take a peep.

 

It’s that time again, yes Easter, but more importantly PEEP TIME.

My family’s Easter tradition involves nothing more than over-eating, possible egg-designs, and maybe reminiscing.

 

So, when April rolls around every year, I look most forward to those perfect marshmellowy confections.

 I know they're available at gas stations and truck stops, and not nearly as couture as the cupcake, but they are the perfect combination of sugar and nostalgia.

 

With the advent of Pinterest this year, I have found a whole new reason to stock up on peeps this year.

Whether it’s just a rice krispy treat with a pink bunny, peep s’mores (would that be a s’peeps? pee’mores? eek.), a goofy cupcake topper, or to dip pink bunnies in chocolate!

If you’re really trying to be sophisticated, they can also adorn a lemonade or martini glass.

So, take a peep, and happy Friday. xx

corporate color-blocking.

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My office gal-pal Kelly introduced an interesting idea last week: corporate color-blocking. 

Mixing bold colors... with clients. The idea of walking into a a room full of suits wearing a bright is daring enough, but it's an entirely new challenge to pull-off a head-to-toe color-block look. 

There are a few options to make it happen without expanding your HR file (further).

Keep your cut and fit conservative. 

Add neutrals into the mix.

Limit accessories.

If the first lady pulled it off on Letterman, you can pull it off at work.

wishlist wednesday: made in the shade.

Up until a few days ago, Ray Bans were my facewear staple, with a few pricier guys thrown into the mix. But whilst perusing Shopbop, as I do quite often, I happened upon a collection of $30 shades that looked like they may be worth a shot. Naturally, I ordered a few - the Cryokinesis and Books, and at this point am contemplating going crazy and getting another pair. I kid you not, they're spectac[le]ular! (Get it?!)

stock up here

But now let's travel to the polar opposite end of this realm and talk about Miu Miu's pricey plot to bankrupt me.

Where might I find these in silver? They are an enigma, and far too cool to not own, especially if I pretend they're a gift to myself for some accomplishment that I'll determine at a later time. My face is just as good of a place as any to display a sparkly piece of art. Holy wow.

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stressing.

Sometime last week I noticed that instead of feeling like this balanced warrior:

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I was feeling more like these gals:

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So this weekend, I tried this:

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And I learned:

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On a serious note, acupuncture feels great. Sure, there is a brief sting with each needle, but the deep relaxation that follows is heaven for a girl who gets blurry-vision-headaches.
Entirely worth a little prick.

bonjour, little cookie.

We have found that it's always helpful to know a few basic words or phrases in a handful of different languages. Aside from hello, goodbye, yes, no, thank you, where is the bathroom, how much does this cost, and do you have a girlfriend, we'd like to add one more to the French list: macaron. It remains to be seen if these little cookies will catch on in the same way that cupcakes and frozen yogurt have, but given the trend's migration from Paris to New York, it seems as though a mini merengue sandwich storm may be headed our way.
So before the midwestern masses begin forming lines á la Sprinkles and Pinkberry..

..we highly recommend that you get your tush on over to Pierrot Gourmet. In addition to having fab food for a normal meal, this extension of the Peninsula Hotel is also quite dependable when it comes to macarons. On this past misty Saturday, we took advantage of the fact that PG is located in our 'hood and grabbed one of each flavor -- lemon, pistachio, dulce de leche, strawberry, coconut, chocolate mint, nutella, and chocolate. Since we couldn't be seated immediately, we took our 11am snack to Starbucks for a caffeine accompaniment, and while awkwardly sitting at the large communal table with a few other patrons who shot us judgy looks, we played food critics. We can't say one bad thing about the technique or texture, but a few of the cookies went a little too far into what we could only describe as "American." The dulce de leche and chocolate mint were like glorified candy bars with unnecessary ingredients stuffed in. A macaron is supposed to be light and airy, and that was muddled by the blob (technical term) of caramel in one and the taste of toothpaste in another. All of that aside, the lemon and pistachio were by far the best and most authentic, and we will most certainly be back for more.

We took K's canines for a stroll afterwards, and here's Chloe, strutting her tiny little waistline,
easily maintained due to the fact that we did not include her in the taste-testing.

going green [tea].

Let me preface this by saying that I've spent a significant amount of time trying to convince people that I am not Japanese. It's an amazing culture, but it's not mine. My ancestors came from the lands of borscht, pierogi, rugelach, potatoes, bratwurst, and baguettes.
Yes, I think that more or less encapsulates my mutt pedigree from a culinary standpoint.
However, moving forward with this post, I'm about to completely diminish my credibility.

I shall make the sacrifice for the sake of my beloved green tea.

It's delicious, smells good, looks good, and is good for you. Harvard even says so. Okay, so maybe the green tea macarons and cupcakes don't contain enough antioxidants to make a difference, but we can pretend. For the real thing, I recommend a hot or iced green tea latte, which uses matcha powder and is laden with some seriously potent EGCG stuff. Don't let the color fool you, it's wonderful. And you'll love the silly looks that people give you if you're drinking it iced, i.e. in a clear cup. Have I hooked you yet? Tough crowd. Alright, there's a restaurant in Chicago appropriately called Waffles that apparently serves up a green tea version of - you guessed it - waffles! Everyone loves waffles. That will be happening some Sunday in my future, you can count on it. And outside of the edible, Bulgari makes a green tea perfume that has a fresh and slightly citrusy scent to it. Bottom line, it's about time that you embrace this versatile little leaf.

all images via pinterest

27 dresses.

Behind all of the musings, wishlists, weekend adventures, and pretty puppy pictures that we post, we have a genuine desire to see good fortune and happiness amongst our fellow (wo)man. Cheesy? Maybe. But true nonetheless.

On that note, I wanted to take a timeout today to share a great non-profit organization with you.

The Glass Slipper Project collects formal dresses and accessories and provides them to high school juniors and seniors in Chicago who would otherwise be unable to afford them. The dresses are distributed at the Glass Slipper "boutiques" each prom season, and each of the girls are guided by volunteer personal shoppers to help them find the prom dress of their dreams.

 

via The Glass Slipper Project 

This weekend Old Orchard is hosting a pre-prom party in the space between Helzberg Diamonds and Ann Taylor. If you're heading out there to shop, take a glance through your closet and see what you may be able to donate to The Glass Slipper Project. Aside from getting a head start on your spring cleaning,  as a bonus you'll get a $10 gift cert to Old Orchard stores.

B and I have both donated, and you should too. 

There are so many amazing organizations like this one, for everyday needs and for special occasions of all varieties, including weddings. My sister-in-law recently donated her beautiful wedding gown to The Brides Project, another tremendous organization in Michigan. The Brides Project sells gowns donated by brides or bridal shops and all the profits go directly to the Cancer Support Community for programs and services for people touched by cancer.

If you have beautiful things, count yourself lucky, and when you're done with them, pass them along to someone who can feel lucky to have them, too.

And, if you have 27 dresses hiding in your front closet from all your friend's weddings, stop pretending you're ever going to wear them again, and donate to a girl who will.

wishlist wednesday: florals? for spring?

In the words of Miranda Priestly, this shit is "groundbreaking."

It's understood that we're not anywhere near uncharted fashion territory, but we have certainly curated some very cool pieces. A solid helping of stripes, florals, florals and stripes, a bunny (don't act so surprised), a semi-see-through bag, crochet sneaks, and $300 lucite earrings thrown in for good measure. We would be the happiest of happy campers if this hodge podge of lovely ended up in our closets.

k :: dress :: metallic shorts :: sequin tank :: floral tank :: cork shoesies

b :: perforated bag :: bunny sweater :: earrings :: sneaks :: skirt :: pants

april showers bring an excuse to go shopping.

I know it's not April yet, and from the looks of this weather it seems as though we may have skipped spring entirely (not complaining, although certainly confused), but let's go off of the assumption that global warming regulates itself sometime soon and we get some rain.
The transition into the next season makes me yearn for a good ol' fashioned spending spree. More specifically, the transition into spring translates into major rain gear crushing. Let's go shopping, splash in some puddles, and pretend we're not as old as we really are. Woo!

boots: this, that, and the other // raincoats: here, here, here, here, and there // umbrellas: first and last // puppy apparel: just the one

a few of our (new) favorite things.

The St. Patrick's Day debauchery in Chicago, complete with 2 parades and a river dyed green, was particularly tolerable this weekend, dare we say enjoyable, due to the beautiful, unusually warm weather. We traded in our usual snow/sleet/rain/cold for 75 degree sunshine. We navigated the crowds of drunken leprechauns and slow-as-molasses tourists and popped into Nordstrom to cash in some notes for a fab Kate Spade watch and gold iPhone handset, Zara to score an amazing pair of pleated puppy-print shorts, and Anthropologie for a few knob options to (hopefully) complete the never-ending bedside table project. All in all, by far our most productive and sober St. Patty's to date.

 

fido friday: lean on me.

Sebastian exclusively likes Chloe, Chloe can't have any friends over because of Sebastian, Penny is concerned by Chloe's smallness since she was only socialized with Golden Retrievers and is terrified of animals under 50 lbs (unless it's a cat, specifically Pete), and Stella and Sophie (may that snuggly bear rest in peace) were cool with just about anyone. And they say that dogs aren't complex creatures.. please.

Here is some photographic documentation of our dog's friendship neuroses in action.

Enjoy this dose of "cute" for the day and have a great weekend!

a gray summer.

We were introduced to him by his well-known series of photographs of Marfa's Prada "store," of which I own two gorgeous prints, but I am here to tell you that his newest collection is just as wonderful, if not more so. Strap me into an open helicopter, ask me to take pictures, and we'd probably end up with a roll of film (sorry, memory card) documenting my mental descent into crazy town. Or I'd just drop the camera. Put Gray Malin in a helicopter and you come back with some awe inspiring stuff. Available on both One Kings Lane and his own website, it's worth your dollars. Knowing what to frame is the talent here, and the end results are creative, artistic, and make me happy in the same way that sunshine and warm weather make me happy. "Bondi Beach" will soon be hanging up in my apartment, bringing year-round summer to my corner of Chicago. Now that I've ordered my third print, I'm just going to go ahead and consider myself a collector of Gray Malin art.

Get over to Maison Gray to see the full series.

the process.

the outcome.

Bondi Beach

Miami

Rio de Janeiro

I should also point out that his print sizes are easily accommodated by standard frames, nixing the need to spend a few Benjamins on a custom job.

It's as easy as Googling "44x32 frame" - thank you for that, Gray!

wishlist wednesday: home sweet apartment.

As far as we're concerned, no one is ever truly done decorating. In the same way that there's always a pair of shoes on your lust list, there's always a home decor something on ours. Normally we wouldn't give out personal information, but if you would like to send us one (or all) of the items pictured below, we'd be glad to disclose our address to all willing gift-givers.

• A mirror ball, for no other reason than not having a reason not to. And it's sparkly. Studio 54 is dead, but disco is alive and well.
• Lanterns that look like they came from a faraway land, when in reality they're just from Neiman Marcus. They'd be lovely on my porch once winter goes away.
• Fornasetti always does a great job of attracting my eye, and this tray is no exception. I'd like to wear rings like that, and I'd like to keep those rings on this tray. Simple enough.
• While logistically unable to get a second dog at the present time, a ceramic greyhound will have to serve as Penny's friend and confidant until further notice.
• As if Kate Spade's fashion collaboration with Florence Broadhurst wasn't enough to nearly be the end of me and my bank account, now there are items for the home? Good grief, just sell me everything and get it over with.
• It's no secret that I hate the color orange. Correction: unless it's Hermés. The Avalon blanket has not budged from my list (because I'm not trigger-happy enough to actually buy it for myself), and then I happen upon a photo of it in pink and orange! Now we're talking! The next step is actually finding it. 
• This pillow does the same thing for me as the tray and the vase because it incorporates some non-computer generated artistic skill. It's pretty and I like it.
• Gone are the days that you would get to sit in something as fantastic as this in a therapist's office. I'm almost positive that lounging here for fifty minutes and talking about my feelings would make the day that much better. Unfortunately I don't have a lick of space left in my apartment.. maybe by the time I acquire some additional square footage it'll be on major sale.
• Otomi! On my mind since Apartment Therapy featured it, it'll stay on my list until I buy the white bedspread. Also fits with my accidental decorating theme of animals-in-every-room. 
• If you ask me, an expensive candle and a kitschy match strike are necessities in every home. Not entirely sure I'd invest an extra thirty dollar bills for some black glass, but the peacock may be mine the next time I saunter over to the JA shop.

• Ever since Belle climbed a ladder at the bookstore in the opening scene of Beauty and the Beast, I've dreamed of adding one to a spectacularly tall bookshelf one day. We recently received a beautiful pair of bookcases from J's grandfather.. now cue the rolling ladder!
• Gold flatware. Is there anything more regal? These DVF pieces have a sophisticated design that allows the gold finish to feel modern and fresh, instead of stuffy. I unfortunately see a bit of a princess theme emerging here, which I generally like to avoid, but who can resist?!
• Incorporating gorgeous floral accessories like this Kosta Boda vase and darling Fringe candle remind me that getting rid of J's pool table (which he had in lieu of a dining table), navy blue towels and black bedspread when I moved in were the best decisions I ever made.
• It's no secret that my bedroom needs some design love. I keep saying that I'm waiting until we move, but it's gone on long enough. If nothing more, I have to breathe some life into our bed, and these ethereal voile shams do just that. I'm just a trip to Anthro away from heavenly sleep..
• A completely appropriate piece of GG inspiration, the Prada pop-art that hangs in the entry of the van der Woodsen's Upper East Side home is the perfect homage (to Prada - not GG!).
• I love everything about this Dove of Peace print. The simplicity, the meaning, the brushed gold frame, and of course the artist. It would be perfect for my guest bath, and I need it now.  
• As it turns out, not everything can be gold (Why you ask? Well, because you would have to be Melania, and live with the Donald - no thank you, right?) but these vintage birdcage chandeliers, suspended from our timber ceilings by the thick, textured rope would add just the right amount of rustic glamour. 
• The side tables are a bit of a work in progress, if we ever complete the refinishing project, I promise to share. Either way, a pair of bedside tables in an antique dove grey finish would benefit, again, from a hint of GOLD! But alas, on top of the refinishing, I just can't deal with the price of these gorgeous knobs, anyone for an alternative suggestion???

grandma chic.

 

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I've always admired a black and white photograph my dad has of my grandmother. She was in her seventies when the picture was taken and has pronounced wrinkles around her eyes and smile. I always thought she looked so beautiful. When I met J's grandma, she immediately offered me her fabulous red Chanel lipstick - you know, because we were going out in public and my lips were bare {gasp!}.

 Much of my styling inspirations come from these older ladies and has evolved into what can only be described as "grandma chic." We've borrowed so much from the past generations over the years, and their fashions are no exception.. fur jackets and stoles (faux, please), amazing hats, bright lips, layered necklaces, pattern on pattern, whimsical blouses with bows and ties, and gold jewels studded with colored stones.

A few of my favorites, young and old.

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