Voted.

On Monday, I checked this off my to do list. I was not going to take any chances. And no faulty plumbing is going to stand in my way. I lost my job to the infamous state budget cuts last year and I'm freaked it's going to happen again. So for me, this election is very personal.

I thought the early vote process was quick and painless- there were about a hundred people in line at 3pm with only a 15 minute wait. There were some extra envelopes and signing in the mix, but an astute poll worker stopped me from committing the ultimate sin - sealing the envelope without a poll worker as a witness. Close one. And I utilized the free parking for voters in front of the building. It was hella cold on the Vespa, which 2 sweaters and a coat did not fix, but I made it.

The last day to early vote in Wisconsin is this Friday, November 2nd. For city of Milwaukee dwellers, go to the Zeidler Municipal Building (behind City Hall) from 8:30am to 7:00pm. I'm linking the city website HERE. Go vote!

Listening to: Cat Power

Friends and I are going to see Cat Power at Turner Hall tonight. I'm pretty excited. Not only have I been wanting to see her for a while, but I'll be joined by my two friends with small babies at home. I sometimes complain that I have no time, but I really wouldn't have any time if I had kids at home. Even if we make time, it still gets hard to meet out - 'I have a test this week', 'the littlest is sick', 'everyone's tired', 'sorry, already busy that night'. There's a natural falling off the face of the earth after having a baby so when the babies are old enough to be without mom for a few hours - the excitement gets quadrupled and then magnified by ten. Dinner AND a concert? It's like Christmas. Welcome back gals!

Shopping List: Bold Prints

1. aztec scarf, 2. JCP dress, 3. Clare Vivier clutch, 4. FermLiving cup, 5. Target socks, 6. Oil painting

I do love my prints. Bigger and bolder the better. I used to worry about how to mix prints - will it be a little too "circus meet acid trip"? Au contraire, Mon frère. After I started reading this blog, I realized it's not that scary. And it can look really cute.

Some of my favorite prints right now are leopard. I wear my J.Crew Factory leopard scarf 4-5 days a week. I just bought a snow leopard dress from H&M and might just (maybe) wear a leopard belt with him. Hang on tight, we're going bold over here.

Lastly, I realized last week that JCPenney has some very cute dresses. Who knew?

Hello Kohl's!

The new Narciso Rodriguez collection at Kohl's is coming out this month and with these looks, my mind is a little blown. Wisconsin's own Kohl's department store has taken it to a whole new level with their designer collaborations (insert slow applause here). My favorite piece has got to be that top color blocked dress. I can see wearing that for upcoming holiday parties with some black tights and booties. The prices for this collection range from $50-$150 but don't worry - they always have a sale going on - I don't think I've ever paid full price. The best is their Kohl's cash, $10 cash back coupons when you spend $50. It's pretty freakin' awesome around the holidays. It makes me want to walk in with my Kohl's cash in hand like THIS.

Shop the entire collection online HERE.

Sara's Staples: ankle pants

There are a handful of things in my life that count as sartorial staples. Going back to school hit my wallet pretty hard so when I shop it's all about value and function and practicality....but mostly value. I learned how to find key pieces - the few go-to items that are affordable, versatile, stylish and practical that I can't live without. So if you're on a budget or just need some good recommendations, here are some of my staples.....

One of my fashion secrets is that when I find something that fits great and looks great, I buy it in another color. These ankle pants are one of those items. I first bought a pair in June and realized that they work well for my business casual needs and they're a little stretchy so comfy when I'm out running errands, so I bought them again in black. I'm not saying you won't ever see me wearing yoga pants (aka glorified sweatpants) to the grocery store, but having these pants around give me more options. The cropped cut hits right at the ankle giving a modern look but still feeling classic. Think Audrey Hepburn. The black ones are great for traveling because of the stretch. Lately, I've been wearing those with a denim chambray shirt and leopard scarf. So they've been transitioning into fall quite well.

morning walk

This is Humboldt park in Bay View. When I have time I try to tag along with Lulu the dog and the husband on their morning walk. The leaves are almost at their peak and the park looks gorgeous.

Fall, I've missed you.

Dinner and a Movie: Indie, Spaghetti and Cocktails

While I love going out and seeing what's new and exciting in Milwaukee, I also love making dinner and watching a movie in my pj's. My friend Melissa is on the same page. So last Friday was GNO in my living room with the both of us looking up recipes on Pinterest, cooking, and watching Your Sister's Sister.

The movie was great. It's about two half-sisters and the guy that gets between them - a little awkward, a little funny, and a lot of layers. I had actually watched it the night before but talked it up so much that we watched it again. I remember hearing about the movie on NPR - the acting was very organic, often unscripted. Speaking of movies......the Milwaukee Film Fest is going on and I'm determined (even with working 10-12hr days) to get my butt over there to see the documentary Ethel.

Anyways, onto the food. Our spaghetti with tomatoes, black olives, garlic, and feta cheese recipe was from Food & Wine here. Our Honey Badger cocktails were champagne and St. Germain Cocktails with honey syrup from the blog Design Love Fest. Find the recipe here. These were freakin' delicious. So perfect for fall.

Backyard Discovery: Oro di Oliva

Oro is one of those places that I've always wanted to walk into but never found the time. Today, I can check it off my list. For those of you that know me, I go three places: Milwaukee, Chicago and the I-94 Oasis rest stop. That's why a trip out to Wauwatosa can seem like a hike.....but it's not. Oro is located in the Tosa Village and a straight shot over on State Street from downtown. They sell only two things, really. Tank after large tank of olive oil and balsamic with names like Herbs d'Provence and Sicilian Lemon. And all are available to taste. Drinking a tablespoon of olive oil or more is an interesting experience. The richness is almost intoxicating, but it's not thick or greasy like it would seem. On my way out I spotted their walnut oil (the possibility wheel started turning). But that will have to wait for another day. MyFitnessPal was already confused enough.



Oro di Oliva
http://www.orodioliva.com/

3 Milwaukee area locations:
338 E. Silver Spring Dr. Whitefish Bay, WI

7606 Harwood Ave. Wauwatosa, WI

400 N. Water St. Milwaukee, WI (Public Market)

Perfume

I have been hearing amazing reviews of Jo Malone fragrance swarming around the internet. There was a new light citrusy-scent out there? I had to try it. But the price for Jo Malone is sort of high. So I bought a sample. Yes, $3.49 is sort of dumb for tiny sample usually given out free, but it was better than spending $70 or $110 on a bottle I didn't like. Jo Malone is not sold anywhere near Milwaukee. Try the Neiman Marcus in Northbrook, IL. I got the Nectarine Blossom and Honey sample from here and really liked it. It's light, a hint of floral, but very fresh. The Christmas List is already forming, people.

photo: bloomingdales

I want to go to there: Chicago's color jam

It's amazing what a little paint can do. On the corner of Adams and State in the Chicago Loop, large blocks of color add some much needed fun to an otherwise uneventful corner (see the before HERE). The public art project called 'Color Jam' by Jessica Stockholder was installed in June and will go through September (so hurry up). Read more about it in the Chicago Tribune.

photos: here and here

Time for: Fall Layers

Apple Hello Dolly Bars, triangle coin purse, orange sweater, leopard oxfords, trouser socks, vintage plaid throw

Last week I could hear the treetops rustling in the wind and knew......it was time to break out the fall layers. Fall is my favorite time to get dressed - because I love my accessories - colored tights, leather boots, textured skirt, a cardigan belted over a shirt. That's me. And since it's been so darn hot this summer, I have been at a wardrobe loss. So here are some of the things I have been eyeing up for fall... to layer of, course.

A Milwaukee Home Tour

My heart skipped a beat when I saw this home tour of Milwaukeeans Scott Johnson and Maureen Post featured on the blog, Home Again (follow the link for more photos HERE). It's a nice change of pace to see a home that is actually lived in and is unique to the couple living there. I'm getting tired of flipping through the pages of Decor and House Beautiful, myself. So I"m excited to see a project/blog right in my own backyard. Three cheers for their awesome home tours! And maybe someday (when I actually pick up all the laundry baskets in my living room) my home might look blogworthy, too.

The window seat

I've been running on all four cylinders for the last couple weeks (hence the light postings). Clinicals for graduate school have started. Work hours were extended. And we just got back from Salt Lake City for a family wedding. And an allergy-induced sinus cold is in full swing. This blog has always been my outlet for the harried nature of my real life. Posting about shoes and pretty pictures was a good balance. Well, I've started doing that same thing in my real life. We got on the plane back home and I was so, very, tired - not many things are pretty about 5:30am. But looking out the window at the mountains, the clouds and enjoying the beautiful view was a nice way to put some balance back into my life.

Pretty as a picture.

I love portraits and these are just beautiful. Mary Sauer paints mostly women on oil canvas. Here's what she says about her work, "These paintings depict women in cold, planned out environments and illustrate how different social institutions dictate our behaviors. They show idealized perfection and reference stale commissioned portraiture as well as the “ideal woman” from illustration of the 1950’s". They may be posed and perfect, but I love looking at all the layers and the expressions in their faces/bodies.

And speaking of portraits....anyone been to the National Portrait Gallery in DC. It's one of my favorite museums.

Fun Times at Blogs & Books

A big thanks to all those who came out for Blogs & Books last weekend! It was so much fun meeting fellow bloggers (Karis, Lisa, Elena, Colleen, and Marisa) and talking about books. Made my week.

We had some great local business giving us a hand: Treat Bake Shop provided some goodies, , fresh design for the flower arrangements, and Monograham paper for the fun notebook giveaways and of course, the wonderful Pabst Theater for letting us hangout!

I can't wait to do it again - I think we'll do four books a year - one for each season. There was a lot of response for Julia Child's 'My Life In Paris'; so let me know what you think. I've been on a real Julia Child kick, myself....just watch this video to see what I mean. My hope is that through this event we can discover new places in the city, discover new local businesses, discover new blogs, support the blogging and blog-reading community, and learn some new stuff. Hope to see you at the next one!