A First-Timer's Guide to Chicago!

Happy happy Wednesday! It seems a little funny to be sharing my travel guide to Chicago while I am currently in New York- but such is my crazy life this week! 

Earlier this month I took my first-ever trip to Chicago (eek!!) and I must say, it didn't disappoint in the slightest! I had always heard that I would love it, but I had not idea what to expect. It is such a pretty and clean "big city" (and if you know New York then you know this is a pretty novel concept) and there is so much to do/see/eat/explore- I don't know how you could ever get bored! I'm lucky that one of my gal pals, Stephanie, lives there so I was able to stay with her & her sweet family and galavant around the city to my heart's content!

So for any of you Chicago first-timer's- today's post is for you! And if you're a seasoned visitor then tell me your "must sees" and "must do's" - I'm already planning my next trip back! :)

10

Time to Break Out the Blanket Scarves!

Scarf: c/o Marley Lilly // Jeans: Loft (similar) // Sweater: J. Crew Factory (V-neck version here) // Apple Watch // Flats: c/o Oka-B Easton Flat (get 20% off with code "OKABGIRL16")

Happy Monday y'all! Not only was this weekend chock-full of fun times, it was absolutely gorgeous weather here in Florida- dare I say fall has arrived?? YES! With the incoming chill in the air, it only seems appropriate timing to bust out one of my very favorite cold-weather accessories: a plaid blanket scarf! Since I was super-busy running all sorts of last-minute errands for my two trips this week (more on that below!) I opted for my Oka-B Easton Flats to ensure that I didn't get sore feet while I was on the go! Plus, y'all how fun is that cute tassel detail?! I die!

8

Football Friday: Styling Orange for Your Favorite Team

Orange Tee: Banana Republic (almost exact) // Denim Shorts: Loft // Sandals: Sam Edelman // Blue Tassel Necklace: HSN (similar) // Apple Watch

"Two Bits, Four Bits, Six Bits, a Dollar; all for the Gators, stand up and hollar!"

Well y'all, we made it to Friday! I'm both excited and sad for today, because it's another fun collaboration with my girls to share how we style orange for our favorite team, BUT, it's also our last collab and I'm going to miss these sweet gals! (Be sure to check out all the ladies at the end of this post!)

I decided to keep today's look a little more casual (but still pulled together) because I realize that not everyone loves rocking a dress to football games. In fact, one of my new team members just moved from Michigan and attended her first Gator game last week and she said she was so confused by everyone wearing dresses- because that doesn't happen up north! #SouthernThing I'm obsessed with the half-tuck tee look, so that's what I did here; it's those little design elements that keep an outfit interesting! Adding on a fun tassel necklace just makes it all pop!

8

Four Tips for Shopping LulaRoe

LulaRoe Randy Tee: LulaRoe Mary Allison // Jeans: Loft // Booties: Target // Necklace: R.J. Graziano (similar) // Apple Watch

Over the past few months I've shared with y'all several great pieces from LulaRoe (see previous looks here, here, and here), and I'm thrilled to share one of my newest favorite pieces with y'all today- the LulaRoe Randy tee! This is the absolutely perfect tee for weekend wear- it's unbelievably comfortable (like all Lula is!) and the patterns and saturated colors are to.die.for.

But, I recognize that LulaRoe might be a new shopping company and concept for some of y'all so I thought today I'd share my 4 tips for shopping LulaRoe successfully! Let's go...

10

Lilly Pulitzer Raegan Dress

Dress: Lilly Pulitzer (On sale for 50% off!) // Shoes: Target // Bangles: Bourbon and Bowties // Clutch: Sophie and Trey (similar)

Hey y'all! Sorry for my unexplained absence yesterday (you know the saying: "best of intentions...") so let's play a bit of catch up! I had such a wonderful but busy weekend :) Friday and Saturday I went to the Belong Tour with my bible study girlfriends- it was exactly the encouragement my heart needed! I was lucky enough to win tickets from Clothed with Grace and I could not have been more thankful that I was able to be there! If the tour is coming to your town soon, then I highly encourage your attendance!

Sunday was the Junior League "Fall into Fashion" show (which I modeled in as well as attended) and it was a perfect girl's day! I wore this pretty Raegan Dress to the party & it was a total hit! It was another score of mine during the After-Party sale, but I've also found it on 6pm for 50% off- so you can score a great deal too! :) This dress had been a "holy grail" of mine forever- and it's sweet fit and flare shape is so flattering on everyone. The "see through" lace is cheeky, but since it's lined it keeps it from being too risqué ! ;) It's just perfect for an afternoon Junior League event!

9

Lilly Pulitzer Cove Dress

Dress: Lilly Pulitzer (on sale for under $100) // Necklace: Kendra Scott // Heels: Target // Clutch: Sophie and Trey (similar) // Bangles: Bourbon and Bowties

Every morning when I have breakfast and my first cup of coffee (yep there's more than one!) I love to turn on the news and catch up with the world. It starts with local news and then as I'm getting ready the Today show comes on - just love them! Well, the other morning our local weather girl said that fall typically hits Florida between October 15 and November 15... ummm that's just not going to work for me! I have far too many sweaters for the season to start that late ;) However, until our fall weather decides to come and stay, you'll be catching me in all my brights & loving every minute of it!

I picked up this Lilly Pulitzer Cove dress during the After Party Sale and even though it's not a style I would normally pick, I ended up loving it! And you know what y'all are going to love? I found it (still) on sale for you!

9

The 12 Best Wide Calf Boots

If there is one thing I love most about fall, it's breaking out my boots; and if there's one thing I dread most about fall, it's shopping for new boots. See, I have a big "athletic" calf so most boots just don't fit me! There's nothing sadder than literally not being able to fit into a fabulous shoe :( But luckily, these days there are a ton of wide calf options for girls like me- so no more missing out on the cutest boots! 

Since most of us are probably shopping for out boots now, I've rounded up the twelve best wide-calf boots on the market! If you know of any great pairs I missed then send them my way :) Oh, and if you're a regular calf (lucky) most of these shoes have a regular width version! #IGotYou 

{SHOP THE POST}

6

Ruffles for Days

Top: c/o Romwe // Jeans: Loft // Sandals: c/o Palm Beach Sandals // Clutch: Sophie and Trey (similar) // Necklace: Kendra Scott (color is cobalt) // Watch: Randy Jackson (similar) // Bangle: Kate Spade // Ring: HSN (similar)

If you've been reading this blog for any length of time than my love for stripes and ruffles is absolutely not a secret! So my delight was off the charts when I came across this top from Romwe that combines both in the most darling top; I could hardly believe it when it clocked in at under $20! Talk about a #StealAndDeal! Since we are only just beginning to get some of the fall feels here, I added {my absolute favorite} jeans and my trusty gold sandals to keep it comfortable, but how cute would this look be tucked into booties in another month?! 

4

Book Review: First Comes Love

First Comes Love

Happy Monday! I'm kind of sad about how long its been since the last time I did a book review for y'all. Truth be told, this little bookworm hasn't been much of one lately - life has certainly gotten in the way. But I've felt a huge tug lately to read more & when my gal Stephanie recommended First Comes Love to me (by my favorite author Emily Giffin), I knew it was the right book to get me back on track!

7

Currently Obsessing Over... {v. 81}

via

Well y'all, we've made it to Friday & I haven't blown away yet in #HurricaneMatthew so I'm going to take that as a win. I'm saying big prayers for my family who is still on the east coast of FL & my sister up in Gainesville as well as my friends across the state. This storm is no joke and I hope that we can weather it together. Also please pray for Haiti, the Bahamas, and Cuba who are already starting the process to rebuild. 

Thank you also for those of you who've reach out about Buddy's surgery or promised to say some prayers for him! Due to the storm I had to move his operation to Monday so we didn't get stranded in Sarasota (they close the bridge I have to drive over in high winds)- because stranded with a doped-up dog is no good! ha. So now Friday is actually my Friday... and off to the office I go!

On a lighter note, I've got five things I can't stop obsessing over rounded up for you! Read on to see what they are & share some of your own! :)

9

Dressing Room Diary

Banana Republic Houndstooth Dress

While I was in Chicago this past weekend I was able to get a little shopping in (you know that's my favorite activity!) and found a few gems I'm excited to share with you! It was drizzly all morning- so my hair isn't the best and the lighting is poor in the fitting rooms- but hopefully this gives you a feel for how these pieces fit in "real" life :) Any questions... let me know in the comments below!

4

Workweek Chic: Black on Black

Black Sweater: c/o SheIn (striped version here) // Pants: Gap (my favorite work pants!) // Flats: c/o Oka-B Sutton *Use code "OKABGIRL16" for 20% off!* // Necklace: Local Boutique (similar) // Watch: c/o Christian Paul // Bangle: Lilly Pulitzer (similar)

One of the hardest parts of great work week style? Finding the right shoes! Far too often, flats fall flat and pumps leave me anything but pumped up. Enter the Oka-B Sutton Flat which is perfectly crafted for maximum comfort and leaves your toes feeling like they are cushioned from all sides. For this look I decided to keep it simple and chic - and black on black is the perfect way to do this! With a big, bold ruffle your look stays interesting & a sparkly statement necklace is a great finishing touch. My Sutton flats literally tie this look up with a bow! I mean how can you go wrong with #BowsOnYourToes ?? :)

10

Felicity & Coco Dress + Sephora Gift Card GIVEAWAY!

Dress: Nordstrom Felicity & Coco // Shoes: Target // Clutch: Sophie and Trey (similar) // Necklace: Kendra Scott Rayne in Magenta // Sunglasses: Target // Bangles: Bourbon and Bowties

Hey y'all and happy Monday! If you follow along on Insta or Snapchat then you know I spent the weekend in Chicago with my gal pal Stephanie and some of my florida girls who happened to be in Chicago for the weekend too- it was so much fun! They weather was wonderful and it truly felt like fall (sixty degrees!!) and it was dreamy to be able to wear my jeans and flannel! Definitely a far cry from the steamy weather back here in Florida...

7