Here’s to the ones who dream
Dress: Kate Spade // Bag: Rebecca Minkoff // Shoes: Kate Spade // Earrings: David Yurman // Ring: Christofle
*All items were borrowed in collaboration with the Oak St. Council*
Here’s to the ones who dream, foolish as they may seem.
Here’s to the hearts that ache. Here’s to the mess we make.
She told me a bit of madness is key, to give us new colors to see.
Who knows where it will lead us?
And that’s why they need us.
So bring on the rebels, the ripples from pebbles, the painters and poets and plays.
And here’s to the fools who dream, crazy as they may seem.
Here’s to the hearts that break. Here’s to the mess we make.
So before we talk about this outfit… I saw La La Land over the weekend, and I can not stop thinking about it. It’s getting TONS of awards buzz, critics are raving, and now I can also say that it completely exceeded my expectations. I had a feeling I would enjoy it, but I had no idea it would affect me as much as it did. Seriously, so many tears!! My girlfriends and I laughed after the movie ended about how we weren’t ready to talk about it yet… so we had to stick solely to the topic of Ryan Gosling’s dancing. Safe territory.
I know I sound super dramatic, but I honestly can’t think of another movie that made me feel as much as this one did. As someone who actively pursued an acting career for so many years of my life, I can remember feeling exactly as Mia did in the movie… and the combination of that raw honesty with the fantasy of musical numbers was really something. Add in a love story and nods to Old Hollywood films and Gosling’s piano skills and you’ve got pretty much every emotion covered.
I don’t want to give anything else away, but if you like the lyrics that started this post… go see it. Especially if you’re an actor, if you’ve ever pursued a dream, if you’ve ever been in love, or if you have a heart beat! Seriously, it’s a beautiful film. Go go go. (And no, this is not sponsored!)

But why am I talking about a movie here on the blog? Well first, it’s fresh on my mind, but for some reason, I also really liked the idea of talking about it with THIS outfit. It may just be a fun and colorful dress, but it’s such a symbol of my life right now. I’ve talked about this in posts before, but I was always so afraid that straying away from an acting career would feel the same as failing. I was afraid that I would be giving up the colorful and exciting life I had once imagined for myself. So I held onto things that inspired me and channeled them in a different way. Sounds good in theory, but to go from being a struggling actress to investing so many hours of my life into Lake Shore Lady? I know I seemed crazy. Why would I go from one pipe dream to another?
Yet… here’s to the ones who dream, right? As foolish as they may seem 😉
This movie made me remember that I’ve (yes – sometimes foolishly) believed in those lyrics for a long time. And as painful and frustrating as that past life of mine might have been, the one I’m living now is still full of hard work and inspiring people – only in this version, there are also actual real life TV appearances, colorful Kate Spade and Rebecca Minkoff items pulled just for me and photo shoots at iconic Chicago spots like Oak St. Sure, it’s not what I originally imagined for myself, and the dream might have changed a little, but you betchya I’m still dreaming!
Plus, playing with pretty things like these isn’t soooo bad 😉
Speaking of those pretty things… let’s talk about this outfit! This is the kind of dress that I could wear every single day. The colorful pattern was enough to win me over, but the long sleeves and flowy skirt made me want to twirl up and down the street. And while it might not be traditional red or green, I could wear it to any holiday party and feel like a million bucks. Plus, these heels?! What do you even DO with a pink heel? HEART EYES.
But enough about me – what about you?! Do you have any “foolish” dreams? I know it’s a personal topic, but if you feel like sharing, I’d love to hear!
Shop the look below:
Photos by Iron & Honey
December 19, 2016 @ 3:45 pm
I LOVE this dress!!! So adorable. I've been wanting to see La La Land, now I feel like I need to watch it asap!
http://www.theclydescope.com
December 19, 2016 @ 6:10 pm
Adore the dress and the message. I often pause and ask myself WHY I do what I do, and then I realize if I stopped I wouldn't be following my heart…which is a sad way to live. Thanks for sharing, I never knew you had pursued an acting career!! Way to parlay, my friend!
December 20, 2016 @ 6:36 pm
Great dress! You look awesome!
December 20, 2016 @ 4:55 pm
can't wait to see it!