Europalooza!

The Val d' Iris vineyard in Provence.

Our go-to lunch in Fayence, Provence.

The village of Fayence, Provence.

Doors to the Fortress in Chinon, Loire Valley.

The Fortress looking down on the village of Chinon.

Out to dinner in Chinon with red-wine stained teeth... so worth it!

In Paris, even the street lamps are beautiful.

The view looking out of the Louvre.

Lovely Paris from our room.

Notre Dame Cathedral.

The amazing arches inside Notre Dame.  What a beautiful place.

The Arc de Triomphe.

Lady Eiffel at night.

My husband and I with our newly engaged James and Laura at Marché Aux Vins in Burgundy.

Les Gorges du Verdon in Provence.

The Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco.  James Bond would be proud!

We are going to take this blog in a new direction... we all need a fresh perspective every once and and while. This blog is going to be a little more life and a little less fashion. (don't' get me wrong, there will still be plenty of fashion)  

So here we go... I just got back from the most amazing trip to France, Monaco, and Spain!  A second honeymoon of sorts, it will be 7 years this year after all!  It was my first time to Europe and it is so surreal to see such beauty and know that it has been there for centuries.  

We had such a great trip... but it wasn't without a few hiccups.  I don't think I've mentioned this, but I have the WORST luck ever! I mean epically bad! In the course of 19 days we...

-Fraudulent charges on our debit card for around $900

-Missed our first flight because of traffic

-Scratched our (uninsured) rental car on a beautiful but oddly shaped fence

-Filled the same rental car with Sans-plom (Unleaded) only to realize later it was diesel 

-Had my husband's brand new iPhone 4s pickpocket by a prostitute in a bar in Barcelona (Which is why I don't have any pictures of Nice or Barcelona... yet!)

-Got food poisoning from the McDonald's at the Barcelona airport and were terribly sick the WHOLE flight back.

Despite all this, it was still the best trip of my life!  I can't wait to go back!

 

Back in Action!

Hello there!! It's been a while! I'm so sorry about the embarrassingly long hiatus!!!!  After the big move from Chicago to New York it took a few months to settle in and catch my footing. It has been a total whirlwind!! I am working a couple days a week at a fashion PR agency and it has been so great, I'm learning so much!  I am working with a great new line called R.P.S that is launching for Spring 2011!!  It will be available at Fred Segal, Lulu's, and RevolveClothing.  

Here are a few pictures of their first collection...Enjoy!

Lovely Lady

Yes, I know it has been almost 2 months since my last post!! Ahhhh... Sorry!!! So much has happened! I am now a resident of Manhattan, living in a fourth floor walk-up on the Upper East Side.  It has been such an adventure already... quite the adjustment from Chicago! What I have noticed here lately (and it could be because of the horrible heat we've been having) is that some of the normally very fashionable girls are looking more sloppy than downtown chic.  There is a remedy on the way and I was happily reminded by the latest editorials of the polished, 1950s-esque, ladylike pieces that covered the fall runways.  Beautiful jackets, cigarette pants, full skirts, belts, pumps... 

I'm just so excited!!!

Photos: Mona Johannesson by Jimmy Backius for Elle Sweden via fashiongonerogue

BIG NEWS...

 

I know, I know... It's been over a month since my last post. Embarrassing.  But...I have big, BIG news: I'm a soon-to-be New Yorker!!!  In less than 3 weeks, I'll be in my new Manhattan apartment!  So thrilled!!!  The planning for this monumental event didn't leave much time to post, as you can probably imagine.  I am so excited to take this blog to a new city... 

THE fashion city!

Photos: Hartje Andresen by Jefferey Jones for QVEST via fashiongonerogue

Perfectly Priced Posen!!

I know it has been waaaay too long since my last post.... deepest apologies.  Crazy and exciting things are happening.... stay tuned. ;)  I'm alive... but dying over the new line Zac Posen is launching for Target!!!!!! I've always lusted after Zac Posen's perfectly tailored creations but they were always out of reach.  So imagine my joy when I heard of his collaboration with Target!  Finally, a Posen that I can acquire!! You better believe I will be up at the crack of dawn on Sunday to get my hands on a few choice pieces! Can't wait!

Work it out!

The weather is finally nice here in Chicago.  Although I am relieved that I can ditch my winter coat it is also a painful reminder that swimsuit season is around the corner!!!  I saw this spread and wish I looked as stylish and sexy when I work out... reality is I turn bright red and sweat like crazy in my old tee and yoga pants.  In any case, once this ankle heals I've got some work to do.  Bikini... here I come!!! ;)

Photos: Eniko Mihalik by Alasdair McLellan for Gentlewoman Magazine