Little Upgrades...

Lately I have been adding a few new things to my apartment...nothing major, just a few little upgrades that only I may notice, but they make me happy!

Cake Stand for my perfume....ps. I just bought this amazingggg new perfume from Diptyque, I am in love with the fresh scent. Totally recommend it if you need a new summer scent!

  

I totally wish I had a porch or yard so I could hang these girly lanterns!

Ideas for my makeup brushes. Such an easy solution for keeping your brushing organized! 

I have been lusting over these bad boys for a while now. I might finally cave and make a purchase for a pouf sometime this summer.... any thoughts on what color I should get??

Absolutely adore this idea. I have so many wooden spoons, and I think this is totally cute! It might not really make any difference to my cooking, but hey everyone needs something cute to look at while they are in the kitchen right?

Something New & Under the Weather

Well lovely's it seems that my Wedding Wednesday posts will soon be coming to an end...I have loved sharing some of my favorite wedding images, and ideas with you and that will not completely stop all together, but my main ideas and images are going to be found elsewhere in these coming weeks...Stay tuned, for there is much more to come on this exciting change at a later date. 

Also, it seems that I have caught a horrible head cold while traveling over the weekend. And even thought I have to go into work today I would really enjoy doing something along the lines of this...

If anyone has any tips on how to survive a work day with a cold, please send them my way. I am in much need of some remedies right about now...

xx,

Weekend Recap

I hope you all had a lovely weekend! Sorry for falling off the grid yesterday, I had a late flight back to Chicago last night so I wasn't able to post. But I had such a great weekend going home and visiting my dad, stepmom and sisters. Here is a little peak into some of the highlights...

Seriously, my sisters are adorable. I can't stand it! The little one got to play in the sand for the first time...of course it was my fault, I didn't really think that 9 months old maybe shouldn't have free range with sand (gets in their mouths and everywhere else...oops), but she seemed to enjoy and learned not to eat it, so I like to think I imparted my wisdom on her, hah. 

Saw one of my best friends from Chicago, who know lives in LA. We went and explored Venice Beach and the canals...so pretty! Great day:)

Loved going to the beach with one of my oldest friends. Always nice to catch up...

 Had some pretty awesome meals, made some great dinners and of course my trip wouldn't have been complete without my daily trip to the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

How was your Memorial Day? 

xx,

I can NOT wait to take a much needed break and go a visit some of my favorite people at my favorite place. I love going back to Manhattan Beach. Even though I totally consider Chicago my home, Manhattan Beach hold a special place in my heart and some very special memories. I loved growing up on the west coast, and come this evening at 7pm I will be on my way back again. I am most excited to see my little sisters! I have missed them so much:)

Taylor, 10 months old

Alexa, 6 years old

They both have grown so much since I last saw them and I can't way to play barbies, watch some soccer games, and see Taylor crawling around for the first time!! On top of that I am looking forward to Coffee Bean, sand in my toes, shopping, bbqing, and seeing some of my best friends. Eeek, its a great day!

Happy Weekend Everyone.

xx,

Farmer's Market

Recently on my daily commute to work I noticed that the farmer's market has started up again (yessss)!!! Now, since this is my first summer in the city I can not wait to go explore the market and all the yummy, fresh goodies it has to offer! For those of you who live in Chicago the Green City Market is located right in the heart of Lincoln Park (kind of near the zoo). Go check it out some time and let me know what you think!

Do any of you venture off to farmer's markets over regular markets? Any tips?

The farmer's market is just one thing that has me excited for summer! What is something you are looking forward to? 

xx,

Found this amazing wedding on Style Me Pretty and couldn't resist sharing it! It is no secret that I am a huge fan of the beachy, chic weddings (or just life in general) but something about this beautiful little Hawaiian wedding has me wishing that there were more pictures in their gallery to make me feel like I was there....here a just a few of my favorite images....

Head over to their gallery for more stunning pictures!

xox,

More Jewelry

I wanted to share two new custom orders with you all! They are on my jewelry page....

...the link is under my picture "Madison Elizabeth Designs"...

Beautiful flour de lis bracelets!

Darling keychains for mother's day!

Let me know what you think...

xx,

Caprese Pasta

Last night I had so extra time to make dinner and lots of ingredients sitting in my fridge from my trip to Trader Joes last week. 

I have always been a big fan of Italian food, it's in my blood...an all time favorite is the traditional caprese salad, but last night I decided to make some pasta as well. In my attempt to figure out what sauce to use, I decided to throw in the caprese salad as my sauce.

 The result was amazeeeeeballs.

First, boil some water to cook the noodles....

Then, slice the tomatoes...

Next, dice the tomatoes and the mozzarella...

I made some pesto to use instead of basil leaves. I prefer my moms homemade pest (once I get that recipe from her, I'll share with you all), but until then I totally recommend getting store bough pesto. Trader Joes and Whole Foods have great options!

Mix it all up!

And last, but not least...my favorite ingredient...

Bon Appetite!!

xx,

Weekend Recap

I hope you all had a great weekend! The weather in my neck of the woods was absolutely gorgeous (a little hot, but beautiful none the less). Even though NATO "took over" Chicago this weekend, I still had a great time seeing some of my beautiful friends....

Until I woke up Sunday morning and had to deal with this nonsense....At least Julia there to help me, and I can honestly say that after two hours of standing in the heat with jumper cables I was in major need of...

...an ice cold lemonade, and some serious people watching at Tavern on Rush.

And of course what a better way to end the weekend than with some delicious cupcakes.

1 dead car+ two girls with jumper cables+ one triple A guy+ 3 hours of my life that I will never get back+ an ice cold lemonade + cupcakes=

Perfect Sunday Afternoon.

How was your weekend??

xx,

xx,

The White...polka dots

I am in love with most anything white. And recently I have been oohing and aaahing over white polka dots. So many ways to wear them...how could you not love them?

punk, chic

weekend chic

chic chic

'

comfy chic

casual chic

Yes I am loving all these little white dots in any form! I think they are so cute... although, no one can pull it off as well as my gal Minnie

What is your favorite way to rock the dots??

xx,

sorry for falling off the grid today. catching up with my crazy life....will return tomorrow. 

xx,

Guest Post: The NOW

I am so excited to have Elizabeth from the NOW over on t.w.r. today to share some fun and creative ways to spruce up your home decor just in time for summer!

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Hi White Ruffle readers, it's Elizabeth from The NOW. I was so honored when Madison asked me to do a guest post for her beautiful blog. I am so excited to share with you some tips for summer home makeovers!!!

Summer is just around the corner and like most clothing hoarders, I have just finished thedaunting process of switching out my heavy, wooly winter clothes for my heat friendly wardrobe. But your clothes aren't the only things that need a switcheroo. Just like your wardrobe, your home decor can change with the seasons. Unfortunately, you can't just switch out your velvet couch for a  linen one when spring rolls around, but there are a few easy ways to get your home spring/summer ready. 

A good place to start is with your textiles....

Green accents add more depth to thegorgeous blue hues in this room. Home styling by Ana Antunes

Or freshen up your furniture or walls with a colorful coat of paint....

Spring trend: Color blocking! via Wohnidee

And don't forget to go green...

A DIY terrarium is a great way to bring theoutdoors inside! via Making it Lovely

And you can always take the party outside and enjoy the weather!!

SO cute!! via apartment therapy

Candelabra | Throw | Hanging Terrariums | Adirondack Chair | Pillow | Serveware

xoxo e

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swooning over all these ideas...definitely going to have to go and grab that candelabra and that throw! Obsessed! 

What's your favorite??

xx,