His & Hers Picks - Be Sustainable

I've noticed a lot of buzz recently around sustainable garments ~ clothing made from recycled or organic materials in an effort to be eco-friendly.  Popular clothing companies, such as H&M and American Apparel, now offer beautiful recycled and organic pieces.  I recently fell in love and purchased a few sustainable items that I just had to share, along with my picks for the {His}...

{ Hers }

Jacket: H&M, The Garden Collection

Cosmetic Clutch: Target

{ His }

Tie: American Apparel, Unisex Recycled Cotton-Acrylic Knit Tie

T-Shirt: Alternative Apparel, Alternative Earth

Redux - When The Honeymoon's Over

When your beautiful wedding and amazing honeymoon have come to an end, what will you do with those lovely items you wore on your wedding day?  I still want to wear them!!  While I know I'll never wear my wedding dress again, I will definitely be accessorizing with the glamorous pieces I can still mix into my wardrobe.  One item in particular are my wedding shoes...

I purchased a beautiful pair of ivory, Italian made, satin pumps with brilliant brooches at the toe.  After the wedding, I dyed the shoes black and was able to get plenty of extra millage out them.  But, as you may know, dyed shoes can quickly show wear ~ the color fades, rubs off, and even shows wet spots.

My favorite detail of the shoes was always the brooches and I didn't want them to go to waste, especially because I love glamming up a coat or top with a beautiful brooch.  So, I removed the brooches from the shoes and purchased brooch pins to attach to the back.  Now I will always have two wonderful reminders of my wedding day that can be worn over my heart...

His - Make The Gray Sky Blue

We're still battling gray, chilly days in Chicago, but compromising where we can with pops of spring color in our guise.  Today my guy helped turn the gray skies blue by brightening the day with a hint of marine...

{ His }

Button Down: Express

Vest: Rag & Bone

Pants: United Colors of Benetton

Bracelet: Hugo Boss

Hers - A Marigold Day

I've been craving the warm, spring sun that refused to show it's face in Chicago today.  I compromised by adding my own pop of lovely marigold in the form of freshly cut flowers and a favorite bag...

{ Hers }

Jacket: Banana Republic

Dress: J. Crew

Layering Top: Gap

Scarf: J. Crew

Tights: Hue

Boots: United Colors of Benetton

Snake Watch: Urban Outfitters

Bracelet: H&M

Bag: H&M

Purple Polish: Parlez-vous OPI

His & Hers Inspiration - Andy & Edie

One of my favorite fashion eras is the 60's.  I am particularly drawn to the mid 60's with the style evolution that spawned from the infamous Andy Warhol and Edie Sedgwick.  I've always been fascinated by this pair and completely in love with their style.  The sailor striped shirts, black tights, oversized earrings, and wayfarers.  It was all so simple, yet incredibly chic.  They've had a lasting effect on fashion and I pull an immense amount of inspiration from the great Andy and Edie...

His - Head Games

It has been said that eyeglasses add a touch of refinement to a look.  I would have to agree.  Whenever my husband selects his rims over contacts, it transforms his look into a more distinguished style.  Then again, I've always been a sucker for the geek-chic look a pair of plastic frames creates.  I think they add an air of Clark Kent to the modern day man.  The pair the {His} often sports are classic black Ray-Bans...

But here are more variations we also love, all available at LensCrafters...

{ from top to bottom }

Dolce & Gabbana

Burberry

Persol

Hers - Head Games

I love, love, love dressing up my tresses with a fabulous headpiece.  They can make such a fun statement, or be the perfect elegant topper to a beautiful ensemble.  I'm often asked where I purchased one of my favorite little numbers pictured below and also here...

It was actually a gift from my husband while honeymooning in Ireland {he really does know the way to my heart}.  During a day trip to Dingle, we stumbled upon an adorable, little accessories boutique called Katherine McAuliffe.  Inside were the most exquisite, handmade hats and headpieces.  I had a ball trying just about everything on!!

You can view more of Kathleen's creations and even order a piece, or two, at her website: http://www.kathleenmcauliffe.com/  They can be a bit pricey, so don't fret.  There are plenty of beautiful, less expensive options in close reach...

{clockwise, starting at the top}

Rose-Is-A-Rose Headband - Anthropologie

Elegance in Bloom Headband - ModCloth

Dotted Chiffon Flower Headband - Forever 21

His & Hers Looks - Not Yet Spring

Spring teases us in Chicago.  It peeps it's pretty little head out only briefly then leaves us too quickly and begging for more.  


This past Friday was a lovely spring day, but we woke up Saturday to snow and icy rain.  We didn't let the dreary weather bring us down though.  Like true Chicagoans, we bundled up in our very best and headed out for a wonderful evening of dinner and drinks with friends at Cafe Bionda and Grace O'Malley's in the South Loop.

{ Bar at Grace O'Malley's }

{ His }

Jacket: Theory

Scarf: Blarney Woollen Mills

Blazer: Theory

Button Down: Penguin

Watch: Burberry

Jeans: Obey

Wingtip Shoes: Banana Republic

{ Hers }

Earrings: Macy's

Fur Vest: Nordstrom

Layering Top: Banana Republic

Dress w/ Crinoline Petticoat: Banana Republic

Necklace: The Glamourai

Ring: F21

Tights: Gap

Shoes: Guess

His & Hers Looks - A Dinner Date

Sometimes there's nothing sweeter than just a casual dinner date...

{ His }

Jacket: Topman

Button Down: United Colors of Benetton

Vest: Rag & Bone

Pants: United Colors of Benetton

Boots: Banana Republic

{ Hers }

Headband: Kathleen McAuliffe, Ireland

Earrings: Macy's

Jacket: Old Navy

Shirt: Twelve by Twelve

Pants: Gap

Shoes: Ralph Lauren

His & Hers Picks - Black Bands

Truth be told, I'm not crazy about jewelry on men ~ watches and wedding bands excluded.  In fact, men's wedding bands are so reasonably priced that when it came time to select my husband's, I couldn't decide on just one.  For our ceremony, I choose a classic, gunmetal colored titanium band that would be perfect for everyday wear.  In addition, I choose a slightly wider, black tungsten band for an edgy, evening look and it's quickly become his favorite go-to.

If you're in the market, there are a bevy of online retailers that sell black tungsten rings in addition to local jewelers.

His & Hers Picks - Glamourai Jewels

I'm a firm believer that accessories make an outfit and the bolder the better.  I love taking simple outfits and styling them with statement pieces.  For that reason, I'm always on the hunt for one-of-a-kind accessories.  In pursuit of jewelry bliss, I stumbled across The Glamourai, an amazing jewelry designer and fashion blogger.  Her online shop is my new favorite source for beautiful, bold pieces. Check it out: http://shop.theglamourai.com/

I recently fell in love and purchased the Black Arabesque Necklace.  It came so perfectly wrapped that I just had to share!!  Keep an eye out for plentiful looks planned around this beauty...

His - Stealing Spring

Naturally, the ladies aren't the only ones who can cash in on end of the season deals. Of course the gents can too!!  My man's favorite end of the season purchase: A cotton, slim-fitting utility shirt by John Varvatos, which strikes the prefect balance between City Boy and Mountain Man. He purchased for under $100!!

{ His }
Hat: Borsalino Italian Caps, Shirt: John Varvatos

Hers - Stealing Spring

One of the best things about spring ~ aside from the cold weather giving way to beautiful, warm, flowery days ~ is stores giving way to low prices during end of season sales.  It's a great time to stock-up on classic, basic pieces that you know you'll wear when the cold weather rolls around again.  Trends change every season, so don't focus on trendy pieces that may be out next fall.  My favorite end of the season purchase: A pair of beautiful, and super comfy, black leather boots from United Colors of Benetton.  Originally priced at $249. I purchased these beauties for only $49!!  You can't beat it!!

{ Hers }
Jacket: J. Crew
Dress: J. Crew
Gloves: Club Monaco
Tights: Hue
Boots: United Colors of Benetton

His & Hers Looks - Irish Merriment

Our Irish inspired St. Patrick's Day looks...

{ His }

Jacket: Topman

Jersey: custom Irish National Futbol Jersey

Button Down: Fossil

Kilt: Utilikilts, from a vendor at the Dublin Irish Festival

Belt: from a vendor at the Dublin Irish Festival

Socks: Dickies

Boots: Vasque

{ Hers }

Hat: Donegal of Ireland

Earrings: Anthropologie

Jacket: Express

Argyle Sweater Vest: J. Crew

Button Down: J. Crew

Tartan Skirt: J. Crew

Tartan Bag: Dooney & Bourke

Tights: Gap

Boots: Urban Outfitters

His & Hers Inspiration - Ireland

As Chicago prepares for it's annual St. Patrick's Day festivities ~ dying the Chicago River green, the St. Patrick's Day Parade, and limitless amounts of green beer ~ I find myself reminiscing on my honeymoon in Ireland this past September. While others will be donning their "best green" for the celebration, my husband and I will be pulling our inspiration from the time we spent on the Emerald Isle...