Tag:

Chicago

skirt // cardigan

brass stool table // sandals // similar denim jeans // black jeans // buffalo check top // faux fur 

 

4 Takeaway Tips

Check @airbnb for cool rentals. Our place was 3 bed 3 bath and a pullout couch condo almost 40 floors up. It was the same price as a high end hotel, but had a nice kitchen and plenty of room to spread out. Plus the views were VERY instagram worthy. And that’s reason enough. We’ve become home bodies more and more, so staying in a great place is huge. We didn’t always feel like going out, especially when you love where you’re at. I got SO man questions asking where we stayed in Chicago. Here’s a link to our Airbnb.

Download Park Whiz app. We found parking for 3 nights for $60, a short walk away. I ended up finding a coupon code on Retail me Not (Not sponsored) for an extra $5 off. Hey, score!

Take the kids to the LEGO store. We scored big taking them to the Lego store in Watertower. I  ALMOST made up for the time I tried on 5 faux fur coats at Nordstrom with a couple Ninjago sets. Plus the cashier asked if this was a gift, and threw in 2 gift sets. Merry Christmas!

It Lived up to the Hype: Dinner/Lunch/Breakfast at 3 Arts Cafe in Restoration Hardware

We ordered an Uber and headed to the Gold Coast for some fresh interior inspo and yummy bites at the 3 Arts Cafe. No reservations needed, we walked in , sat down, enjoyed veggies and dips as an appetizer and a turkey club. Yummy! And listening to the fountain was so relaxing, even Levi enjoyed it.

While in Omaha, we visited the Omaha Zoo and Lauritzen Gardens. Two of our favorites!

We look forward to winding down this weekend at home. What are your plans?

Just as an FYI, I’m hosting a giveaway on Instagram today. Stay Tuned!

MatchesFashion is having an extra 10% off sale today – see my picks below:

Also, Nordstrom still has some great finds on sale now up to 40% off. See my picks below:


Read the full interview HERE.






When you are asked to host an event in Chicago with Tiffany & Co. and Coveteur, you do not hesitate. Plus it gave me an excuse to catch up on all the Lou Malnati’s pizza, my best friend, my family, etc, etc. I brought my four year-old who spent most of my 5 days in Chicago catching up with cousins over Lego’s and my sister’s yummy cooking. While he was catching up with family, I was able to connect with Chicago blogger friends I have missed since moving to LA. Tiffany gave me a great excuse to go back home, host an event on a rooftop, talk with guests from all over the country, enjoy eats and sips and try on the new Tiffany Hardware collection. SWOON. It is so lovely and edgy – the pieces all went with what I was wearing, my favorite being the rings. I was so thankful for the friends and family who came out to support me and the collection. If you were there and reading this, THANK YOU! It brought a smile to my face to meet people who said they follow me and came out to see the collection. All in all a lovely stay and I’ll have to admit, I’m missing that room service.

blazer TWO PENNY BLUE :: white pants SIMILAR :: camisole H&M :: heels MODE COLLECTIVE

Read the full interview HERE.




Read the full interview HERE.





Shot on location at the Park Hyatt Chicago and Flamingo Rum Club

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While most of our Chicago trip was spent in the suburbs with family, Reid and I got one night away in the Loop.  With only one night to get away, we chose to stay at SOHO Chicago.  We loved going to Allis for coffee when we lived in Chicago and had always wanted an excuse to check out the hotel upstairs.  This night out was our chance.  

We took the Metra from the burbs to the loop and jumped in an Uber that took us to the front door of SOHO.  It was still early, so we sat in the Allis and drank coffee and ordered the nuts and grain oatmeal. The magnificence of that bottomless cup of Chicago’s own Intelligentsia coffee cannot be downplayed! After checking in, we headed upstairs.The service was friendly, the atmosphere was elite and the décor was like the Restoration Hardware catalog. If only I could have product numbers – the light fixture and chairs at the end of the bed was major bedroom inspo!  

 

The new Billy Reid store is nearby, so we meandered there where they offered us whiskey and champagne. (Why don’t more stores do that??) We then headed to dinner at a new West Loop spot call Duck Duck Goat, which is “reasonably authentic Chinese food.” You gotta love that. I had the veggie fried rice with duck egg and Reid had the Don Don, both of which we loved. Apparently duck is the new chicken.  

 

After dinner we scored ice cream at Bar Sienna.  The ice cream was great, but the service was well below par and the smell of trash drifted across our noses as the wind blew.  We decided to walk back to SOHO with our cones in our hands. 

 

We got back to our room and went to take the sim card from the camera only to find that the corner of the sim card had broken off. This was definitely the low point of the night. But with the help of a tooth pick and some super glue, not to mention some impressive surgical skills, Reid pieced the card back together like open heart surgery. With a sigh of major relief, we headed upstairs to the roof deck to celebrate.  It ended up being a beautiful night, overlooking the city that we once called home.  And that was our night without kids J

What  are your favorite things to do when you have a night away?

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The cold shoulder tops aren’t going anywhere and here’s a fresh take on it. I’m loving the romantic floral print and breezy movement of this one. Don’t forget to check out the Elizabeth and James line up. It’s both inspiring and wearable–perfect for a mom on the go.

top ELIZABETH and JAMES / jeans SEAFARER SIMILAR on sale! / Hand Bracelet KENDRA SCOTT and THIS on sale/ wedges AGL 

Photo’s by TEK STILES 

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I usually shy away from hats. I’m not one hundred percent sure why, but I do. However, a trip to the dermatologist and a peek at Janessa Leone’s new line will have you jumping online to nab one yourself. As for black hats, I had an old favorite lying around so I paired it with a rust cold shoulder top and black flares. And did I mention the top is only $38 and also comes in ivory? A quick summer date night outfit with some SPF 30 broad spectrum to boot. Summer has officially begun. 

top SOCIALITE / jeans SEAFARER SIMILAR on sale! / hand bracelet KENDRA SCOTT and THIS on sale/ wedges AGL  / black hat SIMILAR

Photo’s by TEK STILES 

Our Chicago Visit

by Shalice Noel

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Top WILDFOX / jeans SEAFARER / wedges AGL

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a  happy flower girl

dress SIMILAR / jeans TOPSHOP / wedges AGL

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Hide and seek anyone?

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Apparently visiting friends, staying with family and having your children in your brother’s wedding is exhausting stuff. Thankfully, it is also a special time to reconnect, hence the lack of blog posts. I blame it on plain quality family time with my parents, sisters and cousins! Below are some of our favorite Chicago coffee shops for you to explore and enjoy. LA bound tomorrow!

1. BOWTRUSS COFFEE ROASTERS – Roscoe Village – Bowtruss is our go-to before church and their “XO” wall will have you wishing you had one in your kitchen while you’re making dinner. This one gets #1 because it’s kid-friendly.

2. INTELLIGENTISA Wicker park – High on the charm scale though drinks are a bit on the small side. Yummy selection of baked goods and even the black coffee is good.

3. LA COLOMBE Wicker Park/Bucktown (right under the blue line Damen stop) – Great location, woody yummy lattes, and a beautiful aesthetic.

4. BLACKBERRY MARKET Glen Ellyn – Go early for killer lattes, gluten free options and a cute aesthetic. Did I mention the cinnamon rolls?

5. BUZZ KILLER ESPRESSO Bucktown – An upstairs, wifi, and the prettiest latte art makes this one top on my list when I don’t want to work from home.