I Want to Dance with Somebody

I am so happy this week is over. I've been going to bed at a reasonable hour every night (earlier than I normally do) and I am still exhausted every day. My job just takes everything out of me. Last night, my guitar teacher said I was awfully quiet to which I responded I was tired. I came home, ate dinner, and geared up to watch Project Runway All Stars only to fall asleep and miss the fashion show altogether. LAME! Luckily, the week went by fast and we're back to a weekend. And not just any weekend. A weekend free of commitments. That means lots of relaxing and doing nothing. Plus, today is an easy day at work, so I am going to bust my ass, get a ton done, and get out at a reasonable hour. Come home, do a couple of chores, and then relax, relax, relax.

This week's wedding (it's been a while since I've given you one, eh?) is so adorable. And the details? Oh, my! They are so, so perfect and well thought out. Lauren and Steve were married in the autumn and their wedding reflects the season in every way...down to the cake topper (which is awesome!). They DIY'd so many of the details that appear in these beautiful photos by Tray Photography. I thought I did a lot, but this bride thought of everything! Check it out!

Don't you love that cake topper? I almost want one just as an objet d'art for the house! And I love that the bride wore her glasses. So rad.

So, here's how I'm achieving maximum relaxation success this weekend: I'm eating leftovers of delicious meals I've been cooking all week long (no cooking), I'm watching a couple of movies from AFI's Top 100 list (part of my list for 2012), and I'm picking February's books and digging in. Either that or I'm sleeping all weekend and doing a whole lotta nothing. : ) What are you up to this weekend?

In the mean time, here are your dance moves for the week:

Beautiful DIY bed canopy

Kitchen Porn

Paper pencils

Films, Re-imagined

Mini-moss gifts

Walk through a rainbow

Dior 2012

I still need to work on wearing my hair in a pretty style once a week. I'm looking for inspiration.

(Friday dance photo via here; Lauren and Steve's Autumn Canadian wedding photographed by Tray Photography via Whimsical Wonderland Weddings)

Dances with Wolves

Today is an easy day at work and I'm happy for that. As per usual, I'm exhausted. I think I was supposed to live a life of leisure. Where are my millions??? Where's my poolside iced tea?!? Why should those Real Housewives have all the fun while the rest of us are slaving away all day and night, five (or more) days a week?? Okay, wish I was rich rant over.

Since it is almost Halloween, I thought this gorgeous and oh so dramatic engagement shoot was PERFECT. I'm so used to sporadic seeming engagement shoots or styled ones, but I can honestly say I've never seen a themed, sort of performance art, engagement shoot. Kelli and Taylor opted for a Little Red Riding Hood engagement shoot that sort of blows my mind. It's enchanting and that cape is so ethereal! Plus, look closely at Taylor's eyes! Yikes! Photographed by Three Nails Photography (they also made that amazing cape!), the concept and photography is simply stunning. Enjoy!

Are you blown away or what? I kind of just want a cape like that to wear around the house. Or Chicago. You ask why, I say why not!

This weekend should be fun and relaxing. My friend from guitar class invited us over for drinks, food, and pumpkin carving fun at her place on Saturday. And I think we're going to do our movie marathon on Sunday. Maybe if I watch the scarier movies during the day I will be less scared by the time it's night and I have to sleep with the lights off. Maybe. We'll see. What are you up to this weekend?

In the mean time, here are your dance moves for the week:

Autumn sexiness

What it's like to have backyard chickens

I wish I lived in NYC, I would totally go check out this rad exhibit!

Photosynthesis lamp

Modern skull candy dish

I love that this delicious autumn flavored recipe is for just four cupcakes. Perfect for two!

I'm super psyched because my guitar teacher gave me the music for two Ryan Adams songs this week. If you don't know Ryan Adams, you should. He's amazing. I'm loving this song from his latest album.

Birdcage chair

Pumpkin carving lite

Top 10 Topical Halloween Costumes for 2011 (my favorites are the Barack Obama approval rating and the Debt Ceiling!)

(Friday dance photo via here; Kelli & Taylor's Red Riding Hood Engagement Shoot photographed by Three Nails Photography via Green Wedding Shoes)

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Bundle Up

As the weather gets crisper and fall feels more like a reality than something we're anticipating, I'm looking for pretty things to keep me warm and happy. I've been posting a lot lately about fall fashion and it's totally intentional. Not only is it my favorite season to experience, but it's also my favorite season in terms of fashion. Here's why:

Knee Socks! Or in this case, boot socks! As soon as fall hits, out come my knee socks. I have a thing for knee socks. I find them sexy and warm and brilliant. They're, in part, how I battle Chicago winters. But boot socks? That's taking it to the next level. How awesome for those lovely rain boots!

Speaking of rain, it's been non-stop raining here the last couple of days (of course it's on days when my car is in the shop and I have to take the freaking bus to work. LAME.). I wish I had this awesome umbrella. (For those of you who don't speak French, it translates to, "Shit. It's raining.")

As soon as I can, I start rocking boots. They're probably my favorite type of shoe next to ballet flats. (I'm especially partial to my Uggs because it's like working all day in slippers.) Wouldn't you love these rad plaid boots?

I also love scarves. I love thin ones, infinity ones, and best of all, pretty, chunky knit ones. Just like this. Cozy!

And finally, one of the best gifts I've ever received was one I thought was so bad when I got it: a down throw blanket. My mom gave it to me for Christmas years ago and I remember thinking it was such a lame gift when she gave it to me. Years later, it's one of the gifts she's given me that I've used the most. I love it and I've kept it as the throw for two different couches I've owned. It's my go to blanket on the coldest of days and I love curling up with it and a hot cup of cider (perhaps in an apple?). Here's one similar to my own (a link to buy a similar one is below)!

Plus two other great fall fashion posts! Three looks for fall and simple gold jewelry.

(Bootsocks via Sahalie; Umbrella via Raindrops; Plaid Boots via Target; Chunky Knit Scarf via ASOS; Down Comforter Image via here, but you can find a similar blanket at Overstock)