take me to the beach!

In exactly 4 weeks I will be ditching this Chicago weather for sunny, 80 degree days. My cousin is getting married in Fort Lauderdale so of course I needed to make a 5 day trip out of this wedding weekend. I am already browsing my favorite stores for cute, beachy outfits and my problem is that I want it all. I am so ready for bright colors, nautical dresses, and flippy floppies - I just can't get in the mindset here in cloudy, cold, and windy Chicago. There are so many options to choose from and just not enough money in the bank to satisfy my needs. Because let's get real, these are necessities, not wants.

I love stripes and navy and red. I also love big straw bags, aviator sunglasses, and loads of color. I am torn between these two happy looks but any and all of these additions to my beach wardrobe would be sincerely satisfying to my needs. 

Nautical: 

Eugenia Kim Raffia Fedora. Why so $$, you're so cute?!

Markus Lupfer Red Silk Dress

The City of Kings We Are Owls Scarf

Ray Ban Classic Aviators

DVF Striped Bikini

Milly Bandeau Bikini

Rainbows. The best flip flop ever.

Fun Accessories:

Milly Cocomo Cotton Dress

Hampton Sun SFP 35 Continuous Mist

Capri Cosmetic Bag

Date Night Ring

Stella McCartney Raffia Sandals

Elephant Safari Earrings

J.Crew Farmers Market Tote

La Piscene "The Pool" Beach Towel

I can't wait until Chicago's temps warm up, we can enjoy weekends at the beach, new patio furniture, and tans. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, but for now, I will be dreaming about my 4 weeks until Florida.

Greer Chicago

Wells Street runs through the heart of Old Town in Chicago and is filled with the most precious shops. If you read my post here, one of my resolutions in 2011 is to write more letters {especially to my grandmothers} and GREER is the perfect shop to pop into to find the perfect little note. The options are endless and not only do they provide chic correspondence, they also design invites, calendars, planners, address books, and everything to keep us organized in the new year! GREER has been featured in Country Living, Chicago Home & Garden, Good Ol' Domino, InStyle and many more. This place is legit.

 Although odd, sweet, a little twisted, and sometimes plain, I guarantee you will find exactly what you're looking for. Located at 1657 North Wells in Old Town.

Chicago Shops: Art Effects

Armitage Street contains some of the most adorable stores in Chicago, nestled in the heart of Lincoln Park and easily accessible from the "El" lines. My stop to and from work happens to be Armitage, right off of the purple line, and Art Effects is the first store window I pass by {and usually stop in}. They occupy two enormous store fronts filled with clothing, accessories, gifts and home accessories, it is all very enticing and usually calls me in every single time.

Yesterday I discovered numerous gifts that I think would be perfect for anyone on your list! Here we go...

Salt & Pepper shakers make the cutest little hostess gift. I especially love these by Michael Aram.

Find them here and here.

These Tree of Life candle holders would look fabulous on my table.

And who doesn't love a good wine stop? Especially from this gentlemen.

I really dig bookcases, and these would help someone create their own.

Marble Chicago coasters to represent our beautious city.

A personal gift to warm you up on these chilly winter days!

And this is probably weird, but I love mercury glass and I think a good bookcase would like this too.

Happy Shopping!