{monday morning with}

I hope you enjoyed the Monday Morning With series that ran during the last 3 months while I was living in Paris.  Today's feature will be the last one now that we are back in Chicago and I thought it might be fun to answer all those interesting interview questions myself!  So here is a sneak peak into some of the things you might now normally know about me from simply reading my blog- check out all the previous bloggers from the past 12 Monday mornings right here.

what's your drink of choice?
For cocktails: either The Business or a Negroni.  For wine:  A nice dry sparkling wine or a strong Pinot Noir.


what's the most recent store you shopped at?
Ebay- I finally hunted down an amazing Three Floor dress. I scour ebay almost daily!


do you have a signature scent?
To say I am obsessed with perfume would be an understatement.  For a longtime I wore exclusively Marc Jacobs original scent, but now I like to mix it up between 7 or 8 different ones depending on the day.  Current favorites include Hermes Jardin Sur Le Toit and Elizabeth & James Nirvana Black- although the one I get the most compliments on is Bond No. 9 for Saks.


what is the top item on your wishlist right now? 
The Celine Luggage bag- practically every girl in paris was toting one of these which made me want one even more than I thought I did. 


what'd you do this past weekend? 
Chris and I spent our last night in Paris at the fabulous W near the Paris Opera before using up the rest of the weekend to travel home and get our place back in order after a 3 month absence.


where are you or where would you like to travel to next?
We are going to be taking a little break from travel given how much we have been doing recently, but the next big place on my wishlist that I would like to get to within the next couple years would be Thailand.


what are you currently reading?
The Power of Habit - I love to read non-fiction and this one is extremely thought provoking about how we develop our habits and how to understand or modify them.  


favorite quote of the moment?
“No one’s going to come tell you how it’s done”


whats your new favorite blog discovery?

I recently discovered The Love List and I appreciate her fabulous snarky way of writing and her awesome playlists!

tell us a secret?
I double dip chips.  There it’s out. Feels good to admit it. 

{monday morning with: Lauren of A Fabulous Fete}

For today's Monday Morning With we have the super creative Lauren of A Fabulous Fete.  I'm not sure what originally led me to start following Lauren's blog almost 3 years ago (maybe its because she is a fellow Southern California lady!), but I have been hooked ever since.  Besides Lauren's inspiring point of view on her blog, she also just launched an adorable online shop in addition to her established Etsy shop (does Lauren ever sleep!??!). Check out her interview below and then go get your shop on!

what'd you do this past weekend?
Spent a ton of time inside! Last weekend we experienced two days of the craziest rain and wind I've ever seen. So my husband and I braved ikea on a Saturday (without killing each other), built a new dresser while having a few cocktails, met friends for dinner, then enjoyed mimosas and a movie marathon Sunday. So exciting.

what's your drink of choice?
A buttery glass of chardonnay.

what is the top item on your wishlist right now?
This cuff. Amazing.

do you have a signature scent? 
Viktor and Rolf Flowerbomb.

favorite quote of the moment?
You are what you do, not what you say you'll do.

what are you currently reading? 
Tons of business advice on any blog I can find (sadly I don't have the patience to read a real book).

what's the most recent store you shopped at? 
Anthro for my birthday last week!

tell us a secret? 
I take at least 5-10 pictures of something before I Instagram it (you should see how many pictures I have on my phone. Insane).

where are you or where would you like to travel to next? 
Jamaica in 2 weeks. I'm trying to convince my husband we need to go to Africa next year though.

whats your new favorite blog discovery?  
Sara's blog is just so pretty.

{monday morning with: lexi of glitter inc.}

Today's Monday Morning With chat features the super sweet Lexi Holzberg Kritzer of Glitter Inc.  Lexi and I met over a year ago when we both ventured to chilly Minneapolis for a panel with Target & Glam Media (an experience that was a first for both of us which we bonded over!).  Although we only got to spend a short day together, I was immediately drawn to her refreshingly positive personality and have been a dedicated follower of her blog ever since- especially her fun and approachable fashion posts!

what's your drink of choice?
Is it lame to say Diet Coke?  I'm a total junkie, though I've learned to limit the obsession to just a few a month.


what's the most recent store you shopped at?
Nordstrom


do you have a signature scent? 
Miss Dior 


what is the top item on your wishlist right now? 
That's tough, mostly because my wishlist is about a mile long.  But since we're talking "wishlist", I've been dreaming about the Alexander Wang Diego bag for about forever-and-a-day, so I'd say that one is at the tippity top of my wishlist.


what'd you do this past weekend?
This past weekend was packed: it was Valentine's Day so I celebrated with hubby, we went to the Keys with my family on Saturday (That's the beauty of living in Miami - you can get to the Keys in an hour!), and Sunday was full of shopping and playing blog catch-up.


where are you or where would you like to travel to next?
I endlessly dream of traveling.  Next up, I'd love to take a tour of the castles of England (I'm a history nut!) or check out Australia.


what are you currently reading?
I just finished reading The Second Empress by Michelle Moran (I highly recommend all of Michelle Moran's books, especially her stories about Nefertiti and Cleopatra.)  I also started book four of The Mortal Instruments series, by Cassandra Clare.


favorite quote of the moment?
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain."


whats your new favorite blog discovery?
A few new blogs I have instantly fallen for: freutcake, smitten studio, and clara persis's blog.


tell us a secret?
There's a BIG one on my blog this morning.

{monday morning with: mackenzie of design darling}

I have quite a treat for you on this week's Monday Morning With feature, not only does today's blogger have an amazing eye-candy filled site, but she also curates an adorable online shop that makes me feel like she is secretly reading my personal wishlist.  I first discovered Mackenzie's blog after clicking through a pinterest link to this adorable perserved boxwood in her shop.  I immediately fell in the love with the impeccably stocked online boutique and her lifestyle blog, Design Darling - you will definitely want to go spend some significant time on each after reading her interview below:

What's your drink of choice?

Iced coffee or a Hendricks gin and tonic.

What's the most recent store you shopped at?

J.Crew, always.

Do you have a signature scent?

I rotate between Coach Poppy and Ralph by Ralph Lauren. 

What is the top item on your wishlist right now?

A trip to Austin, Texas! Finally trying to make it happen :)

What'd you do this past weekend?

I went to a country concert on Friday, had a bunch of family in town on Saturday, and brought my puppy to the dog park on Sunday!

Where would you like to travel next?

Besides Austin, I'd love to do Charleston or Palm Springs!

What are you currently reading?

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion. Highly recommend!

Favorite quote of the moment?

Don't worry about the people who talk behind your back; they're behind you for a reason.

What's your favorite new blog discovery? 

Domaine Home!

Tell us a secret?

I'm deathly afraid of cats. :(

{monday morning with: Amelia of The CHICago Life}

As soon as I found out we were re-locating to Chicago two years back, I immediately started hunting down the best Chicago based blogs to follow.  The CHICago Life blog was one that immediately captured my attention and made me excited to experience this brand new city.  So this Monday morning I have the fabulous Amelia for a little virtual coffee chat to give us more answers beyond just her fave Chicago places!  After you check out her interview below be sure so hop over to her blog and swoon over her recent posts about her elegant winter wedding. 

what's your drink of choice?

Prosecco.

what's the most recent store you shopped at?

Saks Fifth Avenue, my favorite standby.  Always reliable! 

do you have a signature scent?

At the moment, Diptyque's Volutes.

what is the top item on your wishlist right now?

An everyday winter coat that's equal parts warm and stylish, probably from Mackage or Moncler. 

what'd you do this past weekend?

I relaxed by day, and celebrated the birthdays of my husband and best girlfriend by night. Perfection! 

where are you or where would you like to travel to next?

My girlfriends and I are planning a week-long road trip up the California coast in March- I can't wait! 

what are you currently reading?

Case books for law school.

favorite quote of the moment?

"Worry is a misuse of the imagination." 

whats your new favorite blog discovery? 

http://blog.purelyapp.com/

tell us a secret?

I talk to my two dogs around the house, and I'm pretty sure they understand, haha!

{monday morning with: hallie of corals & cognacs}

For today's Monday Morning virtual coffee chat we have the fun and energetic Hallie Wilson of Corals & Cognacs.  You might recognize her from the video we shot for Sauza together right here which is where we first met and immediately bonded over tequila, instagram filters and trying to look natural on camera.  You absolutely must check out some of her latest blog posts on her recent epic trip to Thailand and Hong Kong.

what's your drink of choice?
Ketel dirty martini, please. 


what's the most recent store you shopped at?
Street markets in Hong Kong and vendors in Thailand – I just got back from a month-long trip to Asia, so no shopping!


do you have a signature scent?
Tocca fragrances


what is the top item on your wishlist right now?
Honestly, I just wish that my inbox would answer itself. 


what'd you do this past weekend? 
This.


where are you or where would you like to travel to next?
Positano, Italy


what are you currently reading?
The Divergent Series – it’s so good. 


favorite quote of the moment?
“Tap it back!” I’m an avid SoulCycle’r. 


whats your new favorite blog discovery?
Kate from The Four Percent has a great blog. Her healthy recipes and super-simple workouts keep me motivated!


tell us a secret?
I was lying! I just bought these Sophia Webster shoes. Oops!

{monday morning with: Liz of Sequins & Stripes}

This Monday the adorable Liz from Sequins & Stripes joins us for a little virtual coffee chat.  I have followed Liz's style blog from the very beginning and you might remember her as the fabulous host of the Nordstrom campaign/event I participated in here.  

what's your drink of choice? 
I'm a beer girl!


what's the most recent store you shopped at? 
Zara, to stock up on more sweaters for this insane winter.


do you have a signature scent? 
I wear Marc Jacobs signature scent. 


what is the top item on your wishlist right now?
I'm headed to Florida in a few weeks so I'm dying for this fun beach coverup or a new Marysia bikini. 


what'd you do this past weekend? 
I went to my friend's lakehouse in Wisconsin for a girls weekend to meet her new baby girl!


where are you or where would you like to travel to next?
I'm currently in the middle of the polar vortex in Chicago, but I'm dreaming of sunny destinations for our honeymoon in September!


what are you currently reading?
Mrs. Kennedy and Me by Clint Hill


favorite quote of the moment? 
One of the happiest moments in life is when you find the courage to let go of what you can't change.


whats your new favorite blog discovery?
Park & Cube, the imagery and design is gorgeous!


tell us a secret?
I'm addicted to coffee.

{monday morning with: pursuit of shoes}

Today I'm launching a fun little Monday Morning post series featuring some of my favorite bloggers in a casual "virtual coffee chat."  I always love the little tidbits you uncover with friends over drinks (caffeinated or otherwise!) so why not take the edge off every Monday morning and learn a little more about some of the great ladies behind the blogs.

Starting off with a fabulous fashion/shoe blogger (and real-life friend!), Ashley Torres of Pursuit of Shoes ...

what's your drink/cocktail of choice? 

I'll always say yes to a nice glass of champagne. When I'm out to dinner a glass of Syrah or Malbec always does the trick.  If I'm "out out" or just having drinks with friends then my go-to is vodka soda with a splash of St. Germain.

what's the most recent store you shopped at? care to share what you picked up?
Madwell! I'm a sucker for Madewell and can't walk by without taking a peek inside.  I scooped up a new olive green tomboy shirt - it's going to become my new version of chambray!

do you have a signature scent?
I'm actually pursuing signature scents at the moment. In college I was a Gucci Rush girl. Kenzo's flowerbykenzo is one of my faves, but not sure if it's the signature!

what is the top item on your wishlist right now?

Pretty much anything from FORWARD by Elyse Walker.  Honestly, I'm due for a big closet haul, so right now I'm feeling a bit cluttered and not in the mood to shop (crazy, I know!).

what'd you do this past weekend?
Saturday, I met my friend at Pop Physique for a morning workout then ran errands all day. In the evening the BF and I made pizza for dinner then stopped by ShoreBar for a friend's birthday! Sunday was super mellow and lazy, something I never typically do, but it was a day filled with magical TV: NFL playoffs, Golden Globes and Girls! 


where are you or where would you like to travel to next?
The boy and I have been toying with a European getaway. Not sure exactly when or where, but I would love to take him to Mykonos because we absolutely adore exploring beautiful beaches.


what are you currently reading?
Truth: I need to read more. I've been "currently reading" Dear Girls Above Me for about 3 months now… haha!

favorite quote of the moment?

You are enough. You have enough. You do enough.

whats your new favorite blog discovery? or whats a great unknown blog you care to share with us?
I've really been getting into food and DIY blogs - trying to get more creative in the kitchen and life. There's not one blog in particular, but I pin all my inspo on Pinterest.

tell us a secret or funny fact about yourself…

I love hippos and sleep with a stuffed hippo named Henriette, Henri for short.