bauble troubles.

HELP! I can't decide what jewels to wear for The Big Day! (Which is coming up SO FAST, btw.) I've compiled some of my top contenders, and I need help choosing. I wish I could share some of the deets of the dress, but T-O-double-D looks at this here blog occasionally. Wouldn't want to spill the beans. I'm going for no necklace, clear-ish stones, gold. Pearls might be okay. Accent colors are coral and gray. Maybe a stack of bracelets? I can't decide!

So let me know which combo you like best! Or by all means, send me a link to something awesome!

1. kate spade teardrop. $58. | 2. kate spade drop. $48 | 3. kate spade fragment. $78
4. j.crew crystal bauble. $68. | 5. j.crew venue flytrap. $50.

1. givenchy line. clear. $65. | 2. faux tennis. mom. | 3. givenchy line. coral. $65.
4. j.crew pave link. $125. | 5. kate spade knot. $78. | 6. j.crew crystal crush. $118.

i've got a feeling.

There's nothing like a couple new pieces to make you want to look a little cuter on a Friday. Paired my new skirt and necklace (which i shared with you guys last night!) with some old stand-bys and WHAMO! I'm all dolled up to celebrate the first day of Fall. Sure. Sure. Fall technically started a week ago, but I refuse to give up Summer until October. Now it can be Fall.

sparkle and shine.

Picked up some pretty at J.Crew after work today! You may recognize this gem [pun intended] from the J.Crew jewelry 4x4 I did last month! Thanks to their awesome sales and a 25% off coupon, I scooped it up and brought it home!

lakeside adventures.

Sorry friends, no 4x4 this week. I just got back last night after a weekend away with my fella, and I didn't want to throw something together at the last minute. (But you can click here, here or here to catch up on the last few weeks!)

As you may have figured out (or already known), I grew up in a little place we like to call OHIO. So, to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city, Todd and I headed back to my home state for a some classic Ohio summertime activities. That's right, we headed to Sandusky for a few fun-filled days that included trips to Cedar Point and Put-in-Bay! On Saturday, we hung around the historic downtown area - we had lunch, went to a couple resale shops, and even to a carousel museum. Sunday was Cedar Point, where we rode coasters all day - I screamed so much that I lost my voice for two days! Todd had never been to Cedar Point, so I was excited to show him what a REAL roller coaster park is. We had such a fun day, and stayed until they kicked us out. Monday was much more relaxing, with a ferry over to Put-in-Bay and driving a golf cart all over the island - to the winery and lighthouse, past all the lake side homes, to Perry's Monument. We didn't take many pictures this weekend, but we did get this nice one with a view of neighboring Middle Bass Island in the distance.


We caught the ferry back to Sandusky in the early evening and went in search of more adventure that included go-carts in the rain, playing Deal-or-No-Deal at an arcade, and dinner at the Olive Garden. Possibly one of the best dates I've ever been on. We came home yesterday, and took our time driving. It was such a nice, leisurely weekend, and a good way to put a cap on the summer. (Is it really almost September??)

take me to the lake.

style stunted.

You wouldn't know it from my pseudo-preppy, J. Crew heavy wardrobe - but I have long coveted the fashion stylings of the 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's. Anything worn between WWII and the Civil Rights Movement. I used to search AOL (is that how we found things before Google?) for "swing dresses", "rockabilly" and "pencil skirts", long before they were hip for my generation. Definitely long before they were age-appropriate. Imagine my twiggy 12-year old body trying to fill out something made for a 36-24-36! (Note: I would still struggle with that first 36, but that's why they make padded bras.)

Somehow, as I got older, I never executed the styles I had been dreaming of ever since I watched White Christmas for the first time and saw my first Shirley Temple movie. I'm not sure why not. There are girls out there who seem to execute is so well. From the hair to the glasses to the shoes. They've got it right. (Like my b-fri Lindsay - I've never seen blunt bangs and high waist shorts look so cute.) What about me? Well, it all just seems like so much work! Do you know how long it must have taken women to get ready back then? I barely give myself time to brush my hair, let alone style it into something attractive. And make-up? It's hard to find time for more than a little powder and some mascara. Skirts and dresses mean you have to shave your legs, right?

I've been secretly perusing the dresses, skirts and accessories on a site called Daddy-O's since I was about 14. I've never ordered anything, but I think my next wardrobe splurge is going to be one of these:

Sydney dress by Stop Staring

Temptress dress by Stop Staring

After watching the Mad Men premiere, and checking in with Lindsay again on her new blog, I'm again itching for a nostalgic fashion fusion in my wardrobe. I even wore a cutie-pie dress, pearls and heels to work today. Maybe I'll even update this post with a picture later... (after I brush my hair and put on a little make-up, of course!) Baby steps.

So what do you think? Could I pull off the Sydney? What about the Temptress?

home state advantage.

Heading back to The Buckeye State.

signature look.

Why hello there L.L. Bean Signature...

Where did you come from?


To say that I need this purse would not be an exaggeration.

hot legs, you can scream and shout.

I used to wear jeans all. year. long. Okay, it's 90 degrees and 150% humidity today and I'm sitting here in jeans. Adorable, skinny, cuffed, light-washed Levis. But this year, I find myself totally drawn to cute shorts and short skirts. Perhaps it's because my legs are still holding onto some post-Puerto Rico color. Perhaps it's because I've been rocking the elliptical so hard this year. Lies. Regardless, my summer wardrobe could use a boost with these cutie-patootie (Rosie O'Donnell, circa 1997 anyone?) options.

Posie a Question Skirt - ModCloth - $47.99

Surf Tweed Charter Skirt - J. Crew - $79.99 (on sale)

Okay, maybe I chose these because they are what my sister affectionately refers to as "Stacey Green". But still, so cute. (Maybe a more logical purchase in the "Drift Grey" they also come in.)

Chino Tennis Short - Martin + Osa - $39.50

And, of course, Ye Olde Stand-by. (I purchased these earlier this season and L.O.V.E. them. Buy them a size up for that true "boyfriend" fit.)

Boyfit Denim Bermuda Shorts - AE - $39.50

opening night.

Todd's latest show opens TONIGHT at the Victory Gardens Greenhouse Theater. So I threw together this little ensemble for the evening's festivities.

opening night. by staceyerin

That's my new Tranquil Flow Tunic that I got on major sale at Anthropologie last month. (Originally $118!) I am in LOVE.

the vera best.

I have long been a lover of Vera Neumann, and all I really know about her is her signature and her printed scarves.

image from theluckyfish esty shop
I have several beauties that I scored at resale shops and thrift stores in bold and bright colors and graphic designs. They are some of my favorites that I own and the first thing I look for when I walk into vintage boutiques. So you can imagine how big my eyes got when I discovered a whole line of Vera inspired items on the Anthropologie website. How this had gone unnoticed before is beyond me. I'll take one of everything. Especially this:

sketched danios dress by we love vera
Is $1700 too much to spend on a rug? What about when it looks like this:

waves rug exclusively at anthropologie
I love when a vintage style icon is given new life. (Jackie O? Meet Michelle Obama.)

always the bridesmaid.

Siri Vivien Leigh Dress
Off to our bridesmaid dress appointment for Kate's wedding! Tonight we're on a mission: we're looking for THIS EXACT DRESS, but without the price tag. Wish us luck!

bite me.

In light of the beautiful weather that we are experiencing, the fact that Todd and I will be jetting off to beautiful Puerto Rico in two weeks, and the positive attitude that both of those facts have put me in, I am taking on several life beautification projects. Starting with me - because who doesn't like to be pampered?

So, prior to our trip I will be heading back to Sparrow in Logan Square to get a summer cut. I went there for the first time in February and Susan did an excellent job fixing a botched haircut I had gotten elsewhere last November.

Although I have lived in Chicago for 6 years, these were my first haircuts in the city. When I was able to, I would wait to get my haircut at home in Ohio. Anyone that lives in the Columbus area should go see Beth at Cut, Color, Style in Old Worthington. She's THE BEST. Tell her Stacey sent you.

Sparrow is operated by two stylists, Susan and Bathsheba. My sister and I have both been to see Susan (she gave us great bangs), but both do some great cutting. (For proof, check out their blog.) These are my go-to hair inspiration photos. (Love Maggie Gyllenhaal and Ginnifer Goodwin... hmm, perhaps I'll go a little lighter, like Ms. Gyllenhaal did in the upper left photo...)

images from here, here, here, and here
Also, I'll be getting waxed. (You heard me. I went there.) I've been getting waxed for a few years now. Not regularly, but enough that I feel comfortable blogging about it apparently. I've been to Continuum Studio in Andersonville probably four times in the last two years. I've never had a preferred esthetician, but everyone I've seen has been really great and professional. Chatty enough so that you don't feel like a stranger is poking around down there, but not so chatty that you feel like you're getting waxed by your crazy cousin. It's a smaller salon, but very private and quiet. I've been to other boutique-style waxing salons in the city and have always come out feeling a little dirty. Like I just got waxed at a drive-thru. And yes, you have to grow your hair out for a few weeks in order to get the best results. Lucky for me, I hate shaving anyway. Thus the resulting smooth legs for a few weeks with no effort on my part is totally worth the 45 minutes of pain. (And yes. It hurts as bad as you think it will. But it's over pretty quickly. Trick of the trade: Soak in an oatmeal bath after wards to soothe your tender skin, help prevent redness and remove any excess wax.)

Lastly - and this one is all on me - I'm going to attempt the impossible. I'm going to try to stop biting my fingernails (again). I know, it's a gross habit that I should have outgrown years ago, but I didn't. And in the grand scheme of bad habit, I'd say this one is pretty mild. It's not like I smoke or do drugs or drink excessively. And I have tried quitting since I was a teenager. I've tried all the tricks. But there has been only ONE that has been successful: Sally Hansen Nail Growth Miracle. Yes, that little gold bottle at the drug store.


I'm telling you. Nothing else works. It says to apply every other day, but I put a nice thin layer on my nails everyday. I'll be totally glam in no time. Then I'm going to rock it like this:

image from here
How '80s Fab are those?? Let the summer beautification commence!

what a differnce a day makes.

I took the day off last Friday. Todd and I drove up to Milwaukee for the weekend. We've done this countless times before, but it always involved leaving after I got off work on a Friday night and returning early on Sunday so Todd could get to work/rehearsal on time. This trip was different and you could tell. We had a lazy morning on Friday and then drove up to Carthage College to have lunch with Todd's cousin Georgia before her afternoon class, which ended up being canceled so we were able to spend a beautiful sunny afternoon around town and still make it up to Milwaukee by 5:30. (On our normal trips, I wouldn't have even left work by that time.) We had a wonderfully casual weekend with Todd's parents - eating and shopping. (Every time Todd goes home his mother says "What are you wearing? You need new clothes.") So I picked up a couple lovely little items for myself.

spring splurge by staceyerin

Okay, so I didn't actually buy that amazingly soft green leather clutch at the Coach Outlet, but I did drool over it for as long as Todd would let me. He even offered to split the cost with me if it was something I really wanted. (Even though he and I both know we have to save our dinero for Puerto Rico. But it was sweet of him to offer - one of the many reasons to love him.) Although I did use our trip as an excuse to purchase that airy white cotton v-neck sweater. I will keep me warm on a cool night on the patio and it will be easy to throw on over my bathing suit to protect me from the sun on our island day trips.

The sun stayed out all weekend and on Sunday we ventured out to the Milwaukee County Zoo. Even if a lot of the animals were still hibernating, it was a really nice way to round out the weekend. When we finally got back to the city around 9:00 on Sunday night, we felt like we had been gone for a whole week. Mental note: take a Friday off every once in awhile and get out of town.

keep your socks up.

Gotta have these...

SWANclothing thigh-high garters

SWANclothing sock garters

Yes please.

day shopper.

I love shopping during my lunch break. There a couple key places nearby that I can get to in my allotted break time.
American Apparel
Nine West
Crate and Barrel Outlet
Ann Taylor Loft
The Gap

Plus these, but they're a few blocks too far for my usual 30-45 minutes.
J Crew - Oh yes.
American Eagle
Crate and Barrel
Banana Republic
West Elm
The Container Store
CB2

I'm telling you, this location is trouble for my bank account. Just look at these beauties I got today:
They were so lovely I wore them out of the store, and I've had a bounce in my step ever since. Not to mention they were on excellent sale. I love affordable shoes.

young and healthy.

"I'm young and healthy,
And so are you...
When the moon is in the sky
Tell me what am I
To do?"

Let me just say that I have an irrational fear of gyms. The people that go to gyms freak me out. Trainers give me the creeps. It makes me panicky to see 40 people running side-by-side on machines with light up screens that flash at you if you don't know the right combination of buttons to push. What happened to just pressing "Start" or "On"??

That being said. I have done the unthinkable. And it was a battle. What do I dislike more: douche bag trainers with bad hair or my waning metabolism? What makes me more uncomfortable: overly toned women with bad fake tans or my pants? What should I really be concentrating on: this irrational fear or getting myself to be more active? It's really not about any sort of weight gain - it's about being softer in areas where I used to not be soft. And things that jiggle when I walk down stairs that are supposed to be stationery.

So I did it. I... joined a gym. There is an Xsport Fitness that I pass everyday on my way to work, and again on my way home. It has a pool, and a hot tub, and a rock climbing wall, and a spa... and weights and stuff too of course. If it wasn't on my daily route, I was sure that I would never be able to convince myself to go, so this had to be the one. Todd and I joined on Monday and worked out together that evening for 2 hours. It was not as scary as I expected. (That's a lie, I was still really anxious the whole time.) But we explored most everything that I would use, and I even felt comfortable enough to go back on Tuesday all by myself. I've been swimming, running, stretching and using the weight machines.

This is a pretty giant step for me. I don't ever see myself being hugely health-crazed or anything, but this is a good start down the road to equalizing what I'm putting into my body and what I am working off. As long as I can burn the total calories found in 2 cans of coke, a Chipotle burrito, and a 3 piece Chicken Select meal with buffalo sauce from McDonalds, I'll be happy.

Muscle Beach, 1950s

furry christmas.

It took me awhile to find my holiday mojo this year. Usually I AM Christmas, but this year I have been so busy/preoccupied that it seemed to sneak up on me. But after a successful first venture into Christmas baking, putting up my tree, and a couple days/nights of marathon Christmas shopping... I'M BACK!

I would really like to post about the excellent presents I am giving to my loved ones this year, but I will refrain since some of them read this blog. Instead, I will share the de-lovely gift I purchased for myself for being such a shining example of Christmas joy.


How cute is this???
Answer: SO cute! He looks like a fancy little hedgehog.
(Please refrain from sharing any anti-fur comments you may have. This little guy has been a pin for a very long time. And you'd be preaching to the wrong choir anyway... I eat my steak medium-rare.)

Merry Christmas to me!

smooth investigator.

I had barely even thought about Halloween. I haven't dressed up in a couple years, and even then my costume was last minute. (I was an olympic swimmer. Blue one-piece swimsuit, sweatpants, flip flops, goggles... all I had to buy was a swim cap and a toy gold medal from the party store and I was set.)

This year, I didn't even think about dressing up until last weekend. So I thought, "Okay. I'll be a lamb. Or a cat. Something easy." Not so easy. My shopping trip was a bust. But that's what happens when you wait until 5 days before Halloween. And I am just not that crafty.

So... I have returned to an idea that my sister has been begging me to do for about five years now. It is her dream for me to dress up as the sexiest private investigator the Pacific has ever known.

Thomas Magnum, P.I.
Magnum and I share many common traits that would lead my sister to believe that I could be mistaken for the REAL Magnum. Such as our long legs - used for kicking bad guys in their faces, our hot abdominal muscles, our affinity for short shorts and boat shoes, our military backgrounds, and most importantly, our awe-inspiring hairiness... including - but not limited to - coiffure, mustache, chest and legs.

This year I will make all of my sister's dreams come true.