Hi Everyone

Happy Friday! To send us off into the _LONG_weekend, I've got another great design inspiration for those wanting tolive La Dolce Vita on the daily! Today, we're heading to the windy city to check out Jessica of Bows and Sequins highrise home in Chicago. Jessica and I first met last summer in Montauk at the Surf Lodge. Growing up spending summers on Lake Michigan, I always love meeting people who live in Chicago. Turned out, she had recently moved there, so I was the one giving her tips on things to do!Fast forward to earlier this year, Jessica reached out as she was ready to invest in somenew artwork for her place, and I, naturally, was happy to provide a few ideas. After chatting a bit, she was clearly migrating towards my work that was shot in Italy. So,I can't say I was surprised when she ultimately landed on an image fromLa Dolce Vita. Without much further ado...Jessica, won't you please introduce yourself?

Hi guys! My name is Jessica Sturdy and I write the lifestyle blog, Bows & Sequins. My content runs the gamut of my personal passions... style, travel, fitness, health & wellness, interiors, beauty, and some food, too! It's a crazy story (complete with an eviction notice and an overwhelming intuitive feeling), but I moved to Chicago from New York City about a year and a half ago. It was a big change for me, but it's been fun exploring a new city, adjusting to a slower-paced lifestyle, and settling into a much bigger apartment!

Oh...love that you have more space to work with, and of course, it's nice getting to strollNorth Avenue Beach on Lake Michigan when it's nice out in the city.

We would love to know more about your style, how do you approach decorating your dream space?

For me, decorating is all about story-telling and the vibe/energy that the room gives off! Chicago can be dreary, so my goal for my living room was to create a space that brightens up your day when you walk in. I live alone, so I knew I wanted to take advantage of this period of my life and have fun with it! At some point, there will probably be a significant other that doesn't want to come home to a velvet couch with pink and leopard print pillows and I'll have to take a more neutral approach. Until then, bring on the color!

What inspired you to choose this Gray Malin print?

Last summer, I took my first solo international trip to the Amalfi Coast and it was honestly life changing in so many ways. I don't think I've ever been happier than I was those five days! When I saw the colorful little town of Positano for the first time, my tears welled up with joy. It had been on my bucket list for years!

It took me almost a year (honestly!) to decide on the Gray Malin print above my couch. I knew I wanted it to be somewhere I'd been and I wanted it to be meaningful, too. A few of my favorite memories from the Amalfi Coast are on boats (both to beach clubs and a longer journeyto Capri) and I, myself, loved photographing other boats while I was on the water. Plus, the print perfectly pulled all of the crazy colors and prints from the room together!

What about the Gray Malin lifestyle brand do you connect with? (...How does it fit in with your lifestyle)

The Gray Malin brand speaks to me for so many reasons... His photography has a way of making you feel as if you're somewhere else entirely and his lifestyle products inject a little bit of fun into the everyday! When I was decorating my Chicago living room, I wanted somewhere that felt like a little escape. As we all know, Chicago is COLD for a large portion of the year. Whether it's freezing outside or I'm returning home from a long trip, I wanted a space that made me feel at home and_happy._When it comes to my personal style and also my decorating aesthetic, I always try to sprinkle in a little bit of my irreverent personality and Gray's brand does just that!

Thanks Jessica! I'm so glad that that your print of S. Salvatore, Positano gives you an escape, especially during those cold Chicago days! I can definitely appreciate having something that makes you happy after being away from home on a long trip, too.

And now just for fun and in rapid fire, answer these 3 questions!

Where is your happy place?

I have a few! I classify a place as my "happy place" when the simple act of just being there can bring me to happy tears. Maui, The Ritz in Naples, Florida, and Ravello and Positano on the Amalfi Coast... Anywhere near the water!

What experience or place to visit is at the TOP of your list?

I'm currently lusting over Cuba... I've got the travel itch pretty badly, hoping I can make it happen this year! Bali and the Maldives are also must-visits for me at some point.

Best vacation taken, so far?

I could never choose between the two, but my top two trips thus far have been the Amalfi Coast and Japan! They're such different places and cultures, but both trips were so incredible for many, many reasons. If you haven't been to either, I highly recommend adding them to the top of your bucket list!

I haven't been to Japan, yet, but I can agree when it comes to the Amalfi Coast! Many thanks to Jessica for sharing your Living Room with us. I love how the water plays off your dark blue couch and fun accessory pillows. For those of you who want to live La Dolce Vita on the daily, like Jessica, now is the time to make the move. Our annual Memorial Day 25% off sale won't last forever, so maybe it's time to have an Aperol Spritz and do a little shopping?

Cheers and Happy Weekend!

xx

GM