jcrew toothpick jeans-100

Top: J.Crew Factory (Old) / Bracelets: Bauble Bar (c/o) and Armed & Readi (c/o) / Jeans: J.Crew / Pumps: C.Wonder / Blazer: J.Crew / Necklace: Miriam Merenfeld (c/o) / Watch: Marc Jacobs, and love it in brown and black! / Tote: C.Wonder (Old), newer version here (And seriously lusting after the Tory Burch version) / Earrings: J.Crew / Sunnies: Kate Spade (Old), newer styles here / Lipstick: Clinique (“Pudgy Peony”)

(How cute are the Bauble Bar initial bangles pictured below?! You need them. They’re on the smaller side, so they don’t make a ton of noise, and they don’t fall off. I’m obsessed. Be prepared. You’ll be seeing these beauties often!)

First of all, thank you so, so much for your words of kindness and support yesterday surrounding the move! Mitch and I had a great time last night. We read through all of your comments on the blog, Instagram and Twitter, and each one made us even more pumped about this big life change ahead of us. You guys are seriously the best. I’m really excited about sharing our journey with you, too. Yes—I’m going to maintain Kelly in the City while in Chicago. And no, I’m not going to change blog’s name. I’ll still be in a city… so it still works, right?!)

Admittedly, my life is a little hectic right now. I’m packing, tying up loose ends in New York, and making rounds and saying goodbyes. I’m flabbergasted by how much there is to do. (It would be a whole lot easier if school let out on a reasonable date, but alas. We get out on the 26th.) There are moving trucks to schedule, parking passes to register for, accounts to cancel and accounts to open. And that’s just the beginning! It’s daunting, but it’ll be worth it. And we have a lot of experience moving. Since arriving in New York back in 2006, I’ve moved seven times! (Moving is apparently my hobby.) For those of you who have emailed me–I’m so sorry for my radio silence. I’m working hard to catch up and get my life in order! It just might take me a week or two.

jcrew toothpick jeans-34

On a somewhat related note, New York is gorgeous right now. If you’re interested in visiting this summer, now’s the time! The weather is perfect—not too hot, and the humidity has subsided a bit—and everyone seems happy. The restaurants are overflowing onto the streets, Mr. Softee is everywhere, and the little greenery we have is in full bloom. After school yesterday, Mitch and I got coffee and ice cream cones (#normal) and sat in Union Square, taking it all in. We then walked over to Shawn’s in Stuyvesant Town, and hung out there for a while. I parted ways with the guys a little while later, and walked to SoHo for the RewardStyle “Summer School” blogging event at the French Connection flagship store on West Broadway.

photo 4
Wow. I wish I could attend “blogging school” every day. I learned so much. (I also got to spend time with pals Jen of Skirt the Rules, Ashley of Impossibly Imperfect, and my girls at French Connection, which always makes my day!) It’s funny—when the presentations began, my first thought was, “Oh God. I have no idea what I’m doing.” SEO? Permalinks? Analytics? These are terms I have largely ignored during my 1.5 years of blogging. But as the “classes” continued, I got more and more inspired. Style and lifestyle blogging are growing industries, and it’s exciting to be part of it all in my own little way. Maybe I don’t currently have time to implement the things I learned at the RewardStyle event, but this summer, I will! I love experimenting, and I’m excited to try out some new stuff. (Hopefully I don’t crash my site. Only time will tell.)

photo 3
Before I go, I have to mention Father’s Day. I didn’t manage to get a post up on Sunday (busy spending time with the family), but I just want to give my dad a quick shout out. ;) Dad, I love you so much. You’re my hero, my best friend, and my biggest supporter. Thank you for making my childhood perfect, and teaching me the importance of family, love and kindness. Everyone should be so lucky to have a father like you! Hope you and Mom are having the best time out in Napa. Super jealous! Please tell the fine people at Chateau Montelena and Duckhorn Vineyards that I say hello.

Happy Tuesday, all! And again, thank you.

jcrew toothpick jeans-6
jcrew toothpick jeans-7
jcrew toothpick jeans-101
jcrew toothpick jeans-36
jcrew toothpick jeans-5
jcrew toothpick jeans-102