Laser beams

Turning another 30-something number; it seems to evoke a sense of dread in all of us. What's exciting after 21 and 30? I'll tell you. Unabashed fun with laser beams and light up vests on your 33rd birthday - yeah, that changes everything. Saturday was F-U-N. One thing I learned though - you can't play laser tag when you're pregnant. Who knew? Something about infrared laser beams and running mixed with getting body slammed by your components... So I became the resident photographer. I was originally on "Team Missionary" and then there was the other team husband was on...I can't say their name on blog. Let's just say there was a lot of trash talking, whooping and even a man down during these laser shenanigans. Solid 33-year-old fun is what I say! And Happy Birthday Jeff!

Fashion royalty.

photo source unknown

Anna Del Russo. She's a force to be reckoned with. Impeccable taste with a hint of shock factor on a rockin' bod. An entire library of fashion knowledge and who's who. She would be fun to have a cocktail with.

Supermodel

photos courtesy Google Images

Gosh...the 90's were good weren't they? Linda, Cindy, Naomi, Christy, Claudia, Kate. Definition of Supermodel. Linda Evagelista was my favorite. Who was yours?

Let the weekend commence!

photo source unknown

To put it lightly, this week kicked my tush. I swear there was a full moon. I guess we're due for one of those every once in a while. Since I always like to end on a high note, here are some things I am looking forward to doing this weekend: dining at Graham Elliot for the first time; a laser tag birthday party and a giant flea market. I would classify this as a 5-star weekend. Overly confident...maybe. But for the last 3 weekends I have been firmly planted on the couch so this weekend feels like a breath of fresh air. And I'm excited!

P.S. Since my physical agility has been altered slightly and I am no longer as svelte...I am told that I get to be a sniper during the laser tag festivities. I think that's because I am a slow moving target so everyone figured it would be easier to plant me up high than for me to lose so quickly. And yes, I am bringing my camera.

Litany of Love

1. Ya know...for running to the grocery store and bank on a Friday.
2. Whoa...this video is surreal. I love it!
3. This is the granddaddy of all headboards.
4. I love the "calypso" feel of this dress. 
5. A zig zag bikini. Definitely!
6. My new favorite scent in a roll-on. It smells clean and soapy and like peonies.
7. Heart. Melting.
8. Teacup friends!
9. Feelin' foxy? Check out these cuties!
10. A cheery cookie jar.
11. My latest obsession. {dedicated to Mel...I ate one last night. whatever}
12. A mix between a cape, shawl and trench. Mind blowing.

Creating the extraordinary out of the ordinary.

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Two outfits we all have lurking in our closets. The breton striped tee with the classic skinny jean or leopard print skirt. {if you don't have these...you now have an excuse to run out and buy them!} They are eternally chic and there are so many ways to pair them. Above are two of my favorite looks. My New Year's resolution is start mixing patterns more often and to start getting creative with what I have. Sometimes being creative isn't that hard!

"Elle"vating a room with color

photos courtesy Elle Decor

Spend some times flipping through magazines and you will quickly discover our next Spring trend: color. And that color is very specific - corals, oranges, sherberts and tangerines. Although these rooms were all pulled during different times of 2010, orange seems to be the perfect pop of color and not at all short on sophistication. There is so much going on with these rooms but I do declare room #1 is my favorite because it looks "liveable" but room #4 has me mesmorized by that chandelier. Whoa.

Chasing the dream.

photos courtesy Net-a-Porter.com

These are almost as good as the real thing; minus the lambs wool and blisters. For those of you who yearned to be a ballerina and are still chasing the dream. Thank you Mr. McQueen.

What I wish I was wearing...

This would be an ideal outfit for vacation...no?

1. Canvas sandals
2. Orange cuff
3. Natural stone earring
4. Print maxi dress
5. Buff shades
6. Striped belt
7. Tangerine necklace
8. Animal print envelope

Do you spa?

photo courtesy We Heart It

A little gratuitous blogging today. So, you may remember last year a little campaign my company does called "Love You". Remember it was posted here and here? Whelp, it's officially back for it's 7th year and the rules have changed. Services are now...wait for it...$39 instead of $59! That means for the entire month of February you can get spa, salon and medical spa services for $39. Can I get a woot?! Wanna see a list of participants? This campaign is in honor of Valentine's Day but more importantly, February is National Heart Awareness Month which unfortunately is the #1 silent killer amongst women in the U.S.

Find them here and go "love you" for once! Hoo haaaaa!

P.S. It's not just in Chicago. It's in many, many big cities. You're welcome!

Limited options

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Don't laugh. I have very limited options and wearing a bikini ranks low on the confidence scale for this upcoming vacation. This is about as a cute as it gets. In fact, what I really wanted was more of a retro, pin-up one-piece bathing suit but try to find those in mama sizes. Unless...can you readers help? Any good websites you can recommend?

And if not, which of the above should I go with?

That's a wrap!

photo courtesy Google Images

This has been such a week!

In summary, I am glad it's Friday and have nothing more than couch time on the agenda for tonight. Can't wait! With freezing temps looming, I plan on surfing my favorite blogs, catching up on reality TV and responding to a bazillion emails that have been staring me all week!

Hope your week was nothing short of fabulous and stay warm, my sweets.

P.S. I've gotten to know some of you better these last few weeks and it's been really fun! Thank you so much for the sweet notes and funny feedback. I really get a kick out of you!

Litany of Love

1. A hopeless romantic. Guilty. If you are, too...check this blog out.
2. Black tutus and ballerinas. Big fan of this video.
3. This rich, buttery bag is DELISH. I would like it in weathered wood.
4. Did you hear? Nude is the new black. For ladies who lunch...so elegant.
5. This dress is a breath of fresh air!
6. This is the perfect mix of stripes, ruffles and bows all wrapped up in a versatile jacket.
7. Pantone cookies? How clever! {via Design Sponge}
8. How sweet is this tea cup?
9. A new Target designer capsule to hit this May!
10. Another one bites the dust!
11. Black Swan Style...love it!
12. Color trends - taking a risk at home.

red + pink

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Etsy love for all mankind.

Outfit of the Day

Glamorous backdrop, eh'? I decided to post this outfit because it's the most creative I've been in the last 30 days and truthfully, I was kinda proud of that.

The deets:

• Striped top - TJ Maxx
• Ruffle skirt - Urban Outfitters
• Black Tights - Pea in the Pod
• Black Maryjanes - F21
• Feather necklace - F21

The occasion: Date night dinner.

At home with the Golden Globes...

Admittedly I've grown tired of award season but this year, perhaps it's the nominees, I was kinda anxious to watch the Golden Globes. Despite all the harsh reviews online ranging from dresses to the host...I enjoyed this year's GG's. I can't get enough Ricky Gervais and the red carpet gave me and the husb a lot to talk about. Surprisingly he was very vocal. Here's how our night went down...

Perhaps the secret to getting your man to watch the GG's starts with dinner.

And you know what they say..."the way to a man's heart starts is through his stomach!"

I made a Tuscan White Bean Soup with DIY bruschetta.

Recipe here and bonus: you'll have leftovers for the rest of the week.

The Red Carpet commenced with bubbly for two.

His: Frexinet {Extra Dry}

Hers: Sparkling Pear Cider {Extra Sober}

Just add: lotsa blankets and an iPad for stalking the Twitter feeds.

Enjoy!

Brasil

My goal is to experience all of the above on what could be my last vacation until the second coming of Christ. {Yes, I am being uber dramatic about this because a whole lot is going to change very quickly.} To that end, I am doing jumping jacks as I type this because our flights have been booked and we are going with an entourage of friends. Group trip! 

photos courtesy We Heart It

And here's to hoping that when we return from Brasil {as the Cariocas say...} that we embody this exact image above. It's doable right? I mean...maybe we won't get as dark as the natives but I think the rest is attainable.

P.S. - I am going to drink a ton of real Coca-Cola on this trip. They have the real stuff there. Big pimpin'.

P.P.S. - Lucy is famous. She made it on Desire to Inspire today which just happens to be a design blog I greatly admire. Check 'er out!

One badass cupcake.

Photo courtesy Punk Baby Clothes

Looks like my shopping priorities have shifted. My little cupcake is still "baking" but you can be sure he/she will love cupcakes just as much as mama does.

The Sartorialist

The Sartorialist from Amsterdam Worldwide on Vimeo.

I don't know anything about photography. I don't serve as a fashion insider. But, I know what I like. As do, I am sure, millions of other bloggers from around the world. This video inspired me. The Sartorialist, as they call "Scott" in real life, said it best when he talked about the internet becoming this sort of "digital park bench" in which we can observe and opine on style and culture from across the universe. And that, to me, is a very cool thing.

To my Dad: Now do you get it? This is why I blog. Because I can become inspired at the click of a button and the warmth of my pajamas before I even set foot outside.

Brush your shoulders off...

photo courtesy TopCoat

Whoa...just when you start getting hopeful for winter's end...another blizzard drops like an atomic bomb over the city. But hey...it's the weekend so it can't be all that bad! What are your plans?

M+D are paying us a visit for a home renovation unveiling and a bite to eat. Attending a delayed holiday party. And of course...watching our beloved Bears on Sunday which includes a lot of surfing the interwebs because really...after the Bears game...I don't really care about all the other teams but someone I know does. Compromise, right?

Have a great one!

Litany of Love

1. Floaty and colorful resort wear. Can you tell where my head's at?
2. Holy Toledo - look at this wedding cake. Amazeballs.
3. The perfect utilitarian tote. This must be restocked pronto.
4. Shut the door - this is my dream sofa. Completely impractical but so juicy.
5. Someone buy this outfit and wear it on a Valentine's date, please.
6. Award-worthy "before and after's". So original!
7. My new fave lipstick in "Are you Red-dy"! Finally I found my shade of red courtesy Emily!
8. Best sleep pants ever...I can't get them out of the dryer fast enough.
9. Craving this ruffle top and a glass of lemonade.
10. Texture and comfort in a sandal. Sold.
11. Great celeb pictorial. The photography is quite lovely.
12. I would like a set of these in white or turquoise for my book shelf. Seen any?

Best of 2010: friend edition

I was going through pictures of friends and miscellaneous events in 2010. Here are a few of my favorite. I noticed last year's trend was weddings. So many shots were in formal wear! I am missing snaps of some of my favorite people still, so watch out...2011 means I am going to have a camera on me at all times...and sorry in advance!

Thanks friends for making last year a memorable one!

{Golden Girls theme song playing in the background}