Happy Friday...

Hope you all had a great week!! I am going to be boating tonight and tomorrow on the lake. Mix up some cocktails and served up at sea. Have a wonderful one. x {image via pinterest}

Orange Crush...

Crushing big time on orange right now;) {images via tumblr, pinterest}

Whimsical + Colorful...

I love this painting I came across...I have been looking for inspiration and am going to attempt a little art project for my next rainy day activity. My dining room walls are bare! 

Summer Picnic...

Had a wonderfully spontaneous adventure to Millennium Park for their Monday night free concert series. Danielle from Breakfast at Toast posted pics from our evening and put together perfect items for your own summer picnic. 

Beautiful Style...

I love everything about Rachel Bilson's look here, the hair, the chic fitted scoop neck dress, heals and accessories. Copy that! {image via pinterest}

Summer Dish: Sweet Corn...

Salt, butter, cheese, pepper and a squeeze of lime. I want to cook up some corn on the girl after seeing this recipe...BTW, next week on the blog is foodie week (I had to share in advance;) Mon-Thursday guest bloggers will be dishing on their favorite summer recipe. On Friday - we all weigh in for a great list of Chicago restaurants you can't miss. 

Vibrant Living Room...

Things could never get dull in this living room, there is so much going on! I love the pops of color in pillows, and striped rug. {image via everything leb}

Busy Lives...

Blogging takes a back seat everyone once in awhile, especially in summer months when work is hectic and friends are visiting from out of town. Sorry I tuned out last week, I'm back from a little breakie;) Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. {image via tumblr}

Dining Table + Copper Hanging Lights...

Gorgeous lights! I love the extension of the kitchen island to a nook for dining. {image via inside the loop}

Happy Friday...

TGIF! Ready for a little fun in the sun this weekend. Hope you all have a lovely one. xo {image via tumblr}

Summer Dish: Pops...

Pour a little bubbly over popsicles and serve. Yum. {image via Southern Living}

Black + White...

Love black and white in the home and crisp contrasts in fashion. {images via pinterest}

Summer Guide: Chicago Long Weekend...

There are so many great things about Chicago in the summer. I have lived in New York City, San Francisco and now Chicago. Hands down - summers in this city are my all time favorite. Between festivals, baseball games, concerts, outdoor dining, and lakeside paths for running and biking, I'm in heaven. A friend reached out recently and I put together 'What to do' guide for their visit this week, here's a little agenda! 


Wednesday: 
Go to the Green Farmer's Market on North Clarke in Lincoln Park, pack a picnic and take a great walk along North Beach.
Wednesday Eve: 
Happy hour at Hubbard Inn, the Southside cocktail is YUM!
Early din din at the bar at GT Fish + Oyster, don't miss the lobster roll...
Ferris Bueller's Day off - Movies in the Park


Thursday: 
Stroll Michigan Ave shops and stop at RL Cafe for a late lunch on the patio. 
Thursday Eve: 
Hit Maude's Liquor bar or the Girl and the Goat in the West loop for dinner.


Friday:
Head to Wrigleyville for Cubs vs. Marlins day game! 
Friday eve:
Try one of these spots for dinner
Then hit up the Old St. Pat's Block Party and see great live band performances.


Saturday:
Taste of River North Festival
Saturday Eve:
Pitchfork Music Fest: Fleet Foxes on the Green Stage
Fireworks at Navy Pier - Either bring a blanket and a bottle of wine down to a grassy spot by the docks or get to the Trump early for a perfect view.


Sunday:
BBQ at Market Bar


Enjoy!! Stay tuned for the Chicago Bloggers favorite restaurants. {image via Breakfast at Toast}

Kitchen Cul De Sac...

This french style kitchen is so inviting, especially with it's display of coffee, fruit and eggs, can I come visit? {image via inside the loop}

Latest Lonny Issue...

This month's Lonny was my favorite issue yet...I'm drawn to this eclectic living room and the black and white etched art piece above the couch. There is so much more eye candy. Go see...

Almond Surfboards + A Bike...

I love this California based co. that produces hand-shaped classic surfboards. Almond's latest collaboration with Linus Bikes makes it easy for you to tote your board to the beach! 

Summer Dish: Pizza Pizza...

I found a few great summery pizza recipes I can't wait to try...especially on the grill!


Asparagus, Green Garlic and Leek Pizza
Fontina, Arugula and Prosciutto Pizza
Summer Vegetable Pizza

Beach Scene...

Love this photo of Rio from 1st Dibs, might be a perfect one to frame for my walls. {image via Mrs. Lilien}

Guest Post: Summer Destinations ~ Tomboy Style...

So excited to have Lizzie here today from Tomboy Style, one of my favorite bloggers dishing about one of my favorite cities...summer destination: San Francisco!

***

My husband and I are hopping on the short flight from LAX to SFO for the weekend to visit friends and enjoy "The Paris of the West".

1. Mark Twain may not be synonymous with San Francisco, but one of his maxims has become quite the S.F. cliché ("The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco"). I love collecting old books with fun covers and could imagine this one jumping into my Etsy cart in the near future. 

2. My husband and I are staying with friends for the weekend in The Mission, who have a thing for nautical ephemera, I'll be sure to send them this awesome thank you card made from the San Franciscan letterpress, Yellow Owl Workshop.

3. Heath Ceramics is such a fantastic and Bay Area institution. I recently scored a set of vintage Heath plates at a thrift store in Orange County for next to nothing, but wouldn't mind shelling out for some of their beautiful glassware. 

4. I live for essential oils, especially when I travel, and am a big fan of everything from the Berkeley-based company Juniper Ridge and their Big Sur blend.

5. There are so many things to love about S.F., but for me the biggest draw is the food. It is, in my book, the best eating city in the country. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that there's time to grab a beer-battered Sweetwater Oyster Po' Boy with bacon remoulade from Hog Island Oyster Co. at The Ferry Building. (photo via TheFoodinista.com)

6. My favorite SF-based online vintage store is no doubt Paris Hotel Boutique. I'm lust over the oil paintings that come in on a weekly basis and definitely have my eye on this guy. 

Happy Friday...

Hooray! It's Friday. I'm so excited to spend a sunny summer weekend in Chicago. Today, I have Lizzie blogging about her destination...San Francisco. And I jumped over to Strong Sense of Style to share my 'go to' Summer look. Thank you ladies!

Look of the Day...

Olivia looking beautiful in floral. {image via bourbon + pearls}


*After a few emails and comments asking where this dress was from, I tracked it down at Zara.

Best Restaurants in Downtown NYC...

Every once in awhile I get asked...What are your favorite restaurants in downtown New York? I posted this over a year ago, but revisit every once in awhile to add to the list! Working on Chicago next... 


Atlas Cafe - fun for groups, yummy tapas & sangria

Barbuto - opens the doors in spring and summer for a great outdoor feel
Bar'Rique - newbie wine bar on Bleeker St. with the tastiest dinner menu and to-die-for cheese plates

Blue Hill - seminal Greenmarket haven with fresh farm fare from an upstate complex called Stone Barns

Blue Ribbon Sushi - delish sushi and relaxed atmosphere
The Breslin - gastropub in the Ace Hotel that serves delicious cocktails and meat lover's faves
Cafe Cluny - favorite Sunday brunch spot in the W. Village, wait in line for the best egg sandwich 'ever'

The Charles - s'mores and more make this speakeasy/lounge a great dinner spot

Diablo Royale - West Village Mexican taqueria saloon

Essex - great weekend brunches on the LES

Five Points - warm and relaxed Mediterranean-American eatery

Freemans - comforting american cuisine tucked away in a charming LES alley
Gemma - hot spot on Bowery that serves up yummy Italian food
Gitane - Moroccan French cafe in the Jane Hotel

Hotel Griffou - trendy grotto eatery with amazing cocktails and yummy dishes

Il Buco - warm antique charm and Mediterranean dishes

Indochine - French-Vietnamese fairy-tale favorite

Kingswood - candlelit rustic feel with yummy american food
La Gazzeta - cozy Meat Packing district brasserie
La Esquina - best south of houston mexican spot on the map with killer margaritas (literally;)

L'artusi - italian with amazing flavorful food and busy upbeat vibe

Little Owl - tiny w. village neighborhood fave

Lupa - soft-hearted Tuscan trattoria
Lure Fishbar - new seafood, sushi, oyster bar that celebs love to frequent

Morandi - cozy Italian with winning wine list and attractive crowd

Palma - rustic Mediterranean-Italian gem
Pastis - chic, crowded Parisian style bistro in the heart of Meat-Packing district 

Pearl Oyster Bar - intimate New England style seafood restaurant
Pulino's Bar & Pizzeria - a boisterous crowd always hovers over the bar here for the best thin crust pizza

Smith & Mills - small cozy Tribeca restaurant where the food and experience are both amazing
The Spotted Pig - long waits are worth it at this upscale pub that serves up salty, smokey cured fare

Tartine - BYOB french bistro that is tiny and terrific

Waverly Inn - impossible to get a reservation, this American dining is delicious

Jump...

Mark your spot...

And Jump...

Now Pose...

And come on back down off the rock...

The series of photos across 5 different cameras are hilarious attempts to all jump off this little rock in unison, but it just led to laughter. We were all so uncoordinated;) And loving every minute of sunshine on Roque Island for a 4th of July weekend lobster bake. Hope you all had a great holiday. Between seeing friends this weekend and coming back to fireworks in the city last night, I feel extremely happy + lucky. More pics to come from island fun. 

Back to Work...

After a nice long weekend, it's back to the home office. I am loving this space, the marble pedestal table, vintage chairs, striped rug and lusting after the chandelier. On the lookout for lighting to compliment my apartment...the standard track lighting that came with it just won't do...{image via bijou + boheme}

Summer Dish: Skirt Steak + Tomato Salad...

It seems impossible that I would be thinking about food right now after eating huge gourmet meals all weekend on Roque Island. Courtesy of chef Simon (my friend Kara's husband) and me (Jr. Sous Chef). I love to cook up a storm and have been craving steak. This looks like a great summer recipe.