My Favorite Parrot Dress

 

Amelia Island

 

If you are anything like me, you hate the frigid weather that the Midwest (Chicago, I’m looking at you) brings in the Winter months. With DJ getting his MBA at Booth and working full time + me getting my Masters and working part-time, we decided that a mini-vacation to a warm place was much needed. We wanted to try a place neither of us had ever been before so we settled on Amelia Island, more specifically the gorgeous Ritz Carlton.

I posted this same photo above on my Instagram a few days ago and got some questions on my dress so I thought I would share it here! While this dress isn’t current season, it will always be one of my favorites. We weren’t expecting to take any (professional) photos on our trip, but spontaneously decided to last minute and this playful parrot print dress worked perfectly! I don’t often wear tight pieces, but I love how Milly makes dresses for women with curves.

 

Amelia Island

 

me

 

 

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On DJ: Lacoste for JCrew White Polo | JCrew  404 Stretch Jeans | Sperry Boat Shoe

 

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Dress: Milly (Similar: here, here!) | Wedges: Tory Burch (Similar: here, here!) | Bangle: Hermes | Watch: Rolex |

 

If you have any suggestions on some fun, form fitting Summer dresses- I would love to hear them!

<3 Al

Little Red Christmas Bag

Al Plus Lex

Little Red Prada Bag

Al PLus Lex

Little Red Prada Bag

 

Al Plus Lex

Hat: JCrew (New style here) | Long-sleeve Top: Free People | Vest: Nordstrom (Love these here and here) | Jeans: J Brand | Boots: Tory Burch (Loving these dressed up tassel boots and these for sloshing through the Chicago snow) | Bag: Prada

 

Lexi and I met a few weeks ago on Southport. We walked by the prettiest Christmas decorations right off the main street and a cute red door in an old brick building. I got this vest last year from Nordstrom for easy layering while working in Park City at Sundance Film Festival. Park City has tricky weather because there is a ton of snow, but it stays in the 50s (at least when I have been there!)

I got this little red Prada bag when I was in Milan this past November with my parents. It was a quick trip, but my mom and I spent four straight days shopping and I think I died a little (a lot) and went to heaven. Each store was set up like an art gallery and was truly an experience in itself. I have always been in love with these cute pint-sized bags and as soon as I walked into Prada, knew that one was coming home on my arm.

In my current bag collection I mostly have blacks and nudes that are timeless and will pair well with anything. I chose to go with the little red bag because it still acts as a neutral, pairing well with almost anything you put on.

This little red Prada bag has quickly become my go-to Winter accessory- what is yours?

 

<3 Al

Photos: Theresa Ferrell

Not Your Average Snowboot

With the first real snowfall of winter hitting Chicago hard the last few days, it left me with a style dilemma: to Ugg or not to Ugg? I haven’t worn Uggs in public in two years, but these last few days have tested my devotion to looking stylish top to bottom. The powdery white fluff left me pulling old favorites out of my closet; my beloved Nike duck boots, Tory Burch fur lined wedges, and beat up Air Force 1 sneakers. While I am often guilty of leaving my boots at coat check and swapping in heels, my tried and true options allow me to not worry about schlepping around more than I have to. Here are the best, stylish, boots out there right now that will allow you to get around without falling flat on your ass.

 

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1. Nokian, Warm Boot. 2. Sorel, Joan of Arctic Wedge Boot. 3. Nike, Air Force 1 Duckboot (Men’s Style.) 4. Aquatalie, Chance Boot. 5. Hunter, Original Shearling Boots. 6. IRO, Hannah Shearling flat Boot. 7. Alexander Wang, Anouch Chelsea Boot. 8. Nokian, Wedge Ankle Boot.

Back To School (Get It?!)

 

I don’t think I have worn a backpack since my first year of middle school. I’m not sure why, but my 13 year old self deemed them uncool at an early age. Instead, I chose to sport tote bag upon tote bag, sore shoulder and all.

Little did I know, a backpack doesn’t have to be unfashionable. It can add a pop to an otherwise drab outfit, and spare you the discomfort of switching your heavy bag from shoulder to shoulder. Since school starts back up in a month, (like we really need classes starting as an excuse to buy a new bag…pshhh) I’m bringing you my favorite backpacks for Fall. My personal favorite right now is by Rebecca Minkoff and comes in a variety of colors, although I settled on a medium grey with pink stitching. Check it!

 

back pack round up1. Rebecca Minkoff BikeShare Backpack. 2. Loeffler Randall Lock Backpack. 3. Milly Avery Backpack. 4. Herschel Camo Survey Backpack. 5. Alexander Wang Prisma Skeletal Backpack. 6. Tory Burch Viva Backpack.

What’s In My Bag: Lollapalooza Edition

 

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Bag: Vintage Gucci. Silver Pouch: Pinch Provisions Minimergency Kit. Wallet: Tory Burch. Card Holder: Louie Vuitton. Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Aviator. Bronzing Blotting Wipes: Mai Couture in Sin City. UBER Free Ride Card.

A Very Preppy Date Night

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If there was one designer I never thought I would wear, Lilly Pulitzer would be it. As a girl that only recently embraced any color other than black, white, and certain shades of grey, Pulitzer’s designs are foreign to me. Unfortunately, head to toe black for a summer date night is not really an option.

I love the fun of going out, but not necessarily the prep. This is where a summer dress comes in, because it’s as easy as day to night. I’ve mentioned my beloved white Birkenstocks before, but they make the perfect day shoe. Before dinner, I switched into nude wedges and added a fun clutch.

Sometimes, accessories can be as simple as glowing skin and a simple piece of jewelery. I might be able to help you out with that, because you can check out my Instagram and enter to win a HUGE giveaway haul. May the odds be ever in your favor!

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Sunglasses: Ray-Ban. Dress: Lilly Pulitzer. Bag: Sophia Webster. Wedges: Tory Burch (Similar.)

 

 

 

 

 

Photos: Joe Horejs

Favorite Look: Tory Burch Fall 2014 RTW

Updated Cher Horowitz From Clueless…see it?

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Photo via Style.com

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Tory Burch: Holiday Brilliance

November 2013

While I am usually not a fan of Tory Burch’s clothing, I was pleasantly surprised with the Holiday 2013 lookbook. As a die hard TB boot fan, I was ecstatic. The colors are surprisingly dark, and feature layers of silk and wool which is the way to my heart. The holiday season means many holiday parties, and Burch nailed it for me with her glammed up separates including jeweled sweaters and floor length black skirts. The details also grabbed my attention with lace appliques and V backs that show off unexpected skin. Blush pink tones and black satin came together for beautiful pairings and I could not be happier.

Burch’s Holiday collection can be broken down into a few different main components. While there is nothing that I do not love, I particularly liked a few of the themes. “The new black tie” is a main focus of the collection. Black tie can be very drab and generic, so I loved that Tory Burch is trying to mix it up. I think separates, when paired the right way, can be black tie appropriate. While I am not usually a fan of blush colored clothing, this collection changed my mind. In particular, the floor length pleated skirt. I think this season was a step in the right direction for Tory Burch, and was happy to not see her logo blown up on cashmere sweaters with every outfit. I guess we’ll see if she continues down this path…because I sure hope so.