I arrived in Chicago not expecting to be wooed, but open to letting the city change my mind.

With 6 days ahead of me with several breaks between meetings,  I set out to enjoy the sites.

Humor me,  as I share some of my highlights, iphone pictures, and tips from my little adventure.

(if you follow me on Insta.gram- these may look familiar)

FRIDAY:

Upon arrival and settling into my hotel,   I googled the location of Neiman Marcus.  Off I went to the mother ship.

On my first walk down Michigan Avenue towards NM,   I marveled at all the gorgeous tulips.   I was smitten.

Travel Tip:   When you arrive at your destination,  Make an appointment to have your hair done or stop by a make-up counter.  Spending time in the chair while you get pretty, allows conversation on where to shop and eat from a locals point-of-view.
You may even be invited on fun adventures to attend a local fundraising event or tour local homes or gardens.

The sweetest older lady working the fragrance counter at Neimans wanted to arrange for me to tour her friend’s historic home featured in Architectural Digest. She made  the call.

I left the counter with new parfum and a phone number for the homeowner.

Also- use good judgement.  SInce I was going it alone – I opted not to give the homeowner the call.  I found the Architecture Digest article online and toured the home virtually.

It was nice to be invited.

new TANGERINE lipstick I picked up at LM counter at NM

Saturday:

The Start of the Conference

This is the Conference I attended

I spotted this guy on the street.   I assume he was attending another conference in town – the Comic Conference.

One can only hope he didn’t wake up and decide to put this on and walk around downtown Chicago just for kicks.

I’m not afraid of no ghost – but I am kind of afraid of grown men who dress like this.

Saturday Evening,   The Joint Commission — yeah, those guys who put us healthcare types  into an utter tizzy and under the microscope every 3 years,

hosted a lovely reception a the Art Insitute of Chicago.

We had the privilege of private viewing of  the Impressionist and Post Impressionist Galleries.

I was in awe of the Hall of Degas

Amazed by the scale and detail of Seaurat

I also enjoyed Monet, VanGogh, Renoir….

then

some office building ode to the light-bright on my walk back to the hotel

SUNDAY:

After our session on Sunday, lured by the rosemary containers and happy umbrellas, I stopped in this fabulous place called The Gage - where I enjoyed the best little pot of mint tea.

- Hot Tea, that is.  Not iced like we Southerns like it.   It was still quite yummy.  Even if I did put a few ice cubes in my cup when others weren’t looking.

I followed my delicious mint tea with their Venison burger which was dressed with smoked gouda, pickled red onions, fried fresh jalapenos, smoked wild mushrooms, and a red wine ketchup.  I think it also had the kitchen sink thrown in.   This was about the time I started missing The Angler.   I usually split this kind of madness with him.

I barely made a dent in it – and yes,  it was delicious.   Don’t get me started on the fact it came with a half of a kosher dill AND cornichons.   sigh.

I might’ve eaten here again on Monday and had the more redeeming and delicious seared Salmon and rutabaga puree.

After I was well nourished,   I headed a 1.5 miles north on Michigan towards the old water tower.

And I scored a new pair of kicks…

or two…or three

MONDAY:

While we are talking shoes….here’s some evidence that I actually attended a conference.  Where else but a conference center or hotel ballroom would have carpet this hideous?

Monday entailed more walking through Gotham

and an encounter with the Giant Marilyn

After all that tacky,  it was time for some pretty.   I found my way over to Rush / Bellevue Area

This is where I discovered BHLDN — Anthropologie’s wedding inspired store.

It was more beautiful in person than I had imagined.

the wedding details

the wedding dresses

I might’ve bought another pair of shoes.

Tuesday:

I finally made my way into Milleneum Park.

Hey!  Look!   It’s me….the only one not dressed in all black.

I saw the bean.

All that walking means,  I earned myself a pedicure.

The Hard Rock Hotel -offers in-room spa services.   And they’re decor may have influenced my polish choice.

Also – If you need a spa recommendation or personal nail tech – this is Sophie.    She was awesome.

I also earned some Chicago Style Pizza.    I can see what the fuss it all about.

Wednesday:

It was finally time to pack it all up and head back to Arkansas.

I said good bye to my views

Grabbed some fuel for the journey

Hopped a plane.

A couple of hours later…

It was time to refuel again.

At my neighborhood starbucks…

where the barista knows my name and the tea is iced.

Then by grabbing some sunshine and fresh air in the beauty of our city.

I can honestly say,  I fell in total like with Chicago.   I’m ready to go back and enjoy it again with my honey or my fun girlfriends by my side.

Unlike the heroine of Adventures in Babysitting,  I did not encounter the Lords of Hell.   I didn’t have to scale the Smurfit Stone Building .

My adventures in conferencing were a success.

The shopping was grand.  The food was yummy.   The folks were down right hospitable.

It truly was a model city.

Thank You, Chicago!

xoxo,

boots

Yet, Thursday I found myself in conversation with several friends who wondered MY thoughts and favorites on the Oscars’ Red Carpet this year.

The conversations sparked the idea, this would be a great time to hopefully kick Favorite Things Fridays back into existence here on the ol blog.

I never know if it’s better to count down or just start off with the favorite.

It’s my blog.

I almost always read the last page of the book first…so I’ll start with my very Favorite Oscar 2012 look of all.

Emma Stone in Giambattista Valli.

Seriously, y’all. How could you not know this is my FAVORITE?!!!

It’s a scrumptious shade of cardinal red and it has a big ol bow. Enough said.

I love it. It’s perfect. I want it in my closet.

~

Next in line, is the fun flirty Louis Vuitton worn by Michelle Williams.

That coral hue is stunning. The detailing of ruffles, the peplum, and the bow brooch at her waist.

Not to mention the contrast of a pink hand bag. It’s just sweet & demure.

~

My next favorite look at the Oscars… TOM!!!

Now, together, in your best Father of the Bride wedding planning Franz accent

“Is he wearing a NAVY tux-a-do? Armani doesn’t make a Nah-vy tux-a-do. “

Apparently, Georgio has come around since 1992 and ol cutie patootie Tom rocked the midnight blue.

But really, the tux is ok. It’s cut well. But it’s not about the tux. (And I definitely don’t care about Katie. She looks fine and all)

What I really want to know is where is this fountain of youth from which Tom drinks? He did not look this young in MI3, y’all.

Is this transformation the result of some anti-aging Dianetics kool-aid or a great secret surgeon.

Three movie sequels and I guess Tom can accomplish the impossible?

Whatever it is – he looks like Top Gun Tom. Maverick. Good ol’ Pete Mitchell is back.

swoon.

~

Next up and last in my official Red Carpet favorites:

Viola Davis in Vera Wang

I definitely do not think these pictures do this dress justice. This is one of my all time favorite colors.

I had a prom dress this color in eighth grade. It was Jessica McClintock. It was strapless, with tiered ruffles with beaded detailing around the top.

I’m pretty sure Vera was inspired by it to make this version. Lucky for Viola, her mom didn’t make her sew dorky spaghetti straps on it.

It’s still a sore subject. Little does mom know, I tucked them in my dress when I wore it again that summer for a band camp formal.

Yeah, I wore strapless dress. And a boy asked to hold my hand that night. I guess strapless dresses are more alluring.

( Dear Mom – Before you feel I disobeyed… just remember, my brother, your precious middle son had to secretly replace ALL the living room and dining room carpet after a party he threw while you & dad were on vacation. Let’s just keep things in perspective. )

~

Ok… now we’re getting to some gorgeous and FUN dresses.

The After Party

Claire Danes in Valentino

She looks amazing in this watermelon hue. J’adore this ultra feminine look with the ruffles, the polka dots.

It just screams happy girly girl.

LOVE!

~

Next up, at the party and after a quick costume change, a favorite award goes again to

Emma Stone. This time in Chanel Couture

I have a thing for black illusion – not gonna lie. I’m definitely a product of the 90s.

I love when an elegantly prim dress throws a peek-a-boo curve ball.

~

Another costume change…

One that I think was way better than her red carpet look.

Cameron Diaz in Victoria Beckham.

Orange you glad you changed, Cameron? I mean this cut and color look phenomenal with her lean physique and her coloring.

That silver here-to-eternity zipper is a to die for detail.

This is just down right sexy in a fun way. And that’s the best way to be sexy – in my opinion.

(i.e. Angelina is scary sexy. Scary sexy is not fun. Just ask her left leg. )

~

Last, and certainly not least —

Kate Bosworth in Prabal Gurung

See, I told you I had thing for black illusion and sexy fun. The beading, the illusion, the belt.

This is just a perfect party dress especially when you have gams like hers.

Oh, And I’m totally coveting those 120mm Louboutin Pigalles.

Yeah, those shoes are on my incentive list this year when I hit a few of my 2012 goals. They’ll be mine in a few more weeks. Lord willin.

I don’t need a golden statue, I’m happy with the shoes.

So there you go, Thanks for tuning into the 1st ever Favorite Things Friday dedicated to the Oscars.

Hooray for Hollywood for bringing the style this year.

Hooray, it’s the weekend!

Hope you have a happy, glamorous weekend no matter what color carpet you tread.

xxoo,

boots

(images via Pinterest )

I am always  energized, motivated, captivated and inspired by the insanely creative types who can marry two different worlds of thought and create a fresh new view from a traditional source.

I was blown away when I discovered  the music of  Two Cellos.  They are amazing classical celloists who found an innovative way to express their talents.   I can’t get enough of this rocking, creative, inspiring performance.

Guns N Roses never sounded so proper and cellos never sounded so wicked cool.

Now, get out of your box this weekend.

Do Something – differently.   Push Yourself.

Most of all,  have fun.

Cheers & Rock on,

boots

xxoo

If you don’t believe me, think back to your childhood.  How many times did you tie a towel or sheet around your shoulders, and “fly” through the house?   (I paired my towel with my Wonder Woman underoos for maximum super power advantage).  Years later, our underoos may be long gone and we find ourselves folding sheets and towels,  but that doesn’t mean we don’t like to channel our inner super heros once in awhile, right?

Finally,  the fashion powers-that-be decided  it was high time we women who appear to be “regular folk” put a little bit of that  super flair on display with the piece de resistance of any super hero….the cape.

Capes are all the rage this season -showing up anywhere from ballgames to ballrooms.

They add a polished look to casual friday in the office.

This great J.Crew cape would also look great during the workweek with a classic white blouse and black pencil skirt.

Bring a little cape chic to the tailgate in this Razorback red cape.  Woo Pig.

Another fabulous work look.  This cape from Banana Republic in trench canvas makes is a great fall to spring look.

Not only are capes gorgeous with pants and jeans,  I love the regal look of this Stella McCartney charcoal cape over this simple dress.

Basic black dress + basic camel cape  = anything but basic.  How Fabulous is this Calvin Klein cape?

If you happen to have a super bank account as one of your super powers,  this Rick Owens Leather Trimmed Cashmere cape could definitely stop traffic with a single look.

Wow! Bam!  Zing!  This YSL cape packs a powerful punch of color.

And my favorite, this gorgeous evening cape. Every Wonder Woman deserves a fabulous night out with her Super Man.

I’ve heard it said, “give the girl the right shoes and she can change the world”.  I bet the same is true when it comes to capes.

I’ll be wearing my new cape for the first time today.  I can already feel it – it’s going to be a SUPER day.

Hope you have a SUPER weekend full of WONDER and an adventurous cape(r) or two.

xxoo,

boots

(images via Net-a-porter, Pinterest, Neiman Marcus)

Since the day I accepted the position,  I started an office inspiration board – collecting pictures and ideas of what my new think tank would look like.  Most show ideas that can take typical office furniture and kick it up a bit.

Here are a few of my favorites.

Love the creamy calm of this space.  What a great idea to skirt a run-of-the-mill, office issued desk. Topping with glass helps to reflects light and add polish.

Putting a counter top on the file cabinets is another custom touch.

This pop of pink in the office chair is energy inducing.    What about that gorgeous print of Grace Kelly?   What a great reminder to exude grace under pressure.

Although, it’s not an office staple,  how about that shopping bag under the desk — all that hard work, earns one a trip to Jimmy Choo, right?

A completely happy space here.   The small dose of wallpaper gives a hint of sophistication.   Big CHEERS for the wine glass on the desk for pens and pencils

Another linen skirted desk.  I love these!    Isn’t this a perfect spot for collaboration.   Those French side chairs prove you don’t have to do time in an ugly office chair.

The collection and symmetry of the prints adds a sophisticated yet cozy feel.

Don’t you think?

Speaking of chairs,  this fan chair makes quite a Queen Bee statement.   I’d suggest  only the most humble of leaders could get away with this, but love the bohemian feel.

That mirror is spectacular and a great way to make sure you look great before that big client walks in the room.

Table / Parson’s desks are my favorite for their clean lines that can be dressed up or down.  Check out the  multiple ways to corral clutter here.

The lucite tray, porcelain basket, document box keep necessities stylishly at hand.  Note that old credenza was probably a standard cherry or golden oak piece at one time.

Look how that fresh coat of white paint takes it from icky and stale to feminine and modern.

Check out the matching pair of lamps behind the desk.  Those are not those typical spindly candlestick lamps.  The oversize mirror is a great way to reflect light in a dark, no window space.

The gold accents in the mirror frame, guest chair, and lamp gives the space a midas touch without being too glitzy or gaudy.

Saved my favorite office for last.   As I opened this blogpost, I said I need to be surrounded  by pretty…and what is prettier than pink?

I adore the pink hues lining the bookshelves and repeated in accents such as the lamp, rug, and vase.

The tan and blue tones down the over the top girliness.

I have always been a big fan of the french memo boards as well.  what a great way to keep up with pics, important notes, motivational quotes, and business cards.

Aren’t these fabulous spaces?

Did you catch some ideas that can add a little more flair to your cubicle,  desk, or home office?

I’m convinced a little bit of pretty in the office has the best Return On Investment of all.

Happy Fall Back  Weekend, Y’all!

Boots

xxoo

My first “big girl” bike was a lavender banana seat wonder.   She had a basket on the front with daisies.   Her name was “The Debutante”

I was four, maybe five years old when she arrived.  It was winter.   She needed training wheels.   Mom and Dad let me keep her in my bedroom.

In hindsight,  I realize their decision to do that was  probably more self serving – sparing them from pushing me for hours in the cold weather.

I thought they were they coolest parents EVER.

My  mean big brother would push me  up and down the center hall of our house on that bike.

It was in those moments,  I didn’t think he was so mean.

When The Debutante finally got her training wheels,  we ventured outside.  My world got bigger.

It took awhile, but I finally got my balance.

The training wheels came off and I rode…and rode….and rode….

Up and down the street.      To the playground.    To my best friend’s house.

I was an adventurer.  An explorer.    I was invincible.

Then, one day, the bike wheel hit a rut.   I went flying over the handlebars.

I skinned my knees, my elbows,  my chin.    I chipped my tooth.    It was ugly.

I laid on the ground.  I cried.   a lot.

My friends saw me lying there.   I was embarrassed.  I was far from home.   I cried harder.

And then I stood up,  brushed myself off.

I took a big, deep breath.

Then, I got back up on that bike.  And kept riding.

(images via Pinterest)

Here are my pre-fall pics

Animal Prints are a great transitional statement

jimmy chop folly suede and snakeskin wedge $795 | net-a-porter

sam edelman alvin $150 | piperlime

louboutin cork wedge leopard pump $695 | neiman marcus

two tone sandal pump $129 | zara

Never go wrong Neutrals

tan and gold pump | zara

natural clog sandal | sara

rachel zoe eva $395 | piperlime

matt bersnon mesa bootie $229

belle sigerson morrison suede peep toe wedge $350 | net-a-porter

bcbg maxazaria darien1 $225 | piperlime

The goes with everything not-so-basic black

sam edelman wesley $150 | piperlime

jimmy choo suede cage sandals $995 | net-a-porter

miu miu suede pump $595 | net-a-porter

A little pop of fall color

manolo blahnik scallop suede mary jane $795| neiman marcus

And if you should be so lucky to score the “it” shoe of these season.

All that shimmers….

Awww,  it feels good to be back sharing my favorites.  Can I just tell you that there are about 30 more pair of shoes that are perfect for this season.

Whether we call it post summer,  pre-fall, or  autumn,  it’s safe to say shoe shopping season is my favorite season of all.

Happy Weekend, Y’all

boots

xxoo

(images via pinterest)

Today, there are two words that can breed fear in me like nothing else.   Yes,  I’m talking  ”swimsuit” and “wrinkles”.   As women,  there is a certain courage we muster to fight the fluorescent lights and  the not-so-there fabric dueling with the having-more -to-cover body.  The battlefield is a cramped room with what I’m convinced is a circus mirror.  (and I’m not talking about the one at an angle that makes you look taller.  Those are down at  Banana Republic).  It never fails my dressing space is usually placed next to a pair of 16 year BFF’s whose young perfectly taunt bodies are thinking (out loud), ” Oh.My. Gah!   Ma stomach is  like sooo bloated because I like ate that fry…..two days ago.”    Worse than the Battle at Waterloo is  the battle to find water wear.     In my quest,  I’ve  finally found an unlikely ally, I will share with you.      Wrinkles.     Yes,  wrinkles.

Well,   technically,  it’s called “ruching”.  Ruching is a repeated pleat or ruffle used to embellish attire.  The word literally means “beehive”.   When you think about it, the gathering of fabric (ruching) looks very much like the lines of a honey home.  Fabric en masse is  THE perfect weapon to transform any  pooh bear shape into a sexy Queen Bee.      Here are just a few of my faves…

I love this coral hue from Carmen Marc Valvo.  Delicious!   ( I have this suit in RED)

carmen marc valco via neiman marcus

Speaking of red,  va va voom!   This is not your mother’s swimdress.

norma kamali via neiman marcus

Bring a little vintage glamour to the beach with this gorgeous suit from Anthropologie

drawn to heart maillot via anthropologie

This  asymmetrical suit would be perfect for a little nighttime poolside glam or  in daytime pair w a huge straw hat  to prevent asymmetrical tan lines

st john via neiman marcus

I adore the sunny day hues and cross directional ruching of this suit.  gorgeous.

gottex via neiman marcus

For those blessed bodies  who look less like pooh,  can still bare your middle, and adore wrinkles…  (I hate you.  just kidding…  kinda)

clube bosse via net a porter

Who knows,  a few more hours on that bike that doesn’t move  + a few more cupcakes avoided and I may just be wearing the above suit…

like this

club bossa via net-a-porter

See, ruching works for swim cover-ups, too.

Who knew wrinkles + swimwear could be so chic.    It’s  like the medici effect of fashion.   Now, what are you waiting for?   Get out of your hive, don a little ruching, and flaunt your queen bee self this weekend.

Cheers, y’all!

~  Enjoy a few Voice of the Beehive  tunes from my High School poolside days ~

My freshman year of college one of my favorite things to wear was a light weight cotton, navy and white, boat neck sweater.  It had a Parisian / nautical  / Jackie-O feel about it.    I thought I was ever so sophisticated with my GAP purchase.   Paired with  white jeans and  a little bit of red lipstick, and voilá,  I was ready for the world.      While I thought I was Kennedy chic,  one of my dear funny girlfriends always felt it necessary to sing Madonna’s “Papa Don’t Preach” each time I wore the sweater.

Skip forward a few years and I am still mad for navy and white stripes.  I still think they are tres chic.   And I still pair them with white jeans and red lipstick.    I’ve snatched a few pieces for this season.  Just a few weeks ago, I posted a collage of a few of my favorite stripey flairspirations on my BOOTSMC TUMBLR .

Turns out  Madge and I aren’t the only one preaching stripe love.   Bloggers and fashion enthusiasts all over the world  are showing their stripes.    While I’m  usually the type of blogger who stays in my own minuscule part of the blogosphere,  I’ve decided to join the fun today with  Decor8 ‘s Blogger Stripe Mania. Holly of Decor8  is asking bloggers who love stripes  to post a pic of themselves in  their stripes.  Lo and Behold,  The Angler just snapped a shot of me last weekend in my new favorite stripey T.     Feel free to join the fun!

If you are having a hard time deciding where you fall with stripes and need good advice,  check out Holly’s Blog for more ideas.  I think Papa would give his blessing.   After all, we are in LOVE…with stripes!

Stripes on the Water

Stripes with Flare

Stripes Head to Toe

Stripes on Madonna

Stripes on Moi

I spent the first part of this week with my dearest friend, Hillary.    I’ve always admired her steadfast style.  Nothing flashy.   Simple.  Tasteful.   Regal.   I can sum up the last 27 years of  her couture with one word:  Classic.    I, on the other hand, am the splashy, color loving, frou frou friend.   I like the trends,  the details.   I’m the one who more often derails into the area of fashion faux pas.    If we were to remake the movie Beaches, she is the Barbara Hershey.    I am the Bette Midler.      Despite our  style differences,  like most women,  we agree how to spend a portion of our time together  - shopping.

I still recall our first shopping excursion together.   I was eleven.  She was ten.  We were let loose on the delta downtown of our hometown for the celebration known as “Springtime on the Mall”.     We were of that annoying tween age where we wouldn’t dare shop in the children’s store.  We were too young to shop the lady’s finery of Falkoff’s  or the New York Store.   We were relegated to shopping for  baubles at Merle Norman.    As is the passage of tween shoppers,  it was imperative that both of us made the same exact purchase.   We were friends.  The world needed a way to identify us as such.   We had to match.    While several girls our age before us exchanged lockets  - one wearing the side of the heart that said “best”, the other “friend”, we were more hip than that.   Both of us already had our fashion senses budding.   Because I was older  which carried a wee bit more influence at the time,  I made the executive decision how we would spend our allotted $5.

A few weeks prior,  I had stood in the center of the music department of Walmart begging my mother for a cassette tape from the newest style icon to hit the scene.    The album cover art was a beauty marked Italian yankee in a tiered ruffle dress and lace gloves. The album was called,  ”Like a Virgin”.    My mother took one look at that cover and said, “Absolutely, NOT!”      I pushed, “why?”       My mother quipped something  under her breath.  I heard her say “tacky” and “virgin”.         I was at that age where “the talk” had yet to occur.   I mustered my best Vacation Bible School defense, ‘Mom,  what’s wrong with being a virgin?  Mary, mother of Jesus, was a virgin”      My mom was faced with explaining the actual lyrics of the song and the true meaning of virgin right there next to the new cannon sure shots.   She did what I’ve learned most moms do when given that situation.  She bought the tape.

And a few weeks later, at Springtime on the Mall,  Hil and I bought matching pairs of  white lace fingerless gloves, just like Madonna’s.   We must’ve made  quite the  ”to-do” about those gloves and impression on the boys.      I have a friend who lives half a country away.   He and I talk  - maybe once a year, but each time he hears a Madonna tune circa ’85 I get a simple text message.   “Material Girl is playing. White lace gloves”

And that long story,  is how I’ve come to love lace.

This season, I am excited to see  it pop up again and again in construction that far outweighs those fingerless gloves.    Shoes,  Dresses, t shirts.    Casual daytime to glamourous night.   In colors from racey black to vibrant red.     Here are few of my favorite finds which cost a wee bit more than my $5 merle norman purchase years ago.

Simple Daytime Lace

sandro via net-a-porter

 

phillip lim 3.1 via net a porter

lace blouse by lover via net-a-porter

 

Unexpected Touches

 

Alexander McQueen Lace Four Finger Clutch via Saks Fifth Avenue

 

Valentino via Saks Fifth Avenue

Classic meets Trend

Oscar de la Renta via Saks Fifth Avenue

image via pinterest

.

I'm dying over this Marchesa gown worn by Rachel McAdams, Cannes Film Festival

 

Aren’t all these options divine?     I hope you have fun incorporating a little lace into your wardrobe this summer.    Whether your style is demure, sexy, sweet,  classic,  or completely over the top,  lace is the perfect way to add a little frill to your fashion.   This delicate material defined by  intricate threads with space between is also the perfect fabric metaphor of life long friendship.     Now,  I wonder if  I could talk Hil into matching Marchesa dresses.   Afterall, we are still material girls.