Bon Voyage Party for Jessica

Chicago is losing a great blogger Jessica from Bows and Sequins. She is off to start a new chapter in her life in the big apple! How exciting!!!! I wish her all the luck in the world! She had a super fun bon voyage party on Thursday night and Kristin Hassan, her team, and lots of her jewelry were there to send her off as well (and DUH we all did some shopping!). Here is what I wore:

Tank: Forever 21, Skirt: Kristin Hassan, Shoes: C/O Sole Society, Bag: Coach, Rings: Michael Kors, Bracelets and Watch: C/O Kristin Hassan, Necklace: Forever 21(similar and under $5)

Myself and Kaitlyn had such a blast! We had a little champagne, some cup cakes, did a little shopping, and hung with some of our favorite Chicago ladies!

Kaitlyn, myself, and Jessica of Bows and Sequins

Jessica of Little Miss 312, myself, and Kaitlyn

Lindsay and Kristen from the KH team, Kaitlyn and me taking it upon ourselves to do quality control on the cupcakes. (they passed inspection! lol So yummy!)

The KH team, myself with Kristin Hassan

Hallie from Corals and Cognacs, myself, and Kaitlyn



And the night would not be complete without doing minor mirror checks/lip gloss applications! ;)

Jessica even sent us each home with a little goodie bag (BEYOND UNNECESSARY)! Yes, we went to her going away party and she gave us gifts! Chicago will miss you Jessica! Visit soon, and have so much fun!! xo

For more on the party and to see Kaitlyn's outfit pics head over to the Sisters Marie blog!

Outfit: Date Day/Night

Top: Love Sam via Piperlime, Jeans: Level 99 via ThirtySomethingFashion Box Service, Shoes: Victoria's Secret, Wrist Wrap: C/O Kristin Hassan, Bracelet: C/O T plus J designs, Bag: Coach, Ring: C/O Sole Society, Sunnies: Michael Kors

Myself and the hubby had a date night planned, but then called our sitter and asked her to come over at 2:30 instead of 5:00pm. ;)
Date day/night, here we come! First stop, drinks and an appetizer. Second stop, movies to see the Avengers. (Great movie!!)
We walk in get a soda and small popcorn. They upgraded us to mediums which is, by the way, an absurd amount of liquid. I kid you not when I say it's 2 liters of cola. Ridiculous.
We sit down, I go to take a sip and the cap pops off and I now have a liter of brown soda on my white denim. My hubby's face was PRICELESS. He went silent and just waited for me to react. I quickly ran to the washroom and wet it good hoping that when it dried it was closer to cream then brown.
Forward to me sitting in a 2 and 1/2 hour movie in wet pants.
After, we went to dinner and I feel I was a great sport as I strut around in brownish spotted pants the rest of the night.
In 33 years I have NEVER spilled a drink on my lap. Leave it to me to have the first time be while wearing white pant! lol

Outfit: Autism One- Day 3 of 3

I attended Autism One on Saturday for my 3rd and final day. I was BEYOND excited to see the key note speaker, Jenny McCarthy! Here is  what I ended up wearing: 

Dress: Mink Pink via ThirtySomethingFashion Box Service, Bag: Coach, Shoes: Victoria's Secret, Necklace: Oh, Poppy!, Wrist Wrap: Kristin Hassan, Sunnies: Loft, Belt: Dolce Vita

 Let me start by saying I am a HUGE Jenny McCarthy fan. When I first got pregnant with my son I read Belly Laughs (seriously such a funny book to read when you are pregnant), I next read Baby Laughs, and Life Laughs.
When we first realized that our son may be autistic, I then read her book Louder then Words. This book changed my world. I remember balling as I read it, but in the end it gave me a bit of hope.
Since my son's diagnosis, we have bought almost all her Teach to Talk videos and my kids are obsessed with them.
Outside of the books and the fact I feel like she has had a positive influence on my life, I loved her on MTV's Singled out. I also super love that she is hosting the new NBC show "Love in the Wild". Yes, it is smut TV, but I like a little smut TV in my life.
So, I showed up 30 minutes early and got all the way up to the second row for her lecture. SHE WAS AMAZING. She's smart, funny, and just a great mom/role model to have in this autism journey so many of us are on.

Here she is speaking:

And here's me in line waiting to meet her, have her sign my Autism One catalog, and get a photo:

The closer I got to her, the more I froze. I have never been shy or scared in front of famous people, but she scared the hell out of me! lol

I wanted to tell her how much she has been a positive influence on me, I wanted to thank her for getting all this info out to us, I wanted to try not to cry and be a crazy fan. I froze. I went mute. I said hi and I'm pretty sure I told her I loved her. (lowers head and shakes it).

She was just as beautiful in person, she was even nicer that I thought she would be, I for sure feel fortuniate to have met her!

Here is all the info and coupons I walked away with after my 3 days . Yes, it was a lot to take in. Yes, it was overwhelming at times, but all and all I am so happy I made myself go. I got so much out of it and can't wait to raise the bar a bit at my home, after all, I am a warrior mom!

Outfit: Autism One- Day 2 of 3

I told you about my first day at Autism One a few days ago. Here is what I wore to the second day I attended:

Top: Alloy (old), Shorts: Old Navy, Shoes: Forever 21, Bag: Coach (similar) (similar) (similar), Earrings: Swap w/ Kaitlyn, Wrist Wraps: C/O Kristin Hassan, Gold Band ring: Kohls, Sunnies: Loft (similar) (similar)

I did much better at the second day of Autism One. I was beyond overwhelmed the first day and truth be told I woke up not wanting to get out of bed.
I obviously did, made myself go back and listed to a lecture titled "Food With Benefits" given by Sueson Vess.  I am so glad I did, this was a great lecture! I took so many helpful notes, met up with the speaker, and got her cookbook after it was over (I also got a few new food products that I'll share with you here when I try them out).
The most important info I took away from this day was:
-Eat food from plants, not made in plants. (eat foods that will rot)
Seems obvious right? Well I can't tell you how many times in the past few days I've went to eat something and been made aware of the fact I'm not as healthy as I think. Try it, go through your day and see how much processed food you actually eat!
-Eat animals that ate leaves/plants.
-Eat fermented foods (good gut bacteria)
There were so many more helpful hints given to me at this lecture, but if I can pass the best info along, it's the above 3 points.
After listening and then shopping, we (myself, Nicolette of Momnivore's Dilemma, and a new mommy friend) then went to whole food and got a few items too. All and all, I finished this day feeling much more positive and more importantly, hopeful. ;)

*Check back tomorrow for my third and final day at Autism One. (I met Jenny McCarthy!!)

WINGS Event: 1 of 2

I attended an event for the charity WINGS (women in need growing stronger) over the weekend and had an amazing time. It was called Tastes Take Flight: sip, sample, and shop and I did just that!
I decided to break it down into 2 posts. Today: Shopping and Sampling (food and wine), and tomorrow's post: meeting Katie Workman.

Here is what I wore to the event:

Dress: H&M, Lace Vest: Dots, Shoes: Shoemint, Ring: C/O Sole Society, Blue bracelet: Kristin Hassan, Watch: Fossil, Bag: Coach, Earrings: Erin Gallagher's Gem Bar

Outside the ballroom there was the WINGS resale shop, book signing (tomorrow's post), and 1 shopping vendor. Inside the ballroom was were all the other food and shopping vendor's were at. My aunt (Margaret McSweeney) also hosted the event and had cooking demos going on front stage while people were walking around sampling and shopping. So fun!

There was so much food to try (but I got it done! lol). Here are a few of my favorite treats:
Cheesey Bread from Wild Asparagus (Barrington, IL): This stuff way beyond amazing. Melted in my mouth! 

 Eggplant Bruschetta from Agio Italian Bistro (Palatine, IL): What a lovely twist on bruschetta! I've never thought to make it on top of fried/baked eggplant before, but I now NEED to try to recreate this! ;)

Ratatouille from L'Eiffel Bistro (South Barrington, IL): I loved this one! Perfect bitsized goodness.

 Chateau Ste Michelle Riesling: This was one of my favorite wines I sampled. It was sweet, crisp, and I actually bought myself a few bottles.

I did some resale shopping and found 2 great tops! The mint halter I found for $9 and the Talbots cardigan with tags on it (retail $89) I got for $25! AMAZING!
I also got this beautiful brown linen jacket (level 99) from a store called Grass Roots.

Here are some more photos of what they carry over at Grass Roots (205 South Cook St. Barrington, IL 60010). The owner Todd was so cool and he and his wife also supports a lot of local and US brands and vendors. I SUPER love the leather cuffs which are all made of vintage belts! They carry everything from Big Star to Free people and have rock & roll onsies and diaper bags too! I will for sure be hitting this shop up again. Really loved their style! 

All and all I had an amazing time. I hope WINGS raised a lot of money and I look forward to their next event!
Check back tomorrow to see my meet and great with Katie Workman! 

What's in my bag?!

I always love reading every one's "what's in my bag" posts, so I decided it's high time I did my own! I don't generally carry that much around as it bothers my neck (shout out 2 cervical fusions! lol) but these were the items I found when I emptied out my bag:

First off, yayayay, found my lense cover! ;)

-IPhone and hands free cord

-Compact

-oil absorbing wipes

-comb (for my bangs)

-pen

-sun glasses

-Coach coin purse holding lip gloss and perfume

-sample Kate Spade Twirl spray

-Sugar Plum lip balm

-Moisture renew 240 Latino lip stick

-Smash Box lip gloss

-Fossil wallet

-gum and mints

-BISTM flyers

-Stilettos and Diaper Bags business cards

So that's it. Riveting huh?! ;) I generally ditch the big wallet and throw my ID and debit card in my bag when I go out. (why risk losing all your stuff?!) I ALWAYS have the wipes and comb on me as it is a bangs trick I've talked about in a past post. Also, I always make sure I have a few lip color choices on me at all times. A girl can always change her mind you know...

How about you, are you a bottomless bag kinda gal or just the basics like me?

Thanksgiving 2 of 3

Knit: Urban Outfitters, T-shirt: Urban Outfitters, Jeans: Express, Boots: Victoria's Secret, Earrings: Jewelmint, Ring: Lia Sophia, Bag: Coach

So I cut my hair! Like I said before, I still need a dye job but I did it! I had 5 inches taken off and cut bangs. My husband is over the moon as he met me with bangs and every few years I cut them for him. ;) What do you think?
We spent Thanksgiving day at my hubby's uncle's house in Ottawa. We had a wonderful time, ate lots of food and treats, and enjoyed some family time.
I then came home and started shopping online at midnight! Who ventured out on black Friday? I am not that girl. I am the one who sits with a coffee in had and finds my deals one click at a time! ;)

This weeks "I want what she has!"

This weeks "I want what she has!" goes to Abbey Kenny. This bag is on my wish list for sure!! I wish the photos did it justice, but I feel like it looks red here. This bag was the most amazing orange color!

Bag: $398 Coach (Lindsey Satchel)

Well played Abbey! You have the most amazing Coach collection and I am green with envy lady!!

Taking the little man to meet his teacher

Blazer: Threadsence Sold out
Tank: Victoria's Secret
Cargo Pants: Banana Republic (c/o Katrina)
Wedges: Forever 21
Stackable Rings: E Street Denim
Earrings: Jewelmint
Necklace: Self made
Bag: Coach

My little guy starts early childhood Monday! I can not even believe he's going to school 5 days a week, but it is time. On this day we went to meet the teacher, pay, and see what we needed to bring for his first day. Since I knew we would be hitting Jewel up right after I wanted to be able to do a lot of walking around. These are just like wearing gym shoes as far as I'm concerned! I seriously could do all day 5 days a week in these bad boys! ;)
Can we talk about these pants now? These were another hand-me-down from Katrina before she left and I seriously love them! They are a size too big, but when you cuff them they look more like a boyfriend pant and I really love the relaxed fit! Great addition to my year round wardrobe, no?!
What do you guys think on the color combo? I was wondering if the peachy blazer was too "spring" with the army green pant. Hopefully I pulled off the transitioning to fall look without looking too much like an Easter egg! lol