Dinner, Theater & A Skort

This was a three-outfit day in New York. First the workout gear for yoga, then the strawberry and cutoffs for a day of shopping, then dinner and the theater required a little freshening up.

This Zara skort has been all over the place lately. I originally ordered the white one but could not get over how much it looked like I was wearing an adult diaper. Funny that after that I still went back for the black ones to try again. A lot less diaper-y in black if I do say so myself! Click the link below to get these sold-out-online shorts for a fraction of the price!

What are your thoughts on this super trendy skort? Are you on the bandwagon or not?

 Dinner at Blue Fin at The W Hotel

 Blouse: Joe Fresh (bought last year in NY)

Skort: Zara (pretty much identical and way cheaper here!)

Bag: Target

Watch: La Mer (similar here from the La Mer Target line)

Sunglasses: Nordstrom

Spike necklace: Gifted from Amy

Gold plate necklace: Vintage

Amanda and I at the Majestic Theater about to see the Phantom of the Opera!

Strawberries, Tigers and Leopard, Oh My!

If you know me, you know that I love a good deal. I'm not talking clearance necessarily (I hate to pick through a disorganized rack), but rather finding current styles at great prices. That's my thing, my high. So you can imagine how thrilled I was to visit two of my favorite not-available-in-Chicago stores that fit the bill: Uniqlo and Joe Fresh.

My friend Amanda had never been to either, so I took her to the U.S. flagship locations of both to make a big impression. Needless to say we both left with some serious baggage. Oh, and did I mention this was also the day that the Zara sale began? (Going on now and it's a good one!!) Naturally we had to stop at the one right across from Bryant Park.

For those of you who have never had a chance to visit Joe Fresh, and I'm not talking new section in your local JC Penny, but the big flagship store. It's simply wonderful. It's my silk wonderland. For anyone who has ever pined away for the loveliness of an Equipment brand silk blouse but did not want to shell out over $200 for one, this is your answer! They carry a rainbow of beautiful silk button downs, dresses and tanks. (All of which I purchased, and sadly can't be purchased through the Joe Fresh website. Some are available on JC Penny site.)

Uniqlo has never let me down for a fun blazer or an interesting polo for my husband at great prices. I like to think of it as the poor man's American Apparel. I got a great blazer you will see soon on the blog and may have seen here on my Instagram for our departure from the W Hotel.

What's your favorite New York store? I'd love to hear some recommendations for my next trip!

Tiger loafers: Zara sale (purchased that day and wore them out the door! Get them here)

Strawberry Top: Forever 21

Shorts: Old Navy (old)

Belt: Express (old)

Leopard Flats: Calvin Klein via Piperlime (old) (similar)

Heart sunglasses: purchased at the Randolph Street Fest

Watch: La Mer (different style)

Necklace: Gifter from Amy

Photo Credit: Amanda D.

NY: Part 2: Mind Over Madness

I know I'm on vacation, but I wasn't the least bit upset when my alarm went off at 6 a.m.! In fact I was awake a bit before the alarm. Much like kids on Christmas morning, my friend Amanda and I were so excited to get downstairs (literally steps from our hotel door) and get our spots for the sunrise yoga class!

It's kind of crazy how when you wake up early, you feel like no one else is up. But then you go outside and turn the corner, you can find something like this happening! Pretty cool!

This is really what the yoga community is all about: coming together to share a love of yoga even if it is among strangers, in crazy places, at early hours.

The summer solstice marked the first day of summer and the longest day of light. To start summer off with a celebration like this was truly amazing!

*Tomorrow's post will feature the rest of the day's shopping bonanza (back to the fashion soon, I promise)!

Amongst madness!

Shoes: Nike "Victoria" (awesome color scheme here)

Pants: Lululemon Wunder Under crops

Tank: Lululemon Cool racerback tank in what else but hot pink!

Tie dye sports bra: Forever 21(similar here)

Amanda and I all ready to yoga!

Amanda's top: Lululemon "Practice Freely tank"

Our free commemorative mat! Thanks Athleta and Times Square Alliance!

 Sleepy and uncaffeinated but still rocking our Lululemon brights!

Yogis on the Jumbotron! 

 Let the big morning stretches begin!

Later that day we got tickets for Phantom of the Opera at that tkts booth! 

One final rest to wrap up the practice.

Our teacher and Athleta model, Drisana Carey. How cute is she?

Who's excited to go next year??

NY: Part 1

Ok, so I'm having trouble with where to even begin. This might have to be a many-part series on my trip to New York.

Let's start on the day I left.

That morning I woke up, got dressed and went to work just like any other day. But by 11:00 that night I made my way to one of the most famous places on Earth: Times Square, Manhattan.

But Times Square itself was about to undergo an even bigger change: transforming from a hub of commerce and commotion, into a day-long celebration of yoga at the heart of New York.

So what was this yoga event, you might be asking. It's called "Mind Over Madness," which is perfectly fitting because it's a peaceful yoga practice happening amongst the madness on the crowed city streets of Times Square. If you've been to New York - and even more so if you've been to New York and you do yoga - you can imagine what a contrast this is.

I had seen it in a magazine a few years back and thought it looked absolutely incredible. I held onto that magazine clipping for at least a year and finally went last year, and it was exactly as I had hoped. I couldn't wait to go back this year.

Our hotel, the W New York, Times Square, was just steps away from the check-in station. It was pretty incredible how perfectly situated we were with our location! Here are some pictures from the day's work outfit and then post-flight around the hotel.

*Check out tomorrow's post for pictures from the actual event.

Dress: Old Navy (found mine on the clearance rack for $17!)

Wedges: Express

Belt: Came with this Forever 21 dress

Chambray Blazer: Target

Watch: La Mer (same) via Stitch in Bucktown

Sunglasses: Purchased at Randolph Street Fest (and as close to the mirrored sunglasses trend as I'm gonna try)

Necklace: Banana Republic Outlet

(Yes, I left my heels at work and changed into my flats for travel)

Back From NYC!

Hello all!

 I just returned yesterday from the most amazing trip to New York! For those of you who don't know, I went with my friend Amanda for the summer solstice yoga event called Mind Over Madness in Times Square. I can't wait to share all my pics from the incredible experience. Below is a preview of my own "private" yoga island on 46th and Broadway! More on that later but if you can't wait to see more check out my Instagram and Facebook page.

Thanks for reading,

Jill

Lace on my Sleeves

I'm not known for being casual, so even when I wear a sweatshirt I try to make it a fancy one. 

I stumbled upon this super-soft sweatshirt on the Nordstrom sale racks and had to have it. How much more fancy can a sweatshirt get than a lace-sleeved one? And it's on sale for under $30!

I am off to New York tomorrow for one of my favorite events of the year: Mind Over Madness in Times Square. Basically it's thousands of other crazy yogis like me doing yoga in the middle of the street in Times Square. I went last year and can't wait to go back. Truly an amazing experience. 

As you may expect the trip will include some shopping so I'll be sure to fill you in on all the goodies I pick up on my travels. 'Til next week my dears...

Heels: Dillards

Jeans: Gap (similar)

Sweatshirt: Nordstrom (on sale!)

Necklace: eBay

Sunglasses: Target

Short Story

Last Friday, wearing this outfit reminded me of one of my favorite parts of summer. Short skirts! 

I'm tall with lots of leg and I work with kids so I can't go around wearing things like this throughout the school year. But with summer break just around the corner I will soon be able to wear all the short skirts I want! Yay summer!

Skirt: Zara (same here)

Top: Anthropologie

Elephant bracelet: eBay(similar)

Bangles: Forever 21 (old)

Wedges: J. Crew Factory

Ikat Dress

Ever wanted to know what an exhausted teacher looks like after a field trip? This is it. 

My hair has melted and my dress is full of wrinkles from sitting in a sweaty bus. And my dogs are barking from walking around Navy Pier all day!

I wore this dress for two reasons. One, it would be super easy to find me with this busy pattern, and two, it's basically a long t-shirt which made it the perfect super-comfy field trip option. All ended well because I came back to school with as many children as I left with! Hooray.

Dress: ASOS (similar with a slightly scandalous back!) (Love this floral one too!)

Sandals: Forever 21 (look just like the Sam Edelman "Gigi" sandals, but a fraction of the price!)

Necklace: Charming Charlie

Sunglasses: Nordstrom (only $12)

Father's Day: A Day at the Races

Yesterday was spent with my favorite old man: my dad. 

For the last few years my brother has organized a get-together at Arlington Race Course for Father's Day and it's been just perfect every time! My dad has a serious passion for horse racing and used to train and own a few horses, so it's only fitting that we spend his day at the track.

And in keeping with my passion, fashion, I decided to go into full-on derby mode for the day. Theme dressing can be super fun when it involves girly dresses and big ol' hats! Yes indeed! 

Here's a peek at our day at the races.

 Shoes: Coconuts "Hepburn" (buy same here! So comfy!)

Dress: Forever 21 (similar here and here)

Hat: J. Crew (almost identical here)

Necklace: Nordstrom (old but similar here)

Purse: Aldo Outlet (another option here)

Sunglasses: Forever 21

Belt: Came with an old Jason Wu for Target dress (similar here at Target)

 The perfect picture of my dad in his element! Happy Father's Day!