Chandeliers & Four Poster Beds

All of the lighting in these bedrooms are absolutely amazing.  There isn't a more romantic decorating piece in a bedroom than a chandelier - it makes the room dramatic and more formal without being too stuffy.  And what's not to love about an amazing four poster bed?  I hope you like these bedrooms as much as I do!

{simply amazing and glamorous.}

 {love the exposed brick against the feminine decor.}

 {so clean and stunning.}

{that bed!  that chandelier!}

{so clean and beautiful.  love that headboard.}

All images via pinterest.

Lovely & Feminine

I'm absolutely smitten with the gold agents in these gorgeous feminine living rooms.  One of the perks of being single is getting to completely indulge in your space - let it be as girly and delicate as you want!  So glad I only have myself to consult with; it just makes life easier.  

All images via pinterest.

New Handbag Love

During my marathon shopping trip last Saturday to find pants, which is always a chore and a true test of my self confidence, I stumbled across this little beauty:

I've been saving for a purse for a while and I finally found one that I LOVE that doesn't break the bank (thank you Anthro sale items).  It looks black in the picture (and the website says slate) but it looks navy in person and I love it.  The best part?  The zipper has a Chapstick pocket.  It was meant to be.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween!  Though we dressed up Saturday, it still counts.  Did you or our animals (or children) dress up?

{looks thrilled, doesn't she?}

7 Hour Long Tailgates Equals...

My poor friends.  The longer we go without seeing each other, the more they are subjected to endless photos, good and bad, when we are reunited.  

Those were new sunglasses so I was anxious to get as many pics with them on as possible.  What can I say, I can be vain.  I think every girl secretly is...

Sometimes I Wonder...

Does anyone ever find themselves crossing their fingers in hope that a new catalog will be waiting for them in the mailbox on their walk to it?  I do.  Constantly.  I found myself more excited than I should be when it looked like the new jcrew or pottery barn or anthro catalog might be waiting for me, but I wasn't so lucky.  Just boring ones for brands that I don't even buy from.   Sighhh.

Do you also go through magazines on plane rides faster than you can read 50 pages in a book?  I went through 3 magazines, cover to cover on a 2  hour flight.  And not thin ones - Elle Decor (US & UK) and In Style.  Now if only I could apply my talents to reading other things this fast...

Polished Pumpkins

I'm not much of a Halloween decorator, but I do appreciate a cute pumpkin or two around my house once fall hits.  This year I thought I would spice it up a little with some chrome spray paint and thumb tacks.  I have little pumpkins scattered all throughout my place - on my TV stand, nightstand, vanity counter...  I love fall!

Hello, There

Why hello there adorable Anthropologie clutch.  I think I might like to pick you up and keep you forever.  You would be such a fabulous accessory to my life...

Cooking with Mom

Last night my mom and I went to a pasta workshop at Sur La Table and it was a ton of fun!  I never would have thought that fresh pasta would be so easy to make since there is such a HUGE taste difference from boxed, dried pasta.  Here is a look at the night (and if you want the recipes, let me know!):

{getting the classroom prepped}

{spaghetti with tuscan sausage & caramelized onion ragu and spaghetti with walnut-sage pesto}

{goat cheese & ricotta stuffed ravioli with a brown butter sage sauce}

{wild mushroom fettucini with sun-dried tomato, rosemary, and pancetta cream sauce}

{mom and i after the class}

And I forgot to mention the best part - you get a 10% discount the week of the class that is reusable and applies to everything in the store, even sale items!

That's Chic

Casual Friday/Weekend Wear

Fall is by far my favorite time of year.  The weather is cool enough to bring out boots and blazers which are a welcome change from summer dresses and sandals.  If I were allowed to wear jeans to work on Fridays, this would be something I would pull together, but since I'm not allowed (oh, Corporate America) these ideas are reserved for weekend outings.  What are your favorite fall looks?

{purse, blazer, shirt, cuff, boots}

TGIF and Happy Weekend!

West Elm Love

By now, I'm sure you have heard of West Elm (owned by the Williams-Sonoma Group) and if you haven't, you need to check it out.  The Company has an awesome selection of stuff at great prices with a contemporary vibe - great for people like me that need different pieces to break up more classic furniture.

When the fall catalog came to my house a few weeks back, I fell in love.  Over the past year or so, West Elm has really started to come onto my radar and the fall catalog has put them on the map as one of my go-to housewares stores.  Thanks, West Elm!

{favorite throw at a great price}

{lacquered tray and butler stand}

{gourd soup tureen, soup bowl, and pitcher}

{adorable thanksgiving dessert plates}

Stay tuned to see what my purchases were!

Polish Picks!

Anyone who has been around me more than once quickly realizes that my nails are constantly painted.

When I lived in LA, my roommate and I would go to the beauty store around the corner from our house and browse their huge nail polish selection which we affectionately titled the Candy Shop (since the hundreds of bottles  looked like a candy store with all the colors).  I don't think we ever left that place with less than 3 colors...

Since part of the name-sake of this blog deals with my love of nail polish, I wanted to share both colors that I love and colors that I am currently wearing in a weekly post.  This week, I am wearing a Butter London color called No More Waity, Katie which is part of the brand's Fall/Winter 2011 collection - it adds the perfect touch of sparkle without being too flashy in the work place.

Butter London colors are a little more of a splurge than Essie or OPI, but they have some unique colors that make you want to spend the extra money every once in a while.  Here is the rest of the Fall/Winter 2011 Collection (google the names for a laugh):

Curried Carrot Soup

One of my favorite fall soups.

Ingredients:

2T butter

1 sweet onion, chopped

1T curry powder

coarse salt & ground pepper, to taste

2 cans chicken broth (abt 3 1/2 cups)

3 cups of water

2 lbs carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces

2T lemon juice

2T fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

Directions:

Heat butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.  Once melted, add onion, curry powder, 1T salt, and freshly ground pepper.  Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft (about 5 mins).

Add broth, carrots, and 3 cups water.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to a simmer and cover for about 20 minutes (until carrots are tender).

Once the carrots have finished, transfer soup (in small batches) to a blender and puree until smooth.  Continue until all of saucepan has been pureed.  If consistency is too thick at the end, add water as desired.

Finish with fresh lemon juice and chopped cilantro on top.  Serve with crusty bread.

Enjoy!

Favorite Things

I cannot get away from my obsession with red this fall.  Here are some things that I have my eye on:

{one, two, three, four, five, six}

Last Week in Pictures

Some of the highlights of last week:

{fall pumpkin arrangement}

{wine & cheese party}

{friday lunch spot}

{taylor swift concert - cowboys stadium}

{B.O.B. was the special guest}

Work Outfit of the Week

If you're anything like me, you reluctantly wake up every morning and sleepily stumble into your closet to find the same clothes for work and feel stuck in the limited combinations you can dream up.  Each week (hopefully), I will share my favorite work outfit with you.  I’ll admit up front that some of these outfits will have new pieces in them, but for the most part (since I don't have any immediate plans to revamp my work wardrobe) it will be my standard work basics mixed to make new outfits.  Hopefully it inspires you and if you have your own ideas, I would love to hear them! 


In the interest of time this week, I decided to share two work outfits that I would LOVE to have.  Which one would you wear?

Oufit #1, Outift #2

Travel Style

Do you have a signature travel style?  I have been traveling a ton this year and I have been drawn to either a pair of high-waisted jeans and a flowy top (with cute jacket or my go to stripped crewneck sweatshirt close in sight) or a summer maxi dress with easily slipped off sandals and  a striped crewneck sweatshirt that is belted (because planes are often chilly).

No matter what you wear, comfort and easily removed clothing are key since you need to make it quickly through security and are closer to perfect strangers than I would normally choose to be.

Here are some travel looks that I would love to have.  Would you wear any of them?

Top Image; Middle Image; Bottom Image.

Designer Crush

A few weeks ago I went on a Saturday lunch date with my mom and then we took a nice, long browse through Neimans.  I had heard of Rebecca Taylor before, but I had no idea how much I would love her stuff!  Here are a few things that caught my eye:

1.  Leopard Jacquard Dress  2. Ankle Boot  3. Phillipa Bag  4. Shadow Daisy Blouse  

5. Leather Belt  6. Tie Front Dress  7. Nailhead Blouse

Last Week In Pictures

Some of the highlights of last week:

Sunday sunset.

Love the ivy.

City from Millennium Park.

The BEAN!

Wandering Chicago.