Love from Kentucky

Yesterday is always one of the saddest days of the year because it means it's almost an entire year until the next derby.  That being said, Derby 139 (well four for our group) was as a marvelous time. 

Me at the Oaks

Derby Week Love

The week that I have long-awaited is finally here!  I just have to get through 3 and 1/2 (well now only 2 1/2) days of work and it will be time to depart for the Derby!  I have made some last minute decisions that may shock you.  I am sticking with my French Connection Derby dress mentioned here and my hat I bought a few weeks back BUT I am going in a different direction with my Oaks dress.

Pocket Square Love

In preparation for our upcoming Kentucky Derby trip (24 days!!!!) I am working on a project for my friend Dan, one of the people I take the trip with.  You may recall that last month I posted about some darling vintage fabric I found while looking for fabric to make Dan a pocket square.  I like the fabric very much but unfortunately the colors don't match Dan's outfit.  We decided to try recreating the pattern on plain white fabric in the pastel hues we were looking for.  You follow?  For a refresher here is the original fabric I ordered: 

Sooo charming!

Bridesmaid Love

My weekend was very fun and eventful and productive.  How was yours?  I always used to take Amtrak from Milwaukee (or Sturtevant) to Chicago but for the last year or so I have gotten more into taking the Metra from Kenosha.  For those of you not familiar, the Metra is Chicago's suburban rail system.  It has 11 different lines stretching out from Chicago in every direction.  Well, not east because that would be into the lake. 

Travel Love

Dinner last night turned out great!  The casserole was delicious and I would have to dub the Stevia experiment a success.  From what I read, for baking applications, Stevia only recommends you substitute it for half the sugar in a recipe as it's much drier than regular sugar.  We tend to think of sugar as being dry because it's um, dry but in recipes it lends moisture. 

Sleep Love

Last night I had the pleasure of attending my friend's sweet son's fourth grade concert and it was so much fun!  I am so lucky to have Rachel and her family in my life and cannot wait for them to welcome their new little angel in a few weeks.  And wow, Dickinson Elementary puts on a good show! 

Daily Outift Love

Happy first day of Spring.  It doesn't feel like it here but in honor of the occasion I wore a sundress:

Navy and pink striped sundress from Target

Shoe Love

Like most girls in the world, I like shoes.  I kind of don't like to talk about it because it's such a cliche to be a girl and like shoes but I guess it's one of those things that's a cliche because it's true.  As I've mentioned before, I really like Tory Burch Reva flats.  I have them in brown and navy and they seem to go with everything.  Except socks.  I would NEVER wear them with socks. 

Bridal Love + Fun in Chicago

What a fantastic weekend.  As I have mentioned before I went to law school in Chicago and lived there after for about a year and a half.  Many of my close friends still live in the city so I usually visit about once a month.  My visit last weekend was for two very special reasons: 1) wedding dress shopping for my dear friend Lisa, and 2) seeing the Book of Mormon with my friends Alexa and Jamie.  Let's start at the very beginning (a very good place to start per Fraulein Maria). 

Cape Love

I have wanted a cape for awhile but I could not find one that suited me.  Then around Thanksgiving I was purchasing fabric for some holiday sewing projects and I spotted the most lovely plaid wool.  It was a little expensive compared to what I usually spend on fabric but it was so pretty I had to have it.  I looked at the fabric store for a suitable cape pattern but really could not find anything I liked.  They were all too fussy or old ladyish and I wanted something very simple and classic with slits in the front to stick my hands through. 

Winter Fashion Love

Many people believe that winter and fashion simply don't go together.  However, as a life-long resident of the midwest I have to politely disagree.  Winter fashion is certainly different than summer but it is full of opportunities for self-expression and personal style.  My personal favorite aspects of winter fashion are coats and the requisite panoply of winter accessories.  For me this includes, mittens, gloves, headbands, scarves, hats, earmuffs and boots. 

Love from DC

Hi friends! I'm writing to you from our nation's capitol! I'm typing this on my iPad after a few glasses of wine so pardon any spelling or grammatical errors. If I mess up there/their/they're or your/you're feel free to castigate me. That's unforgivable. I'm watching Say Yes to the Dress. I love that show! I'm here for a work conference and got in late last night. They upgraded me to a lovely suite which was very kind so I feel like a total baller. So, I work in higher ed. I am continually struck by how unstylish ladies and for that matter gentleman in this field dress. Being smart and being stylish are not mutually exclusive! Look at me! Today I saw: an un-ironic fanny pack, a mini-backpack which honestly may be more offensive than the fanny pack, an un-ironic mullet (on a girl !!!), and a whole world of ugly footwear. Seriously if you are smart enough to earn a PhD how can you be so ignorant of fashion? It upsets me. After my conference I ran to F21. I believe I've alluded to my affection for F21 and some of you may be puzzled by this. I certainly wouldn't buy ALL my clothes there but I am totally not averse to fast fashion and it is a great resource for trendier pieces. Case in point: I bought a pair of hot pink jeans there! Going to pair them with a navy J. Crew sweater with a kitty on it and Tory Burch flats on the plane. Later I met up with my dear friend Nina for tapas. We had a fantastic time catching up and I fully forgive her for taking me to the same place (Jaleo) twice. It was delish! The conference has been good and over all I've had a great trip but I'm looking forward to getting home tomorrow and celebrating Jeremy's 30th!!! What do you like to do in DC? Do you judge me for shopping at F21? Do you like tapas?

Daily Outfit Love

Ombre chambray ombre chambray

I love the idea of documenting what I wear every day but I'm a little lazy to actually do it.  When I was in high school and law school I got into writing down my outfits every day for reasons I can't really recall. 

Thrift Store Love

Adorable!  

I am an unabashed thrift store junkie.  I can not resist the thrill of the hunt.  My favorite thrift stores are dirty and disorganized and full of junk.  I love finding the one great item amidst all the trash.  It's so rewarding! 

Derby Love continued

2010 Derby dress

I had intended to describe my Derby and Oaks outfit yesterday but the post got a little long with all the details of my Friday outfit so I'll finish it off today.  For a Derby outfit I like something that is either very pastel and/or preppy. 

Derby Love

One of my very favorite spring activities is my annual trip with friends to the Kentucky Derby.  This year will be our fourth trip and I am pretty sure it will be the best one yet.  Mostly because we have the best seats ever this year on the second level right on the rail and because it seems like every year we learn more and have a better trip.  But, I am also excited because I LOVE picking out outfits for the Derby and the Kentucky Oaks on Friday.