Fab 5: Spring Must-Haves

1. Accessorize your spring outfit with a J.Crew bright stone necklace.

2. The Jenni Kayne d'Orsay flats will put a spring in your step with a classic and comfortable design.

 3. Pastel nail polish is all the rage and Essie Splash of Grenadine fits the bill.

4. Follow the trend mirrored lens trend with this affordable wayfarer from ASOS. 

5. Floral prints and baseball hats are big for spring so pick up this Biltmore for Madewell hat and you're all set. 

xoxo

PS

Weekly Pick: Winter Style

Completing a style post was one of my 101 in 1001 goals that I can now check off the list. My sister is an awesome photographer and was able to capture a few photos on a snowy afternoon back in Grand Rapids. Even Leland managed to get herself in a few photos to make her modeling debut. 

Hat: J.Crew/ Scarf: Lalligag / Sunglasses: Ray Ban / Coat: Zara/ Sweater: Forever 21/ Pants: Target/ Boots: Dirty Laundry

xoxo

PS

Tasty Tuesday: Viaggio

The West Loop is the hottest dining scene in Chicago right now with trendy restaurants popping up on every corner. But if you're looking for a classic and timeless Italian restaurant that you can keep coming back to then head over to Viaggio. Viaggio, meaning "Journey" in Italian, will take you on a culinary journey with delicious Italian favorites and some authentic dishes from regions throughout Italy.

Start your night with the meatball salad and you'll thank me later. This salad is a staple at the restaurant (you'll notice just about every table orders it), and has quite the reputation for bring people back for more. The salad is served with romaine lettuce, vegetables and the famous meatballs tossed in their homemade marinara sauce. 

I ordered the salmon that was broiled and served with toasted almonds, a mixed greens salad and a raspberry vinaigrette and seriously loved every bite. The salmon was fresh and I loved the added crunch with the toasted almonds.  

My friend ordered one of the specials of the evening which was gnocchi served with chicken and tossed with marinara, basil and mozzarella cheese. The gnocchi was perfectly cooked and the marinara sauce had great flavor and texture. 

 

With the delicious Italian food, cozy environment and exceptional service I'm definitely coming back to Viaggio. Take note that they also have a second location, Viaggio at the Park, located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. 

xoxo

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Fashion Report: The Oscars 2013

Best Dressed: Kerry Washington in Miu Miu

Charlize Theron in Christian Dior Couture           Jennifer Lawrence in Christian Dior Couture

                           Naomi Watts in Armani Prive                              Jessica Chastain in Armani Prive

 

Images found here

 

xoxo

 

PS

Cheers to the Weekend

Image found here

Party Favors:

The best champagne cocktails in Chicago

These earrings are on my must-have list

This 3D printing pen is pretty amazing

Superhero window washers at the Children's Hospital

Would you give your dog a temporary tattoo?

xoxo

PS

Fab 5: Best Haircare Products

               

 

Davines Love Smoothing Shampoo - The best thing for unruly/frizzy hair is this Davines shampoo with indian fig extract and olive oil to help moisturize and soften hair.

L'Oreal EverPure Smooth Conditioner - You can find this L'Oreal conditioner at your local drugstore but trust me it's the best conditioner out there. The rosemary & mint scent is amazing, and the sulfate-free color system keeps your colored hair from fading.

 

Bumble and Bumble Tonic Lotion - The Bumble and Bumble tonic lotion is a nutrient-rich detangler and primer for styling that I love to spritz on my locks when I get out of the shower.

 

Davines Defining Relaxing Fluid - This relaxing fluid from Davines is my go-to product before I blow dry to protect and nourish my hair.

 

Phyto Phytolisse Finishing Serum - This serum tames my flyways and frizz after blow drying without leaving my hair feeling greasy.

 

xoxo

 

PS

Weekly Pick: The Everygirl's One Year Anniversary

Cheers to The Everygirl celebrating their one year anniversary this week! The Everygirl is a must read for me each morning because they deliver creative content for your home, personal life, career, and fun fashion/beauty ideas. Alaina and Danielle have created an amazing space for girls everywhere to be inspired and dream a little bigger.

You can read here how they inspired myself and countless others with their website. I'm not sure I would have taken the leap in starting the The Grand Rapids Guide had it not been for The Everygirl to give me that push in taking a risk.

I can't wait to celebrate The Everygirl's anniversary tomorrow at West Elm to toast to their success.
 

xoxo

PS

Tasty Tuesday: Little Market Brasserie

After reading and hearing such amazing things about Little Market Brasserie I booked it over there to see what all the hype was about. The restaurant has a Parisian bistro feel but you'll find most of the menu items to be classic American comfort food. They encourage sharing plates tapas style which is always fun with a large group and allows you to try a variety of menu items.

We started the evening with the wedge salad that had an amazing blue cheese dressing with tomatoes and bacon. For the larger plates we ordered the mahi mahi with celery root, potatoes and a red wine reduction and the grilled squash with quinoa, almonds and my favorite kale chips. Both of these plates were phenomenal and perfect for sharing.

Images found here

xoxo

PS

What I'm Reading Now: Design Sponge - Social Media Do's & Don'ts

Social media is such an integral part of our lives these days that when I came across this Social Media Etiquette article on Design Sponge I was intrigued. Everyone likes to be treated with respect in our personal lives and this also translates to the relationships we build online. Here are a few takeaway points I liked from the article:

1. Comments Follow You - Think before you post, and don't say something online that you wouldn't typically say in public.

2. Consider The Tone - Try to represent and articulate a range of tones that don't leave you constantly venting or bragging. Keep your tone real and balanced, and remember that sometimes it's difficult to tell a person's tone online.

3. Act The Way You'd Want To Be Treated- If you want someone to credit your work then make sure you're crediting other people's work as well. Be the example through your social media accounts that you want others to follow.

Check out the article for some specific etiquette rules for Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/Pinterest.

Do you have any tips for social media etiquette?

xoxo

PS

Happy Friday!

Image found here

Party Favors:

The world's most expensive cocktail

This bathroom wouldn't relax me at all

Tech Tips give you the magic touch

Loving these IKEA hacks

25 simple date ideas

xoxo

PS

Fab 5: Trends for Fall 2013 from New York Fashion Week

1. Sweater + Long Skirt

Jenny Packham

Lela Rose

Carolina Herrera

2. Navy & Black

Dennis Basso

Jill Stuart

Tadashi Shoji

3. Prints

ICB by Prabal Gurung

Vera Wang

J.Crew

 

4. Oversized Coats

Tracy Reese

Michael Kors

Custo Barcelona

5. Intricate Lace Details

Monique Lhuillier

Carmen Marc Valvo

Lela Rose

 

Images found here

xoxo

PS

Happy Valentine's Day!

Image found here

xoxo

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Weekly Pick: My Favorite Trends

Side Braid
I'm loving a loose side braid right now (motivation to grow my hair out) that can easily be dressed up or down. Some might say braids were so 2011, but I think they're making a comeback.

Sporty Chic

The sporty chic style is a great way to have some fun with your wardrobe. Spice up your date night by wearing your boyfriend's favorite team shirt and add some heels or mix your running shoes with a jersey dress.

Black & Blue

Mixing navy blue and black might be a fashion faux pas for some, but this look is a serious hit in my book.  

Images found here

xoxo

PS

Tasty Tuesday: Creamless Creamy Tomato Soup

This cold weather had me craving a hot bowl of tomato soup last weekend so I scrolled through my Pinterest boards and came across this recipe for Creamless Creamy Tomato Soup. The recipe is adapted from Cooks Illustrated (one of my ultimate favorites), and I slightly adapted it to my own taste (vegetable broth instead of chicken broth). The secret to making this soup creamy without adding cream is incorporating bread to help thicken the soup.

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling1/2 medium onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1-2 medium garlic cloves, minced
pinch of hot red pepper flakes (optional)
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1/2 tablespoon brown sugar
1 1/2 large slices good quality sandwich bread, cubed (I used a baguette)
1 cup vegetable broth
extra virgin olive oil for garnish (optional)

Prep your sandwich bread by removing the crusts and cut into bite sized pieces.

Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat then add onion, garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook while stirring frequently, until onion is translucent, about 3 to 5 minutes.

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, brown sugar and bread; bring soup to boil. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until bread is completely saturated and starts to break down. Remove from heat.

Transfer the soup to blender or use a blender stick in the pot and process until soup is smooth and creamy. Return the soup into the dutch oven (if you transferred it to a blender) and stir in the vegetable broth. Bring the soup to boil and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve soup in individual bowls. Sprinkle each portion with pepper and drizzle with a garnish of olive oil if desired.

xoxo

PS