This past weekend, Eye4Style and I packed up and left NYC for Chicago. Our trip had one focus - to hang out with one of my best friends from college - and of course there was the requisite drinking, eating and shopping. The flight from Laguardia was super quick, which made the hour and a half cab rides to and from the airport feel excruciatingly long. Note to self: next time, take the train.

We stayed at The James Chicago which felt like it was in the center of everything (to be fair, my friend Michael did such a great job of planing our itinerary). We drank at Pops for Champagne (where he is the mayor on Foursquare natch), had mind-blowing pizza at La Madia, brunched at Bistronomic, and binged on fantastic cupcakes from More. I've been to Chicago many times, but i was genuinely surprised at how fashionable the city has become. Guess Second City Style was onto something!

Outfit details:

Top: Old Navy (no longer available)

Skirt: Evans (similar available here)

Jacket: Torrid (no longer available)

Flats: Nine West (no longer available)

Bag: Rebecca Minkoff MAC (other colors available here)

Necklace: Forever 21 (no longer available)

Lipstick: NARS Pure Matte in Carthage

Photo by Dina Fierro

Finds of the week:

• High: K Jacques St Tropez Epicure leather sandals, $260
• Low: Joe's Tina leather sandals, $90

Off the wire:

• Sketchers has to pay $50 million because Shape Ups don't actually work.
• Pinterest raises $100 million to further their copyright curation platform.
• Fab.com opens an NYC pop-up.

Smart reads:

• Off The Rack: The Webster at Target Women's Apparel - The Budget Babe
• {weekend wear} - Miss Whoever You Are
• Arquiste fragrances - Cult of Pretty

Finds of the week:

• High: YSL's Shocking Felt Tip Eyeliner Pen, $32
• Low: Maybelline's Eye Studio Felt Tip Eyeliner, $8

Off the wire:

• Karl Lagerfeld once owned (and wore) a mankini. Photo evidence because it happened.
• Max Azria only works five hours a day. Redesigning the same bandage dress can't be that difficult.
• Betsey Johnson files for Chapter 11, but the reality show is still on.

Smart reads:

• LOFT Summer 2012 Lookbook - The Budget Babe
• I'm Powerless Against a J.Crew/Pamela Love Collaboration - Eye4Style
• It's Like Going On Vacation, But Not - Miss Whoever You Are

You know those days. The ones where it's pouring down rain and you can't seem to convince yourself to do anything beyond getting out of bed but there's a full day on your calendar. I couldn't find a weather forecast suitable enough to take the MOMA Design Store's Sky Umbrella out for a test drive, but being one who isn't fond of looking gift horses in the mouth, I decided to use it on a sunny day, just because.

As you may not know (and if you do, congratulations!), this year marks the 20th anniversary of the Sky Umbrella, designed by graphic artist Tibor Kalman. Best know for his bold and confrontational pieces, Kalman's Sky Umbrella has become iconic. If the Sky Umbrella has been your sunny companion on a rainy day, you can upload a photo of yourself with it to MOMA's Facebook where they are Celebrating 20 Years of Blue Skies for a chance to win a prize pack from the Design Store.

Outfit details:

Sky Umbrella: MOMA Design Store

Trench: Discovered at Re/Dress (no longer available)

Blue skinnies: Lane Bryant

Flats: Nine West Naughty

Tote: CFDA x eBay (no longer available)

Rope necklace: Target

Striped cuff: Amrita Singh

Photos by Tara Shashaty

Finds of the week:

• High: Michael Michael Kors Jelly Jet Set Tote, $168
• Low: Danielle Nicole Jelly Tote, $54

Off the wire:

• Ashley Judd tells the truth about her face and shakes a finger at the media.
• Coffee drinking is linked to lower depression rates in women.
• If you attack someone with a Louboutin, you might be all over the internet.

Smart reads:

• Bisou Bisou for JCPenney Spring 2012 Loookbook - The Budget Babe
• DIY Nail Stickers - The Beauty Department
• Escape Plotting (In Pin, Obviously) - A Little Alytude

Oh, fashion. You make us do the silliest things. Here's a perfect example: I fell in love with the Kate Spade Bond Street Florence (in flo coral, of course) and frankly, it's not as big of a bag as I would like for every day. I had to get strategic about the things I really needed to get me through the day but the biggest economizing came from my makeup bag. I'm a beauty junkie, and while the products I use (and carry) change every day, I still bring way too much. My little Flo - as I affectionately call my bag - has really taught me the value of editing.

This is an excellent example of my version of a "power purse". For the business part of me, I rely on essentials like my Marc Jacobs business card holder, Listerine Strips, a fine point pink Sharpie, my 2012 goal journal and my Graphic Image 2012 Agenda. Of course my Tom Ford sunnies are an absolute essential, for both work and play. When it comes to beauty, I really like to play with my look. I love the Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butters, seen here in Lollipop and Peach Parfait. They're great for a downsized makeup bag because they deliver a punch of color with the hydrating elements of a lip balm.

Revlon and ELLE Magazine have teamed up to celebrate beauty through the lens of self confidence, personal style and the necessity of being prepared for anything that comes your way. ELLE has curated 8 unique power purses to be given away to very lucky ladies. The value of each bag is $3,000, including both the handbag and contents.

4 of these amazing bags will be given away via Revlon's Facebook page, however another 4 will be dropped at diverse locations throughout the country. Want to get your hands on one? Connect with Revlon on Facebook for clues on how to find the drop location and great daily giveaways. If you aren't one of the lucky eight winners, you can still get your hands on goodies at each drop site, like samples, makeovers and other fun incentives.

Here's what I want to know - what do you pack in your power purse?

Finds of the week:

• High: Manolo Blahnik Fonden Spectator Lace-Up Sandal, $945
• Low: Brooks Brothers Leather T-Strap Spectator, $198

Off the wire:

• Pinterest is now reportedly the #3 social network in the US.
• There's mad drama surrounding the Sea of Shoes profile in Texas Monthly.
• Kate Spade launches swimwear and it's predictably adorable.

Smart reads:

• My cherry blossom nail art tutorial - The Budget Babe
• Coral Obligation: Three Vibrant Coral Lip Accoutrements For Spring - Beauty Blogging Junkie
• Style Journey: Pink Lemonade - Stylish Curves

It's no secret that I love Baublebar. I'm obsessed with the affordable price points, the fashion-forward approach to jewelry and, naturally, the recent collaboration with DKNY. Just in time for the pretty preppy spring trends, BaubleBar released a new series of personalized jewelry.

In just 3 - 5 weeks, you can have your very own personalized pieces, from initials to monograms, for $152 and under. There's something so organic and comforting about monograms. Sure, you can get your initials embroidered on your towels or a plush bathrobe, or if you're extra posh, on your Louis Vuitton luggage.

BaubleBar's collection of custom pieces is pretty extensive. For example, you can customize:

Octagon Initial Bracelet, $50

Initial Stud Earrings, $50

Hexagon Pendant Necklace, $52

Engraved Monogram Necklace, $152

Plus, they offer the classic nameplate necklace or, if you're feeling tech-chic, a Twitter nameplate version.

Since I'm a bit sentimental, I love the idea of personalized jewelry (and wear a few pieces of my own). How do you feel about the trend?

When it comes to shopping for denim, I do it as little as possible. I'm 6'2" and plus sized, which often leaves me with only one or two options. There are times when I've purchased average length jeans and masqueraded them as ankle length, simply because I was so desperate for the style. Founded in 2006, INDi Custom Jeans realized there was a huge opportunity in the marketplace and began to offer women and men the opportunity to customize denim to their needs online.

Sure, you can have a tailor adjust the length or take in your jeans when you lose 5 pounds, but what if you could customize every aspect of your purchase? From the fabric (including spandex content), to the wash, the stitching, and even the pockets, INDi gives you the opportunity to take full design control over your purchase. Additionally, the customization process also inquires about your measurements, your typical sizing and your body shape to ensure that you're ordering the best fitting jeans possible.

Denim from INDi ranges from $175 - $200. Orders can take a few weeks to arrive (after all, they are being made just for you).

Do you ever struggle with finding the perfect jean for you like I do? Tell me about your experiences in the comments below!

Back when Eye4Style and I worked together, she (in her loving way) chastised me for wearing far too much black. Since that day, I will always hear her voice in the back of my head as I get ready for the day. STOP BUYING BLACK, SARAH! I've made a committed attempt to diversify my wardrobe, almost to the point where I now own too many colors and not enough neutrals. What can I say? It's hard to find the balance.

The point is, this spring I have an over-abundance of color and I'm not afraid to wear it. I love matching up shades that feel like they don't normally go together to make the work day a little more interesting.

Neon hoops: Forever 21 (not available online, super similar here)

Sheer top: Lane Bryant (no longer available)

Cobalt jeans: Lane Bryant

Neon satchel: Kate Spade Bond Street Satchel in Flo Coral c/o Neiman Marcus

Colorful pumps: J. Renee (a Nordstrom Rack find)

Rose gold watch: Michael Michael Kors

Photos by Tara Shashaty