OVERSIZED

The temperatures are plummeting!  It is flippin' cold in Chicago right now.  We were having such great weather and one day was even close to 50s but now I feel like this is Chicago.  It just sucks when it flips like that so quickly!  And what comes with it is a bunch of sick people.  Everyone has/had the flu!  It seems that The Hubster and I have avoided it this season but then again, I could just be jinxing it now.  I have been trying so hard to avoid anyone with some sort of cold/flu symptom.  I even considered wearing a mask at work.  I hope everyone is finally getting better and not spreading their nastiness.  

This particular Sunday was spent having a "Ladies Brunch" at The Bristol.  Well.... "Ladies Brunch" plus The Hubster.  For some reason he likes to come to these things but then he didn't even talk to us.  So weird.  Though I did appreciate him taking photos for me.  =)  My full review on The Bristol brunch will be up at some point this week.  I'm hoping to be able to put together a video but there was so much background noise because it was pretty poppin' during brunch time.  Trying to figure out how to edit the footage.  We had such a fun time during brunch.  I love brunching with my girls.  Our conversation this day definitely was off the wall.  

I went with oversized everything for brunch.  Starting with my oversized sweater from the Margiela x H&M collabo which is oh-so-soft.  I hope everyone was able to snag a little something from that collection.  This one was definitely one of my favorites.  The sleeves are bonkers long which gives it a cool look but also makes it super hard to maneuver around when you need to use your hands.  And with a sweater this big, you can't just wear any coat so I quickly pulled out my fave piece from Calvin Tran.  I love how I can just trow this on and the closure is a big ass gold safety pin.  Not the warmest coat but def looks great.  =)  Topped my oversized theme with my oversized Antigona.  This is actually the medium but since I'm travel sized, it looks oversized on me.  Yay!  Hope you enjoy the pics.  Will try to put up more outfits soon.

I also found out this day that my heel on my boots are stingray.  I had no idea stingray looks and feels like crystals.  I kind of still half don't believe Sue and Grace.  But they swear it is.  I don't know how I feel about having stingray on my foot.  Poor little guy. =(  How do you guys feel about it?

Coat - Calvin Tran  |  Sweater - Margiella x H&M  |  Leggings - ASOS  |  Boots - Sergio Rossi (similar)  |  Bag - Givenchy

xoxo,

DOS

WRAP AND TIE AND WINE

Hey y'all!  I'm back from Texas.  Feels good to be home.  Texas was really really hot but the wedding was entirely indoors so it worked out.  The ceremony was very touching.  I couldn't help but admire the way the groom was looking at the bride.  He was cheesing the entire time.  LOVES IT!  Hahahaha...

These photos were from about a week and a half ago when I attended an event held at the James Hotel that was so perfect for me for three big reasons.  One, it was to benefit Hubbard Street Dance, which is an amazing dance company that performs contemporary dance shows in Chicago.  (Show your support by attending a show or two!)  Two, it was also a wine tasting event hosting many different wine makers from all over the country.  You all know how much I LOOOOOOOVE wine.  Three, The Hubster won the tickets to the event!  I'm not quite sure why we are winning things lately, but I really hope our lucky streak continues.  Thanks so much to Cheeky Chicago for being a part of this event and giving us a chance to win these amazing event tickets.  If you want to know where all the fun events are and just anything Chicago related, visit their website and follow them on twitter @cheekychicago.

This particular event was on a weekday right after work which is always a little challenging because I don't want to be in my stuffy work gear at a fun wine tasting event.  So I just whipped out my amazing Calvin Tran piece.  This "dress" can also be worn low as a skirt.  You can also change up where you want the pleats and bow to be.  There are no rules with this one.  If you are in the Chicago Lincoln Park area, stop by his store on Halsted.  Maybe you'll run into him and he'll dress you.  It's pretty fun and he is hilarious.

OH!  And I also rolled up to the event in an UBER SUV.  If you don't know what UBER is, well then, educate yoself!  UBER is a great way to get around the city if you are just not in the mood to hail a cab and also get yelled at for wanting to use a credit card.  With UBER, you just use your phone to order your ride.  It comes to you and you get charged via your account so there is no mess about having to have cash or even a credit card.  This particular week, they were giving out free rides for new members.  It was the perfect time for me to use it because I needed to get to the James Hotel from my office.  The driver was there within 2 minutes and I hopped into an SUV with black tinted windows.  I kind of felt like a Kardashian.  They are always in an SUV with black tinted windows no?  Either way, I felt so BOSS!  I suggest everyone take an UBER ride.  Like, NOW!

Excuse the glow in the dark bracelet.  Lol.  It was what they gave us to wear as VIP guests.  Woot!  You know we VIPs, we love to glow.  Bwahahaha.

Dress - Calvin Tran  |  Shoes - Shoemint  |  Earrings - House of Harlow  |  Cuff - Forever 21  |  Bag - Rebecca Minkoff

Okay, no joke.  I sampled almost every wine in the room and ended up here for the rest of the night.  Nello Olivo had tastings of some of the best red wines I've ever had.  It was so smooth and didn't have that minor bite you sometimes get when the wine hits the back of your throat.  Once I had his wines, I couldn't go back to any other table.  Which ones were my favorites?  Why I am glad you asked:  2007 Toscanello, 2008 Petite Syrah, 2007 Sangiovese and a secret one not yet available for sale which I think was a Sagrantino.  I hope I remembered all of them correctly.  I was super wobbly by the end of the night.  Hahaha.  I encourage you to join their wine club or order a few bottles to try.  You will NOT be disappointed.  His wines make me want to sit out in the open air on a nice 75 degree day with a book and just ignore the world.  

Here is Nello himself along with his beautiful daughter and her husband.  Thanks for showing us a fabulous time and sharing your amazing wines!  I will be placing a large order very soon!

-DOS

A HINT OF MINT

I hope everyone is having a great weekend!  I wanted to put up an outfit post for you all since it's been a while.  It is so hard to get out and do a shoot in the winter.  I am literally freezing in these first set of pics but I wanted you guys to be able to see my oversized sweater cardigan.  I've been wearing it a lot lately because it's so comfortable.  I like the texture and open weave pattern of this cardigan.  I just have to make sure not to snag it on something.  That's always my biggest fear with loose weave sweaters.  One wrong move... then snag!  It's the saddest feeling ever right?!  The poor Hubster was freezing right along with me.  Most of his shots are blurry because his hands were shaking.  Poor thing.  But what a trooper!  <3  And of course, gotta love my Chloe 'Marcie' purse.  This is the large size and it can hold my entire life.  It's my go-to bag when I am going to be out for the whole day.  

I also finally get to show you guys my House of Harlow shoes... yay!  I love the Oxford style and gold plate.  They are classic and simple booties in a neutral brown color and of course, it's a high heel.  What's there not to love?

I am also wearing my Calvin Tran coat.  I love this coat because it's got some cool faded stripes on one side and it is just very unique.  It's also really easy to just throw on over thick sweaters.  It comes with these cool gigantic safety pins which you can use to completely change the shape of the coat and also can be used to close up the coat.  Much like what buttons would do.  Next time I wear it, I'll have to show you guys what you can do with the pins.  That's one thing I love about Calvin's work.  It's all very transformative and fun!  If you are in Chicago, check out his store on Halsted and Webster.  You might get lucky and he might actually be there to help you pick out items.  He's super silly and definitely made me laugh when I met him.

Coat - Calvin Tran  |  Cardigan - Free People  |  Top - Club Monaco  |  Jeans - Current Elliot (color mint)  |  Shoes - House of Harlow  |  Purse - Chloe 'Marcie'  |  Scarf - Michelle Tan  |  Jewelry & Watch - Top Shop, Michael Kors, Nordstrom, F21

Thanks for reading!  <3

-DOS