recent acquisitions

'Rap' T // Dress // Hat // Bikini // Distressed Jeans // Superga's // RX Sunnies

Over the past couple of months I have been slowly picking up items for summer! For my two upcoming vacations and all the warm weather ahead. I'm pretty much in love with every item, after a lot of online orders and subsequent returns. I am finally a happy camper with each of the items that I ended up with!!! I wanted to be smart, to get pieces that could be worn in so many ways and various occasions. 

I have been living in my Marlowe's and Spurga shoes (I got mine in navy!) on the weekend. I totally recommend both 100%! Sometimes the thought of dressing 'up' on Saturday and Sunday just seem too much! HA! I needed the bikini, because who doesn't need one when they will be poolside in less than a month on vacation?! And of course a hat, to shield my face - representing my city! {Did I really just call Chicago my city?!?! Who am I?!}

What have you purchased anything lately for summer or upcoming trips? 

clean and simple

get them here

I'm kinda in love with these shoes from Zara. The are simple, they are clean lined. A pretty classic style of a heeled sandal in an updated modern way. And at that price!!?!?!! Now which color? {I used to own a pair in this exact same style - black, just a rounded toe, got them in college from BCBG. I wore then to death!!! They just went with everything when nothing else would!}

Looks like I am not alone, they are starting to make their way on to some of my favorite bloggers feet!

*above images from Cheetah is the New Black & Cupcakes & Cashmere

I don't need both, but I kinda do - no?! 

In the Kitchen: 'Drunken' Noodles aka the best pasta dish!

I love love love pasta! Not always a girls best friend, but hey - sometimes you just need to have some pasta, some crusty bread and a good bottle of wine! Am I right?! These 'Drunken' Noodles are my new favorite dish. They have been made twice in the past 2 weeks, when something is good you can't help it! And this dish is just so damn good! And easy, so you can't really beat it. 

Sunday night was round two. We switched up the noodle - Hubs was craving something shorter more 'stabable' vs the called for pappardelle. Honestly, both were equally as tasty!  We started the feast with a caprese salad (my fav!) and then jumped right in to the rest of the good stuff! 

**Not shown, the aged balsamic I drizzled right before eating - A must! 

 Do you love pasta as much as I do? If so, you must try this recipe.  We are big fans of hearty filling meals on Sunday evenings. Preferably eaten early, so a cat nap & some play time with the dog can occur all before dessert and Sunday night TV (Game of Thrones & Mad Men)!!!

something different for someone special

Hey You out there!!!! So I guess I hit the 30 mark and got forgetful about blogging! Well, not really, its just that thing called work got in the way, 50-60 hour weeks really start to wear you out! Thank you for the reprieve!! :) But I have something special for you all today!!! As we lead up to Mother's day, I wanted to do something special & different, so without further ado........I present a little message from MY MOM!!!! (Welcome her into the blogging world!!!! With two little editor's notes from me!)

Every morning when I wake up I make a cup of coffee and sit down to read "Curly In The City".......if "life" has gotten in the way and I have to have my coffee without "Curly" Taylor has come to expect her first text of the day - you didn't blog......

In a turn of events Taylor asked me if I would like to "guest blog" for Mother's Day......she offered me the opportunity to do HER blog, MY way for one day.........

Deciding what to blog about was easy.......putting it into words was so much more complex but here it is....MY way......

Dear Taylor & Cole {My Brother},

To avoid any future stress for either of you (because we all know how difficult I am to buy for {She is the HARDEST!}) I want to take this Mother's Day to give you a list of the gifts that would bring a smile to my face every day.

1. I want you to ask for help when you need it.

2. I want you to help others when they need it.

3. I want you to see the world.

4. I want you to leave your mark on the world.

5. I want you to hold onto the memories of the big events in your life.

6. I want you to hold onto the memories of the small events in your life.

7. I want you to take time out of your busy life for yourself.

8. I want you to take time out of your busy life for others.

9. I want you to always respect yourself.

10. I want you to always respect others.

11. I want you to spend the rest of your life learning new things.

12. I want you to spend the rest of your life teaching new things to others.

Most importantly I want you to experience the true happiness that both of you have given me.  On this Mother's Day I am truly honored to say that I am Taylor & Cole's mom.

Love,

Mom

All I can muster after all that, is I LOVE YOU MOM!!!! {Now you see why she is my best friend, the one who knows all my secrets and the first person I call!} 

ba-du-bum.....

So. Well how do you start a post like this?! I guess just blurt it out there.

Today is my birthday. I am now 30. {GAAHHHHHHHH!} I am not writing this for sympathy or attention but more an 'FYI' to my favorite peeps! So if you don't see me for a few days, I may be hungover from drowning my sorrows or living it up in the next decade - it has not yet been determined! ;)  And my Mom posted this for the FB world this AM, so I thought I'd share with you! (and who doesn't love to see what someone looked like as a munchkin?!)

I am not so young anymore!!!!!!!!!!!

bits of....randomness

Life. It's been great lately! Don't you just love when that happens? Things fall into place, and not much to complain about?! I sure do! It's kinda been so great, that I've been out enjoying it. keeping my phone tucked away, and just out enjoying the sights the sounds, the people! Here are little bits of randoms that perked my interest over the past week or so! :)

1. It's bike riding season again!!!!!!! Sound the alarms, honk the horns! Unlike my Husband who rode his bike every.single.day.this.winter my little lady had been collecting dust. A couple of weeks ago I tested the waters, it may have been a bit chilly then, but everyday it's getting warmer and the miles of peddling are ever increasing! I can't wait for more adventures this summer on my bike! {Sunglasses - Lookmatic Marlowe's}
2. Every time the weather warms up I search high and low for more dresses with exposed backs. I saw this image on Pinterest and I love it! The big old top-knot, the wispy hair and dress caught in the wind - perfect summer afternoon! There is something so sexy about an exposed back to me, I will instantly love a dress or shirt 10x more if the back is exposed or scooped out low!
3. This.Dress!!! I walked into J.Crew last week and had to try it on. The color, the cut - and the peep in the back (go look at the pictures online - then imagine it looking so much cuter in person, because it does!)!!! In LOVE!!! Looks like it may already be sold out online, but I'm sure it will be back or try your stores! I already know where I am wearing it first, now just to decide if i want to funk it up with a pair of wedges, or keep it classic with some peep toe heels - those are my kinda choices!
4. I loved the print so dang much, the perfect shade kelly green with hot pink hibiscus, yummy! ....I might have needed to order it in bathing suit form you know to just see! hehe and yes, I did, it should arrive tomorrow!!!
5. These were the jeans I posted about here, I got them. And they are even better than I could have hoped for!! They fit like a dream, the stretch = perfect, and the denim is like butta! So soft!

oh 'crew!!!

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6

I think J.Crew and Shopbop are in chaoots!!! First 25% off at SB, then Crew....I mean I am NOT complaining (they are my FAVS!) but my wallet might! 25% off anything now at J.Cew - say it ain't so?!!!!! hehe {During Shopbop's sale....I had a similar list - here, and I got the jeans - :)} 

Might be time to snatch up some of the items that have been sitting in my online cart for a few weeks now! I'd die if all these babies could be mine! I'd pair #2 with some ripped up dark jeans & pumps. #1 with a flowy maxi on the beach, or rolled up BF shorts with a slim tank. #6 would be just the perfect wear everywhere in summer wedge. And #4, just the faintest of pinks, the perfect nude bag! #3 - oh the possibilities! Tucked into white slacks for work, over shorts or denim on the weekends - another wear every piece!!!That's my kinda item!

Have you purchased anything? The 25% off is valid in stores and online, through 4/28!

white denim

So I have a dilemma. A frivolous one but still one none the less. I can't find my white jeans!!! Last year I finally upgraded my white jeans. It was fair over due. I found a pair that fit like a glove. Tush looked great (if I say so myself!) and a great thick denim so the 'white pant' travesty wasn't an issue. Except they seem to have disappeared!!

I haven't pulled out all my summer clothes just yet, but of the areas I've checked - they are long gone UGGH! They didn't get feet and march south for the winter, but dang it, where did they go?!

It is finally warming up, abet extremely slowly, I have been feeling inspired by all these ladies and I want to wear them now. With a few layers. No need to wait til summer to bust them out! Ok I must head to the basement and dig in my storage bins, otherwise I will be off to find myself another 'perfect' pair!

{These are in the running so far as options}

rah rah

** Update: This post was written before the most recent events in Boston started to occur. I'm tempted to take it down, but for now I'll leave it. My thoughts, prayers, concerns and attention is on Boston right now. I hope everyone stays safe and they are in my thoughts. I'll watch from social media and the news wishing I could do something to assist. xo

Hip HIP HOORAY, it's Friday! Which is THE WEEKEND!!!! Time to give a little cheer! To say it's been a soggy week up here, it an understatement  It's been down right drench-tastic!!! I hope it tapers off, because can you image the beauty and green which with blossom within a few weeks?! I can't wait!!! A long winter, and a very wet chilly spring. I just know May will be gorgeous!!!! {If you put it out there, it's bound to happen right?!}

This has been a wild week, I hope everyone has a chance to relax and enjoy time with their family and loved ones this weekend. I have some boring errands to run this weekend (dry cleaners, gym, work) and hopefully the rain will stay away so the Hubs and I can sneak in a bike ride too! What are you doing?

shopbop sale time... AGAIN! Yippee!!!

It's ShopBop sale time, again!!! Yippee!!! I love ShopBop sales (and J.Crew!) when it's a percent off full price clothes. Not that I don't love getting a great item on sale for an even bigger discount. These are the sales where I find it smartest to stock up on your classics. The items that will rarely go on sale, that will last your for more than a wear or two or just one season.

Of course I filled my cart with a bunch of fun goodies. Then began the edit. Below are a few which are still holding fort in my online cart, just need to narrow it down a bit, bc I know #1 isn't a classic, but I love it. 

1 - Fun Head Wrap // 2 - Thin Ring // 3 - Thick Ring // 4 - Ripped Skinny Jeans 

// 5 - Clutch // 6 - Summer Sneakers

Are you going to get anything? This dress is also in the cart....and this dress too!