{life} earth..birth...day...

sunday was my 43rd birthday and normally my birthday month is a nonstop swoop of activity but this year it has been anything but.

i think the fact that i have pared down the amount of events that i attend in general has somewhat contributed to the fact that i have been so low key and oddly, i like it.

usually it's let's go, let's go because living in a place like Chicago, there is always something to do but other than working, i have been spending a lot more of my time home, quiet, reflecting, working on creative ideas.

so when, my honey took me on a lil birthday excursion to the chicago botanic garden to indulge in two of my passions, nature and photography, it felt perfectly right.

i was amazed to find that the chicago botanic garden consists of 385 acres!! we took a tram tour to get a real feel for it. it's incredible. i can't wait to go back.

being so early in spring, the gardens are in between season but it was a brisk but lovely sunny day.

{life} iphone possession...

the other day my honey and i went to see think like a man (enjoyed it) and while in the bathroom my iphone, which is always in my hand or nearby, fell into a sink full of water (side eye to showplace icon for the backed up sink!)

of course i grabbed it immediately and started performing cell CPR, trying to dry it out but the damage was done...

the home button obviously got water in it and the first day, the voice control command just kept popping up randomly but eventually it stopped and my phone seemed to be back to normal until yesterday when it started doing this..



,


MY PHONE IS POSSESSED!

i can't even use it because it wont stop jumping from screen to screen...

ugh...

hopefully this shop that i am going to take it to can fix it without breaking my pockets.

{event} dish on fashion...

last week i was invited to attended a Dish on Fashion, which is a series where a group of ten fashion bloggers get together every other month at a local restaurant to of course, Dish on Fashion.

the spot chosen for the evening was mindy's hot chocolate and there were some really cool women in attendance. we laughed, ate, drank and had a really fun time.

on hand was Raijean of Swa-Rai, Shae of Vanilla Fringe, Melissa of Stylissh, Mary from Zeagalicious, and the founders of Dish on Fashion, Nicki of Fashionista Chicago, Katie of KS Style Consulting and Katie of  NowYouKnow. 

with Nicki of Fashionista Chicago

{elevate} motivation...

Source: quotable-quotes.imgfave.com via Curvatude on Pinterest

{rock} on the cap toe tip: high vs low

i purchased these flats a few weeks ago because i really needed some new ones

and i love the cute cap toe vibe and the price worked with my monthly budget.

necklaces: vince camuto (similar) | top: dots | jeans: c/o eloquii

{elevate} motivation...

happy monday

Source: designtraveller.tumblr.com via Curvatude on Pinterest

{rock} make a statement...

i love statement necklaces and my latest definitely makes a huge statement!

{life} the weekend...

i hope you enjoyed your easter weekend...

ps: smart bacon is pretty darn good

mine was pretty laid back until an unexpected come to jesus moment but i still made the most of it...and i am ready for a new week of new living out loud...

{life} good times...

had such a fab night last night.

i rocked my bright green jeans (similar) and thrifted chico's chevron top (scored for $4!),

my suede booties and gold skinny belt (similar).

{evolve} a lil humpday motivation...

Source: 364quotes.blogspot.com via Curvatude on Pinterest

{shopping} in the stores...ashley stewart

so after spotting those two white blazers online i decided to go and see if they were in stock at the retail location downtown.

they didn't have the peplum blazer in white, so i tried on this really vibrant tourquoise.

 

i am wearing a size 20. it's cotton and has a nice weight to it. and while i think it 

would be better if the peplum was a little bit longer, i think it's really cute and fits well.

{life} happy april!

no fools here, just good times...hope you are having a fab weekend...

april is my bday month.  i am born on earth day and i celebrate it and myself in big and small ways all month long!

here's to a life well lived!

friday night, champagne, singing, dancing and fun with my girl sinnamonS