WILW

1. Statement Necklaces

I'm really feeling statement necklaces this week. I just got home from work and stood next to this woman with a thick, gold necklace that had me running home to start online shopping. Since clothes will start to get simpler with the summer season, a great statement necklace can help keep your look pulled together and fashionable.

  

2. Outdoor Seating

Speaking on this "summer season", I'm so happy to start eating outside again. The entire restaurant experience is elevated when you can sit at a sidewalk cafe and take in good food and the sights of your own city.  My favorite meals to eat outside are brunch and happy hour, which I consider a meal :)

3. My View

Since I recently switch up positions at work, I was lucky enough to get a desk next to an amazing view of Chicago. My iPhone does it no justice, but this is what I get to stare at when the work day gets dull. 

4. My Parents Birthday Card

How cute is this?

And so FREAKING true!  

5. Blooming Flowers

All of a sudden all of the flowers started popping up out of nowhere. It's such a welcomed surprise!

6. My Dad

Takin' in his favorite view with Joel

It's his birthday today, and I'm lucky enough to get to go out to lunch with him today.

I love time that I get to spend with just my dad, because it's rare in a big family that you get one parent alone. My dad and I are very similar to each other and have grown up to be great friends. I hope he has an amazing birthday!

What have you been loving this week?

The Derby

The Derby birthday party started out with party favors for all of my guests.

We took a 25 minute train ride to the race track, so I brought a jug of orange juice and red solo cups and we built mini-mimosa's.

It was the perfect way to start the exciting day!

The weather was a little funky for the races, but we had purchased VIP tickets and were fortunate to be on the grass, under a tent.

The group that came to the Derby included some of my best friends.

These girls have been with me through thick and thin, and it's absolutely crazy to think of the many birthday's they have celebrated with me.

Our tent was the perfect setting to watch the races.

I felt like we were at a southern wedding, complete with fried chicken and mint juleps.

The VIP tents even had a private dj - who kept the energy up throughout all of the races. 

The day consisted of all you can eat buffet, an open bar, and 11 live races. 

We all had an amazing time, and I think the Derby will be an annual event for our group of friends. 

Maybe next year, we can even make it to the actual Kentucky Derby!

 

It was a perfect day - and I couldn't have had a better time.

I had a great 22nd year, and am excited to see where this next year will take me.

May 8th

Today, I'm celebrating my 23rd birthday - and Mother's Day.

My mom is truly the most amazing woman I know. She is my best friend and my role model.

If I can grow up to my half as good as my Mom is, I'll be incredibly blessed.

WILW

 

1. My birthday

Sunday, May 8th is the big 2 -3 

2. Being thankful

For the last two weeks, Joel and I email each other 5 to 6 things we are thankful for. They are pretty simple things ("I am thankful that I got a good night sleep") but they help keep us aware of all the blessings in our life. 

3. Gym 

I joined the gym at work for $35 bucks a month. It's really cheap, and really convenient. I've been going down to the gym at my lunch hour and sneaking in at least a 2 mile run. It allows me to enjoy my work day more because I'm in a better mood, and it keeps my energy levels really high. 

4. Thank you notes

Now that I'm a "big time boss", I have really begun to appreciate the power of a thank you note. After interviewing, it's social etiquette to send a thank you note to the person you interviewed with. I'll even take an e-mail, but it's a very nice touch.

5. The Mister and Mrs.

'nuff said

Have a good Wednesday!

5/1/11

May, 1st is surprisingly more historically important than you may think.

Years ago, it was the day that Hitler was announced to be dead. 

Last night, another monster was announced dead; Osama Bin Laden.

We all know where we were on September 11th, 2001, am I right? 

I happened to be sitting in science class when the teachers finally put the televisions on for us all to watch. I sat there, as a young, naive 8th grader, not sure what exactly the Twin Towers even were. My teacher asked the class if any family happened to be traveling by plane that morning.

My heart literally stopped.

My dad was flying into Chicago that morning. 

All the blood drained from my face. I stood up, no longer thinking straight, and ran to the nurses office.

The nurse asked me what was wrong, and I choked back tears as I told her my dad was on a plane that morning.

That sure caught the attention of not only the nurse, but the secretaries, assistant principal, and a few passerby's.

They all held in their breath when I called home to see if my dad had be spared.

My mom answered, clearly crying.

Thankfully, she quickly was able to spit out that my dad was okay. His plane never left that morning because word had traveled quickly of the attacks.

Everyone's lives changed drastically from these few moments that bright morning.

And we all had these moments like mine.

That exact moment where the panic, the fear, and the terror immediately sank in..

The sad thing was, not everyone was as blessed.

---

Last night, as I was vegging on the couch, watching my dvr of Real Housewives, I told Joel that all of my twitter friends were tweeting about a live press conference Obama was due to have.

We changed the channel and the headlines said it all: Osama Bin Laden was dead.

As we waited for our president to speak, I spent 45 minutes in a swirl of anxiety and fear. Newscasters speaking about fear of retaliation and counter punches, and that moment, ten years ago, sitting in the nurse office came right back to me.

As President Obama delivered a short and powerful speech, I began to cry thinking of the thousands of American's lives that have been lost in this battle. I cried for all of those people who left behind brothers, sisters, children, parents, grandparents, girlfriends, friends, boyfriends, fiances. I cried for all of the moments too many people had to miss.

And, I cried for the fear of uncertainty for the future.

I'm not going to lie and say that I'm not afraid of these crazy monsters that attack innocent people. It scares me to think that they are very mad at us that we killed their leader and that they're likely to show us just how mad they are.

I was afraid to get on the el this morning. I was fearful that I work in high rise building in downtown Chicago. I was worried that my parents had to fly in plane today.

It's a scary world we live in, no doubt, but I (am trying to) refuse to let spineless terrorists scare me.

shop with me

I have been wanting to go on a serious shopping spree for weeks now. I was literally having dreams of overflowing shopping carts.

Finally today I had some time. After I got my hair did, I drove out to Woodfield mall. First (and final) stop: Nordstrom's Rack.

By the way, only strong, well trained shoppers can enjoy Nordstrom's Rack. To the untrained eye it's disorganized, chaotic, and dirty. BUT...if you treat NR with care, you will be able to discover it's treasures...and there's a lot of them.

I had a few things I need to purchase: derby dress, derby hat, new jeans, & black flats. I've also been wanting to update my work uniform, so I was hoping to find some blouses.

After an hour of walking around the store, hoarding my finds, I finally made it to the dressing room. Thankfully, their item limit is 15 which, is amazing, because I only had to make three trips.

Kidding!

 ---

Come join me in the dressing room.

First task: Jeans

Wanted: 1 pair of dark wash, flattering fit, skinny leg

 

Option 1. Rock & Republics $69.00

• A little tight
• Lighter wash
• Good butt
• Too long, would need to be hemmed

Rating: B+

Option 2: Hudson's $74.95

• Very stretchy, therefore very comfortable but they were basically jeggings.
• Good wash
• Accentuated my {p}ouch

B+

 Option 3. Paige Premium $79.95

• Stretchy, but not jeggings
• Good wash
• Good fit

A+, WINNER! Purchased.

Next round? Tops

 Wanted: Unique summery pieces that I can wear to work and going out.

Item 1: Tory Burch Polo $39.00

• I'm not gonna lie...Tory Burch for $39.00, I don't even care how it looks
• I  actually like the way it looks. Score.

Purchased!

Item 2: Trina Turk cashmere top $50.00

• Really soft, quality chashmere
• Sleeves were oddly long
• Interesting color
• Easy to wear

Passed.

Item 3: Random Designer $14.50

• Really sheer but would be perfect for a fat day
• How cute would this be with shorts?
• It's 14 dollars.

Purchased.

Item 4: Random Designer $16.95

• Really reminds me of House of Harlow
• Enough said

Purchased!

And for the final category..........Kentcuky Derby Dresses

Option 1: 

Option 2:

Option 3:

 

Who was the winner?

....You're gonna have to wait for the big day to find out!

Place your bets now!

 Ohhh...and here were the black flats I found. 

Cole Haan, $89.90

Overall it was an expensive, but very successful shopping spree!

Enjoy the rest of your Saturday. I'm taking my new hair, and that new House of Harlow-y top on the town for a birthday dinner with a friend at Cafe Ba Ba Reeba

WILW

1. My job 

Isn't that a funny poem? However, right now I'm in the honeymoon stages of my new management position, and am loving it. I love that I'm in an out of meetings, developing a new time, interview prospects, and learning how to be a manager. 

 2. Atheno's Greek Yogurt

They were giving this yogurt out for free on Michigan Ave, and there advertising tactics worked because, sure enough, I bought 10 yogurt containers of this.

Peach and blueberry are the best

3. My Tax Refund

Ohhh what a glorious week to get a promotion AND a tax return. 

 4. Eva's jean collection

Yes...I would have that same happy glow if my jeans looked like this.

 I love jeans.

[My favorites being Hudson and Citizen's]

I would LOVE to have my jeans hung in the upright position, color coordinated the way Ms. Longria has it.

Honestly, this picture makes me giddy. 

Organized clothes? Like....my two favorite things!

5. Nivea Body

  I have a love/hate relationship with this product.

I love that it's about time I start using it (because, hellllllo summer!) but I hate the smell and the fact that I have to wash my hands after using it <-- TRUST me.

However, this is the best tanning lotion I've found out there. It doesn't turn out orange and really fast acting.

6. Kentucky Derby Fashions

May 7th will be my first race track, ever, and I can't wait to find my perfect dress, hat, and shoes.

Here are some of my favorite looks from past Derby's

Leave your link in your comments so I can come check out what you've been lovin'