Feeling Lucky

St. Patrick's Day was a little different this year, but that's quite alright, because we've got the cutest little leprechaun in our lives! Before Evelina was even born, my cousin, Britt, bought all kinds of theme-y outfits (that's kind of our thing) for her first year. And it's been a blast watching her grow into them with the passing of each holiday. I'm a celebrator by nature, so I couldn't have asked for a sweeter gift for me, or E.

St. Patrick's Day is a huge deal in Chicago. Last year, Britt was visiting with us and we did the usual shenanigans. St. Pat's in Tennessee is a little less intense but we still dressed up for a few photo's and my mom kept E while Alex and I hung out a local brewery for a bit. I certainly missed the green river and our friends awesome costumes but baby's first experience of going green pretty darn swell. So glad she tolerates me.

St. Patty's Shenanigans

Chicago turned green again this weekend! My cousin came in from North Carolina to help us celebrate and can I just say, it's awesome having a family member that gets just as excited for dress up opportunities as I do. (Recognize the wig?) We donned our festive gear (plus coats - unfortunately, the weather wasn't as fabulous as this) but we did have some sunshine so the water looked extra festive and I was able to bust out my Patrick tee again so no complaints here. We started at the river and made our way north over the course of about eleven hours, with loads of green beer, dancing, and photo opps in between. All in all, a success.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

What's your favorite color?

When I saw this chart based on a survey of favorite colors at the moment from P.S. I made this my first thought was  "duh!", of course we love green - it's the color of the year! (Although, I must say I've always been a fan.) I'm curious, does your favorite color change with the times and trends or do you stand by your crayola? When I was a kid I loved purple but now I can't say I'm a fan at all. In my adult life I love yellow!

Spill the beans, or shall I say crayon box...

Life, lately.

I know it's been chirping crickets around here, sorry for that, but the good news is I  finally feel like I've resumed my groove of life so here's a little update on things lately. 

• Back on a regular sleep schedule, yay! (Jet lag is a real meanie.)
• What's up with this winter weather? It's more unpredictable than Beyoncé lip-syncing at the inauguration. (Which, bee tee double you, did you see those emeralds??)
• Speaking of, I got one of my very own over the holidays. Thanks, lovey!
• Hubby and I started a 10 day cleanse, (we're on day four) and so far so starving. Actually, to be honest it's not so bad. After the holidays and world eat-a-thon I was on recently it feels kind of nice. I don't like extreme's so a totally raw/soup diet/water and cayenne pepper situation this is not. And I'm hoping at the end to feel a little less sluggish and gross than when I started. Keep ya posted.
• Loving this little tune.
• Still sorting through pictures...

See ya around!

Going Green (& Gold)

Green wigs and tutu's and Guinness t-shirts are fun but if St. Patrick's Day were a classy affair, I'd like to imagine wearing something like this. Green champagne anyone?

P.S. Don't you just love it when the world color coordinates? ;)

Happy Weekend {Green Edition}

Happy Friday Leprechauns!

This weekend is the St. Patrick's Day celebration in Chicago. I'm not sure who started it but observing on the Saturday prior to the 17th is genius in my opinion. St. Patty's is a major deal here in the city - we dye the Chicago River (check out this rad video I posted last year) and like to enjoy a full day of going green with friends - green beer, green outfits, even green wigs! It's one of the many reasons I love living here - this town truly knows how to have a good time!

After a great week with work in New York City things should be back to normal around here next week - thanks for your patience! It was a week of 'missed' for me...in addition to missing our daily chats, I learned that I 'just missed' Kim Kardashian at the Dash NYC store (I was there the evening prior) and I 'just missed' an International Women's Day celebration at Kate Spade in SoHo - literally blocks from my hotel. C'est la vie I guess - the energy alone in NYC is enough to sustain me.

On a serious note, I hope all of you and your loved ones are safe following the devastating tsunami and earthquake in Japan. My thoughts and prayers go out to those affected.

I'rish you all a wonderful weekend.

Emerald City

Emerald was the color for awards season - first the gowns of the Golden Globes, now the gorgeous jewels of the Oscars. From light and ripe to straight up shamrock, the stars paired their gowns with unexpected grassy gems, creating a fresh, modern look that dazzled on the red carpet.

Amy Adams - Reese Witherspoon - Annette Bening - Celine Dion

Create your own red carpet worthy look with these glorious greens...

Clockwise from top left:

Kendra Scott chandelier earrings - Kenneth Jay Lane starburst earrings - Carolee Lux drop earrings     

Kate Spade bracelet - Target roped earrings - Blu Bijoux bib necklace - B. Rawlings drop necklace

Quick! You're trapped in a glass room loosing oxygen by the second and the only way to survive is to pick one of the above - which do you choose?? (Come on, it's to save your life!)

P.S. My sincerest apologies for being a bad blogger friend lately, things are crazier than expected. I miss you all and can't wait to catch up. Special thanks to Johanna & Diana for the features last week, if you visited via them, welcome and thanks for stopping in! I promise I'll swing by and say hello as soon as I get caught up with life!

Non Diamond Engagement Rings

Photo via People

The news of Prince William proposing to Kate with Diana's gorgeous sapphire engagement ring got me all excited about this potentially becoming a trend. (Jessica just got a ruby!) I love the idea of wearing something other than a diamond. Though they're beautiful, I've never understood why that was the chosen stone to represent love and marriage. (I'm sure there's a reason, I'm just too lazy to Google it.)  Eight years ago I swooned over a sapphire not knowing it would become my engagement ring just a short while later. A few times at the beginning I wondered if it would be alright for the rest of my life, blending with my wardrobe or standing out like a sore thumb. But it quickly became me and not once did I regret that it wasn't a diamond. I still find myself gazing at it and love that it represents Alex's birthstone (though not why we chose it). People often ask if it's my wedding ring and I get to feel like a newlywed again and again when I tell them yes, I can't imagine wearing anything else. Though... I don't think I'd mind an emerald for our 10 year ;)

What about you, do you have a non diamond or would you be up for it? Do you think colored stones will catch on??



Southern Wedding Inspiration

Y'all know I'm a Southern girl at heart so naturally I'm swooning over these pictures from a 'Southern sweet meets California cool' wedding inspired photoshoot. Drawing inspiration from traditional southern elements (lace, bourbon, sweet tea) with a California twist (succulents, poppies, peach nectar) this fete is blowing my mind...the centerpieces are like texture heaven! Green tomatoes, cotton and a mint mixing station, what else do you need in life??

Photos by Stephanie Williams

See the full lot here. Really, you must.

Pantone / Product

Blu Bijoux Emerald Facet Bib Necklace - $60

Going Green

This video of the Chicago River being dyed green is so neat to see this from above maybe we'll just skip it in person. Or maybe not...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I'rish you a happy weekend!

photo via Searching for Style

Saturday is the big St. Patrick's Day celebration and we're happy to have our Tennessee friend Eric partake in it with us this year. (I love having visitors in town, it's so fun to see the city through a tourists eyes!)

Have a green weekend!