dress up files - a chicago fashion blog: 2009

Oh the weather outside is frightful~

...but my steals are so delightful~

hee hee..okay that was a bit of a stretch but I love holiday music and was trying to find a way to incorporate it into this post.

Here are 2 recent purchases that are making me smile...

American Eagle Furry Vest, $49.50

I was searching high and low for a cute, affordable faux fur vest a la Rachel Zoe when I finally found THE one at American Eagle. The stores around me didn't have my size and they were all sold out online, which of course only made me want it that much more. I went to great lengths to get it but thanks to some great friends, I finally have it and love it! It is currently sold out online but keep checking the website. It sold out once before and they restocked it around Thanksgiving before it sold out again.

Members Only Zippette Bootie, Retails for $225 (what I paid = $50 baby!)

A Gilt Fuse steal!! If you still have not jumped on the Gilt, Gilt Fuse, Jetsetter bandwagon, what are you waiting for? Click here to sign up!

Gilt Groupe!

Recently, the internet has been inundated with these timed sample sales (Gilt Groupe, Ruelala, Hautelook, etc) but of them all, the original Gilt Groupe is by far, superior. They are all invite only shopping sites that sell luxury brands for up to 70% off retail! Once you become a member, they will email daily to let you know of the upcoming sales. Amazing designers like Rachel Roy, Phillip Lim, Marc Jacobs, Rebecca Taylor all at crazy discounts!

Just last week, I received my new Gilt-y (had to go there!) pleasure: Walter high waisted shorts for $28!!!

Walter shorts, Forever 21 animal print blouse, Club Monaco cardigan, Chanel handbag, Michael Kors Sandals

Here's your invitation to join Gilt Group. Just click HERE and happy shopping!!

Best Candle Ever!

Capri Blue Volcano Candle
$28, Anthropologie

I was never a big candle person until I got a whiff of this one. It is divine! I always have at least 3 or 4 dispersed around my home, ensuring that each room is smelling it's very best no matter what I made for dinner.

Colin Cowie once said that scented candles make great gifts and to just have a bunch already beautifully wrapped so you can just grab and go when you're in need of a quick gift. I took what he said to heart and have given this as a gift numerous times. Thanks Colin!

Next to each of my Capri Blue Volcano's, I have these gorgeous peacock matchboxes from The White Attic. The White Attic is a fantastic store in Bucktown & Andersonville that has refinished vintage furniture. Their pieces are so unique and beautifully done. They look brand new, except with a ton of character! These matchboxes look a lot better than the random restaurant matchbooks I used to use.

I know it's a bit pricier than the average candle but it lasts a long time and it smells that good.

summer time~

Enjoy the weekend ya'll!

Welcome Home Balenciaga!

I finally decided on a new handbag! Introducing...

Balenciaga Giant Part Time in Officier

There's so much to love about this bag: the color, the giant hardware, the incredibly soft lambskin...I could go on and on. It's pretty roomy so I can fit all the baby stuff in, it has shorter handles and a longer strap and best of all, I can hang it on my stroller!

back view

They say that women are either bag hags or shoe whores...guess which I am?

Baby A seems to approve as well! :)

Vintage Finds!

Drove to South Haven, Michigan for the weekend and found a fantastic vintage store: Murphy's Mall!
Here are some things that caught my eye!

Drop leaf table in a light celadon. I love the curved legs!

This was my friend, N's find: black dresser in the back

Mid-century style chair. I would paint this a fun, vibrant red and maybe place it near the doorway for putting on shoes?

Love these old fashioned fans!

Canisters! I love the lettering!

Gorgeous owl pin that my friend spotted!

It was hard to choose from so many great things. I came home with...

..a cameo pendant. I love cameos. There is just something so romantic and feminine about them. I plan to put it on a long, gold chain and pair it with more masculine elements like a dark blazer (sleeves rolled up of course).

I also got the friendliest owl pin ever! His glasses come up and down!

My third and last purchase of the day was this $18 find! I plan to repaint it in high gloss white and reupholster it in a more modern fabric. I'm nervous...this is my first big DIY refinishing project. I'll, of course post the after pictures when I'm all finished. I would love any tips or suggestions!

Old Navy Weekly!

So for the last couple of weeks, I have been obsessed with the Old Navy Weekly coupons. They update once a week but nobody knows when it will happen. You have to click around to find the good coupons and by good I mean $75 off $100 good. The good coupons are very limited so if you're not on your computer when it updates, you're out of luck. This week, I missed it by 15 minutes or so and ended up with a $50 off $100 coupon. Still pretty good! :)

The goods: me (dress, 2 tops), hubbie (2 shorts, 1 khakis, 1 shirt), baby a (hot bikini!) for a grand total of $56! That averages out to $7 per item!

For more info on Old Navy Weekly and how I find out about updates, leave a comment or question and I promise to respond! :) Happy shopping!

Chicago Antique Market

One of my favorite summertime activities is the Chicago Antique Market. It always starts on Memorial Day Weekend and reopens once a month until September. I love drooling over the antique furniture and imagining all the possibilities. I could spend hours picking through the cases of jewelry for that eye-catching piece. And if nothing else, there's live music, beer and polishes...what could be better?

a peek at the antique market

vintage chanels...probably fakes but still fun to look at!

last year, these hydrangeas went on sale at the end of the day to $1 each!!!

of course i had to bring some home!

The Chicago Antique Market is open this weekend. Check it out!!

Sarah's Home Tour

Sarah, of Hanuri Catering has an impeccable home, full of personal touches and attention to detail. She has a clean, contemporary style infused with a ton of vintage accents. It is unique, it is beautiful but mostly, it is so Sarah!

Clark sofa (Room and Board)

Vintage record player (Salvation Army)

vintage stool (Grandma), Korean pillow, clock (Thomas O'Brian), media stand (Dania)

switch plate (Anthropologie)

DIY Marimekko fabric art work

vintage phone

antique teacup collection (Brownstone Antiques)

dining room

antique chairs reupholstered in Maharam 20th century fabric

office

table (Dania), chairs (Knoll originals!)

storage/shelving (Ikea), lamp (JC Penney)

craft storage (Michaels), drawers (Ikea)

bathroom details: knobs (Anthropologie)

artwork (Renegade), towels (Restoration Hardware, ABC Carpet & Home)

espresso machine (Francis Francis), tiles (Ann Sacks)

Korean drum

living room

Hanuri Catering

My sister-in-law is the event planning maven behind Hanuri Catering.

Sarah's attention to detail and sense of style can be seen in all of her work. Her great taste extends beyond the kitchen and into every aspect of her home.

Watch out for Sarah's home tour to be posted in the next day or so!!

THE perfect summer sandal...

This time last year...I was prancing around Greece on the most amazing vaca ever! On the top of my to-do list in Athens was to pay a visit to Pantelis at Melissinos Art. Pantelis is a third generation sandal-maker. His father made sandals for Jackie-O (Love her!) and the Beatles, just to name a few.

Here's a picture of us with Pantelis. I was so excited to be at the store and sit in the exact chairs that the Beatles and Jackie-O sat on when they were fitted for sandals!

Here's Pantelis working on my Jackie-O's!

I got 2 pairs...the Jackie-O (shown at the top) and the Theta(pictured below). The best part is..they were so affordable at around $35-40 each. These hand crafted sandals are PERFECT for running around on hot, summer days and they are extremely comfortable.