Club Monoco Scalloped Crop Top -50% off!  {similar here}// J.Crew White Tie Midi Skirt {similar here, here and here} // Valentino Purse {sold out, but I love this one and this one} // J.Crew D’Orsay flats {similar here and here} // Locket {sold out, but love this monogram version!} // Jeweled Bracelet {I also love this emerald one too!}

I know it’s too soon to be mourning the end of summer when it’s only August, but this year {maybe even more than others} I really was hoping summer would last forever. One of my secret resolutions this year was to try to mix a little more fun into my summer – and rather than spending most weekends at home working on this little blog and other freelance projects, I wanted to try to infuse a little more fun into my weekend. We all need a little more fun in our lives, right?!

Rather than planning a ton of trips around the country, I spent the majority of the weekends exploring Chicago – since I firmly believe {although I’m definitely biased!} that Chicago’s the best place in the world to spend the summer. Winter is an entirely different story, but summertime Chi is really a magical place to be. I explored new neighborhoods {last weekend I hit up Pilsen for a work event and Hyde Park for Chloe’s Dinner in White!}, fell back in love with Lincoln Park, and enjoyed everything the city has to offer – including at least a few festivals every weekend. One of my favorite places to spend a summer weekend is Lincoln Park, and not just the neighborhood, but the actual park too. I love that there’s so much to explore on a beautiful summer day – from views of downtown to the botanical gardens and the expansive zoo, it’s the perfect place to spend a lazy Sunday. I love starting the morning with coffee from Elaine’s and brunch from Perennial in the Hotel Lincoln, and mozy over to the park and zoo to spend the afternoon exploring. There’s really nothing quite like it – and the fact that the zoo and park is free makes it the perfect place to relax and adventure for the afternoon.  Whenever it gets cold, I’m going to look back at this post and remind myself that summer’s always just a few months away, and that Chicago in the summer will always be my favorite place in the world. Now if only the weather would stick around a little longer {I’m crossing my fingers for a late and long fall!}, then life would be even more wonderful 😉

In other news – happy Monday friends! Any fun plans for this week? I’m getting together with some friends after work, doing a few happy hours and trying to get things together for a fun photoshoot this Friday and a weekend back home in Madison! I hope you all have a lot to look forward to! xx

A special thanks for Julie Kennedy for the beautiful photos!