Outfit: Everyday Wear

Top: Swap w/ Kaitlyn, Jeans: Gap, Shoes: Shoemint (similar) (similar), Necklace: T plus J Designs, Ring: Guilty Star, Bracelet: C/O T plus J Designs

I love being able to swap clothes with my sister (in-law). We use super cute "Friend Swap" bags (which you can buy here), and it's like having new clothing on a bi-monthly basis. This top is awesome and I didn't really want to give it back to her....I did though. ;) Love the sheer shoulder!

To finish the look off I added eye catching flats and great statement jewelry.

Outfit: Dinner Out

Top: Banana Republic, Skirt: Swap w/ Kaitlyn (Express), Shoes: Shoemint (similar) (similar), Bag: C/O Just Fabulous, Cuff: C/O Kristin Hassan, Bracelet: C/O T plus J Designs, Necklace: ThirtySomethingFashion Box Service

This outfit put a little spring in my step. You know when you like what you are wearing so you feel good/pretty in it, well, that was me this day. Love the mixing of blue hues with pinks and gold. Now on to the good stuff...

The winner of the EShakti giveaway is: #5
Cacy

Congrats Cacy! I sent your email info to EShakti and they will be contacting you. A big thank you to EShakti for hosting this giveaway and everyone who entered. xo

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: Neons and Neutrals

Pashmina: C/O Pashmina International, Dress: Swap w/ Kaitlyn (Forever 21), Shoes: Shoemint, Wrist wrap & Earrings: Kristin Hassan

I was given this beautiful wrap by Pashmina International for review and it couldn't have come at a better time. We are having some cooler weather right now and the only thing I love as much as a great blazer to finish off a look is a great pashmina. (I have a nice collection ranging from black and gray to teal and animal print.)
This green color is perfect for Spring and gave my outfit just the right amount of pop! The quality is amazing and I couldn't be more happy. If you haven't already, you should check out their website. They have a great selection.
They have also agreed to do a giveaway later in the year for fall (so exciting!) so be on the look out for that as well!

*even though the pashmina was gifted to me that in no way effected my opinion and review.

Outfit: Blush, Mint, Blue, & Gold

Top: Closet swap w/ Kaitlyn (Forever 21), Jeans: Gap, Cami: ThirtySomethingFashion Box Service, Belt: Threadsence, Shoes: Shoemint (similar) , Watch & Bag: Fossil, Louvre Leather Wrap: Kristin Hassan, Heart Ring: Jewelmint, Necklace: Windsor , Sunnies: Loft

Yet another example of everyday wear. I don't care what time of day it is, it's always time for 6 inch heels! I'm also totally digging this muted color pallet. Such good colors for this time of year, being Easter tomorrow and all. ;)

 And, do you spy my Paris #PassportToStyle wrist warp?! Who else ordered? Such a beautiful collection.
 I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter tomorrow! Here are some eggs we decorated. The top pic are the eggs my kids did, the bottom pic, I did! ;) Do you like my "love egg" and tie dye egg?! lol

And if you don't celebrate Easter, a wonderful weekend to you and yours as well! xo

Outfit: Dinner With a Fellow Blogger

Dress: BCBGMAXAZRIA, Blazer: JC Penny, Shoes: Shoemint, Bag and Necklace: Windsor, Watch: Fossil, Wrist Wrap: C/O Kristin Hassan, Ring: J Good

I met up with one of my favorite mommies and had dinner and drinks on Monday night. I love Kristin. Not only is she a super talented clothing designer, jewelry designer, business woman, blogger, and mom, but she is also just a great friend. I am so glad to have her in my life. 

 Now lets talk fashion. ;) I think everyone needs to own this t-shirt dress. It's great for layering and hugs the body in all the right spots. It's one of my new favorites. Yes, it's a splurge item at $98, but once you put it on you'll agree it's worth the $$! 

 What do you think of my braided top knot? I finally spent 10 minutes and not my usual 4 minutes on this style. I usually just twist it and pin it but this time I teased my high pony and wrapped and pinned it to look more like a bun. To finish, I braided a small section and wrapped that around the base. I liked it so much more then what I usually do! Can you tell I haven't washed my hair in 3 days?! lol Me either, which means this hair style is a success!
**You can now "stalk me" on Currently obsessed!

Newly Remodeled Mario Tricoci (Schaumburg Location)

 I was invited to the ribbon cutting event for the newly remodeled Schaumburg location of Mario Tricoci. Anyone who knows me, knows I love Mario Tricoci! I get my colored and hair cut there, I get my eyebrows waxed there, I get massages and facials there, bottom line, they are my go to when I want to get my pamper on. So obviously I was super excited to meet Mario Tricoci! ;) Here is what I wore to the event:

Top: Target, Blazer: Urban Outfitters, Pants: ASOS, Shoes: Shoemint (similar), Necklace: Shop Jules, Ball necklace: Jewelmint, Bracelet: C/O Kristin Hassan (style sold out), Stackable Ring: Baublebar


This location has been open for 19 years now and looks even more amazing! I didn't take pictures in the spa area because I felt rude (everyone knows to be quite in there! lol) but I did see a demo for the diamond tip microdurmabrasion. Yeah, mama wants one of those badly! Here are a few photos taken during the ribbon cutting.


Next up, enter a raffle and get my spa on! I was given a complementary wash, blow out, and curling, a bamboo infused massage and my mother-in-law got her nails done. So fun!


The salon and spa look amazing and I was happy to be included in such a fun morning!

**In other news, today a winner gets picked! The winner of the Eucerin products and the $25 Visa gift card goes to:
Caycee!

Congrats lady! I will pass your email address along and you will be notified about shipping info soon! A big thank you to Eucerin for hosting this giveaway!

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)!