Dream Deck

We're in the midst of building a deck on our roof, which means I'm in the midst of daydreaming about the final space. We've got a week or two left of construction, so I've been trying to narrow down my choices of furniture and accessories. Of course, like every home renovation project, we've gone a bit over budget (whoops!) so I've been trying to pare down my wishlist. We also don't have much space to store furniture indoors during the winter, so basically anything we buy has to be totally weatherproof (most pieces that are "weather resistant" actually have to come indoors for part of the year if you live somewhere that experiences a true winter).

Those limitations don't mean a girl can dream, right? If I didn't have to worry about budget or weather, here's what my dream rooftop deck would look like:

Couch / Rug / Banana Leaf Pillow / Striped Pillow / Clock / Umbrella / Planters / Lounger / End Table 

Seriously, those striped loungers? Dyyyyyying. So so cute. If you're totally into stripes, the couch comes in a striped version too. I haven't been able to find anything similar in totally weatherproof materials though, so I think I'll find striped and banana leaf pillows instead to spice up less exciting pieces. Wish me luck!

Follow along with everything Kristina does via Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin!

Spring Stripes

Shirt - J. Crew Factory / Denim - Old Navy / Bag and Booties (similar) - Sole Society / Necklace - Stella & Dot / Bracelet - Michael Kors / Watch - Wristology

I procrastinated a little too long to take these photos until it was, in fact, raining, but I'm still way into this outfit. Stripes, white, distressed, and tassels? These are a few of my favorite things. I saw this shirt online while I was looking for items to link in a blog post last week, and now it's in my closet. I love a good popover and have been looking for one in light blue and white stripes ever since I rented this fun ruffled number in February. Paired with white denim and I'm ready for spring. You hear me Chicago? I said spring. Now, please.

Shop the post:

Previously on KDTI - white denim:

 

Linking up with Style Me Wednesday, Style Sessions, Mix It Monday, Confident Twosday.

Follow along with everything Kristina does via Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin!

This Weekend...

Image source

This weekend I...

...Went on a little day trip with my niece Mae and the family to the Brookfield Zoo. My mom had a long-standing tradition while we were growing up of always going to the zoo during spring break, and about 90% of the time it was freezing. This year was no exception! It still was really fun to see all of the animals and pretend that Mae was the reason we were at the zoo, even though she's a little too little and mostly just liked looking at the colorful tropical fish. I guess next time we'll just take her to the pet store ;)
...Grabbed dinner with Jeff at O'Shaughnessy's Public House, and oh.my.gee. So good. It had been recommended to us by a couple of people, including my Irish co-worker so we decided to swing by on Saturday night. It was packed and we waited a loooong time for our food, so the extra drink or two I ingested may be partially speaking here, but it was seriously one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. Flank steak, gouda, and jalepeno aioli? Please feed me that and only that for the rest of my life.
...Got my new bedding in the mail, and oh my gosh you guys, it is the best thing ever. After hating and returning a set from West Elm last weekend I decided to spring on this pretty watercolor print duvet and tasseled quilt. I almost stayed in bed all day on Sunday haha.
...Met up with some friends at Southport Lanes to play a little pool, and very quickly remembered that I am absolutely terrible at pool. It turns out Jeff is pretty bad too (which is surprising because he's usually pretty athletic!) so we made a pretty fun team.
...Got completely obsessed with watching brush calligraphy videos on Instagram (it's mesmerizing to watch!). I've been trying it myself with a set of Crayola markers and it may be my new favorite thing.
...Remembered it was our dating anniversary, and decided to celebrate even though we have a *new* anniversary now. I'm typing this as I get ready for dinner at Bistro Campagne, so fingers crossed it's good!

I hope you had a good one!

Follow along with everything Kristina does via Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin!

Friday Finds

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

Follow along with everything Kristina does via Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin!

Three Favorites: Makeup

If you only had time to put on three makeup products before you left the house, which would you choose? For me it's definitely concealer, powder, and mascara. I'm looking to cover my undereye circles and the shine in my t-zone, and the mascara just makes me feel pretty. My mom would pick concealer and mascara but swap the powder for blush, and my sister only needs two - powder and mascara. It's funny because I don't think concealer or powder even make it on most people's top three - a lot of my friends would go for foundation or lipstick instead.

While I've been dabbling a lot with makeup lately I always end up back at my three favorite standbys. I've been using the same powder, mascara, and concealer for everyday looks for years now. I love that Maybelline's Fit Me powder actually matches my paler than pale skintone and blends nicely. While The Falsies mascara doesn't actually make it look like I'm wearing falsies it does curl my lashes nicely and add volume, and looks great on its own (unlike some of my more intense mascaras that look best when I'm wearing more makeup). And the Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream is so bright it makes me look really awake, and less, as my husband lovingly puts it, like a zombie. It's easy to put on too much though - if that happens I just hold a tissue under my eye for a few seconds to soak up some of the extra so it doesn't crease.

So tell me - what are your go-to makeup choices if you could only pick three?

Follow along with everything Kristina does via Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin!

Dressed Up / Dressed Down

Oh don't mind me, just daydreaming about summer over here. I'm waiting for this pretty patterned romper to come in the mail - fingers crossed it fits, because I want to wear it for casual summer afternoons on the deck and date night with the hubs and everything inbetween!

Romper

Dressed Down: Necklace / Ring / Sandals / Bag 

Dressed Up: Bag / Necklace / Heels

Follow along with everything Kristina does via Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin!

The Vest Returns

Shirt and Necklace (similar) - J. Crew Factory / Vest (similar) and Bag (similar) - Old Navy / Denim - Madewell / Booties - TOMs / Bracelet - Michael Kors

Every spring I wish I had a light layer that isn't a blazer or sweater, and then I remember I own this vest! Utility vests have survived a couple of years now, and I still love the way they complete any outfit, and work both with casual shirts and jeans as well as skirts and dresses. Or maybe they don't really work with casual shirts and jeans, because a couple of my male coworkers asked if I was planning on going hunting or trekking into the forest after work. Har har, oh men.

I am starting to wish that this particular vest had fewer pockets because it does feel a little bulky, but at the same time, I don't really want to buy another vest so I guess I'll live with what I've got. Not that enduring a bulky vest is a particular hardship. I linked to a couple of less bulky options so that you don't have to make the same mistake - learn from me!

Shop the post:

Previously on KDTI - the vest:

 

Linking up with How I Spring, Flashback Friday, Style Sessions, Style Me Wednesday, Confident Twosday.

Follow along with everything Kristina does via Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin!