A Resolution.

It has taken me all of January to really come to my New Year's Resolution. For the past month, I've been working some crazy hours and have totally let myself go. I think I can count the number of times on one hand that I have put on makeup, my leather boots look terrible and I just come across as tired. So. not. cool.

So laugh at me if you will, but my New Year's Resolution is to ... BE MORE GLAMOROUS.

Many of us love to dress up and go out, but in our day-to-day life we can end up looking like a hot mess. I'm taking 27 by the horns, refusing to give into all things comfortable and convenient. Your late twenties/early thirties are supposed to be fabulous. Most of us have a little more disposable income, minimal responsibilities and our body still intact. Live it up while you can - wear higher heels, shorten your hem and and get out the mascara ...

{source: We Heart It}

Gone to the Beach

Thanks to the blogging world, I've recently learned that the beach picture in my Living Room Inspiration photo {below and to the right}, is the work of Massimo Vitali. Genius. His work gives people a little bit of paradise year round! And for those of us Chicagoans who still have not acclimated to cold Winters, it is just what the doctor ordered!

Fabulous, right? The images balance color and serenity. Too bad they are about $4k a pop. Fortunately when flipping through the newest issue of Rue, I found this look-a-like on 20 x 200 for a fraction of the price! I only wish it was horizontal ...

Love. Beach. Photography.

{sources: Elements of Style, Things That Sparkle, 20 x 200}

Trunk Club

There is something about shopping for men's clothing that I just love. It may be because Nate has such a great sense of style or perhaps I'm just obsessed with men's ties. Shopping for boys is simple, fun and very rewarding! For those guys who don't have a girl who loves to shop for them or hate going to the store, I introduce Trunk Club. It is an online website where guys from all walks of life connect with a personal stylist and are shipped a "trunk" of clothes. It's fool proof. Clothes are picked to to fit your style {and body}, match {we know a ton of guys are color blind} and automatically come straight to your door. Genius, right? This would be a fabulous job!

Perfect for the guy who is looking to up his game ...

Nailed It.

I'm an Essie girl. Why? Short and sweet, I love the packaging. While others swoon over OPI colors, I'm loyal to Essie. Their bottle is just so aesthetically pleasing.

After a long Fall/Winter run, I'm getting sick of wearing Mink Muffs {very similar to OPI's You Don't Know Jacque} and seeing similar polish on every other girls' nails at the office. My new favorite Winter color ....

Raisinnuts!



I'm currently sporting this deep red/grape color on both my hands and toes!

Girl Crush: Leighton Meester

I'm looking forward to seeing Country Strong this weekend. Why? Not because I love country music {which I do}, but because I love Leighton Meester. She plays Gossip Girl's wannabe mean girl, Blair Waldorf. Leighton, just like her character, is super stylish. She's also broken into the music world and now the big screen. Not to mention, she's absolutely stunning! In short, I kinda want to be her... don't you???

{in Spain}

{at the Golden Globes ... how does someone still look that good when covered from head to toe}

Leighton as Blair ...

So excited for the new season of Gossip Girl ...

XOXO

Cara

Source: Instyle.com, leightonmeesterweb.com

Take a Seat

Ever since I saw this image on Coco & Kelley, I haven't been able to get it out of my head. The emerald green leather sofa and club chairs are absolutely AMAZING and give this plain white room loads of personality.

Some other fabulous, bright sofas ...

{bubble gum pink!}

{a blue sofa very similar to the one in my living room!}

Goodbye to boring tan furniture. Hello to inviting and colorful sofas that spark conversation!

Sources: Coco & Kelley, Elements of Style, I'm Terrible ... I Forgot!

A Much Needed Makeover

An Urban Cottage is not even a year old, but I'm thinking this blog could use a makeover. It is looking really generic right now and I like to think I'm anything but that. To start, a unique header image like this one from our wedding shoot ...

I'm also thinking I want ...

-a crisp, white background {I think images will really pop}

-a fun font

-better images {the new camera will come in handy}

-to go back and label all of my old posts {I'm really bad at keeping up with this}

Yes to the Dress!

Just had a very successful wedding planning weekend. I, for one, found my dress. And well I'm dying to share my fabulous Vera Wang Bridal Gown, I can't. Nate reads the blog!

On a different note, we began the hunt for bridesmaid dresses. We started at Bella Bridesmaid and left unimpressed. But our experience at Jenny Yoo was quite different and we have a couple of options. All of which are gorgeous ... they had little help as they were being modeled by a few of my beautiful bridesmaids!

Unfortunately, all of the pictures are on my sister's camera, so I can only share the images from the website. 

I'm looking for a green or silvery gray dress. However, we were quite impressed with the pebble color {second dress}! Decisions ...

Onto Book #3

Via Plush Palate

I'm finally ordering my next book for book club. A little late, but I'll be fine as it is less than 200 pages. So far we've read If Andy Warhol Had a Girlfriend & The Help. Now we are onto Bobby & Jackie. Three very different books. I'm looking forward to reading the next one as I find the Kennedys fascinating. As a group we've decided that some of our favorite things about book club are:

1. Being forced to read at least one book a month

2. Good food, friends (old & new) and discussion

3. Starting a book collection

Via Things That Sparkle

Parisian by Lonny

A few years ago, I went to Paris and fell in love. If it weren't for Family & Friends, I'd pack up my bags and move there in a heart beat. The Parisians have a certain style about them and they pull it off with ease. This French inspired home in the latest issue of Lonny does just that as well.

{any day is a good day if it starts here}

{and then ventures here ... this closet is really something special}

{pretty little details}

Au Revior!

Better Late Than Never

After Christmas I was meaning to share one of my favorite gifts, but never did. My parents gave me this sweet ring holder by Vera Wang for Wedgewood along with a few words of wisdom "when you take it off, always put it in the same spot"! That won't be a problem now that I have some new crystal for my bedside table ...

Besides my engagement ring, the only other jewelry that I keep here is my Grandma's diamond cocktail ring. My Mom gave it to me for my 21st birthday and it truly is something special. To be shared another time as it deserves its own post ...

I'm moving in ...

" I love finding beauty in the imperfect. To me, that is what interior design should be about."

 ~Hilary Thomas

In the Jan/Feb issue of Lonny, interior designer Hilary Thomas, helps Lucky's West Coast Director, Marlien Rentmeester, design her new home into something fabulous. Her style is eclectic and she loves marrying modern and vintage. I'm head over heels with the home she designed for Marlien. Every room is interesting, fun and a conversation starter and I'm ready to pack my bags and move-in.

{the chandlier is so unique ... what a find}

{love the brass etagere}

{an unexpected combination of leopard carpet and preppy bedding ... I'll stay here}

As someone who has an aversion to 5-piece furniture sets or making their home look like it is straight from the pages of Pottery Barn, I think this place is perfection. The home is filled with gorgeous, vibrant fabrics, little treasures and interesting lines. When you walk through the doors, you know that a place like this is uniquely yours.