Hers - Ode To Summer {Trois}

The seasons have officially clicked from spring to summer.  Memorial Day weekend has come and gone, but it's been a lovely and long relaxing holiday for me and the {His}.  As it comes to a close, I'm looking forward to everything this summer has in store and am sending each of you the warmest of wishes for a wonderful summer season!!

{ Hers }

Bag: H&M

Scarf: Missoni

Earrings: Macy's

Necklace: J. Crew

T-Shirt: Gap

Jeans: J. Crew

Espadrilles: DSW

Hers - Ode To Summer {Deux}

We had yet another perfect summer day today.  One where there's not a cloud in sight and the sun is blazing warm.  It seems too perfect to have such lovely weather arrive just in time for the long Memorial Day weekend and celebrations.  The {His} and I spent the day entirely outside ~ just walking around, enjoying the buzz of city.  I slipped into my garden party dress for the occasion, which seemed to be made for strolling in the sun among iron fences and ivy.

{ Hers }

Sunglasses: F21

Earrings: Target

Bangles: vintage 

Dress: Von Maur

Sandals: Nine West

Bag: T. J. Maxx

Hers - Ode To Summer

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer.  In Chicago, we spend about eight long, chilly months dreaming about those lazy hazy crazy days of summer.  Well, the wait is over and the weather this Memorial Day weekend has been absolutely lovely so far.  It's been hard to spend any time inside.

The {His} and I kicked-off the holiday weekend by heading to the West Loop for cocktails on the patio at Market Bar before shopping around the Randolph Street Market ~ a great place to find vintage treasures.  We walked away without any purchases this time, but we plan to head back several times before the summer ends.  You just never know what you may find.

{ Hers }

Hat: Urban Outfitters

Sunglasses: Ray-Bay

Button Down: Gap

Skirt: F21

Bag: Banana Republic

Jellies: Steve Madden

His & Hers Looks - Better Together

The trip to our homeland of Ohio did not disappoint.  The {His} and I had a wonderful weekend celebrating the upcoming nuptials of my brother and soon to be sister-in-law with very dear family and friends.  The weekend's festivities included lots of delicious cocktails and dining and, of course, hours upon hours of reminiscing and laughing.  There really is nothing better than being together with the {His'} and {Hers'} of my heart...

{ Hers }

{ Make new friends, but keep the old; One is silver and the other is gold. }

{ His }

{ Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil }

His & Hers Inspiration - Bloodbuzz Ohio

The {His} and I are headed to our homeland of Ohio this weekend.  In honor of our trip, I wanted to share a little musical inspiration from a {His} and {Hers} favorite, The National.  They are also Ohio natives and their latest video, appropriately to their song "Bloodbuzz Ohio," is super cool and rather fashionably inspiring.  So, here's to Ohio...

Hers - A Blonde Pixie

I knew heading into this week's haircut that I wanted to lose a lot of hair.  My hair was the longest it had been in awhile and extra blonde.  It seemed to be screaming "go pixie!!"  With the hot summer just around the corner, I thought the timing was perfect.  So, I summed up the courage and went for it.  It's just hair after all.  It'll always grow back.

{ Hers }

Hair: Sine Qua Non

Sunglasses: F21

Earrings: Banana Republic

Trench: Mango

Flower Pin: H&M

Button Down: Gap

Belt: Urban Outfitters

Denim: J. Crew

His & Hers Picks - Styling Your Strands

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, a great hair stylist is the key to a great cut.  But when it comes to style maintenance, the true magic is in the product.  Here are a handful of our all-time favorites...

Left: Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray

Right: Aveda Phomollient Styling Foam

I always prep my hair when it's still wet.  I generally use Bumble and Bumble's Surf Spray when I'm going for a piecey, not-so-perfect look and Aveda's Phomollient Foam when I'm looking to add some extra volume.  If you let your hair dry naturally, adding one of these products while still wet will help tame and create a better end result as it air dries.

For extra styling, shine, and hold, I like to use a combination of the following...

Left: Aveda Smoothing Fluid

Right: Bumble and Bumble Spray de Mode

Aveda's Smoothing Fluid adds a lot of shine and softness.  I'll often add this to my hair when it's still wet and then again when it's dry.  For a nice hold, without feeling heavily sprayed, I like Bumble and Bumble's Spray de Mode.  It's the perfect, modern hairspray with a lovely scent.

Left: Aveda Control Paste

Right: Bumble and Bumble SumoTech

For some serious sculpting and molding, I like Aveda's Control Paste and Bumble and Bumle's SumoTech.  Both work great when you want your hair to stay where your fingers place it.

His & Hers Inspiration - A Fresh Crop

A good haircut is truly the best accessory any {His} or {Hers} could have.  It can completely transform the way a person looks.  However, a good hairstylist is the key to that magic.  I was fortunate to have my friends recommend an amazing stylist when I moved back to Chicago.  Kimberly, at Sine Qua Non salon, is the magician behind my ever evolving hairstyle.

Several weeks ago Kimberly asked me to participated in Sine Qua Non's annual hair show, which took place this past weekend.  I had a blast and since then have been conspiring the next crop for both me and the {His}.  With the hot summer fast approaching and us both having cuts scheduled this week, I compiled a little fresh crop inspiration...

{ His }

Adam Levine's close cut

{ Hers }

Agyness Deyn's blonde pixie

His & Hers Inspiration - Dressing for Less

We love this GQ Guide To Dressing For Less.  It's packed with style inspiration and great cost-effective shopping tips for men of all ages.  I pulled our favorite looks and tips from the piece for your viewing pleasure, but be sure to check out the full article here.

{ Looks from the handsome lads of Street Etiquette }

"Sometimes improving your look doesn't require buying anything new at all.

It's about taking care of what's already in your closet" - Michael Hainey

{ Shop your local Army-Navy store }

{ Stick to the classics }

"Dressing well is not about labels - it's about developing personal style.

And that's something you learn, not buy."

The End

Hers - Blogger Breton Stripe Day

When Jessica Schroeder, of What I Wore, threw out the idea to create an (unofficial) Blogger Breton Stripe Day, I was instantly up for the challenge ~ the perfect style challenge for spring and also for pulling inspiration from Andy Warhol and Edie Sedgwick, the two I think of first when I think Breton.

{ Hers }
Breton Stripe Pullover: American Apparel

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

Coat: Miss Sixty

Earrings: Macy's

Necklace: The Glamourai

Leggings: American Apparel

Boots: United Colors of Benetton

Clutch: vintage

His & Hers Looks - MCA First Fridays

This past Friday, the {His} and I attended the Museum of Contemporary Art's First Fridays event.  This monthly affair is the perfect mix of cocktails, art, and hip Chicagoans.  In other words, a terrific venue for viewing Chicago street style along with great art.

We had a wonderful time strolling the galleries and even met a few other fashion bloggers along the way.  We also had some fun creating our own art in the form of photography. Here are my favorite captures and the looks we selected for the occasion...

{ Hers }

Headband: Kathleen McAuliffe, Ireland

Sequin Caplet: ModCloth

Layering Shirt: Gap

Tulle Skirt: F21

Tights: Hue

Booties: Steve Madden

Clutch: Vintage

{ His }

Glasses: Ray-Ban

Blazer: Theory

Button Down: Express

Tie: Urban Outfitters

Tie Clip: Kenneth Cole

Jeans: Diesel

Shoes: Ferragamo {also seen here}

His & Hers Picks - A Swimming Costume Comeback

It's almost that time of year again.  The time of year for us ladies to slink into our itsy bitsy, teenie weenie, polka dot bikinis... or maybe not.  I'm noticing a lot of super cute, and beautifully vampy, retro-inspired swimming costumes on the scene for summer.  And these one-piece wonders could easily make any girl feel confident on the beach.  It's making me think twice about a bikini.  Instead, I think the one-piece is making a comeback!!  Here are my vintage-esque swimming costume picks...

Left: Victoria's Secret

Right: Juicy Couture via Nordstrom

Left: Spiegel

Right: Macy's

Left: ModCloth

Right: J. Crew

Will you be going retro this summer?

His & Hers Picks - A Tie Clip Comeback

I've been on a bit of a formal-wear kick lately.  I think between attending a wedding and eyeing the glamour that walked the red carpet at the Met's Costume Institute benefit, I've been lost in the la-la land of dress-up.  Let's face it, who doesn't love to get all dolled up for a lovely evening out?!  For the {His}, I'm loving the added touch of a tie clip for either formal or casual wear.  I think they're making a bit of a comeback.  My {His} dressed down his classic tux for the wedding we attended last week by adding a thin, solid black tie and silver tie clip...

{ His }

Tie: Urban Outfitters

Tie Clip: Kenneth Cole

Here are a variety of {His} tie clip picks from across the interwebs...

{top to bottom} 
 Kohl's
J.Crew
Macy's

Macy's

His & Hers Inspiration - A Glamourous Gala

The who's who of the glitterati arrive in glamourous style at the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute benefit each year.  It really is "the" party of the fashion world and last night's event did not disappoint.  For those of us {like myself} who can only dream of attending, thank god we have the internet to gawk at the glamour!!  I'm always inspired by the bold and beautiful fashion I see on the red carpet.  It makes me want to dress in my very best, or find a way to work evening-wear into my day-wear.  Here's a good mix of inspiration for both the {His} and the {Hers} pulled from Style.com's gala recap {see more here}:

Hers - Maximize Your Wardrobe

It's a brides dream to select a dress for her bridesmaids that they not only love, but are able to wear again post nuptials.  I've been fortunate to wear some lovely bridesmaids dresses over the years.  One in particular I loved from the start and have maximized it to the most following the wedding.  The dress is a beautiful, black, bobinette by Vera Wang...

The dress was originally strapless, but we added matching bobinette straps for the wedding and wore it floor length, which was elegant and perfect for the occasion.  Following the wedding, I had it cut to a classic tea length and have worn it to several events since, including a wedding this past weekend. I added my own bit of bling by pinning the brooches I created from my wedding shoes {seen here} to the waist and wearing large chandelier earrings.  I think it was a successful wardrobe maximization!!

{ Hers }

Earrings: Steven Sasco Designs

Dress: Vera Wang Maids

Brooches: 1) Urban Outfitters, 2) self made {seen here}

Fishnet Stockings: H&M

Pumps: Guess