Rockabye Bucktown

As Winter slowly, but surely makes it way out of Chicago and Spring creeps in, I’ve noticed something different: the return of color!  I think I even saw a blue sky yesterday!  Life changing, I tell you. 

On that same note, here’s how we’ve been playing with color in the B house lately…

• Black and white: a geometric peplum top (I know, this trend is starting to grow on me!) and skirt (with a pop of poppy) worn to a charity event at City Winery last Friday
• Red and white: wine flight at the Tasting Room and several glasses for birthday celebrations over the weekend
• Yellow: Little B’s new rad mustard jeans worn with a “grandpa chic” sweater complete with elbow patches.  So stylish…
• Stormy weather, dover gray, dark ash and wistful willow: paint colors we love for the new home (Little B happily entertained himself with some PBS Kids on the iPad on Sunday morning while mom and dad reviewed)
• Pink: salmon atop coconut, mango and red pepper quinoa with honey toasted almonds for dinner tonight
• Bluestone: coffee tables that I found and fell in love with this weekend.  Hopefully Little B does not color on these as he’s recently shown an interest in coloring on our furniture.  Thank God crayons wipe off easily…

Icy or cobalt, I think it’s apparent that I’ve been on a blue streak.  I like blue any time of year, but especially in the winter when a subtle hint of color is necessary to carry us into Spring…

What color are you loving right now?

I’m a sucker for a solid jacket or blazer. 

Maybe because I’m always cold? The current temps and snow isn’t helping…

Maybe because they’re so easy to throw on to complete an outfit?

Whatever the reason, I’m in heaven right now as there are so many stylish options out there to get me through these dreary winter months, but also that can transition well into Spring. I am partial to IRO, Elizabeth & James and the Georgie line found at Intermix.  They are all quality lines that rarely go out of style. 

I picked up the burgundy E&J blazer this season and pair it with everything from bright cobalt to refined snakeskin patterns (cost per wear, cost per wear, cost per wear). I’m thinking the army green Georgie number would look great thrown over a tee and jeans for day and either a black or neutral dress for night.  I know I have posted about the cobalt tweed IRO before, but I can’t stop thinking about it (and wouldn’t mind pairing it with black silk pants for The Hunt this weekend). 

At the end of the day, this is Chicago and one can never own enough jackets.  Ever.

Tweed/army green/cobalt/bubble gum pink/burgundy

[Images via Intermix and Piperlime]

I’m clearly not attending an office holiday party of my own this year (unless you count the multiple chardonnay-infused evenings at the B house this month spent watching Christmas movies wearing reindeer pajamas - that is my idea of a holiday party!), but that doesn’t deter me from putting together what I would wear!

This LBD from Pleasure Doing Business is classic, but not too conservative and pairs well with either the black and white blazer for more of a menswear inspired look.  The cobalt blue renders a twist on the traditional tweed jacket seen in many offices across this city (my former self can attest). 

If only these refined looks came with a raise…

Really into this week:

• Another engagement!  Congrats Katie and Zach!
• Hot pink lipstick - especially this geranium shade from La Prairie
• A fun collection of wall clocks (something I may need to invest in, as I’m notoriously late)
• Salmon burgers and Asian slaw (a twist on a summer favorite)
• Sidewalk chalk art (courtesy of the neighborhood children)
• Lightweight jackets that will carry into fall (like this Intermix-exclusive Georgie faux python one…perfect to pair with leather)
• Anything with a Mediterranean flare (such as the Mediterranean salad from Prasino.  Hearty and flavorful)
• Scoring this playful shirt dress from the DVF sample sale
• Running into and chatting up Chicago stylist, Eric Himel, at Saks (you’ve recently seen him on an episode of Guiliana and Bill).  He is hilarious!

Not so into:

• Feather earrings…where do I begin?  (I’m looking at you, RHOC and random girls walking down Damen)
• My inevitable summer cankles (ugh, I’m swelling as I type)
• Catalogs - we get millions of them!  And even duplicates…although, I think I’ve found a solution as they seem to entertain Little B’s busy hands
• Any workout longer than a half hour. I just don’t have the patience anymore…it’s summer!