Summa, Summa Summatiiime...

It's officially the first day of summer. So that means no more crappy weather...yea I'm talking to you Mother Nature. It's an order! I'm ready for some warmth and sunshine that lasts for days on end. Not a tease here and there with messy weather in between. To kick off summer 2011 this weekend, why not host a party poolside. Here's just a little inspiration to get you going.

All together now...POOL PARTY!!!

First: Suit up and dress the part:



Net-a-Porter




H&M



Tory Burch



Net-a-porter - 3.1 Phillip Lim



Old Navy


Next up: Cocktails and snacks




West Elm




West Elm



Crate and Barrel




West Elm

 Finally: Insert yourself lounging pool side by one of these lovelies

Happy Pool Partying!!! xxs

Living Room Redo

In just 2 months I will be packing up and moving to a new apartment. Most likely still somewhere in Chicago but...maybe not? Change is definitely in store and that may mean a state move so we shall see...but in anycase, I'm getting rid of all my old living room furniture and decor and starting anew. Here's what I'm thinking...and it's totally budget friendly. Thoughts?



Vase - Kate Spade; Chair - West Elm; Pillow - Etsy; Mirror - Z Gallerie; Zebra Hide Rug - Amazon; Lamp - Johnathan Adler; Sofa - Z Gallerie; Coffee Table - CB2; Apothecary Chest - Amazon



Gimme a little sugar, suga

What a cleaver and SWEET idea: Infused Sugar. With all the ongoing reports of the negative impacts of artificial sweeteners I'm saying good-bye to Sweet-n-Low and going back to the real deal. But what about giving it a little kick to this natural sweetener to add just the right hint of flavor. Citris sugar? Vanilla bean sugar? Cinnamon sugar? Yes please! Perfectly packaged in a old-fashioned glass pint jar/container, they also make the perfect summer gift/giveaway for guests for any party or wedding.

Simple Steps To Infused Sugar:

1. 2 cups granulated sugar
2. infuser (i.e. cinnamon, citris rind, vanilla bean, lavendar, mint, etc.)
3. layer sugar and infuser in pint jar
4. Infuse for one week
5. Store in air-tight container

Viola! Easy peasy and vintage chic.

Life

This blog for me has been really a place to express and share my ideas and thoughts on everything that has to do with style and decor. But occasionally I have made it a little personal and today is one of those days where I can't even pretend that the first thing I'm thinking about is a fabulous piece of decor I've found or a new fun idea  for party styling/entertaining. My thoughts are really with a close friend today and I will leave it at that.

Life is a crazy thing. For most, when you are young it's normal to be carefree and often times take for granted what's around you. But as you get older you start to face things in life that really make you realize that this one life we have to live is precious and not to dwell on the petty, little things. So surround yourself with loved ones as much as you can, notice the little things in life and eliminate those people that don't treat you with respect and kindness. The days tend to seem long sometimes but the years keep getting shorter...so make sure to hug your mom/dad/sister/brother/husband/wife/girlfriend/boyfriend/daughter/son/friend today for absolutely no reason at all other than just becuase.

Kate Spade Tableltop

By now you should know I'm a huge Kate Spade fan. Everything from handbags to accessories to shoes to clothing and now home. Check out some great pieces from the tabletop collection and other fabulous home decor items. I adore. Keep you eyes peeled for the launch of the bedding collection this summer! I can't wait.

32

Yep...it's officially my birthday! Let the festivities begin. For as long as I can remember, I have absolutely loved my birthday...even turning 30! While the majority of my friends were dreading the big 3-0 I was planning a bash to remember. But something strange happened last year when I turned 31...I was officially IN my 30s and it suddenly depressed me. And now 32...deeper into my 30s. After spending the last few weeks leading up to this day kind of depressed about my pending birthday, I realized, what for?! Sure, I'm not exactly where I thought I would be at 32 but that's life...it's a total crapshoot! Shit happens but after having a pity party moment you have to dust yourself off and fight for what you want in life because no one else is gonna do it for you. There are so many things I have to love about my life and I'm excited about the new adventures I'm embarking on this year. It's time to focus on that, not what's missing. One of the hardest lessons I have learned the last couple of years is to not compare my life to anyone elses. Just because it may appear that a friend's life is perfect, you don't necessarily know that from the outside looking in. The only story I have to be invested in, is my own. So...I have decided that this summer is going to be the Summer of Jen...starting with my bday. For the first time in a long time, I'm going be completely selfish and do ME (a line straight from Sammie from the Jersey Shore). I can't wait to head to NYC tomorrow with 3 of my favorite Chicago girls to visit 2 my favorite NYC girls for a weekend full of fun!!! xxs to all!

3 Things I'm Grateful To Have Had in the Last 32 Years of My Life:

My Health! Sure I've been a little more broken the last couple years with my back problems and now a stress fracture in my foot...I'll be rocking crutches this birthday and milking every second of it with the fellas. ;) But for the most part I have been lucky to be super healthy and active as a kid and young adult. Compared to what so many other people face in their lives, these are just minor setbacks I can overcome.

My FANTASTIC Female Friendships! The older I get, the more I realize that not all girls are lucky enough to have amazing girlfriends like I do. I'm not talking about girlfriends that you meet up with once in awhile to grab drinks or go out for a night on the town...it's more than that...it's those friendships that run SO deep it's scary. The ones where they can make you see a side of yourself you would have never uncovered on your own. The ones that have you rolling on the ground laughing at the most absurd things. The ones that you are so comfortable with you can be totally silly and raunchy without feeling dumb. I am so lucky to have a handful of amazing women in my life to lean on when the going gets tough and know they will pick me up when I crumble.

Click to Enlarge

My Mama! There's nothing like a mom and mine is my heart and soul. Not having a huge family, she's all I had for a while and I admire the things she does for me and my brother. I hope that one day I will be 1/2 the mother she is. :)



So here's to a kickass 32nd year of my life!

Birthday Ensembles

It's my birthday week! What, what! I'm heading back east to NYC to visit my 2 besties with some of my CHI girls for the weekend on Friday. That means partying like a rockstar and rockstar outfits to match. A peek at the 2 chosen ensembles for the weekend: 

Night One



Night Two



A Little B-Day Jam...