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'

Dressing the Part

 Well now that I'm a big time manager, I need to start dressing the part.

Since I'm on the very young side, I really need my clothes to help express a sense of maturity and respect.

My office climate is very causal.  We don't have a dress code, and some of the people on the floor take that very literally (insert hoodies and ripped jeans).

I've always dressed fairly nice, but it's time to step it up.

I plan to do a big shopping spree on Saturday {and I'll be sure to share all of my finds} but here is the inspiration board I made for the managerail look I'm going for:

Pulled together, classy, and mature....right??

Easter Recap

Happy Easter!

On Saturday, after the grocery store, Joel and I headed home to the suburbs. Right away I got busy cooking all of the delicacies for Easter brunch .

Every year, my mom makes a delicious Easter bread and this year's was one of the best. 

We made homemade ravioli, Easter and monkey bread, calzone's and cupcakes. yes, very diet friendly foods.

My mom's family is 100% Italian and we love our food. My grandparents have been such wonderful examples of how to raise a tight knit family and, for us, these "tight knit family gatherings" always consist of lots, and lots, and lots, of really good food.

Papa (87) making the sausage for the calzone

Kuka (77) rolling out pasta

***

Easter morning, I got the best wake up call

I mean, do you die???

I cannot tell you how much I love this puppy. She is such a cuddly, loving dog and literally fills my heart with joy when I see her. I think it's kind of hard for people joel to understand how much you can love a dog if you've never had one, but living in the city without the dog is my least favorite part.

but...moving on.

After opening up our Easter baskets, my fam headed over to my Aunt's house for brunch.

All of our hard work tasted soooooo good. 

 

We danced and ate, watched the cubs (and got nervous for the Hawks) and had an overall great time - as we always do. 

Even though not all of our aunts, uncles, and cousins were able to make, we did have a very special surprise guest:

When Hannah got on the screen, everyone literally started screaming! It was really nice (especially for my mom) that Hannah got to have a little bit of home on Easter.

After our brunch, I headed over to Joel's house and got to spend some time with his parents and extended family. 

It took us forever and a day to get home from the suburbs, but we were able to sneak in a quick walk together, which was nice and very necessary.

weekend plans

Thank you ladies for your sweet words - I was literally so excited to post and tell all of you! I really want to e-mail each one of you, they way some bloggers do, but I don't have outlook hooked up with my sign-in e-mail, so it won't let me. 

I had been under so much stress just waiting for the news that the second I got home from work yesterday (and I'm talking within seconds) I got a cold. 

I remember a college professor telling me that a lot students get sick right after finals, because the release of stress and tension allow your body to get rid of all of the toxins. 

Who knows if that's true, but I do have a freaking cold.  

----

Last night, Joel and I celebrated with some fancy champagne and then went out to my favorite sushi restaurant Rise and indulged in waaaaay too many rolls. I had a 2 martinis and fell asleep on the couch by 10. 

Really cool life, right?

Today, I'm going to head to the grocery store and then drive home for Easter celebrations. My parents are so proud of me that I got this promotion, so I can't wait to go home and see them. 

I hope each one of you will be spending the weekend around people you love. 

...and to those who celebrate, Happy Easter!

BIG NEWS

I GOT THE JOB!!!!!

They told me this afternoon.

I start next week.

I can't even think straight.

Must pop the buubly.

Details to come.

Ahhhhh!

Takeout Thursday

 Yea, it has been that kind of week.

I have been in one of those funks where I all I want to do is crawl under my covers and come out on Easter.

Thankfully, today, the sun came out and so did my nice side.

Since my refrigerator is in the state that it is (and I promise I'm no longer in college), I've decided to open a bottle of my favorite vino, read my 2nd favorite magazine right behind US weekly, and order in some takeout.

Hope you can have an equally enjoyable night, and trust me (this is my first one of the week)

WILW

Well, hello "What I'm Loving Wednesday", I sure have missed you.

1. Margaritas 

I don't know if it's the fact that I'm craving summer, or just simply a strong liqour, but I'm on a margarita kick for sure.

I don't care if it's SkinnyGirl, margarita mix, or just straight up patron with lime, I want it now.

 

2. Rosie Pope

I love me some Bravo, and Rosie does not disappoint. 

I find her refreshing and normal, and if I could pay her to come hang out with me when I get preggers, I surely would. 

Her hubby isn't too shabby either.

 

3. Starburst Jelly Beans

This obsession is border line out of control. 

And there is no explanation necessary. 

 

4. Reese's Hair

I DESPERATELY need to get my hair highlighted and cut and I am in LOVE with Reese's color & cut. 

5. My new blog design

Thanks again to Sweet Simplicity for my awesome new design, I have been visiting my own blog far too often. 

 5. Khloe Kardashian's closet

I love this and hate her.

Someday..... 

What are you loving this week?

First of all, what do you think of my new blog design?? I hope you love it as much as I do? The lovely Lindsey at Sweet Simplicty blinged it out for me, and was so easy and lovely to work with. 

I'm on the events committee at work, (I plan all of our corporate happy hours, obviously) and tonight the team is going out for dinner and drinks at The Signature Room. 

Hopefully the rain and clouds will part for a few minutes so we can take in the lovely skyline and sunset.

 ---

Also on the agenda for this week is planning my 23rd birthday party. 

I'm really excited for what I have up my sleeve. 

10 of nearest and dearest will be joining me to The Kentucky Derby in Chicago.

More details to come but the website says... "Derby Day is all about world famous Mint Juleps, signature drinks, an exclusive red carpet, live music, and a chance to watch and bet on the Kentucky Derby—the most exciting two minutes in sports!"- Can't get better than that....

Which leads me to the LARGE task of finding a great (hopefully Lilly) dress and LARGE hat. 

Any tips on where to find a good, Derby hat? 

This, my friends, is my first rodeo.

My Father's Daughter

I'm sure it isn't news to you that Gwyneth Paltrow's new healthy cookbook has hit the shelves. 

I've always been a big fan of Gwyneth's and love her website Goop, so to say I was excited that she was writing a cookbook was an understatement.

I ordered the book on Amazon and have been anxiously awaiting it's arrival. 

I recently read Gwyn's SELF cover article, which gave some interesting background on how her eating patterns and the book developed.

Bruce Paltrow raised Gwyn with a passion for food. They often visited local NY staples for the best hot dogs and pretzel's the state has to offer. Bruce, also had a passion for cooking in his own home. Food was a sign of love, and for the Paltrow's, the grandest gesture was a home cooked meal.

When Bruce was diagnosed with throat cancer, Gwyneth became obsessed with treating his body with healthy foods and and homeopathic treatments.She often wondered if the poor food he'd grown up eating was the culprit of his failing health.

When her energies failed, and her father passed, she became increasingly obsessed with her own health. She nixed alcohol, gluten, sugar, processed foods, wheat, diary - and added in intense workouts, vitamins and supplements.

Food was no longer enjoyable and she had lost the lesson's that her dad had grown up teaching her.

When her daughter Apple arrived, she finally began to understand the balance.

 

The balance of eating healthfully, but still enjoyably.

I'm still figuring out that balance myself, but I'm inspired by realistic recipes that are health focused, but still delicious.

The few recipes I've seen, look delicious, and the first two I'll be trying are

 Duck Ragu

and

 

Bruce's Dip

Will you pick up My Father's Daughter, or do you have already cookbook that you swear by?