Daily E

Happy Monday! Well since my bracket is beyond busted… it was ugly before Gonzaga (my overall pick to win) lost. Now it is hopeless.

This weekend was full of fun. Friday we went to the J.Parker to toast Sara of Project Soiree. She joined the 27 club last week. This bar is so cool and I cannot wait to go back when the weather is nice and enjoy the rooftop! Danny came along and got to meet Cait, Monica and Migdalia too. He now has proof all of my virtual friends exist and it is less weird for me to talk about them!

Saturday we hit the gym, then I ran errands and cleaned while Danny worked. Cleaning continued late into the day and only stopped for dinner. It felt good to really scrub everything down.

Sunday started with a delightful Blogger Brunch with Sara and Jess of City in a Jar. We read each other’s blogs and feel like we know each other but it was really fun to get together and share elements of our lives that we don’t put online. (Yes, we bloggers have our secrets)

After brunch I dilly dallied my way to the bus with stops in Gap, J.Crew, The Container Store and the new Anthropologie at North and Clybourn. I found a file sorter at TCS and closet door knobs on sale at Anthro… I miscounted and only got 4 when I really needed 6 or 8 (depending on how many closets I change). We’ll start with 4 and I might swing by to grab the next 4 later this week. 

Sunday afternoon and evening we snuck in another gym session, cooked dinner (Edamame Chicken Burgers… a lot of prep but super delicious) and finished up the evening with a little blogging and getting things ready for the week. It was a lovely weekend that struck the elusive balance between fun and productivity and I am feeling ready to tackle the week ahead!

The calendar says it is the first day of spring…

So I’m going to ignore the fact that it is like 4 degrees outside and shop for some Spring additions to my wardrobe at J.Crew today. Bonus? J.Crew is offering 25% off purchases of $150 or more with the code LOVEJCREW

On the list: Schoolboy Blazer, Faded Chambray Popover w. Monogram, Vintage Cotton Tees and Tanks and basically anything in bright, spring-y colors.

Both Danny and I are fitting into some of our older and smaller sized clothes so shopping for new things is more exciting now! I do want to wait to  do a lot of shopping until I am at my goal but I’ll have to buy a few new things for the transition time. I made it to the gym last night which was frustrating at times (crowded, didn’t get the machines I wanted, smelly) but I am glad that I went. When I got home Danny and I did a circuit of push-ups, sit-ups, lunges, squats, jumping jacks and wall sits so my total workout time yesterday was about an hour and a half! I’m really hoping that helps me out with this week’s 130 by 5/30 check in. Even if it doesn’t, it felt good and I need to remember that feeling!

Somehow the “oh, we just have to exchange a few things” turned into “oh! let’s just stop in here quickly”!

The inventory: new tanks from Nordstrom Rack, new blouse and book from anthropology, blouse from white house black market, earrings from Banana and leggings from American Apparel. And Danny boy scored new pants and a t-shirt from Banana and new shoes from Macy’s.

We basically spent 5 hours walking and standing so we treated ourselves to a beer at Public House and then decided that pajamas and more beer is what the night had in store. So we are all settled in and new beers are cracked and the West Wing marathon on Netflix streaming has begun!

I picked up these Crepe Tuxedo Trousers from Anthropologie last night… I think they’ll be part of my Christmas outfit. I’m thinking of wearing a black tank top with it and the jewelry depends on the top.

I’m still struggling with what to wear for New Year’s Eve. My latest thought is “leather” leggings with a tank and blazer. I still also adore a Zara Jumpsuit and have now found 17 other delightful pieces that I wouldn’t mind adding to my closet. I think I also want to incorporate some sort of head wear… either a hat or a headband or a fun clip or something. AKA… I’m going to be rush ordering something from Ban.do once I have my outfit picked out. Or maybe I should order now and design my outfit around my accessories! 

This, and 30% off at Gap / Old Navy / Banana online and J.Crew Factory is 30% off too.

Trying to keep it under control - because I want this / this / this / this / this / this and so much more!

But, it is a great time to stock up on Summer staples for the continued hot weather in September and October and any trip you are taking during the winter. I can picture all of these pieces in my weekender bag (not really… more like this one or this one) for our cruise to Nassau in November!

Again yesterday I was too worn out from another super fun but marathon weekend to do much more than my day job. So here, on a Tuesday, is my weekend recap!

Friday night we enjoyed a delicious meal at Home Bistro with Danny’s parents. Many stories were told (not for the first time mind you) but they never fail to crack me up. After dinner Danny and I had a night cap at Nellcote where we just got the impression that everyone in there was trying just a little too hard for Friday night. So, we walked home and got a good night’s sleep.

Saturday morning I returned to Shannon. It had been at least 6 weeks since my last workout with her. And my biceps still hurt today. And my abs. So, thanks? But it felt really good to pump some iron and I got a good cardio sesh in afterwards. Plus Shannon had all sorts of wedding planning drama to share so we had a good time catching up. After a Whole Foods run, shower and some Olympics I met up with Danny’s mom and sister (Sue and Katie) for some retail therapy on State Street.

• Mayc’s - Shoes on sale - I left with a new pair of nude pumps and “suede” booties 
• Sephora is the one place I set out to buy anything because I needed more foundation, setting spray and eye lid primer… and a few travel sized extras.
• Anthropologie sale - two tanks on sale 
• H&M - spotted this dress (pun intended) and had to snatch it up (and it inspired this post)
• Nordstrom Rack - Free People top purchased after a text was sent to Katie G to see if she wanted it, and a peter pan collar top for me

After a few hours of shopping I headed home where I met a post 18 holes of golf Danny. In another hour and a half we were off to the White Sox Game. We took the redline and when it surfaced at Cermack we were in the middle of the storm. It was pouring and the train operator made it more confusing by announcing that it was going to run express and didn’t make clear if it was stopping at Sox / 35th or not. It stopped and we got off and waited on the platform for Katie and Ben who were a few trains behind us. By the time they arrived it was only a steady rain but we dashed from the train to the stadium and no one melted. 

The game was a great time. We dried off our seats and eventually stopped getting dripped on. I enjoyed several Honey Bears and a few snacks before we hit the train for Lincoln Park to meet up with some of our friends. A few drinks (and one catch up session with Katie G) later we were both exhausted and headed home.

Sunday we woke up at our own pace, grabbed some breakfast at Morgan Street Cafe and headed to Whole Foods for our weekly shopping list. We both pledged to pack our lunch this week (and every week going forward) to save money and make healthier choices. So I roasted two chickens for wraps and chicken salad and I prepped a bunch of fruit and veggies for the week. 

When I finally sat down on Sunday night (literally stood in the kitchen for 5 hours) I watched the Olympics. I am still in awe of the capabilities of these athletes. Some of the stuff they can do (and do flawlessly) is just insane. Then the weekly episode of Newsroom and it was time to hit the hay.

This week… Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are “normal”. Thursday we are attending the EGBOK event at Carnival (after I have my ombre hair touched up and a much much needed mani / pedi). Friday is a normal day and on Saturday morning we are jetting off to Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario for my cousin Alec’s wedding. I’m excited for the trip. The weather is going to be perfect, the event will be a lot of fun and to avoid any accidental international charges on our phone bill I am declaring a cyber sabbath weekend where our phones are off! It will be a great weekend to slow down and enjoy our family in the beautiful surroundings.

Someday when I have a craft room / studio / office space all my own I think these curtains would be perfection!

Go Mint Crazy!! I could easily spend a whole paycheck at each of these online shops. I am being “responsible” and skipped the month of July… we’ll see how long that lasts! I’ve been super happy with my StyleMint Ts and Leggings so far (and I’ve blogged a bunch about them… here, here,or here, among others) I am a member of the other sites but haven’t made any purchases yet. 

I promise I will get something every month once Color Me Styled hits the big time! You should check it out if you haven’t already. It’s live today!

Since yesterday was so crummy and we’re on the verge of a heatwave I am dreaming of a warm, sunny afternoon of shopping with the girls. And, this is what I would wear.