2014

What? It's already 2014?! 

2013 flew by and here I am three months without a blog post. Considering I moved into a home, traveled 8000 miles from home to the Philippines (post to come) and am planning a wedding, I have just been trying to catch up with the day to day. Grateful for everything that 2013 brought and looking forward to sharing more of my Chicago experiences in 2014!

Here's what I've been up to this last month: polar vortex snap shooting from the sky, perusing town for wedding fabric and home goods decor at the Grand Ave Design District, window shopping, eating (per the usual) and getting gussied up for a formal event downtown. More to come from this last month!

Shot taken on January 14th

Stella McCartney beauties that have been added to my wish list via Saks Michigan Ave

West Loop Goodwill find

Mindy's Hot Chocolate late night goodness

Eenie meenie miney moe.  J Crew, Sue Wong and Asos

XOXO, IN LOVE WITH CHICAGO

At Home

We've been making a few little home updates here and there in the apartment with the help of Voluspa, Colonial Antique Mall, an antique mall in the north west suburb Woodstock, and trusty ol' West Elm. It's all in the details and doesn't have to cost a lot to make a big impact!

On sale still here

Urban Oasis

So I didn't win.

The winner of the HGTV Urban Oasis of 2011 Giveaway Sweepstakes won apartment in the highly coveted Trump International Hotel & Tower® Chicago, designed by Vern Yip. The luxury apartment, which has uninhibited views of the architecture of Chicago from the sky high 35th floor, boasts a contemporary look with classic Chicago details. The sweepstakes ran from August to October and you could enter on both HGTV.com and Frontdoor.com twice a day. And of course I did. Everyday. Twice a day. I had it all planned out...calculated the property tax that I would pay each year, picked out the small apartment purse dog that I would have to buy to fit in with the neighbors, thought of themes for a house warming party...sigh. I selfishly didn't post anything about this to increase my chances of winning. I know. I'm a lunatic.

So back to the apartment itself. I am a sucker for knick nacks and Vern Yip is indeed a knick nack genius. He used details to add to the otherwise contemporary design from the Chicago Botanic Garden, Frank Lloyd Wright inspirations, a piece salvaged from an old Chicago ice cream parlor, photos of Chicago landmarks (and not in the typical cheesy way) and the list goes on and on. As for the Trump Tower amenities? To say that the resident's of the towers live in luxury is quite an understatement with the ridiculous amenities they have on site...53 spa rooms, a health club on the 14th floor, Sixteen, a Michelin-rated restaurant, a lounge and bar, Reba and access to all hotel concierge services, including in-room dining, housekeeping, valet and babysitting.....see why I was so crazy about this?! Starting to save my pennies meow!

[photos courtesy of www.HGTV.com/Urban-Oasis)

blue

A few new blue home accents that I picked up over the weekend....

Spoon holder from World Market for $3.95. Was pretty excited when I flipped this baby over and saw the price

Hand-me-down dining chairs. [Armani Casa]

Roundabout Rug from CB2I know these aren't "home accents", but couldn't turn down a good deal WHILE shopping for home goods
Happy Monday!

sneak peek

We finally moved into the new West Town digs this weekend. More photos to come! View from our living room. [Photo courtesy of the BF and his Lightroom skills]

Love the french doors that lead to our bedroom

Character

A little NYC love

My fridge doesn't have a lick of food in it yet, but better believe that I can't live without my pressed coffee in the morning!