Fall into fashion finds

So if you're like me, you absolutely love summer but are looking forward to Fall fashions. I had the opportunity to visit the new Fashion Outlets of Chicago to score some new items for Fall. Overall I was really impressed with the mall. It is clean, well organized and parking couldn't be easier. Some of my favorite stores were All saints, Last call Nieman Marcus, Tory Burch, J. Crew Factory and Bloomingdales the outlet. Most of the stores had a good selection but only a few felt like you we're really getting a deal. All Saints was one if those. Not only did they have a huge selection of clothes but they were actually reasonable! A fully beaded sequin top, $98. A distressed leather jacket, $495. I didn't buy anything but I plan on purchasing next time.

Tory Burch was my next stop, they had a great selection of shoes and clothes. I wound up scoring two pairs of flats, and a headband. The flats were about 30% cheaper than I've seen anywhere else! Around $165 for the Reva flats and $100 for the Eddie folding flats. The black patent ones are currently being sold at Nordstrom! The headband I wound up taking back because it didn't fit my head but it was $45.  

The last stop was the Bloomingdales outlet store.  A great selection of dresses, shoes and accessories. All at a fraction of the regular price. I wound up with a new pair of Rachel Roy booties for $170 and a L. K. Bennett dress for $200.  Amazing!!

Hooray for great deals! Have you guys visited the outlets recently? Found anything good??

                                                                   XO, 

                                                                   GG

Showers of Happiness!

One of my very best friends is having a second child and this time, it is a girl! She already has a sweet little boy, who is adorable and was also my ring bearer. :) I was so thrilled to help host a "Sprinkle" in her honor.  We held it in a wonderful room at Bravo!  We decided to go with the Mommy-to-be's favorite style; shabby chic.

We used burlap runners, ribbon and handmade floral centerpieces. There were also handmade place cards with vintage fabric and buttons.  We also used pink straws which made the table fun and whimsical. 

For the prizes, I handmade chocolate chip cookie jars using ball jars, ribbon, and fabric. I included all the dry ingredients and all the winners had to do was add the refrigerated ingredients. 

I created a handmade burlap "It's a girl" pennant, as well as the tissue pom poms to use as decoration.  She is going to hang the pennant again at their home when the baby arrives.  :)

We had a gorgeous ruffle cake handmade by the Mommy-to-be's friend. I also created a calendar with her due date where people could stamp when they thought the baby would be born and sign their names.  This served as the guest book and decor for the future nursery. 

We also used the Mommy-to-be's old baby clothes as decor for the gift table. 

It was truly a beautiful shower and everything turned out really well! I had a lot of fun creating the handmade elements. I think it made it really special and the Mommy-to-be to be absolutely loved it, which is what really counts. 

Have you ever thrown an event you were really proud of?? 

                                                                    XO, 

                                                                    GG

Hair Trial how-to

Hi there! So as I was getting ready for work this morning I was attempting to do my hair and it was not cooperating with me. Then inspiration hit me, why not try a braid? I have always been relatively handy with doing my own hair and I wear a braid every once and awhile. But I decided to step out of my relative braid comfort zone and attempt a braid wreath. Apparently this is a big trend for fall and I wanted to see if I could replicate it.   

Inspiration is Scar Jo. 

I think it actually turned out really cute and I got a TON of compliments on it. We are having dinner with friends this evening and I think I'm going to continue to rock it then! I attached a little tutorial for those of you who want to brave it also.

1. Do a regular French braid across the top of your head. Starting as far over as you can. 

2. Continue the braid down the side of your head and then all down the bottom of your head. 

3. Make a long ponytail of a braid down the opposite side of your head. 

4. Turn the braid and pin it back up to the top of your head to complete the braid. Tuck it up under the top braid and secure with bobby pins. 

                             I'd love to hear your feedback if you try it!! Good luck! 

                                                                   Xo,

                                                                   GG 

Bean Town!

I had the opportunity to visit a good friend in Boston and wanted to share a few details from our trip. We visited a lot of the historic landmarks in the city such as bunker hill, the site of the Boston massacre and Paul Reveres home. I had no idea that Boston was such a walking-friendly city, it's great! 

We saw so many sites in Boston, some of my favorites included the infamous Cheers, Harvard and drinks at the Liberty Hotel.  The hotel is an old jail, converted into 3 different bars and as well as hotel rooms. 


We also had some amazing seafood meals! Boston's food was delicious. We had dinner at one of the best seafood restaurants in Boston, Legal Seafood.  It was right on the water and we were even treated to fire works while we were eating.

I can't wait to visit the East Coast again soon!

Has anyone been to Boston? What were some of your favorite things? 

XO, 

Gilded Girl