hello & a little update

Hello, my lovely joie readers! How I’ve missed you. A fact which happens to be the theme of this post. Somehow, the last few weeks have disappeared into a flurry of deadlines, changes and, yes, a little bit of stress. I was forced to step back – and though you might have seen a post or two, I haven’t been able to invest much heart into joie lately. When we find ourselves battling for more time, energy, patience, downtime…we often jump to eliminating the things that aren’t necessity. Well. Inspiration is a necessity. So I’ll be spending a bit of time trying to figure it all out, and I will be back. That is a promise. Hang in there! I’ll see you soon. Pennyweight via Satsuki Shibuya

monday (need a getaway) blues

Hello! A very happy Monday to you. Hoping this finds you ready to go after a weekend of lovely things. I find myself craving a little holiday…not because I need a vacation but more to satisfy a recent yearning to see new, wonderful places. It is curiosity with a touch of wanderlust calling. Do you have fabulous getaways planned for the summer? Can’t wait to sink my teeth into planning. Have a wonderful week!

Elle Germany via Dust Jacket Attic via Sequins & Stripes

monday (earth day) blues

Happy Monday! Hoping this finds you rested and refreshed after a lovely weekend. Yesterday was Earth Day, so in honor of that, starting the week off with these gorgeous and imaginative photographs. I love the camera focus and use of such ordinary things to make something so extraordinary. A dreamy scene results…and makes us appreciate mother Earth a little bit more. Have a wonderful week.

Flower girls via Little White Whale

afternoon uplift

Conflicting Heart via Patterson Maker

monday (base layer) blues

Happy Monday morning to you. It was a thunderstormy and wind-blown weekend in Chicago but the balmy temperatures made it sort of lovely. We jogged through sprinkles, window-shopped, cooked, baked and lounged our way through. Now on to the week! Kicking off with the perfect ensemble on the gorgeous Joanna Hillman of Harper’s Bazaar. Isn’t navy blue the best base to build upon? Especially in the spring, where your gut begins to tell you to ditch the black and reach for color. Dying for her satin navy pumps and leopard topper! Enjoy and have a wonderful week.

The Style Objective via Sequins & Stripes

happy weekend

Although rain threatens to keep Chicago inside all weekend, I can’t help but remind myself that April showers bring May flowers! Quite honestly, I’m a closet fan of a good spring thunderstorm. Hoping to be productive and perhaps find some time for a little baking project. Wishing you a wonderful, happy weekend, wherever you are!

A couple of lovely links before you go…

Caramel + coral: a color palette to love

A few favorite looks from the blogosphere’s fave fashionista

Billions of baubles…I want them all!

Perhaps I’ll tackle organizing my closet this weekend 🙂

The age-old debate: can men and women be friends?

Follow me on Pinterest!

Photo via Ballerina Project

monday (spring uniform) blues

Happy Monday! Hoping this finds you happy and rested after a lovely Easter weekend. We enjoyed the glorious sunshine and spent time with our wonderful family. With true spring weather back to stay in Chicago, I thought I’d kick off the week with an outfit that epitomizes my springtime uniform: jeans and a blazer. The layers, accessories and shoes cycle in and out, but there’s nothing like this crisp, classic look. (Wishing I had that leopard bag to add an extra bit of chic!) Have a great spring week.

J.Crew outfit via J.Crewing

happy easter weekend

Hope it’s full of fresh flowers, dappled sunlight and your favorite people. I’m so missing joie and hope to be back in full swing very soon. Happy Easter. Enjoy!

clemence poesy by David Oldham for Glamour UK via This Is Glamorous

happy april & hello

A brief post to say hello and to wish you the happiest of new months. April is here! And with it, more unruly spring weather complete with frequent showers. Just remember what April showers are famously known to bring…! It seems I am destined to be a girl on the run this week, but I’ll be popping in here and there with some lovely spring things so I hope you’ll stop by too. Have a wonderful week!

Mario Sierra via Dress Design Decor via Coco+Kelley

afternoon uplift

via Better Than Fine