Francesca's Poncho

Coat: Nordstrom Rack // Francesca's: Poncho // Gloves: H&M // Jeans: Forever 21 // Bag: Mad Style c/o my pal the Sportsanista // Hat: Sole Society

How is tomorrow already Friday? Oh yes, I know. This week started with a snow day and then an extra blizzard on top of the previous blizzard. Then I think we just plowed though (pun intended) in hopes of the weekend coming faster. I think it worked.

I picked up this Poncho over at Francesca's in Lincoln Park. Pretty much anytime I wear this or any other poncho to school all I hear the whole day is "teacher, you look like a cowgirl." I guess they are more familiar with the Mexican cowgirls in the hood I teach in.  Ponchos are such an easy and comfy choice. They are just as warm as a sweater but have a little more personality, like say the personality of a Mexican cowgirl...?

I own this Nordstrom Rack coat in two colors and love the contrasting faux-leather panels. This Sole Society hat has been on major repeat lately too. It was a gift from my husband which he gave to me by wearing it when I walked into the room.  He knows how to make me laugh, that one.

One more day til Friday everyone! I'm super excited for this weekend because it's finally time for a treat! I've been sticking to a Whole30 diet pretty strictly for 35 days now and it's time for a little doughnut therapy. The problem really is do I go to Stan's or Firecakes? It's such a momentous occasion that maybe I should get one from each? Any suggestions? Either way I'm going to feel like crap after eating them so I might as well go out with a bang!

You're Invited! Lincoln Park's Holiday Shop-Hop

The holidays are almost here. I know I have tons of people in mind to shop for this holiday season. With so many different people to buy for, I have the perfect solution! Lincoln Park's first Shop-Hop is coming to you on December 4th! Stop in all your favorite Lincoln Park shops or even discover a new one with some of the best Chicago bloggers hosting all in one night. Shop special gift ideas personally selected by each blogger themselves will be available the night of the event!

Peggy and I will be hosting at the fabulous one-stop-shop, Francesca's and be on hand to help you style and shop for all those gift-worthy people in your life!  A cute pair of earrings for a coworker. or even a stylish sweater for your sister. Did you also know Francesca's even has a great selection of gifts for men too? You might find a few gifts for yourself!

Gifts for him & her and a solid dose of holiday sparkles !

   So come join in the fun! Enjoy a 20% off in-store discount at Francesca's too while you shop!

Date: December 4th 

Time: 4-8:30

Where: Francesca's  in Lincoln Park at 2012 N Halsted & all over Lincoln Park

Here is the full line-up of all the blogger babes you can visit that night in the area!

All She Wrote: She Loved Life

Art Effect: Isn't that Charming and Charmingly Styled

Barbour: Kinks are the New Pink and The Golden Girl 

Comfort Me Boutique: 312 Beauty and Caravan of Style

Fox's Designer off-Price: Lakeshore Lady and Color Me Styled 

Francesca's Collection: Hallways are my Runways and Hot Pink Style

Essentia: The Little Foxes

Green Goddess Boutique:  An Eventful Life and Gold Coast Girl 

Kiehl's: A Cheeky Fox

Little Black Dress: the style letters and  2 girls 2 cities

Londo Mondo: Cedar and Rush and Project Soiree 

Lululemon: Adrian-James

Oh, Olive: The Kittchen 

Pilates Pro Works: A Sweat Life

Pure Barre: Lakeshore Runner

Rara Avis: House and Hanger

Shop857: Actually, just Jennie and Lows to Luxe

Stella Barra: Chritiques

Studio Fit : The Balanced Babe

Ten Thousand Villages: The Kissing Booth Blog 

Francesca's Tribal Print Dress

I recently wore this Francesca's Collections dress to a friends wedding in Milwaukee. When I first bought it, I didn't believe it was dressy enough for a wedding but after dressing it up with some killer black sling-backs and a double layer of necklaces, I was a believer.

 Francesca's Tribal Print Dress // Zara Sling-backs // Aldo Outlet Purse // Black Forever 21 necklace // Triangular statement necklace // Kate Spade sunglasses

Shop Black Sling-backs

Shop Tribal Print

Shop Ivory Handbags

Hot Pink Windowpane

Another cold day, another bathroom photo shoot. You probably didn't need to know that this was taken in my work bathroom but oh well, there it is. 

I had been eyeing this windowpane silk J Crew top for a while, like I do anything pink and sold at J Crew.

One morning over my Christmas break, a lovely man from J Crew called me. To my surprise he asked me if I'd like to come by and pick up a bag from one of their holiday displays -- I had asked a few weeks prior if they would donate their old decorations for my classroom -- and he remembered! Of course, while I was there picking them up I spotted this top again, but this time on sale as well as a fabulous tweed dress. With the 30% off sale prices and then my 15% off teacher discount on top of that, I couldn't resist! 

Aside from awesome customer service and great clothes, now they have also helped my classroom! Just one more reason to love J Crew!

"Magic" Pants: Express

Heels: Cole Hann

Silk boy shirt in Windowpane: J Crew

Earrings: Francesca's

Necklace: Forever 21

A Whole Lot Goin' On

I feel like all I talk about is blazers lately. Maybe it's Fall or maybe it's just the first time in my professional life I've worked in a school that didn't get heated to 98 degrees the second a chill hit the air! I'm really enjoying being able to wear blazers comfortably all day long. I always wondered what it would be like to not be hot  all the time and now I finally get to experience it.

This little herringbone Jacket has been in my collection for a few years now, purchased at Banana Republic, which is a store I rarely find things that fit me well. It seriously feels like a sweatshirt but gives such a polished finish. 

Most of my Fall layers are a few years/seasons old because I bought them with the hopes of wearing them but never really could. Now they get so much use I actually had to go purchase more...not that I'm complaining.

By the way, that $30 Camel Target blazer I talked about yesterday, I wore today while I was making a return at J Crew. I was shocked to see this blazer which was near $800 bucks! Now my Target jacket is NOT made of fine Italian cashmere, but for $770 less I got the cheap version that looked so similar  to the J Crew one, that the woman working the register actually asked if it was from there! I'd call that a steal!

Jacket: Banana Republic, Yellow Sweater: J Crew Outlet, Leopard pants: Loft, Booties: Report Marks (buy here), Watch: Michael Kors, Necklace: Forever 21(also worn here and here with much redder hair), Earrings: Francesca's.

Have a fabulous Fall weekend everyone and thanks for reading!