Happy Friday, friends!!! Don’t mind me over here, celebrating BIG time because I’m off to Sonoma for a long weekend for another wedding! It’s the second weekend in a row, so while I might be pretty exhausted come Sunday morning, I’m excited to soak up some sun in Cali and hopefully get the chance to hit up a few vineyards while we’re there. I’ve always wanted to go to Sonoma, so it’s the perfect excuse to get a fun little getaway on our calendar – because if you don’t get your weekends planned by the beginning of the summer, it’s virtually impossible to sneak something in before fall 😉

Since I’m out and about celebrating this weekend, I thought I’d kick things off a little early with a life lately post – but don’t worry, it’s a quick one since I’m heading out the door!   Tom and I hit up La Storia for brunch a week ago, and it was SO FREAKING GOOD. I love Italian food, so when you add brunch to the mix it’s even better. I had a spritz on their beautiful back patio, along with pizza, this delicious lobster avocado toast, ricotta focaccia, steak and eggs and a crispy eggplant Benedict – mmm…

It was so good, and best of all their weekend brunch menu is available for $30 a person, which includes a cocktail, splitting 2 appetizers, 1 pizza and a main course for you and a friend. I was so full but so happy afterwords, and I’m already planning on bringing the family next time they come to town because it’s so good and affordable for downtown Chicago!  In the beauty department, I recently discovered these eye gels from Honest Hazel that have saved me from looking totally exhausted these past few weeks of non-stop traveling and working our in the ‘burbs. They’re made with natural ingredients like cactus, vitamin c, e, b3 and aloe vera. I’m a big fan and I’ve been popping them on during the drive back from the suburbs to home after work for an instant eye refresh that lasts a few days. I’m officially a believer and they definitely made the trip to Sonoma with me. Last weekend I went to Kansas City to celebrate the wedding of one of my dear Chicago friends. I met Katie while working at DDB, and we’ve been friends ever since. I hadn’t been to KC in years, and I spent the weekend enjoying BBQ, trying not to die on a bike in 85 degree humid heat, and dancing the night away at the most beautiful reception. Also, I have a very big pro-KC BBQ agenda – how yummy does that plate look? Mmm….Now that it’s finally starting to be consistently beautiful in Chicago, I’ve been making my way to all my favorite rooftop bars and restaurants, including London House downtown where I snapped this picture of Michigan Avenue. I’ve been so happy it’s been sunnier out, and now I’m just hoping it will stick around all summer long. Chicago, I love you <3.  I took a quick trip to my friend {and the super talented interior designer behind Centered by Design} Claire’s house a few weeks back and snapped this pretty picture of one of her living room vignettes. I’ve been trying to make my home a little more “grown up” – largely due to the fact that Claire’s home is just so darn gorgeous, and that she makes living in style more attainable than a lot of other designers I’ve checked out in the past. Every time I go to her home I immediately want to move in…definitely check out her site for more of her home decor and behind the scenes of her before and afters in clients homes!Okay, like I promised – short and sweet! Any fun plans this weekend? I’d love to live vicariously through you too! Hopefully I’ll have some fun Sonoma/wedding adventures over on Instagram – so make sure to follow along…I’m sure there will be lots of wine involved 😉 xx