Hi from Roma!

Hi friends! Just checking in to say hello from beautiful Rome, Italy. The weather is amazing, the ruins are breathtaking {I feel like I am on the set of a movie}, the food is delicious and the wine is flowing. I have been idolizing the European fashion - lots of black and neutral ensembles with gold accents and the most amazing shoes {especially chic booties all over the place}. Photos to come soon, hope you're enjoying a lovely Halloween weekend. Ciao!

Sagrada Familia

The Sagrada Familia was breathtakingly beautiful and kind of eerie at the same time. I have definitely never seen architecture so detailed and intricate.

...and this is one example of the fabulousness that is Zara Home. Zara Spain is greater than Zara USA, for sure.

Las Ramblas + La Boqueria Market + Yum!

Yesterday we woke up with the most delicious cappuccinos, roamed around Las Ramblas and La Boqueria Market {which was absolutely amazing}, enjoyed yummy coconut paletas, refreshing cold beers, wine, and tapas, and finished the night in bed with champagne. The weather is beautiful here, 60 degrees and sunny {I wore this J.Crew sweatshirt all day}. Now we are off to see the Sagrada Familia and other parts of the city. Adios!

Hi from Barcelona!

We made it. A little jet lagged, but we made it. Time for a nap followed by some espresso, exploring + a yummy dinner. Yay!

I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane...

Alright people, I'm outta here! I am all packed up, will most likely forget something, but fingers crossed that we land safe and sound and ready to take on the world! Don't forget to stop by the blog because I intend on popping in on a daily basis to say hello and catch you up on my adventures. Aside from my own blog, I will be absent from the blog world, and look forward to catching up with my favorites upon my return. Thank you for all your help, suggestions, recommendations, and everything that you sent my way - I can't wait to navigate my way around Europe and share my sites with you!

Talk to you soon, my dears!

ps: it is Halloween Week over at Breakfast at Toast, and Danielle has asked me to help her out with some festive fashion! Pop over and check out our black + orange combo, and say hi to Danielle. She is the bestest!

{images via my Pinterest}

Lately

So like I said, life has been busy lately! As excited as I am for Europe, half of me is sad to say goodbye to fall in Chicago - by the time I am back there is a good chance that snow will be on the ground and the holidays will be right around the corner {yay!}. I have been trying to take in all that this city has to offer before I leave...

Lunch at DMK Burger Bar, Starbucks and a Firewood candle, visiting my parents house and loving the new subway tiled bathrooms, popping into West Elm and obsessing over their displays, trips to Whole Foods, carving pumpkins, rocking my Minnetonka's, decorating for fall, new J.Crew socks, work, work, work, a new notebook for Europe, and some new Essie polishes to get me through my trip. 

This is how I feel today...

...a huge to-do list in front of me, emails to catch up on, and some serious packing - so a bit overwhelmed! I'll be back later with a post to catch you up on my weekend. xo

{image via my Pinterest boards}

Ideal

1  La Garconne Alpaca Handknit Sweater  2  Organic by John Patrick A-Line Leather Skirt  3  Cutler + Gross Round Frame Sunglasses  4  Missoni Patterned Cashmere Scarf  5  Topshop Wool Toggle Duffle Coat - only $150!  6  Chloe Tucson Leather Boots  7  Gorjana Harbor Chain Bracelet

If it were up to me, and price weren't an issue, these items would fit very nicely into my wardrobe. I think I would wear them quite a bit. Also, I know I have blogged about these boots numerous times, but seriously they are perfect.

How is your weekend going? I hope you're enjoying a lovely fall Sunday!

Saturday Sparkle

1  Mango Sequin Mesh Bag  2  Chan Luu Swarvoski 5 Wrap Bracelet  3  Topshop Sequin Stripe Tee  4  Eugenia Kim Sequin Ear Muff  5  Elizabeth Cole Four Strand Pear Necklace  6  Ban.do Mini Sequin Heart  7  J.Crew Girls Metallic Sneaker Laces  8  West Elm Deco Sequin Pillow  9  Nars Space Odyssey Nail Polish  10  Asos Sequin Wrap Dress  11  Kate Spade Le Pavillion iPhone 4 Case  12 Dannijo Rex Earrings  13  Kate Spade Holiday Barrettes  14  F21 Rhinestone Oval Pin  15  Topshop Multi Glitter Boots 

I hope you're enjoying a sparkly weekend! See you on Monday!

a {few} purchases for Europe

This Calypso St. Barth Pom Pom Beanie.

These Tory Burch Eadie Flats {thanks to Shopbop Friends + Family Sale} and these TOMS.

This J.Crew Perfect Shirt in Tartan, these J.Crew Vintage Cotton Ballet Tees, and these J.Crew Matchstick Jeans {I had a credit}.

These Melissa Logo Frye Boots {Truth: I have a Frye boot addiction, they are pretty much the only boots that I buy. But, they will last forever and only get better with wear. A true investment!}

And of course I needed some sequins, so I purchased this J.Crew Sequined Heathered Tee, for day time adventures.

This trip needs to begin because my bank account can't handle the anticipation any longer.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend!