Showing posts with label Chicago. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chicago. Show all posts

Flamingo Fan

Monday, September 12, 2016


Flamingo mural wall in Chicago, maternity style, free people perfectly victorian dress

Flamingo mural wall in Chicago, maternity style, free people perfectly victorian dress

Flamingo mural wall in Chicago, maternity style, free people perfectly victorian dress

Flamingo mural wall in Chicago, maternity style, free people perfectly victorian dress

Flamingo mural wall in Chicago, maternity style, free people perfectly victorian dress

Flamingo mural wall in Chicago, maternity style, free people perfectly victorian dress

These Pictures were taken on my last day in Chicago, right before meeting some old blogger friends for dinner. I had really wanted to go see this wall while I was there because Flamingos hold a special place in my heart.

My dad, many moons ago, used to own race horses and his very favorite race course was Hialeah, and I used to love that the flamingos they had on the course grounds. Although I don't remember wearing it, I know I had a little pink jockey uniform from there as a baby. I've seen pictures of me wearing it. It's a great memory I have along with many others from my dads love of horse racing. 

In fact if you've seen my living room tour, you may have seen a framed #5 right by my front door. People often ask me why it's there and I tell them it's because it's my favorite number. But the reason it's my favorite, my dad would ask me what horse I thought would win a race and every time I would pick number 5. It's so predictable that when I would do the pick a number 1-10 with my students to find a quick way of getting out of a tie, the ones who knew that about me always won when they picked 5! 

So there you go, way more nostalgia than fashion in today's post but now you get why I couldn't leave Chicago without visiting this wall. And thanks so much to my lovely friend Ashley for coming with me to make it happen. 


Our Chicago Baby Shower

Tuesday, September 6, 2016


Some days are just whirlwinds of love, happiness and emotions. Our shower in Chicago was one of those days! My amazing girlfriend Amy threw us a perfect shower in her beautiful new home. 


My father-in-law told us awhile back before we moved, that one of the best parts of moving across the country is that when you do come home, people go out of there way to see you when you are in town and I think our friends and family did an amazing job of showing us just how true this was. We sure tested out the capacity of Amy's new place because so many friends, their adorable babies, past coworkers and family gathered together to show us so much love. 

Also I just love when people from different pockets of your life get together in one place and meet. It's great to watch all the people you love come together and get along so well. It made our hearts so happy to see all the great people Athena will have in her life.

Thank you so much Amy for giving us a day we will treasure forever!

Some of my gorgeous blogger boos, Erin, Peggy, Samantha, Ashley and Maria. How cute are the babes flanking this line of ladies!

My side of the family, my dad, twin brothers and their ladies as well as my two favorite little people my niece and nephew.

The party greeter, Amy's daughter, Lex, in here adorable tutu. 

The parents to be! Do we look ready?

The sweetest little bib from Amy's mother-in-law who has taken me in as one of her own and made this "Hot Pink Style intern" bib for Athena. Such a thoughtful gift.

And this lady, my girl Amy, who made all magic happen! I love her! She even had some help from my Lobas (see below) making some of the adorable shower decorations that have now been repurposed in Athena's nursery.  


I also had two other mini showers when I was back! How lucky am I?

The first was with my Lobas, which is what we have called our group for years. We met in Yoga about 5 years back and have been part of each other's lives ever since and never looked back. We went to my absolute favorite Greek restaurant, the one my family has been going to for decades, Greek Islands. It's also in my old neighborhood that I lived in for 15 years in Chicago so it was a fun little walk down memory lane. It was so good to be around these girls. Things never change when we are together. It really is amazing what special bonds you can form that stem from a love of yoga!




The second was with a bunch of my Blogger friends at my favorite Cuban restaurant, 90 Miles Cafe! We all had so much to catch up on over the incredible empanadas and summer weather. This was my send off too. I left the very next morning, so it was a great way to end the trip!



 And then there was this waiting when I got home. This is a screen grab from my Snapchat. Needless to say, our neighbors are very kind to have picked up packages for us! I mean this is just incredible. It was so fun to open everything and see all the thoughtful gifts everyone sent to this little lady. She is so loved already and no one even knows her yet! We are seriously grateful for all the love, care and sweetness that has come into our lives since sharing the news of this baby girl. We love you all so much!!


Chicago Athletic Association: A Look Inside our Stay

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Over the weekend my husband surprised me with a little staycation at the amazing new Chicago Athletic Association Hotel that opened last week. I must say, the surprise was super easy to keep considering I didn't even know it had opened. As a major lover of things with some serious Chicago history (one of the reasons our wedding was in Jackson Park) this place did not disappoint. 

Every corner was filled with so many masculine, athletic-inspired and vintage details. It was serious fun exploring this place and a pleasure to spend a night there. I honestly took so many pictures on my phone, there was just no way I could post them on social media. So needles to say I had quite enough on my phone to give you a full inside look at our stay. 

Lets start from the beginning, shall we?

This is the street-level lobby with intricate tile floors and this insanely beautiful staircase!

This antique gym floor is the wall of the elevator! How cool is that? It even smelled kind of like and old gym...but in a good way, if that makes any sense at all.

This padded wall, much like the ones in the gym at my school (but these were waaaay cooler) made for such an interesting seating area. This was tucked away around some corner.

Walking into the lobby is pretty overwhelming! It's like walking into the past!

This mural hangs above the check in counter. The staff here was super friendly. (Hey Phil at the front desk!)

This sprawling lobby isn't lacking seating...or pillows for that matter!

I loved all this old leather seating. Its all perfectly worn and aged! Just beautiful!




This little fireplace-adjacent nook was the perfect place to cozy up before heading to our room.

There was shuffle board calling our names in the bar on 2!

There's also a bocce court ready to jump into in the bar/ gameroom! This is totally where all big kids in the city should go to play games!

Cindy's
Behind the bar at Cindy's on the 13th floor. The vibe in here is super chill. It's not all dark, loud and stuffy like some bars can be. And the view off the patio balcony can't be beat!

Cindy's
Need I say more. Check out this view of Millennium Park.

Cindy's
Off the balcony and looking back into Cindy's.

Our room had this vintage looking clock radio that was playing folk music uppon arrival. 

This shower is what bathroom dreams are made of!

So I'm a big fan of hotel robes, but these were on another level. They were fleece! We got to lounge in sweatpants robes you guys!

The gym class inspired pull up bar in the room was a nice touch. I hung from the top to check and make sure it was legit.

This bedding needs to be for sale. Across the bottom it reads "I miss everything about Chicago. Except January and February."

Marble vanity with some of my date night details.


navy, pier, fireworks
The view of the fireworks from our window was pretty convenient. We didn't even have to get out of bed, but that doesn't mean I didn't jump up in the window box and watch!

On our way out in the morning.

We had an amazing stay and will be back to enjoy that rooftop view in the summer. Now, who wants to join us?








One Of A Kind Show

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

one, of, a, kind, show

one, of, a, kind, show

one, of, a, kind, show

one, of, a, kind, show
These candles smelled like heaven!

one, of, a, kind, show
My husband was obsessed with this paiting.

one, of, a, kind, show

one, of, a, kind, show

one, of, a, kind, show

one, of, a, kind, show
The Trendy Sparrow's adorable booth!

one, of, a, kind, show

one, of, a, kind, show
Fried cheese samples really drew a crowd!

one, of, a, kind, show

joe, fresh, varsity, jacket

candy, yum, yum

joe, fresh, varsity, jacket
Coach bag(love this navy leather version) // Joe Fresh Jacket  and Jeans//Target mittens // Nike sneakers (just upgraded to these and am loving them) // Forever 21 hat // Candy Yum Yum lipstick

I know its a little late but I still wanted to share a little about my trip to the One of a Kind Show at Merchandise Mart last month. I mean you can't go till next year anyway so it's technically not too late.

This is one of my favorite events of the year. I only found out about it 2 years ago after the designer of the beautiful leather bag I found for my husband invited me. Once I went, I was hooked. It's pretty much like Etsy came to life and you just get to wander around inside it. For hours! It's HUGE! Like, I don't know if I'll ever see all of it, big! you just eventually loose steam and have to leave. There are so many booths to visit, it's actually divided into districts!

I love finding cute gifts for family and friends. This year I got some unique smelling candles by and some adorable onesies for 2 babes in our lives.

I hope you get a chance to visit next year. I promise it's worth the trip!