friday's fancies #90.

happy friday!!! i am super excited to have some time to just chillllll out and do a little christmas shopping. we don't have a lot of plans aside from heading out to my grandparents house on sunday to celebrate the holidays. the weather in chicago is going to warm up a little bit, so i'll take that opportunity to wear something a little fall-ish (like a vest!)::

inspiration via - shirt $88 - vest $138 - knit headband $38 - watch $106

have a great weekend! 

xo, 

jillian

wreath round-up.

this past weekend h and i put up a few holiday decorations including our itty bitty tree (it's a 3-footer!), our stockings and vintage garland from my childhood. i like to keep things simple when i decorate for the holidays (i weird thing about excess stuff and having to store it) BUT i think our condo could use a festive wreath for our front door. here are a few of my favorites::

winter flower wreath $31 - live fir eucalyptus & silver ornaments wreath $90 - initial wreath $26

outdoor ornament gold/silver pine wreath $39 - red felt ball wreath $31 - cranberry red wreath $59 - boxwood & berry wreath $70

xo, 
jillian

registry find!

i recently won a Twovet duvet comforter and it is a pretty ammmmazing product. the comforter is designed for couples -- it has one thick (warm) side (for me) and a thin lighter side (for h!) what a wonderful idea! if you're getting married soon or if you would like to upgrade your sleeping situation check out the twovet site.

bonus: the blanket is made in the USA, it's eco-friendly and it ships for free!

xo, 

jillian

christmas wish list.

now that thanksgiving is over it's time to get christmas shopping! this year my wishlist has lots of black, gold, gray and white!

passport holder $60 - house of harlow 1960 necklace  $75 - polka dot snood $68 - blanket $115 - omg bag $275 - kate spade iphone case $40

what's on your wish list? 

xo, 

jillian

cyber monday deals.

happy cyber monday! as promised, here are some more great deals::

via

• Ann Taylor :: 40% off your order with the code MONDAY
• Athleta :: 20% off your order with the code CYBER
• Asos :: 30% off everything when you use code CYBERMONDAYSPECIAL
• Banana Republic :: 30% off your order with the code CYBER
• Bath & Body Works :: 25% off your order with the code CYBER2012
• Bauble Bar :: 11/26- 11/28 – get a free gift for ever $40 you spend on site – no code required!
• Crate & Barrel :: 15% off your order with the code SAVE15
• Dorothy Perkins :: 20% off full price dresses
• DSW Shoes :: $15 off $75, $30 off $149, $50 off $199 with the code HOLIDAYS
• Dwell Studio :: 20% off site wide + free shipping with code GOBBLE2012
• Emmerson Fry :: 20% off your order with the code cybermonday2012
• Gap :: 30% off your order with the code CYBER
• Jcrew :: 11/21-11/25 – 25% off all orders + free shipping on orders over $150, when you use code COLOR25
• JHill Design:: 20% off your order with the code GOBBLE20
• Jo Jo Loves You :: 20% your order with the code CYB12
• Lulu & Georgia :: 26% off your order with the code L&GHOLIDAY
• Loft :: 50% off everything online, enter the code TODAYONLY
• Old Navy :: 30% off your order with the code CYBER
• Piperlime :: 20% off everything + free shipping with code CYBER
• Shopbop :: 11/21-11/26 – Spend $250 save 20%, spend $500 save 25%, spend $1000 save 30%, spend $1500 save 35% when you enter code BIGEVENT12
• Steve Madden :: 25% off and free shipping with code GIVE25
• Tory Burch :: From 11/23 - 11/26 – Spend $300 get 20% off, spend $500 get 25% off, spend $750 get 30% off AND get a limited edition notecard set with any purchase of $150 or more when you enter code GIFTFORYOU

did you stumble on any other good sales?! share the link (and code!) below :)
xo, 

jillian

ps want to shop small this holiday season!? check out my list of favorite etsy shops!

etsy favorites on small business saturday!

happy small business friday. i'd like to call out some of my favorite etsy shops -- great options for holiday shopping!! 

• Art Goodies - block print art and textiles (tea towels!) for you and your home
• Bip & Bop - handmade jewelry (use the code HOLIDAYS2012 for 15% off your order)
• Knits & Knots - hand-knit cowls and bracelets (use the code WEEKENDSAVE for 30% off all cowls)
• Matine - leather clutches, wallets and totes (15% off on 11/26 with the code MONDAY)
• Olive Yew! - gold, silver and rose gold jewelry
• Upper Metal Class - minimalist jewelry (use the code GIVETHANKS for 15% off your order)
• Silk and More - pretty kimono robes
• Snugglens - camera bags and straps 
• Tilly Maison - lucite trays
• Tortilla Girl - hand-knit scarves, cowls, gloves, and hats (Cyber Monday SALE: 20% off all orders between 11/23 - 11/26 with code BLACKFRIDAY20 at Etsy checkout)
• Trafalgar's Square - adorable animal sketches, perfect for a nursery (save 45% off your purchase with the code THANKS45) 

xo, 

jillian 

friday's fancies #89 (+black friday deals!)

today i am thankful i that h and i have the day off from work! we're going to avoid the shopping today - i'm not a fan of huge crowds - but i might check out some online sales!

inspiration via - sweater $79 - jeans $59 - tote $208 - heels $70

here are some of my favorite black friday deals: (codes valid on 11/23 unless otherwise noted)

• Asos ::20% off everything when you use code BLACKFRIDAYBONUS
• Banana Republic :: 40% off everything when you use the code BRFRIDAY
• Bauble Bar :: Buy 2 Baubles, Get 15% Off (code: FRIDAY15) Buy 3 Baubles, Get 25% Off (code:FRIDAY25) Buy 4 Baubles, Get 35% Off (code: FRIDAY35)
• Dorothy Perkins :: 20% off full price dresses
• Dwell Studio :: 11/22-11/25 – 20% off site wide when you enter code GOBBLE2012
• Gap :: up to 60% off on select items + 20% off everything when you use the code GAPGIFT
• Jcrew :: 11/21-11/25 – 25% off all orders + free shipping on orders over $150, when you use code COLOR25
• Jcrew Factory :: 11/21-11/25- 40% off everything + an extra 15% off with purchase over $100 with code GIVEANDGET
• Loren Hope Designs :: 20% off and free shipping with your purchase of $100, use code THANKS
• Madewell :: 11/21-11/25 – 25% off everything + free shipping with code TREAT
• Piperlime :: 11/22 - 11/26 - 20% off everything + free shipping with code ME
• Shopbop :: 11/21-11/26 – Spend $250 save 20%, spend $500 save 25%, spend $1000 save 30%, spend $1500 save 35% when you enter code BIGEVENT12
• Sunglasses Shop :: 25% entire purchase when you enter the code UNWRAPME
• Steve Madden :: 25% off and free shipping with code GIVE25
• Tory Burch :: From 11/23 - 11/26 – Spend $300 get 20% off, spend $500 get 25% off, spend $750 get 30% off AND get a limited edition notecard set with any purchase of $150 or more when you enter code GIFTFORYOU
• Twovet :: $50 off any comforter + free shipping, 11/23 only, no code required.
• Victoria's Secret :: 11/23- free limited edition tote including four beauty must-haves with $65 purchase. Code FRIDAY65

happy shopping!!  (check back on monday for more deals!)

xo, 

jillian

ps there's still a few days left to enter the Radisson Giveaway!

give thanks.

someecard via

today h and i are heading out to my parents for a thanksgiving feast with family. i can't wait for lots of turkey, potatoes, biscuits and meatballs (a special treat, thanks mom)! we are bringing the broccoli, cheese and rice casserole - a holiday staple. i am so thankful to spend the day with family. we'll be hosting thanksgiving round 2 with h's family at our place on saturday.

happy thanksgiving! 

xo, 

jillian

ps the Radisson travel giveaway is still on! don't miss your chance to win a free night's stay at any U.S. Radisson hotel! 

thank you to the charmers.

art via

have a very happy thanksgiving and give thanks to all the charmers in your life.

xo, 
jillian

ps the Radisson Hotel Giveaway is still going on! don't miss it.

a holiday favorite.

broccoli cheese and rice casserole is a favorite at our holiday gatherings and it is usually the first thing to go. this year i am making the casserole for thanksgiving dinner at my parents, luckily it is very easy to throw together::

*you can use cream of chicken or mushroom if you'd like instead of cream of celery soup.

what are your holiday staple sides?

xo, 

jillian

ps don't forget to enter the Radisson Hotel Giveaway!

good things.

happy monday! i am ready for some TURKEY!!! hopefully the work week flies by! 

-this weekend was a lazy one. i got to sleep in both days and treated myself to a girly movie on friday.

- saturday night, i got together with the girls for friends thanksgiving and book club (this month i was not so great about reading our book!) but the company and food was fantastic! 

-sunday we went downtown for a date at the harold washington library. after exploring the massive building, we picked a quiet spot and had some quality reading time.

-sunday dinner was persian! i started the meal with a big helping of mast o moosir :)

xo, 

jillian

ps have you entered the radisson hotel giveaway?

giveaway:: win a free night at the Radisson!

want to take a mini vacation?! you're in luck, Radisson Hotels is celebrating their 50th anniversary by giving away one night's stay at Radisson Blu or Radisson hotels for 50 days!! now it's your chance to enter to win a night at ANY Radisson hotel in the U.S. 

where would you go? i'm dreaming of san francisco or new york! 

best of luck! a winner will be announced on monday, november 26th.

the details: One winner will win one night voucher that is valid for one free night, standard room, double occupancy at any North American Radisson Blu or Radisson Hotel of the winner’s choice. The voucher expires one year after issue date. The full terms and conditions are located on the room night voucher.

xo, 

jillian

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friday's fancies #88.

happy friday! tonight h is on call so i am indulging in some "me" time with a pedicure, retail therapy and a chick flick. on saturday, the girls and i are getting together for a friends-thanksgiving-book club. i'm bringing da biscuits! and sunday we'll get together with the family for sunday dinner. 

sweater dress $50 - coat $325 - boots $110

xo, 

jillian

stop by later today! i'm announcing a travel giveaway you won't want to miss! 

sweater season.

it is getting colder in chicago and that means time to break out the sweaters and layers. i am kinda obsessed with ultra soft crew sweaters from target - they are super soft, a great fit and a STEAL for $18! i have a nice little stack of six in my closet (pink, bright blue, turquoise, mustard, gray and black). bonus: they look great with a large statement necklace::

tan sweater + rose triad strand $28, pink sweater + cerulean drop necklace $28 

black sweater + house of harlow necklace $75, blue sweater + black bubble necklace $150

xo, 

jillian

date night: steppenwolf theater.

this past friday, h and i went to the steppenwolf theater and saw good people. it was our first time to the theater together and this show was really wonderful. 

synopsis: When Margie Walsh loses her job at a South Boston dollar store, she reaches out to old flame Mike, a Southie boy who left the neighborhood and became a successful doctor. Margie's attempt to hit Mike up for a job takes on a threatening cast when she realizes the power a secret from Mike's past holds. From Pulitzer Prize-winner David Lindsay-Abaire, Good People looks at the dangerous consequences of choosing to hold on to the past or leaving it behind.

the play was a great blend of comedy and drama and the actors did a pretty good job with their south boston accents. it was really entertaining to see the sets change (something that didn't really happen at the opera or ballet) and it was impressive to see what the actors could do on what seemed like a small set. 

next up... we're planning on seeing a show at the second city next month. 

xo, 

jillian

craving: mac & cheese.

what's better than gooey cheese and pasta?! macaroni and cheese is the ultimate comfort food but for some reason my husband doesn't like it. sooo when he is on call i usually take that opportunity to indulge in some cheesy goodness. usually when i make mac and cheese i go for the box stuff and i add in some fresh chopped veggies (my favorites are broccoli, cauliflower or zucchini). someday i'll ditch the boxed stuff and try one these tasty homemade recipes:: 

bacon mac n cheese - mac and cauliflower - boursin - chicken, goat cheese and rosemary

classic - broccoli and white cheddar - pesto and goat cheese 

what are your favorite mac and cheese mix-ins?

xo, 

jillian

ps i was thrilled to see our wedding on style me pretty illinois!

tis the season...

to be thankful! (i LOVE christmas but come on, let's save the red & green decorations until after thanksgiving... i'm looking at you Walgreens!) back to my original point, i have always thought that this month is all about giving thanks and spending time with the people you love. i am looking forward to thanksgiving day at my parents home this year with lots of family and wayyy too much food. h and i also plan to celebrate t-day with his family the saturday after thanksgiving with some vegetarian friendly dishes and a non-traditional take on turkey dinner (hello, chicken tenders!) 

image via

this year i have a lot to be thankful for... my husband, my family and friends, my health and this blog. i am so incredibly thankful to have my own space where i can get creative and "meet" wonderful people. so thank YOU for keeping up with my rants, cravings and random-ness, it really does mean the world to me.

xo, 

jillian

friday's fancies #87.

tonight h and i are going to the steppenwolf theater - i'm sooo excited! the rest of the weekend our plans are up in the air. it's suppose to warm up on saturday...i'd love to ditch my heavy wool coat and wear something a little lighter::

style inspiration via - tee $90 - jeans $130 - booties $90 - watch $225 - sunglasses $90

have a great weekend! 

xo, 

jillian

ps i am announcing an ammmmmazing (travel!) giveaway next friday don't miss it!

wanderlust wishlist: update!

i've got travel on my mind and it has been a while since i have posted a wanderlust wishlist. thanks to budgeting and lots of careful planning, i am thrilled to say that h and i will visit all of our the countries on my original wishlist by the end of next year. spain and turkey were amazing, greece is booked for may 2013 and we're planning on exploring italy next september! i'm not sure if my wanderlust list will ever end... here are my current dream destinations:: 

Thailand via via via

Switzerland via via via via

India via via via

London, England via via via via

what's on your wanderlust wishlist?

xo, 

jillian

save the date: destination wedding.

happy wedding wednesday! this weekend i had dinner with my older brother, his fiance and her kids and we got to talk about their 2014 destination wedding! they are going to get married in the bahamas (a place our family was lucky enough to visit together). it is a gorgeous island and it will be the perfect place for my brother and amy to make it official. i have no doubt the wedding will be gorgeous and i am happy to take a mental vacation to somewhere sunny and dream up beachy wedding ideas. 

first up: the venue. andy and amy are visiting the bahamas this spring, so they need to have an idea of how many guests might attend to make sure the venue is large enough. to get an idea of who plans to attend and allow guests ample time to save for the trip, they are going to send out save the dates and include an RSVP. i am smitten with these sun-soaked save the dates::

calendar dot - tropical beach postcards - luggage tag  - bold blue stripes

ombre ocean - sunshine tag - modern stripes

have you ever attended a beach wedding? (this will be my first one!!)

xo, 

jillian