They say there’s always room for improvement so, we want to know how we can improve. Today, June 11th through Sunday, June 17th we’ll give you 25% off your total purchase when you leave us a review on Yelp. We want to know: what you love about Cerato, which of our designers you’re obsessed about (we can’t decide who we drool over more!), what you’d like to see more or less of at Cerato, and any other thoughts you have. Your review must be submitted and offer redeemed by June, 17th and is only valid for 1 per person.  So, post your feedback and stop on in! We can’t wait to hear from all you lovely Cerato ladies!

Get started here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/cerato-boutique-chicago

I woke up to pleasantly find I was out of coffee (most caffeine-addicted individuals, such as myself, would normally react in a manner inconceivable to most—usually a moment of panic, an instant stream of words moving like a breaking news banner across the ripples of my brain; they would probably say something like, “OMG, WHAT DO I DO NOW…I NEEEEED COFFEE, IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO FUNCTION WITHOUT COFFEE”), however to my very own surprise I found myself gladly opting for mandarin orange spiced tea. It was at that moment that I knew only good would come of this day.

The sun was beaming into my kitchen, teasing me with the promise of warmth. Wind silently trickled through clusters of mossy green leaves and as I gazed through the residue-covered glass, I imagined the pitter-patter rustle one might hear standing just beneath them. I pulled up the window hoping to delight in nature’s very own orchestra, smiling as I turned on my heel and sashayed toward my closet.

What to wear, what to wear (these three little words trounce in and out of my mind at least twice a day—often times more). Oh how I love the inevitable transition into spring (I roll my eyes). The inconsistency can, at times, wear on my outfit creativity—even the Weather Channel can’t be trusted, so I double check the temperature of the breeze slipping through the window screen and walk back to my closet.

My go to in times of uncertainty, a floor length maxi dress (particularly a bold, bright shade of green by Robbi & Nikki). There’s really nothing that makes you feel more feminine and relaxed as it sways back and forth over the tops of your feet. It was just a bit too chilly to wear the t-strapped maxi alone, so I pulled my chambray shirt from its teal, velvet hanger and tied it up around my waist. Interesting but effortless had officially become my theme for the day.

A high bun would complete the entire look, with the addition of a twisting snake ring from Stella & Dot and a stack of Kristin Hassan wraps and bangles.

Now, all I needed was the cool breeze of a tucked-away beach resort—my mind began to wander (I’m positive losing focus would be my superpower). Instead, I decided I would walk the mile to work, delighting in the beaming sun and cool breeze and imagining a quiet place somewhere beyond the horizon.

Perhaps it was the tea or maybe the beautiful day, but my morning spiraled into a state of Zen that even I could not have foreseen. As I neared the corner to Cerato Boutique I was certain—these moments are the greatest moments.

Finding ways to recreate one piece is an issue we continually tackle, so it makes sense that we would take this same approach with a staple shoe. An absolute must-have for summer, wedges are the most versatile sandal in any wardrobe. And nude? Even better. Leg lengthening and casual, they can be dressed up or down contingent on your day’s plans.

For this particular strappy wedge, we opted for outfits ranging as formal as weddings/business events to as casual as running errands during the day. Often times heel height can intimidate even the most daring fashionistas (even we’ve been guilty of this, finding ourselves, early morning, slipping into flats instead of chunky, statement heels). Wedges are, however, the ultimate segway into high heel mania. Sure, there will be days when adding 3 or 4 inches just isn’t your thing, but considering the option can never hurt. So go on, try these looks with your favorite neutral wedge!

What We Picked: 

Wedges: Sam Edelman

Left: Dress: Sophia Reyes

Middle: Dress: Jack by BB Dakota; Belt: Elegantly Waisted by Karen Zambos

Right: Top: Jack by BB Dakota; Pants: Miss Elfridge

With the current print craze filling nearly every storefront (Cerato especially), we’re positive there’s no better choice for this month’s fashion muse! Dianna Agron has officially been dubbed the Print Princess of 2012. Her character on Glee, Quinn, could even take a few cues from Dianna’s quirky, fun and feminine style. So effortless and experimental, it seems to us she can do no wrong. We absolutely adore the idea of pairing an all-over print with a tied jean shirt. This look is relaxed, but chic, something we believe fashion should always be. Dianna is also the princess of mixing and matching, stripes and florals, bold prints and even bolder prints. We think it’s important to push the boundaries in the world of fashion, because honestly, who really wants to blend in when it’s so much more fun to standout? This is exactly why we chose Dianna as our current go-to for fashion musings. Her style is unique, fresh and full of surprise—a refined combination very few can say they’ve mastered.

We can’t help but notice how much these current in store pieces scream “Dianna Agron: Street Style.” From bold prints in A-Line dresses to quirky prints in sheer, blousy tops to even bolder prints in flowy fabrics, we think we’ve pretty much covered the must-haves of Dianna’s style.

Dianna-drenched pieces at Cerato:

Left: Jack by BB Dakota

Middle: Corey Lynn Calter

Right: Jack by BB Dakota

The most coveted color this season: tangerine. From nail color to dresses, blouses to lip rouge, orange is definitely the “it” color for spring/summer. And as we mentally rack our brains to see how many items we’ve ever purchased in this near neon hue, we’re surprised to find little to none. So we’re left wondering, how do designers/stylists/fashion gurus decide when a color is going to be the color? Aside from clementines and pumpkins, we rarely see this shade dawned outside of Halloween, but now it seems to be the only color on everyone’s minds. Of course we’re doing anything but complaining, as our worlds have forcefully been opened up to the possibility of tangerine, and what a pleasant journey its been.

Slowly, but surely, this punchy hue has flooded our store in the form of dresses, sweaters and blouses. We never could have imagined such a color would make us feel anything more than a frumpy, oversized orange, but alas, we’ve surprised ourselves once again! Tangerine is the most talked about tone in current fashion, and these outrageously orange pieces exemplify why.

What’s taken a tangerine plunge at Cerato Boutique:

Left: Cerato by Kristin Hassan Flow Tank

Middle: C/FAN Short/Long Sleeve Sweaters

Right: Sophia Reyes Dress

*All pieces are currently available at Cerato Boutique and online.

Scarves seem to be one of the few accessories plaguing our how-to spring/summer ensembles. As one of the most versatile accessories we own, they sure are the most forgotten (it’s as though we spring clean our wardrobe, vying to put anything away that holds even the smallest reminder of those “long-forgotten” winter months). We understand, because we often feel the same, but we also think it’s time to reconsider your options. Scarves can be fun and flirty, light and airy, and despite their apparent connotations, a serious sparkle within your spring and summer wardrobe. They can replace a necklace, add edge to a solid tee, convert into an instant, chic caplet, keep your hair from falling in your face, warm you up on a cool, breezy night—need we say more? They can be easily dressed up or down, worn from day to night, paired with a skirt or pants, blouse or jacket, all the while appearing effortless and interesting. We might even say they’re our favorite layer for summer (might, because we pretty much love everything layer-related—scarves especially). And because we love them so much, we took to scouring the retail world for our most coveted. Floral, bright and landscape-inspired, these are the ones we just can’t live without!

What We Picked:

1) Dolce & Gabbana

2) EPICE

3) J. Crew

4) Rag & Bone

5) Julia Hill

Finding ways to incorporate print into your everyday can be a tad tricky. We often find them slightly daunting; especially after the long winter months that have (sadly) kept us bundled in head-to-toe black. But since May is here and the temperatures are beginning to climb, it’s about time you add color, pattern and print back into your somber, weather-induced wardrobe. Print doesn’t always have to come in the form of a top; it can be rotated into any look through clutches, skirts and even notebooks (this idea we especially love—there’s no trendier way to keep track of your ideas and sketches than with a C/FAN printed notebook). Bright and intricate, these prints will be sure to pop on even the most vividly colored summer days. 

What We Picked (all available at Cerato Boutique):

1) C/FAN Notebooks

2) Corey Lynn Calter Top w/Obi Belt

3) Plenty by Tracy Reese Dress

4) Plenty by Tracy Reese Top

5) BB Dakota Maxi Skirt

6) Brynn Capella Wristlet

When filling out any wardrobe we can’t emphasize the importance of basics enough. They’re not the most exciting addition to your closet, but trust us, they’re the most essential. We’re talking your solid, jersey knit tee, maxi, cardigan, your go-to when you’re running behind but still want to feel put together. They need little more than a great pair of shoes and accessories to dress up or down, a crucial detail for any time-crunched fashionista.

Sure you can purchase a few v/crew-neck tees and call it a day, but how about some basics with a little attitude? Well you’re in luck, because that’s just what Cerato and Kristin Hassan teamed up to accomplish. The result: a collection of classics you’ll be intermixing in your current wardrobe for some time (talk about a great investment!).

The ideas leading up to its inception are pretty short and sweet. After combing the fashion market for a line indicative of both Cerato and their ever-confident consumer, they felt nothing quite made the cut. Thus, they began throwing around the idea of creating their own. After months of hard work and a string of obstacles, we are happy to announce the arrival of our very own apparel line!

We’ll be officially launching this Friday for our 2^nd Anniversary party! Stop by and check out our twist on the typical basic. You’ll want one in every color!

Who doesn’t love getting a surprise package in the mail? Especially when that package happens to encase delectable goodies (you know, the kind that should be outlawed because you just caught yourself going back for a fourth helping). Today was that day. One of our very own stellar interns (Casey) sent us a brown little package filled with gourmet marshmallows. Yes, gourmet marshmallows. Who knew such a thing existed, because we sure didn’t. Banana Pudding, S’mores and Cookies ‘n Cream—we’ve just encountered heaven on earth.

The story behind these tasty treats is short, but wonderful. We delight in seeing small, Midwest (240sweet is based in Columbus, Indiana) companies doing what they love and flourishing because of it. Alexa Lemley and Samantha Aulick are specifically those individuals, the masterminds behind artisan marshmallows, whom, after being discovered, kept their small town, one-of-a-kind feel (we really admire this).

Their website showcases everything from an extensive list of marshmallow concoctions, including ‘mallows of the month, to recipes and even privately hosted ‘mallow making classes. Alexa and Sam, a wonderful duo with a mouth-watering, heart-melting idea, are an inspiration to all (perhaps at the expense of our waistline, but we’re okay with that). As a small business, we think it’s great to see two people who’ve found a way to make something they love into a fruitful, locally conscious career. We can only hope this inspires others to do the same.

To check out, order and peruse recipes for their dainty desserts find 240sweet here.