Birthday Weekend Wear

This past Saturday night I celebrated my entree to my late twenties :( with a small gathering of close friends at The Southern in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. The bar is perfect for a group of friends with its large outdoor patio and abundance of indoor/outdoor space. Beforehand, some of us grabbed some tacos at Big Star and headed back to my friend's new home in the neighborhood to feast. These photos were taken from her beautiful  rooftop! We ended the night with one of my favorite activities - karaoke - at a nearby bar where we "performed" Total Eclipse of the Heart {and probably not very well}. Needless to say, it was an unforgettable night!

But now onto the outfit...I sported this black maxi skirt with a simple cami and brought along a jacket since it's starting to get a bit chilly at night. Coincidentally, Em and I both wore a bubble necklace - I am sure you have seen them everywhere {and if not, check out Em's post here.}  So, apparently, we are more in sync than we think!

Advance apologies for the lack of full length photos and detail shots. This night was about the celebration!

Love,

caitlin

Emily - shirt: Urban Outfitters {old}; necklace: boutique in Charleston.

My beautiful friends!

The hubs and I.
Jacket: TopShop; Cami: J.Crew; Skirt: Finders Keepers {purchased at Sarca}; Shoes: Tory Burch {old}; Necklace: J.Crew Factory

Soon-to-be birthday girl, hair looking as gorgeous as ever.

Weekend Wear - New Buffalo Grad Party

Weekends up at our family lake house up in New Buffalo, Michigan are always the perfect ending to a long week. With a beautiful spot on Lake Michigan and the charm of a small town, New Buffalo is the ultimate summer destination. Last weekend we attended a graduation party for Emily's friend, Alexis, which conveniently was held in New Buff {our abbrev-ed version}, where her family has a home as well. While we were both looking forward to a memorable night with friends and family, true to our normal fashion {pun intended?}, we couldn't have dressed more differently - although we both incorporated a dominant pattern! Oh, and we both also love having Caitlin's dog, Macy, as a photo shoot companion. That's three alike points - must be a record!

Love, 

c&e

EMILY

You'll notice as you scroll through the pictures that I had a bit of a wardrobe change. I was initially wearing the dress pictured below, but upon arriving at the party I realized it was a bit too windy to be sporting a flow-y dress {...I had a few too many Marilyn moments which was foreshadowed by the fact that I had to hold my dress down in almost every picture}. I quickly drove back home and changed into a pair of new, woven tribal patterned shorts that I picked up during my stay in Charleston. Not only was I relieved of my wardrobe malfunctions, I was comfier in shorts and a tee - my normal summer wear. As always, my outfit was full on color and low on fuss {well, the second one, at least}...just the way I like it. 

Dress: Roxy {old}; Shoes: Enzo Angiolini; Sunglasses: Target. 

CAITLIN

Now, these pants probably look familiar, but I have only worn them once {here} and I was looking for a new way to style them. I got this sheer, beaded top last year from TopShop and it the perfect complement to balance the bold floral print. But, the best part of all was that all of the fabrics were lightweight enough to withstand the intense hot, humid summers so notorious in the midwest.

Top: TopShop {old}; Pants: Zara {no longer available}; Bandeau: American Apparel; Sandals: Rachel Zoe; Sunglasses: Chloe

Weekend Wear - Bridal Brunch

This past Sunday, my mom helped co-host a bridal shower for one of her best friend's daughters (who also happens to be one of my childhood best friends). Naturally, I was game to help with the decorations and set up. I had been scouring Pinterest and Etsy trying to find a couple items that would help spruce up the decor and would of course match with the look of shower invite. And since the bride's wedding is going to be in the beautiful mountains of Colorado, I wanted to ensure the decorations felt natural, fun, and homey- nothing too fussy. With the help of some poms, mason jars, tinsel garland and some festive straws, it was just enough to add a bespoke flair to the existing decor (her aunt made some gorgeous flower arrangements from the gardens of all of the neighbors!). All in all, it was a great time. I am looking forward to the wedding! Be sure to expect lots of photos!

Love,

c(&e)

The inspiration

Tinsel Garland: The Flair Exchange; Straws: Paper Straws Party; Mason Jars: Ace Hardware

Drink Dispenser: Pottery Barn; White Sangria: Brown Eyed Baker Recipe courtesy of my mom! {it was delicious and a BIG hit!}

Poms: Poms and Circumstance via Etsy {seller no longer available??}

Great idea that I wish I could take credit for: put scoops of chicken salad in cabbage and lettuce leaves for a pretty, unique presentation {and it's very functional, to boot}

The cupcakes that matched the shower invite, courtesy of Kristen's Danish Bakery {amazing!}

Beautiful flower arrangements

Pink cake tray: Ginny Winny

More Poms

My favorite touch, the giant ballon and tinsel garland, also from The Flair Exchange {how cute would this be in an engagement photo shoot?} 

 And now, the outfit, in keeping with the pink theme {coincidence?}

Dress: J. Crew {no longer available}; Shoes; J. Crew; Necklace: J. Crew Factory {site does not operate on weekdays}; Sunglasses: Mosley Tribes

Bracelets: Elements Chicago {bangles}; Stella & Dot {spikes}; J. Crew {teal- no longer available}

Weekend Wear - Real Life Grad Party

We spent the day {and night} together Saturday with loved ones celebrating Emily's college graduation. It's always a treat to have our friends and family gathered together, and it doesn't hurt that we're friends with each others friends. We are truly blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives who care about us and who we care about in return. It was a fun day filled with laughter, great conversation, drinking games {probably one too many games of flip cup and beer pong} and of course - fashion!

As usual, our looks were as different as our personalities -- opposites in terms of style and color. But there was one similarity - we both had open backs on our dresses.

Cheers to a lovely memory we shared with our family and friends! Didn't the backyard look great with all the lighting? Gotta love summer.

Love,

c&e

Dress: Rachel Pally; Cable necklace: J.Crew {no longer available}; Purse: Rebecca Minkoff; Sunglasses: Mosley Tribes

Bracelets: Alex & Ani {thin bangles with blue beads}, Elements Chicago {thicker bangle with crystals}, SARCA {dark blue beads}, J.Crew {blue/teal resin, no longer available}; David Yurman {cable} Watch: Michele

Jacket: Topshop {on sale now!}

Emily's outfit - Dress: Free People via Vintage Charm; Skirt {worn underneath}: BCBG {borrowed from a friend}.

Earrings: Alixandra Collections; Necklace: chloe+isabel; Ring: chloe+isabel.

Weekend Wear

We hope you a great weekend! We sure did. It was another gorgeous and HOT weekend here in Chicago. On Saturday we hit up the Old Town Art Fair and then headed up to Wrigley Field for the Brad Paisley concert with our family. I {Caitlin} don't know a single Brad Paisley song, but it was one of the best concerts I have ever been to. Carrie Underwood also made a surprise performance! {Though, sadly, I have no photos to report from the concert as my camera battery was confiscated by security :( }. Anyway, Em and I captured some pre-event photos of our Fest/Concert looks. How did you all spend your weekend?

Love,

c&e


Update: Apparently Carrie Underwood was a hologram. Now we know why it's called the Virtual Tour, I guess!

Hat: Urban Outfitters {similar style found here}; Sunglasses: Target; Top: Free People; Shorts: Free People; Belt: Caitlin's; Shoes: Enzo Angiolini. 

Jewelry - Cuff: chloe+isabel; Beaded: chloe+isabel; Stretch: chloe+isabel; Oval Ring: chloe+isabel; Stick Ring: chloe+isabel; Flower Ring: purchased in Mexico.

Necklace: chloe+isabel.

Hat: Purchased in Tuscany, Italy; Top:  Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent

Makeup cred to the fabulous Morgan Byrne {though the sun making me squint makes it hard to see what a great job she did!}

Sunglasses: Mosley Tribes

Bracelets: Elements Chicago, Cake for Breakfast, Ann Taylor, David Yurman; Watch: Michele; Nail Polish: Dior

Necklaces from Top: Erin Gallagher {bridesmaid gift- great idea!}; Alixandra Collections; Chloe & Isabel; Grandmother's/vintage

Shorts: DIY cutoffs from Rock & Republic; Gladiator sandals: Tory Burch