So, I went shopping...

In an effort to persuade Spring to arrive, and also because I've had a downright nasty week at work (yes, I am aware that it it is only Tuesday), I have purchased the following....

Bloomingdales

J. Crew

Besties

via

I miss Gossip Girl. I also miss hanging out with my old roommie- Lindsay. My work schedule has been crazy. Must. Make. Time. For. Besties.

Jylare's photography session giveaway

I can not believe I won the Jylare's photo session giveaway on Look Linger Love!!

Pop on over to her website and take a look at her amazing work. Now, I wonder if she'll be thrown off by my unconventional family consisting of a boyfriend and sassy bulldog...

Sleepy Friday

This week has been exhausting, to say the least. This image looks like heaven right about now.


Tonight I plan on making the bf take me to a little Lebanese restaurant by our house where we will sit on pillows, drink wine (love BYOB) and eat falafel, hummus, olives and cucumber salads. Yum. I also plan on being in bed by 11PM. Lame? Maybe, but right now it sounds like perfection.

West Elm's Summer Look

I know this is getting repetitive, but if West Elm would stop getting better and better each season, I wouldn't have to blog about it... or spend so much money there. Here are some of my favorites from their new Summer line - mostly entertaining. I love this outdoor, casual, light & airy look - makes me want to throw a patio party!

In the spirit of giving...

Last night I attended a round table discussion focused on making Team Veerasway more appealing to the ladies. It really is a great concept- a group of guys taking a rickshaw 2300 miles across Nepal & Northern India with a goal of raising large amounts of money for charity. Please stop by and check out the site. If you feel inspired to donate, go ahead and do that as well.

Veerasway restaurant is funding this expedition, so that all proceeds go to charity. We met at Veerasway, fresh take on modern Indian eats, and I may have found a fave new cocktail. Also, they had these great Moroccan-esque light fixtures that I can not stop thinking about. Can't wait to go back - perhaps a date night?

Via

Ginger-Cucumber Fizz: vodka . lemon . ginger . cucumber . soda

Charity: Water

Do a little Good this week. Obsessed with this...

The story of charity: water - The 2009 September Campaign Trailer from charity: water on Vimeo.

Spring Wish List: The Wedge

I think I'm in love. I have to have this shoe in my Spring wardrobe.

Cole Haan

LO-VING EmersonMade Home

These images are original from Boston Magazine Home. I found them at Elements of Style and am so glad I did. Emerson and Ryan of EmersonMade are such a lovely couple with a stunning home. This, my friends, is the opposite of city living.

I heart tassels

Genevieve Tassel Key Fob

Chunky Tassel Throw

Sprouting Tassel Necklace

DV by Dolce Vita Toni

Wooden Upholstered Sofa with Bridal RugTie dye lambskin clutch

Tassels make everything more fun, don't you think? I'm partial to anything with a tassel and there are some great options this spring.

Work, work, work

via

I try to keep my work life out of this blog, but these next few days, my work life may be keeping me out of this blog. Work's a little crazy right now, so I'll be channeling these beautiful work spaces as I try to get through the next few days.

Sunday Morning Perfection

This Sunday morning starts with homemade (my mom's recipe) chocolate chip banana bread and some fresh organic coffee. Perfection.

Warby Parker

Meet Warby Parker. These glasses are out of this world AND only $98! There's more: for each pair sold, one is donated to someone in need of some specs.

They're not available in Chicago, but offer at-home try-on. Last week I chose my five faves off the website, this week I got to try them on at home. Yesterday at the office I walked around with three different pairs on throughout the day!

I've decided on one {which was not an easy task, as they were all fabulous!}. I went with the Langston in a matte whiskey tortoise color. Very cool.



Here's their moto:

A New Concept in Eyewear

Warby Parker was founded with a rebellious spirit and
a lofty objective: to create boutique-quality, classically
crafted eyewear at a revolutionary price point.

TCG's Spring Style Files

I had to end this series with some of my own picks for Spring. I went with a more laid back Cali look with some killer accessories. Loving these blush wedges, bucket tote and classic Ray Bans. White jeans are my go-to when warm weather comes around and this multi-texture sweater may be in my J. Crew checkout basket as I write this. Hope you enjoyed the Spring Style Files and thanks to my lovely ladies - Cara {An Urban cottage}, Morgan {Attention to Detail} and Lauren {My So Called Blah-og} for your killer outfits.

J crew sweater
$78 - jcrew.com

J brand skinny jean
219 EUR - jades24.com

Joie leather shoes
$315 - tobi.com

J W Hulme embossed handbag
$550 - barneys.com

ASOS gold watch
33 EUR - asos.de

Ray Ban ray ban sunglass
ray-ban.com

Guest Post Series: Spring Style Files III

Lauren was my college roommie - now a Chicago girl herself. I was excited to share this one with you because I knew it would be a little more funky than the previous two. Enjoy!

When Ashley asked me to blog about spring fashion, I shivered. This winter has been so sold, and I am so pale. Could it really be time to start thinking about spring? Indeed, it is. March is upon us and the sun will be shining soon. I am SO ready.

Depressed by the dreariness of this winter, I’ve decided that my spring wardrobe needs at least one bright statement piece. So, let’s start with the pants…hot pants. Made by Current/Elliot, these Cayenne colored jeans scream spring. They also make me very happy. When paired with a classic cardigan and vintage v-neck tee, the perfect (and eye-catching) spring outfit is created.

These pants make a statement on their own -beat it winter-, so few accessories are needed. All the outfit needs is a great clutch, a gorgeous ring, and a simple gold necklace. Slip on a favorite pair of neutral high heels, and walk out the door. There is no doubt in my mind, this spring get-up will turn heads on the streets of Chicago.

-Lauren {www.mysocalledblahog.blogspot.com}

Pants: Stiletto Jeans in Cayenne by Current Elliot ($198 Madison Los Angeles)

Cardigan: Front Pock Cardigan in Neutral by LOFT ($44.50 LOFT)

Tee: Vintage Cotton V-Neck in White by JCrew ($29.50 from JCrew)

Purse: Vivian Rattan Clutch by Tory Burch ($275 Tory Burch)

Rings: Nudo Rings by Pomellato (Price Unlisted Pomellato)

Necklace: Wing Pendant Necklace in Gold ($38 Lori’s)

Heels: Charon in Khaki by LAMB ($295 Piperlime)

Guest Post Series: Spring Style Files II

Today's guest post is from Morgan {Attention to Detail}. Morgan and I were lucky enough to meet through our boyfriends, who went to college together. We've had some great times at weddings throughout the years and Bob and I had a blast visiting Morgan and Peter when they were living in San Francisco last year. Now Morgan lives in Madison, WI. She is extremely stylish and talented and just opened up her own Etsy shop - Le Vintage.

Here are her Spring picks...

Apepazza leather boot
$116 - amazon.com

Marc by Marc Jacobs cross body shoulder bag
$348 - zappos.com

Carolee pearl bracelet
115 GBP - houseoffraser.co.uk

Kate Spade stud earring
$38 - nordstrom.com

Coach pearl pendant
$78 - coach.com

Isabel Marant silk scarve
85 GBP - net-a-porter.com

Essie Nail Polish
$8 - nordstrom.com

nikabutik.com - Mink Pink Sergeant Pepper Shirtdress in Navy
$98 - nikabutik.com

Hi This City Girl Readers! I’m so excited that Ashley asked me to participate in this series! I’m definitely thinking about Spring and have started trying to move into more transitional clothing as a result. So today, I picked an outfit that is actually similar to one I’ve been wearing already!

I started with the Sergeant Dress from Mink Pink. This dress is so versatile, I absolutely love mine! I actually have the army green version but fell in love with this navy one when searching online for an image. You could wear it with leggings now and then when the warm weather emerges you can just wear it with boots or ballet flats. I love pairing a light scarf with it and a statement bracelet. I kept the other jewelry simple and added a pop of color with the Marc Jacobs cross-body bag. And don’t forget the details like pale pink nail polish on your fingers!

Thanks again Ashley for inviting me to be part of this fun series!

Xo
Morgan