blonde bedhead

Blowfish Shoes Giveaway!

2012-02-09T17:47:00.000-05:00

Want the chance to pick out a pair of cute shoes, your choice from Blowfish Shoes? I thought you might. All you have to do is like Blowfish Shoes on Facebook and leave a comment letting me know! For additional entries, you can also follow Blowflish Shoes on Twitter and/or share the giveaway on either Facebook or Twitter! Please leave a comment for each entry. The giveaway ends Sunday, February 19 at 9 p.m. EST. Goodluck!

I have two giveaway winners to announce! First up is the PB&J shoe giveaway winner:

And the giveaway winner of the $25 La Redoute voucher is:

Please email me to claim your prize!

Cruella

2012-02-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

Instead of wearing this outfit on a date or night out with friends where it may have been most suitable, I wore it on Super Bowl Sunday. It's just when I pick up something new that I love, I have to wear it immediately, which is why I'm looking and feeling regal in this vintage fur stole. I resembled Cruella Deville a bit, especially rocking the faux bob, thanks to the B Jones Style tutorial.

[sheer striped top from Complex, jeans c/o J Brand, vintage fur stole, leather jacket and skull ring by BCBG, heels c/o Nine West, necklace c/o Natalie Joy, gold and sapphire ring from Grandma, gold ring c/o JewelMint, bag by Rebecca Minkoff]

My new Natalie Joy necklace!

Photos by Kat Cooper

S. Lafayette

2012-02-06T09:00:00.003-05:00

Once I spotted this chevron dress on Tieka's blog a while back, I've been pining over it. And now I've finally been able to borrow it! Since I have a finite time with the dress, I've been making most of my time with it and wore this outfit to work last week and to shop on Saturday. I added a blue skirt over the dress since it's pretty short and another pop of color with the vintage red bag. I was a little inspired by my gorgeous friend Karyn and created a look that was a mix of me and something I could see her wearing.
I visited my friend, Erin in Detroit on Saturday and we shopped our little hearts out. From the Rust Belt Market in Ferndale to boutiques in Royal Oak and Birmingham, we made our rounds to our favorite spots in the sunshine which was a nice change from the gloom and snow that disappeared last week.

[chevron dress worn as top borrowed from Selective Potential via Delightful Dozen, blue skirt from American Apparel, shoes from Zara, bag by Chanel, necklace and bracelet c/o T+J Designs, Bonnie and Clyde glasses c/o Bonlook, thigh highs c/o Philippe Matignon, watch by Fossil]

It took me looking back at these photos to realize my friend Erin lied to me when she said the lines were straight and center on the back of my new sheer thigh highs.

$150 Beso Gift Card Giveaway!

2012-02-02T11:00:00.001-05:00

Want to win your shopping list on Beso up to $150 value? Now is your chance! To enter this $150 Beso giveaway:

1. Create an account with Beso

2. Create a collection. For inspiration, see mine! (tip: shop items and click the + button to add to new collection)

3. Leave a comment with the link to your collection

For a second entry, please share a link of the giveaway on Facebook or Twitter and leave a second comment. Giveaway is open to U.S. readers 18 years old and older only. Giveaway ends on Thursday, February 9 at 9 p.m. EST.

Boots With The

2012-02-01T09:00:00.001-05:00

[dress and jacket from H&M, shoes c/o Blowfish, bag by Chanel, gold bracelet c/o Kristin Hassan, snake ring c/o Courtney Kaye, gold ring from my Grandma, vintage necklace]

Shift dresses are my favorite. For years, they've provided me enough room to overeat throughout the day and maintain a high level of comfort. This time, I winterized the shift dress with some faux fur boots, basic jacket and some gold accessories, perfect for a day at work last week.

I bought the jacket from H&M which was coincidentally last summer on probably the hottest, most humid days in Chicago and I knew I had to snatch it up even though everyone else was purchasing bathing suits. I usually can't think beyond what I need in the moment and am never the type to buy Christmas decorations the day after Christmas or buy anything out of season. Yet, this $29 coat yearned for my purchase and so I succumbed and am thankful six months later I have a super basic jacket to throw on.

Snow Day

2012-01-30T09:00:00.001-05:00

I spent the first half of last Saturday shopping with my friend Erin and becoming reacquainted with the winter I haven't really experienced since last year. It was so snowy and miserable and then suddenly it was sunny and nice out. It just plays with my emotions.

[Collective Concepts sheer top c/o Indeeyo, denim jacket by J Crew, coat from Zara, pants c/o J Brand, sunglasses from Urban Outfitters, bag by Rebecca Minkoff, belt from American Apparel, snake ring c/o Courtney Kaye]

Clearly, the cold, wintery day also called for a sheer top which I added underneath the layers of jackets. I really liked the gold buttons and the mauve color. I know it will be a versatile addition to my closet.

Polka Dots and Print

2012-01-26T09:00:00.000-05:00

[cardigan from Forever 21, pants and shoes from Zara on sale, vintage necklace from Local Honey in Nashville, bag by Rebecca Minkoff, sunglasses by Banana Republic, leather bracelet c/o Kristin Hassan, snake ring c/o Courtney Kaye, fur stole from Archives Vintage]

There is the rare occasion I feel excited to style something a little more feminine and polished and this was the case when I attended an event filled with legislators and other decision makers for work this past week.
I usually say, "fuck dress pants," but this particular pair from Zara are cute and add the fact they were on sale, I was sold! I picked up another pair in black and now I've hit my dress pant quota for the next couple years. Out of curiosity, is there anything you usually abhor but have come around to enjoy wearing?

Shoe Giveaway from PB&J!

2012-01-24T11:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Tuesday! Thanks to PB&J Boutique, they are offering my readers one of the shoes I selected below! You have your choice of the Seychelles bootie, Poetic Licence heel or the Zigi NY boots! To enter, please leave a comment stating which shoe you'd choose. For a second entry, tweet or share the giveaway on Facebook and leave a second comment indicating where you shared the giveaway. For a third entry, like PB&J on Facebook. The giveaway end will end on Sunday, February 5 at 9 p.m. EST. And if you can't wait for the giveaway to end, hop over there and check out their huge selection--always free shipping and returns!

Lady in Red

2012-01-23T09:00:00.001-05:00

Not much to say beyond I like red and leopard print. And here they are combined. I wore this outfit last month to my friend, Courtney's party and have found this dress to be perfect for work. It's vibrant and fun and doesn't take much effort to style.
I've been exhausted from moving this past weekend, but I'm ecstatic about my new place. It's a two bedroom apartment all to myself where my clothes and shoes have all the space in the world to inhabit.

[dress from Francesca's Closet, leopard print shawl from Merl Kinzie, Christian Siriano for Payless pumps c/o Payless Shoes, bag by Marc Jacobs, watch by Fossil}

Photos by Melissa Wozny

Karyn

2012-01-20T10:00:00.001-05:00

Ever since meeting Karyn of Dethrose Vintage last spring, I've been enamored by her. She's strikingly beautiful and she'll be embarrassed I said that, but it's a fact. And she has such a great style I admire.
I love her classy, ladylike, signature looks and every time I'm around her I learn more about her passion for vintage that stretches beyond her shop and into every facet of her life, making almost everything have some sort of interesting story. I mean, I can say "I got that from Ikea." or "I found that in a clearance bin at Target." while she hunts through estate sales and unassuming places searching for and discovering treasures. I feel like a child listening to a bed time story when she talks about her career in selling vintage.

(From her velvet dress to leopard print coat to fur hat, everything vintage)

For more photos, visit my flickr page! So many more over there!

Dolled Up

2012-01-18T08:00:00.001-05:00

I never got a chance to photograph what I wore on New Years Eve, so here it is! I had no idea what I wanted to wear that night and after trying on so many outfits, I settled on this little mesh dress. This style embodies what I like to wear for a night out. I'm never a show-my-cleavage kind of gal, I'd rather be covered up in something more form fitting. Even though the dress is incredibly tight, the layer of mesh over it helped camouflage areas I'm not comfortable with.

This is the jacket I wish I could have worn, but it was too damn warm in Nashville. I'll have to sport this look again soon with the right jacket now that I'm back in the wintery midwest.

{Rubber Ducky Don't Mesh With Me Dress c/o Lulu's, coat from Zara, watch by Fossil, red enamel ring c/o Raquelle Bianco, skull ring from BCBG, gold ring from mom's jewelry box, heels c/o Nine West, bag by Marc Jacobs]

Madison

2012-01-16T08:00:00.001-05:00

A month ago, Amy of Chicago Street Style needed to snap some photos with this Michael Kors bag and I'm always down to be photographed by Amy. The bag went perfectly with the outfit I was wearing to shop in, so I quickly swapped out the vintage Chanel bag I was using to this hefty bag and I loved how the photos turned out.
I also thought it was perfect timing to share these photos right outside my old apartment on Madison where I could look out my window to Harpo Studios and see the pretty buildings of downtown Chicago everyday on my way to work. I've really enjoyed my time in Chicago, but it's time for me to pack up and go! I've accepted a new position that takes me back to Michigan. I'm really going to miss my friends and my co-workers at Band Digital, but the timing was perfect for me to return to the government agency I very much enjoyed working at and this time, with much more responsibility as the chief communications officer. I plan on being back in the windy city a lot though, friends!

[top by Ezra, DL1961 jeans c/o LYCRA/DL1961, shoes by Steve Madden, fur stole from Archives Vintage, borrowed Michael Kors bag, leather jacket by BCBG]

Wolverine

2012-01-11T09:00:00.002-05:00

Admittedly, I wore this outfit to work last Friday and loved it so much, I wore it the next day to grab cupcakes with my friends Courtney and Ben. As usual, they had some witty responses to my outfit, my favorite, "You look like Wolverine's sister." Since I love X-Men, I took it as a compliment and wore it proudly the rest of the day during the unseasonably warm weather.
I've been wearing this jean jacket a lot with this warmer weather and I feel like my dad but with less crazy hair and tattoos. I swapped it from Kendi of Kendi Everyday and I can't figure out why she would ever give this up! I layered it over my absolutely favorite shirt, a vintage Levi's plaid shirt I snagged from Lisa of Archives Vintage. Thank you, my fellow bloggers for contributing to this outfit, one of my most comfortable and favorite this winter.

[vintage Levi's plaid shirt from Archives Vintage, jeans c/o J Brand, jacket by J Crew swapped from Kendi Everyday, faux fur vest c/o Rachel Rachel Roy, Jeffrey Campbell boots c/o Lori's Shoes, beaded bracelets c/o Misfits, watch c/o Kenneth Cole, rings from Banana Republic and BCBG, bag by Marc Jacobs]

Me and my five chins jumping down from the ledge

Heart It Races

2012-01-09T09:00:00.001-05:00

I wore this when I was in Michigan for work. Nothing like strutting down the halls of a corporate office in a pair of snakeskin heels! I picked up this basic cream dress last month and I really like its versatility. Nothing about it is particularly special, but it's easy to style in so many ways. I picked up the vintage necklace in Nashville and you can see my tattoo a little bit in the photo below, which I also got in Nashville!

[dress from Francesca's Closet, BB Dakota jacket c/o Lulu's, snakeskin heels c/o Lori's Shoes, bag by Marc Jacobs, serpent ring c/o Courtney Kaye, watch by Fossil, gold ring borrowed from Mom, vintage necklace from Local Honey, bracelet from Forever 21]

A Trip to Nashville

2012-01-08T12:40:00.000-05:00

There's a tiny piece of me that's spontaneous. And as spontaneous as I can get is planning a trip to Nashville weeks in advance with a tentative itinerary for the New Years weekend.
Merl of Clyde's Rebirth and Karyn of Dethrose Vintage joined me on this little adventure and I have to say, I've had the most fun I've had in quite some time. Both of these girls are intimidatingly beautiful and absolutely hilarious and I'm so glad we got to spend a weekend together laughing and having fun drooling over every man with a beard near us!

This basically describes our time together, just absolute ridiculousness.

Quincy of Q's Daydream Vintage met up with us for coffee at Frothy Monkey and showed us around to some great vintage shops. She was genuinely sweet and it was fun watching Quincy and Karyn meet each other, instant friends in real life after knowing each other through the blogging world!

And I got a tattoo!

A few instagrams from the trip

Our first night out, we explored East Nashville with my friend Chandra and her friend Sarah.

The gorgeous Chandra. We stayed with her and her cute pup Walter.

My tattoo!

red + sparkle pants

2012-01-05T09:00:00.003-05:00

A little late, but this was my outfit from Christmas day. I've worn similar variations since I've become quite obsessed with the red heels and the red top I picked up from Zara on a whim last month. I was over-wearing my leather pants and so when J Brand sent me this sparkly beauty of a pant, I was excited for another alternative to wear!

I've been a busy bee with some travel for work, visiting family and then my trip to Nashville for New Years. I'm happy to say I'm doing no long distance driving for a week and a half! Now I have to get caught up on my blog reading, I definitely need some inspiration.

[top by Zara, sparkle pants c/o J Brand, heels c/o Nine West, fur scarf from Archives Vintage, bag by Rebecca Minkoff, sunglasses and ring by Banana Republic, bracelet c/o Kristin Hassan]

If you have a moment and want to win a Valentine's Day prize package in Chicago (a ton of cool shit!) visit my friend Logan's blog, My Mansformation and submit your sweet dude who you think might need a Valentine's Day Mansformation!

$25 La Redoute Gift Card Giveaway!

2012-01-03T14:00:00.003-05:00

Starting 2012 with a giveaway! La Redoute, a French fashion retailer, is offering my readers a $25 voucher to shop their site, where I found a slew of great accessories, a few of my favorite below. In the meantime, feel free to shop the La Redoute sale! To enter, please leave me a comment with an email to contact you. Giveaway is open worldwide until January 10 at 9 p.m. CST.

And congrats to the $100 Burlington Coat Factory gift card winner, Gina!

JcPenney+Chictopia Trendsetters

2012-01-02T11:07:00.001-05:00

As one of the JcPenney Holiday Ambassadors, I had fun scouring Chictopia for my favorite looks consisting of JcPenney. I found Natalie of Like Fresh Laundry and she killed it! Find her on Chictopia! I also loved this look and this look.

My Little Appaloosa

2011-12-29T09:00:00.000-05:00

I wore this last weekend on my drive home to my mom's and to visit my old show horse, Cissy who now lives a life of eating and pooping in the back yard. I've always had a special bond with this nut of a horse, most likely because she's just as neurotic as I am.

I've been adding this vintage fur scarf to almost everything since I picked it up from Archives Vintage a month ago. Is that what this is called? Anyways, it makes me feel regal even when I throw it over this jacket picked up from a clearance section.

[Jacket by Ecote, checkered top from Urban Outfitters (4 years ago), jeans c/o J Brand, Jeffrey Campbell boots c/o Lori's Shoes, purple belt from H&M, sunglasses and ring from Banana Republic, watch from Fossil beaded bracelet c/o 31 Bits, vintage fur from Archives Vintage, necklace c/o JewelMint, skull ring by BCBG]

$100 Deux Lux Giveaway!

2011-12-27T08:00:00.008-05:00

Need a little post-Christmas present? Enter the $100 Deux Lux voucher giveaway! Deux Lux bags range from glamorous to edgy and of course ethical, as most of the designs are created using animal-friendly synthetics. The giveaway is open to U.S. readers only. Comment to enter. Giveaway will close on January 8 at 8 p.m. CST. The voucher is valid through March 31.
Added bonus: Through December 28th, you have a chance to snag the perfect bag through Refinery29. Spend $50, and you'll receive $100 in credit - with plenty of options under $100, you're bound to find the perfect gift for yourself or a lucky friend!

And the $50 Pure Collection Giveaway Winner is Holly Dolly!

Home With The Dogs

2011-12-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

Since I've been back at my parent's, I've spent a lot of time with all the animals, catching up with my youngest brother and making my mom take my outfit photos. I wore this particular look on Christmas Eve, which was a low key day of baking, grabbing dinner at a chain restaurant and listening to the bickering of my aunt and cousin which makes any holiday complete. I have a pretty small family, but the ones I have are the most amusing. I find myself jotting down notes of funny things that happen and/or texting them to Merl.

I have a little obsession with faux fur and I loved how one of my vests looked when I tested it out over this coat. Voila, instant extra warmth and that pimp factor I occassionally love to add in my looks. I've also starting trying this new bun hairstyle I learned from Veronika's messy bun tutorial. So. Easy! It requires an elastic band and only two bobby pins to hold my hair!

[tee c/o StyleMint, faux fur jacket by Kristen Blake, pants from Zara, BB Dakota coat c/o Burlington Coat Factory, glasses from Warby Parker, bag by Marc by Marc Jacobs, boots c/o Kelsi Dagger, necklace by Merl Kinzie]

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T12:42:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas from Beau, Lily, Zoe and Shasta!

Distressed

2011-12-22T09:00:00.000-05:00

I always like when people pair jeans with a bit of distress with a fancy top and I thought this balance was perfect for dinner with Tieka of Selective Potential when I was back in Michigan a couple weeks ago for work. I wore this to work with black pants and changed into more cozy jeans before dinner. I forgot I had these but after digging through drawers I re-discovered them. More photos are over at Delightful Dozen, go check 'em out!

[vintage top swapped for Delightful Dozen via Style and Pepper, vintage blazer, jeans by Levi's, heels by BCBG, necklace by Merl Kinzie, leather bracelet c/o The Brooklyn Bakery, beaded bracelet c/o 31 Bits]

$100 Gift Card Giveaway to Burlington Coat Factory!

2011-12-20T10:08:00.000-05:00

I accepted the $100 Style Challenge from Burlington Coat Factory this past weekend and headed to the closest store to find an outfit perfect for a holiday occasion. Since I'm literal, I was on the hunt for a red dress and I scored this pretty red wine colored sweater dress, the BB Dakota camel-colored coat and grey Guess mary-janes that I thought created a cozy, holiday look perfect for my family's laidback gatherings.

And for the giveaway: by commenting, you'll automatically be entered into the $100 gift card giveaway, but additional entries are available through liking Burlington on Facebook or following on Twitter. There are up to three entries per person. Please leave separate comments for each entry. The giveaway ends on Tuesday, January 3, 2012! Good luck!

[BB Dakota coat $39.99, knit sweater $14.99 and Guess mary-janes $39.99 total: $84.97 c/o Burlington Coat Factory, thigh highs from American Apparel, watch by Fossil, sunglasses by Banana Republic, ring c/o Poshlocket, beaded bracelet c/o 31 Bits, clutch by Tylie Malibu]

Photos by Becky Johns who interestingly enough works for an agency whose client is Burlington Coat Factory. It only made sense she took these particular photos. Thanks, Becky!

Weekend in Photos

2011-12-19T09:00:00.001-05:00

Weee! I'm finally in possession of an iPhone and my dreams of quickly and quite simply over-editing photos has finally come true! My username is @andreakerbuski, the same as my Twitter handle. I feel as if I always miss fun moments since I'm too lazy to drag my Nikon D700 with me everywhere and now that I have this handy dandy iPhone I've been snapping away like crazy!

Above: Downtown Chicago for lunch last Friday
Below: Jill sets up the ornaments at the BYOOB "Bring Your Own Ornament and Booze" party at work

My new Kelsi Dagger boots!

Merl of Clydes Rebirth and kitty Clyde before our Saturday night adventures

A boring highlight of my week? Getting my roots touched up. Hooray!

All in all, last week was good.

$25 Poshlocket Gift Card Giveaway!

2011-12-16T09:00:00.001-05:00

Poshlocket, an online fashion jewelry shop, is offering one of my readers a $25 gift card to their store! To enter, either like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter or join their mailing list and then leave a comment to let me know if you liked them on Facebook, Twitter or joined their mailing list. For a second entry, please share the giveaway on Twitter or Facebook and leave a second comment. Open to U.S. readers only. Giveaway closes on December 26 at 9 p.m. CST.

Shop Til I Drop

2011-12-14T09:00:00.002-05:00

I always procrastinate when it comes to Christmas shopping and this year I vowed to get it done in advance. Mission: Accomplished. My friend Courtney and I shopped together a couple weekends ago and both paired with an aversion to long lines, appreciation of quick decision-making and a mutual impatience, we quickly shopped and got the hell out of there in a snap. My kind of shopping!
It was a surprisingly warmer day where a cardigan and faux fur vest provided enough warmth and these Ninewest red heels added a little pop of color, but were comfortable to walk in for a day of shopping and an event that evening at Lori's Shoes.

[red shoes c/o Nine West, bracelet c/o T+J Designs, cardigan and gold bracelet from Forever 21, faux fur vest c/o Rachel Rachel Roy, necklace by Merl Kinzie, pants by BDG, bag by Marc by Marc Jacobs]

Frostbitten

2011-12-12T09:00:00.001-05:00

I needed a little pick me up at work last week and instead of throwing on the typical boots and leather jacket, I opted for a pretty pink blouse with a gold sequined collar, leopard shoes, a faux fur coat and my new old Chanel bag. It was cold as shit, but worth the cold feet to prance around this at work and again this past weekend when I hit up a vintage sale where I found the most perfect leopard shawl from Merl Kinzie and a fur stole from Archives Vintage.

[blouse swapped from Keiko, faux fur coat c/o JcPenney, pants by BDG, belt by American Apparel, leopard print wedges by Sam Edelman c/o Lori's Shoes, vintage bag by Chanel via eDrop-Off, leather gloves by Lauren Ralph Lauren, sunglasses c/o Send the Trend]

Photos by the lovely Amy Creyer of Chicago Street Style

Payless Style Remix Day Two

2011-12-10T13:03:00.000-05:00

The second day in NYC for the Payless Style Remix last week was beyond amazing! We spent the morning meeting Lela Rose and touring her beautiful home in Tribeca, where tables came out of the ceiling and floor and a monopoly house shaped elevator designed specifically for the dog actually exists. Every inch of the home was interesting! We also got a sneak peek at the spring 2012 shoe line. Patterns, textures, color--they are very pretty shoes just as Lela Rose intended them to be.

Lela taking us through her large, large closet!

Next stop was at the Payless Design Studio where we met Pat Field, designer and stylist, well-known for her role as costume designer for Sex and the City. She's so cool, genuine and down to earth. We sat down and chatted with her about her experiences in fashion and listened to her stories from throughout her career. Payless also hosted a mini swap where I snagged some cute tops from the other girls and we styled them up using the shoes and accessories from Payless.

Photos at the Payless Design Studio by Don Bowers/Getty Images
For an even better recap, visit Kim's blog!
Thank you again to Payless for organizing such an incredible event! And thank you to Christian Siriano, Lela Rose and Pat Field for taking time to meet with us!

$50 Pure Collection Gift Card Giveaway!

2011-12-09T09:00:00.001-05:00

Pure Collection, an online shop, is offering my readers a $50 gift card! From beautiful capes to cashmere winter hats to ladies jumpers at Pure Collection has it all! Just comment with your email for a chance to win the $50 gift card! Giveaway closes on December 18 at 9:00 p.m. CST. Good luck!

Streets of Tribeca

2011-12-07T08:30:00.000-05:00

With a penchant for leather and unflattering sweaters, I naturally paired the two and found that the knit sweater, leather pants and platform boots created the perfect look to meet Lela Rose and Pat Field and saunter around NYC in. Kim and I snapped photos real quick while loitering outside of Lela Rose's home. Such a cute neighborhood! Stay tuned for some photos from the rest of the Payless Style Remix tomorrow!

[sweater from H&M, BB Dakota leather pants and Jeffrey Campbell boots c/o Lori's Shoes, leather bracelet c/o the Brooklyn Bakery, necklace from Merl Kinzie, bag by Rebecca Minkoff, cuff from Forever 21, ring from Banana Republic]

Photos by Kim!

Blue & Gold

2011-12-05T08:30:00.000-05:00

I wore this outfit last Wednesday when I was in New York City! I love when I'm around bloggers because I can wear a combination of anything sequined, bright colors and outrageous shoes and it's perfectly acceptable among my fashionable peers! It's not that crazy, but a little more dressed up than I typically am. As much as I love Chicago, I feel like I'd have a more difficult time finding a place to wear this to. Probably because if I do go out it's to a dive bar or the place down the street that sells tacos for $1.25.

I fell in love with the color of this skirt and really liked the length and pleats. I've been pairing it with a lot of loose, oversized sweaters, but thought this snazzy sequined one brought it up a notch for this particular event for Payless Style Remix.

[faux fur jacket by Liz Claiborne c/o JcPenney, skirt from American Apparel, sequined top and Jeffrey Campbell shoes c/o Lori's Shoes, necklace by Merl Kinzie, ring from Banana Republic]

Payless Style Remix & Christian Siriano

2011-12-04T11:10:00.000-05:00

You know when you're so excited about something and you have so much to say you're left kind of speechless? That's how I'm feeling following the couple days I spent in New York City with Payless for the Payless Style Remix and with a group of bloggers I adore and respect. The experience was such a whirlwind and so surreal!
The fun began with a welcome gathering at the Ace Hotel, a trendy boutique in Midtown Manhattan where we were also staying. It was an intimate gathering including Katy of Sugar Laws, Kendi of Kendi Everyday, Jessica of What I Wore, Kim of Eat Sleep Wear and Keiko of Keiko Lynn, ladies from Payless and gasp, Christian Siriano! It was just a low-key, fun way to get to know/reunite with my fellow blogger friends and meet Christian.

Some of the lovely ladies with Payless

Later that night, Morgan and Kim came to my room to visit and because we're incredibly mature, I pulled out the mini keg and bottles of liquor from the fridge and we goofed around with my camera. We later jumped on the bed in our pjs in celebration of such a wondrous night.

I loved my hotel room and I was overwhelmed with the amount of space I had! Two beds and so much space, I wish I could invite everyone over for a slumber party! Last time I stayed in NYC all I could afford was a 50 square foot closet-sized room with a twin bed that I shared with Tieka.

All in all, it was a fabulous night.

A Day Walk in Night Walks

2011-11-30T08:39:00.001-05:00

I had been pining for these Jeffrey Campbell Night Walk shoes from Lori's for weeks and finally, they are in my possession! People have asked, "Dear God, how do you walk in those?" And my reply has been quite simply, it's magic. They're designed to be walkable. I even hopped a low fence in these and skipped through puddles for these photos. I had a mini race with someone at work to prove to them they are both awesome and functional, which brings to me to where I wore them this week: work.

I work at an advertising agency where people are more than welcome to express themselves in any way possible whether it's funky blue tights or a Miller Lite logo button up, people wear anything and everything. I thought the best way to balance these shoes for work would be through a camel colored pant and a thick grey turtleneck--very neutral and unassuming.

[top from Zara, pants and cuff from Forever 21, shoes c/o Lori's Shoes, jacket by BCBG, ring from Banana Rebublic, glasses from Warby Parker, leather bracelet c/o the Brooklyn Bakery, beaded bracelet c/o 31 Bits]

Photos by Becky Johns

Home

2011-11-28T09:00:00.001-05:00

Home. It's always been a somewhat awkward place for me to return to for the holidays. My values and worldview are so drastically different from everyone else in my family, but it's always good to see them and catch up.
I wore a pretty little pink dress on Thanksgiving, but I would have fit in more if I wore my lumberjack look from the previous week. I've had a hard time styling this dress since it's shrunk in length so much, but I figured I could squeeze one more wear out of it at a family holiday function. I added black boots to make my Thanksgiving look a little more casual. What do you like to wear for holiday family functions?

[dress and cuff from Forever 21, cape c/o Marshalls, hat by Deena and Ozzy, boots c/o MIA Shoes, ring by Banana Republic]

Giveaway Winners!

2011-11-26T15:07:00.000-05:00

I'm playing catch up on my giveaway winners and I have two giveaway winners to announce. The winner of the $50 gift card to Fashion at Bank is Anna!

The winner of The Paraders Vintage $50 store credit is Chrissy!

Congrats to both winners!

Amy

2011-11-23T09:00:00.001-05:00

It's always refreshing to see the amazing outfits Amy of Chicago Street Style styles. We hung out for a bit a couple weeks ago during the Eugenia Kim trunk show and as always, I had some fun snapping photos of her. I love how she's not afraid of color, various patterns or textures and just has fun with fashion. She has such a passion for her photography and fashion, it puts my feeble efforts to shame. She's also getting so comfortable on the other side of the lens, it's been fun to watch her evolve and enjoy herself and not take herself to seriously in her photos. The best photos are always the ones filled with action like the last photo! Check out her street style blog, Chicago Street Style!

[Vintage Pendleton Blazer, BCBG denim shirt, Cynthia Rowley printed tee shirt, Gap gifted burgundy corduroys, Celine boots from FW10 collection, Handmade necklace at Beadniks, We Are Owls scarf, Vintage jaguar pin, sunglasses c/oRay Bans]

Lumberjack

2011-11-21T09:00:00.000-05:00

This weekend has been a miserable one. I've been sick and somehow managed to take some pictures to document this in an outfit I really like despite my sickly circumstances. It was pretty warm last Saturday so I layered a cozy flannel and a cropped jacket over my sweatshirt with a pair of vintage Levi cut offs and my new boots from MIA. And that's all she wrote.

[boots c/o MIA, shorts by Levi's, men's sweatshirt from surplus Urban Outfitters, flannel c/o Threadsence (from last year), jacket by Zara, hat by BDG, glasses by Warby Parker, beaded pink bracelet c/o 31 bits, bracelets and watch from kie&kate, leather bracelet from an art fair]

Shimmer & Glitter

2011-11-17T08:43:00.002-05:00

Let's be real, I don't often sport sequins and glitter, but I fell in love with this jacket when I spotted it in a couple shops and was so excited when I got to pick it out from Lulu's. I think this jacket could be fun paired with a more colorful outfit, but the way I wear a sequined jacket and shimmery shoes is by dressing the rest of me in muted tones. I paired my dark blue jeans with a navy polka dotted top with hopes it would elongate my 5'4" height with the help of these mary jane heels!

I wore this to dinner with the boyfriend last weekend to a quaint Thai restaurant and then to Target where I stomped down the aisles looking for Poptarts, ice cream and a variety of seasonings. Again, I always tend to wear my sassiest outfits to do some light grocery shopping or some other equally mundane task.

[BB Dakota sequined jacket c/o Lulu's, Steve Madden Viktoree heels c/o Lori's Shoes, top from Pitaya, pants c/o J Brand, bracelets c/o Misfits, rings from Poshlocket and my grandma]

Meeting Eugenia Kim

2011-11-15T09:41:00.000-05:00

I was ecstatic to meet Eugenia Kim last weekend at p45 and was delighted to see Emma of Tres Awesome (who took the photo above) and Audrey of A Lovely Escape already there. It was a mini blogger meet up!
The three of us had a couple minutes to talk to Eugenia about her start in fashion. And it's definitely an interesting story. She was going to school at Parsons where she was currently taking a millinery class and working at Allure Magazine. After a bad hair cut, she designed a hat to cover her shaved head and it didn't take long for New York City boutiques to inquire about her hat and her business started and grew exponentially from there! I asked her who she was most excited to see wear her hat or buy her hats and while she doesn't seem to care too much about celebrity, she was thrilled when Jennifer Lopez sported her hat and when Madonna ordered 25!

We played dress up with her hats and I really loved the red hat in the photo above. I also loved the leopard print berets, which I'm adding to my wish list.

Audrey!

A Perfect Fall Day

2011-11-14T09:00:00.005-05:00

I made the most of Chicago's perfect fall day last Saturday and ran around in a cozy jacket, a new faux fur vest and dress to meet hat designer Eugenia Kim during her trunk show. She was at p45, a boutique in Bucktown, where I also ran into some lovely Chicago bloggers. I'll be sharing some photos from that tomorrow!

[jacket by Ecote, dress from Pitaya, faux fur vest from Marshall's, Jeffrey Campbell boots c/o Lori's Shoes, bracelets c/o JCP and Missfits, skull rings by BCBG, necklace c/o Jewelmint, bag by rebecca minkoff]

Step Into Style

2011-11-13T15:33:00.001-05:00

My favorite ladies Tabitha of Defining Tabitha, Emily of Sartoriography, Lisa of Archives Vintage and Merl of Clyde's Rebirth met up at the Step Into Style event, hosted by Sorel and Daily Candy. I was really excited to also finally meet Grace of Money Smart Fashion! She happened to be in town last Thursday, which was perfect timing to meet some of the other Chicago bloggers. There were so many treats and champagne, my favorite kind of event! I also love a photobooth so naturally we ended up taking a million goofy photos, which are now decorating my desk at work.

Me, Trisha from Daily Candy and Tabitha

Cupcakes from Sprinkles!

My fave boots!

50% Off Jewelmint Jewelry!

2011-11-11T09:00:00.001-05:00

Need some new, affordable pieces of jewelry? Check out Jewelmint to find cute pieces tailored to your style under $30. For your first purchase at Jewelmint, enjoy 50% off using the code "chicago884" courtesy of the MBA Chicago team. Below are a few of my current favorites!

Jubilee

2011-11-09T08:00:00.004-05:00

I wore this yesterday to work. It's unfortunate I didn't have a client meeting because beyond a trip to Starbucks, I just sat at my desk all day and since it was rainy, I couldn't frolic outside after work, which as you know, is how I get home. I frolic. Jupe Boutique let me pick out this pretty dress and to make it more Andrea, I added black wedge boots and an American Living cotton moto jacket and a statement necklace. I was concerned for a moment of how to style it with it becoming colder, but the dress was actually super easy to style once I started trying on jackets and sweaters over it!
If you're interested in the dress or other cute items at Jupe, use the code "BEDHEADSBEST" for 20% off an item until 11/25!

[Dress c/o Jupe Boutique, rings c/o Poshlocket, DV boots and necklace c/o Lori's Shoes, jacket c/o American Living, bracelets c/o Kristin Hassan]

I'm excited to announce that along with nine other bloggers, I will be a JC Penney ambassador! Users on Chictopia can post their looks that contain at least one item from JCP on Chictopia and on the Chictopia forum and earn badges that the JCP ambassadors will give out that translate to chic points which of course translates to chic rewards aka free stuff! More info will be available next Monday here. EE so excited!

The other nine bloggers are:

Shop My Closet!

2011-11-09T00:00:00.004-05:00

Since I have my eye on new handbags and shoes, I need to make room in my closet for new ones! If interested, please email me at kerbuski@gmail.com. PayPal payment preferred. More photos can be provided if needed.

SOLD Marc by Marc Jacobs bag, straps are worn and some stains on the inside of the bag. A very loved bag over the past two years! $100 + shipping

Badgley Mischka bag, blue stains from rubbing on denim, $75 + shipping

Gap dark brown leather jacket, size extra small, $50 + shipping

SOLD Impo brown oxford heels, size 8.5, $15 + shipping

SOLD Jessica Simpson Dany heel, size 8, $40 + shipping

SOLD DBDK faux suede boots, size 8.5 , $25 plus shipping

Holy Hair

2011-11-08T22:37:00.000-05:00

Found this old photo on photobooth I took when I was bored and brushing out my hair earlier in the year. For some reason I like it even though the brushed out look was precisely why I was teased so much in middle school.

A Stroll In The Park

2011-11-07T09:00:00.002-05:00

After driving home from a couple of my favorite vintage shops on Saturday, I saw this open field with a great view of the skyscrapers. What was even more exciting was the free parking surrounding the field. Score! My boyfriend and I stopped here to snap my outfit photos quickly before heading to Merl of Clyde's Rebirth's studio, where she was finishing up her lookbook for some of her new, beautiful pieces of jewelry. After that, we headed to Molly's Cupcakes to meet with a couple friends and ended our night in the suburbs for dinner and a movie. Low key weekends are my favorite. And I feel refreshed and ready for another busy week at work! How was your weekend?!

[cape c/o Marshalls, vintage blouse via Jessie via Delightful Dozen, jodhpurs c/o J Brand, Jeffrey Campbell boots c/o Lori's Shoes, gloves from Macy's, sunglasses by Banana Republic, bag by Rebecca Minkoff]

$50 Gift Card Giveaway to The Paraders Vintage!

2011-11-03T12:38:00.000-04:00

The Paraders is offering one of my readers a $50 store credit to their shop containing everything vintage from the 20s through the 80s. To enter, follow The Paraders blog and leave a comment with you email address. For additional entries: Follow The Paraders on Twitter or Like The Paraders on Facebook or join The Paraders newsletter. Up to four entries! The giveaway will close on November 13 at 9 pm CST. In case you see something you love and gotta have it now, use the code BEDHEAD for 20 percent off!

Winner of the Bumble & Bumble Shampoo and Conditioner Giveaway is Jamie!
Still time to enter the $50 Gift Card to Fashion at Bank!

A Dancing Dress

2011-11-02T09:00:00.000-04:00

Last Friday, I danced my flat ass across the dance floor at one of my favorite bars back in Michigan. And I opted for this long sleeved mini print dress and a pair of my more sensible shoes for the occasion. Photos of improved hair will be in next week's outfit posts!

After seeing these photos, I realized just how white I am and after months of trying to figure out if my old, bright blonde suited my skin tone, I realized I'm pale and should be able to go back to super blonde again. So I did. It doesn't look that much different, I just look a little brighter!

[dress from Asos, Jeffrey Campbell boots c/o Lori's Shoes, necklace c/o jewelmint, bag by marc jacobs]

Lots of Leather

2011-10-31T09:00:00.002-04:00

This is one of my favorite outfits, containing everything I love: leather, a loose tee, boots and shoulder pads! Sometimes I find myself wearing more bold outfits for mundane activities like running to the mall or grabbing a breakfast sandwich just because I put the outfit together and I can't wait to wear it for something more exciting. Beyond running errands, I did grab dinner at one of my favorite restaurants in Lansing on Saturday, Michigan Brewing Company in this before changing into my lame-o Halloween costume.

[jacket by BCBG, tee by Wildfox, leather pants by BB Dakota c/o Lori's Shoes, Jeffrey Campbell boots c/o Lori's Shoes, sunglasses from Zara, dusty rose beaded bracelet c/o 31 Bits, gold bracelet c/o Kristin Hassan]

For Halloween, I dressed up as a cat. Lame I know, and next year I'm going to put more effort into it. My gorgeous friend, Jenn dressed up as Mia Wallace from Pulp Fiction and her hubby dressed up as Vincent Vega while my boyfriend dressed up as a pepper shaker, which he spent two weeks designing and building himself, complete with a hat that actually dispensed pepper.

To see more photos from Halloween, click here!

Featured: Guest Editor at Forever 21!

2011-10-30T09:00:00.000-04:00

Forever 21 challenged me to select one piece from there store, my choice, to style three ways and when I discovered this pretty mini with the long sheer sleeves, I had many ideas of how to wear it before I even tried it on. Visit Forever 21's blog to see the other two ways I styled it!

Halloween Party Details

2011-10-28T09:00:00.001-04:00

Last weekend, my boyfriend's roommate, Jessica, threw a super amazing Halloween party consisting of pumpkin carving, eerie cocktails, delicious food and some really fun people. No detail of the apartment was left without a Halloween touch and I thought it may be inspiring for anyone throwing parties this weekend! She incorporated a lot of flowers, hand-cut bat silhouettes and cobwebs to Halloween-ify their downtown Milwaukee apartment.

Black vodka and orange juice gave a regular screwdriver an eerie appearance perfect for celebrating Halloween.

Don getting a start on his perv pumpkin.

Painted black red roses, candy corn decor and black candles decorated with Halloween candy

A delicious juice drink, the only non-alcoholic beverage for the nurse on call that night!

Don and me!

Eleanor and a mini jack-o-lantern in progress

$50 Fashion at Bank Gift Card Giveaway

2011-10-27T09:00:00.001-04:00

Fashion at Bank, a UK based online boutique, is offering one of my readers a $50 gift card! To enter, please visit Fashion at Bank and select your favorite item and comment letting me know what you're coveting! For an additional entry, share the giveaway on Facebook or Twitter and comment a second time indicating you shared the giveaway. Giveaway ends Sunday, September 6 at 9 pm CST. Open worldwide!

Below are a few of my top dress picks from Bank!

Houndstooth + Leopard

2011-10-26T09:00:00.013-04:00

I wore a similar outfit to this a couple weeks ago on set for one of our clients' holiday videos. With the neutral colors of both the houndstooth jacket and the leopard print sheer blouse, I knew the two patterns would look good together, at least to me!

[leopard print sheer blouse c/o Gianetta, pants by zara, belt and jacket by american apparel, necklace c/o my diva's closet, heels by lucky brand, bracelets c/o kristin hassan]

Anyone excited for Halloween? I don't typically get into ti, but I'm headed back to Lansing, Michigan to visit friends and not be overwhelmed in a big city and have a fun, low key night out on the town. Last year, I applied some crazy eye make up to one eye and called myself Kesha. That's as creative as I get! What will you be?!

Psst--If you're interested in checking out some great jewelry at JewelMint, use code BOCT50 for 50 percent off your first purchase!

Cedar

2011-10-24T09:00:00.002-04:00

I love anything slouchy and comfortable and this poncho fits the bill. I've been wearing it like crazy and wore it again this past weekend to run errands. Boring errands. Think running to the Verizon store kind of errands. Yet, wearing a fun outfit like this and stopping for a treat at a Dairy Queen makes completing boring tasks more bearable.
I completed my day-of-doing-nothing look by adding a faux fur cowl and a pair of black jodhpurs, something I haven't worn in years since my riding days, but are definitely a little more chic than my old leggings. It was the small details from the velvet on the jodhpurs to the tassles on the boots that made this outfit not only cozy, but a stylish alternative to a hoodie and flats, which I have my fair share of sporting on weekends.

[poncho c/o lulu's, boots c/o mia, jodhpurs c/o jbrand, bag by rebecca minkoff, faux fur cowl by bebe, bracelet c/o kristin hassan, sunglasses from banana republic]

P.S., if you have any suggestions on what I should do with my hair next, let me know! I'm in a hair rut and think I just need a different cut, but who knows, maybe I should dye it. I loved having it red, but that shit is high maintenance.

Things I Like!

2011-10-22T11:24:00.000-04:00

I'm coveting everything from polka dots to metallics to bold colors right now! Here are some of my favorite items from my "window shopping"!

1. Polka Dot Top, $58

2. Lace Up Hiking Wedge Booties, $105

3. Red A Line Skirt, $58

4. Floppy Felt Hat, $45.74

5. Leopard Print Boots, $190

6. Evening Encounter Cardigan, $69.99

7. Oryany Bag, $238

Bumble & Bumble Shampoo & Conditioner Giveaway from Verve 360 Degrees!

2011-10-21T09:00:00.001-04:00

Hello lovely readers! I absolutely love Bumble and Bumble products and thanks to Verve 360 Degrees, a Pittsburgh salon, a shampoo and conditioner set can be yours! Just comment on why you like Bumble and Bumble products or why you'd like to try the products to enter. For an additional entry, like them on Facebook or follow on Twitter! Open to Continental U.S. readers only. Giveaway closes on Monday, November 1 at 9 pm CST.

Congrats to Katie for winning the Kristin Hassan bracelet giveaway and Kat for winning the Clarisse Dress giveaway.

Pink

2011-10-20T09:00:00.003-04:00

Mammograms, ladies. Get 'em. And/or breast exams. I don't usually talk in depth about boobies on the blog, but they do have their time and place. With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I thought I should also echo what people say year round: none of us are invincible and we have to take the proper precautions to making sure we're healthy and cancer free!

My outfit was inspired by breast cancer awareness with my pink blouse and a lot of femininity. And a little edge of course with these leather and suede wedges from Lori's. I felt fancy. I wore this last Sunday to brunch with my boyfriend who wore sweatpants and a Michigan Tech hoodie. I wanted to pay for brunch in order to properly play the part of sugar mama.

[high waist jeans c/o j brand, pink blouse by silence + noise, faux fur vest by kristen blake, wedges by dv by dolce vita c/o lori's shoes, choker c/o jewelmint, bag by rebecca minkoff, bracelet c/o kristin hassan]

Visit Komen.org to learn more about breast health and other resources and information.

Photos from Lori's Shoes!

2011-10-18T08:49:00.001-04:00

Here are a few photos from the Lori's Shoes shoot I wanted to share with you!

If you want to shop any of the looks, visit Lori's Shoes and the code BLONDE BEDHEAD will get you 20 percent off that or any other full priced merchandise until October 23.
Photos by David Robert Elliott

Delafield

2011-10-17T09:00:00.003-04:00

I had pondered for a while what I might wear to the October wedding I was attending and thankfully, the perfect dress was revealed to me when Lulu's let me pick out this hunter green dress. The ceremony was outside at a park in Delafield, Wisconsin and so I added a fun leopard print coat to keep warm, simple black heels and a studded clutch. I meant to do something more with my hair, but let's face it, I'm lazy.

The reception took place at the Delafield Hotel, a traditional themed boutique hotel that was the perfect location for a wedding and a great place to stay. Maybe it was because the last hotel I stayed at was in New York City and it was 50 square feet or because it was actually a luxury room with a bathroom the size of my entire Chicago apartment, but I was blown away by the place and how no detail was overlooked.

[dress c/o lulu's, heels by kelsi dagger, leopard print coat from h&m, clutch by tylie malibu, bracelets c/o kristin hassan]

On weddings and other special days, I'm typically less worried about waterproof mascara, but a lip color with staying power during all day events such as weddings. Chanel's rouge double intensite in rose is the best lipstick I've ever used, hands down. I wore more make up than I have in a while adding Smashbox eyeshadow with Rimmel eyeliner and my favorite perfume, Chance by Chanel.

ModCloth Travel Bug Guest Post

2011-10-15T17:26:00.000-04:00

Looking for fun stuff to check out in Chicago? Check out my guest ModCloth Travel Bug post! And see a couple photos of my pretty dress and rockin' red boots from ModCloth1

Behind the Scenes: Lori's Shoes Photoshoot

2011-10-14T09:00:00.001-04:00

I was ecstatic to model some of Lori's Shoes' new apparel and shoes this past week. Since I have hardly any experience beyond a equestrian catalog where I modeled jodhpurs and a riding jacket once as a college student, I was excited, yet nervous as I saw how many people were involved in this production. But the team at Lori's are really some of the coolest people I've met in Chicago. My boyfriend tagged along and made friends with the photographers. I thought the seven hours at the photoshoot might be his own personal hell, but he was all smiles with his Mexican beer in one hand and chips and homemade salsa in the other.

We were actually shooting at the photographer's assistant's apartment. Ed's place was decorated with vintage musical instruments, records and just a variety of interesting things to look at. It reminded me of just how boring my own place is. Even the shelves hung up in my place are still empty even though I've lived in my apartment for half a year now.

David, the photographer, was incredibly meticulous, paying special attention to every detail in his shots and made me feel really comfortable. I know how much of an Awkward Annie I can be and he was able to peel some of that away with the help of Corrie, Caroline and Jared.

I just wanted to say thanks to the team at Lori's. I had an absolute blast! To see a few of photos, they've made their way to the Lori's Shoes homepage! I'll be posting photos from the shoot later this weekend as well! P.S., if you see anything you like that's not on sale already, you can get 20 percent off your purchase using the code, BLONDEBEDHEAD

A New LBD

2011-10-13T09:00:00.005-04:00

I have a closet full of simple black dresses, but this collared dress with the gold buttons will be a new staple. As I start to meet with clients, it means I can no longer wear literally whatever I want like shorts or spiked boots to the office everyday, but something a little more polished and professional, but still my style. That's why I like this dress so much--it's a mix of professional me and casual me!

I added this vintage scarf and leopard print flats to add some color to the American Living dress. I love that it's been a little warmer so I could wear the dress without nylons or tights. I think it looks so much better without them.

[dress c/o american living, leopard print flats by daniblack c/o hsn, vintage scarf c/o veil vision, bag by marc jacobs, sunglasses by rayban, gold bracelet c/o kristin hassan, beaded bracelets c/o missfits]

Anyone have fun plans this weekend? Any fall weddings to attend? That's my plan for the weekend!
And be sure to check out how these other amazing bloggers are styling their American Living pieces they picked out: Sugarlaws, Runway Hippie, The Concrete Catwalk, Kansas Couture, ThinkThruFashion and Like Fresh Laundry!

Bobbi Brown Pretty Powerful & Giveaway

2011-10-12T09:00:00.001-04:00

While I don't feel worthy to enter the Bobbi Brown Pretty Powerful campaign, I know what makes me feel pretty powerful and who in my life I look up to as a pretty powerful woman. Let's face it, I wake up feeling like a troll every morning, but give me mascara to darken my blonde lashes and some lip color, like the Powerful Lip Color I added from the Pretty Powerful Palette in the photo above, and of course, a six inch heel, I'm ready to go. I grew up watching my grandmother apply her make up and I remember being so excited to someday be able to wear a bold lip color that is my grandma's signature look.
For my grandma, I think make up represents something more than adding color to a face, but a transformation from dependence and a lack of control to independence and determination. My grandma was sent to the Philippines as a child, far from her parents in Hawaii and grew up there, laboring on rice farms where luxuries like shoes or make up didn't exist. Later in life, even when she married my grandpa she still had no control over her own life. It wasn't until my grandma was widowed and raising three children as a single mother in a country she didn't speak the language that she finally gained independence, as rough as it was. Despite the circumstances, my grandma learned English, began a stable career and provided for my dad and uncles. She didn't have much of anything for a long time and when I see my grandma apply her lipstick and put on her favorite perfume, I see these small actions as giant leaps toward gaining her independence, control over her own life and that to me, is pretty powerful.

To win the Bobbi Brown Pretty Powerful Palette, please tweet me at @andreakerbuski who inspires you or what makes you feel pretty powerful using the hashtag #prettypowerful. For an additional entry, visit the Bobbi Brown Pretty Powerful web site and vote for your favorite submission and tweet it. The giveaway will end Thursday, October 24 at 9:00 PM CST and is open to U.S. readers only.

I Love Plaid

2011-10-10T09:00:00.001-04:00

I live on a pretty busy road in downtown Chicago and I always wander to some quiet, private area for photos, but this time I worked up the courage to be out front of my apartment. I love the cabs, buses and the city chaos that was happening in the background. It was definitely worth the stares from young families that live in my neighborhood. I wore this outfit on Friday to celebrate Plaidurday and for a while on Saturday. Sometimes I like an outfit so much I wear it two days in a row.
Don and I spent Saturday shopping out in the suburbs and I took him to Kuma's Corner, a metal themed bar/restaurant known for their delicious burgers. He loves metal and we both love burgers. It was sweet. The wait wasn't though. It was 1.5 hours before we were seated and another 35 minutes until we received our food, but it was totally worth it.

[sunglasses c/o send the trend, jacket from zara, shoes from steve madden vintage levi's shirt from archives vintage, truck jeans c/o comfort me, belt by american apparel, necklace c/o jewelmint]

Lust List: Back to Basics Boots and Shoes!

2011-10-07T09:00:00.000-04:00

This fall, I've been wanting understated, chic shoes that are both stylish and practical in neutral tones of black and brown. As I hunt down a few more "everyday shoes", here are a few of my favorites!

1. Steve Madden taupe suede boots, $159.95

2. Boots by Chinese Laundry, $89

3. Platform boots by DV Dolce Vita, $80.44

4. Boots by Wanted Shoes, $49.49

5. Oxfords by Wanted Shoes, $49.99

6. Ankle boots by Seychelles, $79.50

Kristin Hassan Bracelet Giveaway!

2011-10-06T09:00:00.002-04:00

Yay, Chicago designer, Kristin Hassan, is offering one of my lucky readers a bracelet of choice from her new jewelry line. I've been obsessed with my two bracelets, I know you'll love the options she has! To enter, please like the Kristin Hassan Facebook page. For additional entries, follow her on Twitter and/or follow her blog, up to three entries per person! For each like or follow, please leave an additional comment indicating your extra entry. Giveaway is open to U.S. readers only and giveaway closes on Monday, October 17 at 9 p.m. CST.

October Sun

2011-10-05T09:00:00.001-04:00

When in doubt, I always reach for neutrals and a pair of boots. What's your go-to item in your closet?

[choker c/o jewelmint, dress from h&m, jacket c/o ugg, boots c/o blowfish, hat by deena and ozzy, bag by rebecca minkoff, bracelet c/o kristin hassan]

Easily my new favorite piece of jewelry: this gold-plated choker from Jewelmint! I've been wearing it nonstop. It just adds a little more interest to some of my basic outfits.

AND I'm excited to share with you I'm the newest member of the Delightful Dozen! In case you're not familiar, it's a group of 12 bloggers across the U.S. who swap clothes with each other. All these girls have fabulous style and I'm so pumped to style their clothes and see how they style mine!

Apples and Trees

2011-10-03T08:52:00.000-04:00

[top from spotted moth, crocheted vest c/o threadsence, boots c/o ugg, jeans c/o indi, jacket by gap, sunglasses by banana republic]

Indi let me design my own jeans using their fancy jean builder tool a couple months ago and these beauties were soon sent in the mail to me. Every detail from the fabric to stitching thread color, was my decision. Since I live in jeans, it only made sense to design a versatile everyday pair, naturally a dark wash skinny jean made snug the butt area, but more forgiving in the waist, where I typically have the most problems. My flat ass and I are thankful for these jeans.

I wore this on Saturday to an apple orchard outside of Milwaukee! Since I don't like fruit, Don did most of the apple picking at the orchard and I just followed him around with the camera, documenting the day. We picked eight pounds worth of apples, which he'll use to bake an apple pie this week. While I have very little interest in fruit and the outdoors for the most, it was a lot of fun to drive out to the country and spend part of the day outside wandering through apple trees, picking out pumpkins and spending quality time with the boyfriend without the distraction of my phone!

20% off at Lori's Shoes!

2011-10-01T10:12:00.000-04:00

Yippee, my favorite shoe store, Lori's Shoes, is offering my readers 20% off regular priced merchandise (including shoes of course, but apparel, jewelry and accessories!) with the code BLONDEBEDHEAD. Happy shopping and have a great weekend!

A Ladylike Amy

2011-09-30T11:00:00.000-04:00

I was pleasantly surprised by Amy's very lovely and ladylike attire. Since I usually see gwe swooping around for streetstyle photos for her blog, Chicago Streetstyle, I typically see her rocking a casual, but edgy look always with a sweet pair of sneakers. She told me she was inspired by her mother's style circa 1989 when she taught at NYU when she styled this outfit. Her mother obviously had fantastic style to draw inspiration from and Amy pulled off the look flawlessly.

[sweater by Anna Dello Russo x INC, thrifted skirt, vintage pumps by Chloe, ring by Cynthia Rowley, necklace from H&M, sunglasses by RayBan and vintage gold earrings]

Overcast

2011-09-29T08:52:00.000-04:00

From taking the bus in the morning to work, to running back and forth around the office, yesterday called for complete and utter comfort with a look that still says, "I will kick your ass" because you can't be a wuss in advertising. I met up with Amy of Chicago StreetStyle after work and ran across the street by the bean in Millenium Park to snap some pictures.

Tieka brought this maxi dress to the ModSwap in NYC and as I spotted it in her suitcase earlier in the week, I told her I would have to make that mine somehow. As soon as it was tagged and hung up on the garment rack during the event, I snagged that shit and stuffed it in my bag. It's one shouldered with some cute ruffles at the top, but I threw a sweater over top to add warmth and lace up boots to slosh through the many puddles on my walk home.

[dress from threadsence swapped from tieka, top c/o american living, wedge boots c/o wanted shoes, bag by rebecca minkoff, glasses c/o bonlook, bracelet c/o kristin hassan, ring c/o jewelmint, beaded necklaces c/o missfits]

Photos by Chicago Streetstyle

Fall Lust List

2011-09-28T09:00:00.001-04:00

Collage created using TechSmith Snagit

1. Dress by Mink Pink from ModCloth, $109.99

2. Collar Necklace from Lori's Shoes, $36

3. Latte Poncho from Chloe Loves Charlie (15% percent off code: BLONDE), $52

4. Bow Bridge Kennedy bag by Kate Spade, $445

5. Sunglasses from Bonlook, sale $60

6. Boot by Halmanera, $345

7. Loafer by DV by Dolce Vita, $64

Urban Fields

2011-09-26T09:00:00.005-04:00

With a combination of laziness and a profound love for these red pants, I wore them almost all weekend and went from a daytime look to nighttime simply by changing out the shoes on Saturday. I spent that afternoon shopping in Milwaukee, where I wore the Wanted leopard print flats and later switched to my new Steve Madden leopard print boots, which I won from Lulu's at Blogger's Night Out in NYC.
I would normally wear these boots all day, but I'm still in the process of breaking them in and if I'm saying they still hurt you can imagine the pain it's inflicting considering I put my feet through pain each and every day walking miles in heels and I have the callouses to prove it! And with two new amazing pairs of shoes to wear with red pants, I had to sport them both in one day.

[top from kie&kate, belt by american apparel, ring c/o jewelmint, pants from zara, boots c/o lulu's, gold bracelets c/o kristin hassan, red bracelets c/o missfits, jacket by bcbg]

[flats c/o wanted shoes, bag by marc by marc]

A Fancy Dress & A Fancy Dress Giveaway

2011-09-22T09:00:00.002-04:00

I played dress up on Sunday to style this fabulous cocktail dress I picked out from Clarisse. I haven't had an event to wear this little number to, but I've been staring at it in my closet for a couple months and figured out how I would style this when I wear it, most likely sometime this winter when I have more formal events to attend, by more, I mean one that I can think of! I like that the straps are removable, which makes it a little more versatile!
If you're interested in winning a similar version, see the giveaway details at the bottom!

[dress c/o clarisse, bracelets c/o kristin hassan, heels by kelsi dagger, bag by marc jacobs]

If you dig the Clarisse dress like I do, I have it an extra version in black and in a size 4! Just comment with your email to win! I'm wearing it in a size 4 and I'm 5'4" and 125 pounds and it fits perfectly, just to give you a better understanding of what the size fits like. Giveaway ends Tuesday, October 4 at 9 p.m. CST.

Shop My Closet!

2011-09-21T20:05:00.003-04:00

In an effort to reclaim some closet space, I have new items up for sale! Please email me at kerbuski@gmail.com if interested. I accept payment via PayPal and can send more photos if you need more!

Steve Madden platform booties, some scratches on heel, $20+shipping

SOLD Aldo peeptoe wedge boots, size 9, a little destroyed, $10+shipping

Size small dress, tiny tear in sleeve, $15+shipping

SOLD French Connection dress, size small, worn twice! $35+shipping

Lucky Brand clog, 7.5, $25+shipping

SOLD Wedge by Coconuts, size 8, $20+shipping

SOLD BCBG bag, great condition $60+ shipping

Infinity scarf by Free People. $15 + shipping

BCBG purple pumps size 8.5-fair condition--some scratches. $20 + shipping

So Many NYC Photos!

2011-09-20T12:05:00.000-04:00

Here are some random photos throughout the week during Fashion Week! For Fashion's Night Out, I sported a simple, comfortable look complete with Bonlook glasses, leopard print wedges and a leather jacket in the photo above. We took this outside of the Jane Hotel, a historic hotel we stayed at in the meatpacking district. During the early 1900s, sailors stayed in the cabin like rooms and Tieka and I experienced this history in extremely tight quarters. Imagine two girls, suitcases filled with clothes in a 50 square foot room and one twin bed. It was a tight fit, but we made it work!

I was glad to finally meet Keiko at Elie Tahari during Fashion's Night Out. Shit was crazy that night and it really the only stop Tieka and I made.

Jen of Jen Loves Kev snappin' away!

Julie of Orchid Grey is just so stunning!

Amy of Punky Style is so awesome and I loved her dress!

I looked so haggard by the end of Lucky FABB, but I just needed a photo with Alicia of Cheetah Is The New Black

Tieka, Mikhaila of From Aprons to Polkadots, Jen, me, Ashley of Lions Lace Lattes

So wish I had straight hair like Kimberly's so I could do fun colors with my hair!

Helena of Brooklyn Blonde is so incredibly gorgeous and poised! I could stand to learn a few lessons from her!

Kim of Eat Sleep Wear and Marissa of Style Cusp

I had such an amazing time and am glad TechSmith could help me go! I have some products to giveaway soon from them, which are some awesome tools to use for blogs! Weee!

Easy, Breezy Saturday

2011-09-19T09:00:00.001-04:00

My weekend was low key, consisting of a trip to the salon to get my haggard self a hair cut and color followed by a lot of bar food and Redbox rentals. I've been looking forward to this weekend for weeks. I stayed in town and had absolutely no plans. Work has been insane lately and it seems like every weekend for the last couple months I've been out of town. I'm glad summer is over and it will start to slow down.

Since it was a warm, breezy day on Saturday, I paired leather shorts with a loose blouse and a jacket I don't wear enough. I also added this new Kristin Hassan bracelet and a pair of practical suede boots from Wanted. As fall approaches, I've been able to layer more, yay for cooler weather!

[jacket by american apparel, shoes c/o wanted shoes, bracelet c/o kristin hassan, belt and shorts by forever 21, top by h&m, bag by marc jacobs]

P.S. Check out my guest post on ModCloth's blog along with Tieka! I'm also pretty excited to be on ModCloth's ModSwap video!

Runways & Sidewalks

2011-09-17T17:06:00.001-04:00

Last Saturday, I headed to the Honor show and wore black pants, a sheer, mauve top with a vintage cropped jacket and a pair of my favorite boots. I was happy to show up and know I was actually there at the right time and the right day. Several times I found myself at the Lincoln Center not realizing it was the wrong day altogether. Hmph. I was greeted by Taylor of Sterling Style and Amy of Chicago Streetstyle, thankful since I was wandering by myself. Taylor and Amy both have great styles and are fab--pretty disappointed I didn't get some photos with them as well!

[vintage blazer, boots and necklace c/o lori's shoes, blouse borrowed from tieka and bag by marc jacobs]

Just before the start of the show

I loved the back on many of the dresses and many of the soft, neutral color palette with just pops of vibrant color like the pink pantsuit below.

I changed gears later in the day and headed to a Very Stylish Picnic in Central Park where a slew, of angelic looking girls with braids, whimsical dresses and a lot of smiles gathered. I felt a bit out of place in my hooker boots, but I met some wonderful girls and ate some delicious rice krispie treats! I ended my last night in NYFW grabbing greasy food with a group of laidback girls. It couldn't have been a more wonderful end to my time in New York City!

Kelsey, Veronika and Tieka

Nikka of Showgirl Godzilla, Veronika and Bryan crossing the street

Deja Vu

2011-09-14T09:00:00.000-04:00

You may be thinking, "didn't this bitch post this outfit yesterday..or something similar?" And yes, yes I did. I transitioned my afternoon outfit from yesterday's post to nighttime fun by changing into a sheer maxi, studded boots and a smaller bag to keep my arms free for the fun events from last Friday night.

[vintage top, maxi skirt borrowed from tieka, jeffrey campbell boots c/o lori's shoes, bag by marc jacobs, necklace from h&m]

I headed out with Tieka to ModCloth's and the Swapaholics' Modswap event and prepared myself for some serious fun. I've never been a part of a swap event and in case you're not familiar, attendees had to bring two items to swap and once you tag the items, you're free to select two items off the racks. I selected a maxi dress that Tieka brought and a gold sequined vest and I was also able to snag an additional blouse from ModCloth that I'm so in love with! Any time an event combines Blue Moon beer, clothes and stylish ladies, it's a recipe for success in my book. I met so many great girls and was reunited with many that I haven't seen since the last New York Fashion Week I was at in February 2010.

Kiley of a Sequin Dress at Breakfast tried on this cute jacket at Modswap and I encouraged her to take it home with her!

The next stop of the night was Bloggers Night Out at Pranna. I was blown away by how organized the event was and the amazing turnout. The highlight of the night was spinning the wheel at the Lulu's booth and winning a free item of my choice. Once I spotted the Steve Madden leopard print boots earlier that night, I knew I had to will myself to win and bring them home with me that night. Since I'm a fan of contests and free things, I also entered the best dressed blogger contest and won a gift card to Shop It To Me! Hooray!

With Jenni of I Spy DIY, Laura of On The Racks and Tieka (thanks to Fashables for this photo)

Veronika of Tick Tock Vintage is honestly one of my most favorite people. She's so down to earth, caring and funny

I finally got to meet Katy of Modly Chic!

Feelin' Lucky

2011-09-13T08:54:00.000-04:00

Since I'm overwhelmed with the amount of fun I had and photos I took, I'm skipping ahead to one of my favorite days during New York Fashion Week. Last Friday, I went to Lucky Magazine's headquarters in Times Square to meet with Brandon Holley, the editor-in-chief, along with several Lucky Style Collective bloggers. Brandon led the meeting, asking us questions about what we'd like to see in the magazine. It was pretty amazing to be sitting in that conference room next to Brandon talking about what we like about the magazine, what changes we'd like to see and being able to contribute. I've always wanted to be a journalist--I grew up actually wanting be a news anchor, but life takes you all over and here I am doing other fun things with my life, but still now I'm able to contribute to one of my favorite magazines. It was just so surreal being just a girl from Ravenna, Michigan sitting and listening to Brandon Holley share editorial content and asking for our ideas.
When dressing for the day, I knew I wanted to be comfortable and low key. I paired my favorite print with flared jeans and added a felt hat to hide my hair, which has been a hot mess for about a month straight now. It was the best outfit to walk around in, meet with Brandon Holley, grab brunch and mimosas at the Ugg show room and terrace on 5th avenue and stroll in SOHO to shop!

Obviously, I was beyond thrilled to be there.

Turns out four of us are actually from Michigan! My Closet in Sketches, Haute Muslimah and Tieka

Taylor of Sterling Style, Alicia of Cheetah is the New Black, Jen of Jen Loves Kev, Tieka and Marisa of Style Cusp

[vintage top, jeans by truck jeans c/o comfort me, boots by c/o lori's shoes, hat by deena and ozzy, bag by marc jacobs]

I was in awe of the gigantic terrace at Ugg show room. It was such a great space with so many delicious foods and mimosas! And the views! I just stared the buildings and looked over at central park. I finally met Jenni of I Spy DIY and got to get to know Helena of Brooklyn Blonde. Both are such lovely ladies who I instantly felt like I had been friends with for a long time. Jenni, get to Chicago!!

Kim, Jenni, Helena and Nikki

Of course, I gravitated toward the jackets and fur vests! I must have all of them!

Rachel Antonoff Spring 2012

2011-09-10T22:15:00.001-04:00

The Rachel Antonoff presentation transpired a Halloween vibe, complete with a black cat and models whose hair and make up made me think immediately of Wednesday Addams. Since I'm a New York Fashion Week noob, I didn't know what to expect going into presentations, but I was impressed with the production. It was such a fun, quirky set and even the way models eerily gazed on, kept in theme. Despite the models' prettiness and the beautiful ensembles, they each had the ability to creep me out, which I suspect was the intention. I took a liking to the accessories, particularly the hats and shoes and a great pair of black and white shorts.

I've been trying to figure out if that's Jaslene Gonzalez, the cycle 8 winner of America's Next Top Model, below in the middle. I'm almost positive it is.

Tennessee Thomas from The Like in charge of the tunes

15% off at Chloe Loves Charlie!

2011-09-09T11:00:00.000-04:00

Yay! I love a good deal and Chloe Loves Charlie is offering 15 percent off to my readers using the code "Blonde" The code is good through October 10! I'm in love with the coats and jackets they have up right now!

New York City Fun and Lucky FABB

2011-09-08T10:23:00.000-04:00

What do you get when you mix the Kardashian sisters, Diane Von Furstenburg, a slew of amazing panelists and a team of down to earth magazine editors? You get Lucky FABB. Let me tell you, they pulled out all the stops for this conference. I generally find myself in a state of apathy and cynicism, but I felt energized and excited the entire day.

From seeing Brandon Holley, the Editor-In-Chief of Lucky Magazine hold a blogger's purse during the awards ceremony to DVF letting bloggers mob her and take photos, there was a sense of humility and overall enthusiasm toward the blogger community. And I appreciated that. Maybe it's because I work in digital advertising, but I loved how there were so many stakeholders from some great brands talking about what they're doing in the digital world and how bloggers can and should engage them. Exciting stuff!

My favorite part of the day, even beating out the moment we were handed our gigantic bag of sweet freebies, was listening to Rachel Roy speak on one of the panels. She didn't bullshit us, spoke her mind freely and candidly about her life and how it influenced both of her lines and how she approaches her business. You hear the story over and over about the person who was poor and their progression into success and stardom, but this time I believed the story. And maybe it's because I can relate more to the way she spoke, but I appreciated how honest she was.

Overall, the general messages of finding your own niche and just going after what you're passionate about really resonated with me. I know, I know, people say you hear the same thing over and over again at these conferences, but listening to people from different perspectives, share their personal stories and their advice inspired me to be more thoughtful when it comes to my blog.

[vintage blazer by christian dior, dress by akira, shoes by jeffrey campbell c/o lori's shoes, watch and necklace from kie&kate]

Diane Von Furstenburg giving us all a better look at her fabulous outfit!

Some of my favorite designers Rebecca Minkoff and Rachel Roy and the gorgeous model Coco Rocha

The Kardashian sisters and Brandon Holley

Two of my favorite people, Tieka and Kim

At moments like these, I wish I could keep my eyes open for a photo.

Of course my obsession with the Rachel Zoe Project led to my inevitable excitement to see Rachel Zoe's husband, Rodger

Two sweet peas I met, Jen of House of Jeffers and Amy of Stylish Year

More photos on my flickr page!