far far away

I'm completely in love with Gray Malin's newest collection of photos, Far Far Away!!!

So good. SO SO SO Good!!!! I really want one for our place!!! And if I could throw in the below two as well, I'd be just the happiest girl!!! Here's to hoping his work goes on One King's Lane again, and I won't sit on my hands like last time! I must own a piece (or 3) of his work! Just stunning! 

Do you have a favorite collection? 

**All Images from Mason Gray.com -Gray Malin's website

suns out!

Sun. I love it! Summer, it's the best! Mother Nature be on that funky stuff up in these parts!! It was freezing this past holiday weekend (Although it was nice because there was not one ounce of guilt felt for staying on the couch every day!) and I'm ready to be outside and sweating! Being a California girl through and through I love the sun! Although, I'm pale and the sun it's not good for you, so I always cover up in SPF 30+ all over my body! And will be doing so even more - I had to have a mole removed from my back earlier this year, and now I have an ugly 1" scar on my back! I always make everyone apply sunscreen, lobster bodies aren't cute (even my Hubs! No matter your skin color you can still get sun burned!)! Nor is it healthy!

But who am I kidding, I love being tan. It's a hard line folks, I tell ya! I've come to love a spray tan {Benefit on Armitage is my go to place, if you are in Chicago and need a great location for one!}

So in preparing for 2 upcoming vacations - yes you read that right! 2!!!! I've been scoring the internet for new bikinis, sandals, sunnies and hats. Here are a few of my favs!! You can see a few items I've purchased here!

Are you going anywhere tropical this summer?? If so where!!! {I need travel tips/advice - full post soon!}

happy weekend!

Yippeeeeeee, it's Friday! Friday of a Holiday 3-day weekend! I personally couldn't be more relieved. I've been in a funk all week, no reason (not PMSy), just work has been irritating. Probably because in the past two weeks I've worked 120+ hours, and really only had a bit of rest on Sundays. Me brain is exhausted, yes ME brain, not my. I could not see a spreadsheet in long time and be a happy camper! :) But hey, OT $$ makes my wallet happy!

So many sales going on right now!! I may have to stop by JCrew and take a peak on Shopbop {Shh, don't tell my Husband! hehe last time I tried sneaking in a bag, I was caught! LOL I walked past him & directly into the room with my closet & he was in the other room and yelled 'I saw that bag you!' I had to giggle!!}

And most importantly, take time to remember what this Holiday weekend is for!!! Remember ALL our service men and women, all those who gave their lives for our country. I choose to honor all past and present, their dedication is humbling and awe inspiring! I want to thank each and every one of them! With pride I always think of my Grandparents (both Grandma & Grandpa on my Mom's side) and my Brother for all their service and grace for the Navy & our country!

And now I send you off to the weekend with my current favorite jam! Enjoy & take some time to relax - see ya next week!

thursday treats

Some cute little summer sandals for ya today!!! Easy shoe to commute in, which I love!!! And they kinda remind me of these much pricier Loeffler Randal pair!

And sometimes you just need a little treat!

on my shopping list

Even after last week's post, there are still a few things I'd really like to add to my closet for summer!!! Here are the top contenders!!! Yes there is a definite theme. White, bright and light!!! What can I say? .....shhhh just don't tell the Hubs I want another white top! He just doesn't understand why one person needs like 17 different white tops! Well, first I spill. Alot. Second, they are different styles. And white just goes with every kind of bottom. This might be an episode of watch Taylor justify more shopping! :)

Beyond the white, I want easy breezy!!! Not sure how these sarong style pants will actually look, but thanks to street style photos I want baggy silky pants to wear with a tight white cami, and towering wedges for nights out this summer! So I'm going to try! Same with ripped up shorts, giving it the good old girl scout try! And lastly, this sweet dress - girls section of Zara, can we say perfect for the beach in Thailand?!! {Yes! That's one of my vacations this summer! More details coming!}

Collage One Clockwise: Distressed Denim Shorts // Panama Hat // White Leather Pouf // Simple Pumps // Nude Flats // White Chucks // White Linen Top
Collage Two Clockwise: White Kimono Top // White Dinning Chair // Wide-Leg Sarong Pants // Fold-over Clutch // Tulip Table // Linen Dress 

life lately

life lately according to Instagram! :)

Lot's of cooking at home, and even more so, lots of grilling!!! Clockwise from upper Left: Caprese Salad // Burgers with baby arugula salad // Grilled Italian Sausage with sauteed peppers and onions & a mixed greens salad // Good 'ol American meal - Grilled hot dogs, a beer and baked beans (and some chips! gotta splurge a little!) 

Some Puppy (and wine) love!!! Clockwise: Running errands with Mom and Dad. My new favorite wine - Chateaunneuf-de-Pape {Holy OMG so good!}. Keeping all his bones close while sleeping in! And lastly, silly grins from my little man - I love him so!!!

Oh yes, the instagram selfie! HAHA! It's finally nice and warm out, time to start busting out some new or long since they've last been worn duds! Clockwise: Work Wear - silk top and ankle length slacks // Curls and glasses for days - this is me 8-5 M-F, you aren't missing much friends! Silly smirks and all! // Cali girl, always - tank, denim and flip flops on the weekends! Hard to break life long habits! {Tank: Zara, Jeans: AG, Bag: Chloe (similar here), Sunnies: Rayban} // Bridal Shower Brunch, a doggie photo bomb and a glimpse of my Birthday gift from the Hubs!!!! {Jacket: Zara-old, Dress: lord so old (wore it to my own bridal shower 3 yrs ago!), Bag: Celine Trio!!! Eeks Hubs did beyond for the birthday gift!!!}

Sorry if you've seen these all already :) Sometimes it's still fun to share - so deal, k? :) {Sorry I am in an 'I think I'm funny' mood right now!}

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!!!!!!!!!!!