My Zara Shopping Spree

Because I've been oh-so busy working every night and weekend on The Everygirl, I haven't had any time to relax and shop for fun. So this past weekend, post-launch-coma, I ventured downtown to my favorite budget-friendly resource, Zara. Two hours later, after trying on just about everything in the store and making tough decisions about what to keep and what to toss, I left very satisfied with my new purchases.

Favorite buy? This blush pink frilly delight ($99.99). According to my roommate, "it's so cute it should be illegal." Uh... awesome.

Also love my pink skinny friends w/ zip ankles ($49.99) that I wore to the West Elm/Etsy event.

I was really torn on being adventurous and getting myself a black maxi skirt. I thought it would be very fashion-forward of me. Yes, this is me being trendy. Alas, the maxi did not make it home with me that day. Thoughts? Should I go back and get it? Is this something I'd get a lot of use out of? Could be fun for day or night... Hmm... I just wasn't convinced it was worth $90.

I also snatched up a black maxi dress that I know I'll wear a ton this summer, as well as my favorite pair of $35 pants in bright teal. It was a glorious day.

LCY Styles and Graphics: Pyar and Co. pillows

I am so happy to share with you a project I've been working on the past couple months. Pyar and Co. (pronounced pee-ar, the Indian word for love) is a new company founded by Paula Queen here in Chicago. Paula, who along with launching this company is simultaneously raising a soon-to-be one-year-old boy, asked Danielle to photograph and me to style her new custom line of pillows, all of which are designed by Paula and hand-crafted in India. The silks, beads, and sequins are all individually dyed, stitched, and delicately sewn together by skilled artisans. It was a privilege and a challenge getting to style such beautiful objects.

Because we were just trying to showcase the pillows, I had to gather other props that would work with the aesthetic of the brand. I went with very neutral, natural elements. A Moroccan wooden side table, baskets, a sisal rug, and other white and black neutrals were brought in to showcase Pyar and Co.'s colorful and whimsical products.

After the photo shoot, I then had the opportunity of tackling the graphic design portion of the Pyar's branding. I designed the new website, that just went live yesterday! It's a rare opportunity a graphic designer gets to work with the images they helped create. It's been really special helping the look and brand take shape from the beginning and it will be a lot of fun watching it evolve in its first year. So go on and check out the new site!

Paula, congratulations, again. I've been having so much fun working with you, and you should be so very proud of the beautiful and quality new collections you've created for people's homes!

The Art of Styling an Entryway

I pinky swear promise Live Creating Yourself is not going anywhere and all of my posts will not revolve The Everygirl. But... some will. And because I absolutely adore today's feature, I wanted to share with you the fruits of our labor. Danielle and I spent way too long on what will be a recurring feature topic (How to Style...). Several weekends we spent running around Chicago, scooping up props to style three different entryways, one of which we had to re-shoot after deciding our first attempt was subpar. You'll notice the third image was actually shot in my own home! We just restyled it a bit - new lamp, mirror, rug, coat rack, etc.

So to learn the five simple steps that go into creating an organized and inviting entryway and to see more photos, click here! You can also click through all of the feature slideshows to buy the products you see in the different entryways!

All photographs via The Everygirl

LCY/The Everygirl, West Elm & Etsy Event TOMORROW!

Be sure to stop by the West Elm store at North and Sheffield tomorrow from 1-6pm. I'll be there along with thirteen of my favorite Chicago-based Etsy sellers! To get a sneak peek at what's in store, click here!

Otherwise, I'll see you tomorrow! Be sure to say Hello!

She is The Everygirl. This is for her.

It's here.

The Everygirl has arrived. Thank you so much to everyone who has supported and cheered us on these past six months. My family. My friends. My readers.

The very thought that this can and will inspire so many of you is what has kept us going, waking up early on weekends and working late into the night on weekdays.

I'd love to take a minute to thank my co-founder and friend Danielle Moss. It has been an honor and absolute pleasure working by her side all this time. I am so excited to see where this venture will lead, and while I can only assume not everything will be puppies and mini ice cream cones all the time, I know as long as we keep laughing as much as we do, good things will continue to happen. 

But enough about us.

This site is for YOU!

Click on over and scroll through the fancy, clickable Feature slideshows on The Everygirl! Peruse the Blog. Download the Handbook PDFs. Search for the pretty images to pin on all the extra pages (contact, co-founders). Check out the faces of those who have already contributed their talents to make this site real.

Go on. You know you want to. 

Then tell all your friends about it!

I'm going to take a nap.

photo by Stoffer Photography for The Everygirl

Ten Everygirl Sneak Peeks Hit the Blogosphere

Today, five of my favorite blogs are sharing sneak peek photos in anticipation for tomorrow's launch of The Everygirl. As you can see, interiors, food, career profiles, travel guides, and budget-friendly fashion features are just some of the topics we'll be covering on the new site. Check out the following blogs to view the full images and five other photos, as well!

Apartment 34

Brunch at Saks

Elements of Style

Peppermint Bliss

Stripes and Sequins

And spread the word! Can you believe it? Six long months... and The Everygirl launches tomorrow! Whoa.

couldn't do it without you, babe.

The Everygirl launches Wednesday. 

Yay hooray!

Hope you are having a more relaxing holiday. Shocker: I'm working. Good news is tomorrow there will be sneak peeks on five of my favorite blogs. Stay tuned!

photo source

LCY Listens

A few songs that I've been listening to on repeat from 8:30am til I walk away from my desk at midnight. Kind of all over the place, but all great. Enjoy! And Happy weekend!

Alone by Trampled by Turtles
Favorite Lyrics: 
You come into the world alone //
and you go out of the world alone //
but in between, there's you and me

Best Part: 
I get a mean air violin going at the 3:00 mark.

Simple Song by The Shins
Favorite Lyrics: 
I made a fumbling play for your heart //
and the act struck a spark

Best Part: 
The chorus. So fun to sing along.

Digital Rot by Tan Vampires
Favorite Lyrics: 

every star is out the night is warm //

everybody here feels so at home

Best Part: 
The instruments are bananas. I mean, the guy's playing percussion on an accordion.

We are Young by Fun.
Favorite Lyrics: 
tonight we are young //
so let's set the world on fire //
we can burn brighter than the sun

Best Part: 
I just love the message! Tonight we are young. We can burn brighter than the sun. Go us! No? Just me? Ok...

And if any of you have any recommendations for new songs I should check out, please send them my way!

How does she do it?

Taylor Sterling. It's women like her that inspired Danielle and I to start The Everygirl. Talent, passion, intelligence, style, beauty, hard-work ethic. This girl's got it all. As I slowly (rapidly) start to drown in my ever-growing pile of work and responsibilities, I'm trying to figure out how she keeps up with her blog Sterling Style, her site The Glitter Guide, and manages to stay in such great shape with regular Crossfit workouts (she's mentioned getting in at least five workouts a week). I mean - whoa can she rock a hot pink maxi dress!

Taylor - I bow down. Teach me your ways.

Source

The Everygirl Launching 2.22.12

Mark your calendars.

And have you signed up for the newsletter yet? Well, what are you waiting for?

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BHLDN Comes to Chicago

Today Anthropologie's sophisticated, wedding-savvy sister BHLDN (pronounced Beholden) opens the doors of its second storefront here in Chicago. My Everygirl partner-in-crime, Danielle, and I attended the opening party last night. We floated around the rooms, sipping champagne, pointing out the beautiful items, and chit-chatting with friends. Just like the Anthropologie stores, no detail was overlooked in designing the space. The architecture, the furniture, the paint colors - everything flawlessly fit into the whimsical yet elegant look for which BHLDN is known.

The highlight of the evening was getting to meet one of my idols, Darcy Miller, editor of Martha Stewart Weddings. Talk about inspiring talent. After explaining to her about the launch of The Everygirl, she relayed the story of how she started her own business in college but her parents made her get a "real job" for a year before once again starting off on her own. Fast-forward however many years later, and now she's Martha's #2.

All in all, it was a great night and I cannot wait to get back to the store to try on the various baubles, dresses, and shoes I fell in love with. Although, fashion aside, the number one items on my BHLDN wishlist are the pink and jadeite cake stands. The colors and shape are just too perfect. How could any stylist not want them in their life on a more permanent basis?

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

Let's play a game...

...called "Name Your Favorite Thing About This Brooklyn Townhouse."

I'll start...
1. The two walls of oversized photos and prints in the living. No wait...
2. The bevy of colors splattered all over the place. No wait...
3. The cerulean tufted chairs opposite the leopard velvet sofa. No wait...
4. The black lacquered walls in the study. No wait...
5. The tiled and checkered walls in the kitchen. No wait...
6. The red leather upholstered dining chairs. No wait...
7. The European-esque garden in the middle of Brooklyn. No wait...
8. The master suite, complete with canopy bed, dressing room, and marble tub. No wait...
9. The matching green drapes and walls in the girl's room. No wait...
10. The masculine yet sophisticated decor in the boy's room. No wait...

I give up.

Are you having more luck than me?

Just another case of a stop-you-in-your-tracks-it's-so-great home. Well done, Mr. Bilhuber. Well done.

Source: Architectural Digest, designed by Jeffrey Bilhuber

ASOS Gets Pretty in Pink

One of my favorite bloggers, London-based Shini of Park and Cube, took a tour of the ASOS Salon Spring/Summer 2012 collection and whoa is it all sorts of perty. Blush pinks, corals, and minty greens. My favorites! Shini's beautiful photography captures the ethereal looks flawlessly. Cannot wait for these items to become available online. Rest assured I will let you all know as soon as they do!

Have a great weekend!