KIEHL'S LIFERIDE FOR AMFAR 'BIKES AND BBQ' BASH

Summers are for BBQs, especially ones that support such a good cause.

Kiehl's is celebrating it's fifth annual LifeRide for amfAR at it's flagship Michigan Avenue shop this Monday, August 4th, from 12 to 1 PM. This Bikes and BBQ bash, hosted by Chicago P.D. actor Jesse Lee Soffer (love!), will have yummy southern food and drinks from Lillie's Q, while supporting amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research. Malcom-Jamal Warner of Sons of Anarchy, Gilles Marini of Switched at Birth, Teddy Sears of Masters of Sex, Patrck Flueger of Chicago P.D. will also be there!

Kiehl's will also be offering a 15% discount on all purchases (excluding charitable products), and a Limited Edition Ultimate Strength Hand Salve, with 100% proceeds from this product supporting amfAR.

What is your favorite Kiehl's product?

Jess & Jill

10 ITEMS FROM THE NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE YOU NEED

You didn't think it was over just yet, did you?

Sales usually don't stick around for long, but it seems like the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale has been here for quite some time. Normally I'd give up at this point and kick myself for not taking advantage sooner, but there are still many killer items up for grabs. 

Here are 10 items that show just this!

Rebecca Minkoff Mac Crossbody ($196.90 // $295.00)

Kate Spade New York Lotti Pump ($219.90 // $328.00)

Missoni Space Dye Knit Dress ($599.00 // $1,020.00)

Alexis Bittar Lucite Lace Wide Cuff ($163.90 // $245.00)

Paddywax Lare Jar Candle ($25.90 // $39.00)

Furla B&T Tote ($285.90 // $428.00)

Kate Spade New York Colorblock Sweater Dress ($265.90 // $398.00)

Natasha Couture Beaded Collar Necklace ($24.90 // $38.00)

ASTR Maxi Dress ($65.90 // $98.00)

Anyi Lu Jessie Wedge Bootie ($299.90 // $445.00)

Have you shopped the Nordstrom sale?

x Jill

SARAH SEVEN CHICAGO CELEBRATION RECAP

A couple of weeks ago, we attended the flagship opening celebration of Sarah Seven Chicago . We've talked about Sarah Seven before and our admiration for her gorgeous gowns. Pair that with bubbly and sweets from Bittersweet and Serious Baked Goods, and flower bouquets from Foxglove Studio, you have a fabulous night!

We also got to take a peek at the Spring 2015 collection, and just like everything else in the store, it did not dissapoint.

Flowers from Foxglove Studio.

Flowers from Foxglove Studio.

Sarah Seven Gold Label.

Sweets from Bittersweet.

Sweets from Serious Baked Goods.

Flowers from Foxglove Studio.

 

Our favorites from the Spring 2015 collection - Greenwich and Lafayette.

Brides who are on the hunt for the perfect dress can make their appointment at Sarah Seven Chicago here. And we were excited to hear that bridesmaids dresses are coming to Sarah Seven soon!

Jess & Jill

SAVE THE UNDIES WITH U BY KOTEX

We're (mostly) all girls here, so let's talk about the thing we really wish we didn't have to talk about... That time of the month. To put it lightly, it downright sucks. There's nothing easy about Aunt Flow, so that's why we've teamed up with Kotex to save the undies!

If pads are your go to, or need a break from tampons, these U By Kotex pads with 3D Capture Core are just what you need. It draws in and locks away wetness, super soft so it's extra comfortable, and  has wings so it stays in place. U By Kotex has protection down packed, so our favorite undies stay our favorite undies.

So what underwear are we saving?

Jess loves Victoria's Secret No-Show Hiphugger Sport Panties. It's completely no-show under clothing because of its thin nylon/spandex material, the body-wick keeps you dry and you cool, and comes in fun and bright colors that we all love from Victoria's Secret.

Jill has always been a fan of Hanky Panky, the most comfortable undergarments created! They're great for girls of all sizes and are extremely comfortable. 

And they come in fun colors!

And now we know you want to try it for yourself. Click here for your free samples of U by Kotex pads, liners, and tampons so you can now save the undies too!

Jess & Jill

Jess & Jill were compensated for this post. Comments and opinions are of their own.

FAVORITO FRIDAY: YES WAY ROSÉ

What better way to celebrate Friday than with rosé?

How about a tote bag that celebrates rosé?

I'm loving these Yes Way Rosé tote bags. They're perfect for the summer (who am I kidding? They're perfect for any season!) and totally proclaims my love for rosé perfectly. When you're in love you should shout it from the rooftops, right?

Canvas Toté Bag ($20.00)

Canvas Toté Bag ($20.00)

Happy Friday!

x Jill

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER AT BULL & BEAR

Tuesday night we stopped by Bull & Bear in River North for some food, drinks, and to our surprise... trivia! We were invited to "Dog Days of Summer", their way to celebrate weeklong for National Hot Dog Day.

DineAmic Group's Executive Chef Andy Gibson has created five, one-of-a-kind hot dogs exclusively available each day of the week. From Southern California to Miami, there's a variety of cities and flavors. 

Newspaper menu! 

If you want travel across the US and order a mini version of each, you can try the Frank Plank! There's The Cincinnati "Coney" (a spicy beef chili, pickled onion salad, shredded cheddar, mustard, potato bun), The Sooo Cali (bison dog, heirloom tomato and avocado relish, arugula, crispy shallot, lettuce, pesto aioli, ciabatta bun), Miami Vice (turkey dog, mojo braised pork, spicy pickle, mustard aioli, swiss cheese, shredded lettuce, toasted garlic bun), The Northern Woods of Wisconsin (venison dog, fried jalapeno jack cheese curds, caramelized onion, juniper-beer mustard, soft bun), and New Orleans Po' Boy (andouille sausage, olive relish, frisee, crispy salami, provolone, remoulade, sesame bun).

What's great about these fancy franks is that they're more than just toppings on a hot dog, and even the meat and bun are different. It was hard for Jess to choose a favorite, but she thinks the winner would have to be The Cincinnati "Coney". The chili was delicious and had a little bit of a kick. Runners up would have to be Miami Vice (had to choose that one as a Miamian!) and The Northern Woods of Wisconsin (it had cheese curds on it!). 

New Orleans Po' Boy, The Northern Woods of Wisconsin, Miami Vice, The Sooo Cal, and The Cincinnati "Coney".

New Orleans Po' Boy, The Northern Woods of Wisconsin, and Miami Vice.

Miami Vice, The Sooo Cal, and The Cincinnati "Coney".

If you're not one for hot dogs (Jill's not a huge fan), they have a lot of other options, including vegetarian picks. Jill opted for a Turkey burger with mashed potatoes.

We stuck around for trivia (free to play and $200 was up for grabs), and to say we did horribly is an understatement. At least Jess's Geography degree got us an answer right and we totally got the fashion question correct!

Have you eaten at Bull & Bear?

Jess & Jill

BLUSHING BRIDE

My wedding ideas have been unconventional so far - from wearing glasses on my wedding day (I've gotten reaaally?! on more occasion with that one), an intimate dinner reception at a restaurant, and maybe even the color of my wedding dress. 

I've tried on different shades of white and ivory and I haven't fallen in love with a dress just yet, until the idea of blush popped into my mind. I have a hint of pink in my skin tone, which is why my fiancé and I opted for a rose gold engagement ring versus gold. Since rose gold looks more flattering on me, why not a blush dress? Needless to say, I've been obsessed with searching for every dress with a shade of the girly color and just had to share my favorites.

Blushing - Sarah Seven

Blush Gown - Elie Saab

Belle Gown - Jenny Packham

Palm Springs Gown - Watters

Portia Gown - Monique Lhuillier

Lilac - Blush by Hayley Paige

Dress by Keeradenaan.
Photo via Green Wedding Shoes.

White by Vera Wang - David's Bridal

Davia Gown - Watters

Do you like different color wedding dresses?

Jess

CHICAGO SIDEWALK SALE

Photo via Alison Neidt Toonen.

It's time for the annual Fashion Focus Chicago Sidewalk Sale! Stop by Daley Plaza (50 W. Washington St.) Tuesday, July 22nd, and Wednesday, July 23rd, from 9 AM to 3 PM to shop clothing, accessories, and jewelry from Chicago designers and local boutiques. There will also be fashion shows each day at noon - the perfect way to switch up your typical lunch hour! 

The usual Jess & Jill favorites will be there again this year, including Blank Nation Apparel, Anastasia Chatzka, Objets d'Envy, and more. Jess will be working at the Blank Nation Apparel booth on Wednesday, so make sure to stop by and say hi (and do a little shopping too)!

Check out our Chicago Sidewalk Sale visit a couple years ago here.

Jess & Jill

FIVE VA VA VASES

Ever since I've moved into my "big girl home" (side note: this does not mean I have to give up getting lost in Ikea, right?) I've been trying to keep fresh flowers weekly. It's a great way to brighten up your home and change your decor by adding in different colors. But flowers are only as pretty as the vase you put them in, and I've been collecting quite a few. You can never have enough!

Here are five vases... no, va va vases... that'll va va voom up your home decor.

Parlour Pitcher ($30.00 - $40.00) - BHLDN

Middle Kingdom Laundry Detergent Porcelain Vase ($48.00) - Nordstrom

Sierra Square Vase ($200.00) - Tiffany & Co.

I-Scream Vase ($68.00) - Jonathan Adler

Kate Spade Daisy Place Dots Vase ($75.00) - Bloomingdale's

Where do you shop for vases?

x Jill