yes please.

a visit.

My friend Helen came up from Chicago for a visit Tuesday. She owns a company that reps for different clothing lines like Dear Creatures and Erika Weiner. We had so much fun going to antique shops and eating at all my favorite restaurants in Duluth. She's so sweet and brought me some clothing samples from last season including this romper (but the striped one) which I think I will be wearing with a long black cardi. I'm so fortunate to have such amazing friends in my life and when they happen to deal clothes for a living? Well that's just icing on the cake.
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On a different note, one of my favorite Etsy shops Goodwiu Vintage is having a closing sale. I scored this pretty pink vest from Caroline's shop the other day. Everything is name your price so go check it out!

a small collection.

Did you know Alyson Fox's spring collection is now available for purchase?! I didn't until I read this post. I was shocked to see things still available. How great are the prints? And the turquoise necklace? Is anyone surprised at how affordable the jewelry is? uuughhhh. I'm trying SO HARD not spend money, but this is not making it easier.

Wiksten Spring 2010

I'm going gaga over Jenny's spring collection.

I want it ALL. Especially the blue ikat blouse.

see more of her lovely photo shoot here.
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red skirt.

remember when I bought this skirt for a few dollars?
it's going to be in the 60s today so maybe i can finally wear it!
i think it looks best with grey so far. now i just need a tan....

summer comfort.

I'm going to be doing a lot of sailing this summer (finger crossed). This striped dress with my vintage topsiders would look oh so nice on the boat me thinks.

Am I ready to finally sport a romper this summer?

I would like to ease into that relationship starting with picnics and Sunday drives.
Versatile and easy. Love the color on this dress too.
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Someone asked me to describe my personal style the other day. I wasn't sure what to say because I like a little of everything for the most part. One day I could be wearing all girly vintage, the next I could be in jeans, a tee, and boots. One common factor is that I like comfort. It has to be easy to wear. After seeing my selections I realize my personal style can't be tied down to just one look or category, but it can be narrowed down to fit. Fit to me is the most important part of clothes. Knowing what looks good on your body is so important and it allows me to look for things in all sorts of styles. I'm still learning what works and what doesn't, but having a few key elements that you know flatters your shape can do wonders.

plastic foliage

Thanks to Flickr, I came across this little online shop when I spotted one of Marie's designs. I love how everything makes me want to go for a sunny bike ride or set up a picnic in the park. She also has an Etsy shop!

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Dear summer,

Please come soon.

Love, Kate

shabd ss10

oh. my.

I love the new Shabd spring collection.

I think that first dress is the best thing I've seen in a long time.

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thanks to Unruly Things for the heads up!

for my consideration

So many many many sales!

These caught my eye.

1.)need supply co 2.) Anthropologie

3.) Built By Wendy 4 &5.) La Garconne

Juliette Hogan

Thanks to the awesome and wonderful Megan, I came across designer Juliette Hogan a little while ago. I am SO happy I did, because her line is my dream come true. I hope to one day find her online or in the states. If you do, please let me know! For now I will continue to stare and wish I had these in my closet. The first outfit is my absolute favorite. Topknot and all, its such a great look!

I love Lina Rennell

I love everything about Lina Rennell.

Ethically made in California,

she is a master of knits, prints, silhouettes, and color.

See her website on where to buy.

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imaginary outfit

Since I woke up this morning and immediately started working on my etsy shop and answering emails I have yet to actually get dressed. If I could click on some clothes online and they would magically appear on my body I think I might go with this outfit. I tried on this Sessun sweater dress when I was in Chicago. Now its on sale and I'm hoping it will still be around in 11 days. I've also had my eye on some cute tights. I have yet to plunge into patterned tights, but I think that will be changing soon!
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the perfect skirt

So I have what you call a "bubble butt" according to my mom and every pencil skirt I try on. For months I have been looking for an everyday black skirt that I can wear casually or dress up if I feel the need to do so. EVERY SINGLE skirt I try on makes my bum pop out and I feel like there is just too much booty action going. I saw this wool mini Jcrew skirt in the their catalog over the weekend and I'm thinking this may just be the one that works. It's short enough that I won't get that tightness around my bum and it looks super cute with tights. I just hope it won't be too short. I even drew a picture for you guys so you all have mental image of what my bum looks like (I'm so thoughtful, I know). {It looked waaaay cuter in the catalog btw. Not digging this outfit so much}

secret squirrel clothing

I can't remember how I came across this line (if it was you let me know!), but I am in love. The color palette has me wishing for summer already and that first dress is one of the best things I've seen all season.

Ps. I might be m.i.a the next day or two as Ben's sister is staying with us till Monday! Right now she's watching the Karate Kid (for the first time). She better plan on getting blown away by one of the best movies evaaah. Speaking of movies, has anyone watched Trust? I really liked and hated it at the same time.

chicago

Hello (envision me saying this like Heidi Klum). I'm back from Chicago! Although I was at market 9 hours a day I did manage to fall in love with this city. When I arrived Friday afternoon I had the whole day to myself so I immediately took a cab (which I realized after how easy the train is to use...) to Wicker Park and went to Penelope's. I tried on a million things including this, this, and this. BUT in the end I fell in LOVE with this simple BBW wool ballet dress. I really needed a black dress suitable for fall and winter and just couldn't let it go. I originally saw this over at Megans blog so it had been in the back of my mind lurking toward my frontal lobe the last week or so. It was spendy, but I know I will get a lot of bang for my buck. I also enjoyed a fabulous dinner with my friend Helen at Coast and stayed at the swanky Allegro hotel which I liked a lot. Here's a glimpse of my stay in Chicago:My new favorite purchase. Built By Wendy wool ballerina dress purchased at Penelope's. Hollah.
Our friends Deb and Amy flew in for a few days and crashed in our hotel. On Sunday night we went up to the Signature Lounge for a cocktail. Its on top of the John Hancock building. Apparently you can see 4 states from the top! This was one the highlights of the trip. It was so magical and beautiful. The picture above is of me by the window. All my pictures made us look like ghosts.

I discovered a new tasty treat: oysters! They were so yummy. We also indulged in lobster and Chicago's greasy pizza.

Andrea flew in Sunday morning for the show. Later that evening we went out for sangria pitchers.

And of course the majority of my time was spent buying clothes for late spring early summer. We picked up a few more lines including Andrew Marc's new dress line. It just debuted and I fell in love with this nude one. I'm really excited to get this in!The last day we had a few hours to kill before getting on the plane so Andrea and I went wedding dress shopping. She's getting married January 16th and has yet to get a dress! We stopped by Nicole Miller and she tried on the collection. This was my favorite, but she didn't like it as much.

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So that was my trip in a nutshell! I did find a vintage new years eve/holiday dress at Una Mae's. It needs to modified a bit, but I'm pretty excited about it. If I get my act together I will try to take a picture of it for you. Did you have a good weekend? I can't wait to catch up with you all.