wine country, here we come!

A lovely and exciting weekend is upon us -- our big sister, Lauren, is getting married Saturday in beautiful wine country! This place to be exact. Almost a year ago we announced her engagement on the blog with a few inspirational wedding planning photos - so fun to look back at what we thought it would be like compared now to what all she has planned. Wine country in June will be the perfect setting and we will be celebrating the most perfect couple. S & I leave today with our handsome dates and we can't wait to update you with photos and stories.

Below are a few photos teasing the wedding, and Lauren (they were too cute not to post). Look for some wedding photos to come next week!

wedding invite - designed by the bride

the setting (via Facebook) 

Isn't it eerily similar to the photo included in her engagement post?

handpainted by the bride - "corn hole" for the lawn games

l & s as little ones - planning their weddings;)

little lauren - just being cute

sisters - a few weeks ago at our Dad's 60th (post to come!)

the happy couple!

summer fridays

pinterest

I am so fortunate to work for a company that has some tremendous perks. A creative & inspiring environment. Great benefits. Beer on tap (currently coors light + coors banquet). Organic fruit for snacks. A gym. Both to offset the beer...

But the best perk of all has to be Summer Fridays. From Memorial Day through Labor Day we are encouraged to leave by 12pm every Friday. Although it doesn't always happen, when it does, it is amazing.

It gives me a few hours to do things I wasn't able to get to earlier in the week. Run errands. Treat myself to a mani/pedi. Get that extra workout in.

But today, I'm heading here:

A little fresh air & shopping on the Country Club Plaza is good for the soul.

Anyone else have any fun Friday plans?

i heart chicago

Just a few weeks ago over Memorial Day weekend, B and I took a little getaway to Chicago. Just to enjoy some time away from KC and cross off one of the cities on our vacation bucket list (the list is quite long...I'll need to post on that some day).

I could go on & on about how lovely this trip was... From the weather, to the company, to how lucky we got with our dinner reservations at Girl & the Goat, and the random celebrity sighting (which I was secretly hoping would happen and actually did).

Here's a quick pic I took on our first day as we made our way to the Architecture Tour, which was so fun - I definitely recommend.

We left late on a Friday and came back early on a Monday. Super quick trip but we were able to do just about everything we had in mind - be a bit touristy, enjoy some delicious food & bevs, spend time with my fabulous cousin Elizabeth, see a show at Second City and of course shopping...  

I didn't go crazy, but I did find the blouse. I'm calling it "the blouse" because ever since S spotted this adorable DVF top on A Piece of Toast we've been trying to hunt it down together. And there it was at Nordstrom Rack. Such. a. steal! Don't worry, S, we will be sharing it:)

nordstrom

I also did a little damage at the Nars counter in Saks. Obsessed with my new lip color - Pop Life. Perfect orangey-red for summer.

nars

...Inspired by Elizabeth and her funky graphic T's, I bought a couple basics at Zara. Love the comfy knit fabric and the length. And did you know you can shop online now? Dangerous.

 zara

zara

And last but certainly not least, shoes. While at the Nordstrom, conveniently connected to our hotel, I bought my first pair of Jack Rogers. My friends have been wearing these since college and I never really knew what the fuss was until I bought them. They go with everything. They are a little tough to break in, but according to A Piece of Toast's latest post, after a few wears they mold to your feet and are super comfy. I totally had my eye on these wedges, but for my first pair I went with the classic.

So, although it's been almost three weeks since we were there, I'm still having Chicago withdrawals. The good news is it's a close and easy trip to make, so hopefully we will be back soon. 

Any other Chicago lovers out there? If so, send me your suggestions so we will be sure to add them to our itinerary for our next trip. Which will hopefully be sooner rather than later.

minty monday

I finally found mint jeans. Actually, S found them ... at Target. She is the bestest sister ever.

Love. And my obsession with mint continues...