  Our photographer was Cristina from Cristina G Photography.  She was really easy to work with and did an amazing job.  The photos turned out perfect, and I'm especially in love with the colors in the beach shots. Here are some of my favorites:

I already popped these into the wedding site I'm building and I'm really excited to start sharing the site.  Now that we have our photos I'm busy picking out our save the dates too.  It's starting to feel so real! 

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Travel Style

Dress - Target / Sandals - Payless (old) / Necklace - gifted / Bracelet - Michael Kors / Bag - Coach (similar)

I spent the last week in Saint Augustine, where it was freaking hot.  I don't know how you Southern gals do it, I was dripping sweat.  Because of the heat, I chose this light dress (last seen here) and minimal accessories for an afternoon of exploring (or, at least an hour of exploring before retreating to an air conditioned bar for many glasses of sangria).

I thought I was just heading to the beach for a week, I had no idea that Saint Augustine is such a historic city.  It touts itself as America's oldest continuous settlement, and was founded as a Spanish colony in the 1500's.  Walking through the streets downtown literally felt like going back in time, that is, until I saw the signs for haunted pirate tours.  These pictures were taken around Castillo de San Marcus, a fort just outside the downtown that's full of cannonballs.

And now, for good measure, here's a picture of me on a cannon:

Linking up with Mix it Monday, Summer Style and Stylish Tuesday.

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Last Week...

Last week...

...I was hanging out in Florida with Jeff's family, Saint Augustine more specifically.  I spent a lot of time in the ocean and a lot of time in the shade avoiding sunburns, read The Vacationers (eh) and The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls (couldn't put it down), rode a jetski for the first time, ate what some may consider an inappropriate amount of ice cream, and got to know an adorable set of twin girls who happen to be Jeff's cousins.
...And then we came back to Chicago and attempted to go to Lollapalooza on Sunday.  We made it through three bands in the pouring rain before determining we're officially too old for music festivals and retreated to our favorite neighborhood Italian joint for grilled squid and wine.

I had a great week away but it feels good to be back in my own bed and out of the 95+ degree heat.  This week I have a couple of job interviews and some weird doctor's appointments (I have to go get my legs measured?) so it looks like it's going to be a busy week back in the saddle.  I hope you have as happy of a Monday as possible!

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July Budget

So I was doing pretty good at not spending too much this month, and then the Nordstrom Anniversary sale happened.  Whoops.  I was going to just buy a job interview outfit, and now I own some killer ankle boots instead.  Although the other pieces I bought were filling some holes in my wardrobe (except for the pineapple shorts, I don't think anyone has a pineapple shorts hole), since I somehow didn't own a white button down and my jean jacket no longer fit.  Oh well, I may not have come in way under budget, but at least I'm under $300!

Here's the damage for July:

Ann Taylor Pencil Skirt - originally $69.00, on sale $24.94

JCrew Factory Shorts - originally $54.50, on sale $27.00

JCrew Factory Jacket - originally $85.00, on sale $34.00

Sam Edelman Boots - originally $159.95, on sale $99.90

Ann Taylor Shirt - originally $69.50, on sale $39.50

Not Pictured:  

JCrew Factory Tee - originally $36.50, on sale & used gift card $22.97

JCrew Factory Plaid Button Down - originally $64.50, on sale $25.50

Total Spent: $273.81

Total Saved: $265.14

I'm not shopping for anything specific in August, but I assume fall clothes are going to be pretty hard to resist so we'll see how it goes.

How did you do for July?

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