This time of year is all about the outerwear. Well, let’s be honest. In Chicago, it’s outerwear weather about 9 months out of the year. But I digress.

With a trip to San Francisco coming up this weekend and Fashion Week right around the corner, outerwear is an all-consuming obsession for me right now. The right coat/jacket/cape/vest is THE thing that everyone is going to see. Keeping in mind that I probably won’t have the opportunity to “check my wrap at the door” and show off my impressive layering and accessorizing skills, I’m gonna have to figure out another way to impress. Enter the coat.

So many options.

I’m sorry, but you can never go wrong with a parka. Always ready for whatever unexpected weather might come your way.

Black. I like a black coat to have some texture or an interesting shape to make it stand out.

Fur (faux or real) always gets me. And a coat that sort of winks at the 60s often finds its way into my closet.

And what I never really thought I needed, a printed coat. This one from Dries Van Noten makes me want to squeal with glee. Can I have it please? Pretty please? With whipped cream and a cherry on top?

1/2l/2r/3l/3r/4

lots of fall & winter goodies at 40% off here!!

dreaming & loving unexpected courtyards smack dab in the middle of your home…flooding your living space with glorious light, nature & inspiration.

images: 1 / 2 / dwell aug2010

I love gift-wrapping. It’s my favorite thing when it comes to the “decorating” aspects of Christmas. My mother was fantastic at it. She always had gorgeous paper with wired ribbon, flawless intricate bows, and the perfect little accents. Ornate is hard for me, so I’m always excited when I come across something simple yet chic. Well as I’ve been surfing this year, what’s really been catching my eye is Kraft paper. It’s simple, it’s clean, and it’s the perfect backdrop for you to do your own thing, ornate or not.

I’ve got some cute Paris Joyeux Noel and Bonne Année stickers and stamps that are just screaming for some Kraft paper. Now if only I could find a roll…

{image sources*: image 1: One Fine Dae; image 2, left to right: Odessa May, Brunch at Saks, Odessa May; image 3: Design Sponge; image 4: A Little Hut; image 5: Mermag. *all found via Ez Pudewa’s Pinterest}

Party season is here, which means that it’s totally acceptable for me to embrace my love of sequins, satin, feathers, jewels and all things shiny, sparkly and festive!

This is the perfect time of year to bring out all of those items in your closet that you can’t seem to work into your everyday wardrobe. It’s not every day that a gold sequin platform and sheer blouse seem appropriate. So what are you waiting for? Break out the shine, break out the sparkle, and let’s party!

{image sources: Image 1 and 2a (left) by Phil Oh via Streetpeeper; image 2b (right) via Gary Graham; image 3: Miu Miu collar via Netaporter; image 4a (left): Miu Miu pumps via Netaporter; image 4b (right): Young Frankk collar via Miss Moss}

A candle is [almost] always a great gift (Not recommended for those on oxygen. Seems obvious, but you might get caught up in the whole shopping thing and forget your better judgement!) Anyway, we love a good candle. And a good candle, honestly, is hard to find. They often don’t burn evenly ( or for very long), don’t give off enough of a smell, give too much smell or, even worse, actually smell bad. What is up with that?

Well we are officially done with icky- and non-smelling  candles; we have found the candle to beat all candles: Hello, Aquiesse! Where have you been all my life?

Also available in votive gift sets and tins for travel.

Burns evenly and for a good long time, comes in beautiful packaging, priced right ($11-$36) and, most importantly of all, smells freaking fantastic. Haven’t met a scent yet I didn’t like, but am definitely partial to Luxe Linen and Cherimoya. If you’re in Chicago, pick up one (or more) at Hazel. Prefer to do it from the comfort and convenience of your own home? Head on over to Candle Luxury.

Is it really time to start holiday shopping? …

R.I.P. Steve Jobs 1955-2011

Thank you, Steve Jobs, for making technology easy, fun and totally awesome. You will be missed.

Leave it to our endlessly chic and cool friend, Badaude (a.k.a. Joanna Walsh, the creative force behind the charming blog, Badaude), to use 2 essential summer items — the short sleeve graphic tee and the canvas tote — to transition our summer wardrobes seamlessly into Fall.

And she’s got solutions for girls far away from Chicago, too…

Get your very own Eiffel Tower tee and tote here and shop the entire story here.

Illustrations (and styling) by Badaude.

Hello, all. We’re in New York. Just got here and wanted to drop y’all a line to let you know we’re still around. We’re super busy (actually, a full website overhaul and relaunch, coming soon to a theater near you) and our blogging has been sporadic. So instead of waiting until we can write a proper post, here’s a tiny taste of what we’ve been up to and what’s in store for you.

See you soon!

Xoxo,

B and A

I’ve just recently started getting these fabulous emails from Clic Bookstore & Gallery.  NYC is next month & Clic will be a must-see/must-do on our list.  I’m completely captivated with one particular exhibit at Clic opening @ the end of this month, The New Gypsies. The New Gypsies are a group of “British horse drawn travelers”.  They “do not share a common ethnographical origin, a sprituality, or political stand.  They share an ideal that a different way of life is possible”   This incredible body of work from artist/photographer, Iain McKell, spans a whopping 10 yrs…every photo draws you deeper & deeper into the beauty of this invisible & ignored community.  The exhibit opens Aug 29th and runs through Oct 2.  If you’re not in town, you can also pick up the compilation of photos in bound form here.