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.