Pretty Shoes

Now my brain is thinking all things couture so here is a little eye candy to ameliorate the Monday blues. {All images via Neiman Marcus except for Le Sila}


Blue Grey:

Le Sila Satin Pumps with Bow to the left (via Saks Fifth Avenue). Christian Louboutin Crepe Satin Peep Toe Pump to the right.

Champagne:

Dior Karma d'Orsay Pump to the left. Prada Satin d'Orsay to the right.

Pretty in Pink:

Valentino Peep-Toe Bow Pump to the left. Manolo Blahnik Feather Trim d'Orsay to the right.

Sequins!

Christian Louboutin Sequin Peep-Toe Pump to the left. Manolo Blahnik Sequin Pump to the right.

Real Weddings: Lauren Davis

I think I know where Jenna Bush got her bridesmaid dress color inspiration from. Jenna and her sister Barbara were both guests at the lavish wedding of Lauren Davis to billionaire Andres Santo Domingo in beautiful Cartagena, Colombia. Lauren got her bridesmaid color inspiration from the multi-hued colors of the limed washed walls of the sixteenth-century Iglesia de Santo Domingo (connection perhaps??). Check out Ms. Shortcake's fun post on this wedding on Weddingbee.

Lauren's dress was made by Theyskens for Atelier Nina Ricci and took approximately 1200 hours to make. What I like most about the dress is how the silk jacquard is woven with peony blooms embroidered with vintage lace, feathers and silver threads. I appreciate the workmanship and time it took to make the gown, but what I really love about this wedding is that it took place in Cartagena and the beautiful bridesmaid gowns (they almost stole the show!)

The De-viled Egg

I applied to Tulane at the insistence of my counselor not really knowing anything about the university or New Orleans except for Anne Rice, gumbo and the abstract understanding of southern gentility. Boy was I in for some culture shock. This is coming from a girl that lived in 4 different continents by the age of 18.

I was put right smack in an all girls dorm on campus that included several Southern beauty queens among the eclectic variety of smart put together women. I was the bumbling hippie from Colorado who didn't wear make-up, actually went to class with my hair wet and didn't know what a deviled egg was. Oh the horror. The horror!

It was the deviled egg that started the raucous. I had the audacity to call it "de-viled" instead of deviled. After the laughter subsided, I got a crash course on "How to Mimic a Southern Lady" by my gracious beauty queen dorm-mates. Mimic mind you. You can't be a Southern lady unless you are born one. Even then, your "roots" have to be truly southern on both sides. It's why Southerners, especially New Orleanians who are their own breed of "Southern", ask you where your parents went to school, what Parish you live in, who your friends are in order to construct your blood lines and place you in that ambiguous Southern society hierarchy.

My room-mate took pity on me and as a joke offered her Southern Primer written by Maryln Schwartz. It's a gem of a book, written half in jest on the proprieties and manners of Southern ladies. With this primer and the help of my dorm-mates I figured out that my preferred silver pattern was "Towle Old Master", learned how to coif my hair with the aid of a whole can of hairspray (I'm not joking), not to chew gum in public (meh- my mother always told me that), and despite their prodding avoid Rush Week like the plague.

I love this little primer because it reminds me of those funny and endearing Southern belles and the trials and tribulations of my first year of college. Southerners hold on to their traditions as dearly as Scarlett and her Tara and I guess in the end, there is something wonderful to be said about that.

Flowering Blooms

I couldn't resist picking these hyacinth blooms while at Jayson Home & Garden . It seemed like all of Lincoln Park was in Jayson's to check out the "garage sale" and I am happy to report that I was able to get away with a little tarnished silver sugar pot and some flowers. My jaw dropped when I saw "antique" deer antlers for sale for $150.00. Hmm. I'm sure Jack's parent's would be more than happy to provide me with some free of charge after hunting season is done with this fall. Anyway, I'm bursting at the seams for some flowers, sunshine and lakefront fun. Enjoy and Happy Friday!

The Dreaded Bridesmaid Dress

Anytime I see a deviation from the traditional bridesmaid dress line-up I squeal with glee. It's refreshing to see a bride let her closest confidants express themselves stylishly. From the start my mom thought the need for a whole bridal party completely unnecessary and found my insistence down right bridezilla. The idea of matching gowns made my mom cringe and say, "Why would your friends want to wear the same dress at a party?". It makes me cringe too Mom. In Colombia you have two witnesses and that's it. It's really only here in the U.S. where the bridal party get-up is a full fledged industry.

So when I heard about Jenna Bush's plans for her bridesmaid's at The Bride's Guide I was inspired. I thought to myself "Perfect- a compromise!!". Designer Lela Rose is outfitting all of Jenna's bridesmaids in a design of their choice with 7 different colors choices made out of crinkle silk chiffon. Lucky bridesmaids! Jenna's twin Barbara who is Maid of Honor will stand alone with Jenna at the alter (with groom of course!). I think the varying but coordinating colors and just having the maid of honor and best man at the alter with us would work great.

Flock of Seagulls

{Image from A View on Cities}

"I just ran, I ran all night and day...."

That's was me, several nights ago running along the lakefront at 10 p.m in the evening. No, I wasn't listening to Flock of Seagulls; more like some classic R&B instead. I usually run better without music but this time it was Boyz II Men that got me through a bruising six mile run that has me bereft of the use of my legs today.

I was running when the Hancock building came into my line of vision with it's lights twinkling against the darkened sky. I had to reach it. Once I did it was all good until I turned around and realized I was 6 miles away from home....Mierda.

It took me an hour to walk home. Lesson learned: don't bite off more than you can chew.

Madeleine Peyroux

Madeleine Peyroux will be playing at Park West on May 30th for the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. Tickets are $35 and will benefit CCH's mission to prevent and end homelessness. I hope she sings this song: {dance me to the end of love}. It's one of my all time favorites.

Sucre

{All images from the Sucre website}

I try to visit New Orleans at least once a year. It's my Mecca for food, design, antiques, architecture, and music. I thank my lucky stars that I lived there for the short time I did (prior to the hurricane) and if we could move there again I would in a heartbeat. After postponing our overseas wedding the most logical place to have the catholic ceremony was of course in New Orleans. It's where Jack and I met (in college of all places), where many of our friends still live and where our sense of nostalgia still holds strong. I've already started creating my agenda for places to see again and new places to try with my sister (who will finally be 21 thank god) for our fall visit prior to the wedding in December. On my list is Sucre; a quaint "sweets boutique" created by restauranteur Joel Dondis and helmed by renowned pastry chef Tariq Hanna. The list of Sucre creations includes an "assortment of decadent pastries, one of a kind chocolates, rich gelatos and rack brewed coffee." Yum. What caught my attention though was their "French Macaroon" similar to the ones I posted from Laduree:

I love their packaging and although they don't have the extensive flavor list Laduree has at least they have pistachio!!!


My sister goes nuts over pate de fruits- the raspberry looks yummy

I love their "hat boxes". The small hat box features: 18 piece New Orleans chocolate collection, one dozen french macaroons, the lightest marshmallows, and chocolate covered cashews. I wonder if they do customized hat boxes? If they are as good as they sound I might include a box of macaroons as part of the welcome gift boxes we will be making.

Sandra Russell Clark

{Images from Sandra Russell Clark's website}

I first saw Sandra Russell Clark's work at A Gallery of Fine Photography in New Orleans and I was instantly smitten. Her work is ethereal and dramatic and captures the essence of the lush Southern landscape; in particular New Orleans and Mississippi. Clark photographs the coastlines of the Gulf of Mexico in her "In Search of Eden series" and brings out the melancholy and beauty of the above ground New Orleans cemeteries in her infrared "Elysium" series. I would love to start my photography collection with one of her Eden pieces. She published a book on her Elysium series which you can order here:

In Search of Eden

Elysium

Elysium

Style File: Angelina Jolie

It's time for a hair-cut. Nothing drastic, just a trim. I'm one of those people that have had the same hair-cut for years and can't seem to let go. I've had long hair ever since the disastrous bobbed hair-cut I got in 6th grade that reduced my mom to tears and had me resembling a fungus. So I will keep it long, as long as I'm able wear mini-skirts (I think the age limit is 35- correct?). That means I have 8 more lovely years of long hair to match the mini skirts I don't wear but would like to have the courage to wear.




My inspiration is Angelina Jolie. I'm going for the subtly cascading layered "Vidal Sassoon" cut that will hopefully alleviate the weight of my hair so it flows better while maintaining my wedding day hair length. I'm a huge fan of Michael & Michael on Chicago Avenue and have been seeing them since I first moved to Chicago. Although they can't turn me into Angelina Jolie, I think they can work their magic and transform me into a better "me". Pics to come.

Hurts so Good

Jack and I went paintballing this past Sunday and it was my first time. It hurts...it stings... but boy was it fun. Here is a fun pic that documents the pain that was inflicted on me:

Shot in the thigh by a paintball at close range. One of many. 3 inches in diameter and it's a woozy. It kinda looks like a cubbies sign. Methinks I'll be wearing jeans for a while.

Shot by this crazy person. But then again I think I deserve it. I hit him in the junk.

The whole gang minus Jack (taking the pic). Smiling..through..the..pain *lagrima*

Laduree

I had my first taste of heaven on a trip to Paris a couple of years back. Both Jack and I were wandering the streets of Paris; cold, hungry and with blisters the size of quarters. The metro was on strike so it was either pay an arm and a leg for a cab ride or just walk the streets of Paris. And walk we did- it was lovely. We discovered that the perfect way to see a new place is to amble and see where your travels take you. And sometimes, just sometimes you luck out and discover a gem that happens to be world renowned. My fashionable boots reached their fashionable demise at the steps of Le Eglise de la Madeleine. As we sat down we saw a charming bakery/tea salon across the street beckoning us with this display:

Lured in by the colorful macaroons and petit fours, I hobbled off the steps of La Madeleine into Laduree. Laduree is a feast for the senses. I oohh and ahhed my way around Laduree behaving like Pavlov's dog. Laduree is famous for its double-decker macaroon; a heavenly pastry comprised of two macaron shells married with a silky ganache filling. With over hundreds of flavors to choose from one can easily become overwhelmed. We bought a box full a macaroons and idly spent the remainder of the afternoon eating them on the steps of La Madeleine. These little cakes had a nice lightly crisp outer layer but chewy and moist centers. The pistachio was my favorite and they were quickly demolished. It was wonderful.

I think it would be great to use Laduree chocolate covered macarons as a wedding favor. I heard through the grapevine that Laduree will be opening up a store in NYC. If so , I'm buying a ticket at first notice. These little cakes are a delight not to be missed. Here is the box that Darcy Miller used as inspiration:

{All images via Laduree}

Real Weddings: Darcy Miller

{All photos via Martha Stewart Weddings}

I'm a huge fan of Darcy Miller who is the Editorial Director at Martha Stewart Weddings. She has given inspiration to so many brides that I thought I would do a little excerpt on this weddings icon. Many a bride waited in breathless anticipation for the day "The Editor" would get married and she didn't disappoint. The elegant and sophisticated affair was held at the Four Seasons in NYC and managed to convey a sense of fun and whimsy with unique and lovely details. I love how she carries these thoughtful details throughout the event- in this case a nod to french culinary tradition and touches of gardenia and cherry blossoms throughout the entire floral design.

I think Darcy's bouquet is perfect for her petite frame. I love how the lily of the valley is cuffed by gardenias- a unique touch I don't see too often. Darcy's maid of honor bouquet mirrors her own, but on a smaller scale with beautiful hard to find pink lily of the valley. Perfect for a spring wedding.

A thoughtful touch for guests. At left handkerchiefs for "les femmes" and stephanotis and bay leaf boutonnieres for "les hommes". To the right the ketuba whose design inspiration is the famed Laduree boxes.

The beautiful 9 tier cake whose design, along with ketuba, was inspired by Laduree

Details, Details, Details!!! A plethora of candy was served. To the right individual sized wedding cakes for guests.

The happy bride and groom.

Chicken Scratch

My poor sister suffers from a case of chicken scratch, but she makes up for it in a variety of ways. She can bake a mean chocolate chip cookie, turn a lump of clay into a work of art and read my entire romance book collection in a matter of days. That's just the tip of the iceberg.

Alas, her chicken scratch prohibits her from writing letters because she is ashamed of her illegible penmanship. Never fear, I have found a solution. The Chicago Calligraphy Collective offers classes and workshops for those wanting to learn the art of calligraphy. Come to think of it, this would be great for the DIY bride.

Who knows, perhaps my sister could end up writing like this;)

Image from Bernard Maisner Calligraphy

Floral Art

Two of my favorite floral portrait artists are Sophie Coryndon and Mia Tarney. Both are shown at Lucy B. Campbell Fine Art in London. These beautiful anemones are so lifelike you can probably smell them. This painting is still available (hint, hint):

Anemones by Mia Tarney

Sophie Coryndon's work is intense and her level of detail is astonishing:

Big Wheel Allium by Sophie Coryndon

Love Letters

Reading Love in the Time of Cholera got me thinking about the art of correspondence. I love receiving hand written notes from friends and family; it just feels more personable and special than a phone call or email. Back when we were in college, Jack participated in a summer internship all the way in Kenya. He wrote me a letter everyday while he was gone and would snail mail them to me in small packages. We couldn't afford to talk long distance so I would hurriedly open his packages as if it were Christmas morning. Eight years later I still find the occasional note here and there tucked away near my laptop or on my night stand. They are more special to me than anything else I own and they are carefully wrapped and stowed away in a safe place. Despite my maudlin meanderings, take some time out of your day to write a little note to a friend, family member or colleague. I promise they will find it endearing. This article from the National Postal Museum does a great job at explaining the ritual of letter writing and why it's so special.

In order to take my letter writing to a more sophisticated level, I think a Da Vinci boxed set from Mrs. John L. Strong would do the trick. Check out the cedar pencils and beautiful hand-bordered note cards:

Or for fun, here's a set called "Seven Deadly Sins". As the site suggests, go ahead and decline brunch with "Sloth" or send a love note with "Lust":

Good Reads

I came across this wonderful site called Good Reads. You can share book recommendations with friends, write reviews and keep track of what you are reading and what you would like to read down the road. It's a virtual bookclub! It also keeps me motivated to peruse all those books I've been wanting to read but have been putting off. I just finished Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Here is my recommendation:

{A wonderful book... you can hardly go wrong with Gabito. This is one of those books that you read so fast because you can't put it down that you have to re-read it to make sure you soak it in fully. It's a love story albeit an anquished unrequited love set against the languid and sensual backdrop of the coast of Colombia. I may be a little biased given that it takes place where my mother was born...I get severe homesickness whenever I read any of GGM novels. The letters... oh the letters! As fanciful and romantic a story this may be, GGM also takes on a realistic portrayal of marriage. A favorite line that made me laugh out loud..., "The problem in public life is learning to overcome terror; the problem in married life is learning to overcome boredom." I think GGM may be on to something here:) I highly recommend this book!!!}

Priced out of an Education

Students beware. These gargoyles will eat you up and spit you out if you get anything below an A . Or if you don't pay up your tuition. The typical undergraduate student now pays $50,800 a year in tuition at University of Chicago. I guess we are all suckers for thinking a quality education should cost that much. Anyway, University of Chicago's campus is festooned with these grotesque but charming statues:

{Image via Flickr by way of mreioval}

Which leads me to being gently reminded by my loved ones to "get myself in gear" or Jack and I will be penniless hobos with the current rise in tuition. I prefer to scare my parents into thinking I could end up like Ignatius prowling the streets of New Orleans selling lucky dogs to unsuspecting tourists.

Francine Turk

I'm in awe of Francine Turk's charcoal drawings. I've been eyeing her stuff for quite some time and she has a studio in Chicago's historic prairie district not far from where we live. I just love the fluidity and emotion expressed in her drawings. I'm also thoroughly in love with her antique restored frames that accent but don't compete (barely) with her work. I would hang her work in my non-existent boudoir. Here are a couple of my favorites from her archives:

Here are a few of her installed pieces:

CTA and the Common Truant

{Image via Picasa by way of Patrick}

Big brother is watching you. More specifically the CTA. I don't know why I was shocked when I heard about this; perhaps I'm not as cynical as I thought I was. The CTA reduced-fare card has an embedded computer chip that records all your trip histories- not surprised there. But school officials are gleefully anticipating on using this card in partnership with the CTA to crack down on kids skipping class and to further monitor students in a pilot program starting this May at Carver Military Academy and Prosser Career Academy. What's next-having school officials embed computer chips into our kids?? I smell a lawsuit...

Introduction

I'm a city loving Colorado girl currently residing in Chicago with my wonderful partner in crime Jack. I started this blog so I could share my little musings on things that I am passionate about; objects, places, people that inspire and motivate me. Hopefully my friends and family and anyone else that reads along will find me somewhat interesting.

To get things started let's cue in the Sound of Music. These are a few of my favorite things: red velvet cupcakes from Swirlz, reading a good book/collecting books- well collecting anything, my family, making Jack laugh, 70 degree weather, brunch at Milk & Honey, iced mochas, my magazine subscriptions, thunderstorms, lilacs, naps, picnics, belgian beer, dark chocolate, visiting New Orleans or a new place, embarrasing my siblings, live music, double entendres, pretending to be Julia Child in the kitchen, letterpress stationary, and singing when nobody's watching. Phew.

To end this introduction on a sweet note feast your eyes on these little beauties: