A SPLASH OF BLUE

My boyfriend (doubling as my personal photographer ;]) and I decided to take a scenic route down Sheridan Road in Winnetka. We found a little place to park our car and walked along the coast of Lake Michigan. Recently I bought a cobalt blue skirt from Gap and was dying for the weather to be maxi skirt appropriate.  (The skirt also comes in petite for the shorties out there! No need for wedges!) Although it was a bit chilly, I paired it with a ribbed sweater, added an arm party and enjoyed the beautiful weather!

Sweater: Gap - Ribbed Cocoon Sweater in Sand (555 N. Michigan Ave.)
Skirt: Gap - Crinkle Maxi Skirt in Active Blue (555 N. Michigan Ave.)

Bracelet: Kristin Hassan - Single Wrist Wrap in Light Brown
Bracelets: GUESS - Bungee Cord Bangles (605 N. Michigan Ave.)
Watch: GUESS - Gold Contemporary Watch (605 N. Michigan Ave.)
Bracelet: Sequin Bracelet at Nordstrom - sold out, similar style available (520 N. Michigan Ave.)
Ring: Aldo Accessories (835 N. Michigan Ave.)

XO Jess

FAVORITO FRIDAY

Lately I have been obsessed with Kate Spade accessories, specifically their bangles. Anything black and white steals my heart, so it's no surprise that I've been keeping my eye on the "In The Spotlight" Bangle. However my heart has fallen for the "No Sleep Till Brooklyn". Taking it back old school with a classic Beastie Boys song AND representin' where I was born? Yes, Please!

And because being an adult is overrated, you can keep taking it back old school with these Kate Spade Friendship Bracelets. They're a part of their Hand in Hand collection that benefits Women for Women International, which provides women in war-striken countries with the resources they need to survive. So not only can you celebrate friendship, but you can celebrate women all over the world who need our help. As the Spice Girls would say, Girl Power! 

From top to bottom: "In the Spotlight" Bangle ($58.00), "No Sleep Till Brooklyn" Bangle (88.00), Hand in Hand Friendship Bracelet in pink ($48.00), Hand in Hand Friendship Bracelet in green ($28.00). All can be found at Kate Spade (56 East Oak St.) and Nordstrom (55 E. Grand Ave.).


XX Jill

MAD (WO)MEN

It's been one year, five months, and eight days (but who's counting?) since Betty Draper's to die for dresses and Joan Holloway's curve hugging frocks graced our television sets, but that's all going to change tonight. It's the Sunday evening we've all been waiting for as Mad Men premieres tonight at 9/8CT on AMC. While you're getting ready to jump into the fifth season of your love affair with Don Draper, check out our favorite outfits and accessories that emulate the television show that delivers us the drama, fashion, and eye candy we crave. 

Elegant Arrival Dress - ModCloth, Portrait of a Fashionista Dress - ModCloth
Kettle Corn Dress - ModCloth - , A-dove All Dress - ModCloth
With Only a Wink Dress - ModCloth, Classic Stunner Dress - ModCloth
Beverly Boulevard Earrings - Kate Spade (56 E. Oak St.), Floral Brooch - Banana Republic (744 N. Michigan Ave., 900 N. Michigan Ave. 835 N. Michigan Ave.)
Franca Sunglasses - Kate Spade (56 E. Oak St.), Octagonal Silk Scarf - Kate Spade (56 E. Oak St.)
 Pencil We Meet Again Skirt - ModCloth, Softly Singing Skirt - ModCloth
Simon Heels - Kate Spade (56 E. Oak St.), Shelly Heels - Kate Spade (56 E. Oak St.)

What are some of the looks that have made you feel like you work or date Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce? Vintage Heaven is back and I've never been happier.

XX Jill

SHADES OF GREEN

Don't worry, you're not limited to showing your Irish spirit with that green boa you found in your closet from two years ago. We have just the thing to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in style! Here's our favorite green items that are perfect for this lucky holiday. Step out of the kelly green box, and spruce it up with various shades of green!

1. Sonja Dress - Kate Spade (56 E. Oak St.)
2. Marc by Marc Jacobs Espadrilles - Bloomingdale's (900 N. Michigan Ave.)
3. Happy Go Lucky Idiom Bangle - Kate Spade (56 E. Oak St.)
4. Ariella Collection Faceted Square Ring - Nordstrom (50 N. Michigan Ave.)
5. Polly Popover - J. Crew (900 N. Michigan Ave.)
6. Kendra Scott 'Valencia' Necklace - Neiman Marcus (737 N. Michigan Ave.)
7. Raw-Edge Denim Shorts - Gap (555 N. Michigan Ave., 935 W. North Ave., 3216 N. Broadway Ave., 3155 N. Lincoln Ave.)
8. Essie 'Navigate Her' - Ulta, CVS, Walgreens

What are everybody's St. Patrick's Day plans? I will be watching the dyeing of the river, a bit of drinking and shopping around Downtown (probably not a smart combo), and will end up at the #CBNIRISHSTYLE party at Underground! I hope to see other bloggers tomorrow night!

XO Jess

DVF ♥ babyGAP & GAPkids

Calling all fashionable moms, big sisters, and aunts out there! Want the little one in your life as fashionable as you? Or are they already self-proclaimed fashionistas? Then, we've got the place for you! Gap and Diane von Furstenberg created an exclusive collection for babyGap (infant and toddlers) and GapKids, full of colorful wrap dresses (of course!), shorts, blazers, leggings, tees, swimwear, and accessories.

DVF window at the Michigan Avenue location.

I'm a proud aunt of a two-year-old named Isabella (and her twin brother Joseph) and I just had to buy a little something for her. I went to the Michigan Avenue location at around 10 AM, and it was already busy! Not quite designer-for-Target crazy, but it looked like a crowded Saturday shopping day. I actually heard that women on the smaller side were trying to fit into the larger kid sizes. I don't expect to see the racks empty by the end of the day, but the weekend won't be friendly for stock levels. So, if you're loving the prints and designs, get to your local Gap now! What they have on the floor is all they have!

Prices start at $25 for accessories and leggings, $30 for tees and shorts, $45 for swimwear, and up to $80 for rompers, jackets, and dresses. Not the most wallet friendly for clothing that lasts a year or so (or more if you have a younger girl that could use some vintage hand-me-downs in the future). I bought my adorable niece a pair printed shorts that I definitely will update with a photo. She's the cutest, I swear!

Check out the photos I snapped while shopping DVF ♥ babyGap and Gapkids and some of my favorite items from the collection (most designs are available in both baby and kid sizes).

There were too many cute things to choose from!

Wrap Romper | Eyelet Wrap Dress | Daisy Dress

Blazer | Capri Leggings | Floppy Sunhat

Are you buying anything from the exclusive collection? I hope to see more from Gap and especially for us big girls!

In addition to the Michigan Avenue location, Fox Valley (Aurora), Oakbrook Center (Oakbrook), Old Orchard (Skokie), Orland Square (Orland Park), Sheffield (Chicago), and Woodfield (Schaumburg), are currently selling the DVF exclusive collection. Check here for addresses.

XO Jess