I think I may have mentioned Lonny Magazine a couple of months ago in a post.  After seeing their debut issue, I was filled with excitement that a shelter pub may still have a home, albeit online.  I mean the end of Blueprint and Domino Magazine were truly sad days for me.  I am one of those lame people that still have some issues cataloged at my apt. Does anyone remember the layout of Erin Featherston’s Parisian apartment? *sigh*  Fingers crossed that Lonny is here to stay.  She may not be budget-friendly (in regards to the items featured) but she is free and eco-friendly and she gives a wealth of ideas that can be reenacted on a budget.

These two photos got me hook, line and sinker.

I am not sure if I mentioned this in the past, my memory as of late is a little dull, but I have been asked to contribute to a new website called 24 Savvy.  I am the Chicago contributor and I am writing on fashion and home.  yay! The site covers a little bit of everything but the Webisodes with Kathleen Monteleone are super fun.  She is the current star of the touring Broadway show Legally Blonde (and possibly a friend of mine.)

My first post went up this week and it’s a fun little holiday number hilighting the lovely Sprout Home, so I thought I would link and share.  Let me know what you think of the site and if you are Chicago local, send me some cool stuff to cover.  Considering that I can hardly peel myself off the sofa these days, I can use all the details you fine folks are willing to offer.

My apologies for the creepy picture, but I thought this was better than posting a pic of a real person whom I don’t know.  I am so excited to be able to tell people freely now and also to explain why my posts have been so sporadic and sub-par (not to mention that I have completely ignored the horrible google ads that have been on my page–what is the deal with that?!).  I have definitely been hit pretty hard with the first trimester issues and I am trying my darndest to pull myself back up again.  I think January is going to be a good month.  So please do not fear that this blog will somehow be turned into a mommy blog or that my pregnancy is going to drown out all of my other interests (you should know me better than that!) but I can’t say that a little venting/celebrating will not slip through every now and again.

Yeah, I said it!  I’m putting a little Christ back in the season.  This year especially–I just haven’t been feeling well and haven’t gotten into any of my normal routines.  It is Dec 16th and I haven’t even filled out one Christmas card or wrapped one present.  It’s absolutely painful to think about how much still needs to get done.  My only saving grace is that I bought a poinsettia and hosted a dinner last weekend for friends that looked  mildly seasonal i.e. green goblets, white plates and red flowers.  *sigh*  Is anyone else having this problem this year?  Am I all alone?  I swear that I want to be more motivated, I just can seem to ignite the fire.

I almost posted pictures of pretty parties and food that I found online, but thought that might be a little soul-crushing if anyone is in the same boat as me.   Instead, I am sticking with the paper theme and posting some lovely retro holiday cards that will, hopefully, inspire me to get my sad carpal tunnel stricken hand a writing this weekend.  Please feel free to taunt or make fun of me–I usually find these methods motivating.  Or you could tell me how much you have already completed and maybe I will feel compelled to catch up?

I love paper!  I have loved everything about it since I was a kid–the crisp feeling between your fingers, the smell and the tingle of excitement that comes from flipping through a stack of finely crafted Italian card stock.  Is that creepy?  I used to play secretary as a child and my grandmother would get pads of Rx brand paper from her neighbor for me to “take my notes.”  My collection of paper has dwindled over the years because I found it very hard to move and store when I lived in NYC.  When you have no place to put food or clothes in your studio, that box of stationary you’ve had since you were 9 seems less of a priority.

I have been slowly trying to build my collection back up.  I am due for some personalized letterpressed note cards with my married name, but those are a little pricey to request as a gift.  I also need to up the ante with my thank you cards, the dollar bin at Target always has these really cute note cards that I keep grabbing, but the quality is a little lame.  I thought I might add the journals below to my holiday wish list this year.  I like that they have a retro vibe, but are modern and covered in cloth.  I found them in the Bust Magazine Shop.

I am coming to you, my fine readers, today to ask for some assistance. I was just told by my in-laws that my christmas list was not long enough and that they need more ideas.  Oddly, I have been at a loss the past few weeks for things that I want.  Imagine that!?  (I think it may be a side-effect of not feeling well.)  But I remembered yesterday that I still need throw pillows for the new sofa.  I remember finding a site last month in Lonny Magazine that you could custom make your own, but I stupidly did not write it down and now I can’t find it again. (Jen White, do you remember?)

So I need your suggestions for cool sites, stores or etsy shops to get amazing, moderately funky pillows for our beautiful retro-modern sofa. Please help a sister out!

Now I know that almost any lady who loves fashion, yearns for a pair of Christian Louboutin pumps.  They are certainly gorgeous, of amazing quality and I’ll be damned if that red sole is not alluring.  But for those of us in the middle class, real world they really aren’t an option. I suppose I could avoid paying my student loans for a month or avoid all trips to target for 6 months in order to save up, but really?  I just don’t think that level of fashion is necessary for my life (another reason I love Chicago!).

But, there seems to be another Christian rolling into the shoe industry this past year that is a little more up my alley, that’s right Christian Siriano from Project Runway.  I got my hands on a pair of his Holiday 2009 pumps from Payless and I am so excited.  They are beautiful and very well made.  They are actually a little more “rocker” than I would normally go for, but something about these girls was just calling my name.  I am pairing them with a Art Deco inspired shift dress for my Holiday party for work, tonight.  We’ll see how long they stay on before I start cutting a rug.

*Side note: I think these are sold out now, but I am sure you can still get them on ebay.

I told you I had another gorgeous bride up my sleeve, didn’t I?  I have been waiting with bated breathe for these photos to arrive in my inbox from my friend Mandy.  I was able to hear all the details from the big event while I was visiting last week, I truly cannot stop staring at her dress in these photos! It’s funny after you get married and then you see other people do cool things at their wedding and you want to kick yourself for not thinking of it.  Please note the 40’s shoes and navy blue tights on this bride and you may understand my feelings.

Location: DUMBO, Brooklyn

Matt and Mandy met through their church, and became friends when Mandy found out he lived in Brooklyn Heights.  She was curious about his apartment and invited herself over for a visit – they became friends immediately, and continued to spend time together for the next 6 months, until Matt asked her out.  They were married on October 3, 2009 on a chamber music venue called Bargemusic, an old refurbished barge docked next to the Brooklyn Bridge.

The wedding day was made special and personal by all their friends who helped with different aspects of the ceremony; from the aisle music and hair/make up to flowers, decor, and food.

A little about the dress: Lisa Ventuso, the brides good friend and bridesmaid, offered to design the dress for her, so they went to Anthropologie one afternoon and Mandy told her everything she liked about dresses in the store (the collar of one, the skirt of another, etc) and she designed the wedding gown based on that one trip. Shortly after, Lisa moved to California, so Mandy rounded up a couple of other friends that helped her pick out fabric from Mood, and recommended a seamstress.

She found a pair of navy shoes at Shoegasm, and really really wanted them to go with the dress, but everyone told her they were too casual. Three days before the wedding, when Lisa got back in town, she decided that sheer navy tights from American Apparel would bring the dress and shoes together. Mandy was skeptical, and didn’t even get to try everything on together until the afternoon before the wedding!!! Luckily, it worked and made the whole outfit feel more unique (just like Mandy!) She decided to forgo a veil in favor of a beaded headband, purchased from the seller LittleWhiteDresser on Etsy. The look could not have been any more perfect (in my opinion.)

While I’m at it, I should also give a little love to her hubby Matt (FYI, the best husbands are the ones named Matt!) He is a lovely talented photographer and I think you should sneak a peek at his blog.

So my vacation may have been a little more extended than planned. I am sure you all missed me very much.  My trip to NYC was lovely, I had the chance to spend time with almost all of my ladies.  I ate lots of food, walked the city and of course had a little pampering.  I am ashamed to say that I did not take one photo the entire trip!  I actually didn’t even do much shopping, I had no idea how easy it would be to revert back to my old habits while there, but for a short bit it felt like I never left.  Although that ended when I made the poor choice of going into the union square Forever 21 which was a mad house and the line to purchase was 50-deep.  I had a small anxiety spasm and promptly left–then I realized how great Chicago is.  ha!

So for the second time in a year, I bid farewell to NYC.