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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a dose of dose.

This probably isn't breaking news to any of you Chicagoans, but there is now a great way to inject some variety into your weekend on one Sunday each month, and they call themselves Dose. It's a marketplace with various sellers hawking (not to be confused with 'hocking') their merchandise, be it housewares, fashion, food, or miscellaneous, and it's difficult to walk out empty-handed (yesterday's damage: jasmine tea and French macarons, on the tame side because we were so overwhelmed by the amount of goodness). The line-up changes every month, meaning you can justify going every month. Works for us, since there aren't many things we love more than a good justification!

Vendors of note include Babushka Bakery, Mineralogy Jewelry, Dinner Party Shop, Zora Jewelry, and Industrial Evolution. There was also complimentary beer on hand, but it was 10:45 in the morning and we are no longer those carefree and perpetually tipsy girls in Boulder, Colorado. Cue sad face :( We concluded the morning by taking a short stroll along the river (it was 65! and sunny! in March!), and upon B's arrival home Penny insisted she get some relaxing outdoor time as well, so the little princess claimed a deck chair. And ate a small spider.

And so begins another week.

so it's friday at 5pm..

..and I'm about to rock your weekend. 

I highly suggest that all you shoe-loving ladies head over to Loeffler Randall's online sale, then top it all off with the discount code LRNEWS10 for an extra 10% off (not just for sale merch). I own one other pair of LR boots (which were also on major sale) and since they are my número unos, I may or may not have snagged the lovelies on the top left for what I'm just going to say was practically a 50% discount. De nada.

Now that we've gotten that out of the way, I officially grant you permission to begin your evening's festivities.

freckly face.

Both K and I have got 'em and we both flaunt 'em! Actually, we have no choice but to flaunt them.. they're everywhere. Some call it sun damage, we just call it skin. Our freckles have been with us since we were little girls, and we can only hope that they stick around for a while longer. You wouldn't want them disappearing either if they masked your paleness, camouflaged blemishes and maybe even a wrinkle or two, and brought you back to your youth. If nothing else, we always have a game of 'connect the dots' at the ready! Just be sure to use a non-permanent marker. Also, I'm fairly certain that our spirit animal is a leopard - trés trendy, no? A nice and sheer tinted moisturizer with SPF is our god and savior, and as long as the dermatologist keeps checking them out and finding nothing sketchy about our polka dots, we're good to go.
And we can only hope that their powers of good are enough to save Lindsay Lohan. SNL was a good start.
So, are you a sister of the spots too?

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{Sorry about that lame quote. It's relevant and that's all there is to it.}

rawr.

There still may be 145 days left to go, but..
WE CAN'T CONTAIN OUR EXCITEMENT!

Some people have countdowns to Christmas, birthdays, weddings, whatever. This is what we count down to. Every single year.

Happy Thursday!

wishlist wednesday: no bones about it.

Anyone who has a dog and is not yet at the point of having children cannot help themselves but to project all kinds of delusions onto their canine companions. Ours are spoiled rotten, and between organic food and treats, the run of the house, more toys than most young children have, regular groomings, and incredibly attentive grandparents (who double as dog-sitters), there's no hope but to continue to perpetuate the weird little relationship that is "[wo]man's best friend." Behold the wishlists of Penny, Chloe and Sebastian, our precious little monsters.

dog carrier / conditioning spray / treats / sleepypod / plush toys / leash / tag / collar / benz bed
[sassy pup not available]

In a faraway land/alternate universe where unicorns roam the countryside, chocolate is a multivitamin, and money grows on trees, you will also see my dog being toted around in a Gucci carrier or walked with a Balenciaga leash. In this life? Not so much. Everything else here could be quite feasible, and the SleepyPod has become my most favorite reality. If you have a smaller dog that spends a good amount of time in the car with you, purchase one now. It's safe, roomy, and looks a lot less awkward than the puppy booster seats.

Not that these two ever want for anything, but I’d like to think that if they did then Chloe would enjoy a seasonal update to her accessories, trading her studded collar and fur blanket for bright, feminine pieces – like the lavender strap collar, darling new dogtag, and on-trend floral dog bowl. She would spruce up her space in my car with a minty green mat, and an octopus in the official color of 2012, tangerine. This little one doesn’t need any “Puppy Uppers”, but the Jonathan Adler treat jar is hard to resist, especially when mama has a matching “dolls” jar on her nightstand. Sebastian would imaginably upgrade his lifestyle to cultivate the ultimate man-cave. In his collection: a rugged cowhide couch he is finally allowed to sit on, a British flag dog bed for napping by the fire, and to highlight his English roots, and finally an appropriately manly dog bowl and leash with metal rivets to match his collar. While Sebastian sleeps soundly, dreaming of bones too large to fit in his bowl, Chloe stays up all night scheming how to get a paw-print cupcake for her birthday April 12th.

off to the races.

It's a lucky thing for Big Joe's that I'm not a member of PETA, otherwise they would've been shut down about five minutes ago. Some of you may have not heard of this joint.. allow me to fill you in. It's your standard dive, but with a twist. Horses race, greyhounds race, but turtles? Sure, turtles definitely race now. I like to envision them lounging in cashmere robes, enjoying the comforts of a  spacious penthouse terrarium in the back room when not being expected to scoot their little shells two feet to the finish line, so let's pretend that I'm right. As part of my pal's birthday shindig, everyone's names were entered into the races. When I was called up to participate (and by participate, I mean have your name associated with a turtle that you have zero control over), the emcee said that I may have been the least enthusiastic looking person to ever be a part of a race. This was my fault, as I should have known that two beers would not be neeearly enough to make me comfortable with the evening's events. In other words, I should've had that vodka pineapple cocktail much sooner. Anyhoo, the turtle whose name I drew was Jolanda, who is also dubbed "the slowest f-cking turtle in the world," and obviously doesn't take shit from anyone. I was less than thrilled in knowing I'd never have a shot at winning the free t-shirt, but I have to say that I do recommend trying this out for yourself. Obviously Jolanda didn't win. Instead, she just sat there and stared at me while I debated snatching her up and running for the nearest available taxi, saving her from a life of empty competition, only to return home to realize that I had a new pet turtle. That didn't happen either. However, I did do something new and semi-exciting (again, drink more and you'll be better for it) in the dead of a Chicago winter and that, my friends, is the ultimate fete.

she's 60 - and she's fabulous.

Happy birthday to my darling Mom!

We spent this weekend celebrating my mom's 60th birthday,
and it gave me the perfect opportunity to reflect on what a truly amazing person she is.

* * * * *

She was once an existentialist, a revolutionary and kind of a drama queen. Now, she is a therapist and an author. She does yoga and meditates. At her party, she wore sparkly black TOMS.

She was the first person to ever love me, and the first person I ever loved.

She taught me to stand on my own two feet. To depend on myself. To be strong, fearless and successful. She taught me to love with my whole heart. To laugh, and to celebrate life.  To accept help from others. To be gracious, and kind to strangers. She taught me that compassion, and forgiveness were keys to life.

She taught me that it was okay to be angry, to cry, and to experience pain. She taught me that these feelings would always eventually go away.. And then.. she taught me to be brave.

I have her brown eyes, her crazy laugh, and I hope that I have her amazing heart.

Happy birthday, mama. xx