Birthday Picks

in Style

anthro-bday

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Today is my 26th birthday and I really couldn’t be any happier spending it with my sisters in Munich. This won’t be the first birthday that I spend in another country. Twenty-two was spent in the nastiest hostel on earth in Edinburgh, Scotland. Despite the nasty hostel, it was a memorable night spent with good friends.

This year will be fairly similar. I’m just changing out sisters for my friends and Germany for Scotland. Thankfully this year’s hostel is cleaner too.

As if being in Europe on my birthday isn’t special enough, I got a little gift in the mail from Anthropologie for being an ‘Anthro’ member and naturally, I decided to treat myself to a little shopping. It is my birthday, right? I already love Anthropologie, but this little birthday surprise I get each year, just really is the icing on the cake. I’m always needing new clothes at this time of year as the season is changing, so it’s really perfect!

I’m really loving all these goodies, but those sandals. Oh. My. Goodness. I think I need them. My closet is lacking in the sandal department — thank you Chicago winters. What do you think? I’ll have to decide when I return, but the fact that I’m still thinking about them is a telling sign.

For the rest of the night, it’s the weinerschnitzel, spaetzle, the Hoffbrauhaus and plenty of steins for us! Enjoy your weekend!

  • 1 Comment | May 17, 2013
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wear it: summer travel

in Style, Travel

wearit_summertravel

 

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Since Blair is off having the time of her life in Europe I thought it would be helpful to share some of my summer travel packing tips. I am a seasoned vet at summer travel – starting when my family spent a month in Connecticut every summer, to my never-ending adventure through Europe last year where I traveled for two months straight living out of one carry on suitcase. Incredible when I think about it, and one of my most proud moments.

I digress, to make it easy for you these are the six pieces I lived in for those two too short months. I never tired of my little black dress, always needed my chambray shirt to keep me warm on cooler nights, and walked these flats to their death (and ended up with a pretty funky foot tan). I also kept things fun with a great bag, gold accessories, and a punchy belt.

Where are you guys heading this summer? On my list so far is California, Honduras, Connecticut, and possibly another jaunt to Europe – just missing these views too much.

  • 2 Comments | May 16, 2013
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Fab Fabric Finds

in For The Home

fabfabric

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On my list of DIYs, new pillows have been patiently awaiting their turn to get checked off. The hardest part is deciding which fabric to pick though. Do you go simple, neutral, bold, patterned, floral? It’s a tough choice because they’re all so lovely, aren’t they?

I find myself really drawn to the simple graphic patterns and funky ikat patterns. And also a mixture of textures. Velvet is high on that list! I’m really narrowing this down, right?

Unfortunately I haven’t had any time to practice my sewing skills since my class, so I’ll need to do a bit of practicing on some ugly fabrics before jumping into these beauties!

I also keep thinking how cool it could be to have a contrasting color on the back in either velvet or linen, what do you think? Which fabrics are calling your name?

  • Leave a comment | May 15, 2013
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Early Birthday

in My Home Tour

bdaytome

Lately, I’d been wanting to make some changes to my office, I wasn’t in love with the decor that I had originally put in there and decided it was time to make some updates. A new rug was in order and I soon realized that my corner was missing a nice seating area.

After some browsing, I came across several rugs that I loved at Lulu & Georgia. It was tough choice, because seriously all of their rugs are gorgeous! I wanted something that I knew I wouldn’t get sick of in a year. The old rug was chevron and it had overstayed it’s welcome. I ended up settling on the Sabine rug and I’m in love. It’s busy, but it adds so much color and action to my little office. Thankfully Oliver loves it so much he’s decided to NOT make it a chew toy — you can imagine how excited that makes me.

So rug down, not time for seating. I was worried it might get too crowded, so I dragged in an old club chair to see how it fit with the size. Perfection! It made the room cozier and more finished-looking. That chair was red, so I started searching for an inexpensive one that was more my taste. I came across this velvet one at Target and knew I had to have it. I have a serious velvet addiction right now. I love the modern, clean lines of it! Choosing a color was harder. I wanted blue, but someone had left a review that called the blue ‘cookie-monster blue’ and that scared me a bit. I ended up ordering swatches of the navy and a light grey. Both were great, but I ended up going with the navy. It was not at all cookie-monster blue, but also not as deep of a navy as the picture shows.

It came last week! I did have to assemble it myself, but you know how I feel about tools, so I was okay with it. I guess that’s what makes it less expensive. I threw my Arianna Belle pillow on there and the room is feeling very complete. Oliver’s been testing the chair and gives it his approval. I keep catching him napping in there!

I ended up calling these two items birthday presents to me. It felt better than just splurging on my office for no reason. I couldn’t be happier with them both! Now please tell me I’m not the only one who buys birthday presents for themselves?

  • Leave a comment | May 14, 2013
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Bags Packed

in Travel

travel

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I can’t believe today is finally here! I spent all day yesterday picking out what to bring, then changing my mind and starting over again. Finally I decided and then got it all packed up.

Around 5 today, I’m boarding a plane to Brussels, Belgium. Oliver will be running his cute little tail off at Dog Days Inn for the next 12 days while I explore a few new cities and a few I’ve already visited with my two sisters. They’re meeting me in Chicago from Dallas, which means the trip will start with plenty of giggling on our flight to Brussels. I’m giddy with excitement! My sisters, Katherine & Caroline, are my two very best friends in the whole world and I feel so lucky to get to spend this time with them (sans parents). This will be our first trip together, but certainly not our last!

After a few days in Brussels, we’re headed to Munich, Vienna and eventually Budapest. Two weeks away. Amazingness. My parents sent me a fabulous new camera lens for my birthday (not until the 17th), and I can’t get to really test it out on all the sights! I will be doing some blogging, not because I feel like I have to, but because I love it. It’s not something that ever feels like work, but more like blabbing to a girlfriend, so please come back throughout the week, I have some other goodies scheduled to share as well!

I hope your Monday is wonderful, even though it’s probably not as exciting as mine (sorry for bragging a bit)! And adios!

  • Leave a comment | May 13, 2013
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