New Post, New Look

More outfit pictures at the end!

And I'm back! Did you miss me? I most definitely missed you! What do you think of my new look? And yes, my bangs have FINALLY grown out but I mean my blog! My brother worked some magic again and tweaked things a little bit. This feels more me. And I absolutely love it. He is a genius.   

So I took a little breather from blogging. It gets a little exhausting trying to look completely put together all the time and I'll just admit I was in a little bit of a fashion funk. I think I'm starting to hone in on what exactly I want "my look" to be. I've always been WAY across the board with my clothes. I am girly one day, and wearing leather and studs the next, and then I'll be completely preppy! This isn't a bad thing at all but recently I have come to find myself wanting to have just this one uniquely Katie style. Essentially, it's a style that combines all of my favorite elements from every sort of look. 

A sad but true fact is I'm not a fan of wearing much color. I always gravitate towards blacks and neutrals. Always have and always will. We can thank Grandma Judy for that. My mom is wonderful with color. She looks radiant in coral. And her blue eyes POP when she wears that perfect shade of blue. She totally owns it. And I LOVE the way she styles herself. For myself, I just love the chic simplicity of black and white. I will fall in love with a piece of clothing that is colorful and there it will hang in my closet just wanting to be worn. Don't get me wrong. I love me some color. I love how different colors make you feel and how they compliment each other. I'm a big fan of pops of color. You know, to compliment all the black and white I'm wearing. Also, when you wear simple colors all of your clothes go together! It's like Garanimals! You can mix and match everything and have so many outfits. Do you people remember Garanimals or am I way off base with that reference? Whatever, go to the link. You will understand.

So there is a fairly lengthy explanation of what's going on in my head about fashion. I'm trying to go quality over quantity. Simple, chic, Katie. 

New things in my life:

-My dog is better than yours. Seriously. He's the best dog in the word.
-My brother and my friend Megan came to visit me in Chicago within two weeks of each other. It was the absolute best.

-Camping trip in Iowa with my parents is coming up next weekend. Can't wait to get my camp on. 

-Next month, Nick and I will be married for a year. Say what?!

-To celebrate a year of marriage we are taking a European vacation in August! Budapest, Vienna, and Prague. I am BEYOND excited.

Photo Credit: Chrissy Bruzek

Top: LOFT (Similar here)
Skirt: Target 
Cardigan: Forever 21 
Shoes: Zara (love these)
Bag: Zara 
Necklace: Forever 21 (Similar here)
Watch: Michael Kors 
Sunglasses: LOFT ( Similar here)

Excuses and Sunshine

OH, HI!!! I'm alive! Once again, I apologize for my absence. I just have not been in the mood to look adorable lately. And I am blaming the weather again. It has been anything but adorable. It's been positively awful. Floods! Yes, Chicago had floods. Granted I really wasn't effected by the actual floods but my outfits and hair did suffer. So sorry. You just don't get to see that. But alas! I am back. And I bring you a sunny day with an outdoor photo shoot! It's 62 degrees today! HEAT WAVE. It's going to be like 42 degrees tomorrow. But shhhhhh don't tell my happy demeanor that. 

Since the weather was cooperating I wanted to be extra springy! Floral and a white blazer totally does the trick. I'm pretty sure at least 4 people have said  "You look so springy today!" So, mission accomplished. Let's talk about these shoes. I got them in 2011. I bought them immediately because they reminded me of these Valentino numbers. Let's be real. I do not have an extra $900 laying around. Ever. I love these because they seem to be timeless and trendy all at the same time. That does not happen very often! 

Btw, it is super windy when you stand on a bridge in between giant buildings so excuse my crazy hair. Just focus on the glorious sun shining down on me. 

Photo Credit: Chrissy Bruzek

Oh look! A candid!

"What is this wind?!"

Top: LOFT 

Jeans: LOFT 

Blazer: H&M 

Shoes: Boutique 9- Similar here 

Necklace: Forever 21- Similar here 

Watch: Michael Kors 

Sunglasses: LOFT- Similar here

Birthday

Guess whose birthday it was yesterday?! MINE!!! I had such a lovely birthday weekend! And I'm still celebrating with drinks after work with my work gals! Woot!

My weekend kicked off with a double date with one of Nick's friends and his lady friend on Friday night. We started the night off at the Boarding House for drinks. It was beautiful! The whole ceiling of the first floor is a wine glass chandelier. So pretty. The drinks were great too. Then we headed to the Paris Club for dinner. As always it was delish. And Nick even ate escargot! If you know Nick you know this is a BIG deal. We ended the night at a neighborhood bar but didn't stay out too late because I had to be up early for Dance Marathon! What an experience! I'm so glad I was able to do this. It was physically and emotionally draining but it was so worth it. I will definitely be back next year. My parents came back from Aruba and on Sunday we had brunch at Nellcote. This place was also beautiful and the food was amazing. After brunch we went shopping (my favorite) and then came back home and had Whole Foods pizza and cake. All in all it was a marvelous weekend! Here are some highlights!

Brunch mimosa, birthday pizza, The Boarding House, CAKE, Dance Marathon with ChrissyBru!

Back to the grind after all the birthday fun. At least I have something new to wear everyday this week thanks to my shopping spree with mom and dad! I'm so spoiled. At least I know it. That makes it kind of ok right? And holy cow. I need a some sun! Anyone want to A. Buy be a tropical vacation or B. recommend a good sunless tanning lotion? Both would be much appreciated!

Fringe!

Top: LOFT 
Cardi: Forever 21-Similar here 
Pants: Zara -Similar here 
Boots: DSW (on sale!) 
Necklace: Forever 21- Similar here 
Watch: Michael Kors