We're a lucky bunch. A couple of our favorite people call Chicago their home and we get to pay them a visit from time to time in their glorious city. Over the years we've visited during the bitter cold of winter and my husband and I even ran a marathon during a late fall heat wave. You never quite know what you'll get here. Our most recent trip however coincided with some of the most perfect weather I've ever had.

Two days before we left for our trip, a highly anticipated delivery came from Zimmerman Shoes. These handcrafted beauties made their way from Eastern PA to Boston and got right back on the road to join us in Chicago. They are made from the softest suede that you can imagine in the richest of tones. And please do not glance over the laces. Its not a detail I normally notice but these are truly something special. They tie up like a charm into a neat and tidy bow and remain that way even after a day of walking the city.

Elise was asked to collect some leaves and nature for a class project at school this week so we got right to work scouring the streets of Chicago for some unique items to bring home. The colors of her findings made a perfect match to her fall ensemble. It is the age of twirly skirts and tutu dresses but that all becomes so much more tolerable when we come across gems like this beautiful rust colored piece from Alaskan brand, The Tame Fox. It is one of those garments that adds depth to a wardrobe without even trying and the construction is beyond amazing!

Every winter season we acquire one pair of tights that seem to work well with almost everything. The accessory of the season for us has to be these Caramel Baby & Child Pointelle Tights. I first noticed these lovely tights on a fall campaign for one of our favorite collections. After some digging I came across the source and ordered a pair straight away. Caramel Baby & Child is without a doubt one of my favorite stores to visit during our travels. We've stumbled across them in Tokyo and New York and each location offers lovely treasures for all the littles in your life.

It is hard to imagine this backyard oasis is in the center of a bustling city! The vegetation is lush and the decor is inviting. We always feel right at home in Chicago thanks to wonderful friendships and magical spaces.

Elise is about to start school five days a week and I'm trying to savor every last moment with her before the bustle of fall begins. We took a trip to Ipswich in search of a pair of these Royal Horticultural Society Hunter boots for moi. I'm a bit of a want to be gardener even though I've managed to kill even the most hearty of succulents and I do appreciate a good flower show (husband makes fun of this on a regular basis but there is NOTHING wrong with it!) so these boots were calling my name, naturally.

This town is too cute. A short distance past the town center there is a darling river walk where we sat down for a picnic. It wasn't too hot thankfully so we were able to pull out some of the girls' early fall pieces. Where do I start?

When I first came across The Tame Fox I immediately began to fill my shopping cart with goodies from their website including Elise's ivory blouse. The pieces are handmade to order in Alaska and the love that goes into each piece is apparent in every detail. This top is stunning. It is fully lined and charming cap sleeves are adorned with the perfect amount of gathering.

Now travel back to New England for the birthplace of Misha and Puff, designer of Mila's merino hand dyed romper. This is an essential three season piece and she'll be wearing it well into spring. I've been in love with this brand for a few years now when I first saw it appear in select stores around Boston. Minikin has a great selection of these pieces and as I've said before, they are always a pleasure to purchase from.

Flower shows aside, I have a weakness for Scandinavian design. I even once planned a vacation around it (more about that on another day). This part of the world can do no wrong in my eyes when it comes to clean design and environmental awareness. The union of these two elements encompasses the brand Fabulous Goose, maker of the softest fleece blankets which also happen to meet the strictest requirements for quality. This blanket is made from GOTS certified organic cotton and feels like velvet.