hallo from amsterdam!

i've been dreaming about a trip to amsterdam lately... the bike rides, canals, tulips! while i was researching the beautiful city i found myself distracted by the def shop. the online shop sells all around the world and has v reasonable prices. i would love to run around Amsterdam wearing this::

graze brown dress $42.99, dameka scarf $24.99, friis & company answer clutch bag $42.99, lioni hat $28.99, o'neill razzle sandals $43

what cities have you been dreaming about lately?

xo, 

jillian


ps don't forget to enter to win the towne and reese jewelry giveaway!

in my beach bag.

it's no surprise i am a fan of lands end canvas. i got my new bikini recently and i am in loveeee. last year's swim suit was from victoria's secret, it was a similar style but the canvas suit provides a LOT more support and the ruching is better (who knew?!) i also love the vibrant sapphire ice color, it's flattering on my light skin and screams summer :) i also love the XL shoreline tote, it fits all of my beach/pool essentials:: 

land's end canvas bandeau bikini top $20 (on sale!), bikini bottoms $17, shoreline straw tote $50, classic sunglasses $34

now that the sun is out in full force it's important to remember to protect your skin! two of my blogger besties {av} from long distance loving and danielle moss from breakfast at toast have teamed up to launch sun savvy, a site dedicated to creating awareness about the dangers of sun damage and how to protect yourself. i urge you to check out their site and sign the pledge-- your skin will thank you! 

what is in your beach bag?! lots of sunscreen and trashy magazines? would you add anything to my bag?

xo, 

jillian

birthday weekend recap.

birthdays always wear me out. i usually make too many plans. and eat too many sweets. my 26th birthday weekend was no different. and i loved every minute of it. here's a photo recap of the weekend celebration!

thank you all so much for your sweet comments and tweets! i appreciate all the birthday love :) 
so how was your weekend?!

xo, 

jillian

towne and reese: summer giveaway no. 5

good morning chickadees! i am still recovering from my birthday weekend (full recap post tomorrow!) but i want to announce the last giveaway for june :) 

towne and reese jewelry was kind enough to send me a few pairs of earrings to test out a few weeks ago. and i love them. i received the Hattie earrings in turquoise and black and the Hunter earrings in green. they are just lovely in person and don't weigh down my ears! (one of the main reasons i usually accessorize with a necklace).

i love this line, the jewelry is affordable (under $50!) but right on trend (hello, coral!) and now you can win a piece of towne and reese jewelry!


how to enter:: 
follow cornflake dreams + visit towne and reese and pick out your favorite piece

increase your odds- leave a comment for each::
1. follow @cornflakedreams on twitter
2. like towne and reese on facebook
3. like cornflake dreams on facebook
4. tweet about the giveaway (please include @cornflakedreams in the tweet)

a winner will be chosen on sunday, july 3!
the giveaway is open to domestic and international participants.

xo, 

jillian


bonus:: towne and reese is offering cornflake dream readers a 15% discount
just use the code CORNFLAKE15 at checkout!

congrats!

thank you to everyone who entered this giveaway! a big congratulations to entry no.39!
you won a copy of My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software! please email me :) 


 if you didn't win and you want to design boards (like the one above) or photo books you still have time to order the software at a discount rate (only $30!)  just use the code STMMMS71826 on your for your order. (discount valid only on my memories suite digital scrapbooking software).

xo, 

jillian

If you'd like to partner on a giveaway or promotion, please e-mail me at cornflakedreams@gmail.com

friday's fancies #23 - {birthday pants}.

23rd friday's fancy! and my birthday is on june 23rd! it must be fate :) 

this weekend the birthday fun continues:: i'm having a little fiesta with friends at a local mexican restaurant tonight, spending the day with h's family tomorrow and going to a chicago fire soccer game on sunday. 


o and there will be lots more sweets and hopefully a few bike rides. this friday's fancies i am going to give you a sneak peek on what i'm really going to wear tonight (and if you "like it" you can like cornflake dreams over at {av}'s long distance link up) :: 

maxi dress $38, wedges $40 (on sale!), earrings $24, pinterest inspired hair (if i can figure it out!)
flowers, guac, margarita, cupcake, fiesta

what are your weekend plans?! 

xo, 

jillian


pssst: there are a few days left to enter my current giveaway! a winner will be announced on sunday.

happy!

it's my birthday! i'm going to spend the day shopping with my mom :) and tonight h and i are going to whip up a special pinterest inspired dessert! can't wait!

balloons, lemon berry cupcakes!

i hope you have a fantastic day!

xo, 

jillian

say hello!

say hello to our new additions-- last week h and i bought new bikes! after visiting six different bike shops we found the perfect ones. fancy pants (h) went all out and got a globe live with a built in rack.

i went with the linus dutchi 1 in pearl and i la-la-love it. i put in an order for a back rack and basket and once those are installed it will be perfect! (and yes, mom. we both have helmets!)

btw for those of you who are nervous to hop back on a bike (the last time i was on one it was a puffy paint huffy number back in fifth grade.) riding a bike really is... like riding a bike and after a few minutes i gained my balance and i was riding like a pro.

xo, 

jillian


ps: want to see our itty bitty bedroom?! check out my guest post over at a la mode.


o and i made the photo collage for this post by using my memories suite digital scrapbooking software suite...enter to win it.

foodie fave - {katie from haute apple pie}.

one of my favorite blogs, haute apple pie, is all about fantastic food, decor and parties. the ladies (anne, katie and stef) are friends-- and fellow marquette grads! 

katie is one of my favorites on haute apple. she is expecting her first child-a boy! (check out her nursery inspiration board!) and posts the best decor tips (like how to create a wall gallery). but in the end it's all about the food! and i am dying to try some of her favorite dishes:: 

 easy pesto salad, chicken & spinach stuffed pasta shells, zucchini, prosciutto and goat cheese tartlet, bacon cheddar biscuits, crostini bar

super chewy peanut butter cookies, strawberry white chocolate cupcakes, mojito cupcakes, almond m&m cookie

hungry yet? get to know katie::
What is your favorite meal of the day? Dinner, since it's the only one I don't eat at my desk (sad!).  I'm a huge fan of brunch though.



Favorite Dish you have featured on your blog? That's so hard because I blog about all of my favorites.  I'm going to cheat and pick a few: Almond M&M cookies - a family classic, Zucchini, Prosciutto & Goat Cheese Tartelettes - such a good combo, and Thai Peanut Sauce - I'm totally addicted and it's really versatile.

Favorite Dessert Recipe: Strawberry White Chocolate Cupcakes

Signature Drink:  Mojitos or an IPA

Currently Addicted to: Honest Tea Just Black Tea

Favorite ingredient to bake or cook with? Booze! Seriously though, I love the extra depth of flavor it adds and the reaction you get from people.  It automatically makes the food more fun somehow, even though the alcohol is usually cooked off.

New dish you're dying to try to make? Stuffed squash blossoms - they always look so pretty!

What is your favorite holiday to bake or cook for? Maybe the 4th of July.  While I love Thanksgiving and Christmas, I'm not usually the one cooking. July 4th is great because you have zillions of options since the produce is so fresh and flavorful.

What do you like most about cooking?  I like the creativity of it. I love to experiment so I'm terrible about following recipes.  Since I've had a garden I also love making things with food I grew myself. There's just something so satisfying about that.

a huge thank you to katie for sharing her haute favorites. be sure to hop over to haute apple pie and see what all the fuss is about. 

xo, 

jillian

digital scrapbook software: summer giveaway no.4

the number one question i get in my inbox is "how do you make your collages/boards?" my response: adobe indesign creative suite 5.5. for those of you who are familiar with the software you know that it can be v costly ($450 for CS5)...  sooo if you're not ready to throw down that chunk of change (i don't blame you!) 
i have another (much more affordable) option for you!


i was given the opportunity to try out My Memories digital scrapbook software. and i love it. the scrapbook software has pre-made templates and the option to get creative and create your own layouts--and it's only $39.97 (additional templates sold separately). i created both collages below using the program, it's a GREAT tool for bloggers and anyone who wants to create a scrapbook (i'll probably use it for our next trip!)

via, via, via, via

how to enter:: 
follow cornflake dreams, check out My Memories and pick out your favorite paper pack or layout

increase your odds--additional ways to enter (leave a comment for each)::
1. follow @cornflakedreams and @MyMemoriesSuite on twitter
2. like My Memories on facebook
3. like cornflake dreams on facebook
4. tweet about the giveaway (please include @cornflakedreams and @MyMemoriesSuite in the tweet)

[a winner will be chosen on sunday, june 26! the giveaway is open to domestic and international participants.]

xoxo,
jillian

ps if you can't wait to get your hands on this software use the code STMMMS71826 on your My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software order to get $10 off!


update: congratulations to bud and leo! this giveaway is now closed.

a little birdy told me.

well random.org told me that #79 won the judy kaufmann print! 

congrats! please email me with your mailing address and a4 print pick! 

thank you to everyone who entered! a brand spankin' new giveaway will be announced tomorrow! 
don't you just love summer?

xo, 

jillian


ps:: a big old happy fathers day air hug to my dad :) love you!

dream a little dream...

today let's dream of paris! jordan at oh, happy day is giving one lucky reader a seven day trip for two to paris! 
with over 10,000 entries it's safe to say that i might not win the giveaway. 
but it's also nice to dream... and someone has to win right?! :) 

so if you're feeling lucky, head over to oh, happy day to enter. a winner will be announced on monday :) 

xo, 

jillian

friday's fancies #22.

happy friday!! a huge thanks to everyone who linked up on wednesday! it was so much fun to see all of your summer bucket lists (and it makes me want to add a few to mine)! this weekend i am going to celebrate my grandmothers 80th birthday and my little (sorority) sister's birthday. i would also like to spend some quality time outdoors...if the weather warms up i would love to wear a skirt:: 

scoop tank $22, emersonmade pockets skirt $188, mini-wedges $53, necklace $56, cole haan clutch $178

have a fantastic weekend and remember to enter the judy kaufmann print giveaway, i'll be picking a winner on sunday (6/19)!

xo, 

jillian

ps:: check out my friday's fancies guest post over at Inspiration by S.

{guest post}- ashley nicole catherine.

i am thrilled to have one of my chicago favorites on the blog today--enjoy! 
-----------------------------------------------------

hi, everyone! this is ashley of fashion and style blog ashley nicole catherine. i'm super excited to be doing a post swap with jillian today! we're both recently engaged and we're both getting married in chicago next year. how fun is that?? we've been having fun talking about wedding plans, especially wedding colors and bridesmaid dresses.

since i already settled on dresses for my bridesmaids, i asked jillian if i could put together some picks for her girls. jillian is thinking blushes and pinks for a color palette and wants to keep the dresses under $175. lucky bridesmaids, huh? here are my affordable pink picks!

1,2,3,4,5,6,7

  

thanks for having me jillian and hope to see a few new faces at ashley nicole catherine!

-----------------------------------------------

a huge thank you to ashley for guest posting! i love her choices! my favorite dress are no.2 and 6! what do you think? what is your favorite place to find reasonably priced dresses?

ps be sure to check out my bridesmaid gift picks! 

summer bucket list - blogger link up!

to be honest, h and i wrote down our summer bucket list during a freezing weekend sometime in February. so yah. needless to say we've been dreaming about summer and sunshine for months :) here's my top 11 for summer 2011::

farmers market, water taxi, flea markets, movies in the park, botanical garden, chicago beach 

this past weekend we crossed off a few on the (extended) list. we visited Humboldt park, which absolutely surprised me - it's HUGE and just so pretty! too bad it's not v safe at night. we scoped out a few perfect spots for our engagement photos :) tomorrow night i am going to a movie in the park with friends (if it every stops raining!)

what's on your list? bloggers link up below :) 

xo, 

jillian

style crush - {kendi everyday}.

i have a v special treat for all of you today! my june style crush is the lovely kendi!  you know...from kendi everyday-- the down-to-earth, always gorgeous girl who likes to remix her clothes and encourages other to do the same :)

i am a huge fan of kendi's style & confidence. she does what she wants and she's honest about it. and that's pretty sweet. to get her look i have decided to play the remix game and pick out three classic (and affordable) pieces that you can mix and match to create different outfits. 

jeans:: road trip outfit, our edit outfit

cardigan:: sunny outlook outfit, dress and cardigan

blazer:: go to outfit, emerald outfit

wardrobe staples:: gap jeans $70, cardigan $34, blazer $88

get to know Kendi:: 

what trends do you love right now? I love all of the color that is happening this spring. Coral is my new favorite color. I'm wearing coral as I'm typing this with coral fingernails. Can we say obsessed? 

  

who is your favorite designer? Um Jenna Lyons? Just kidding, I know she isn't a designer but there isn't anything that J.Crew comes out with that I wouldn't buy. I'm not much of a designer or label girl but if you gave me $5,000 and twisted my arm I'd be all up on Zac Posen's collection. 

where do you like to shop? Gap and J.Crew forever. 

what is favorite piece of clothing or accessory? A fitted blazer is my favorite piece of clothing. It can make any outfit sophisticated. 

what do you feel most comfortable wearing? Maxi dresses! They are like secret pajamas: you look cute but you are so comfortable. 

what is on your shopping wishlist for the summer? Little sundresses -- I just can't get enough of dresses for the summer. They are so easy to wear for any occasion. 

what hollywood celeb would you trade closets with (past or present)? Rachel Bilson or Kate Middleton. I'd also trade hair with either of them, if they'd be willing.  

what do you like most about blogging? Hands down the friends I've made over the internet. I love the community blogging brings, it's so fun to find regular girls with style just like your own through blogging. 

do you have any advice for newbie 'what i wore' fashion bloggers? Don't worry about what everyone else is doing, just do your own thing. I love to stumble upon a new blogger who blogs to the beat of her own drum. 

if you haven't checked out her blog yet--whatcha waiting for?!

xo, 

jillian


ps don't forget to enter to win a fantastic judy kaufmann print :)
and bloggers get ready to link up tomorrow and share your summer bucket list!

judy kaufmann print: summer giveaway no. 3

happy monday chickadees! i have a special treat to start your week:: 
a giveaway from (winner's choice) from judy kaufmann!

the love balloons print, i love my city print

dimensions of a volcano, small birds print, birds and color print

here's how to enter:: 

be a follower of cornflake dreams + visit judy kaufmann's etsy shop and pick out your favorite print. leave a comment.

additional ways to enter:: (please leave a comment for each)

1. follow cornflake dreams and judy kaufmann on twitter

2. heart judy kauffmann's etsy shop

3. like cornflake dreams on facebook

4. tweet about the giveaway (please include @cornflakedreams in the tweet)

a winner will be announced on sunday, june 19th, this giveaway is open to domestic and international entries. 

good luck!
xo,

jillian

get shopping!

congratulations! please email me and we'll get you all set up. 

a huge thank you to everyone who entered! and thank you to the fabulous joss & main for offering such a fantastic and generous treat. i will be announcing another lovely summer giveaway tomorrow :) 

xo, 

jillian


ps don't miss my guest feature:: bijou and boheme's style in seven series!!!!

the winner is...

cherry blossom girl


please email me with your mailing info and your pick! 


thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway-- and remember there's still time to win a $100 shopping spree to joss & main (a winner will be chosen on sunday, june 12. AND stay tuned... summer giveaway no.3 will be announced next monday! 

xo, 

jillian

friday's fancies #21.

when i asked h what he wanted to do this weekend he said "sleep." poor guy has been on night float all week (he goes into work at 4pm and comes home the next day at 10am, only to do it again the next day). so i can't blame him for wanting to keep things low-key on his days off.  we have made a few small plans:: finally watching black swan and crossing something off our summer to-do list on saturday. (remember to get your summer bucket lists ready for next week's link up!) sunday we're having family dinner per usual-- and i've got a crazy craving for indian or persian food :)


so onto friday's fancies! i am excited about this one-- summer is in full force and miss {av} has organized a nautical theme for FF :) yah! seriously can you ever have too many stripes?!

dress $84, sandals $50, bag $65, necklace $34, hair

what are your plans for the weekend? 

xo, 

jillian


ps PLEASE remember to take care of your skin this summer!