a prediction on 2012's 'it' girl

I saw the movie the Descendants recently, with George Clooney.  SUCH a great film.  I highly recommend it - it's getting a lot of buzz for best picture I think?

Anyway, George's two daughters in the film were such standout actresses - the older of which is played by Shailene Woodley.  She is who I predict will be one of the 'it' girls of 2012.  She might already be one for all I know (I'm just a Chicago Mom, right!?)

Shailene is just gorgeous, as well as brunette, which I love.  She seems to be one of those natural beauties - doesn't need a lot of makeup, hair-dying, or anything.  She was also featured in InStyle Magazine's January issue......the pictures are amazing.  Makes me want to move to Hawaii, layer tons of necklaces, be tan, and wear lots of contrasting prints - because in Hawaii, anything goes!  Oh, and I'd always be able to wear my favorite coral lipstick if i lived there.  ;-)

Here are some of the pics from her InStyle shoot:

Anyone else have any 'it' girl predictions for the coming year?  

Gemma's Christmas Eve Outfit

Seriously - those of you who have a little girl - I am just now realizing that I no longer plan what I wear on special occasions, I plan (down to the hairbow) what Gemma's going to wear.  I NEVER thought this would happen!  ;-)  Don't get me wrong, I still like to get gussied up (see any an all November-December posts on this blog), but it's endless fun thinking through Gemma's attire.  Man has life changed (for the good!).

Here's what Miss Gemma Grace will be wearing tomorrow night:

Janie & Jack Ruffle Dobby Stripe Dress, on sale for $37.99 from $99!  Love finding a deal like this.  

See Kai Run's Franki Jo Patent Leather Mary Jane, $ 44 at www.shopwonder.com

That dress, those shoes, and a gold bow, I can't wait to show you the pictures!  

Now, i don't want you to think i've forgotten about Mr. Griffin.  He'll be sporting a sweet sweater from Gymboree and some skinny dark jeans.  I can't find the Gymboree sweater online anymore, so that's why there's no pictures.  However, in case you're in the market for kids clothes - Gymboree is offering 50% off all regularly priced items today online - wowsers!  

New Christmas Cookie (at our house anyway)

Wanting to make a new Christmas cookie this year, I started scouring the internet for something new, yet simple.  Simple seemed to be difficult to find - everywhere i looked seemed to have all of these fancy complicated recipes for Christmas cookies.  And honestly, growing up I know my sister and I always liked the simple cookies my Mom made the best.  

After lots of looking I found these very easy to make Chocolate Kiss Cookies.  They're a slight twist on the typical peanut butter sugar cookie with a hershey kiss on top - these have no peanut butter.  They're more like a chocolate lovers dream cookie - a chocolate sugar cookie with a hershey kiss planted on top.  

They turned out REALLY well, and though skeptical, my husband ended up really liking them.  Griffin also helped me make these - he really enjoyed stirring the batter of course, sampling the batter, and putting the kisses on top when the cookies were fresh out of the oven.  Very kid-friendly!

Here's the recipe in case you need a new Christmas cookie:

Chocolate Kiss Cookies


Makes approx 4 dozen small cookies - it was more like 2 dozen for me as i like bigger cookies!

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups butter
• 2 cups white sugar
• 2 egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 54 milk chocolate candy kisses, unwrapped
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar for decoration

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In large bowl mix butter and sugar till fluffy, add eggs and vanilla mix well. Sift together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt, and add to creamed mixture.
3. Roll dough into balls about 1 inch in diameter then roll in white sugar. Place balls on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Place unwrapped chocolate kiss in the center of each cookie while still hot. Let cool and enjoy!

oh little girls!

I am very much enjoying shopping for my little Gemma Grace these days.  She's walking, starting to talk, I can get her hair into pigtails (almost a full-on ponytail!), and looks cute in just about anything! 

However, I am pretty particular about what she wears.  Being the apparel buyer at Wonder, my eyes have been opened up to so so many cute lines for children - and it's only just begun!  One of my favorites that we carry is Giggle Moon.  

It's totally over the top with ruffles, applique, and mixed and matched patterns, prints and colors but it's perfect for a baby or toddler - and they may as well do it because it's the only time in your life you can pull all of that off at once!  :-)

Here are some cute shots from Giggle Moon's Fall 2011 line we have at Wonder! right now, as well as online at www.shopwonder.com!

What do you all think?  I don't dress Gemma in this everyday, but these looks certainly have an occasion and will make your little lady the talk of the party for sure!  

Not too Shabby (hint, this is a great giveaway!)

I was just reading my friend Marla's blog (Keeping up with Stella and Rubylou), and noticed that embedded in a great post about the darling clothing line Shabby Apple, there is a giveaway!!!!

Love a great giveaway, especially when it involves a line of clothing and accessories that I would wear and purchase for myself (sans the giveaway).

Here's what you'll win:

Light as a Feather Necklace, retailing at $48

Click HERE to view the details on the giveaway....entries are accepted until the 9th, and a winner will be selected on the 12th!  Good luck!

Party Envy

Alice & Olivia One Shoulder Ruched Dress, $297
The necklace here really makes this dress pop - accessories are always key!

What I really want to do this holiday season is get REALLY dressed up.  You know, as in a sparkly, lacy, or sequin type dress, get my hair done and put on some major smokey eye makeup (and a nude lip of course).

I had some fun on Shopbop over the long weekend.....here are my favorites!  When we are settled into a house *we rent for the time being* its on my agenda to have one of these very fabulous parties where people are required to get dressy.

Alice & Olivia Soleil Ruched Dress, $396
-how ridiculously cute is this with the leopard booties?   great styling, shopbop.

What Goes Around Comes Around Andress Beaded Dress, $440
I am always in for something gold and beaded.

Rory Beca Juliette Shift Dress,  $228
-always a favorite body, in one of my favorite colors.  easy peasy!

Rebecca Taylor Eyelash One-Shoulder Dress, $315
Lacy Detail + Boots = Love

What to wear, what to wear......

Got my Nordstrom 'Gifts we Love' catalog over the weekend and it of course got me thinking again about what to wear on holiday occasions coming up.  Here's a little outfit I put together from their site......oh, and I found all of these items in their 'Social Season Style Guide' under Girls Night Out.  

Joie Top, $248
 I love the sheer top with the nude underlay

Alexis Bittar Bow Necklace, $195
I always love a bow!

Alexis Bittar Encrusted Skinny Bangles, $195
These would go with everything, and not just for the holidays.

Joe's Coated Skinny Stretch Jeans in Teal, $169
I can't seem to get enough of the colored jeans trend......

Jeffrey Campbell Turner Pump, $174
Nude, platform, sparkles, I think that just about covers all of my 'musts.'

Sequins, Sparkle, and Shine - I heart the Holidays!

My husband and I took a quick one day/one night jaunt to the city over the weekend to celebrate his birthday.  It was a much needed break, and we stayed at the Elysian.  It was, in one word, FAB.  They have left nothing to chance; the hotel is exquisite.  We both got massages at the spa as well - also unbelieveable.  I also read that the Elysian is actually rated the #1 hotel in the United States right now by Conde Nast - love that we have that right here in the Chi! (previously it was the Peninsula here in Chicago - what a great city).

As you might imagine, I took some time to myself to shop around.  It being November, everything in every store is embellished, sparkly, gold, silver, or shiny.  I get wrapped up in it all every year.......and love every minute.

I'm going to try to highlight my favorite (shiny, sparkly, metallic, etc) picks from head to toe over the next couple of weeks - starting with pants/jeans.

I would definitely find a way to wear any and all of these to a holiday fete - now all i need is an invite.........

AG Sequin Ponte Pants, $225

AG Ankle Legging Sequin Pants, $225

7 for all Mankind Gold Textured Snake Skinny Jeans, $225

JBrand Golden Snakeskin Skinny Jeans in Grey, $242

Joe's Jeans Coated Skinny Jeans in Royal Wash, $169

Living, Eating & Breathing Wonder!

Since my last blog post was September 18 (and it was also about Wonder!), it's safe to say that it briefly took over my life for the past month and a half.  We are finally open to the public, wahooooo!  Before I get back to my normal blogging about fashion and mommy life in general, i wanted to share some pictures from opening weekend. I don't know if I have ever worked harder in my life - for real.  Juggling the kids, maintaining the household, and working 9-5:30, then again from 8 to 11 a few nights a week was exhausting!  To those of you mommies who work hours like this - I applaud you - and i don't know how you do it.  

If you live in the Chicago area, come on by (and ask for me!), and if you don't, we're launching Shopwonder.com later this week so you will be able to shop us from afar.