Written By Kelly in the City

April 18, 2019 •

Lincoln Park, Chicago

How to Safely Buy Authenticated Investment Bags on eBay

I’m so excited about today’s post, guys! I’d like to introduce you to my new tote. 😉

First, though, some background: I’ve owned the Louis Vuitton Neverfull in the “MM” size for many years. It was my first investment bag, and I long adored the thing. (Didn’t look too large on my frame, and I could fit everything I needed for a day–laptop included–in it.) But I kind of stopped using it regularly when I had Emma because I couldn’t fit everything that the two of us needed in it. Which is why I finally decided to sell the medium and upgrade to the large, or the “GM” as LV refers to it.

I really love it. It’s the perfect size for my “mom lifestyle,” and I have my favorite tote back. So happy!

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April 17, 2019 •

Lincoln Park, Chicago

Third Trimester Pregnancy Update

Today, you can take 50 percent off everything at J.Crew Factory with code “FULLBASKET.” No exclusions, and it even applies to new arrivals, suiting and clearance!

Softest Chambray Shirt / J Brand White Maternity Jeans (If you’re not pregnant, I highly recommend this pair of affordable white skinny jeans. I’ve had mine for years and love them! They’re a deal, and they’re very soft and stretchy yet don’t lose their shape throughout the day.) / Red Huarache Sandals (Here are the brown ones I wear all the time, too!) / Mark & Graham Navy Elisabetta Bamboo Tote c/o (Love the new one with the strap, too. See all Elisabetta totes here!) / The Warmest Trench Coat (Comes with a quilted liner! Runs TTS.) / Ray-Ban Sunglasses

I’m officially less than a month out from my due date! In some ways, it feels like it’s just around the corner… but in many other ways, it feels like I’m just going to be pregnant forever. 😜 Today, though, I wanted to share my last pregnancy update before Baby #2 arrives sometime around May 15th!

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April 16, 2019 •

Lincoln Park, Chicago

Round 2: Shop My Closet for Free

Enter to win this classic black Longchamp below!

And we’re back with another “Shop my Closet for Free” post–this was the first one!–because we’re nearing the end of our KonMari challenge, only one month behind schedule. 😉 We’re actually wrapping things up THIS WEEK, so you can soon expect three blog posts on how we handled the categories of Books and Papers (which we combined), Miscellaneous (Kitchen, Bathrooms, Garage, Kids’ Stuff, etc.), and Sentimental Items. While we’re not 100-percent done as I type this, I can say that thus far, the easiest categories for me have been Books and Miscellaneous, and the most challenging have been Papers (simply because it’s so time-consuming and tedious) and Clothing. Oy, is Clothing tough!

In case you’re new here, one of my biggest takeaways from our KonMari challenge has been the importance of mindfulness. You can read more about this in the “What I Learned” section of the eye-opening post, but I’m currently very focused on finding good homes for clothing and accessories that I love but don’t need or use enough. While these things are going to many different places, I decided from the get-go that I wanted to set aside some favorites for you, as you’re the reason this blog exists in the first place! So thank you for clicking on this blog post today and “shopping.” It’s somehow so much easier to part with my closet knowing that some of the stuff is going to my awesome readers. :)

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April 15, 2019 •

Lincoln Park, Chicago

J.Crew Sale: 60 Percent Off

J.Crew Gingham Trench Coat (On crazy sale! Only $82 when you use code “SALEUPGRADE.”) / Dudley Stephens Fleece / Sperry Loafers / Mark & Graham Elisabetta Bamboo Tote (Use code “SPRING” to take 20 percent off all bags today!) / DL 1961 Maternity Jeans (These light wash maternity jeans are better, though, in all honesty! Also on sale! Also, OMG. Gap just came out with white demi-panel maternity jeans. FINALLY!)

This is one of the best J.Crew sales I’ve ever seen. Today, you can take 60 percent off the entire sale selection and 40 percent off everything else when you use code “SALEUPGRADE.” Crazy! Here’s what I recommend considering:

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April 15, 2019 •

Lincoln Park, Chicago

The Tiniest Ballerina

Skirted Leotard (Also available here for less. It’s the same one; we ordered both in different sizes! I’ve received a lot of questions about sizing, so I’d say that the leotard runs slightly small. Emma is 2.5 years old, but big for her age, and she’s wearing a size 2-4 here. That said, it just fits. She’ll likely be in the 4-6 in a couple of months.) / Ballet Slippers / Ballet Tights / Similar Hair Bows

Ever since we took Emma to see The Nutcracker at the Athenaeum Theater in Lakeview, she’s been obsessed with all things ballet. She was a little too young for most classes, though; they pretty much all started at age three. But lo! Our gym is incredible, and they said that because Emma was so, so excited about ballet, she could attend a “trial class” with the older kids to see if she was ready. (So sweet!)

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April 14, 2019 •

Downtown Chicago

15 Statement Coats for Spring

Yellow Scalloped Coat / Rothy’s “Mocha Spot” Loafers (And here is the classic pair, which doesn’t have the red outlining. Read my full review of Rothy’s shoes–and why I love them so much–here.) / LYSSÉ Schiffer Shirt (Find it via Zappos, Nordstrom, Tuckernuck and Amazon. Full review here.) / Mark & Graham Navy Elisabetta Bamboo Tote c/o (Love the new one with the strap, too. See all Elisabetta totes here!) / Old Navy Rockstar Jeans (I’m wearing the maternity version. Here are all the Rockstar jeans; so soft and stretchy but don’t bag out!) / Ray-Ban Sunglasses

I have to admit that I’m a little jealous of the fact that New York is apparently in full bloom right now, while our trees are still pretty bare. ;) But I’ve just been channeling spring through my brightly colored outerwear collection: a must when you live in Chicago!

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April 13, 2019 •

Newport, Rhode Island

J.Crew Sophie Sweater Blazer

J.Crew Sophie Sweater Blazer / Chambray Shirt (I also LOVE this one because it’s super soft and more affordable. Highly recommend!) / Rothy’s “Mocha Spot” Loafers (And here is the classic pair, which doesn’t have the red outlining. Read my full review of Rothy’s shoes–and why I love them so much–here.) / Old Navy Rockstar Jeans (I’m wearing the maternity version. Here are all the Rockstar jeans; so soft and stretchy but don’t bag out!) / Coach Court Bag (Also love the Willis style.) / Mark & Graham Monogrammed Necklace (The BEST Mother’s Day gift. So affordable, too!) / On Mitch: Similar Sperrys, Jeans, Ralph Lauren American Flag Sweater c/o (Also available here), and Similar Button-Down

The above photo was taken on the day of the Saint Patrick’s Day parade in Newport–please excuse Mitch’s American flag sweater 😂–by a very drunken older gentleman who thankfully did not drop the camera. I know I should have politely declined, but he was just SO eager to help, so happy about the fact that we were pregnant, and so excited to tell us about his own family and how much he loved them that I just felt too badly to say no. Yes, he was a bit belligerent, but it was also such a sweet moment. And the camera lives! Haha :)

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April 11, 2019 •

Lincoln Park, Chicago

Lakeside, Sans Jackets

Softest Chambray Shirt (I went up MANY sizes for the bump, haha, but if you’re not pregnant, I would say to order your usual size.) / J Brand White Maternity Jeans (Btw: Did you see this pair of white maternity jeans from Madewell?! Also, if you’re not pregnant, I highly recommend this pair of affordable white skinny jeans. I’ve had mine for years and love them! They’re a deal, and they’re very soft and stretchy yet don’t lose their shape throughout the day.) / Red Huarache Sandals (Here are the brown ones I wear all the time, too!) / Mark & Graham Navy Elisabetta Bamboo Tote c/o (Love the new one with the strap, too. See all Elisabetta totes here!) / The Warmest Trench Coat (Comes with a quilted liner! It’s INCREDIBLE. They sell out quickly but were just re-stocked, so order before they’re gone! They run TTS.) / Ray-Ban Sunglasses

On Emma: J.Crew Factory White Jeans, Gingham Button-Down (Also love this one!) and Bunny Purse c/o J.Crew Factory (Red Mocs are from Amazon.) / On Mitch: Red Shirt, Similar Belt, Khakis, and Loafers

I have to say:

I’m really enjoying the whole “lockdown” thing. Because I’m a little more than a month out from my due date, my doctor has instructed me not to leave Chicago. And it’s been so lovely. We’ve been spending our days finishing our KonMari challenge, enjoying the city and warmer weather, catching up with friends, completing and getting ahead on freelance projects, and prepping the blog for my “maternity leave.”

When I had Emma, I didn’t really take a maternity leave. I had about a week’s worth of content lined up which was nice. But looking back, I do wish I’d prepared more. I suppose I figured that I could handle everything while the baby was sleeping, but I didn’t account for how long recovery would take or how utterly exhausted I’d be. ;) This time, though, I’m being way more proactive about things so I can take a much longer leave. So if you’d like to see specific topics covered over the next couple of months, please let me know!

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April 10, 2019 •

Lincoln Park, Chicago

Birch Lane Landry Leather Sofa Review

Birch Lane Landry Leather Sofa

Birch Lane Landry Leather Sofa and Loveseat (Also available at Joss and Main and the Birch Lane website.) / Campaign End Table / Chicago Skyline Oversized Framed Print / Similar Pottery Barn Rug (Ours is the Elijah rug, but it’s sold out.) / Similar Chinoiserie Lamp / Similar Ginger Jars / Shiplap Wall by Chicago-based Kira David Design / Marble Coffee Table (Looking for a better deal? Try this one!) / Pottery Barn Basket / Gingham Pillows / Striped Pillows

The best home purchase we’ve ever made is the Birch Lane Landry Leather Sofa, and since today is WAY DAY at Wayfair, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to review it! Way Day, by the way (😂), is a huge sale that starts today, April 10th at 12 p.m. EST and lasts for 36 hours. So much is included and everything ships free. It’s a great time to make big home purchases since the prices are incredible! (And yes, the Landry leather line is on major sale!)

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April 9, 2019 •

Lincoln Park, Chicago

10+ Self-Care Tips for Pregnancy

Outfit details here

Hey, Friends! As I near the end of my second pregnancy, I wanted to share some self-care tips for my expectant mothers out there. If you’re not feeling your best these days, you’re not alone! But here are some easy things you can do to improve your wellbeing:

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