Blogs I Love to Follow

One of my favorite past times whenever I have some down time is to read blogs.   Whether they are fashion blogs, foodie blogs, wedding blogs, or blogs about anything and everything; I love reading them and look forward to catching up on posts I have missed.

If you enjoy fashion, food recipes, weddings or fun personalities, I highly recommend you check out these blogs.

If you love fashion.  Fashion trends, tips, must-haves, you will LOVE this blog.  Cupcakes and Cashmere- even the name of her blog is creative.

Because I'm Addicted- is truly an addicting blog to follow and check in on.  She is wacky, creative, and posts about fashion, eating, DIY, and living.

Anything Wedding, I would read none other than my fabulous bosses blog, Sweetchic Events.  Charlene is truly talented and puts on the most breath-taking weddings and has a real eye for the art of wedding planning.  She blogs about how-to's, tips, and much much more.

FashionToast- her boyfriend is a gorgeous photographer and he takes photos of his girlfriend to show off fashion trends and styles.  It is like a photography/fashion blog and I love seeing what photos she has posted.

When I become a Chicagoan mom, I want to be as cool, hip, fun, goofy like Emily.  Emphasis Added is a blog I "stumbled upon" on stumbled upon- no joke.  I wish I could get the nerve to ask her to meet for coffee so I can tell her how much I dig her humor and writing.  Emily writes about everything and anything- it's her personality that makes her blog so fun.

I recently was introduced to Sea of Shoes.  I already can tell I am going to like this blog.  I don't know how to explain what the theme of her blog is.  I think the word "eclectic" suites her blog well.

Founder/blogger/photographer Scott Schuman began The Sartorialist with the idea of creating a two-way dialogue about the world of fashion and its relationship to daily life.  I was also introduced to this blog.  I will let it speak for itself.  


Lastly, Travels in Heels.   Love the look of her blog and she writes about fashion, travel, decorating, you name it.  I would love to have her as a friend. 


What blogs do you religiously follow?  Happy reading!


xoxo

Mad for Mad Men

Up until a week ago, before I signed up for Netflix, my TV watching was very seldom.   With my move into a new place, I figure now was a good time to sign up for Netflix and "retire" my Blockbuster membership.  Yes I still use Blockbuster and have been a loyal member my entire life, but being the Big City Gal that I am and carless, I figured it was time for a change.   

Little did I know that this NEW membership would cause me to become OBSESSED with one particular TV Show.

You have all probably heard about the "hot" TV show called Mad Men.  Yes Mad Men.  The drama about one of New York's most prestigious ad agencies (fictitious Madison Avenue Agency- Sterling Cooper) at the beginning of the 1960's, focusing on one of the firm's most mysterious, sexy, yet extremely talented ad executive, Donald Draper.  The show is about the high-powered and glamorous "Golden Age" of advertising as well as the lifestyles people led during this time.   

Before my Netflix membership, I never had the chance to get addicted to shows like this because I had just basic cable.  (It enjoyed having only 12 channels- really!).   Now with these shows that I have never heard of, shows I have been wanting to checkout, and movies galore, suddenly I find myself excited to go home and sit on my sofa so I can watch the next episode of Mad Men.   What has happened to me??!!  Have I gone MAD for Mad Men?!?!?   Why yes, yes I have.   How can you not be drawn into this siliceous, intriguing, jaw-dropping, dramatic and unpredictable storyline where every episode leaves you wanting more!?!?!   


On top of it, my grandparents and parents grew up during this time period.   My mother was Sally Draper's (Don Draper's daughter) age during the 1960's and my mother would tell me stories about her childhood and being apart of that era.  Her grandmother was like a combination of Betty Draper, and Helen Bishop. in the sense she adored all the fine things in life and was big on family and entertaining.   I adored everything about her, from her fashion sense to her cooking to her appreciation for music and elaborate decor.  She was even into her fine age, still a 1960's woman at heart!

The outfits, the lifestyles, and the culture during the 1960's is incredibly different from where we are today and I think that is what I love about it.   So much has changed since those days and Being a career-oriented woman that I am, I find it incredibly intriguing to see the way woman lived their lives back then.   Woman were married in their early twenties and expected to be housewives and raise the family.  The men were the "bread" winners and fought to climb the corporate ladder so they could provide for their family.   Divorce was unheard of and viewed as sinful, yet cheating is a regular thing!  And drinking & smoking are acceptable at any hour and in any quantity, despite news-breaking health research findings.

Aside from the writing for this show being incredible, each character in the drama has their own sense of style, personality and edge.   You can't help but to get attached and intertwined into their lives and what will happen next.

Being only into Season 2 so far, I can already tell I am hooked for LIFE.   Everything about this show appeals to me.  Drama, fashion, culture, history, and romance.   Even now as I write this post, I find myself getting anxious and excited to go home and watch MORE Mad Men!   I guess you can really say that I am MAD for MAD MEN.


The show has given me a whole new outlook on my grandparents and parents and the stories they shared with me now have a deeper meaning.   Sometimes I wish I could be transported back into this era just for a day, so I could see what it was really like.  


Are you MAD for Mad Men?  What do you love about this show?  Is there a character you can relate to the most?


Advertising is based on one thing, happiness. And you know what happiness is? Happiness is the smell of a new car. It's freedom from fear. It's a billboard on the side of the road that screams reassurance that whatever you are doing is okay. You are okay." ~ Donald Draper, Mad Men

Rainy Days with Style

With all of this rain fall here in Chicago, I thought I would try to make "light" of all the rainy days we have been having since April.    Who says you can't be fashionable even when it is crummy out?    To help I thought I would share some of my FAVORITE and must-have's for Spring and Summer showers.

Rain Boats:
Hunter Wellies!  I love mine.  I have the tall wellies so I can wear them both in the Winter and the Spring.   I love having versatile and year-round items.    Not to mention they are extremely comfortable and are light.   I highly recommend purchasing these boots.     They also come in a ton of colors so you can have a "pop" of color during those gloomy days.   Target also makes some really fun patterned rain boots, in case your budget needs a cheaper option.   I have a pair in polka dots too to change them up from my Hunter Wellies.   I have had my Target pair for years and love them.  

Hunter Welllies

Target Rain Boots

 Umbrellas:
If you live in the Windy City like I do, then you probably know how frequently and easy it is to have your umbrella break.   I have gone through SO MANY umbrellas since I have lived here and I have been determined to find a brand that can withstand our wind gusts.   I recently discovered the umbrella brand: Totes.  They make really durable and fun umbrellas.   I currently have a polka pot umbrella- super fun and cute.  It is the perfect size too for me to carry in my bags.  

I love this one because it is clear!

Rain Jackets:
Rule of thumb- the thinner the better!!  I use to wear my ski coat because it had a hood thinking it would do the trick.  It ended up not being helpful.   The jacket is way too thick and I would be overheated by the time I made it to the subway after walking for five minutes!   I decided to purchase a lighter rain coat and found that Marmot makes great jackets!  Patagonia and The North Face make excellent rain jackets too.   They are durable, breathable and light- everything you need in the perfect rain jacket!   I recently purchased The North Face- W Resolve Jacket in the berry lacqur color.   It matches perfectly with my umbrella!

Marmot

The North Face

Patagonia

The North Face- W Resolve Jacket

How do you stay fashionable in the Spring/Summer and stay dry during the rainy months?   I would love to hear any tips you have. 

Must Have's

Lately I have been in love with some items I recently purchased and I thought I would share them with you.   Being a city gal I am all about products that are affordable, practical and timeless.    Most items I get into are because of recommendations or tips friends and colleagues give me so why not pass them on to others?   So here are some of my must-have's. 

One thing that I really despise are socks that fall off my feet, especially when I am wearing shoes.   You know the feeling.    When you are wearing boots and you can feel the sock slowly bunching up on the bottom of your foot or you are running and your ankle is suddenly rubbing against the heel of your shoe.    That is what I despise.    But have no fear!   I have found the solution- Smart Wool socks.    Their socks come in a variety of colors, sizes and heights.   They are perfect for when the weather turns colder. I wear them inside my rain boots and around the house.   This light cushioned sock is breathable and stays on your foot without moving around inside your shoes.    If you are an outdoor runner or a walker, I recommend the Woman's PhD Running Ultra Light Micro.    These socks are PERFECT for when it is mild weather.     

You can purchase these socks at a variety of locations:  REI, Zappos, and Moosejaw.  Nordstrom Rack currently has some styles REALLY on sale (this is where I bought mine) so get them while supplies last!

My next must-have item is the Circle Scarf from American Apparel.    The scarf comes in a variety of colors and is a really soft and light fabric.  My favorite part about this scarf is that you can wear it THIRTEEN different ways.   Yes thirteen!   How cool is that?    See below all the different ways you can wear this scarf.    I wear the scarf all the time and have worn it two different ways so far.    I doubt I will wear it every way that you can but the versatility of the product is simply amazing.    I currently have it in black but am hoping to get it in another bright color for spring time.

A must-have for people who workout and who just love water bottles, I highly recommend purchasing a Camelbak better bottle.  I use to be a Nalgene girl but when time and time again I would spill water all over me when running on a treadmill or sitting on my spinning bike.   I would buy plastic water bottles at the gym because I didn't like carrying a bulky water bottle in my bag and I sick of spilling on myself.     Now with my Cambelbak bottle, I don't think I could ever cheat on it.    They are 100% BPA-Free, dishwasher friendly and all you have to do is flip up the top, bite and sip!  It is also spill-proof and easy to carry with you.    You can hook it onto your purse or bag and is really light even when full of water.   

What are some of your MUST Have's lately?   Any products you suggest I try?  Do you use any of these products?

What's In Your Bag?

One of my favorite pages in my super gossipy magazines is the page where they ask a celebrity to dump out their bag and show us what's inside.   UsWeekly  just featured Kate Walsh and asked her to pour out her purse.   Of course she had some typical items, gum, ipod, lip gloss, but she had some other really different items, for example underwear.  I loved how real she is and proud to admit she carries a thong with her.

Kate Walsh's purse, UsWeekly Magazine

Sometimes I wonder if the celebrities are told in advance when US is going to stop them so they can be prepared?   If I knew a magazine was going to publish what was in my purse and I knew what day I was going to be featured, I don't know if I would do anything differently.   I would probably make sure I didn't have trash in my bags (receipts, gum wrappers, that sort of stuff) but that would be it.    Would you change anything?   

In spite of this fun magazine piece,  I am going to share what I typically carry in my purse.   For those of you who know me, I am almost  ALWAYS carrying two bags with me, especially during the work week.   One bag being my purse and the other being my gym bag or "everything else" bag.

So here I go, as if I was stopped on my way out the door of my apartment, this is what I carry in my bags.  

My Workout Bag

1.   Saucony Women's Progrid Triumph 7 Running Shoes
2.   Long Champ Black Tote
3.   Lady Speed Stick deodorant  (Amazing deodorant)
4.   Nike workout tank top- they are AMAZING.  I highly recommend the razor back tanks.
5.   Nike capri workout pants- comfortable, breathable & slimming.  I practically live in them.
6.   Scunci head bands  and hair ties (favorite everyday head bands)
7.   JVC Gumy earbud headphones (these are really comfortable & come in a variety of bright colors)
8.   Apple itouch (not in picture)

My Purse

1.    Blackberry (aka my life)
2.    Post-it notepad & ball-point pen (you never know when you need to write something down)
4.    Kate Spade black wallet
5     Michael Kors brown tote
6.    Orbit gum- peppermint (this is my favorite brand of gum)
7.    Blistex Silk & Shine (keeps my lips hydrated but also adds a little shimmer- smells delicious too)
8.    Victoria's Secret, Beauty Rush Lip Gloss (perfect for giving your lips a hint of glitter & shine- love them!)
9.    MAC lip gloss (mine is from this year's holiday gift pack- great present for your girlfriends)
10.  Vera Bradley Zip ID Case-  I carry my CTA card, gym lock key & office building ID in it. 
11.   Damask folder  (I carry my work, articles to read, board information, etc.) 
12.   Mini hair brush- a MUST have.
13.   Business cards (good to have when networking or need to exchange information)
14.   Gloves- I carry a pair with me at all times because my hands get cold really easily. 
15.   Ralph Lauren Make-up Travel Bag (I carry all of my make-up in it. You never know when you may need to touch up or need to put make-up on while on-the-go to save getting ready time).

If I was to stop you as you were out and about what would I find in your bag?    What are some of your MUST HAVE WITH ME items?     Do you use any of the items I use?     Any suggestions on items you recommend I start carrying with me?

“She had the loaded handbag of someone who camps out and seldom goes home, or who imagines life must be full of emergencies.” ~  Mavis Gallant

A woman's mind is as complex as the contents of her handbag; even when you get to the bottom of it, there is ALWAYS something at the bottom to surprise you!  ~ Billy Connelly