Puppy Problems

Hump day, hump day! So excited to get over the hump! Today has been a bit of a trying day. New puppy problems. Loki does NOT like to be in his crate. So much that he makes escape attempts. He got his head stuck last night. It was terrifying. Today I came home on my lunch break to make sure he didn't do THAT again and thank goodness he didn't but he DID take out a giant piece of the plastic tray that lines the bottom of the crate. This dog is strong and stubborn. In his crate. Then he gets out of it and he is just a big ol' goofy cuddle bug! We are going on a Petco trip tonight to let him pick out a GIANT bone that might occupy his time spent in the crate.

Since I am a little worn out today my outfit pictures kind of reflect it. We took a ton and I am making weird faces in all of them. Except these three. And two  out of the three don't have my face in them. Sigh. I tried to do my hair today like one of my fav bloggers Signeroo. She is seriously the cutest. And since I don't have her amazing, voluminous brown hair it didn't turn out as cute. Worth a try though! Maybe I'll give it another shot when the Chicago winter isn't making my curls go away. My outfit is pretty basic. If you can qualify this sweater as basic. And check out my necklace! It was a gift from my sweet  friend Annie. She knows all too well my love for Audrey. It also opens up and has a clock in it! So I didn't have to tag my Michael Kors watch for the bagillionth time. You're welcome for the break.

Sweater: H&M-Similar here 
Tee: Forever 21-Similar here 
Jeans: JCrew (on sale!) 
Boots: Express-Similar here 
Necklace: Gift-Found here

Puppies and Polkas

Puppies?! Yes, that's right! NICK AND I GOT A PUPPY!!!!!!!! Well, he is kind of a puppy. He's a one year old Shepherd/Husky mix. And my goodness he is adorable! We have been contemplating getting a dog for quite some time now and decided to go to the shelter PAWS Chicago on Saturday. We went and met a nice dog but I just didn't feel the connection to him like I thought I would. On Monday I decided to check their website again just to see if they had any new pups and then I saw him. I was in love with his sweet face right away. I kept his picture up in a tab on my computer at work and looked at him all day. I called Nick and said "WE ARE MEETING HIM!" The info on the website didn't give us much since he was so new to the shelter so we didn't really know what to expect besides his cute face. And then we saw him in person and he was basically everything Nick and I have ever wanted in a dog. See, we are partial to Huskies but they tend to be not very good with small animals.(Like my beloved cats) So we decided to go more towards the Shepherd route. And we got the best of both worlds! He is just the sweetest dog. He is so calm and I think he already feels at home. He is so soft and fluffy and cuddly. I really just love him so much already. So here he is. My new fur baby! Loki!

Just look at him!

Ok, ok. I'm done gushing about my dog. But, can you blame me?! So onto polkas. I totally forgot I had this dress. Which kind of stinks because I could have been wearing it for the past couple months! I just love the polka dot trend. Just imagine if this dress didn't have dots and was just plain old gray. BORING. Polka dots are so fun and can liven up an outfit in a subtle way or in a big way. This dress being a pretty big way.

Dress: Old Navy (on sale!!)
Tights: American Apparel (in Midnight Blue)
Belt: H&M-Similar here 
Socks: H&M-Similar here 
Boots: ALDO-Similar here 
Watch: Michael Kors 
Necklace: Forever 21-Similar here

Spring Thinking

Hi friends! Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a fantastic weekend. Sorry for being so MIA. I wore my hair in a bun three days in a row last week. That should tell you how into my appearance I was. But I'm back! With clean hair and a new perspective. My weekend was great and too short. Had a wonderful time at "quad date." And the little bit of time I got with my Ally Cat was much needed! Can't wait for her to come back. Nick and I went on a little adventure Sunday afternoon and went for a walk on the train tracks behind my apartment. I know, sounds super safe right? Well these tracks aren't in use during the weekend so we were just fine. We actually stumbled upon a little urban garden area. Can't wait to make friends with you ever is gardening in the summer.

Have I told you recently I want it to warm up? Cause I do. In a bad way. Spring cannot come soon enough. My mind set right now is if I dress like spring, it will come. Did I just make a "Field of Dreams" reference? Anywho. White pants, neon top, and a splash of coral sounds pretty springy right? Right?!

Top: LOFT-Similar here 
Cardi: LOFT-Similar here 
Pants: Forever 21 
Boots: American Eagle 
Necklace: Forever 21-Similar here 
Watch: Michael Kors 
Lipstick: Revlon (in Backstage)

Tights

Wednesday! The week is pretty much half over. I feel like It barely even started! That is not complaining, I promise. Today has been a pretty good day. Haven't been TOO busy and made weekend plans! On Friday Nick and I are going on a quadruple date. Four couples! Kind of intense, I know. But I really can't wait to see everyone, eat burgers, and drink great beer. Saturday my long, lost friend Ally is coming into town. She moved to Boston last fall and I miss her dearly. On top of all that my parents are going to be staying with us for a bit before they go on their trip to Aruba. So many fantastic people all at once, my heart might explode!

So, I'm over tights. Like really over them. There is a point in September when it is still hot out and I'm saying "Ugh, I just want to wear tights and sweaters and be cozy." Well right now I'm the opposite of that. Have you shopped online recently?! There are legs everywhere! Bare ones! In outfits I'm dying to wear! Not to mention all the blog gals that I follow live in Texas or some other warm climate where they can flaunt their bare legs all year long. Sigh. Ok, that was much too long to go on about tights. And the fact that I am wearing them today doesn't really make it seem that believable. But, I HAVE to wear them. I don't WANT to. There is a difference.

Dress: H&M-Similar here 
Vest: Express-Similar here 
Tights: H&M-Similar here 
Boots: Express-Similar here 
Necklace: Presence-Similar here 
Watch: Michael Kors

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Long Weekend

Hi there, I'm back. Hope everyone had a great weekend! I was lucky enough to have Monday off for President's Day but alas, I'm a sleepy Katie today. 

My weekend was just delightful. Started off with our Valentine's date at Piccolo Sogno. The food was decent but nothing to write home about. The experience and the company was the best part. Saturday Nick and I stayed in most of the day because it was so cold. We had a friend's birthday party that night and played Whirly Ball. This is a strange game that you are on teams and ride a round in basically a bumper car with a lacrosse stick looking thing. The goal is to try to put a whiffle ball through a hole on what is kind of like a basketball hoop, but not. I know, you totally can't picture right? Needless to  say this game can get pretty aggressive and you might come out of it with a bruise or two. Or in my case five. I bruised my hip bones. Don't ask me how but it happened. Sunday was recovery day and then Monday Nick and I went to the Museum of Science and Industry. This wasn't the greatest idea because apparently Chicago schools had the day off too. So many small creatures with runny noses touching everything in sight. Yikes. Nick does get free admission through work though so that was nice. Here are a few highlights from the weekend.

Sweet street art, my hunny, hunny the astronaut, whirlyball, hipster Thor. 

Today I am sleepy. And you can tell. Sorry! This outfit was pulled straight from the LOFT catalog. No joke, exact styling. I'm not creative on sleepy days so I just rely on magazines to be creative for me. I promise I'll buck up for the rest of the week! Yay!

Sleepy hysterics

Shirt: LOFT
Sweater: LOFT 
Jeans: Levi's 
Boots: American Eagle 
Necklace: JCrew Factory

Valentine Pink

Hello lovebirds! Happy Valentine's Day! My office was like freakin jungle today. SO many flowers everywhere. It was adorable. 

Hubs and I are REALLY celebrating with a date tomorrow night. Our reservation is at 9PM (cause that's when then cool kids eat) at an Italian restaurant we've been meaning to try. We will get all snazzy and have a night on the town! See, Nick and I have a Valentine tradition. Every other year we do fancy Valentines where we have fancy dinner and then get fancy drinks and just be super fancy. The off year we go to a dive bar and get greasy apps and beer. I think you probably know which year is Nick's favorite...

This year since I know how much Nick likes to be non-fancy and how much he loves beer I went to ol' Trader Joe's and picked up some apps and fun beer!  I know, best wife ever. Bonus Valentine's! It's a two for one! We do get you wear our jammies this year though. Which might make it that much better?

I'm probably wearing the least amount of pink in this outfit than I have all week. What can I say. I love irony. I have been looking for this black gingham shirt forever! I always try to buy it at J Crew and they never ever ever have my size. This one is from Old Navy! Which means it was like $50 cheaper! Katie-1 J Crew- still winning cause I throw money at them like it's my job. Ugh.

Pink couch for Pink Week!

Shirt: Old Navy 

Sweater: Forever 21-Similar here 

Pants: Forever 21 

Necklaces: Old Navy-Similar here and JCrew Factory 

Shoes: Old Navy 

Watch: Michael Kors

Dusty Rose

The week is half way over! Woohoo! I was so busy at work today but it was fine because I jammed out to the 90's Pop Pandora station ALL day. Why you ask? I took this hilarious quiz on buzzfeed.com today. It's the "Which 90's Dreamboat is Your Perfect Valentine" quiz. I know! So fun! And the questions just take you right back to the good ol' days of cropped tees, giant flared pants, and platform flip flops. And don't forget the butterfly clips. And your eye glitter. Oh man. Awkward adolescence. Good times. Here is the quiz if you are so inclined.

 http://www.buzzfeed.com/summeranne/which-90s-dreamboat-is-your-perfect-valentine

I got Leo Dicaprio. Of course I did. He was/is adorable. I might have audibly said "Mmm Jared Leto" while taking this. In my cube. At work. For all ears around me to hear. It's ok, I think we can all agree Jordan Catalano was the bees knees. Yes, I took this at work. It was just a little quiz. No harm done! 

Today my pink is what I like to call Dusty Rose. Sticking to the 90's theme my mom totally rocked a Mary Kay lipstick called Dusty Rose back then. It was the EXACT color of this skirt. I just purchased this not too long ago. It annoys me to shop right now. Everything is springy and it's not spring. But I still want the clothes and I want to wear them NOW!(I'm aware of how bratty that sounded) Bring in this skirt. You can simply put on tights to make a pretty winter vibe and then when it FINALLY warms up just throw on a tank and some sandals and you have a summer look! I try to find this versatile quality in most of my skirts/dresses. Should I called it seasonless? A skirt that transcends the seasons? I think I will! 

I might be smizing? Maybe...

Top: Target- Similar here
Cardi: LOFT- Similar here 
Skirt: Target
Belt: Forever 21- Similar here 
Tights: H&M 
Boots: American Eagle 
Watch: Michael Kors

Preppy Pink

Hello folks! So I was going to surprise everyone yesterday by doing ANOTHER post that would be the "life" part of my blog. See, I made ground turkey stuffed peppers for dinner last night. I know, they are super delish. I documented the whole thing and even typed up my whole post with recipe and everything! Go to put the pictures on and they are SO grainy. Not like "OH, she took that with her iPhone" grainy(like most of my outfit pictures. Shhh.) Like "How in the world did this happen?!" grainy. So you don't get MY version of the amazing stuffed peppers but here is where I adapted it from. Gina over at Skinnytaste.com is just amazing. Anyone who uses Pinterest(follow my boards here) has tried one of her recipes. I highly recommend this with a side of Spanish rice. So yummy. 

Day two of Pink Week! This outfit is my preppy pink. There are three parts to a preppy outfit. Button up shirt? Check. Stripped sweater? Check. Riding boots? Check. Just throw on some costume jewelry diamonds or if you are REALLY preppy, pearls and wa la! You are perfectly preppy! Now if only I could figure out how to buy that summer home in Nantucket...

Preppy? Me?

"Growing out bangs hair"

Chambray shirt: Old Navy-Similar here
Sweater: LOFT (on sale!)
Jeans: LOFT 
Necklace: JCrew Factory
Boots: ALDO-Similar here
Watch: Michael Kors 
Polish: American Apparel (in Office)

Pink Week

Hi friends! So you know how I was supposed to have the best weekend ever in Iowa? Yeah, this girl booked her flight for the exact same weekend in March. UGH!(insert face palm) Let's just say Friday was a bad day and therefore you didn't get a an outfit that day either. I'm sorry! So March it is!! I guess I can hold out that long but I don't know if my hair can. Eek!

Speaking of my hair. I'm growing out my bangs. That is probably one of the worst sentences a girl can say. It's gonna be rough. And you will have to bear with me. Headbands and bobby pins are going to be my bestest friends.

So in honor of this holiday week I am declaring it pink week! I will be wearing some shade of pink everyday this week. And yes, if you are wondering, I have all my outfits picked out already. It's just planning ahead. Not obsessive at all. People do this all the time. Right? It's about get real girly up on this blog. Brace yourselves.

Today's outfit seems a little French to me. Just give me a macaroon and beret and call me Brigitte. My shade of pink is my fun coral cardi. If you can't tell from the pictures my skirt is lace. It was one of those amazing Target scores. I'm gonna wear it all. the. time. 

Enjoy your Monday evening lovelies! Au Revoir!

This is my Brigitte Bardot. Super French, no? :)

Shirt: Target-Similar here
Cardigan: Forever 21-Similar here
Skirt: Target
Tights: H&M
Boots: EXpress-Similar here(on sale!)
Watch: Michael Kors

Lipstick: Maybelline (in Coral Crush)

Plaid & Leopard

Hi there. I took a day off. Did you miss me? Sometimes the world just doesn't want you to look cute. That was my Wednesday. I had a pretty awesome outfit picked out and then I rolled out of bed and it just didn't seem appealing at all. BTW, I always pick out my clothes the night before. I find it gives me more time to sleep in the morning. Considering how much time rummaging through my closet takes up of my evenings, I would be late for work almost everyday.

Today is Thursday. Which means one day closer to Friday. Which means I get to go to Iowa! I'm so looking forward to this trip. Not only am I super excited to see everyone, sometimes you just need a change of scenery. Wide open spaces tend to melt my stress away instantly. 

My photo shoot today is the exact opposite of wide open spaces. It was such a gross day outside so instead of going outdoors I thought I would stand in front of them. From the 16th floor. On a clear, pretty day you could maybe see the lake behind me. Not today. Today was awful. Ice, snow, and rain is not a good combo for anything. Especially walking. That's right. I fell. Right outside my apartment. Don't worry, I'm ok. I just scrapped my knee, ruined a pair of tights, and bruised my pride. Luckily I was close enough to go back in and clean myself up and you wouldn't have any idea I basically did the splits on the sidewalk this morning.

This outfit is one I've been trying to create for sometime now. I finally found this dress at Target. It's the perfect basic shape and color for some fun pattern mixing. Plaid and leopard might be one of my all time favorite combos. Have I mentioned how obsessed I am with leopard print?  If not, I am obsessed. Like very obsessed.

Pics are a tad grainy, sorry!!

Dress: Target
Shirt: Old Navy- Similar here
Belt: H&M
Tights: H&M
Boots: ALDO Similar here
Watch: Michael Kors

Breaking Rules

Hi guys! So I survived another dreadful Monday. It actually wasn't that dreadful. I'm being dramatic. Tuesday brought great things though! I got up and kicked my own butt at boot camp this morning, got free lunch from Portillo's, and decided I am going to take an impromptu trip to Iowa this weekend! Plane tickets were so cheap! Well as far as plane tickets go. Thank goodness for Southwest finally flying to Des Moines!

So now my week is just going to get longer and longer until I hop on that plane and go. I get to see so many amazing people this weekend. For one, my parents. They rule. My bff Megan is putting me up for three nights and we get to FINALLY have girls night. She is also the ONLY person I let touch my hair. So expect some fresh blonde next week! Whoot! I also get to meet sweet little Ivory Ann. The daughter of my long time bestie Brenna Ann. I cannot wait to meet this little peanut! I can't help but buy her clothes every time I'm in H&M either. It's kind of a problem. They are just so cute and little!

Today I'm rocking white pants in winter. Some may wince at my choice but I'm totally ok with that. I feel like a rebel with out a cause. Breaking rules! Speaking of rebels and rule breaking, my scarf has skulls on it. I usually would say I'm not a "skull girl" but I fell in love with this scarf when I found it. Girly badassness achieved for today.

Blur Face

I work on a floor full of women. We have a pink couch.

Sweater: Old Navy

Jeans: Forever 21

Scarf: Zara-Similar here

Boots: Express- Similar here

Watch: Fossil-Similar here

Lipstick: Covergirl (in Spellbound)

Nesting

It's Monday. The day that brings back harsh reality from a lovely, relaxing weekend. I don't hate Monday. I just like every other day of the week better.

This weekend was kinda wonderful. Nick and I did married people stuff. I guess you could call it nesting? Saturday we got up and lounged while we drank coffee. Nick is a coffee snob. So he makes "special" coffee. And it's delicious. We then hit the road to the suburbs where Nick's mom lives. She got a new entertainment center and we went to put it together for her. When I say WE I mostly mean ME. Nick is still on crutches from a gnarly snowboarding fall so he oversaw the operation. We got his mom all set up and made a trip to IKEA. When I think of IKEA I generally think of this:

Horrifying. But even with Nick on crutches we got in and out with no disagreements at all! Go us! We came back home with our new purchases and decided pizza and beer sounded great. And it was. And then I built some more furniture. Maybe I should think about changing professions?

Sunday we went to Crate and Barrel to exchange some multiples from our wedding registry. I know. IKEA and Crate and Barrel all in one weekend?! Call us crazy! Nick was pretty much worn out from all the running around so we enjoyed the Super Bowl from our couch. Just us and the cats and it was perfect. Here is my favorite commercial. I don't know if the wine helped but I legit cried when I saw it. Reminds me of my hard working family in Iowa. So great.

Today's outfit is what I call cute and comfy. I saw snow this morning and just wanted a pair of boots and a huge scarf. And since I can't look like a total slob at work I threw on a dress. I just love a snow covered city. Until it melts. And becomes one giant slushy puddle. Ew.

Dress: Express
Jacket: American Eagle-Similar here
Scarf: Forever 21-Similar here
Tights: H&M
Socks: H&M-Similar here
Boots: Madden Girl
Watch: Michael Kors