Some days everything feels tangled in difficulty and discomfort. Steps heavy, tasks arduous, thoughts exhausting. My cure is to run it out. But one day last week even that felt horrible. I desperately wanted to head home and wait for day to become night so it could hurry up and bring me tomorrow. I chose … Continue reading The Finish Line
Author: Wendy Franzen
Saturday Styling
Wishing you safe travels and abundant sunshine this spring holiday season! Lanvin ruffle bikini swimwear, £265 Diesel swimwear, $45 Abercrombie Fitch nylon bikini, $20 Abercrombie Fitch nylon bikini, $24 Paul Joe Sister bandeau bathing suit, $86 Zimmermann underwire bathing suit, 155 AUD Heidi Klein bikini swimwear, $295 String thong bikini, $110 Miu Miu triangles swimwear, … Continue reading Saturday Styling
The Edit
It's that time of year. We must throw open the windows, let the gorgeous spring air flow through the house and...clear out the clutter. Admit it. You have it lurking somewhere. A drawer. A closet. A garage. An entire basement. Okay, I feel a slight panic coming on, so let's start small. I'm going with … Continue reading The Edit
Saturday Styling
Tara Jarmon summer dress, $630 J Crew tailored shirt, $150 Elizabeth and james blazer, $395 Balenciaga lambskin jacket, £1,439 Old Navy skinny jeans Dorothy Perkins flat, $28 Yves Saint Laurent high heel sandals, $1,095 Chloé leather handbag, $1,795 Chanel shoulder bag Longs jewelry, $72 Gurhan green earrings, $1,400 Kendra Scott green teardrop earrings, $55 Green … Continue reading Saturday Styling
Lake Michigan
Today Lake Michigan traded its traditional sapphire uniform for this spectacular aqua and cerulean display. Walking along the beach and soaking in the crazy 78 degree warmth brought daydreams of summer picnics, sailing expeditions, and bike rides to the ice cream shop. Impossible that this is Chicago and we've just reached the second week of … Continue reading Lake Michigan
The Adventures of Alice
"Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast." This weekend, while watching Alice in Wonderland with my daughter, I was reminded of what is perhaps my favorite fashion editorial of all time. World-renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz shot Natalia Vodianova as the inimitable Alice for the December 2003 issue of Vogue. Several of … Continue reading The Adventures of Alice
Girls’ Night Out
Yippee!!! Tonight I am joining seven spectacular women in Chicago to celebrate a friend's milestone birthday. Quintessential denim and heels pairing? Check. The birthday girl's favorite champagne? Check. Fabulous dinner reservations? Check. Dance-all-night plans? Check. Requisite morning-after advil/think thin bar/coconut water/blister band-aid rescue kit in the suitcase? Check. À votre santé! image 1 via fashion-flaunts.tumblr.com, … Continue reading Girls’ Night Out
Flower Lust
The flowers for this weekend's dinner party were insanely gorgeous and I cannot take credit. Molly Flavin, the amazing florist and owner of Molly Flavin Floral Designs, filled our house with the lush and fragrant blooms of spring. Peonies, ranunculus, hydrangea, grape hyacinth, and cherry blossom branches - all favorites - provided the perfect backdrop … Continue reading Flower Lust
Saturday Styling
Transitioning your wardrobe from winter into spring is difficult. We've all tired of dark colors, heavy sweaters, and tall boots but the proverbial March lion continues to roar. The key is to bundle up in light layers that can be added and removed as the temperature fluctuates. Pull out your light knits, silk blouses, and … Continue reading Saturday Styling
Prada Nails the Perfect Nude Pump
The simplest wardrobe staples are often the most elusive. The perfect white tee, a superb black pant, denim that sculpts your backside without giving your thighs that dreaded "stuffed sausage" look, the flawless nude pump. I have tried on, ordered, and returned dozens of interpretations and this is the one. Not too camel, too beige, … Continue reading Prada Nails the Perfect Nude Pump
the aesthete and the dilettante 