Caramel (See Jane Wear)

Zara top (worn here), Anthropologie shorts, Old Navy scarf, Bakers oxfords, Chloe bag, Ray Ban sunglasses

A simple outfit for not so simple weather.  It's been up and down and all over the map here in Chicago.  This day  in particular was absolutely gorgeous and reminded me of a perfect day in LA--little humidity, not too hot, not too cold, and a bit of a chill when the sun goes down.  When I lived in LA for a summer a few years back, scarves at night were my best friend.  Even if I was out and about all day in the hot California sun, I knew once the sun fell that the chill would get me.  I guess you can't take the hot, mid-western summers out of the girl, eh?
 

Boy Bait (See Jane Bake)

I went a little crazy at the grocery store this past weekend, which is what happens when you go right before dinner.  I bought a ton of fruit, forgetting that I'd be going out of town this weekend and that Eric would be out of town for the first half of this week.  I decided it be best to use the large container of blueberries I bought for something I could eat for breakfast.  I searched my friend Maggie's blog (and luckily she has tons of blueberry recipes) and went with the Blueberry Boy Bait; they don't call this stuff bait for nothing--it's straight up heavenly.  And just maybe this blueberry boy bait will lure Eric back home from NYC earlier than expected!

Americana (See Jane Wear)

H&M shorts + tank, Banana Republic chambray shirt, UO sunglasses, vintage clutch (eBay), Pour La Victoire wedges (via Gilt), nails: Essie Tart Deco

I recently scored these PLV wedges off of Gilt for quite a deal.  I had been scouting them out for the past few months and when I saw them for nearly $150 off, I knew they had to be mine.  Plus, they're a fresh, super-light mint green which makes them even better.  There is one caveat:  they're taller than any other shoes I own.  I sort of feel like Bambi when I wear them.  However, for these shoes, I'm just going to have to get over it.

How was your weekend?

PS.  Head on over to Chasing Davies to see my interview with Meggy!

Psst.. (See Jane Summer)

Guess what?  It's summer.  Go outside.  Eat some fruit.  Catch some rays.  Drink outside.  Dip your feet in a pool.  Leave work early.  Go to a baseball game.  Visit the ice cream truck.  Drive in a convertible (top down, of course).  Light up the grill.  Catch fireflies.  Lounge in a hammock.  Pitch a tent.  Enjoy yourself.

Hope you all have a wonderful, summer weekend!

Dressed To Mill (See Jane Wear)

Joie top (via Gilt), J Crew skirt + belt, LV bag, Kate Spade heels, unknown earrings (gift from friend)

During the muggy summertime, there are only a few provisions that will suffice for a commute to work: skirts, loose tops and your hair in the up position.  Anything more restricting and you're asking for trouble--or sweat where you don't want it.  It's times like this that I love being a girl in the workplace.  Sometimes I look over at my male counterparts in dark pants and long sleeves step off the train looking like they just competed in a swim meet.  When I arrive to work,  I want to be dressed to mill...about the office, that is.
 

On another note, are you bored of my brick backdrop?  Me too.  I want to start venturing out beyond my apartment deck.

Peanut Butter Pie (See Jane Not Bake)

it's even better frozen

Making a no-bake pie was the easiest thing I did all weekend.  I wanted to bring a pie to dinner on Saturday night and I had these grand visions of showing up with a homemade blueberry pie, fresh out of the oven.  As Saturday drew nearer and nearer, I realized that I didn't feel like slaving away in the kitchen when I had my closet to organize.  Enter: the no-bake peanut butter pie (recipe via Joy the Baker).  I felt like it was still homemade because I made my own whipped cream, but I still made shortcuts, like buying a pre-made graham cracker crust at Whole Foods.  When I make that homemade blueberry pie, I'll be sure to make my own crust, but until then...

building blocks of the pie

slice of pie +  layer one

Hot Pink (See Jane Wear)

J Crew dress (via eBay), Corey Lynn Calter belt (from dress), unknown (old) necklace, Rebecca Minkoff purse, Lovely People wedges

On Saturday night, we went over to a friend's house for dinner and to meet their new baby girl.  It was the quintessential summer evening---nice and balmy accompanied by activities like grilling out and shooting oysters.  Plus, we got to meet their adorable baby.  Nothing says "it's a girl!" like hot pink, right?

Unfortunately, that's about all I did this weekend.  I spent some time rearranging the bedroom closet and am still not finished.  When it comes to domestic activities, I move at a glacial pace.  My goal for the summer is to paint and redecorate our bedroom; we'll see how that goes.

Enough about me--how was your weekend?

Blue Banana (See Jane Wear)

Anthropologie shirt, c/o Banana Republic dress, Dolce Vita sandals, c/o Town and Reese bangles, Rebecca Minkoff bag, RayBan sunglasses

The weather is perfect gorgeous and I'm definitely looking forward to the weekend.  It's not quite hot enough to wear a sundress alone, but with a light, gauzy shirt on top, it's perfect. 

This was actually the only other decent picture.  If you can't laugh at yourself...

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

Thank You Cards (See Jane Write)

My sister-in-law and brother surprised Eric and I with some personalized cards along with a rubber, address stamp this week from paperwink.  The text on the cards are coral--one of my favorite colors and also the color of the bridesmaid dresses along with the rubber stamp ink.  I was semi-dreading writing out all the thank you cards from the wedding (my handwriting leaves a lot to be desired), but after receiving these, I think I may enjoy it a little.

I have some leftover bakers' twine as well--perhaps I'll add it to the mix to mirror my invites?

Build Your Basics (See Jane Layer)

If you're like me then you have those moments where you look in your closet and think to yourself, "I have no clothes."  Even though I probably have too many things (Eric certainly thinks so--the inequality of closet space in our room is actually quite sad), I tend to get into major clothing ruts.  It's really easy to get caught up in trends and with the internet at our fingertips, we're constantly ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the latest thing.  I'm trying harder to to wear my pieces in different ways; it makes me feel like I'm getting the most use out of what I've got.

Day outfit on left + Night outfit on right

So, here we'll take some basics...

Adam Pleated silk-georgette skirt

J. Crew perfect fit tank

and make two different outfits for separate occasions:

Day

J Crew Flak Cotton Vest 

La Garconne Hope Boxy Striped Tee

YSL Y Leather Envelope Clutch

Aldo Heister sandals

Night

See by Chloe Lifou bag

David Aubrey Layered Bead Necklace

Cynthia Rowley Sequin Threadbare Top

Alexandre Birman Ankle-wrap canvas sandals

Do you ever go back to basics?

Easy As That (See Jane Wear)

Trina Turk blazer, MinkPink top (c/o Tilly Boutique), J Crew shorts (thrifted), Dolce Vita loafers, RayBan sunglasses

This weekend, I spent about sixteen hours in the car.  Between traveling to/from a beautiful wedding, to eating lunch with the in-laws, and getting ice cream with my nephews, Eric and I spent a healthy amount of our time in a compact, rental car.  Due to an overnight work conference last Thursday to Friday, I had no idea what I even pre-packed for the weekend (besides the dress I packed for the wedding, of course).  It was a surprise to see what I had packed in my apparent packing blackout and when I woke up Sunday morning in the hotel and saw these shorts and blazer (because I wore it Friday to my meeting) in my suitcase, I just threw them on; I was out in the door in five minutes.  Thank God for large sunglasses; they can make the most disheveled (i.e. me) look inconspicuous.

How was your weekend?

Upcoming (See Jane's Weekend)

this card explains it all

I'm heading home to Ohio this weekend to see my family and attend a wedding.  Now that my wedding is over, I'm excited to attend one where I won't be worrying about my own (sad, but true).  Here's to making the best of summer...cheers!

birthday gifts for my nephew jack (he loves skulls + bones)

Time Out (See Jane Watch)

I have a trusty steed of a watch that I've worn everyday for the past nearly four years.  I put on my Michele watch every morning and my wrist feels naked without it.  I was perusing Piperlime yesterday because they were offering 20% all of their inventory and I stumbled upon this Timex watch.  It brought back memories of my 6th grade self, when all I wanted for Christmas was an Indiglo Timex watch (and world peace of course).  So, for the sake of my inner 12 year old, I'm thinking about buying it.  Plus, I think having a fun watch like this in my arsenal couldn't be bad.  What do you think?

PS Check out Katherine's interview with me on the Feather Factor.  She's a super sweet gal and her blog is chock full of fashion, interviews, and life in between.

Two Weeks (See Jane Reflect)

Parker dress, UO hat (RIP, it's ruined), Dolce Vita sandals

Two weeks ago, I was hanging out in Sayulita, pre-wedding, with Pacifico in hand.  Fast forward to present day, where I'm hunched over a computer at work, with a large coffee in hand instead.  My, what a difference a two weeks make.

Toro (See Jane Wear)

c/o Foley + Corinna dress, Joes Jeans bag, Lovely People wedges (worn here), UO sunglasses

On Friday evening it was sweltering, but you'll hear no complaints from this girl.  I love summer and especially like the feeling of walking outside and feeling nothing, almost like there's no temperature at all (but it's actually quite warm).  Friday was definitely one of those nights.  Eric and I grabbed a bite at one of my favorite sushi spots, Toro; while we waited, we casually sipped on summer ales outside at a nearby bar.  No more wedding planning, no more stress, and lucky for me, it's all just in time for summer.

On another note, I love this dress.  I wore it down in Mexico for our "wedding welcome party" while we danced to a Cuban band and downed mojitos, thus, it will always hold a special place in my closet.  It's definitely coming along with me on the honeymoon.

Minor Details (See Jane Share)

our polaroid guestbook backdrop

I'll definitely share wedding pictures once I receive them, but while everything is still fresh in my mind, I thought I'd show a few pictures that I've stolen from family and friends (thanks Joel + Tess!).

seating cards - keeping with the destination theme

flower arrangements, ready to place

Ok, I'm now done with wedding overload.  Thanks for bearing with me!

Just Married (See Jane Wear)

J Crew dress, unknown/friend's necklace (yours, Maggie?), RayBan sunglasses, Dolce Vita sandals, c/o Foley + Corinna bag

Although our wedding was in Mexico last Friday, Eric and I headed to the Chicago courthouse to legally wed yesterday once and for all.  Post-ceremony (which lasted about 3 minutes), we had a nice little day together eating burgers and finally seeing Bridesmaids.  I'm definitely not ready to go back to work, but having a couple days to recoup after getting back into town on Sunday somewhat quelled the pain.  (I now see why people go on the honeymoon right after the wedding rather than three months later).

Thank you so much to everyone for your kind words and well wishes!  It was a great time and I can't wait to share some more pictures once I get them.