Dressed for Time | Spring and Summer Style Tips from a Chicago blogger

White Pleated Maxi and Olive Jacket

June 19, 2015

Good morning, lovelies! I’ve been working a lot lately, picking up extra shifts where I can, so my apologies for not posting as often as I ‘d like! 6 days a week behind a desk has me daydreaming of outfits and color palettes, and definitely perusing an online sale or two in my downtime at the office 😉
I was able to steal a couple hours away this past weekend for some “me” time, which I crave after dealing with angry patients all week! This time, shooting with the delightful Holli Zenko, I wanted to play around with a couple of very casual items and turn them up a notch with loads of layered gold jewelry. I hope you enjoy!

Olive jacket – JcPenney – similar here and here
Maxi dress – Nectar Clothing – similar here and here
Bucket bag – Old Navy – similar
Sunglasses – Nasty Gal also love these
Leather belt – Gap
Sandals – KMart – similar here and here
Tassel necklace – similar
Cage bracelet – Nectar Clothing – similar
Crystal bracelet – The Crowned Crane – similar
Pyramid bracelet – Banana Republic
Pearl midi ring – Forever 21
Richter ring – similar
Crystal band – similar

Photos by Holli Zenko

Neon Florals and Rebecca Minkoff Bag

June 17, 2015

I’m so in love with the palette of this look, from the neon shades of the floral-print skirt to the icy lilac of my newest handbag acquisition from Rebecca Minkoff. I grounded those vibrant colors with black sandals and this great asymmetrical top, and I loved the effect. I wore this outfit for wandering around downtown in my city, sipping on an iced coffee and window-shopping.

Sunglasses – Amazon
Asymmetrical top – Elizabeth & Clarke – similar
Floral pencil skirt – ASOS – similar, also love this one
Crossbody bag – Rebecca Minkoff (this color sold out)- similar
Crisscross sandals – Forever 21
Necklace – vintage – similar
Rings – Nectar Clothing

Photos by Holli Zenko at With An I Photography

Current Beauty Organization

June 16, 2015

The products in my beauty collection are still not totally how I want them to be after moving.. But I think I’ve gotten close enough that I can back away and know where everything is while enjoying the set-up aesthetically. Here it is!

First, let me start by saying that my set-up is not a normal one, by far! Most people have their makeup in the bathroom or bedroom, and books on the bookshelves.. Well, I have my books in the living room, and my beauty products at the end of the hallway! The pictures below are ones I’ve yet to hang, but I also kind of like the way they frame this space.
So from left to right, top to bottom, we have..
Top shelf – Misc. bin that holds products ranging from ointments and salves to q-tips and ace bandages, this container stores a bit of everything; my makeup brushes, eye and lip liners, mascaras and shadow primers, extra nail polish remover, Evian mist.
2nd shelf – a trunk holding most of my palettes and false eyelashes, tissues, brush cleaners, lipsticks, glosses and balms.
3rd shelf – Zoya nail polish, misc. nail polish, travel-size lotions, more polish remover (this Zoya one with a pump is so great!!), nail art supplies, cotton balls.
4th shelf – loose eyeshadow powders, a tub filled with everything for a base (foundation, concealer, setting powder, etc.), my trunk that houses blushes, single eyeshadows, bronzers and cream shadows.

I took some detailed shots too, to show how I’ve arranged everything inside of the cases.

Loose shadows including MAC Pigments and Bare Minerals.

Lipsticks, stains, glosses, crayons, balms, etc.

Inside my trunk. Everything from cream, gel and powder blushes, bronzers, single eyeshadows, and lots of cream and liquid shadows.

The pink tub houses all of my Zoya ploshes, which is quickly reaching capacity. The other, larger tub holds all of my other polishes. I definitely need to do some editing here, as I’ve had some of those polishes for a while! Side note, I almost always do my own manicures, so I actually do use most of these on a fairly consistent basis, but I do only have ten fingers and ten toes to work on haha!

I hope this post has given you some inspiration on beauty organization and storage. I am always on the hunt for new ideas and ways to display/store my stash too, so please feel free to comment with any tips you’d like to share with me!
😀

DVF Maxi Gown and Platform Sandals

June 12, 2015

I’ve been waiting for a while now to find a photographer that I clicked with and I’m so happy to have found her! Miss Holli Zenko and I have known of each other for a while but it took me until a few weeks ago to get the idea to take her up on her incredible photography skills. For this inaugural shoot, I wanted to wear something breezy and colorful, which I definitely found in this Diane Von Furstenberg maxi dress. We had so much fun, took loads of great shots, and ended the afternoon with a glass of wine (or two!) For our next shoot, we’re going to play around with what will be the first in a series, One Item, Two Ways. I hope you all enjoy!

Maxi gown – Diane Von Furstenberg – Rent the Runway
Crossbody bag – Times Arrow – Rent the Runway
Platform sandals – Forever 21 – similar
Rose gold aviators – Forever 21 – similar
Chalcedony ring – Kyle Chan Design – similar
Pearl midi rings – Forever 21
Square rhinestone ring – LA find – similar
White leather belt – vintage – similar

All photos by Holli Zenko Photography