Start Spreading the News, I'm leaving today...

Friends - today marks the beginning of my big adventure.  I'm finally leaving Chicago and moving back to New York.  I've decided to change the focus of this little space to document the journey.

The first year I lived in NY wasn't so great.  I worked crazy hours and didn't enjoy it as much as I should have.  I promise to do better this time around.

Plus I need to focus on something or I fear I'll just miss my dear ole Chicago. 

Velo Towel

I would buy this adorable towel from Velo at Branch, but would feel terrible using it to wipe up spills. 

LAMade

I'm loving this gray dress from LAMade: 

 If only I weren't saving all my pennies for the move...

  [Available here]

Wall Decorations

Did anyone else see this picture on Design Sponge and fall in love with the animal bust made of what looks like book pages?  Love. Love. Love.

DIY Dye Job on my Ikea Couch

I've had white Ikea Ektorp couches for the last two years, and the white has certainly seen better days.  After I move, I think I'm taking the plunge and dying the white slipcovers a navy or gunmetal gray color.  

No more anxiety while the boyfriend drinks red wine on the couch, thank you very much.
 

Jonathan Adler Wallpaper

I'm preparing for a big move to a new apartment!  A side effect of this whole process is that I now obsessively peruse design blogs and stores.  

I just found this great Jonathan Adler design PDA wallpaper, that's free!  I can't afford his actual wallpaper (a girl can dream!) but at least my blackberry is going to be chic.

Barn Yard Mobiles

[From Reform School Rules]

Keepon

This makes me happy:

Sailor Knots

I know I'm late to the game, but I love-love-love sailor knot jewelry lately.  I found a bracelet for 2 bucks (!) at a general store in Brooklyn and now I'm hooked.

Two things that fuel this obsession:

First, this beautiful necklace from Brooklyn Rehab on Etsy.  

And second, this great tutorial on how to DIY to your hearts content:

I'm back!

Apologies for the extended absence - friends.  I'm not sure what exactly caused my lengthy vacation.  Lets blame summer generally, and various big life happenings I'll clue you in to later. 

For the time being, I'm happy to be back posting and I'll leave you with my favorite summer print by Thomas Prior, available on 20x200.

Spring Earrings

All my most stylish friends have been sporting little flower earrings like these from anthropologie.

American Retro

I'm digging this coat from Penelope's.  The best part is that it's on mega sale right now.

Make Your Own Monster

My niece Halle turns 7 in a week or so, and I think this is what she's getting for her birthday!  It looks so fun.  Found at ReForm School.

Cynthia Rowley Pattern

This Cynthia Rowley pattern is officially #1 on my to-do list. 

Baggu Bag

I am really into the blue and white striped baggu bag.  The big one would be the perfect size for little weekend trips from NY and general shopping.

When we went to Vermont I ended up packing my clothes in a Macy's bag because I hate checking a bag and I couldn't fit a duffel or tote bag in my carry-on suit case.  This would solve that problem!

Book Recommendation

I picked up March at a little bookstore in Vermont and read a good bit of it waiting on the plane home to Chicago from Atlanta.  It's stellar.  Really great writing that's also really readable. 

Holy Grail

The circlet ring from Tiffany & Co is the epitome of lovely.

Granola Bar Care Packages

I did some baking today to make care packages.  I wrapped everything individually in saran wrap and then wrapped those up in butcher paper.  I wrote descriptions of each snack on a white mailing label and used that to secure the butcher paper.  And since everything looks better with baker's twine I tied on a little bow.

Girl with Balloons

{Found here}

Nautical

I went on a run yesterday by the lake and even though it was overcast and rainy it's nice that it's starting to warm up.  This new print from 20 x 200 is what it looks like in Chicago right now.

Red and White Pillow

I've been on a red and white kick lately and this pillow is lovely and lines up with my desire to not get out of my bed today. 

Secret Garden Terrarium

 

This terrarium, and the photograph of it, are lovely and make me smile. 

Blue Baby Hat

I made this hat for a friends toddler yesterday.  I had never done this stitch before but learned from a great YouTube channel called the Art of Crochet.  It's so helpful!  I followed the pattern almost exactly and then I added the little top poof for fun.

Sweet Home Chicago

After a few days in Atlanta for work this week, I'm flying back to Chicago in a few hours.  It'll be good to get home. 

Dose of Cute

Rabbit with rabbit hat is too cute for words. 

{Photo Credit}

Hair Clips

 

Flower hair clips are a new favorite thing.  For sure.  

{Spotted here}

Lovely Dresser

 

My mother will never understand it, but I really love painted furniture.  Spotted here.

Cicada Ring

 

I confess to a somewhat strange love of all things insect.  I don't think I could pull this off, but that doesn't make me love it any less. 

Banana Bars

 

Don't these look like perfect food for a sunny Sunday afternoon?  I think so!  I can't stop looking at the desserts from Cooking Light.  The recipe for these bars won the 2010 dessert competition.  That's enough of an endorsement for me. 

Carol Hannah goes Bridal!

I loved Carol Hannah on Project Runway last season.  I was happy to see she started a new Etsy shop to focus on bridal and wedding gear.

Pretty perfect for a summer wedding.  I might get one to wear to the weddings I'm invited to this summer.  They're lovely and a little more unique than my usual J Crew ensemble.

Derby Hat

I'm eyeing this swanky hat from Prance and Swagger for the Derby this year.  More on the Derby later...

Red and White Clutch

  Oh I like this very much. 

Seagulls

This reminds me of the boardwalk, and I like it.

DIY Braid

I'm sure the trend has passed, but I really want to learn to braid my own hair.  Luckily, Lucky Magazine has a how to video on their site.  Cheers to cute Friday hair!

LL Bean Signature Collection

Ever since a trip to Maine and a visit to the LL Bean store last year I've been a little obsessed with LL Bean.  Their new signature line that's launching March 15th looks...gorgeous!

They've pre-released a few items and I'm smitten with this lovely canvas tote bag.  It'd be perfect for little weekend getaways.  Sadly they're all sold out!

Heart Smart Cookies

I'm a big fan of the magazine Cooking Light.  Their award winning Chocolate-Cherry Heart Smart cookies are the first thing I'm baking as soon as I get back to Chicago this Friday.  Yipee!

You should check out the recipe here, if you love baked things as much as me.

Sound Advice

{From Dig The Earth}

Vintage Skirt

Lovely, lovely, lovely.  From Lea's Vintage.

LoVermont

 

Vermont was grand!  The weather was great and I bought my weight in maple syrup.  We spent a lot of time in the mountains and even got in a little tubing. 

{Photo Credit:  The National Archives.  Farmers gathering sap to make syrup.}

Paper Sampler

Oooh, this looks fun:

 

  

 

From Lovely Design.  50 grams worth of mixed paper cards for only eight dollars.  Officially on the wish list. 

School House Rock Vibe

I'm digging the school house rock vibe of this print from Renegade Handmade. 

Liberty of London Cruiser Bike

 While I do love a good Scwinn, I was tipped off about the Liberty of London for Target cruiser bike and I'm a little infatuated.  There's nothing I can think of like a good cruiser to usher in Spring...

Dinosaurs

 

I'm pretty over the moon for this.  Doesn't it make you smile?   

{Photo Credit}.

Seahorse Crochet

I'm a little in love with this Seahorse Crochet Kit by Jessica Polka (available on the Curiosity Shop).  It'd be the perfect little project for our road trip to Vermont! 

Card Catalogue

I'm a little in love with this old card catalogue cabinet found on City Foundry.

True fact:  I worked at the library in college on a card catalogue project. This picture makes me so nostalgic. 

Rhino Necklace

I don't think I could pull it off, but a large part of me loves this Rhino Necklace from Areaware.