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! 

Outfit: Stripes and Elbow Patches

Sweater: C/O OASAP, Skirt: H&M, Vest: Forever 21, Shoes: Sole Society, Necklace: Swap w/ Kaitlyn, Watch: Fossil, Wrist Wrap: C/O Kristin Hassan, Bag: Windsor, Heart Ring: Jewelmint, Sunnies: MNG by Mango

How amazing is this sweater?! It was given to me by Oasap.com and I am smitten with it. I love the elbow patches, the color, and the fact that we still have cool enough weather to wear knits here in the Chicago land area. ;) 

I had actually never heard of Oasap prior to them contacting me, but I am so glad they are now on my radar! They have very awesome selection of clothing, accessories, and shoes. I highly recommend you check them out. 

Outfit: Told You I'd Try Mint Pants

Top: Target, Pants: Loft (similar), Shoes: Jessica Simpson, Necklace: Piperlime, Bracelet: H&M

Okay, so maybe they are more like dark mint, but at least I'm trying! ;) This is probably as light as my pants will get. I just prefer a dark color on my bottom half when it comes to pants. (Love light and pastel colored skirts and dresses though, weird right?!)
Again, this is me trying.

Love the pairing of green with orange and mixed it up a bit with the striped turtleneck. What do you guys think? I think it's a good transitioning to spring look as these pants will be worn well into the spring months.
Yes, I know it's only February, but I don't think the weather knows what month it is! It's been in the 40's and 50's for over a week now. I'll take it!!

** Check out my interview on the Good Blog

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Lara Miller CBN Event

This event was beyond amazing! Here is the outfit that I wore:

Dress: Victoria's Secret, Shoes: C/O Sole Society, Clutch: Threadsence, Cuffs: H&M, Earrings: Erin Gallagher Jewelry, Chain Ring: Tiffany & CO, Black Ring: Lia Sophia

I was invited to Lara Miller's Studio for a photo shoot and party. Our task was to use her clothing and style a look, have our hair and makeup done by Anthony Balthazar & Laura Pederson, be photographed in the outfit, and then just mingle with fellow bloggers, eat, drink, shop, and have fun! Yeah, for sure an ideal opportunity! ;) Here are a few pictures of what clothes and accessories we had to choose from. There were 2 rooms of clothes so these pictures do not do it justice!

Here I am getting all dolled up for the shoot. What do you think of the outfit I choose? I went with Lara Miller's sweater dress, cream sweater slip, and cowl neck infinity scarf.

I also (OF COURSE) wore all Chicago designer's jewelry. Kristin Hassan bracelets and Erin Gallagher Jewelry earrings.

After the shoot I got to catch up with some of my favorite blogger ladies.

And lastly, a shot of me and Lara:

I want to thank the Chicago Blogger Network and Lara Miller for putting on such a great night! Also big thanks to Kind Snacks, Smart Water, Finch Beer, Pop Chips, and Homage Street Food!

I can NOT wait to see all the photos, who will make the 2012 fall lookbook, and who won the 3 prizes (1st prize is $500 worth of Lara Miller clothes!) I will post my photos from the actual shoot as soon as I get them and keep you posted if I won any amazing Lara Miller clothing. And if I didn't win I need to buy that sweater slip I wore ASAP. It goes with EVERYTHING and just clings so perfectly to your body. Kinda think everyone in the world needs this piece. Just saying... ;)

Thanksgiving 3 of 3

Top: H&M (old), Jeans: Gap, Boots: Colin Stuart, Earring: Express, Wrist Wrap: Kristin Hassan, Heart Ring: Jewelmint

Over the weekend we celebrated our 3rd and final Thanksgiving. You would think I'd be turkeyed out, but they were all so different. (the first was Italian, second traditional, and this last one was all organic and gluten free.) They were all amazing and I am so thankful for having such a large and wonderful family!

I decided to wear my bow sweater that I've held onto now for over 3 years. I only wear it a few times a year and it still works year in and year out. LOVE items of clothing like that! I paired it with a dark jean and some great black and gold tone jewelry.

Did anyone else have more then one Thanksgiving to attend?

Purse party

Dress: Forever 21, Cardigan: H&M, Shoes: DSW, Necklace: Express, Ring: Jewelmint

My sister and mom hosted their annual purse party over the weekend. I had both kids with me so I needed to wear something that I could run around in and also still feel like I was cute enough to be at a party in. ;) This short sleeved maxi dress did the trick.
I ended up leaving before the party actually started because my little lady missed her nap and was out of her mind. I guess she didn't get the memo that this was a fun girls night. ;) Oh well, what can you do?!
Here are a few pictures of what the set up looked like just before the party started:




All and all the night was a success. I got 4 purses for holiday gifts and had my mom put a few for my "Santa" pile from her.
If you live in the suburbs of Chicago or southern Wisconsin and want to throw your own Creatively Yours purse party, email me and I'll send you my contacts info.

Boo at the zoo

Coat Victoria's secret, top H&M, Jeans Express, Shoes Target, Sunnys MNG by Mango

Over the weekend the hubby and I took the kids to boo at the zoo. It was so fun! People were dressed in costume (we did not as the kids would be in them the next 2 days), there was a parade, a corn maze, hay rides, and lots more.
It was 50 degrees so we didn't need to bundle up too much. I went with a basic turtle neck, jeans, gym shoes, no make up, and sunnys! Perfect for a day at the zoo with my favorite people in the world!

Fall is here!

Top: H&M
Jeans: Express
Boots: Victoria's Secret
Earrings: Kate Spade
Necklace: Self made
Quartz Ring: Free People
Gold band ring: Kohls

This is my favorite time of year! I love when you can wear sweaters with no coats and how cute are my new boots?! I am selling my old crop boots in "shop my shoes" because I wanted a pair that had buckles and now a year later I found a pair!!! I guess good things do come to those who wait. ;)
I paired my over sized sweater with a pair of skinny jeans and a few pieces of gold jewelry. This look was perfect for taking the little man to school, running errands, and later that day having dinner with my family for Ry's grandma's 82nd b-day!

Another take on Lace and Floral

Dress: H&M
Lace top: LuLus
Shoes: Forever 21
Bracelet: Pree Brulee
Earrings: Pree Brulee
Silver Ring: Lia Sophia
Cream Ring: American Eagle

I love this little lace top! You can put it over anything and everything and make a new outfit! This day I wore it over a staple dress in my wardrobe and my hubby was all, I love this new dress! lol Same dress boo, new look!
I also am loving the jewelry. I can't believe how affordable Pree Brulee is! These earrings are $7.50 (I won mine, but yours would be super cheep! ;)!
Now onto my hair. I tried a new boho braid (Thursday's post!! Thanks Kaitlyn) and then turned the ends into a bun. Check back Thursday to see how it's done! xo

Outfit post/New Hair

Top: H&M
Shorts: H&M
Tank: JC Penny
Shoes: Forever 21
Ring: Free People
Sunnys: Modcloth

It was time for a new look so I went to Mario Tricoci and let my favorite boy/girl (dye/cut) duo do their magic on me! Here is me before:


And here is me after:



I had them take 3 inches off, frame my face up a bit, and add some carmel color under! I'm probably going to go back in the next few months and add some more color and take another inch or 2 off, but this is all my neck could stand! lol It was seriously painful to get this done so soon after surgery!
What do you think? I feel like a new person! I hadn't had anything done cut wise since November 2010 and the last time I had foils was 3 years ago. It was for sure time for an update. Hope you love it as much as I do!