Wall of Doors

dress: forever 21. shoes: nordstrom. scarf: vintage.

With only a week left at home, I thought that another trip to the pie shop was necessary. Since the weather has been amazing the past few days, I decided to sit in the backyard of the shop. The wall of doors and pops of red made it the perfect place to take some photos. 

Until next time, Mandy

Vintage Garage

I always love checking out vintage markets in the city, so when I heard that the vintage garage was open on Sunday, I made a last minute decision to attend. Even though I was there strictly to "window" shop, there were tons of neat things that I wish I could have brought home with me. I was tempted to buy another coat, but I know that my mother would have killed me. I don't even know how I am going to fit my wardrobe in my dorm, so I am not allowed to buy any more clothes at the moment. Speaking of clothes, I should really start packing up my closet. I leave for Boston in a week!

Until next time, Mandy

I Have A Pie Addiction

Welcome to Bang Bang Pie Shop, one of the cutest places on earth. After taking a four week ceramics class at an art studio that has its own pie cafe, I am officially a pie addict. I cannot even tell you how many blueberry hand pies I have eaten. I don't even think I want to know myself. So since my classes are now over, I needed to find a new pie place to attend to my addiction. This is where Bang Bang Pie Shop comes in. Last week, my aunt and I had the brilliant idea to go out to breakfast and then head on over to a pie shop right afterwards. We called it breakfast dessert. I think we are going to start a trend. As soon as I walked in, I was in love. I am a sucker for brick walls and fun chairs. Obviously, Bang Bang has both, along with its amazing blueberry peach pie. Everything was just perfect. We sat there for quite awhile taking pictures and savoring every piece of that pie, but I could have stayed there all day. There was even an outside dining area with hanging lights for nighttime. I believe another trip to Bang Bang Pie Shop is in my near future.

Until next time, Mandy

I Think It's About Time I Get A Bike

shirt: from my friend. skirt: urban outfitters. shoes: target. scarf: vintage.

So I kind of had a red theme going on the other day, so when I saw this adorable bike with the red sign, I just had to take pictures with it. It is little things like this that make me love going into the city. I hope to find more cute places today, because I am headed downtown in a few hours. Erin and I are meeting up with a friend of ours from Indiana for a day of picture taking and hopefully coffee because I am a tad bit exhausted.
Until next time, Mandy

Can I Have The Black Bear?

I love breakfast. Actually, I just love eating breakfast at cute restaurants. When I am home, I rarely eat breakfast. I know, I know breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Well I cannot really help that my house never has food in it. Plus, I would much rather be eating a delicious meal somewhere other than my kitchen table. On one of my city adventures last week, my aunt and I tried somewhere new to eat. Bakin' & Eggs. With brick walls, mason jars, and blue decor, this place quickly became one of my favorites. Once we sat down, it was time to order. That is always my problem. There are so many unique choices, I just don't know what to do with myself. I ended up ordering a veggie fritatta and a black bear. What is a black bear you ask? It is a delicious drink of chocolate milk mixed with iced coffee. As much as I liked the concept of the drink, I would be lying to you if I didn't tell you that I merely ordered it just to say the name. After I asked my waiter for the black bear, he turned around and said "I thought you would order that." I'm still not quite sure what that means, but I'm going to take it as a compliment. I looked cool enough to order the black bear. Do any of you Chicagoans have your own favorite breakfast place? I would love to try them before I leave for Boston. Which brings me to, do any of you Bostonians have a favorite breakfast place? I am in desperate need of some Boston food tips, because let's just say that I cannot handle dorm food all year long.

Until next time, Mandy

I Like Raiding My Grandma's Closet

dress: grandma's. shoes: target. belt: thrifted.

While I was unpacking my bags from a stay at my grandparent's house, I found that I accidentally grabbed my grandmother's shirt out of the closet. Since I had already brought it home, I decided to wear it. Why not, right? I turned this shirt into a dress, and I couldn't be more happy with the look. I am going to miss raiding my grandma's closet when I leave for school in a few weeks.

Until next time, Mandy

Found by Fleet Contest

The lovely people at the Fleet Collection asked me to be a part of their August style contest. I was more than excited when I heard from the company because this online store is beyond cute. I wish I could buy every item. If you enjoyed my thrifted floral outfit, please head on over to their Facebook page to vote. I believe you can also email your vote to FoundbyFleet@fleetcollection.com. Voting continues throughout the month of August, so please get your submission in by August 31st. Since you are all so great, Fleet is offering you a discount to their shop! My lovely readers will receive a 15% discount for unlimited use until August 31st. Use the code: GRACEVIOLA15OFF to receive your discount at Fleet. Thank you so much and don't forget to vote!

Until next time, Mandy

I Never Wear Pants

 shirt: thrifted. pants: thrifted. bag: vintage. shoes: dsw.

Well, the title of this post pretty much explains it all. I never wear pants. I'm a dresses and skirts kind of girl. There is the occasional jean day, but those are few and far between lately. It's not that I don't like pants, it's just that I can never find a pair that I like enough to actually plan an outfit around. But on my last thrifting trip I found this fantastic pair. I actually chose them as a joke because really who would have thought that a pair of thrifted floral pants would fit me perfectly when all the pants I have ever tried on in my size at an actual store didn't even look this good. It caught me by surprise and I fell in love with them right away. I decided to wear them with my new glasses because I love them very much also. I just learned how to put in contacts, but I thought that the glasses looked much better with this outfit so I went for it. What do you think of the new glasses?

Until next time, Mandy

Project Restyle: Black and White Striped Dress

dress: vintage. shoes: from my grandmother.

I bought this dress at the vintage bazaar because I love the pattern, however it hit me at a somewhat awkward length. I decided that it was one of my pieces that was in need of altering. So after awhile in my makeshift sewing room, this dress was shortened quite a bit. I like the length of the dress now. My aunt and I even share it. Even though these pictures aren't all that great, I don't look my best in 100 degree weather, I wanted to post this little project. I paired my dress with some of my grandmother's shoes. I was going through her closet the other night and found some really cute things. 

Until next time, Mandy