keep it simple

****

Dress: Kate Spade // Shoes: Kate Spade, similar here // earrings: Lily Dawson // Bracelets: Hermes, J. Crew, Coordinate Collection, David Yurman // Watch: Michele // Sunnies: Free People

Photo Cred: Ryland Devero

Sometimes, all you need to do is look no further than your idol and remember that today is just another day and to keep life simple. 

Sure, I could make this post a series of quotes by Audrey Hepburn but we've all been on pinterest and we know those by heart. Over the past 4 months I have really had to listen to myself and my body and have had to learn how to just stay still, stay quiet, and stay simple. It's not easy but I just know the outcome will be something that only dreams are made of. 

{Amy}

Casual Saturday

Top: Rag & Bone // Shorts: SOLD denim, similar here // Shoes: Chanel, similar here // Bag: Rebecca Minkoff // Sunnies: Ray-Ban // Watch: Michele // Bracelets: David Yurman, Vintage, DIY // Hat: J. Crew

Photo Cred: The one and only, Ryland Devero.

2 weeks ago I traveled to a city that will forever have a piece of my heart; My beloved Chicago. This trip was different then the last 15 I've taken over the past 4 years. When Alcohol and partying isn't allowed on the agenda I was forced to, once again, keep it simple.

Thankfully for me, I stayed with one of the strongest friends I know, a girl I'm lucky enough to call "one of my people". Ryland is the type of genuine friend that when she says she wants you to succeed, she means it. Even if it isn't want I want to hear, she will give me advice and I am forced to step back and realize that what she is saying is right (most of the time...). She reminded me this weekend that girlfriends are what will always stay constant in your life. Sure, some might come and go. But without them, it is a lonely, dark road, that I never want to be on alone.

And by the way, for those of you that go to Chicago strictly to booze it up and shop...there's a lot more out there then just that! The lake is beautiful at any time of the day, my personal favorite is at sunset (obviously). Second City comedy club is the birthplace of Tina Fey and the talent there is just incredible. Finally, don't even get me started on the Oreo & Praline Flapjacks from The Bongo Room. Holy. Shit.

{Amy}

What is familiar

Jacket: Kate Spade // Tank: Patterson j. Kincaid // Jeans: Rag & Bone // Bracelets: Coordinate collection, J. Crew, David Yurman // Watch: Michele // Sunnies: Ray-Ban // Necklace: Jennifer Zeuner // Shoes: Christian Louboutin, similar here // Earrings: Lily Dawson // Moccasins: Minnetonka

Photo creds: Ryland Devero

Can we really act surprised? Scott and I come from a family of just girls. No, I am not kidding. I only have 1 older sister, my mom has 1 younger sister, my dad has 1 younger sister, my 1 grandmother only has 2 girls, and my other grandmother as 1 girl and 1 boy (my dad).  Scott is the youngest of 3 with 2 older sisters, with his oldest sister having1 baby girl,  his mother is a twin to a sister (and has a younger sister), and his father has 1 younger sister.

I mean, come on. As much as we would have loved to have a baby Scott first, I can't act like I didn't see this coming. 

The idea of carrying on the "firstborn girl tradition" was something I honestly feared. As much of a girlie girl as I am, I was terrified at the idea of bring a girl into this cruel, mean, caddy world. I wanted to change the tradition. Before you judge my parenting skills (before I even give birth) let me explain myself...

Having female relationships was never my strong suit. I have always felt most comfortable around men and hanging with the guys. I have just a select few girlfriends that I talk to on the regular and even though I was in a sorority, I wasn't the one that had all the friends. the backstabbing, bad-mouthing, cattiness was something I physically could not handle. My sister and I are deathly close but we weren't always that way. We actually hated each other until I was abut 18. My parents would have to get babysitters for us into our teens for the fear of us killing each other was too real from them to ignore. We fought like hell, and we were cruel to each other. It went past name calling and hair pulling, it was deeper than that. We truly, hated each other with all of our beings. Times have changed and my sister is my closest confidant. It wasn't until my sister confided in me the deep dark 'secret' she was keeping that made her who she was. It's amazing what happens when you set YOUR truth free. My Mother and I are extremely close. At times, I question if we are too close. However, we have our issues like any mother/daughter duo. We have both been through enormous amounts of changes over the past few years and it's hard changing your ways after being in the same routine for 21 years.

Yes, boy or girl, I am scared. But, isn't that what motherhood is all about? If I wasn't scared I don't think I would be able to say "I'm going to be a great mother". Scott and I are thrilled to be having a girl. I can only imagine how she will have Scott wrapped around her fingers and how I will now have a new forever best friend. But, the truth is, it's scary. It's scary to be a woman in this world, to have gone through all the challenges and triumphs that I've been through and not be scared to bring a baby girl into this world. But we are. And in my eyes, she will be perfect, every single inch of her. No matter what any pre-teen, caddy girl says. 

{Amy}

Go with the flow

Maxi Skirt: Nordstrom, similar here // Clutch: Kate Spade // Bracelets: Trouve, DIY, and Jade, David Yurman, Tiffanys // Ring: Tiffanys // Watch: Michele // Chambray: J. Crew // Cami: Tibi, similar color // Shoes: Birkenstock // Necklace: World market 

Photography: Lauren Frisch

I don't know about you but right when a new trend comes out I find myself saying "oh, never!", "not in a million years will you catch me wearing leggings", "only catholic school girls and soccer moms wear David Yurman", "This isn't little house on the prairie, over my dead body will I wear a 'maxi' skirt or dress!" "I'm far from a hippie so would would I EVER wear birkenstocks?" And as it always goes, I end up eating my words, and usually within a few weeks of me declaring my intent of never falling for these trends. I.E...THIS ENTIRE OUTFIT.

Isn't this also so true in life? For instance, I have always struggled with forgiveness, and am damn good at holding a grudge. I want so badly for people to not only look at me as a strong, independent woman that holds her own and never gives into trends, forgiveness, or peer pressure but in the end the only person I am hurting is myself. I can tell you from experience that nothing good comes from going to sleep with a grudge on your heart. I did this for a solid 4 years after my parents divorce and paid a pretty penny for medicine to help cure chronic back and neck pains. 

Whether we are talking about fashion or whether we are talking about life, sometimes the best thing to do is give in to the trends and go with the flow. Forgive your friends for not calling you back, forgive your significant other for forgetting to take the trash out, let go of the resentment you have towards someone who is farther than you in their career, and give in to the trends. We don't have to forget how it made us feel, and we don't have to stop questioning why it happened but, sometimes, going with the flow is the best thing for your soul.

{Amy}

THE jacket.

 Shorts: Levi // Clutch: Kate Spade // Bracelets: Trouve. By my beloved friend, Dee // Jacket: Kate Spade // Shoes: Converse // Hat: Target // Top: J. Crew

photography: Lauren Frisch

Normally, I wouldn't make two posts this close together but considering "THE JACKET" was just marked down 40%, I felt compelled to discuss it, yet again. I don’t think I have ever loved something so much in my closet like I do "The Dorothy Coat". Please, don't take what I say lightly when I say this jacket is everything. (And yes, that sounds like a typical sorority girl but hey, if the shoe fits…) Whenever I wear this jacket people will literally yell out their car windows asking me where I got it, and men stop me dead in my tracks to tell me how incredible this coat is.  I’ve actually had a little girl come up to me, starry-eyed, wanting to touch it.

We all know how incredibly talented Lauren Frisch is but trying to get the color right through the lens of a camera is damn near impossible. Think of the brightest Geranium flower you have ever seen (men, those are the really, REALLY, bright pink ones that you see in the summer time). I’ve always been certain that Pink, or any shade of pink, really, is a neutral color so make sure you tailor what I’m saying to your own style but, I really believe you can wear this coat with any color. I’ve worn it with a red silk blouse and blue jeans, a navy striped dress, even just white jeans with the jacket buttoned up, and obviously with cut-off shorts and converse.  

Yes, this is an expensive jacket. No, I never would have purchased it if I didn’t work for Kate Spade. However, with it being on-sale (and an extra 20% off this weekend online!) makes it more affordable, and I can safely say this is a piece of art that will be in your closet forever. It’s an investment piece.

{Amy}



Confession

Pants: Anthropologie, similar here // Shoes: converse // Sunglasses: Ray-Ban //  Tee: J. Crew // Necklace: Milk & Honey Boutique, similar here // Watch: Michele
Photography: Lauren Frisch

Confession: I wore my pajama pants in public. And frankly, I do it a lot. Lucky for me, these pants are back on trend for summer '14...

Hallelujah.

{Amy}

Changing of the seasons

 

Dress: J. Crew, Similar here // Booties: Nordstrom // Necklace: old, similar here // Watch: Michele // Bracelet: David Yurman // Earrings: Kate Spade // Jacket: Kate Spade
Photography by Lauren Frisch

Whether we are talking about the weather seasons, or the seasons of life; one this is always constant, change.  This week, KC saw 20 degree temperatures and 75 degree temperatures. We are threatened with snow, and rain, all within 24 hours. We were reminded that a new season is on the horizon and with a new season comes a new chapter in all of our lives.

Spring is my most favorite season of them all. We can shed our ‘winter skin’ and look forward to crisp mornings and cool nights. (I’ve often contemplated having a bonfire to burn all of my winter tights and wool socks. I mean, enough is ENOUGH.) It’s the season of changes; kids are graduating, people are getting married, March madness starts (which I would know nothing about since I'm from the state of Kansas (insert sarcastic look here)), bunnies start terrorizing our flower beds…FLOWERS, we can plant FLOWERS again! Days become longer and colors become brighter, wool pants turn into maxi skirts, boots turn into sandals, and transparent skin becomes a little sun kissed. Be still my heart…

SPRING IS HERE {almost} !!!

{Amy}

Other side of the closet

Men's Button Down: Wal-Mart // Beaded Bracelet: DIY // Glasses: Warby Parker // Necklace: Kate Spade, similar here // Denim: Baldwin // Watch: Michele // Bracelets: Coordinate Collection, Tiffany's, David Yurman
Photography: Lauren Frisch

Sometimes, you just need a crisp men's button down and a broken-in pair of blue jeans. 

(and sometimes, you just need to shop at Wal-Mart.)

{Amy}

2 sides to every story

Hat: Milk & Honey Boutique // Jeans: 7 For All Mankind// Shoes: Converse // Jacket: Kate Spade// Denim Jacket: 7 For All Mankind, similar here// Oxford: Kate Spade // Watch: Michele //Bracelets: J. Crew, Kate Spade, Jade bangles from Beijing and Taiwan, Beaded-DIY

"It takes 2 to tango", "Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde", "There are 2 sides to every story".

Where fashion is concerned, there is nothing more beautiful than both sides of the story. I own more pairs of boyfriend jeans than I care to share (6), enough baggy Tee's that Rapunzel herself would have slack if she tied them all together, and roughly 5 pairs of beat up old Converse. I am not a high fashion wearing kind of gal. That does not mean that I don't covet Isabel Marant, dream in Givenchy, have Carl Lagerfeld on my 'short list' of people I'd like to have a drink with, and have a mad girl crush on Deborah Lloyd.

Lloyd's 'where in the world is Kate Spade' idea for this year has gotten my attention and my girlie-girl side is smitten. This month's theme is Paris, and the colors are what my dreams are made of...I can have my cake and eat it too!

P.S. It's colder than Sh*t in KC.

{Amy}