Frontera

I went to Frontera Grill over the weekend, Rick Bayless's restaurant. The food was incredible, it was so fresh tasting and really spicy. My aunt is a caterer and worked with him last weekend on a big fancy wedding in Rhode Island, so when we went this weekend, they gave us this beautiful dessert plate. The flan was by far my favorite, but I can't say I didn't enjoy the chocolate pecan pie or the sorbet and fruit tart combo.

I really need to eat like this more often.

Picnic Triptych

I would like to point out how difficult it is to photograph animals. They really hate looking at the camera, and you end up doing goofy things like this in attempts to capture them on film.

I had no such luck. My dogs... not models.

Wearing: Anthropologie Tunic, Thrifted Cutoffs, Dolce Vita Sandals (barely visible)

It's memorial day and I have the day off! That means, picnics and sunshine for me.

Happy Memorial Day! 

Hope all of you are spending it well with your families and the summertime weather!

Summer Shapes

Wearing: Urban Outfitter Shorts, Michael Kors Sandals, Vintage Top, Necklace, and Scarf  worn as a belt

It finally feels like summer it was close to 80 degrees today and sunny. 

I had so much fun layering on top, but still managing bare shoulders and two crazy prints.

I have a small gripe with the April Vogue, I know... late. So it claims to be the "shape issue" embracing all different shapes of normal women. There's a section on short, tall, athletic, curvy, and skinny. Where's the part for the normal girls? The ones like me who are 5'6" and don't really fit into any of the above categories.

And.. on top of it, the editorials are still all featuring standard model-sized models. Its disappointing to realize that natural beauty and size is only okay when its used to sell magazines. :(

Summer in the City

This is why Chicago is the best city. It looks like this. Thank you Frank Lloyd Wright! This is for sure the only city in the world that has prairie flowers overwhelming skyscrapers.

This is a view from a reflection stream in Millenium Park. We went to the Art Institute to see the new Modern Wing, which is absolutely amazing. It's totally beautiful, very sleek and white, and houses about twice as much modern art as was in the museum previously. Best of all.. Its totally free forever. If your ever in Chicago.. you must check it out.

Wearing: Urban Outfitters Shorts and Sweater, Lark and Wolf Oxford, Michael Kors Shoes, Vintage backpack

We went and sat by the lake for a bit. The sailboats looked so beautiful against the deep blue water. I felt that despite the rediculous color palette of my outfit, it looked rather east-coast country club. I haven't unpacked a thing since moving back home, so I really didn't have a whole lot of options. Despite the plain aspect of the outfit,  it was comfortable and the colors were super goofy!

And this is my boyfriend  Michael... he was my companion on my city adventure yesterday. He takes all my wonderful pictures and is just as fun as he is adorable. He also takes the crown as the best shopping buddy ever. He successfully talked me out of every single item I considered, including the perfect yellow silk ruffle tunic.. 

I dreamed about it last night, but really shouldn't be spending any money before my big trip, so I'll take it as a minor loss.

Overall.. best first summer day in the city yet!

Tuxedo

Wearing: Anthropologie Dress, Australia Sweater

My brother went to his senior prom and this is before picture time. He looked so dapper in his tuxedo. My mom insisted on taking a picture of the two of us, and this was us, giving some sass.

I just came home for the summer today, and it's so weird being home. There's a ton of food and its always really quiet. Totally different from school. 

I also.. purchased a new camera and have been taking pictures like this...

Hooray its finally summer!!

Thunderstorms and Lightning Wars

One of my favorite forms of fashion inspiration is art, both contemporary and classical. I absolutely love finding pieces and have them remind me of artworks I've studied before or visited in a museum. This dress by Maje immediately reminded me of this painting  "Ophelia" by John Millais in 1850. I think it has something to do with the painterly floral pattern of the dress and how it appears to be hidden beneath clear water. The pleating also echos to the movement of the river. Though the Ophelia painting is rather dark, the pastoral setting matches this dress, as far as I can see. If I wanted to dress as this painting, I would most definitely wear this dress!

Momma Hen

So since it is Mother's day and all, I felt it very appropriate to post about how wonderful my mother is. 

She is my biggest fan and supporter. She's taught me how to sew and create.

But most importantly, she's taught me the value of kindness. She truly is the kindest, most caring person I have ever met and I am so lucky to have such a wonderful mother.

Even better than that.. she's my best friend too!

p.s. sorry mom about the old picture :)

Flitterfly

Image via We Heart It

Finals week is when I wish most that I was a fairy. Particularly so I could spend this sunny 80 degree day flying amongst the trees and having tea on flowers, rather than sitting in a library staring blankly at math I don't understand and writing papers about aesthetic theory.

I'll be back with some regular posting by monday hopefully...

Chromatic Schematic

(Wearing: BDG Tee, Gap Skirt, Michael Kors Sandals)

It is a very rare day that I wear black, let alone only black and white, but the hazy day and the stressful undertones of the last Monday of the school year called for it. These photographs were taken by a side door on a house from around 1860. I love old houses like this where the paint is chipping and you can't help but wonder what it was like when it was first built. Even the windows look original. They're so thick and bumpy. It gives me kind of a haunted feeling, similarly to grey days.

Life at the Cafe

As finals are approaching, I'm finding myself spending more and more time at cafes. Trying to stay awake while indulging in tea and coffee is probably my favorite part about finals ( if its even allowed to have a favorite part). Well, when I was stumbling through Rodney Smith's photo archive, I came across these two photographs. While normally his photography stuns me for its surrealistic qualities and clever use of umbrellas. I thought that these two photos were particularly relevant to my cafe indulgent week ahead.

I also fell in love with the contrast between the black and white Parisian cafe, and the vibrant colorful Italian Cafe. I kept trying to think of the statement being made of whether one is better than the other, but I found that is not the case. Both are beautiful for their own reasons independently. The Parisian woman in her white ball gown looks like something out of day dream, while the Italians remind one of a pleasant afternoon laughing with friends. Both are lovely in their own respects. I also think that the juxtaposition of the two says something of black and white vs. color. Neither is more appropriate than the other.

 Life is both, so wear both. Your surroundings and the atmosphere will color themselves to match.