Rustic, Country-Chic Cottage

My love of rustic, country style is not a secret. I am not ashamed - not anymore anyway. I blame my mother and her love of the outdoors paired with her love of Country Living magazine for my love of Country Living magazine. I remember growing up and thumbing through it's pages in the small cabin home we have in Wisconsin that my mom decorated with the most well-edited collection of thrift store finds. Now I find myself flipping through slideshows of perfectly placed milk jugs and reclaimed wood walls on their website. Damn you Country Living, you make living in the country see so much more glamorous to a city girl.

Anyway, enough reminiscing. I stumbled across this cottage revival on the website and had to share because it caught my eye with all the things I love - reclaimed wood, teal, vintage charm.

What I Wore: The Wishing for Spring Edition

Spring, oh spring, where art thou? It's time right? The weather gods are just messing with us? I would love to me able to walk outside in a light jacket again (or no jacket, but I'm asking for baby steps here). It's going to warm up to a sunny 50 degrees this weekend and in an effort to break away from winter, I'm busting out the light sweaters and floral prints!

What I Wore: The Let It Snow Edition

It's snowing! Okay, not right this second, but it's been snowing in Chicago for the past couple of days. I keep going back and forth on whether this is a reason to be happy or sad. Two days ago, when I almost slammed into the back of a car trying to break while going 15 miles per hour, it made me sad. Today, it ain't so bad.

Monday Design: Winter Perfect Pastels

So in the midst of getting over the death flu that everyone has contracted, I've been spending a lot of time at home scheming and plotting design changes for my apartment (an apartment that I might be moving out of in April, yes, I'm insane). This past weekend I finally started repainting the walls and it was super exciting! It's amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do. Now, I've been living in a sort of Barney playroom apartment with every room being two different colors for a little over a year. I also had pretty bright colored furniture for a while from a time where I lived in a dark basement apartment. Well, the bright red couch has been replaced with a subtle grey one and the walls are going back to white! Now my biggest dilemma is what color scheme I want to change to.

After a year of living in a rainbow, I've been really drawn in to subtle color palates which is why this pastel home decor really caught me eye. I love that there are still splashes of color but it's all so subtle that the design is still clean.

Tuesday Trendspotting: Summer Wedges

Okay, okay, I know I'm a little early, but it's been so unseasonably warm here in Chicago that it's been impossible for me to not think about summer fashion. These shoes are perfect for Spring too! But, there is just something about a good sandal wedge that makes me think of summer! Check it out, they're open and airy while giving you the lift of heels BUT are more casual. What better shoe to wear to a summer barbecue? This puppies won't sink into the grass (because let's face it, that is SO annoying). 

So I quickly pulled out some favorites that I would love the add to my closet if I had some extra pocket cash to spend on 7 new pairs of shoes. As much as I love the orange and red pair, they actually replaced another teal wedge I put in but took out because I thought I was over-doing the teal. I guess that means teal is going to be my color of the year huh? Anyway, I'm ready to retire my sweaters for the season and pop back into those colorful wedges paired with mini skirts! It's about to get scandalous on here guys.

Tell me, what's your favorite summer accessory?

Summer Wedges by blacknblue featuring denim short shorts

Wrap shirt
$368 - aliceandolivia.com

Crop top
$60 - topshop.com

Miss Selfridge denim short shorts
$44 - missselfridge.com

Shoes
$109 - modcloth.com

Steve Madden platform sandals
$100 - heels.com

ALDO leather sandals
$81 - asos.com

Steve madden sandals
$100 - endless.com

ASOS lace up heels
$107 - asos.com

Steve madden sandals
$90 - stevemadden.com

Dorothy Perkins red wedge
$75 - dorothyperkins.com

Kendra Scott feather jewelry
kendrascott.com

What I Wore Wednesday: Vintage Diane Von Furstenburg Edition

Today's outfit post is featuring another dress handpicked from my Etsy shop and this was definitely one of my favorite finds. This little teal Diane Von Furstenburg vintage dress was an amazing find. It's still in pretty great vintage condition. The silk has no pulls, rips, or tears, but the elastic waist band has lost it's elasticity. Fortunately, a well placed belt around the waist fixes that little problem. I know you can't really tell in these pictures, but this teal dress has tiny purple triangles all over it.

I love the collar on this dress, it's so simple and feminine you almost don't even notice it. But I guess you have to say that this vintage dress is a softer take on a button down shirt dress. The silk makes it very flowy and soft. 

Sunday iPhone Outfit

So since the gathering the equipment and personnel necessary to do a photo shoot is so difficult, by that I mean finding a day that both my boyfriend and I have off together, I'm going to do an iPhone outfit a week. Yay iPhones! Mostly because you guys seem to love the outfit posts. And that's not just me being vain, blogger showed me the numbers.

So here's attempt number 1!

Dark teal jeans: Flying Monkey

Shirt: Lush
Boots: Wanted

 

 So this was a little weird. My jeans found Jesus. But you know, I have to give respect to a company who utilizes their merchandise to promote what they believe in, as long as it's a good thing. For example, I will not buy jeans that promote killing baby seals, but I'm cool with God. So good for you Flying Monkey! I may not agree with you, but you make some great jeans so thanks.

That's my two cents of the day, see you kids later!