Burberry!

My husband got me this jacket as a belated birthday present. When I say belated, I invite you to stretch the meaning of the word to its most extreme interpretation. My Birthday was May 30. We still argue about whether or not he forgot my birthday. We woke up that day, he said good morning, we went about our morning routines, he got in the shower and I was doing my hair and responding to his casual morning banter in a less than enthusiastic tone when he asked, "did I do something wrong?" to which I replied, "YOU FORGOT MY BIRTHDAY!" He argued that he just hadn't had the time to wish me a happy birthday--sure! As penance for the oversight, he agreed to get me a Burberry bag as my birthday gift. However, after careful examination of the current line and months of patient anticipation of the release of the fall collection, I came to realize I couldn't pick a bag. There wasn't one (under $1,000) that I absolutely had to have, and with Burberry and Me, there has always been a love affair. I first fell in love with my grandmother's trench when I was a child. The solution was obvious, I chose to get the classic jacket. Now, with the days getting cooler, I wait for the day I can rip open the protective plastic and free it from the hangar and the darkness of my hall closet.

House Hunting

My husband and I have been house hunting, and although I am sure that home prices in the midwest are much lower than they are on the east coast, I am still in complete sticker shock. There is a profound gap between what I want and what I can afford. The picture above is an example of the kind of house I am looking for. A house where you can have Thanksgiving every year, and everyone can play touch football in the back yard. Where I can hold summer cookouts and cocktail parties. I want a house that I am proud of and that represents my personal style. I want something architecturally significant and aesthetically pleasing. But this house is more than three times my budget. So the search continues...

My First Car

Yep, you read that correctly. I just got my first car. My husband wants me to get used to driving before I get a new car. And the Honda Pilot hybrid that I have been wanting won't be out for a few years, so he wanted to get me a safe and cute car that would last for 5 years. Let me just tell you that I love this car. I have never had my own car before. My Dad gave me a beater to use when I was 16, but it was never really my car-- i still had to ask to go anywhere. Plus shortly thereafter, I totaled it-- and haven't really driven much since! So finally at 27, I got my first car! I feel so independent! I don't have to ask someone to take me to the store--I can just go! It is such a great feeling. It is a volvo V70 XC, which is the cross country and it was imported from a factory in belgium. It is a few years old and has some miles on it, but it is immaculate and adorable. Everyone says it is so very "me." My husband makes me park in a spot where no one can park in front or behind me because he doesn't want it scratched up. I am so excited!

My Outfit Yesterday

From time to time I am the subject of some office ribbing- all in good fun of course. Usually, the jokes have to do with me looking younger than I am or my preppiness. Living in Chicago, people tend to be a little more trendy and/or hip. Yesterday my outfit prompted my colleagues to pull out the stops and lay it on pretty think. I was subjected to comments like--"So do like your profs this semester?" and "What's your hurry? Late for a pep rally in the quad?" My personal favorite was. "Are you excited about this weekend? There is going to be a killer Kegger!" They made so many jokes I didn't dare tell them that the skirt and sweater were Vineyard Vines!!! The funny thing is that I didn't even think my outfit was that preppy--I have shown up in madras or boating stripe before and no one said much. Anyway, I found the pieces online-is it that bad?

Cute Dress

I found this dress thanks to a mention on The Preppy Wedding blog. I think it is one of the most unique and inspired dresses I have seen in a while. In a way it reminds me of a beautiful dress designed by Siona Garcia. It isn't the same look exactly, but it has the same elegant and tailored feel.