Feeling Cozy

Between the crisp (ok – cold) Chicago weather and my expanding waist (hips, rear, legs, etc.) all I want is to snuggle up in cozy and comfortable clothes.  Thankfully, there are so many options right now, and with the basics including: 1) a good pair of thick leggings or skinny jeans, 2) flat riding boots or booties, 3) a tunic or oversized sweater to cover the aforementioned expanding rear, 4) and maybe a scarf or fun accessory to zazz it up, this can be easily accomplished without spending a fortune.  Not only is this look totally functional and comfy, it’s cute and flattering when done right…

Here are some of my favorite variations of this look…

See my Fall Wish List inspiration board for sources!

Some Thoughts on the Oscars…

Every media outlet ever and most blogs have already posted  the best and worst moments from the Oscars, and by no means can I compete, but I do love an awards show, so here are some thoughts…

- It’s more fun to watch the Oscars with a snarky Twitter feed near by

- Emma Stone can do no wrong

- Colin Firth could cuss out the audience, and I’d still find it charming

And my bests…

Best dress – Michelle William’s style is perfection…I want to pick her up and put her in my pocket.

Best banter – Ben Stiller and Emma Stone perhaps reenacting James Franco and Anne Hathaway’s awkward chemistry from last year’s disastrous Oscars

Best Attempt to look like an Oscar – this worked on Sandra Bullock – a former DWTS contestant – not so much.

Best Awkward Moment – Angelina aggressively posing on stage, only to be made fun of Community’s Dean

Best Recovery – I didn’t care for Cameron Diaz’s red carpet dress but loved the bright orange and gold at the after party

Best Accessory – Uggie the Dog

Best Impression of a Lady Bug – Natalie is beautiful, but this dress wasn’t working for me.

What were your thoughts?

Images via the always spot on  Elements of Style

Best and Worst Golden Globes 2012

My favorite part of award season aside from the infrequent memorable acceptance  speech, is the red carpet – the cringe-worthy awkward conversations before the awards show and the excitement when an actress shows up wearing a truly amazing dress.  Let’s start with the obvious trends…most noticeably blush-colored dresses were everywhere on the red carpet as shown below. 

I don’t usually like a “mullet” dress but Charlize rocked hers with a sparkly headband looking ever so feminine and pretty 

 

How can Elle McPherson be 46?  No really.

I like Heidi’s low key look, and I’m always a sucker for turquoise accessories

and we saw a few deep jewel tones, which were also my overall favorites…

and the ones I’m wondering where their stylists were…? 

 

awkward neck and a visible seam just make these awkward and unflattering.

 

What are your thoughts – who were your favorites?

all images via instyle.com and people.com

Inspiration in Images

Hello blogworld!!  I feel like I  have neglected you lately, and for that I’m sorry.  You see, my life’s pace has picked up quite a bit, and I haven’t had a chance to visit you much.  That hasn’t stopped me from being inspired daily by the beautiful images people are posting daily on new found blogs, tumblr and pinterest. 

Here are a few of my faves from the week.  I hope you enjoy.

Happy Browsing.

French Style Icons

In honor of Bastille Day (a week ago, I know) the Huffington Post posted a slideshow of 17  very fashionable and stylish French women.  I don’t know what it is about French women in general,  but they have a very specific intrigue, style and unique beauty.  When I studied abroad in Paris  in the summer of 2004, I was amazed at how many women wore heels everyday with the amount of walking required.  Also, the women seemed to smoke like chimneys but had flawless skin.  What gives? 

I think I would like to come back in my next life as a French woman.

Here are some of the French style icons that made the cut.

From top left

1) Coco Chanel 2) Jane Birkin 3) Catherine Denevue 4) Brigitte Bardot 5) Anna Karina 6) Marion Cotillard,

All images via

Pinterest Faves of the Week

Are you on Pinterest?  It’s a great way to virtually organize all of your favorite things and share with the world – perfect for visually-oriented peeps.  There is so much inspiration out there.  Here are some of my favorite images by category…Let me know if you want to join, and I can invite you!

Food – spicy, heirloom salad sounds so refreshing.

source

Decor – love this color combination!

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Funny

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Travel – wanderlust….Bora Bora

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Fashion - I’m saving this look for Fall

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All images via pinterest

On my mind…

Here are 5 things I’m thinking about this week. Hope you’re having a good one….

This dress…Isn’t she pretty and colorful?

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This room.  Every time I see it, I fall in love all over again.

Spotted here

Taking a roadtrip – somewhere, anywhere.  Doesn’t that sound good?

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Olivia Palmero’s style – she always seems to nail it. Effortlessly.

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Black walls – lovely.

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Stunning.

Congratulations to the Royal Couple.  May the paparazzi and world give them peace for one day.. 

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My sweet cousin is getting married in England next Spring.  I can’t to wear a little hat…

Spring Wardrobe on a Budget

How cute are these inexpensive and lovely ideas for Date Night or Girl’s Night Out. Which is your favorite? I love a sweetheart neckline so the top one on the left is perfect…but the green romper is really cute (and looks super comfortable)…And I can’t resist anything with stripes or florals…But at these prices (seriously – the striped dress is $19!) you can pick up more than one!

Via here, here, here and here.

The Power of Purple

I’m seeing pops of purples, lavenders and lilacs everywhere these days, and I’m loving it – on clothes and in the home.  It’s feminine without being over the top, and it’s fresh. I love it mixed with white, gold, and green!

Image sources from top left: 1, 2,5,7, 8 ; sources for 3, 4 and 6 are unknown