"Feel like a woman, wear a dress" -DVF

fashion. what's there not to love? i've been obsessed since my first toddler play date with a dress-up costume box. since about the age of 13 (as i'm sure most girls can relate) every fashion magazine became my tunnel vision of defining and accumulating my wishes for style and individuality. when asked 'living or dead—who would you have a glass of wine with?' my answer without hesitation is... the incomparable dvf... where is this post going? keep reading...

working last week with a client's wife, i had whiplash as i impressively listened to her own professional bio... a career resume of an evp of a fortune 500 company... passionate about women in business... never afraid of wearing high fashion in the workplace (rick owens, her fave designer)... this by chance meeting with this lovely woman inspired me, got the mind racing with new ideas and goals... impressive motivating women—naturally and mentally in walks dvf...

chance encounters? tell me about it... last week in nyc at the dvf store located in the meatpacking district i lost out (by less than a minute) meeting, seeing my fashion icon... having asked—a sales associate said we had just missed her walk thru the store (the studio/ hq is located above the store front)...awgh... i texted s immediately—i knew she would understand and sympathize!

well between the shock of almost breathing the same air as dvf and after being surprisingly inspired by a new acquaintance—both true confident rock stars in business... it has me grateful for my fashion obsession and has me devoted to writing a post on dvf- her iconic wrap dresses, the impressionable style of amy adams in american hustle and an exhibit i am refusing to miss (hello LA- i'm on my way)...

Journey of a Dress Exhibit

Very 1st wrap dress & announcement for WWD

who didn't love amy adams fashion in american hustle? especially the dvf wrap dresses she rocked. not only did they look great, but they served as a symbol. dvf herself summed it up perfectly with vanity fair, "two weeks before the opening of my exhibition i saw american hustle and i was blown away... not only did i love the movie and the characters... but to see DVF wrap dresses there, not only as dresses but as a symbol of amy adam's character coming to terms with her power as a woman... that was the best gift i could get for 40th anniversary wrap dress!" 

it's amazing that the wrap dress continues to be re-invented through color, style, and pattern. for me personally, the dvf wrap dress is so much more than just a dress that hangs in my closet. the dress represents an important time in chicago for me. it was a time when i was throwing myself into the city mix by applying for restaurant hostess positions to make some extra money when not at school (naturally to be able to afford my fashion fixes of course :). i thought about wearing something very professional to the interview, but the skinny buddha looked at me and pointed to my dvf green wrap dress. i know that the client i just spoke with this past saturday and dvf would agree that you don't necessarily have to wear a work blazer and pencil skirt to feel confident & respectable. 

if you have your own story you wish to submit about your wrap dress, do it here. rumor has it dvf reads every single submission...and for some reason that doesn't surprise me at all.

xx,
c 

(pictures via vanity fair / wrap40)

One Day…

yes, when i was a little girl, i thought i was a disney princess...i would dance around the living room watching sleeping beauty, "pink, blue...pink, blue..." and as my mom and dad will tell you, i refused to wear anything but dresses and my "party shoes." i was that little girl. :) so you would think that i now would be the girl who had an elaborate fairytale wedding in mind too...but much like c posted a few weeks ago, the only thing i have ever really imagined for that big day is the amazing man and the fabulous dress (i will put them in that order for priorities sake ;) surrounded by friends and family. and the rest of the details, well, do not and will not really matter to me all that much.

but and that is a big BUT, i recently came across pictures of erin fetherston's wedding to gabe saporta that was featured in martha stewart this last fall and let's just say, it might have been a game changer…

i have always loved erin as a designer. her dresses are classic, timeless, yet carry a romantic, girly, playful sophistication and her wedding encompassed all of this. they were married last may at the st. nicholas abbey, a 350 year-old rum distillery in barbados (have never seen a more incredible venue!). here are a few of the highlights from their "fairytale" wedding but check out more details and pictures at martha stewart weddings or at erin by erin fetherston. one day… ;)

xx,
s

p.s. i love that they walked down the aisle post-ceremony to the beatles, "all you need is love." :)

beautiful couple, picture perfect 

dress of her own design, bouquet of peonies, sahara and 

majolica spray roses, parrot tulips and jasmine 

i love her wreath/veil, 

the perfect touch of romance and elegance

old storybook inspired invitations

hair wreaths of vintage silk cherry blossoms 

for the flower girls

flower girls were dressed in oliver and fern, 

carried a banner, "on this day in may…"

romantic and whimsical flowers, candles and tent decor

two books for guests to write in, one titled, 

"tales of the past" and the other, "wishes for the future"

dark and stormies and mojitos 

were served at the cocktail hour

their first dance, "some day my prince will come" 

(just the right amount of cheesy) :)

(pictures via martha stewart weddings / erin fetherston)

Three For Valentine's Day

it's that time of year whether you are married, attached or single, love is in the air! whether you are treating a special someone, making a friend feel loved, or hey, embracing being single and fabulous, here are our picks for a special valentine's day somethin'! sometimes it's all about the little things...

s's pick

i love hydrangeas...being a single lady,
i might need to surprise one of my fellow single girlfriends
with my favorite flower (and maybe a bouquet for myself too!) :)

c's pick

i am a sucker for all things boutique bites.

whether attached or single, this little picnic set up is perfect 

for any one special in your life!

k's pick

sometimes a batch of chai cookies is 

the way to my hub's heart (and tummy)!

xx,

k, s, & c

(photos via pinterest)

Owen NYC

approximately 25,000 brown paper bags surface the walls and ceiling of nyc 1,800 sq ft store owen. it looks like a honeycomb pattern as you enter and needless to say it's awesome. i've wanted to visit this store since they opened in 2012 and i finally got there yesterday during my quick visit to nyc. the interior caught my attention, but also after reading many articles on the owner focusing his efforts on selling all nyc based emerging designers intrigued me. he also said he likes to treat anyone who walks through the door like beyonce... and to me that is true understanding of amazing client relations.

my friend and i both agreed it was a pretty sweet store that felt very warm. the curated selection of clothing and jewelry they sell creates quite the lengthy wishlist too. #1&2 on my list is this top & this necklace (my fav emoji to use- seems fitting to have a necklace). be sure to make your way to the meatpacking district to check owen out for yourself whether you live in the city or can pay a visit!

i will just have to order online until my next visit to ny! ;)

xx,
c

p.s. check back soon for snaps from my stay in ny!

(pictures via owen)

-8 Degrees...Take Me to O'Hare, Please!

so upon walking out of my apartment into the lovely -8 degrees (the weatherman reported that it is actually an improvement from yesterday, you have got to be kidding me...), i made it about four blocks and found myself hailing a cab, directed the cabbie to head to o'hare, was dropped at the american airlines ticket counter, requested a ticket on the next flight to the virgin islands and soon found myself at the gate ready to board with nothing but my purse and my "can't live without" zara tartan scarf (figure it can double as a beach towel, right??). i will just buy a swimsuit and the necessities once i am down there...beach, sun, and 80 degrees, here i come!

ha, okkkk...so noooo that really didn't happen this morning but how great would it have been if i really did jump a plane to paradise on a whim?? i am sure the thought crossed your mind this morning too...

but luckily i am just a week away from heading down to florida to meet up with some good friends to share a weekend in miami/palm beach to celebrate turning the big 2-9. it can not come soon enough...which is why i have started to plan what i am packing (it's a great distraction from this crazy weather) and what items i might need to pick up this weekend to add to my suitcase.

here is a lil peek at what im packing and eyeing...

xx,
s

superga - military green 

every weekend getaway needs a great pair of

 traveling and walking shoes

victorias secret - black foil garden triangle top

loving floral...

loft - beach button cover up

a good cover up that goes from the beach to the bar is essential... 

you don't really need to bring anything else 

jcrew - panama hat

every beach vacay needs a fabulous hat, right??

kate spade saturday - the weekender bag

i like to pack lightly when i can and this bag 

is not only cute but is the perfect size for carry-on

madewell - loeffler randall sawyer sandal

obsessed...these are perfect for day to night

 ray ban - aviator flash lenses

 classic yet retro...love

(pictures via piperlime / vs / loft / jcrew / kate spade saturday / madewell / ray ban)

Where to Eat?

14 days of food heaven started friday as chicago kicked off restaurant week. we checked out bub city last night - who can resist some good ole' bbq? followed by carriage house brunch... hard to stay away from the southern comfort food on a cold day like today. next up on the restaurant week circuit...

k's pick - embeya

can't wait to try the peking-duck style garlic chicken!

s's pick - piccolo sogno

a restaurant week favorite.

c's pick - the bristol

have you seen the menu? enough said.

one of the reasons we love restaurant week so much is because it encourages us to venture outside our comfort zone... try new things and explore chicago's neighborhoods. hope you all enjoy it as much as we do! check out the full list of restaurants at EatItUpChicago.com and make your reservations today! #STYS

xx,

k, s, & c

(photos via embeya, piccolo sogno, the bristol)

Lululemon Lab at 900 Shops

lululemon lab

lululemon lab

doc b's fresh kitchen (#stys fav)

aside from us loving everything lululemon- we especially love when a brand has a line that is exclusive to them. who doesn't love a lil' exclusivity? introduce: lululemon lab which we posted on the other day. you can read more about it here. it's only been sold and available in vancouver until now. you can head over to lulu at the 900 shops to check out some of these coveted pieces.

we jumped on board when lulu asked us to co-host their event for all the instructors in the city to see the lulu lab pieces first. we enjoyed bites by doc b's (our fav!) and vino while we perused the merchandise. our favorites were the black lab pieces with the gold detail. they are pieces that can be worn to fitness classes, but also can be worn out to drinks because of that gold zipper detail. just makes them seem a little more studio to street friendly... or so we think!

be sure to get over to 900 shops lululemon before it's too late! these pieces won't last long and it's undetermined if there will be more coming from vancouver. we can only hope so!

xx,
k, s, & c

(pictures taken by c)