{Five} of Our Favorite Things

It's been a rather rainy week in Chicago and, although I could do without the wet weather, I love those damp fall days in their own way.  The ones that make you want to snuggle up at home and just enjoy the quieter, slower moments in life... which is never a bad thing.  We hope you've had a great week and had a chance to enjoy a few or {five} of your favorite things!!

{ rainy fall days }

{ a new horn & glass tray for our mini-mini bar }

{ a delicious dinner at FishBar }

{ the spicy & fresh Ceviche at FishBar }

{ the Panda Bear concert at The Vic }

Hers - Bookworm

I felt like a rather studious bookworm in this ensemble and I loved it.  You'd think I was heading to work or a meeting, but actually I was heading to dinner with my {His}. With my blackwatch button down, suiting blazer and beloved book clutch, I was channeling my inner bookwormishness.  The only thing I'm missing are a pair of black plastic spectacles.  Next time... 

{ Hers }

Earrings: wedding gift

Blazer: J. Crew

Feather Pin: gift

Button Down: J. Crew

Dress: Banana Republic

Belt: H&M

Clutch: Kate Spade {similar here}

Pumps: Ralph Lauren

His & Hers Picks - Cozy Cravings

Our mid-week cravings.  

Brought to you by the comfort of coziness, in sweater form...

{ His }

Rag & Bone: 

Shawl Cardigan, $255

{ Hers }

Rachel Rachel Roy:

The Marilyn Faux Fur Sweater Vest, $129

His - Rag & Bone Man

"A century-old British fixture, the rag and bone man was known for practicing the first form of recycling.  The rag and bone man would travel by horse and cart (traditionally a Shire or Clydesdale), circling the neighborhood in search of scrap metal, old furniture, wood or anything else that he could sell or reuse to support himself.  Children would come running at the shouts of "rag and bone" to collect sweets and candies in exchange for the items they loaded onto his cart.

Garbage collection began to supplant the rag and bone trade by the late 1970s, and today there are very few rag and bone men.  As an homage to their pioneering ingenuity and conservation, rag & bone derived their name from this legendary practice."

{ via Rag & Bone, About the name}

{ His }

Blazer: Rag & Bone

Button Down: Rag & Bone

Tie: Rag & Bone

Jeans: Diesel

Pocket Square: The Hill-Side

Oxfords: Grenson

His & Hers Inspiration - NYFW:Erin Fetherston

I absolutely adore Erin Fetherston's Spring 2012 collection from the recent NYFW.  It's indubitably reminiscence of the early 60's, particularly Twiggy, which is by far my favorite era of fashion and style.  It reminds me of my parents and the fantastic looks they used to rock to high school dances.  Oh how I wish I could go back in time and raid their closets!!  Erin Fetherston's latest 60's inspired collection not only makes me want to shop it, but it's also tempting me to crop my hair back into a Twiggy inspired pixie.  Oh so tempting...

{ images via Style.com }

{Five} of Our Favorite Things

It's been an exciting week for this O'Brien clan of two.  Monday marked our two-year wedding anniversary, which we celebrated last Saturday with a delicious dinner date, and now we're on to our next celebration ~ the {His'} birthday this Saturday!! Cheers to all of you and all the little {and big} things you've been celebrating this week!!  Here are just {five} of them we've enjoyed...

{ an amazing anniversary present ~ a piece of DNA Art: "from life comes art" }

{ an incredibly scrumptious anniversary dinner at Hot Chocolate }

{ the bar at Bluebird, where we had pre-Hot Chocolate dinner drinks }

{ being able to layer again }

{ candy corn & candy pumpkins adding a touch of early Halloween to our apt. }

Hers - A Perfect Tote

Several months back, I was on the hunt for the perfect work tote.  A carryall that could not only comfortably hold my daily necessities without being overpoweringly big, but also one that would transcend looks and seasons.  I found just the tote in early spring and it's since lived up to every one of my expectations.  My trusty black beauty, a Marc by Marc Jacobs leather satchel, gets me to and from work day in and day out carrying everything from my lunch to laptop in the chicest of fashion.  A perfect tote indeed.

{ Hers }

Earrings: J. Crew

Chambray Tunic: Kate Boggiano {available here}

Belt: Anthropologie

Shorts: Gap

Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs Bianca Hayley Tote {available here}

Wedges: Bakers

His & Hers Inspiration - Autumnal

We're feeling rather inspired by all things autumnal at the moment... apple orchards & pumpkin patches, golden leaves & auburn hues, hearty tweeds & classic plaids, misty mornings & toasty bonfires...  We're looking forward to enjoying all of these things this season.

{ collages created with images from Pinterest }

His - Tweed Topper

Tweed is the quintessential fall fabric.  Heavyweight, durable and warm with a hearty, flecked texture ~ nothing could pair better with a crisp autumn day.  That's exactly what the {His} did this past Saturday, breaking out his tweed topper for the first time this season.  While the leaves still hold their lively green hue, the cool clear air is a friendly reminder that the seasons are in shift.  

{ His }

Tweet Hat: Borsalino Italian Caps

Button Down: Rag & Bone

T-Shirt: J. Crew

Watch: Burberry

Black Jeans: Obey

Boots: Rag & Bone for Timberland 

His & Hers - Wedded Bliss {II}

Today marks two wonderful years of marriage to my beloved!!  

To my {His},

I love you with all my heart, always and forever.  

XoXo,

Your {Her}

You can see more of our favorite images from our wedding day {here}.

{Five} of Our Favorite Things

We've been taking in every last bit of summer this week, while welcoming the change of season.  We're looking forward to the cooler weather and the cozy sweaters, classic denim, and lots of snuggle time that comes along with it.  This weekend we'll be taking in more of the season shift and also celebrating our 2-year wedding anniversary {you can see a few pictures from our special day in this post}!!  We have a delicious dinner date planned at cozy little spot in the city.  Just me and my man ~ my best friend and my handsome {His}.

{ the final hints of the summer season }

{ kicking off fall with fall street festivals }

{ fallen leaves ~ the first hint of the change in season }

{ a delicious, steamy cup of Starbuck's Toasted Marshmallow Hot Cocoa }

{ cozying up with a good book ~ this novel offers an interesting peek into the life of Audrey Hepburn and the making of the beloved Breakfast At Tiffany's }

What's one little thing you enjoyed this week?

Hers - Bare Legged

This past weekend the weather was so lovely in Chicago.  I took full advantage of the {now limited} warm sunny days by sporting my favorite denim shorts and letting my legs enjoy the freedom of being bare.  Before I know it, they'll be wrapped in wool trousers and tights.  Anything to trap in heat and project against the cold, in the most stylish fashion of course!!  Until then, I'm enjoying these waning windows of opportunity to go bare legged. 

{ Hers }

Sunnies: Raen {see more here}

Hair Pin & Earrings: gifted

Blouse: F21

Shorts: Club Monaco
Bag: Louis Vuitton
Wedges: DV for Target

His & Hers Picks - Raen Optics

I purchased my first pair of Raen sunnies right before we left for Coronado Island and quickly fell in love with not only my selected pair, but also the brand.  An independent eyewear company based in sunny California, they offer high-quality frames in universally flattering and unisex styles.  Not surprising, we saw Raen sunnies all over town in Coronado and San Diego and it had us eyeing a second pair for me and a first for the {His}.  Here are a few of our latest favorites...

Raen Flowers by Alex Knost Sunglasses,  $95 @ Swell

{ the pair I own and love!! }

Raen The Squire Sunglasses, $110 @ Swell

Raen The Squire Sunglasses, $125 @ Swell

Raen Flowers by Alex Knost Sunglasses, $95 @ Swell

Raen The Breslin Sunglasses, $110 @ Swell