Gadzooks

Today is COLD. I don't mean the oh, I'll throw a hat and gloves on and be ok cold. It's the I need a snow suit cause my legs are gonna fall off cold. So I am not cute outdoors today. Unless you think the Abominable Snowman man is cute. In that case I'm adorable. 

Indoors, like inside my office bar, I am much warmer and much cuter. Yes, I said office bar. We have a bar inside our office. It's called Starbar. That's advertising. The bar is actually pretty darn cool and decorated in a mid century modern theme. Dare I say it's "Mad Men"-esque? Donald Draper could totally kick it here.

Today's outfit is my normal color scheme. Black, brown, and leopard. Leopard is a color to me. Throw on some boyfriend jeans and some pink lipstick and you got a laid back but chic outfit! Oh, and remember when I told you I have socks from Limited too? Well, these shoes are from Gadzooks. Good ol' Gadzooks. I'm pretty sure Forever 21 bought it out so basically my shoes are from Forever 21...right?

I guess I was a serious Sally today!

Top: Target-Similar here
Cardi: LOFT-Similar here
Jeans: Express-Similar here
Shoes: Gadzooks-Similar here
Scarf: Express
Necklace: Forever 21-Similar here
Wallet: JCrew-Similar here
Bangles: LOFT-Similar here
Watch: Michael Kors 

Steel Magnolias & Pleather

Happy hump day! This week seems to be flying by and let's just say, I'm not mad about it. 

Last night I went out for drinks for my friend Annie's birthday. Happy Birthday  Banana!!! Then I came home and watched an episode of Downton Abbey. If you aren't already watching this show you should be. That's also coming from an English history nerd who watches public television frequently. But still, give it a shot. 

Nick (husband) is in North Carolina on business so that means GIRL DATES! Tonight my friend Greta is coming over to watch Steel Magnolias. Cause the girl has NEVER seen it! I found this out last night and after I got over my initial state of shock I told her she can't be my friend until she sees it. So our friendship is on the line until this evening. We will laugh, we will cry, and I will be saying "pink is my signature color" for the next two weeks. Pink is not my signature color. If I had a signature color it might be gray. Depressing I know. It just goes with/complements everything ok?!

Today's outfit is one of my favs. The skirt was a complete impulse buy and it was totally worth it. I wear it all the time! You may be thinking "Really Katie, a pleather skirt?" But really, it just adds the right amount of girly badassness I try to achieve on a daily basis. Yup, girly badass. I'm sticking with it.

Sweater: Old Navy-Similar here

Skirt: H&M-Similar here and here

Tights: H&M-Similar here

Boots: Express-Similar here

Necklace: Presence-Similar here

Watch: Michael Kors

Photos taken by ChrissyBru. Check out her blog Bru About Town! This girl gets around (the town, duh!) and shows you all those hidden gems in Chicago.

#1

Hi friends, family, and internet people! I'm finally doing it. I'm starting a blog.

This blog has been a long time in the making. Mix a little laziness, apprehension, and a little of my graphic designer brother's procrastination (he designed the blog. I know, it rules!) it took a little while for my corner of the internet to come to be. But alas, here we are and I'm gonna start showing you some parts of my life!

Now first things first, my life is not the MOST entertaining. I don't really travel a ton. I'm a self proclaimed couch potato. I also have a mild obsession with my cats. I know, thrilling right? I do however LOVE shopping. And with that LOVE of shopping comes outfits that I LOVE putting together. Lot's of love when it comes to clothes/fashion. And my cats. And my husband. Is it bad that cats came before husband? Hmm.

So I will be posting some awesome outfits and will even give you links so you can go out and make the outfit yourself! Granted, a lot of the things I wear are OLD. I still have Limited Too socks in my sock drawer. That's right, Limited Too. Which is now Justice. We are talking like 15 year old socks. If that's the case I will try my best to find you something similar and give you that link!

I happen to do some other things than shop. Rarely, but I do. I dabble in the art of making super simple recipes that are "healthy." In college my husband and I lived on a diet of mac and cheese and frozen pizza. If we were feeling fancy we would make tuna helper.(ew!) So as adults we try to eat like adults and I will sometimes show you some of my adult recipes. This doesn't mean mac and cheese is off limits. Mac and cheese will NEVER be off limits.

My husband, cats, and I (husband came first) reside in Chicago. One of the greatest cities in the world in my opinion. I love to go out and drink, taste, and experience all that my great city has to offer. Thanks to a handy dandy thing called an iPhone and a handy dandy app called Instagram(follow me @katmarieb) it makes it extremely easy for me to share my experiences with you! 

Speaking of Chicago my first outfit post, captured by the talented ChrissyBru was taken around Veteran's Park by the Chicago River. Isn't the city at night just wonderful? Also, It was like 45 degrees out in January. Amazing! 

Sweater: Forever 21

Vest: Express-Similar here

Jeans: Zara-Similar here

Shoes: Kohl's

Necklace: Forever 21

Bag: ALDO

Watch: Michael Kors