F I V E F A V E S 6

Hello everyone! Here is the round up my F I V E F A V E S for June. This was a tough one to narrow down because I've seen so many awesome posts recently. What have you seen recently that I missed? (leave me a comment!!)

O N E

maya of charmingly styled // #RealBloggerBeauty

over 60 bloggers are sharing their struggles with blogging and some of the non-instagram worthy moments and it is amazing.

T W O

jess of the golden girl // takes us dockside in style

if it were acceptable I'd rock this outfit every. single. day.

T H R E E

maria of the style letters // bloggers who budget: maxi dresses

the round up is an essential for anyone shopping on a budget... which is everyone right?

F O U R

the windy city epicurean // best dressed futbol-lers series

there are 5 posts, i could have used all the five faves on this series... it is just pretty men all in a row!

F I V E

kit for windy city bloggers // the $5 photography trick
you'll kick yourself for not thinking of it earlier. but, there's no time like the present! and, this is going to be come a monthly series for WCBC so keep checking back for more tips and tricks!

Blog Gal // Sara of Project Soiree

May's Blog Gal is Sara of Project Soiree! Sara is one of my dearest friends and I totally get sucked in when I visit her blog each week. Her round-ups and What I'm Reading features are so fun. She's got impeccable taste and I'm glad she doesn't grow tired of my outfit advice related texts!

What is your favorite thing about blogging? I love having Project Soiree as a creative outlet to write about my life, but most of all I love the friends I’ve met through blogging. Many of these bloggers have actually become close friends and I’m so thankful for their inspiration and friendship.

How long have you been blogging? I started Project Soiree 3 years ago while I was snowed in during the Chicago Snowpocalypse. As the girl who seriously hates snow I should probably give it a little more love for giving me the day off to start Project Soiree.

NY or LA? New York – it’s such an inspiring city full of energy and amazing food

Twitter or Facebook? Twitter – It’s such a great tool for connecting and interacting with people and brands on a daily basis.

Magazines or Books at the beach? I really enjoy both (I’m slightly obsessed with InStyle Magazine), but devouring a good book at the beach is the best.

Favorite Dessert? S’mores – I actually have a Pinterest board devoted to s’mores

If this famous person wasn't so famous and you two could have been under normal circumstances, you'd be BFFs...  Blake Lively has such a great sense of style that if we met under normal circumstances I’m pretty sure we would be BFFs and shopping buddies

Sitcoms or Reality TV? Reality TV – Anything on Bravo is a must-watch for me

Favorite Take-out? Sushi is my favorite take-out any day of the week

What one thing is always in your bag? (besides your phone, and wallet). Purell – Let’s be honest, when you live in the city it’s a necessity.

Be sure to check out Project Soiree and follow Sara on twitter, instagram, and pinterest too!

Blog Gal // Katharine of Paytington & Co

Earlier this year, Katharine of Paytington & Co did a total redeisgn of her blog (formerly known as Living's As Easy as 312). Even though the site has changed Katharine's charming writing and creative posts are the same as ever! It is so fun to work with her and help her grow her site (she's a Marketing by Design client) and I hope that you enjoy following along!

What is your favorite thing about blogging?  Other than having a creative outlet that allows friends and family to keep tabs on me, I am so lucky to have met hundreds of wonderful people through blogging. It’s such a tight-knit community and every blogger I’ve met is more than willing to lend a helping hand without hesitating. I have without a doubt met several of my closest friends blogging.

How long have you been blogging? I have been blogging for about 9 months now. I started blogging to avoid studying for the DAT one afternoon and it was the best decision I’ve ever made.

NY or LA? Chicago! 

Twitter or Facebook? Twitter - It’s allowed me to talk to people I NEVER would have otherwise.

Magazines or Books at the beach? That’s so tough! It depends on the day, but most of the time it’s a good book.

Favorite Dessert? A delicious, homemade fudgy brownie.

If this famous person wasn't so famous and you two could have been under normal circumstances, you'd be BFFs...  I’d love to be BFFs with Emma Watson; she is classy, smart and beautiful with a touch of gumption. Plus, who wouldn’t want to say they were BFFs with the woman who played Hermione? 

Sitcoms or Reality TV? Sitcoms! I love the horrible jokes; they make me laugh every time. Some of my all-time favorites are: Friends, The League, Community and the Goldbergs

Favorite Take-out? I’m always up for a late night potsticker with fried rice.

What one thing is always in your bag? (besides your phone, and wallet). I always have a Snickers bar with me because I have a terrible habit of being “hangry.” It can hit out of nowhere and it’s always better to explain the Snickers bar than have to do damage control for my hangry behavior.


Be sure to check out Paytington & Co and follow Katharine on twitter, instagram, and pinterest too!

F I V E F A V E S 2

It is time for the next edition of the F I V E F A V E S Series!  I am sharing 5 of my current favorites from the interwebs.  They could be other blog posts, pins, products, DIY projects, or anything I am currently favoriting!  I might even exceed 5 every so often.  

O N E

alaina of live creating yourself // ladyplace sofa switch-up

T W O

anthropologie // please come to my closet all new arrivals

T H R E E

sandy of edie and andy // taste of summer toast

F O U R

lauren of lion + maven (previously chi gal lauren) // her site redesign!! yay!

F I V E

windy city blogger collective // business card basics
(and everything we're doing with WCBC)

And, now a little bit of "life lately" for you... 
[one] on Wednesday the Windy City Bloggers have an event at Langford Market on Diversey - 40% off that night + an extra incentive for members 

[two] I'm co-hosting a shopping night at the Dana Hotel Vertigo Lounge on Thursday, February 27 with Ootra Boutique - you can rsvp to ootra@zapwater.com 

[three] I'm going to Go Blog Social in Kansas City April 4-5 (get your tickets here: Go Blog Social Tickets)

[four] I'm guest posting over on Live Half Full today - talking about a change in mentality!

garden rose image via pinterest

Windy City Blogger Collective

photo credit // Andrea Plecko

Yesterday we officially launched the Windy City Blogger Collective!  Who did what?  Well, the 5 of us, Blair, Christine, me, Kit, and Lauren have been working our tails off for the last two months to put together a community for Chicago area bloggers to learn, connect, and promote one another. 

We wanted to make sure there was a lot of content and valuable information already on the site when we launched so we've all been writing and interviewing and cropping and we managed to get together this weekend for a photoshoot!

photo credit // Andrea Plecko

YAY!!!!!!!

Thank you to Public Hotels for sharing your space for our shoot.  Thank you Andrea for not publishing all of our outtakes.  And thank you for all your support!

Head on over to www.WindyCityBloggers.com to learn more.  And, Bloggers, come celebrate our launch with a Happy Hour at Trellis on Wednesday!