Thursday, March 16, 2017

Sip & Shop

Sip on this Apple Pear White Sangria...



...and shop this Lilly Pulitzer Marlowe dress, which is available in two different prints and is a score at less than $100. I love how this versatile fabric dress can be spiced up with a cashmere cardigan or long kimono. 



OR 





Have a great start to the weekend! Happy Saint Patrick's Day. 

XOXO, 



Sunday, March 12, 2017

Season Favorites

Spring has pretty much sprung, and I am so excited about all of the new releases from all my favorite brands, even if that just means browsing! 

First of all, I have been waiting forever for the release of the Too Faced  "Fall in Love" collection, and it is released as of March 9th! Could these shimmery nudes be any better? I love that there are so many options for blending. Too Faced is my go to for all makeup, including my concealer, their Better Than Sex Waterproof mascara, and blushes / bronzers. I don't ever have to use a primer because their makeup sticks all day. 

And I won't forget to mention...they are having a huge sale and many of their cosmetics are up to 60% off right now. 



And, all of the Lilly Spring 2017 arrivals are gorgeous. All of the crisp blues and whites have me ooo-ing and awe-ing because as you know, I am obsessed with any hue of blue and all resort wear. Will and I are trying to plan a few quick getaways this year and I hope some of these releases get listed on Poshmark or in the Lilly After Party Sale in the summer so I can snag a few. 



Lilly Spring 2017 by aduchessandablog on polyvore.com

What new releases are you loving this season?

XOXO,



Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Blue and White Everything

I am excited because many of my new favorite things are blue and white. 
To follow along with my favorite things daily make sure to follow along on Instagram at @theduchess1317. 


I am three stethescopes deep into my career (yes, I have broken three in 2 years). 
That is a lot of stethe-debt, but I am excited to try the renowned quality of this rainbow and navy Litmann. 


Overstock had a huge liquidation sale and I scored this gorgeous and huge area rug for my office. It is 10x14' and covers the room so nicely. 


Obsessed does not even begin to describe how I feel about this blue and white lamp that I also picked up at the Overstock sale. Let it be noted that they send out coupons all the time if you sign up for emails, including an initial 10% coupon for signing up initially. Don't forget to use eBates too for extra cash back! 

I want allllll the blue and white details this season!
XOXO, 



Wednesday, March 1, 2017

My Week in Photos

Finally, back to the blogging world. I have been fighting bronchitis and a sinus infection for three weeks. I made the mistake of waiting for 2 weeks to go to the doctor, thinking it was a flu, cold, or something I could fight off. It was the most miserable decision that I could have made. I am finally 3 days away from finishing a round of antibiotics and am feeling better. 

I was so excited to have a series of days off of work to catch up on everything from grocery shopping to seeing people I love to just being a person. Today we went to the auto show, tomorrow is a scheduled girl's night with one of my coworkers, and the following evening is a celebration of my grandfather's birthday. This past weekend Will and I also threw in a movie night where I made steak on my new cast iron pan, a visit to the West Side Market for fresh bread, produce and macaroons. I am so excited to have my life back on track, including regular trips to the gym where I can lift the heavy weight that makes me feel like I went there to work out with a purpose. 


I had yet another clearance find at TJ Maxx. Seriously I need to stay out of that place. I just can't help myself when they have items for so cheap that I would have otherwise paid a fortune for. I am one of those people who thrives off of aesthetically pleasing spaces, and my apartment is no exception. I am also a sucker for chochkies. I admit that I love a fresh and modern space with a clean interior. However, I can't help but surround myself with things that make me happy, which is what I believe Lorelai Gilmore said in Gilmore Girls. There is a huge difference between clutter and most loved chochkies, and I like to keep a fine balance. 





On one of the days I started to finally turn the corner on my plague, we took a quick pit stop to the park to take a look at the lake. It was freezing, but we feel SO blessed to live by a large body of water. We take it for granted, but there is nothing like a walk on the lake during the summer to watch the sunset. (We also were walking off the guilt of the macaroons we had just eaten at the West Side Market.)


Ironically enough we ended up stopping for cake donuts at my favorite donut place in the world, Spudnuts. We took 2 home for later. 


Did anyone else hear about the death of Bill Paxton? I was deeply saddened. He was such a fantastic actor and every movie he was in was better because of his presence. We had actually just finished watching Titanic a few hours before I found out. 

Lastly, I have been crushing on the Michele Deco Diamond watch. 


Maybe a purchase far into the future. I never used to like watches just because I didn't like to wear anything tight on my wrist. Lately I have begun to appreciate the beauty in a well made watch. Timepieces are things that can be handed down to your children and grandchildren for years to come. There are certain family heirlooms and timepieces that the women in my family have that I have always admired and I can't wait to pass down coveted pieces of jewelry to my loved ones. This is one of the reasons I think it is important to invest when you are able in things that last for years and years rather than throw money away on trends. 


I topped off the end of my stretch of days off with a wine and mermaid tail night with one of my dear coworkers! 

I hope you enjoy the rest of your week. 

XOXO,