Allergies and Alleys

So I went on and on about how amazing fall is yesterday but there is actually one major downside. Allergies. How cow, they pretty much knocked me on my pleather clad bum today. I've never really had them before this season and I just want them gone. Any suggestions or meds that work? I may or may not scratch my eyeballs out before winter. Ugh.

On a lighter, not congested note...look at this alley! Doesn't it rule? This might be my new favorite picture taking place. It's called Couch Place Alley named after a couple of brothers that owned an adjacent hotel in the mid 1800's. Apparently, there was a huge fire that destroyed the neighboring Iroquois Theater in 1903. This fire killed 600 people and there are suspicions the alley is now haunted. I definitely did not get a creepy feeling while I was there and now I'm even more excited to go back! 

Fashion blog turned Chicago history lesson, sorry! Back to the real subject. I just got these shoes and I'm in love. They might give me blisters now but that's nothing a couple of band-aids and my high pain tolerance can't deal with! Also, pleather and denim is one of the best combos. Bonus points for leopard print and stripes!

Shirt: H&M 

Skirt: H&M 

Jacket: H&M 

Shoes: Forever 21 

Purse: Aldo (Similar here) 

Necklace: Presence (Similar here)

Watch: Michael Kors

Bonjour

Hey there! Hope everyone had as lovely of a weekend as I did! We spent so much time outside enjoying the weather. Biking, walking Loki, eating on patios. It was just wonderful. Dare I say it? It might be spring? I'm sure I just jinxed it there will be a snow front coming tomorrow. You just never know in the old Midwest.

I actually had a chance to do laundry this weekend. It's amazing. All of your clothes clean and just ready for you to make outfits! This sweater was inspired by Blair at Atlantic-Pacific. Not even inspired,  it's the exact same sweater. I clicked on her blog and two seconds later I had the sweater in my shopping cart on Asos. I just knew it had to mine. It's one of those pieces that is pretty much seasonless. In other words, you're gonna see a lot of it!

Photo Cred: Nuhamin

Sweater: Asos 

Jeans: Lord & Taylor- Similar here

Jacket: Forever21- Similar here 

Shoes: Zara- Love these 

Necklaces- Forever21 here Presence- Similar here 

Sunglasses: LOFT- Similar here 

Purse: Zara 

Lipstick: Maybelline in Fuchsia Flash

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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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)

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)

#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