Now Wearing...

Chicago weather has been wildly unpredictable this winter.  We had quite a few California-like days in January just a few weeks ago, and I was fortunate enough to meet up with James to snap a few pictures before the snow and ice storms hit.

Now that it's colder, I've still wearing a lot of the same pieces - just more of them, sometimes doubling up cardigans or blazers.  I've also found a new appreciation for vests.  Examples to come in future outfit posts.

 Dark coral blazer - Kimberly Ovitz

Blue marbled skirt - from a few years ago

 Wooden platform boots - Swedish Hasbeens (available in black & nude)

Knit hat - vintage

 Photos by James Rand

Now Wearing...

Photos by James Rand

A lot of my wardrobe resembles rugs.  This shaggy yellow number is from last year's Jason Wu for Target collection, and it's been one of my go to tops this winter.  On cold cloudy days, I'll cheer myself up with some color like this the bright yellow and orange combo, but there are days when I'll play it down with a black pencil skirt.

These photos were taken inside my new-ish apartment. I moved in a few months ago.  It’s my first time having my own place, and it’s been really fun decorating.  My home décor style is pretty similar to my personal style.  It’s eclectic and colorful.  My living room is a mix of new and old from Craiglist, Target, Ikea, Home Goods and friends.

 

Old Marc Jacobs blazer. Jason Wu for Target top. Vintage skirt. Old Urban Outfitters boots. See Eyewear frames.  Lee Angel jewelry.

Now Riding...

Photos by James Rand

Yes, I ride a moped or what some call a "mini motorcycle with pedals".  A few months ago, with the help of my good friend Mikey I bought a moped!  It's a vintage 1970s Pinto, manufactured by Puch and sold at JCPenney.

I'm a complete novice when it comes to mechanics.  I'm constantly asking Mikey questions and searching forums for answers, and it's quite fun and rewarding.  The moped community in Chicago is really friendly, and a shop opened up on Western this past summer - MOPED!

You can see my moped in action in this sweet video by Leo Burnett featuring my friend Roberto.  Right around 2:49, you'll see my friends flying by and a nice long shot of the city... then a quick appearance by yours truly.

Moped - vintage 1970s JCPenney Pinto

Gold jacket - Secondhand

Floral helmet - AGV

Color block dress - Pixie Market

Boots - Justin Roper

Oh you know, just me and the gang.  While James was snapping pictures, these kids asked if they could jump in the photo and there you have it.

Now Wearing...

I recently moved into a new apartment in Noble Square, a quaint little neighborhood somewhere between Wicker Park and downtown Chicago.  There are few things more stressful than moving, but I love that moving forces me to purge and re-organize my closet.

I haven't been shopping much the past few months, but the one site that always seems to make the cut is Pixie Market.  I bought a couple color block pieces from them a couple months ago, including this blouse.  It doesn't look like it's still available, but they have a similar (and even more affordable) top.

The only other purchase I made this season were these spotted pony hair Dr Martens from MyHabit.  They're now at 6pm.com for even less than what I paid.  I've gotten such good wear out of them in the past couple of months that I'm not mad.

Side note, I found something more impractical than 4.5 inch heels - a floppy hat in a windy city.

Color block blouse - Pixie Market. Skinny jeans - Sold Design Lab.  Black topos boots - Dr Martens 1460

Leopard hat - Urban Outfitters last fall.  Black bag - old Hayden Harnett.  Earrings - oldies from college!

Nails - by AstroWifey

Photos by James Rand

Now Wearing...

Knee-d Your Lovin' Tights, $29.99 & My Heart Skipped Tights, $17.99

I love fall - watching the leaves change colors, breathing the cool crisp air, and layering up with fun socks and tights.  ModCloth has a fun selection of patterned tights.  Hearts sometimes feel a bit too cutesy, but I can't help myself.

Merona Ribbed Tights, $8.00

Target is another great resource for tights.  They've got a solid selection of colors, all affordable.  If you live in New York, Century 21 is a gold mine.  I used to stop in every fall.

DKNY tights & Bass Loves Rachel Antonoff oxfords

This month marks my one year anniversary in Chicago.  One year ago I left New York City, and so much has happened since then.  I could ramble for days, but the short version is that Chicago has been kind to me and it feels right.

Photos by James Rand

Vintage tank, Ann Taylor LOFT skirt, Marni heels, Katherine Kwei hangbag, SEE Eyewear frames

I can't help, but feel kind of nostalgic especially as I pack my things.  Remember when I had no internet?  I'm moving to a new apartment at the end of the month.  I'm going to miss my current place (deck, view of downtown, in-unit washer/dryer!), but I'm really excited about moving into a cozy walk up on a tree-lined street. Home decorating posts to come!

Now Wearing...

I wore this outfit and modified versions of this outfit to work while it was warm, switching out the skirt, top and shoes.  With fall weather settling in, I'll be packing away most of these pieces with the exception of the sunglasses and wedges which I'll be wearing with tights.

Linen vest - Generra (previously worn here)

Tank - Target

Sunglasses - Super

Floral skirt - secondhand (previously worn here)
Wedge sandals - Surface to Air
Bicycle necklace - Forever21 a couple summers ago (I found a similar one on markdown $15)
Nude zipper bag - Botkier from back in the day

Photos by James Rand

Now Wearing...

You can't really tell from far away, but the shirt and sandals both have prints on them.  My love for mixed prints has yet to fade.

Polka dot blouse - Wintercheck Factory "Helen" (previously worn here)
Tropical skirt - Zara
Sandals - Melissa "Wind Sandal" (65% off at Karmaloop!)
Metallic bag - Madewell
Gray & hot pink glasses - SEE Eyewear

In general I rarely wear the same outfit head to toe, but I'll admit I've recycled this one a few times this summer.  I wore this number for the first time last month on a trip to Denver, where I opened for Option4 and Moon Boots.

Photos courtesy of The Hundred Denver

None of these pieces will transition well into fall, so I'm going to wear the hell out of them the next couple weeks before it's time to put them away.

Photos shot in Lakeview by James Rand

Now Wearing...

My love for neon dates back to elementary school (Lisa Frank, anyone?).  This love came back hard and grew into an obsession in the last two years.  My friend got me the neon satchel for my birthday last summer, and I picked up the neon accented glasses and shoes earlier this year.

From my Instagram. Follow me @djlanilove

These Cole Haan oxfords were a bit of a splurge for me, but they were worth every penny.  They're incredibly comfortable, light and bouncy.  I feel like I can run in them!  A couple months ago I wore these for a 22 hour work day.  I traveled for a day of meetings and presentations and came back to Chicago and DJed (and danced) until 2AM.  While my feet were swollen and tired by the end of it all, I'm fairly certain I wouldn't have been able to stand in any other shoes for that long without whimpering.

Eyeglasses - SEE Eyewear

Oxfords - Cole Haan "Alisa" (other colors on sale at colehaan.com)

Neon bag - Cambridge Satchel Co

Orange blouse - found at Buffalo Exchange

Skirt - Forever21

Necklace - c/o Sorrelli (from a few seasons ago)

Bracelet - Lee Angel

Outfit photos by the fantastic James Rand

Now Wearing...

I picked this dress from Artizia awhile back on fall/winter clearance.  While it may have been intended for colder seasons, this crepe silk number has been great for summer because it's so light and airy.  I've been wearing it over tank dresses and pairing it with lighter colored shoes and accessories to brighten it up.

Crepe silk dress - Artizia

Tank dress - Nordstrom BP

Yellow belt - from Jason Wu for Target dress

Yellow wedges - Melissa

Sunglasses - SEE Eyewear

Metallic bag - Madewell

Photos by James Rand (check out his new site!)

Now Wearing...

Most of this outfit you might remember from last summer (dress seen on Industry of One and bag seen here), but the winter break and fresh sandals have made the dress and bag feel new again.

Cat eye frames - SEE Eyewear

Dum Spiro Spero ring - gift from Cult of Secrets

Bunny earrings - Urban Outfitters

My roommate Ashley and I are rarely home at the same time, so you can imagine how excited I was to bump into her as she was coming home from The Makeup Show Chicago.  She had just purchased some new palettes and was kind enough to doll me up!  I've mentioned this in a number of posts, but I'm really not much of a beauty girl.  My usual routine consists of tinted moisturizer, eyeliner and lip glosses - and maybe a little eye shadow when I'm feeling fancy.  Having my makeup done was such a treat.  Thank you, Ashley!

Tan & green dress - My Pet Square from last summer

Howard satchel - Botkier from last summer

Yellow sunglasses - SEE Eyewear

Brown buckled wedges - Surface to Air