Lauren Wakefield

We were driving around looking for parking and in good Chicago fashion there was none.  We went up and down every side street at a whopping 5mph waiting for someone to leave.  Finally a spot opened up across the street and after a little bit of screeching and a very illegal U-turn we were parked….right in front of Fast Frames.  In the window was a huge framed piece of art that I knew had to be mine the second I laid my eyes on it.  I started telling Gary all the ways this particular piece would look fabulous in our newly decorated house one day.  I explained to him how it could work in every room and just how versatile it was.  He politely listened.  Well…we never went in Fast Frames.  And I was silently crushed that I couldn’t take home this monstrous size piece of perfection.  Well…fast forward a few months and I was sitting on my bed with my eyes shut because Gary had gone to get my birthday present.  I kept my eyes squeezed tightly shut until he placed a heavy rectangular object on my lap.  I opened my eyes and saw the lovely purple wrapping job and ripped it open at warp speed.  I couldn’t believe what I saw.   It was my perfect piece of art that will complete my perfect home one day…

Today… Gary and I have been doing a lot of day dreaming about what our house will look like one day.  We have a wish list for every room and I’m sure one day it will look as fabulous as it does in our heads.  I stare at my birthday present hanging proudly on the wall and mentally purchase all the things that are going to go seamlessly along with it.  In college, I went through a phase of buying everything from Ikea.  It was cheap and looked great.  What more can you ask for?  But as I dream up my perfect home decor…I find myself looking for things that are more unique.  Things that I feel are one of a kind and can make my home truly reflect me.  Enter:  Etsy.  Etsy is my latest obsession.   You can find some of the coolest art, furniture, decorations…you name it.  And you don’t have to stop there…they have clothes, jewelry, bags…literally anything you can think of.  So today on Fashion Friday I’ve put together a few things that I think are amazing Etsy finds.  I’m secretly trying to come up with some way to have my own Etsy store but let’s be honest…I should probably just stick to what I know  🙂

 

 

This post was entirely too long but hopefully you can add Etsy to your online shopping registry.  Happy Fashion Friday!

The other night I was at my best friend, Stefanie’s house hanging out with her while she got ready for a date.  She was running back and forth trying to pick out an outfit that was casual yet subtly sexy.  The frustrating part of this outfit picking out experience was that for some reason mother nature had decided to pour winter back onto our laps.  I mean can I please just put away my winter coat…for good!  Anyways, we were talking about summer and I asked her what her summer staple was going to be?  It was mildly a joke but then I started thinking about all the “summer staples” I’ve been through….backless T-shirts….daisy dukes…and dare I say it…capris.  Last summer I declared it the “summer of the wedge.”  I bought two pairs of wedge sandals and wore them maybe three times.  But whatev.  Stef declared that her summer staple was going to be shorts and boots.  I thought about it…and I liked it.  So today on Fashion Friday I am going to be showing off Stef’s summer staple…as well as mine.  And this time I fully intend on following through with it…

 

These are my picks for Stef.  She works on her feet all day so flatter boots are ideal.  And she’s super cute and little so she can pull off these short shorts.  I dream that one day I can too. 🙂

 

 

Now for my summer staples.  I envision long walks with Goose on breezy nights.  Glasses of Chardonnay on the balcony as the sun sets.   So something that breathes and is comfortable is what I’m looking for.  Enter boyfriend shirts.  Long button up shirts that are so cozy they could be pj’s.  Love them.

 

I’ve always loved cowboy boots.  They are my favorite shoe of the summer.  I’ve also only ever had one pair in one color.  Camel brown.  This summer I am going to invest in a few more pairs and branch out on the color.  I’m loving this grayish brown color.  I’ll call it mushroom.

 

Happy Fashion Friday!  I know it’s been a few weeks but we are officially back in business!  🙂 Gary and I are headed out on a sporty date tonight…go Bulls!