Chicago Nature Museum

My daughter loves Chicago Nature Museum. We went there every week in July. 

She played with the water, looked at the butterflies, spent hours in the playroom, and we watched animal feeding, and tried to cast at the pond. So much fun!

After the museum we'd go to the Zoo, or the nearby playground. Great memories. 

I really loved the architecture of the building, and had to take a couple of pictures :-).

P.S. the dress I'm wearing is old HM from maternity section.

Flutter sleeve midi dress

This summer midi dress is my ideal hot weather attire  for the days when I am up to wear something feminine yet feel like myself and perform my mom duties. 

I bought it last year from Gap with a good discount, but these types of dresses are a good old classic. 

It was lined but I felt like it added extra bulk so I got rid of the lining myself, and now the dress is perfect! 

Champion obsession

Last year I've become a little bit Champion obsessed. I've got three pairs of their boyfriend sweatpants, a sweatshirt dress, couple of hoodies, running shoes I'm wearing here, and, finally, this red sweatshirt is my latest addition. 

There's something about this brand I liked. As it turned out, for a good reason. 

I've read about the history of the brand, it's popularity in the 80s, and their downfall in the 90s, and their comeback in 2019. I had no idea that this company invented the hoodie we know now in the 1930s. Moreover, Champion started their reverse weave (anti-shrink, durable) technology in the 1940s, and it's being used today by most of the athletic clothing brands.

My sweatpants are reverse weave, and I've worn them non-stop for the last couple of years, and nothing really happens to them! 

With vintage and athleisure still being top trends now, Champion fits in perfectly.

Speaking of vintage, the chunky link necklace I'm wearing here is Anne Klein with her iconic lion head medallion. I won this on eBay last summer.

An outfit formula: oversized blazer, white tee, high wasted flare jeans and pointed toe boots

 

My longest post title so far! This outfit formula has worked for years. I like that it's casual and the blazer makes it put together. 

Speaking of the blazer, it's vintage. I found it on eBay for $15. It's soft wool and multicolored, perfect for all sorts of outfit combinations and comfortable enough to play with my child. 

The jeans are ribcage Levi's. Flare jeans are back, and I've always liked the style.

 

Transitional

So, I'm going to write something a little bit different about my outfit here. 

As much as I like it - the leopard print, the headband with the oversized cat-eye sunglasses, and the wide ripped jeans - I think, I'm ready for different looks. 

I'm feeling fatigue from menswear inspired looks, everything oversized and relaxed. 

Currently, I'm craving elegant, feminine outfits. I haven't worn a dress in, what seems like, million years. 

I'm thinking of the outfits I've worn on the blog; and if you've got a minute, check out this vintage red dress look, or the maxi skirt with open shoulders top, or even this green blazer dress look.

P.S. Happy International Women's Day! (check out this post too!).

Beanie with a twist

Nowadays, if I want to wear a skirt with a pair of lacy tights, I just go for it. It hasn't happened often but it has some mood boosting powers for me. 

We had such a beautiful end of October, and early November with lots of sun and warmth. We went out for picnics a lot. That's exactly what we did on this day. Now, with the cooler temps and lockdown, I'm not sure if it's going to be possible to relax outdoors just like we did, and I'm back to wearing sweats for the most part. 

I have to write a few words about this beanie with a twist (got it last year from h&m). I love it, it's so feminine, and puts an elegant touch to any outfit. I had to adjust a bit to the look though, it was just a total departure from my usual cuffed beanies.
 

I like pairing the beanie with the cat-eye sunglasses to achieve this retro inspired look. Anyway, I am not afraid to experiment with different hats, it's fun and an affordable way to add something new to a winter wardrobe.

Some of the best beanies with a twist I found were from Anthropology, look at this one!

Chicago

Exactly 5 years ago on a second day of November, I moved to Chicago. It was a warm, sunny day, and all the way from Michigan to Chicago my future husband and I ate leftover Halloween candy. Our cats were meowing anxiously from the back seat of the car out of their pet carriers. It was exciting, our new life in a big American city was ahead of us.

Our first apartment was in Lincoln Park right across from the LP Zoo. It was unusual and fun to wake up to the lions' roar, and fall asleep to the howling of the wolves.

I'm still enjoying Chicago, the golden coast, the parks and the zoo. Pandemic makes it harder, but we're trying to soak in as much of the city as possible. 

For this casual monochromatic outfit, I shopped my closet yet again, and I borrowed this Chicago sweatshirt from my husband's! 

I've been a fan of total gray outfits for a while now (wearing same coat here, and a different one here).

Leather leggings have been an essential part of my wardrobe since maybe 2009!

A simple fall outfit with culottes

Just a quick update on the outfit with culottes I wore over the last weekend. The weather was beautiful, and it's very pretty everywhere I look. All around me is a photoshoot location. For me, fall is the beginning, not the end. I'm always excited over something at this time of year I can't even put my finger on. I want to dress up in a more interesting way, especially after I basically wore shorts with t-shirts all summer long.

I continue to shop my own closet - still loving this knit I bought a few years back, and last season's Uniqlo culottes are on point and fit my lifestyle. I like how easy it is to wear culottes, and how comfortable they are. I'm wearing glitter oxfords from Doc Martens, they are timeless. 

Levi's baggy overalls

I've loved a good overall for quite a while, especially after having a child. It's simply a matter of comfort, and no wonder it's loved by so many professionals. However, it could also be challenging to wear it without looking like a farmer.

That's why I opted for a feminine top with balloon sleeves, some jewelry, and kitten heel mules. The baseball hat was just a fun touch.

A few posts back I mentioned reading The Ballard of Snowbirds and Snakes, and I loved it. Totally recommend it. Another book I've finished and enjoyed a great deal is Men Walking on Water. It's genius!

Champion

I've had a bit of Champion obsession lately. Their reverse weave is good quality for the price, especially at TJMaxx's price point.  Luckily for me, the temperatures are still cool enough for this sweatshirt dress.

Also, I've seen chunky chain necklaces a lot, and decided to get a very affordable option just to test the trend out. It took me forever to get over the ridiculousness of this chain before I wore it. 

I have to mention my new colorblock sandals. I needed something to rotate my Birkenstocks with, and when I saw these Teva sandals, they were a perfect match.

As for non-clothes related news, I've been really missing massages, and started looking into some self massaging techniques and tools to relieve my ever growing muscle tension. I've been practicing Gua Sha Facials, and started using this Shiatsu Back and Shoulder massager. I'll report later in more detail how it worked for me!

Sherpa lined denim jacket

Just about a week ago, walking with bare ankles wasn't such an outlandish idea. It's back to freezing now. Winter came early, and it's here to stay.

I'd always wanted a denim jacket with sherpa lining, and I got this one at J. Crew Factory. It's an OK jacket, but I regret not buying Levis. I didn't really save much and the quality is not as good. But it's really warm though. And it's a forever piece. 

I'm wearing leopard again, the jeans are a bargain from TJ Maxx.