Bright Times Ahead

 Lately it seems like spring is creeping into my shopping choices. Maybe it's how I am super bored of grabbing nothing but my black coats (why are they always the warmest?)  I just want some color, the need for sunglasses and the option of wearing a shoe where just a little of my foot skin can show. Is that too much to ask? I think not!

I've been thinking about taking the plunge and buying these pink Ray Ban aviators. I mean, really, if anyone should be wearing them, it should be me, right? Just the whole idea of needing sunglasses is enough make me daydream about a new pair.

I also wouldn't mind even just a ballet flat (Yosi Samara are my favorite and foldable)? Maybe even some slip ons.  I have the most adorable glitter ones coming my way soon from the Chiara Ferragni giveaway that I won on Lucky Magazine's Instagram! I just about screamed at my desk after school when I found out!

And to pair with all those things I'm dreaming of, I want a solid new pair of jeans. I feel like all my current skinny jeans get a little baggy and that's not cute. I've heard good things about how Rag and Bone jeans keep their shape, yet remain a bit stretchy. I just ordered three pairs through Shopbop to try on. Hopefully one works. And hey, if not, thats what their free shipping and returns is for!

Hope you have a BRIGHT Thursday everyone! Friday is just around the corner! Let's hope it's a sunny one!

One Of A Kind Show

These candles smelled like heaven!

My husband was obsessed with this paiting.

The Trendy Sparrow's adorable booth!

Fried cheese samples really drew a crowd!

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!

Michelle Starbuck Designs

This past Monday I had so much fun shooting these fabulous Michelle Starbuck Designs pieces with a few of my favorite Chicago bloggers. 

If you have never heard of Michelle Starbuck Designs, it's about time you did! Her collection is full of simple, everyday pieces that are so interesting but not too fussy. They are perfect pieces to throw on to add a little personality to your casual outfits. They can also add a delicate touch to dressier outfits too. Really, just super versatile.

I discovered Michelle Starbuck designs when searching for the perfect gift for my mom-to-be friend Amy (below in blue). I came across the "Molecule" necklace and it reminded me of the little growing life she was creating. I knew it would be the perfect meaningful gift. Needless to say she loved it. 

When I began talking with the designer herself, I discovered my blogger friend Laurie was one of Michelle's best customers and had enough pieces to have all of us  decked out to do this fun shoot. She also did all of our makeup too! Didn't she do a great job? The result was this super fun shoot to showcasing of our favorite pieces from Laurie's collection!

As a special treat to our readers, you can now save 20% off all her surprisingly reasonably priced pieces with code MSD20 till 2/28/15 ! They will make great gifts for your girlfriends or even just for yourself. Click here to shop!

 Peggy, Amy, me and Laurie (from left to right)

Amy wearing her Molecule necklace

Laurie of 312Beauty, also known as Michelle Starbuck's #1 fan!

** Special thanks to Erin for taking these awesome photos!

Red Puffer Vest

Hat: Zara // Jeans: Forever 21 // Plaid Flannel: Old Navy // Vest: Ross For Less (c/o) similar here // Lips: YSL Glossy stain #8  // Booties: Urban Outfitters // Gloves: Target // Bag: Rebecca Minkoff MAB tote

The name of the game is to stay warm and layer up this winter. Thanks to Ross for Less for this cozy red puffy vest is helping me survive! These gloves have the coziest insides and keep your hands toasty warm! I have them in mitten form too and they are awesome and under $20! Stay warm everyone!

Loft Flippy Skirt

Skirt: Loft (new spring version here) // Gloves: H&M (similar from Macy's) // Tights: DKNY // Boots: DSW // Hat: Sole Society // Necklace: Forever 21 (similar) // Coat: Macy's (old) // Sweater: Joe Fresh (great sales right now!) (similar here and here)// Turtleneck: J. Crew

Some days the light, the outfit and all the tweeds, textures and colors just work together in perfect harmony. This was one of those days. 

 I hope you all are enjoying the begining of the week as much as I am. I started Monday with no school for MLK day and had some ladies over to do a fun little photo shoot/collaboration (more on that soon! Can't wait to share!) and see my "new" apartment.

With the rest of the day I caught up on Glee which always leads me to tracking down an item of clothing seen on the show. This time it was an amazing Trina Turk dress Quinn wore that was on Mega sale (sooo many cute dresses on sale with an extra 20%off!) and I literally got THE least one in stock! Yay for me. Anyone else think the best purchases are ones that have a backstory with a sweet ending?

Also while catching up on my magazines, something I very rarely have enough free time to do, I came across a picture of Gwen Stefani wearing these L.A.M.B heels and fell in love. The only reason I'm not seriously considering getting these is I know myself, and know a 4.25 inch heel just isn't practical for me. I rarely wear a shoe with a heel to school and if I do its a mid heel. Guess I'll just admire from afar.

Cable Knit Sweater

Jacket: Marc Andrew // Sweater: Target // Gloves: H&M // Button down: J. Crew // Scarf: Etsy // Jeans: Joe Fresh // Bag: Rebecca Minkoff Love Crossbody (c/o) Shopbop // Boots: Chinese Laundry "Riley" // Lipstick: Ruby Woo

Casual and layered looks are about all I can muster up lately. It's basically too cold to look cute. This warm toggle coat, infinity scarf and cable knit sweater sure help keep me warm. I have been collecting so many cute things I want to wear that I just cant bear putting on knowing they will just be covered up with coats and boots. I pretty much wear snow boots as my daily footwear because the streets surrounding my school have never been plowed. Fun stuff huh. The glamorous life of a Chicago Public School teacher.

Crossroads Event

H&M Dress // Ross for Less pearl necklace (c/o) // Zara Heels (similar) // Forever 21 Mint necklace // Nars "Yu" lip color

A few weeks ago I co-hosted an event at The Crossroads Trading Company in Lincoln Park with Peggy and Maria! We had such a blast picking out racks of designer pieces and playing dress up. Here are a few shots from the event and of course what I wore to it.

Just to let you in on something I learned that is kind of amazing, this particular location is huge and because of that when you sell there they are able to take so much more than the Wicker Park location. I went in with 5 bags of clothes that had been sitting in my car for weeks and came out with only one of stuff they couldn't take and a big ol' handful of cash which is super awesome. I highly recommend this spot for shopping and selling! I scored a beautiful Ralph Lauren sweater for $37, a pair of silk pants for $20 from a local boutique that still had tags on them, and a pair of lime green ballet flats for $7 that were also brand new!

Thanks so much to Crossroads for a great night! Don't forget to stop by and score some amazing deals of your own!