Kelly in the City, Author at Kelly in the City

February 2, 2023

January Bestsellers

Dark Wash Demi-Boot Crop Jeans / Black Turtleneck Dress / White Herringbone Stitch Cardigan / RevitaBrow Advanced Eyebrow Conditioner / Floral Drop Earrings / Beige Suede Blouse / Black Patagonia Hooded Down Puffer Jacket / Leather Woven Shoulder Bag / Black Leather Chelsea Boots / Brown Knee High Riding Boots / Beige Patagonia Sherpa Jacket / Black Kenzo Dress / Sneaker Boots / Floral Puff Sleeve Cotton Maxi Dress / Woven Straw Market Tote

This January bestsellers post is full of pieces I’ve either loved for a long time, like the popular Kenzo Dress, or recent finds, like the Revitabrow Eyebrow Conditioner, that I cannot recommend enough!

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Gift Guides

February 1, 2023 •

Lincoln Park, Chicago

How to Make 20 Kids’ Goody Bags for under $30

Bulk Squishy Animals / Bulk Monkey Strings / Bulk Pop Tubes / Bulk Rainbow Stickers / Bulk Macaroon Erasers / Bulk Rainbow Gel Pens / Bulk Pop It Keychains / Bulk Stars and Moons Gift Bags / Cricut Joy and Kraft Paper, but you can find kraft gift tags on Shein.com for essentially nothing!

At my girls’ elementary school, it’s kind of customary that students give out goody bags on their birthdays at the end of the day. (And sometimes holidays!) It’s certainly not a requirement, but the kids really look forward to giving them to their classmates on their special day. And I have to admit that I look forward to putting them together with Emma and Lucy. We have so much fun doing it together! There’s some magic in it.

The goody bags I’m talking about aren’t anything fancy—think a handful of knickknacks and maybe a little attached note—but oh man. It all adds up rather quickly, especially if you’re planning on throwing a traditional birthday party with goody bags in addition. For example, last year, the grand total was $100 for one batch, even though the tiny bags were filled with junk from Amazon. (We also tried Party City in-person, but that was even more expensive!)

2 kids x 2 batches of $100 goody bag batches (school/party) = $400 per year, just for birthdays!

This year, I decided that enough was enough. 😆 It was time to hack the system, and find a way to make fun, affordable goody bags. And while it definitely took some time, I’m proud to say that I’ve done it. (Muahaha.) I figured out how to make 20 awesome goody bags for under $30!

Lincoln Park, Chicago

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Baby, Creative, Guides and Reviews, Kelly in the City, Lincoln Park, Chicago

January 31, 2023

Valentine’s Day Gifts for Kids

Cherry Composition Book and Pencils / Pink Heart Hair Clips / Pink and White Hearts Bracelet / Heart Sidewalk Chalk / Heart Nail Stickers / Pink Personalized Embroidered Heart Sweater / Noodle Valentine Card Set / Ice Cream Valentine Cards / Sparkly Hair Clips / Pink Quilted Heart Purse / Heart Valentine Cards / Heart Lollipop Pajamas / Glitter Heart Stickers / Jellycat Personalized Sweater / Pink Scrunchie / Tweed Heart Pink Purse / Pink Heart Cardigan / Cat Eye Mask

From Valentine cards to heart-knit sweaters and friendship bracelets, these are some of my favorite Valentine’s Day gifts for kids. If you’re looking for Valentine’s Day Gifts for Her or Valentine’s Day Gifts for Him, take a look at those posts and hopefully they’ll give you some inspiration.

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Gift Guides

January 28, 2023

Valentine’s Day Gifts for Him

Hatch Decanter / Bose Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones / Meta Quest 2 Virtual Reality Headset / Slippers / Patagonia Grey Vest / Solo Stove Portable Fire Pit / Massage Gun / Le Creuset Cast Iron Oval Dutch Oven / Yummly Smart Meat Thermometer / Navy YETI Cooler / Waxed Canvas and Leather Travel Bag / Leather Personalized AirPods Case / Patagonia Down Puffer Jacket / Kindle Paperwhite / Shearling Lined Bean Boots

Here are a few Valentine’s Day gift ideas for him, from Yeti coolers to massage guns to Bean Boots.

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Gift Guides, Kelly in the City

January 26, 2023

Valentine’s Day Gifts for Her

Pink Cashmere Sweater / Porter Insulated Tumbler / Laneige Lip Mask / Ivory Half-Zip Sweatshirt / Black Patagonia Puffer Jacket / Heart Ceramic Catchall Dish / Sorel Sherpa Winter Boots / Pink Robe / Grey UGG Slippers / Light Blue Heart Pajamas / Olaplex Nº3 Hair Treatment / Santal 33 Perfume / Silk Scrunchies / Heart Mug / Cream Barefoot Dreams Blanket / Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer / Estelle Stemless Wine Glasses / Gold Necklace / Patagonia Sherpa Jacket

If you’re looking for a lovely Valentine’s Day gift that will bring joy to anyone, whether they’re a partner, friend, or family member, here are a few of my favorite Valentine’s Day gifts for her.

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Gift Guides

January 25, 2023

Review: Dudley Stephens Park Slope Turtleneck

Dudley Stephens Park Slope Fleece Turtleneck (Also available via Tuckernuck. The longer version is called the Cobble Hill Turtleneck.) / Hudson Barbara Jeans / J.Crew Quilted Cocoon Coat / J.Crew Montauk Tote / Ray-Ban Sunglasses

If you’ve ever considered investing in the Dudley Stephens Park Fleece Turtleneck, I’m here to tell you to do it. 😉

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Fall, Kelly in the City, Outfits, Style, Winter

January 24, 2023 •

Lincoln Park, Chicago

Tuckernuck Sample Sale

The Tuckernuck Sample Sale is back, and since there’s so much included, I went through every listing so I could recommend the best finds. :) The sale will run through Thursday, January 26th, and products are marked down 50-80 percent. That’s huge!

Lincoln Park, Chicago

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Lincoln Park, Chicago, Sales

January 24, 2023

Home Decor Finds

Brass Table Lamp / Marble Scalloped Dish / Round Decorative Tabletop Clock / Fabric File Box / Sage Green Storage Cabinet / Wild Blossom Art Print / Cream Sherpa Accent Chair / Rattan Floor Lamp / Wooden Arch Mirror / Black Console Table / Olive Leaf Arrangement / Abstract Framed Canvas Art / Wild Iris and Santal Candle / Cast Metal Candle Tray / Earthenware Low Vase / Round Ceramic Vase Green / Small Faux Shagreen Box with Removable Lid / Linen Square Throw Pillow / Light Green Plaid Throw Pillow / Rattan Basket with Handles / Tall Terracotta Vase

Whether you’re in the process of redecorating or just want to spruce up a room by adding a new vase or throw pillow, these are a few of my favorite recent home decor finds. Best of all, most of these pieces are Target finds!

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Home, Kelly in the City, Little Home in the City

January 24, 2023 •

Lincoln Park, Chicago

Tuckernuck Kenzo Dress

Tuckernuck Kenzo Dress (Striped Version Here. Velvet Version Here. All variations here!) / Loeffler Randall Leonie Ballet Flat (Also available via Tuckernuck.)

Another classic, versatile piece is the Tuckernuck Kenzo Dress. I wear it with the comfiest ballet flats ever for casual days, and pumps or over-the-knee boots for dressier occasions. It’s tiered—so it’s very forgiving, yet because of the crepe material, it falls in the most flattering way. (It is NOT shaped like a tent!)

Lincoln Park, Chicago

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Fall, Kelly in the City, Lincoln Park, Chicago, Outfits, Spring, Summer

January 22, 2023 •

Lincoln Park, Chicago