Labor Day Sales

Hope you are all enjoying your long weekend. Here are some hot sales to help you celebrate! Happy shopping!

ASOS- Take 20% off with code SUMMER4EVER. Expires September 3rd. HOT PINK STYLE's pick HERE!

J. Crew Factory-40-50% off everything! Ends 9/2 HOT PINK STYLE's pick HERE!

BaubleBar- Buy 2 sale items, get 25% off. Ends: 9/2. Code: SUMMER25; Buy 3 sale items, get30% off. Ends: 9/2. Code: SUMMER30; Buy 4+ sale items, get 35% off. Ends 9/2. Code: SUMMER35. HOT PINK STYLE's pick HERE!

C. Wonder- Save 25% on full-price items. Ends: 9/2. Code: LABORDAY . HOT PINK STYLE's pick HERE!

ILY Couture- All Fan Fringe Necklaces for just $16. Ends: 9/3. Code: FRINGE16 .HOT PINK STYLE's pick HERE!

Joe’s Jeans- Save 30% off fall fashions. Ends: 9/2. Code: LABORDAY. HOT PINK STYLE's pick HERE!

Necessary Clothing- Save 15% off your oder. Ends: 8/31. Code PJ15. HOT PINK STYLE's pick HERE!

Nordstrom- Save 40% off select shoes. Ends: 9/15. No code needed. HOT PINK STYLE's pick HERE!

PUMA- Save 30% off sitewide. Ends: 9/2. No code needed.HOT PINK STYLE's pick HERE!

Trina Turk- Save an extra 20% off sale items. No code needed. HOT PINK STYLE's pick HERE!

Vince Camuto- Save an extra 40% off all sale items. Ends: 9/3. Code: CLEAR40. HOT PINK STYLE's pick HERE!

Green Leather & White Converse

When the new J. Crew style guide arrived in my mailbox, the t-shirt on the cover instantly reminded me of this old favorite already in my closet. Mine may not say "kiss," but for about 1/4 of the price of the J. Crew tee it's close enough for me. My tee is old, but I found this one for just $10.80 which is practically its twin and comes in three colors!

These white Converse low tops are something I've been eyeing for a while and finally gave in to at the Converse store in the outlet mall from Wednesdays's post. Let's see how long they stay so fresh and clean, I imagine not too long.

Tee: Forever 21 (similar here at J. Crew and the Forever 21 version is just $10.80!)

Jeans and Green bag: Zara (both bought at the summer Zara sale)

Shoes: Converse

Sunglasses: Forever 21

Striped Maxi Dress

Every now and then I'll find a cheapie gem in the least-expected places. Like this cute maxi dress. 

This dress came from a store very similar to the Discovery of the Chicagoland area, but it differed because it had mostly shoes. For just $10 at Bare Feet Shoes in Philadelphia, this comfy striped maxi was all mine.

What I love about it is the length. Now, most women shorter than I would be happy to find a maxi that didn't drag on the floor. I NEVER have that problem. Must be terrible for you all. The length of this dress is super easy to walk in, and a little more breezy than most maxi dresses. And guess what? You can get your own cheap and cute dress here! 

Dress: Actually available online here for just 10 bucks!!

Watch: Michael Kors

Sandals: Zara (old)

Necklace: eBay

Nails: Mint Candy Apple by Essie

Sunglasses: Kate Spade

Field Trip: Fashion Outlets Of Chicago

Visiting the new Fashion Outlets of Chicago was high on my shopping bucket list this summer so I made sure it happened before I went back to school.

My blogger friend Amy and I went with low expectations considering we are not much of outlet shoppers (although there isn't a shopping challenge we would turn down).

The mall is super clean and orderly, and with some of the shops still not open it feels very much under construction. It's all very wide open, not the most welcoming place. Kind of hard to describe. The parking was plentiful and free up to five hours.

In my opinion this mall is PERFECT for men. By that I mean men who actually want or need clothes. The way I see it, a men's designer suit from last season marked down hundreds of dollars looks exactly like the suits at the regular department stores now. So if you are looking to take your gentlemen friends shopping and also want to do a few stops for yourself along the way, this place is for you... and him.

Check out a full list of stores here!

Some of the very random artwork hanging in the mall.

A whole table full of Rebecca Minkoff goodies at the Bloomingdales Outlet.

Amy happily purchasing her long-sought-after low-heeled leopard Vince Camuto heels! 25% off too I might add!

A lay of the land. Actually a very easy layout. It looks much bigger than it feels.

White Moto vest: Forever 21

Jeans: Zara

Booties: Old Navy

Necklace and polka-dot button down: J Crew Factory (on sale now for $37.50 

Purse: Sam Edelman

Sunglasses: Forever 21

On the Boardwalk

These pictures were taken on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. I was there for my favorite blogger pal Amy's bachelorette party. These pictures are also taken about one day after I got back from Greece, which explains why I'm so darn tan. 

P.S., the black bra glowing through was an intentional choice to look a little more "Atlantic City." Turns out my wardrobe is way more "teacher" than "club goer."

Tank: Banana Republic Outlet

Skort: Zara (they are back and in other colors too!)

Shoes: Prabal Gurung for Target

Necklace: eBay

Watch: Michael Kors

Lips: Nars "Heatwave"

And in case anyone is interest...Bra: Nordstrom (my absolute favorite!)

Women Empowerment Panel & A Watercolor Dress

Hi all. Hate to break it to you, but if you came here looking for beautiful pictures of Grecian scenery, the show is over! Back to real life. In fact, to make it even more real, it's my first official day back to teaching. In summary: Goodbye Greece, hello professional pencil skirts!

Today's post is from last weekend, when I was asked to speak on a panel for an organization called Women Empowerment at the Unisono festival in Pilsen. The panel featured four women in fashion and the arts. I was so honored to be asked to speak, and I met so many wonderful women. 

To be honest, I was a little nervous considering this may have been the first time I have ever done any public speaking that wasn't for a grade. I was really happy to tell people about what I do and explain to them how I have found an outlet to pursue my dreams and still have a successful day job.

Thank you Women Empowerment for the great opportunity. Here are some pictures from the event and of course what I wore. You know I had to wear some hot pink to represent!

Dress: Piperlime (on sale now!)

Wedges: J. Crew Factory

Belt: J. Crew (similar here)

Watch: Charming Charlie

Sunglasses: Nordstrom

Necklace: eBay

Purse: Kate Spade (here in light tan)

Farewell Tribute to Greece

What to do if your hotel is literally across the street from the airport? Go take pictures before the sun sets of course!

I had this top left in my luggage and I realized it made a nice tribute to Greece, being the colors of the flag and all. 

I'm so happy with our whole experience in Greece. I'm glad too that we waited almost two years after we got married to go on our honeymoon, because we both needed a good long trip. The memories are just incredible and the sights will be forever in my mind; whenever I need them I know just were they are. 

I hope you enjoyed this long trip down a not-so-distant memory lane. I'm so happy I got to share it with you and maybe I've even inspired some of you to book a trip!

Thanks for reading,

Jill 

Shorts: J. Crew Factory

Shirt: Zara (from the summer sale, but fun blue option here)

Scarf: Madewell (still loving this option)

Sandals: Sam Edelman "Trina"

Watch: Michael Kors

Necklace: H&M

Goodbye Santorini

This was our last morning in Santorini. I think after seeing the last few posts, you can understand why this was a sad day. Santorini is the kind of place you wish that time stood still and work and responsibilities didn't matter and you could just stay there forever. 

But all good things must come to an end, and so this one did. We got picked up to catch a flight back to Athens where we stayed for one night, and then flew back home in the morning. Only one post left from Greece after that, it's back to the Chicago city streets backdrops. Are you as sad as I am?

Shorts: J. Crew Factory (on sale now!)

Tank: Gap

Sandals: Enzo

Bracelet: Oia Jules

Earrings: Forever 21 (more here)

Sunglasses: Street fest (similar here)

Goodbye Absolute Bliss. Until next time.

Beaded Zara Maxi versus Killer View

This dress has some pretty stiff competition against the views of Santorini. But I still think that the island wins this and every round.

I was pretty excited about wearing this dress here. In fact, I purchased and had been saving it for Santorini specifically. I really thought it captured everything I had been expecting from the pictures I had seen.

I was pleased with how all these shots turned out, but I mean really: the sunset, the ocean, the view. How could they not, right!?

Dress: Zara 

Sunglasses: Kate Spade

Shoes: Enzo (love this cute Enzo option)

Earrings: Forever 21 (similar)