Happy Halloween!

Wishing you a spooky one!

A Halloween Recap

 Little Edie + Dracula

When I watched the remake of Grey Garden's in early summer, I knew then who I was going to to be for Halloween. A fashion icon in her own very unique way, something about Little Edie just captivated me. I was fascinated by the story (and Drew Barrymore's performance) and started thinking of ways to pull it off.

One piece bathing suits as layers, constant head adornment, and skirts that you can "always remove and use as a cape" were my inspiration. I borrowed a scarf from Mom, found a gorgeous mink and cashmere sweater at an antique shop and pulled out the nude pantyhose from the very back corner of my drawer. "I have to think these things up. You understand." (The original film cover served as my final inspiration.)

I'm a big fan of creating costumes inspired by items in my own closet. For some reason, I use Halloween as some sort of creative validation for myself, pfff...as if my final judgement will include anything about costumes!  And though I have no idea where it stemmed from, other than not wanting tons of extra crap laying around my house, I'm very anti-costume in a box. I just enjoy the process of making do mostly with what I've got - it's good fun and cheaper that way, too.

Even though only a total of about five people recognized the character, (and that pretty much includes on Instagram, too) I still loved it and and it felt so appropriate to celebrate at the Merchandise Mart as it was Kennedy owned for quite some time. (Obviously, it was "the best costume for the day".) Plus, the guesses were totally amusing. Little Red Riding Hood? No. A homeless person with nice stuff? Sort of?

Halloween is my favorite!
What were/are your costumes this year??

Halloween at Home

As much as I love Halloween, I've never actually decorated our house for it. I guess the focus has always just been on crafting a costume? But for some reason, this year, I wanted to go all out so I scoured a few dollar stores for supplies and got busy stringing spider web. It was so much fun, I can tell you that I'll never not decorate for it again!

My hubby likes to play tricks on me with confetti spiders, the toilet seat is his favorite spot. 

Gets me every time!

A fabulous feather wreath and a sinister little rat. 

Do you decorate for Halloween? Stay tuned tomorrow for... costumes!

Halloween Prep

You're looking at the pieces and parts of my Halloween costume this year. I have to say, this might be one of my favorite's ever.  I pranced around in it last night during a trial run and comments from the hubby ranged from "ambitious"and "funny", to plain old laughter. We'll be celebrating this weekend and I'm putting the final touches on the look today. Totally going Method with this one guys. It's based on a real person and I'm determined to nail it. Any guesses?

A Braid Is My New Bun

clockwise: 1 source unknown, 2, 3, 4

Since I've been wearing a top knot / blogger bun for the past, oh, 100 days or so... I feel like it's time for something new.  (Plus, I'm sure my husband and friends are getting reeeally tired of looking at it.) Don't get me wrong, I'm still crazy over that pile of hair perched on my head, but with mandatory head covering weather coming up, I need something a little more hat friendly until spring comes 'round again. So... let's go with braids! Based on my pins, I seem to favor textured or messy looks, almost like it's been slept in. And I love how sweet or sassy they can be - leave it long, or make a crown, can't beat that!

Tried any new 'do's lately? Do share! 

Political Jewelry - Would You Wear It?

I'm pretty old fashioned when it comes to politics and prefer to keep my opinions on the down low, but when I stumbled on these jewels I was instantly curious how some of my fashionable friends feel about it. While the notion of wearing your support on your sleeve is nothing new,  these are some of the more subtle I've seen, with necklaces available in sterling silver, gold, and diamond options, ranging from $150 to $1,000. So my question is, would you wear political jewelry or apparel with pride? Or keep your choice to yourself? Obviously, there's no right or wrong answer. As with choosing a candidate, we're all entitled to our own opinion. :)

Speaking of, I've joked with friends about needing a chart to break down and understand the issues this time around. Honestly, I'm a little exhausted of it all. But after watching this video, while hilarious, it made me realize even more, how important it is to be informed before hitting the polls. I found this candidate match quiz super useful for helping narrow down the choices based upon your stance on some of the major issues. Whether you're undecided or just want to double check your choice, it's quick and easy, complete with a "learn more" button at each question that breaks down the support or oppose position in understandable terms. I took the test and it turns out I'm about a 60/40 split! I guess it's like dating, you have your "deal breakers", and you take the bad with the good!

The good news is, we're under the 10 day mark now, then our personal Facebook news feeds can go back to being pictures of cute babies and what we had for dinner...

P.S. More election themed goodies, guides to the election part 1 and part 2, and another quiz - Match-O-Matic style!

Letting Go

via 

I could say a million things about this really, but I think it speaks for itself. I have found it and I have let go. (Ok, most of it.) Oh, the worries, the stress and the wondering - how heavy those feelings can be. If you're hanging on to something you know you shouldn't, I hope you find the courage to let it go. 

Que Sera Sera, my lovelies.

Random Thought: Caboodles

I've been thinking about Caboodles lately. My first one was pink and mint. Meeeemories...
It's the 25th anniversary! This lace one is pretty hot.

And that's all I really have to say about that.

What do you gals stash your makeup/beauty products in these days?

Fashion Focus Chicago 2012

This one goes out to my Chicago readers... It's Fashion Focus week here the Windy City and what I love the most is how accessible it is! Whether you're a designer, fashion enthusiast, or just looking for a little activity this week, there are runway shows, industry seminars, and shopping events galore. Many are free and it's the perfect opportunity to take in and celebrate the continued growth of our local industry.

The Chicago Fashion Foundation, which I serve on the board of, is hosting several panels this week including one tonight featuring Frances Renk of Sequin Jewelry and on Sunday, an interesting look at the Convergence of Technology and Fashion featuring TrendSeeder. I hope you'll come learn a bit, say hello and enjoy some of finest the Chicago fashion industry has to offer!

Shut Up. Zara Home is here!

Stylish, subtle, sleek... everything we love about Zara apparel is now available for our homes! I mean, just look at those pillows, so much texture! I don't even smoke but how sexy is that ashtray??  Have you ever seen such perfect nesting tables, ah! And don't even get me started on my immediate need of an urn...

Husband, may I have permission to redecorate?

So far this fall...

The leaves are prettier than ever before. 

I'm completely addicted to salted caramel mocha's. 

I spent some much needed time in Tennessee. 

I'm committed to creeping out my condo for Halloween, sometimes at the expense of my cats.

How's fall for y'all?

Anna Inspired

via

A few years ago as a new year's resolution I decided to read one piece of classic of literature per year. The first book on my list was Leo Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina" and wow, what a way to begin. It's quite lengthy on it's own but I purposely spaced out the reading for nearly a year just to devour every word. (I also made myself complete quizzes at the end of each chapter to drag it out even further, nerd.) To say I'm excited about the latest remake of Anna Karenina doesn't begin to explain my elation. The trailer has been released - the drama, the costumes, the romance! - so hold on to your fur hats because November 16th can't come fast enough!  As if I needed even more to look forward to, Banana Republic is launching an "Anna" inspired collection that will drop at the end of this month. Eeeps!

Click for a sneak peek and to read a little more about "Banana Karenina".  (How much do I love that name?)

Banana's creative director says that fur hat above is actually a shrug and that we can wear it mutiple ways. Sold!

So, who's in for a movie date?? Keira + Jude + period piece, do I really have to twist your arm?

Cozy Weather Dressing

Jacket - seen here & here, similar

Scarf  - Urban Outfitters, similar

Sunnies - Sears,  seen here 

Cardigan -  Martin  & Osa

 Yellow Tank - J.Crew

Jeans - Forever 21

Boots - Steve Madden

Bag - market find, seen here

Believe it or not, these are pretty much the only cool weather appropriate clothes in my closet right now. In the spring and fall, we swap our summer/winter clothes from storage - a "perk" of city living - and while I don't mind it (kind of like getting a new wardrobe twice a year!) there are usually a couple of weeks at the start of new season where the outfits can get a bit wonky in terms of being seasonally appropriate. But, for our winery tour I needed a fall festive look fast, obviously. Luckily, I had few workable items including these boots I swiped up recently (you will probably want to punch me in the throat when I tell you they're consignment, WHO would get rid of these??), the scarf was an end of season find, the bag was carried all summer (why stop now), and the bun - let's just say this is day 113 of the top knot. So, how'd I do?