FAVORITO FRIDAY: DOLCE VITA 'FAIN'

It's as simple as this - I want Dolce Vita's 'Fain' wedges. And they're on sale? What a way to end a work week!

Dolce Vita 'Fain' ($131.90)

What's your latest must-have?

Jess

SHORT STATEMENTS

Make a statement (even if it's a mini one) with these bold shorts!

T-B, L-R: Rauol Border Stripe Silk Shorts ($295.00) - Matches Fashion.com, Beaded High Waisted Shorts ($100.00) - Topshop, MSGM Printer Short ($273.00) - Les Nouvelles, Gabriel Shorts ($175.00) - Tory Burch, Fluro Paisley Shorts ($76.00) - Topshop, Chiffon Hems Sequined Shorts ($39.99) - MANGO, Zig Zag Mini Shorts ($88.00) - French Connection, Something Else Paradox Printed Shorts ($138.00) - Madewell, Mara Hoffman Animal-Print Crepe Shorts ($110.00 - On Sale!) - The Outnet

x Jill

LITTLE GOAT

After #CBN500, we headed across the street to Little Goat for some late night snacks. We loved how it felt like a diner, yet served up some real good food! We're already planning our second trip there!

Little Goat.

View from inside.

We shared the 'Machos Nachos' (corn tortillas, BBQ pork, beans, pickled peppers, cheddar, sour cream, and avocado) and chicken fingers with ranch and BBQ. . Pretty sure those chicken tenders were unlike any we've ever had - crispy and crunchy, while keeping the chicken perfectly moist. The nachos were topped with all-around goodness, but could not keeping us talking about the corn tortillas - how are they fluffy and crispy?! 

FOOD!

Jill creepin'. 

And of course we were stuffed after a few bites, so we have enough leftover for round two!

Have you been to Little Goat?

Jess & Jill

#CBN500

To celebrate Chicago Blogger Network's milestone of 500 members, we drank, snacked, and chit chatted with fellow bloggers at RM Champagne Salon. We absolutely loved, adored, and obsessed over this spot - can't wait until it's warmer to enjoy the outdoor space! C'mon Chicago!

Jess wore a Zara shift dress, a GUESS jacket, DV by Dolce Vita wedges, with GUESS accessories.

Jill wore an Emma Cook graphic paradise shift dress from Rent The Runway with Valentino heels. It was my first time renting from Rent the Runway, and I will definitely be doing it again! I loved how easy it was to send the dress off again, and they have some of the best customer service I've come across. I feel like they were made for bloggers!

And us with some of CBN's bloggers! We did not take enough photos with our favs!

Jess with Laurie of 312 Beauty and Lisa of Stilettos and Diaper Bags!

Us with Laurie of 312 Beauty!

 

Jill with Yanira Garza and Zahra of Love Zahra!

We've found our new champagne home at RM!

Jess & Jill

Jess is an employee of GUESS, Inc.

JILLIAN CONLEY 'DATING CHASE WALKER' BOOK SIGNING

Celebrate the launch of Jillian Conley's novella, Dating Chase Walker, with us at El Hefe this Thursday, May 30th from 7 to 9 PM! Grey Goose is hosting - so don't miss an awesome night to enjoy drinks, music, interviews, book signings and more!

Chicago Blogger Network is giving one lucky winner a signed book, so find out how to win here!

See you there!

Jess & Jill

FAVORITO FRIDAY: FURLA CANDY

Since Chicago likes to play on our heart strings and tease us with gorgeous summer weather, and then switch it to rainy and dreary, it got us thinkin' about the perfect rainy day attire. We quickly fell in love with Furla's 'Candy' transparent rubber satchel and all the fun colors, and think it's the perfect bag for those rainy days when you don't want to ruin another purse.

Keep it up Chicago, and we may just have to make "rainy day chic" a thing.

Furla 'Candy' Transparent Rubber Satchel ($248.00) - Nordstrom

Jess & Jill

ROCKIT BURGER BAR TASTING

Last week, we were invited to a Rockit Burger Bar tasting! It was all about drinks and burgers, so how could we say no? A big thanks to Billy Dec, CEO/Founder, for hosting a great event and Amanda Downing, Executive Chef, for cooking up some awesome eats! 

We got our tasting menu and some trivia about Rockit Burger Bar. For example, did you know they have one of the largest outdoor patios in Wrigleyville? Or they were named 'best burger' by Good Morning America? Two good reasons to head over there this summer!

First things first - it was time to order our drinks. Jess had the Rockit Punch (Bacardi Torched Cherry, Bacardi Dragon Berry, Bacardi O, pineapple juice, cranberry juice, grenadine, orange, cherry). Where was that during college? It was too good! Jill had the Rockit Lemonade (Effen raspberry vodka, fresh lemonade, Rose’s lime, cranberry juice) and it did not disappoint! Round two please!

 

Now it was time to eat! We started off with the delicious 'Loaded Fries' - Yukon waffle fries, BBQ pulled pork, nacho cheddar cheese, sour cream, and scallions. Can we get the BBQ pulled pork on everything?

First burger of the night! 'Apricot Turkey Burger' - a house made turkey patty, apricot-raisin chutney, grilled red onion, whipped goat cheese with a side of truffle fries. Oh, those fries!

Jess's favorite burger of the night was definitely the 'Huevos Rancheros Burger' - black angus patty, friend eggs, chihuahua cheese, corn tortilla strips, roasted salsa roja, jalapeno aioli with a side of seasoned curly fries.

At the tasting, we were seated with some hilarious guys from ManBQue and their tagline says it all - Meat. Beer. Rock N' Roll. 

Mike, Jesse, and Pat!

We left the #BurgerLab to the boys (it seems like they know what they're doing), so we feasted on a bison patty with a red onion brioche, topped with maple-cider glazed pork belly, pickle jalapeno coleslaw, and Hook's five-yeard aged cheddar, and a side of sweet potato fries. Yeah, they knew what they were doing - it was freaking delicious!

 

There was some trivia to play and naming ourselves 'Burger Babes' only seemed natural. Oh, and we won second place which included a $300 gift card EACH to ¡Ay Chiwowa!. Awesome, we know.

And then there was sweet, sweet dessert. Jess had an Oreo milkshake and Jill had the caramel banana milkshake. We were perfectly stuffed!

Can we do this every Thursday night, Rockit Burger Bar? 

Jess & Jill

NOW OR NEVER

We're taking advantage of the beautiful weather and heading out to do some shopping! We've got our eyes on Chinese Laundry's 'Now or Never' strappy sandal with gold hardware. Head over to Lori's Shoes (824 Armitage Ave.) to grab these beauts before every one else does.

Chinese Laundry 'Now or Never' ($54.95) - Lori's Shoes

Jess & Jill

HAIRTASTIC DAY

Last Friday, I had a hairtastic day with the lovely Shannon of Cheap Frills and Thrills (love her blog)! When I told her I always wanted to have color in my hair, but I don't currently dye my hair, she gave me a colorful alternative - a pop of color with Anastasia's Hypercolor Hair Powder in Teal Tornado. It stays until you wash your hair, so it gave me a whole weekend of hair fun!

And the votes are in! EVERYONE said I should get bangs... So, I did! I'm still trying to figure these bad boys out and time will tell if I keep them or not.

Are you making any changes to your hair?

Jess

BE BOLD!

My go-to makeup look is fresh skin and a bold lip. Not only does it balance out my hereditary dark circles (thanks, genetics!) but can easily work from day to night. Bold lips can also make any hectic morning look a little more put together, and since I'm constantly running late, I've become somewhat of a lipstick hoarder! Here are some of my favorite lipsticks I've tried, at all different price points, that make a colorful statement. 

1. Extra Creamy Round Lipstick in Stella ($4.00) - NYX Cosmetics, 2. Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Natural in N45 Red ($20.00) - Sephora, 3. Sephora Collection Color Lip Last in 15 Coral Calling ($12.00) - Sephora, 4. Estee Lauder Sheer Rush Lipshine in X-Pose Rose ($26.00) - Bloomingdale's, 5. Creamy Matte Lip Color in Jenna ($24.00) - Bobbi Brown, 6. Lipstick in Fuchsia Fever ($8.00) - Ulta, 7. Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids Lipcolor in Fire Red ($7.49) - Ulta, 8. Tom Ford Beauty Lip Color in Violet Fatale ($48.00) - Neiman Marcus

What's your favorite lip color?

x Jill

STYLE INSPIRATION: ROONEY MARA

As if I wasn't obsessed with her already, this past Met Gala solidified my love for Rooney Mara and everything she wears down the runway. She is a modern day Audrey Hepburn, with a little bit of a bad ass edge. Plus she represents for us pale girls, so I gotta get on board. 

So here's a little style inspiration from one of my favorites to get you through your Thursday.

x Jill

BRINGING SPRING INTO YOUR HOME

It finally feels like spring! It's time to open those windows, grow your favorite flowers and herbs, step out on your balcony, enjoy the weather, and heck - even, blog outside! If you're balcony or garden-less, don't fret - I snuck in some ways to make it feel like it's spring year-round (for me, different flower arrangements in each room make the difference!)

Let's talk about bringing spring into your home!

1. Beulah Rocking Chair ($169.00 - 15% Off!) - CB2, 2.  Climbing Roses Gardening Fork ($15.00) - Anthropologie, 3. Ceramic Snail (call stores for availability) - West Elm, 4. Watercolor Peony Painting ($25.00) - Jessica Illustration, 5. Iris Speckled Planters ($20.00 - $59.00) - West Elm, 6. Terrarium Kit ($58.00 - $168.00) - Anthropologie, 7. Turquoise Aegean Waves Outdoor Pillow ($48.00 - $68.00) - Jonathan Adler, 8. Set of 3 Recycled Herb Markers ($9.95 - On Sale!) - Crate & Barrel, 9. The Flower Recipe Book ($24.95) - Anthropologie, 10. Orb Lanterns ($9.00 - $59.00) - West Elm, 11. My Favorite Flower Vase Collection ($14.99 - $34.99 - On Sale!) - West Elm, 12. Glass Beverage Dispenser ($49.95) - CB2, 13. Laboratory Flower Vases ($24.00) - Urban Outfitters

Trying to upgrade your balcony without breaking the bank? Found this idea using flooring from Ikea!

What are you wanting for your home this spring?

Jess

BLANK NATION GIVEAWAY WINNER...

...is Cait of Pretty & Fun! We cannot wait to see you in your new dress!

Thank you to everyone for entering our giveaway!

Jess & Jill

RED MORNING

On Thursday morning, I got to attend a blogger breakfast at Coach on behalf of Chicago Blogger Network. Not only did they serve us delicious light bites, but each blogger got to pick out a pair of shoes from their new collection that supports Step It Up Women's Network. Great food, new shoes, and supporting a good cause? I'm all in.

And since it's finally spring, I've been all about bright red. I wore a top by Forever 21, Aqua leggings, Valentino heels, and a vintage necklace.

As a Libra and avid shoe hoarder, choosing a pair was like a scene from Sophie's Choice, but I decided on the insanely comfortable Geneva Stripe Wedge!

You can shop the new collection here. Trust me, you'll want them all.

x Jill