It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like...Winter

One thing I have learned during my time here in Chicago: there are some winter-wear items that you can splurge on, some you can just can simply scrimp on, and others that are best to deal-hunt for. I have learned this the hard way over the last ten years; being raised in Florida, I really had to just figure things out by trial and error.

Splurge: When it's 6am and you're waiting for the train for 20 minutes in 10 degree weather (without windchill), the only thing you desperately need is an extremely heavy winter coat. Because of their [high] prices, I have tried to scrimp on down coats for around $100 at Marshalls or TJ Maxx, but I find that the small details really make a difference. For example: a hoodie that is too light to stay up by itself in the wind or pockets that are not lined. And, because they're cheap, they only last two seasons before they are too worn to use. While some brands like NorthFace and Columbia, are more expensive, to me they are WORTH it for Chicago winters. This weekend Santa bought me the NorthFace Arctic Parka. This baby should last me at least 4 - 5 seasons.

Steal a Deal: For the 50-degree days and for nicer occassions, you'll need a coat that's not so utilitarian; I've found that I like wool trench coats or peacoats. Though they're less heavy than the down coats and parkas, they should still be lined. I refuse to purchase any coat that does not have pockets (why even make such a ridiculous product?) and I like this item to be in a color or a camel/tan base, so that it will match with either black or brown outfits. The department stores can charge $200+ for these items; I almost always buy mine at Marshalls or online. This year I purchased the coat below, in Avocado, from Overstock.com with a 10% off coupon for $75.

Scrimp: While I love name brands as much as the next person, I have found that some items just take too much of a beating during the Chicago winters to really be worth the purchase. For warm boots of a certain will-go-unnamed-but-very-popular-brand, the salt and mush just tear up their fabric and make them quite unsightly by the end of the season. So, instead of buying $170 *** Boots every winter, I've opted to buy a less expensive brand this year. These boots have rubber soles (unlike *** brand), warm lining, and are super comfortable on frigid days. At only $30, if they don't last more than one season, I don't really care!*

*Note: for serious snow boots, I have found that the study ski boots I bought for $170 have served me amazingly! I am still able to pull them out three years later when those serious snow storms come through.

Featured Blog

Today I'd like to introduce you to Kristen of Kristen F. Davis Designs. I "found" her when I was looking into wallpaper ideas for my master bedroom. I fell in love with her faux wallpaper project that she debuted on her blog. How elegant is this? (I plan to duplicate in my own master bedroom very soon!)

Kristen does commissioned painting and design projects around the Atlanta area. She paints everything from canvas, to walls, to furniture and is extremely talented. Check out her blog!

It's That Time Again!

Temperatures are consistently freezing, the holiday lights are up, and everyone is blabbing about Black Friday. Yes, it is officially gift-giving time. Like most people these days I very rarely pay full price for ANYTHING. I shop at the discount retailers and even then I try to stick around the sale racks. Some of my favorite stores for holiday shopping:

TJ Maxx

Marshalls

Home Goods

Claire's (really!)

http://www.dealradar.com/

One of the best places I've discovered on the internet is http://www.dealradar.com/. While we're all familiar with Groupon and Living Social, there is probably a plethora of other group-based discount providers in your area (for Chicago there are 25+). Dealradar.com consolidates all the discounts available to you into one daily email. It is SO MUCH BETTER than receiving 25 emails each day.

Pretty Pattern

I'm finishing the shelves project tonight and will post pics very soon. In the meantime check out what came in the mail today: fabric for my office project. Isn't she gorgeous!? I'm using it to make a memo board in my blue-and-green office.

Here is where I got my inspiration for the blue and green color scheme. I love the upbeat, energetic feeling it brings to the space. (Very useful in an area dedicate to work.)

*Photo courtesy of House Beautiful

To Rug Or Not To Rug?

As I noted in a previous post, the Master Bedroom is my refuge. Retreating into my comfy bed to read a book, watch T.V, or waste away cold weekend mornings just cuddling, is one of my favorite ways to relax. (Unfortunately, I don't get to do it as often as I'd like.)

Anyways...

The space is still lacking a major desgin element: PATTERN. I've managed to bring a bit of it into the space through the bedding, but the walls and floor are desperately plain. I do have a plan to get some pattern on the wall very soon, but today I want to throw out some options for the floor.

I desperately want a rug. I know I don't need it (there's carpet on the floor currently), but that big empty space in front of the bed is just crying for a rich, gorgeous rug. My dilemma: the space is awkward and...there's carpet. If I had wood floors I'd have no problem selecting. But whatever rug I choose, I don't want it to clash too intensely with the carpet. (Note: we do have tentative plans to take out the carpet...but not in the near future.)

Here are some of my options, the first two are my favs, but I really love them all:

Featured Blog- An Introduction To One of My Fav Blogs

Today's featured blog is Young House Love from super cute couple Sherry and John Petersik. With their comedic Chihuahua, Burger, and the latest addition to the family, baby Clara, this family has done some serious expanding in the last year. To accomodate their growth they've just purchased a new home, so there's bound to be some very exciting projects ahead!

What I love about Young House Love is their approach to DIY projects. Sherry and John have no training, licensing, or previous experience; they've learned all their lessons the old fashioned way...just diving in and rolling with the punches. For new home owners and designers, their projects page is an especially valuable tool summarizing nearly everything they've learned along the way.

*Photo courtesy of www.younghouselove.com

Get Sexy! Chicago Women's Bootcamp

For my 17th birthday I asked for a gym membership...weird, I know. Ever since then I have been working out at least four days a week. In the last year I gained weight due to a combination of factors; less intense workouts, increase in food intake, jam-packed schedule, higher levels of stress, and age all probably contributed. Since I already worked out quite often, I knew that I would have to give 150% if I wanted to dramatically shed pounds.

I knew I wouldn't give 150% on my own. (Who DOES that?)

For about four months now I've been attending the Chicago Women's Fitness Camp three to four days a week. The camp is led by Michelle Rossfeld; I haven't been yelled at so much since high school basketball practice. In addition to the bootcamps, Michelle also provides her clients with individualized cardio programs for the weekends. With the combination of these two workouts, I've lost about 13 pounds in three months. I haven't been assessed recently...but I'm hoping the number of pounds lost is even higher now.

Though the camp does seem to focus on women that are interested in losing a significant amount of weight (10+ pounds), many of the women who have already lost weight tend to stay on as clients. The reason: you won't get a better workout. Anywhere.

If you're in the Chicago area and are interested in losing weight OR you just want to challenge yourself with an amazing workout, I recommend attending the camp. First time visitors are always free.

*Photo courtesy of www.chicagowomensfitnesscamp.com