GiGi Bottega in Evanston

Dress: Threadsence, Necklace: Pree Brulee, Shoes: Shoemint (similar), Ring: Jewelmint, Bangles: T plus J Designs, Clutch: Shoedazzle

Myself and Kaitlyn went to a boutique party at GiGi Bottega last week and had such a wonderful time. The store is right in downtown Evanston (612 Davis Street Evanston, IL 60201) and carries a wide range of designers including BB Dakota and Blu Pepper. The boutique has just recently opened and I think the set up is beautiful (she even found gorgeous hardwood floors under what was once carpeted! Score!!). Here are some photos I took while walking around the store. We got there first so we were able to get some great shots! ;) The first photo is of me and the store owner Gina (how adorable is she!?).

Yes, fellow CBN blogger Mariposa of the Clever Clipper was there too! 

I tried on about 8 items and ended up leaving with the 2 I loved the most. Darn you budget (shakes fist in air)!! I am kicking myself for not snagging that amazing neon BB Dakota dress, but I can always go back. ;)

If you are in the Evanston area, Gigi Bottega is for sure a place to check out. Besides having great inventory (clothes, jewelry, bags, scarfs, etc) the boutique is beautiful and the owner is beyond sweet! You can check out her website here or email questions to shop@gigibottega.com. (Open Mon-Sat. 10-7 and Sun. 12-5)

There was also a pop-up trunk show for Stella & Dot at the boutique that night. Here are some photos of their classic designs and a bit of their amazing spring line. The necklace in the first photo is called the Zahara Bib Necklace....SWOON!

You can check out their full jewelry line here. If you are wanting to throw a Stella & Dot party or order any items you can contact Suzette Lipker at suzettelipker@gmail.com (or www.stelladot.com/suzettelipker). She is so sweet and said she would drive to many different towns to have parties. (I live 50 mins from Evanston and my house was not too far for her to travel!)

Happy Shopping ladies (and gents)!

Thanksgiving 1 of 3

Top: Closet Swap w/ Kaitlyn, Tank: Target, Jeans: Gap, Shoes: Express, Necklace: Pree Brulee, Wrist Wrap: Kristin Hassan, Ring: Discovery
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! One of the best parts of having a large family is all the eating we do over the holiday season. ;) This is what I wore to our 1st of 3 Thanksgivings celebrations. I went with a loose blouse and jeans so I could eat until my little heart was content. And I did just that!
Here's what my mom cooked for us:

Italian stuffing (spinish, rice, ground beef, cheese, onion) sweet potatos, bread stuffing, turkey, and rolls. She also made home made cranberry sauce, regular mashed potatos but that was round 2 and by then my camera was away! ;)
I hope everyone has a wonderful time with their families today! xo

Coupon Codes:
15% Sitewide sale now through 11-25 at Lulus.com. Use code BLKFRI at checkout
Romwe Thanksgiving sale, Offer good through 11-25. save $15 for $60+ code: Thanksgiving1, save $25 for $90+ code: Thanksgiving2, Save $35 for $120+ code: Thanksgiving3
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JC Penny.com $10 off $50, $15 off $75, $20 off $100! use code WITHGLEE at checkout
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25% off your order at ShopFrankies now through 11-28 using code FRANKS at checkout.
**30% off ALL "shop my closet" sections on my blog now through Monday night!

Pumpkin Painting

dress & sweater Forever 21, Boots Victoria's Secret, Earrings Pree Brulee, Chain Ring Tiffany & CO

This weekend we went over to my hubby's aunts house for the annual pumpkin painting contest. Now, I've been married for almost 4 years, and this was our first year attending! Believe me, I will be far more prepared next year, I had no idea everyone was going so all out!
My daughter cut 2 new teeth this weekend (you can imagine how much fun we had with this) so unless you held her she was a blubbering mess. Now that I think about it, she cried most of the time I held her too! lol
Anyway, I had under 5 mins to paint my pumpkin so I made the green witch above. All you moms out there can attest to this, we can do ANY task in less then 5 mins! It's a mom thing! ;) I came in 4th place, but the entire thing was rigged so Ry's dad would win. We'll have to do something about this next year. ;)
I paired my maxi dress with a crocheted knit and a crop boot. I think it was the perfect look for this cool fall night!
What are your Halloween traditions? Painting or carving?

Therapies and play dates

Tank: Victoria's Secret
Under tank: Target
Jeans: American Eagle
Wedges: Forever 21
Necklace: Pree Brulee (style sold out)
wrap bracelets: Baublebar
Stackable ring: Baublebar
Heart ring: Jewelmint

I generally show you all of my "go out/event" outfits, here is an everyday one. On this day I walked and pushed the double stroller to my son's speech therapy (less then 1 mile away) and had a play date right after. I am in love with this necklace! It will for sure be seen on this blog quite a few times! ;)
Now lets talk jeans. I'm not bragging, okay maybe a little, but these are my skinny jeans and I'm back in them!! No not my between kids skinny jeans, the ones that I tucked away in a drawer hoping one day I'd fit into them again....yeah, THOSE! I actually saved 4 pair for college and now they all fit. I'd say those are bragging rights! lol I'm officially back to the size I was when I met my hubby. I would like to send a special shout out to Ryan for loving me just at much at 198 pounds that he does at 130! Love you Ryan!
Okay, now onto the hair. I want to thank Kim over at Eat Sleep Wear for inspiring me to try out her signature bun! What do you guys think? I love it! Super easy and super quick. What's not to like?

Tribal print maxi

Maxi Dress: Forever 21
Body suit: H&M
Ring: Pree Brulee
Necklace: Discovery
Earrings: Whimsy Lane
Wedges: Forever 21

This dress comes with a story. My sister-in-law bought it for herself and then decided she didn't want it. I (being the helpful person that I am) took it off her hands. ;)
I wanted to belt it, but the hubby said it didn't look right belted. That's the last time I listen to him because now all I see when I look at these pics is the lack of belting!! lol
I guess this just means you'll be seeing it again and next time I will style it how I want. I also can't wait to wear it with a knit over it in the fall. Lots of outfit opportunities!

Now about the jewelry. All 3 items I am wearing are priced under $7!! LOVE affordable pieces that look great!

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

Date night

Dress: E Street Denim (2 years ago)
Clutch: Shoesdazzle
Shoes: Madden girl
Brown and gold wrap: Baublebar (sold out)
Coral bead bracelet: Pree Brulee
Gold stackable ring: Baublebar
Gold band: Kohls

The hubs and I went out for Mexican food and margaritas this night. We had so much fun and we also met up with a few friends after dinner too!
I love this dress. I got it at a shop up in Lake Geneva 2 years ago and can't wait to go check it out again next time I'm up north. I am also loving the color combo of this teal dress with the yellow purse and the coral and gold in the jewelry. What do you think?
I was also having a rough hair day (day 3 and I had gone swimming earlier in the day) so I decided to go with a braid. When all else fails and it's humid as hell, a braid is always the answer! ;) I went with a basic fishtail and added a braid to the bang for a little something different!
Don't know how to do a fishtail? Check out my how to video here!

All my new jewelry!

I won this amazing jewelry from Pree Brulee over at Color Me NaNa's blog! I LOVE all my new pieces! The colors are so amazing and they have so many unique styles. I highly recommend you check out their online store!


These are my new Kristin Hassan bracelets. GUSH! She has a new line of jewelry and it is very affordable. SHOP SHOP SHOP ladies, love great pieces that also have great prices!


Here are my new Lia Sophia pieces! My cousin's wife Kelly had a party, and since I had plans that day, I ordered my items a month in advance. Truth be told I had forgotten what I had ordered so when it came it was kind of like Christmas! I LOVE ALL 3! Thanks for throwing a party Kelly, I love Lia Sophia and unless you know a rep, it's hard to order.


Last, but certainly not least, here are my new Baublebar pieces. I got this wrap bracelet for my kids babysitter Abby as her b-day gift and quickly ordered another for myself when I saw how amazing it was in person! LOVE! After purchasing these wraps, my "vault" credits (you get a credit every time you order and can cash in your credits for items) were at 11 so I cashed 10 credits in for this red bangle. Got to love freebies!

Be excited for awesomely styled blog post in the near future! ;P