2 Dresses for $50? That's what I like to hear.

And I just hit "Purchase."

I told you I like to buy the same thing in multiple colors - especially when that thing is $25. I'll be bringing these comfy frocks with me to Europe in October!

Everything in J.Crew's final sale section is an additional 50% off right now. USE CODE TODAYONLY at checkout Hop to it!

Here's a few favorites:
This jacket that everyone owns and looks great in (including Claire Dumphey)
These too-perfect-for-summer shoes
Would love to wear this to a summer wedding
And a few favorite accessories like this, this, and these dazzlers

Romp Around

I love rompers (and maxis and sundresses) so much that I asked our fashion editors at The Everygirl to do a story on these brilliant one-piece wonders. I got my first and only romper from Splendid last year, and it's become a staple in my summer wardrobe. I realize I probably should have included it in My 10 Summer Essentials post. They just make getting ready so easy; no worrying about what to wear with what and if this top matches these bottoms. And if I'm being honest, I feel a skosh more fashionable when I wear it.

A few of the more stylish women I know rocking rompers...

 

So I used some leftover Shopbop credit and picked up these bebes hoping at least one works out (for anyone who doesn't know, Shopbop offers free shipping and returns. It's awesome.). Yes, that is technically a jumpsuit in there. I absolutely love the look and wanted to try it out. I think it looks tres sophisticated.

striped romper | black | magenta | multi pattern

Are you a fan of the romper?

image sources: black jumpsuit via With Love from Kat // floral romper via Gal Meets Glam // plant romper via Sequins and Stripes // striped romper image via The Everygirl // black romper via Kendi Everyday

The 10 Items Getting Me Through Summer 2014

Anyone who knows me and sees me often enough can attest I wear the same things on repeat with vigor. No shame in it. I find my favorites, I love them, they love me, and I get my money's use. I usually will buy a piece that fits well in multiple colors because, well, why not? If I'm not mixing up the style, at least I can change up the color. These are the ten items I've been wearing on repeat all summer.

Side note: Danielle always asks me how can I wear pants in the summer? Don't I get hot? Well, yes, but I am hot either way. And I'd rather not have the back of my thighs stick to whatever surface I'm sitting on, so light-weight pants are the preferable option (or a dress).

SHOP MY FAVORITES

1. Henry and Belle light-weight denim* $184
2. J Brand white jeans $172
3. Strappy sundresses: pineapple dress $41.50 and blue dress $39.50
4. J.Crew Factory peplum tops $32.99
5. Madewell linen tees $35.50
6. Strappy leather sandals: brown $59.50 and gold $175
7. J.Crew heeled sandals $158
8. Ray-ban blue aviators $170
9. Coach white handbag $219
10. BaubleBar dazzly earrings $34

*These light blue jeans are by a local Chicago brand, Henry and Belle, and are hands-down the most comfortable jeans I've ever worn. They're are so light-weight and stretchy, dare I say they're almost as comfy as yoga pants?

SHOP MORE GREAT OPTIONS

What are your go-to pieces this summer?

Happy 4th of July Weekend!

color splash + vodka = i'm there

danielle needed me to stand in for a photo shoot she was working on for her blog. the assignment was to dress colorfully and pour vodka drinks. preppy but FUN. done and done.

i had the perfect color-splashed frock–a recent treat from kate spade saturday! i realize it's only a glimpse, but you get the idea of how fun the dress is. maybe there will be a full outfit post coming soon... maaaaybe.

dress | shoes (different color) | bangle (different color

photos by Danielle Moss

summertime = flowertime

earlier this week danielle and i decided to head to a nursery–the roof deck garden at home depot in lincoln park, to be specific. with the intention of buying outdoor flowers. in an attempt to plant them and... pause for shock... keep them alive ALL SUMMER LONG.

of course i love flowers and plants. but as i've discussed before, keeping them alive has never been a strong suit of mine. so we went with the easiest to care for–a miracle gro premium plant sold exclusively here in chicago that, if all goes as promised, should blossom tenfold into a big huge beautiful goliath-sized flowering plant in a matter of weeks. i'm sure these plants usually grow right on schedule, but with me at the helm, this lil' blush pink number i decided on is going to have to work for it.

but i'm going to try my best. i don't own a shovel, but being the scrappy lady that i am, i improvised with a spoon and got my hands dirty. (in white jeans, of course. idiot.) i gave it tons of water during the potting process just like the directions told me to.

then sat and enjoyed a lovely view of the parking lot my deck overlooks. sure the view isn't ideal, but the fresh air and sunshine combined with a hot soy latte and lovely fleurs was just what i needed to get myself energized and feeling good as i head into this long weekend.

tonight's a girls night and then i plan on visiting michigan to see my darling niece, sister, and brother-in-law. fun times, full steam ahead!

any plans for the holiday? anyone doing any gardening and care to share some tips?

polka dots and neon #mysummeruniform

in the four years since its inception, live creating yourself has never been anyone's go to resource for personal style posts. and let's be honest, even if i tried to make it that, you'd see a lot of the same thing: j.crew, j.crew, a touch of kate spade, with the occasional budget find from target and gap in the mix. needless to say i don't think anna wintour and friends would be knocking down my door for my groundbreaking tips on fashion. that being said, today, i have a style post for all of you! (and yes, it's cholkerbock full of the aforementioned brands.)

i had a very exciting photo shoot last week (details forthcoming) and quickly ran out the day before to pick up some items that i thought would maybe work and represent my personal style, which i've since coined preppy but FUN, [exclamation point]. of course, the stylist put me in something totally different, but that's neither here nor there. after the shoot, i couldn't bring myself to return this polka dot dress (now on sale!). i love it too much and suspect i'll be wearing it all summer long, appreciating how it works for both day and night. ok, i mean, for a fancy day. i don't know about you, but i normally don't run errands all dolled up.

yeah, that's a selfie. but there's a puppy in it so it's okay. and before anyone asks, yes, i was spray-tanned. i'm normally a lovely/pasty shade i like to call brightwhitelikethemoon. if any of you have an event coming up or just want to give spray-tanning a try, i can't recommend benefit enough. sure, you have to get nakey in a closet with a lady who hoses you down w/ sticky orange spray that stinks to high hell, but i've learned it's worth it.

SHOP THE DAY OUTFIT:

dress | bracelet | sunglasses | belt | espadrilles

SHOP THE NIGHT OUTFIT:

dress | necklace | belt | pumps (similar) | ring | bracelet (similar)

p.s. we are giving away a pair of the daytime espadrilles by jacques levine on the everygirl! so head on over and sign up. ($139 value!)

first and last photo by darlene campos for the everygirl

Browline Sunnies

Saw this lovely photo of SFGirlByBay's Victoria Smith taken by the talented Kimberly Genevieve (an Everygirl photographer!) and it reaffirmed my desire for a pair of sunglasses I spotted at Anthropologie on my last visit.

The browline sunnies are reasonably priced at $42, so the question is not whether to get them but which color do I get?

Summer Wish Granted

 

Thanks to my very best friend, my craving for a good ole' fashioned carnival was quenched. And we didn't even have to leave the city of Chicago! A small school was putting on a fundraiser for families and children, so naturally, we attended. I am sad to report there was no Ferris wheel or Zipper, but the blinking lights, the sugary funnel cakes, and the overstuffed prizes were just what I needed. And I kind of loved the ATM that spit out tickets instead of money. The whole evening was charming and magical, and just the kind of night I needed now that summer is coming to an end. Thank you, Lauren!

Mmm... so what's next? Apple picking, haunted houses, and harvest festivals. Oh my!

Where, Oh Where, Has Summer Gone?

As teachers head back to their classrooms and sweaters and coats fill store shelves, I find myself clinging to the sunny days and hot nights of the past two months. It seems every day my schedule gets busier and busier.

So to make sure these days don't just pass me by, I've decided to write down a list of things to do as we dive into this last month of summer 2011:
1. enjoy an afternoon at North Avenue Beach
2. attend a Cubs game
3. go for at least three runs along the lakefront
4. have a picnic on the lakefront with friends
5. get drinks on the rooftop of Paris Club

Easily doable, I think. What's on your bucket list for the rest of summer?

Carnival Cravings

sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

I'm fairly certain some magical summer serum (read: chardonnay and mojitos) has infiltrated every vein in my body so much so that I actually find myself craving the unexpected: an evening at a good ole'-fashioned carnival. Games, obnoxious music, flashing lights, fried elephant ears, the Ferris wheel, and my personal favorite, the Zipper. It all sounds too good to be true and reminds me of being 14 when my biggest concern in the world was whether the boy I had a crush on would be there, too. Oh... memories.

When was the last time any of you went to a carnival? Any plans to attend one this summer?

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!