bulk up

Face it- good hair products can cost a fortune. Well, they don't have to anymore. You can buy bulk at Bravco on Oak St, a favorite spot of Chicago hairstylists and makeup artists where you’ll find an excellent selection of professional hair and beauty products. If you want to save on your favorite hair care, then you need to shell out some dough first in order to save. Stop spending $30 on an 8oz bottle of shampoo when you can buy the bulk version (33.8oz) for $50. You do the math. My only gripe with Bravco- they don't take plastic, so bring the green.

(Shower Curtain-Nicole Miller, Jewelry Box-Gift from Anthropologie)

Happy Monday xoxo

never too old for chocolate chip pancakes

 (Purse-Rebecca Minkoff, Shades-Carrera, Jacket-F21, Cardigan-American Apparel, Scarf-Thrift Store in San Fran, Boots-Sorel)

If you have not already been to The Original Pancake House on E. Bellevue, I highly recommend you go. Note- There's usually a line out the door that is enough to turn-off any growling tummy, but be patient grasshopper, the wait goes much quicker than you'd think! I have been going to this pancake house since I was little girl and I still get a side of chocolate chippers every time. 


Whipped cream? Yes, please! xoxo

trendy, funky, & unique

I recently heard about AstroWifey, a very talented freelance nail artist (check out her work below!) You can make a nail appointment for yourself, party, or event. From florals to native, her hand-painted designs are amaze. Book by visiting www.StyleSeat.com/AshleyCrowe .

Enjoy xoxo

on planet blue

Just a few of my must-haves for Summer. Find them at Planet Blue. What's on your list?

magnificent mile

Where do our taxpayer dollars go? I don't know exactly, but if I had to guess, I'd say we are probably footing the bill for all the flowers you see on Michigan Avenue. Good thing they look so beautiful! While we're on the subject, can't forget about my favorite dame who needs no introduction... 

Larger than life- quite fitting, really. xoxo

friday jams

I'm trying to get back in the habit of working out, so I recently joined David Barton Gym. Not gonna lie, their Bumble and Bumble hair products and steam room are incentive enough to hit the gym, but their spin classes are my true saving grace. Kate, my favorite spin instructor, has bomb taste in music, which makes waking up at the crack of dawn to workout, just a tad easier. One of my favorite jams from her playlist is this Mumford and Sons remix: Mumford and Sons Chamber Bot Dubstep -amazeballs. Also a fan of these more girly beats: Robyn - Dancing on my Own and  Ellie Goulding - Lights.

LookBetterNaked 

TGIF xoxo

color me ombré

From our hair, to our clothes, to our nails... this trend is everywhere. So, bust out your nail polish collection and have a little fun with it. Stay in one color family or jazz it up by going from warm to cool shades.  

Do you ombré?

Enjoy xoxo

two new rings

I've been sick for the last few days, so my apologies for the posting hiatus. Incidentally, I had plenty of spare time to devour Fifty Shades of Grey (see previous post) and Fifty Shades Darker is already just as yummy. 

Moving on, my friend spotted this fantastic turquoise and gold Coach rope ring on Atlantic-Pacific that we simply had to have. As you can see, it's a great stacking piece.

  

This awesome Marcia Moran ring below is from oBaz. If you are not already a member, you should be. A little insider info: They recently hired a new fashion expert, who I happen to know has impeccable taste. Net-net, sign-up for great deals on awesome items. 

Good to be back xoxo

triple the pleasure, triple the fun

Over the past week, a particular erotic romance novel (trilogy, really) has been brought to my attention by several of my friends. Conversations, which have all been independent of the others, have left me overwhelmed with intrigue.  Today, I'm putting an end to my curiosity and waltzing my ass across the street to Barnes and Noble to pick up a copy of 50 Shades of Grey, the first volume in the trilogy.





Should make for a nice, little Sunday xoxo

let's hear it for the boys

                                    

My boyfriend and brother really outdid themselves for my birthday with these amazing Tory Burch gifts. Both the Dena Tote (larger) and the Amanda Crossbody (smaller) are perfect, go-anywhere bags. The Amanda also comes in this super fun coral color- perfect for summer!

xoxo 

pucker up

So, I may or may not be notorious for applying lipstick, and reapplying, and reapplying... Big whoop! I think your lips should always look kissable. Here are some of my favorite shades:

1. MAC Viva Glam Nikki

2. Maybelline Coral Crush

3. MAC Sweet Sunrise

4. NARS Heat Wave

5. Maybelline Fifth Ave. Fuchsia 

6. Maybelline Sweet Ginger

7. NARS Schiap

SMOOCHES xoxo

it's the most wonderful time of the year

click here

That's right. Yesterday, Lollapalooza announced their line-up for this year. Not too shabby! Above are some of the shows I'm most looking forward to seeing. Gotta love my girl, Flo. Who do you want to see? And, more importantly, what will you be wearing? 


Festival fashion suggestions to come... xoxo

all that glitters is gold

 These Yosi Samra ballet flats are quite possibly the most comfy shoes I own UGG slippers don't count. The best part about them, aside from the crystal glam awesomeness, is the teeny-tiny box they come in. I have a terrible M.O. of buying things I like in every color, so I got them in both gold and silver, BUT these bad boys are on sale at Intermix for $59 from $125.  

Too good to pass up xoxo

obsession: bindy wrap bracelet

My fabulous co-workers got me this Bindy wrap bracelet for my birthday last month and I can't stop wearing it! It encompasses everything I like: turquoise, leather, and silver accents for a little pizzazz.

You can purchase the Bindy wrap bracelets at thread lounge.

Enjoy xoxo



get equipped

My daily commute: walking down Rust st with the tempting storefronts of Intermix, Barney's, Scoop, sometimes Sophia... My bank account has certainly seen better days. However, about a year ago, Nordsrom Rack opened a new location on Chicago ave, which has been a total game changer. If you're an Equipment kind of gal, you will enjoy my latest fab finds from the Rack:

They have an array of colors and sizes in stock, so head to the Rack and get equipped for less! xoxo

must see flicks

I hope this trailer has you laughing or at least brings a smile to your face. If it doesn't, I hope you at least share my love for Mila Kunis :)


Ted Trailer


For those with a sense of humor- my treat to you xoxo  

obsession: house of harlow

Nicole Richie, you. are. on. fire.


Totally obssessed with the House of Harlow line. I'm constantly wanting more, more, more, and I simply can't help but add to my collection. Next on my hit list is this necklace. amazeballs.


Get it girl! Xoxo

hop to it

Last weekend, my boyfriend and I were in Denver, Keystone, and Beaver Creek, Colorado. We had an amazing time Spring skiing and enjoying the beautiful weather. However, the combination of the sun exposure and dryness at that altitude left my skin totally parched, which brings me to my new found love for my Perricone MD Moisturizer.

{Perricone MD Face Finishing Moisturizers and Value Set}

The only problem is, the bf can't get enough of this stuff now either. I just bought the 4oz jar, so hopefully there will be plenty enough to go around. The larger jar is available online only at Sephora. Since I love this moisturizer so much, I decided to give this bomb value set a whirl: 

- 6 oz Nutritive Cleanser
- 2 oz High Potency Amine Face Lift 
- 2 oz High Potency Evening Repair
- 2 oz Face Finishing Moisturizer

Happy Easter xoxo

shakin' it up

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3694873/assortment-of-sorts?claim=6n8a4xkdfjf">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>
Summer is just around the corner and I'll be the first one to admit- I'm anything but bikini season ready. So, I decided I'm in need of a little inspiration to whip this bod into tip-top shape. 



{Classic & new SportMixer}



Meet the Blender Bottle, my soon to be source of inspiration. My plan: start each morning off with a delicious, yet healthy protein shake using my nifty new purchase.
Recipe:
- 1 scoop of 100% whey protein
- 1 vanilla yogurt
- 1 cup of milk 
- Ice
(modify to your personal dietary preferences, obvi)

Typically, I'm not much of a breakfast person, but this shake is a quick, easy, and delicious treat for dragging your behind out of bed and to the gym. Best part about it, the BlenderBall wire whisk makes shakin' things up fun. Just add your ingredients, drop in the BlenderBall, and shake. 

Enjoy xoxo