SLEEVELESS IN CHICAGO

It was almost too good to be true!  Sleeveless in Chicago became the theme this past Saturday as temperatures soared past the 60s and into the 70s.  The city was alive and people were out and about soaking up some much needed sun and fun.  I was no exception.  I was all too happy to get out of the house and stroll around Oak Street.  And who better to roam the streets with than my second fave photog (first is the hubs duh), Chris Kim (aka Tum Tum)  We had ourselves quite a fun morning.  I am undertaking in a fun project with him and the glam squad Izha and Ann, which involved me pulling some amazing gowns from Ultimate Bride.  I felt like a kid in a candy store.  Tulle, ruffles, satin, lace, sparkles, beading... oh my.  I am so excited for this shoot because I get to play stylist a little bit and drape some exquisite dresses on gorgeous models.  Not going to lie, I'm probably going to sneak into this Jenny Packham gown that makes me swoon every time I see it.  I wish I had some sort of fancy ball to go to so I can wear it.  I can't wait to show you guys the images from the shoot!  Definitely going to blog it so be excited!

I had so much fun shooting outside with Tum Tum this day.  It worked out so well because I really wanted to show you guys this outfit.  I am obsessed with sleeveless trenches right now.  It's so rare that it makes sense here in Chicago but Saturday was perfect!  Nothing feels cooler than having a sleeveless trench on you on a slightly windy day and feeling the panels flap around as you walk.  And by walk, I mean STRUT, because trust me, it makes you want to STRUT YO STUFF!  It's so easy to throw on and can completely dress up a simple tank and track pant style denim outfit.  Which, by the way, is the other thing I am obsessed with.  These pants which have a jean feel and look, but the material is so light weight and soft.  I could wear these every day!  I love how comfortable they are and the elastic on the bottom keeps the hem in place so you can move it up or down as you please.  They can be dressed down with sneakers or dressed up with pumps.  I am so obsessed with them that I bought a second pair in a different color.  Hehehe.  I love pieces that require very little thought but are still stylish and can go with lots of different looks.  I hope you guys enjoy the look and the photos!  Thanks again to Tums for the shots.  It was fun actually having some direction and feedback during these blog shoots.  Let's do it again soon!  Hehehe...

//  top - vince  //  jacket - h&m  //  jeans - rag & bone  //  bag - chloe marcie large  //  shoes - christian louboutin so kate  //  sunnies - prada  //  bracelets - edith hart  //   necklaces - maya brenner, the JASA necklace  //

//  photography by Chris Kim Photography  //

xoxo,

DOS

SO KATE

Why hello there lovers.  Gawd, I don't even know where to start.  So many things happened in such a short period of time.  Not to mention I drank a lot this past weekend so it's all kinda fuzzy wuzzy.  To start, I guess I'll talk about this new adventure I am taking on with my partner in crime and all things random, LC.  Basically we started, what she likes to call, a girl gang appropriately named Ladies Who Booze.  You must all think I am a raging alcoholic at this point.  No I am not and that is not something to joke about.  But I do love to kick back once in a while with a drink in hand after a rough day at work.  And I figured, I'm sure there are other lady friends that do the same.  I started thinking about the term "ladies who lunch", which I am not too proud to say I Wikipedia'd.  

"Ladies who lunch is a phrase often used to describe well-off, well-dressed women who meet for social luncheons, usually during the working week. Typically, the women involved are married and non-working. Normally the lunch is in a high-class restaurant, but could also take place in a department store during a shopping trip. Sometimes the lunch takes place under the pretext of raising money for charity." - Wikipedia

Then I thought, women today are so NOT that anymore.  We've risen above and are now so much more multifaceted and are proud of it.  So I took a very old school mentality of ladies who lunch and gave it a modern spin with Ladies Who Booze.  Where modern women still get together and meet other amazing women and discuss various topics of interest from fashion to business to relationships to food, what ever floats your boat, all over a cocktail or a diet coke (no you don't need to booze to be part of this).  I want to feature the amazing women I know in my life as well as go forth and meet new ones!  We all have something to offer each other.  True we have our friends but sometimes they might not understand one aspect of who you are.  Wouldn't it be great to be able to reach out and find someone who gets it?  We at Ladies Who Booze want more women to help other women become a better version of themselves through love and support or even if it's just someone to have a glass of wine with and vent with.  This new adventure of ours is still in the baby stage where we are trying to get a better handle of what we want to do, the goals we want to accomplish, and how to go about it.  Buuuuuuuut I wanted to let you all know that this is happening.  

I want to break down the walls ladies sometimes build up to protect themselves from other ladies.  We should not be so catty and so judgy and soooo un-supportive of each other.  Let's raise each other up because we understand each other, sometimes much better than any of the men in our lives.  You should feel safe in your skin and also AMAZING, because you are.  And your ladies are behind you to tell you so!  If you don't get it, just listen to Beyonce's song Flawless.  Though I'm sure no one wakes up like Beyonce does, we still are flawless in our own right.  And no this is not a we want to crush the boys club though we may complain about them here and there.  This is empowering women in their own way and creating a network of all types of ladies!  We are powerful and together we can make powerful changes.  Which brings me to my favorite quote:

"There is a special place in hell for women who don't help other women." - Madeleine Albright

And speaking of feeling powerful, every lady needs a pair of powerful pumps!  Like that transition I did right there?  Hehehe... I recently and FINALLY was able to get my hands on the So Kate shoes by Christian Louboutin in my size.  I have ridiculous baby sized feet so I had to wait around until my size was available again.  When that phone call came in from the New York Madison store... woosh... out came the credit card and it was a done deal.  They came in and gatddamn they hurt.  Shocking?  Hell no.  You don't buy a pair of Loubies because they make you feel like you are walking on clouds.  You buy them because it makes your feet look hot like sex and that feeling radiates all over you making you feel like the hottest mctottie that ever totted.  Even though you may look like Bambi trying to walk for the first time, the "just standing" version of you is WERKING that shit!  Wearing these shoes instantly give me a little boost in confidence in a way my lady friends totally understand.  I know some of you are saying, why would buy love shoes that are so painful to even walk in.  Valid question.  Here's my answer, scroll down to the second to last picture in this post and I dare you not to feel some sort of tingle.  Feel that little wave of "ooOoOOoh" before you get to the "ouch that looks painful" scowl?  You know you felt it.  Be honest.  Wearing a pair of what I call "power pumps" can transform how a gal can feel about herself.  It doesn't have to be a Louboutin, but something about a stiletto heel and being that much closer to the sky.... sigh... you just feel more bad ass, like you could accomplish anything.  Like you are going to turn heads, and people will take notice.  Maybe it's all some fantasy in my mind, but at some level that's what matters right?  What I think of me?  And with heels like the So Kate, I think me is AWESOME SAUCE!

... now where did I stash those flats...

Jacket - Rick Owens  |  Sleeveless Trench - All Saints  |  Faux Leather Leggings - Aritzia  |  Shoes - Christian Louboutin So Kate  |  Bag - Givenchy Antigona Small  |  Sunnies - Anna Karin Karlssen

Please follow Ladies Who Booze on Twitter @ladieswhobooze, Instagram @ladieswhobooze, and Facebook @ladieswhobooze.  Website coming soon!  We thank you for your love and support in these early stages!

xoxo,

DOS

PARKING LOT

Quickie outfit post for y'all highlighting a couple things I am obsessed with currently.  Number 1.  The Elliot pant from Aritzia.  I love how they can go from work wear to casual wear.  Not to mention I don't have to hem them!  Wheeeeeeeeee.  I am sure they are meant to cut off higher up on the ankle for a definitive cropped look so for me they come out to be more like grazers.  But whatevs!  I love love them.  So comfy and cradles my bedonkydonk so nicely.  The fabric stretches and moves with you but still retains its shape at the end of the day.  I want every color!  I really hope they come out with a white one soon!  Number 2.  Janessa Leone hats!  What better way to hide your roots when they start getting a little cray!  I got my first JL hat in San Fran and instantly fell in love with the whole line.  This is my second one and I plan to add more to the arsenal.  Thank goodness my local boutique Roam carries these babies!  Although this day was probably not the best day to wear it.  It was so windy and I had to keep a hand on my head to keep it from blowing away.  You will definitely be seeing me in this hat and more Janessa Leones this spring/summer.  Number 3.  My Libby Lane clutch!  I love this simple design and the leather is stiff and thick which gives this clutch its appeal and sexy edges.  The leather is also so smooth and really fun to pet and stroke.  Mk that's pretty much it.  Gotta get back to work.  Huggies and Kissies!

Jacket - AllSaints  |  Top - ASOS  |  Pants - Aritzia  |  Shoes - Christian Louboutin  |  Hat - Janessa Leone  |  Clutch - Libby Lane  |  Necklace - Tiffany and Co.

xoxo,

DOS

HOUNDSTOOTH

More bipolar weather going on as usual.  But I do know it's fall because my summer hours ended which has left me very depressed.  In the summer my awesome tax department lets us take every other Friday off if we just work an extra hour the other days.  Those were the best!  And it has left me with some serious 3 day weekend withdrawals.  But anyway... what's been up with everyone?  I feel like it's been a while since I posted.  Things I've been up to lately?  Ummm.. I coordinated a fun ass wedding at the Shedd Aquarium.  Danced my ass off.  Yea it's probably weird to see the wedding coordinator drop it like it's hawt.  That's why I only take referrals so I at least know someone there.  And I take my cues from the bride and bridal party.  Hey man, what do you expect when the maid of honor drags me out to the center.  Once you unleash the beast, there's no stopping it.  Hehehe.

I've also been tearing it up in the kitchen lately.  Experimenting with new recipes is one of my favorite things to do.  It's all been pretty successful but I do have to work on remembering my measurements so that I can replicate the dish over and over.  I'll be posting my take on PF Chang's Oolong Marinated Sea Bass soon.  OOooOoOoooh baby it's good.  Be excited.  September seems to be zooming by which I guess is good because I have a vacation coming up in October.  Woot woot!  I can't wait!  

I should probably talk about this outfit.  Though I don't have much to say about it.  I looooove houndstooth print.  I especially like the way it is understated on these jeans.  Since I said Chicago weather has been bipolar lately, I was ready for either really hot or really chilly weather.  Muscle tee if it was hot, leather jacket if it was chilly.  Honestly within this day, I was able to do both.  Hope you enjoy!  Until next time.... muah!

Top - All Saints (similar)  |  Jacket - All Saints  |  Jeans - Current Elliott  |  Shoes - Christian Louboutin  |  Bag - Alexander Wang  |  Sunnies - Givenchy  |  Necklaces - Gorjana

xoxo,

DOS