My NYC Loft

 

Helloooo spacious, light-filled loft in the Flatiron District of Manhattan. Chic white furnishings, open shelving, and carrera marble countertops. Hardwood floors and beamed ceilings. Yep, this looks good. I'll take it! And it'll only set me back one million dollars!

New York real estate, you are the devil.

source

Three Things I'll Always Love

 

1. bentwood chairs around a tulip table

2. a perfectly styled floral frock

3. and him.

Because some things are too good to tire of.

Sweet Summer Air

Love the blue skies and bright colors from this photo shoot for Erica Tanov's 2011 spring/summer line. You can almost taste the hot desert air. The western setting leaves me wishing I had a frozen margarita to sip on and a cold pool to wade in.

Speaking of which, is everyone having a great summer? Because I am. As I mentioned yesterday, summer in Chicago might be the greatest thing on earth. And I am enjoying every single day of it, making time for trivia on Tuesdays, wine nights on Wednesdays, great meals with friends on Thursdays, and late nights on the town Friday and Saturday. The only trip I have planned is a weekend visit to my sister and brother-in-law's new home up in Michigan, but I am perfectly content staying in my home town. It's as though every day is a vacation when the cold leaves our city for a few, brief months. Have any of you ever visited Chicago in the summer? I couldn't recommend it enough!

Chicago's Randolph Street Antique Market

This weekend was one of those perfect summer weekends in Chicago that make the long, cold winters worth it. Saturday afternoon, I attended the Randolph Street Market with some girlfriends - including Danielle, Alex, and Shari - and enjoyed the live music, great food, and rows and rows and rows of antiques, vintage fashion, and salvaged finds.

My friend and I did not know what those teal, translucent orbs were, but we liked them. I imagine they could be fashioned into some unique, eye-catching pendant lights.

But instead of acquiring any new loot for my apt, I was on the jewelry tables like white on rice. Like I said, I love bracelets, so I spent most of my time trying various baubles on my wrists. But the large selection of affordable brooches caught my eye also. I wear a decent amount of white button downs and blazers, so these colorful nuggets would add the perfect amount of panache to my otherwise simple ensembles.

I came home giddy with a blush pink Juliana bracelet circa 1960 and this fun vintage cocktail ring. It's a pineapple! How fun is that?! The perfect accessory for any hostess.

The next Randolph Street Market is July 30-31 and it's located at the west end of the Randolph Street strip in the West Loop. Valet parking is offered, as well as free furniture delivery throughout Chicago! Crazy awesome, right? I'll likely be there again on July 30, and I strongly encourage all of you to come out!

Two years ago, I started a blog.

 

It's a funny thing when inspiration chooses to strike. You cannot will it any more than you can will the words onto a page. For me, it was June 13, 2009. I was in a hotel on Lakeshore Drive. An illuminated sign hung on the wall of the quirkily decorated room reading "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." That was it. Something about those words - words I had undoubtedly heard before - suddenly meant something to me. It was like someone finally spoke what I'd been needing to hear, and I could let out a sigh of relief. I was 23. Living at home. Without a clue as to what I wanted to do with my life. And for the first time, I thought to myself, You have nothing to worry about. You'll figure this out. Just do what you love.

The next morning I sat down at my desk, opened a Blogger account, and wrote my first post. It read: "As a 23-year-old more than a year out of college, who works from home (albeit I love my job) and is constantly thinking about the next step in life - only to come up with a million different options - this quotation hit home. When I consider all the things I love to read about, spend my time on, discuss with others, waste a weekend doing... the list is so diverse and disparate, I have a difficult time boiling "what I want to do with my life" down to one job title. But if there is ONE COMMON THREAD that eclipses all others, it is my love for design."

So I began posting every day. I didn't know where starting a blog would lead me or if it would amount to anything or if it would end up more like an ill-fated diet plan that fizzles after two weeks. I just knew I had to do it. I knew I needed a place that would allow me to embrace my love of design. A forum where I could discuss everything I love from art and photography, to interiors and traveling. A task that would keep me writing every day. I needed to find like-minded individuals who would also smile at the beauty of a simple photograph, appreciate the harmony of two perfectly juxtaposed fonts, or take in even the smallest details of a thoughtfully designed room. I wanted to meet ambitious, talented women who would inspire me. I wanted to grow and move a little farther down the path of figuring out who I am and what I could be.

Now, two years later, since starting Live Creating Yourself, since that disheartening night as a confused, worried 23-year-old wondering what I should be doing with my life, I look back at all that has happened over the past twenty-four months, and I'm floored.

Since June 18, 2008, I have:
- worked exhaustively with three other young women to launch what is now one of the most successful online magazines
- attended my own launch party at the New York City Design Center
- attended other magazines' launch parties and design-related events in NYC, Chicago, and San Francisco
- traveled to both coasts to style and work on photo shoots with several top-notch photographers including Jamie Beck, Emily Anderson, Leslie Williamson, and Werner Straube
- met my two idols: Alex Bates and Jenna Lyons
- befriended dozens of inspirational women of all ages from all over the world who have started their own businesses, launched their own websites, designed their own handbag lines, founded their own magazines, began their own interior design companies, moved across the country or world to follow their dreams... the list goes on!
- launched my own freelance business, LCYgraphics, which has allowed me to help other women get their blogs and businesses off the ground
- launched my own online shop
- and now most recently, I've been offered the opportunity to work as a contributing market editor for a major Chicago magazine.

I mean... wow. It's been a crazy ride. To think a girl from Chicago without a single connection to call on has been able to do so many incredible things because of this brilliant albeit unusual network we have is like a dream come true. And of course I don't mean to list these things to boast. I simply can't wrap my head around the quantity and quality of opportunities that have come up from the seemingly simple decision to start a blog. And I am so so grateful. I am grateful for all of you who have made LCY and me a part of your daily routine. I am grateful to all of you who take the time to comment and let me know how your days are, where your thoughts are, or send a message of support my way. I am so grateful to have met all of the talented, inspiring people I have. I am grateful that this site keeps pushing me to do more, want more, take the next step.

And I am grateful that any time it feels like I'm still wandering without a path, I have this list to keep me grounded in knowing that whatever is meant to happen will happen. I just have to keep doing what I love.

Happy Weekend, everyone.
photo source

Jen x3

Love the creative design of this photo from Marie Claire. I mean, the only thing hotter than Jen Aniston is three Jen Anistons.  Not to mention her gold-heeled pumps and cropped blond locks are smokin'.

LCY Home Tour: The Bedroom

photography by Maia Harms

Today is the final installment of my home tour as photographed by Maia Harms. Hope you enjoyed learning a bit more about where I spend my days and nights. If you have any questions about product sources, please include them in the comments and I'll respond tomorrow, along with a normal non-LCY Home Tour related post.