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The Golden Girl

Chicago Fashion and Lifestyle Blog

January 31, 2017

Pretty Polka Dots

Keys_011917_0094

Dress: Topshop at Nordstrom–also comes in top version! (this one is a very similar navy version and I loveee this version with the dark floral print. I also tried on this one in a similar silhouette, it’s such a perfect transitional “winter to spring” color!) If you’ve been loving bell sleeves lately like I have, I rounded up my favorites in this post! // Boots: Stewart Weitzman (this is my favorite budget friendly version though, which I also own!) // Lipstick: My #1 go-to shade–MAC Lady Danger (I also recommend their lip scrub, which is SO good for winter, and their lip primer!) // Hair: Curled with a Beachwaver curling iron, Oribe Texture Spray // Nail polish: Essie’s no-chip gel polish–it actually stays really well compared to normal polish! I did a little review of it here. // Bar necklace: Dana Rebecca // Dainty gold “J” necklace: c/o Vo Jewelry 

 

So, this has been a great week so far! YAY for great Mondays, right?

For starters, my friends Cassandra, Meg and I got together for an impromptu lunch at Dox Greek–this new trendy fast-casual (that’s a term now, you know. I heard it on the Bon Appetit Foodcast which is my favorite podcast ever) Greek restaurant. It was really good. I would describe it kind of like Antique Taco but with Greek? Like traditional street food with a twist? Order the chicken kebabs with fries. SO good.

Anyway, we spent awhile catching up over kebabs and pitas. OH and something I forgot–back up–it was SUNNY today? Yeah, that hasn’t happened in literally (I’m not kidding, I know I use the word “literally” liberally, but I’m really not exaggerating this time!) 10 days.

I walked into the kitchen this morning to see sunlight streaming through the windows and did little pirouettes in my wool socks.

Anyway, yes, after the sun happened, THEN I met my friends for lunch, then Meg and I took the long way home to her place. Her cutie baby James–(remember him from this post?)–had fallen asleep so we thought the long way was best.

Then we booked our flights and hotel for LA in February! Eeeeek! I am SO excited. I haven’t been in so long, and I cannot wait to get the heck out of this weather for a few days. I tell myself that when I get back, it will be almost March, which means it will get warmer. (Lies, I know, but it helps me sleep at night.) We’ll be staying in Beverly Hills, so if you have any must-sees or reccos, I’d love to hear them!

The good times will also keep rolling this week because I have girls dinner with Blair, Shaheen and Kelly lined up tonight, a work date with Blair to tackle our full Blogging For Keeps agenda tomorrow, and then dinner with one of my BFF’s, Liz, tomorrow night.

WHEW. Ladies week!

Speaking of, this dress + these boots [budget-friendly version here!]= girls night and date night go-to! (I know Kelly is reading this tssk tssking, “JESSICA! YOU NEED TO WEAR TIGHTS IN WINTER!” but that’s really not true–OTK boots keep you SO warm! They’re basically like pants. Remember? We already covered this.)

Speaking of tights–if you throw on an opaque pair with a classic pair of pumps, this dress is also perfectly suitable for the office. It’s also under $100 so that’s always a bonus! There are a ton of similar versions in different patterns.

Shop this + similar dresses: 

Also, if you like to shop small and support local designers, check out Vo Jewelry! She made this adorable little “J” initial necklace for me and is so, so cute! It’s perfect for layering or all by itself. I love how dainty it is–she’s also one of the coolest gals around. I met her at a shoot I did with Alice & Wonder and we all had so much fun together!

[…this post was apparently brought to you by “girl power.” YEAH.]

Keys_011917_0112 Keys_011917_0106

Keys_011917_0101 Keys_011917_0103 Keys_011917_0099 Keys_011917_0108 Keys_011917_0091 Keys_011917_0114Keys_011917_0109

Hope your week is also off to a great start! 🙂 

Also check out: How I curl my hair in soft waves, some favorite winter wardrobe staples

Filed Under: Outfits, Style

Reader Interactions

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Comments

  1. Rachel Spross says

    January 31, 2017 at 9:26 am

    You are adorable! I love that dress 🙂

    -Rachel
    http://thetrendytomboy.com/

    Reply
    • Jess says

      February 2, 2017 at 11:44 am

      Aw thank you Rachel!!

      Reply
  2. TheVagabondWayfarer says

    January 31, 2017 at 9:59 am

    Love the dress!
    http://www.thevagabondwayfarer.com

    Reply
    • Jess says

      February 2, 2017 at 11:44 am

      Thanks lady!

      Reply
  3. tornado_ally says

    January 31, 2017 at 11:13 am

    I have been really frustrated with my knockoff Lowland boots lately – they won’t stay up without me resorting to using weird straps underneath the boots. Do you have any issues with the Lowland boots staying up (particularly with bare legs underneath, like this)? I may just bite the bullet and buy the real deal.

    http://www.tornado-ally.com

    Reply
    • Jess says

      February 2, 2017 at 11:44 am

      Omg, girl, I FEEL you. I can’t tell you how many Lowland knock-offs I tried on. The only one’s that worked for me with my legs are the budget-friendly alternatives I linked above, but they don’t tie in the back. Honestly, the Lowland’s are as wonderful as you hear and I don’t have problems with them staying up in bare legs. I think it’s because they’re so snug everywhere else on your leg, that it’s not JUST the top ties that have to keep them up, you know? If they are in your budget I would definitely say you won’t regret it. I’ve never loved a pair of boots more, and I can honestly say I reach for them about 90% of the time these days when I’m getting dressed, no matter where I”m going. (They’re also INSANELY warm!) Okay sorry for the 8 page essay, but I hope this helps!

      Reply
  4. Diana Pearl says

    January 31, 2017 at 2:08 pm

    Every time I see someone wearing these boots, I SWOON. They are just SO beautiful. I’m in love. And I love this dress, too!

    x Diana // http://www.dianapearl.com

    Reply
    • Jess says

      February 2, 2017 at 11:41 am

      I know, I’m the same way! I wanted them for YEARS! They’re really do live up to the hype!

      Reply
  5. Natalie Was Here says

    January 31, 2017 at 2:19 pm

    I saw this dress at Nordstrom the other day and did a double take. You just convinced me to buy it! SO cute on you!

    http://nataliewashere.com/

    Reply
    • Jess says

      February 2, 2017 at 11:40 am

      Yay!! You have to tell me when you post a picture of you in it so I can see how you styled it! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Kristina Anderson says

    January 31, 2017 at 3:32 pm

    I’m soooo jealous that this dress looks so good on you, I tried it on last week and it made me look like a school marm. Whatever that is.

    Kristina does the Internets

    Reply
    • Jess says

      February 2, 2017 at 11:39 am

      Kristina, I TOTALLY know what you mean!! I thought the exact thing when I saw it on the hanger and was like “hmmm, this could go one of two ways :-P” If it were longer on me, I would def look like a school marm, too. It’s all about the length when there’s no skin showing on top!

      Reply
  7. Devon says

    February 1, 2017 at 12:42 am

    Loving this cute print!! That dress is adorable on you! xo Devon Seventeen Dresses

    Reply
    • Jess says

      February 2, 2017 at 11:39 am

      Thanks Devon!!

      Reply
  8. Britney says

    February 1, 2017 at 7:51 am

    Love this outfit on you, Jess! So cute with the polka dots!

    Reply
    • Jess says

      February 2, 2017 at 11:39 am

      Thanks Britney! I can’t resist a good polka dot 🙂

      Reply
  9. Colleen Dwyer says

    February 1, 2017 at 2:59 pm

    Obsessed with your boots!

    Reply
    • Jess says

      February 2, 2017 at 11:40 am

      Thanks Colleen! Me too. It’s kind of a problem. I don’t even take them off when I get inside my house. (Mostly because they’re super warm and my house is ALWAYS freezing–haha!)

      Reply
  10. Christina says

    February 16, 2017 at 1:01 pm

    I’ve been wanting to try that place! Cute outfit 🙂

    Christina | http://www.cuddlepill.com

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Ruffled Polka Dot Dress. - Pretty & Fun says:
    February 1, 2017 at 9:22 am

    […] sandals for a dinner date with girlfriends or even pairing the dress with over the knee boots (like Jess did!) and wearing it to the office. It’s just one of those dresses that adds a little pep in your […]

    Reply

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