Ruffled Handkerchief Hem Top in 12 Colors

Happy Sunday, you guys! I hope everyone had an awesome weekend! We had my dad and Patty in town from Ohio this weekend, which was so nice. Anna, Shawn and Finn (and Coop!) stayed with us Saturday night, and we were able to treat my dad for his birthday (belated) and take him out to dinner last night. It was really nice to see the fam :)

I happened upon this amazing top on the Nordstrom website, and I couldn't believe how flattering it was! It's available in literally 12 colors (the orange-y is on sale for $29, all the others are $49!). I wore it out to dinner Saturday night, but I will be wearing it to work soon, too! It was the perfect flowiness factor for me to eat all the broccoli and shrimp pasta I got from Chiantis!

I ordered a small, but it does run large. I would even size down for my next one to an xs. I plan on getting the yellow and pink next! I also love the patterned versions, a lot.

^^ pretty sure Bentley is peeing behind me. SORRY! haha! 

These earrings were $4 (yes, $4) from Copper Fox, which was the cutest boutique by me in Geneva, but it has closed! Major sadness! However, below are some very similar pairs! 

Glittery shoes from a few birthdays ago thanks to Mike ^^

My new glitter shoe obsession. Also these. Both stupid expensive, but SERIOUSLY AMAZING. Wait patiently for a J. Crew sale, and then pounce! You won't be sorry!

Better options for sparkly shoe enthusiasts:

A side note: the ASOS shoe collection is incredible. The shoes are all under $100 for the most part, and they're just works of art! Tons of embellishments and glitter. Just stunners! 

These are old lace J. Crew Factory pull on pants, but here are some options for blush pants: 

Finn loves his toothbrush! LOL!

^ Bentley wanted to be on the blog hahah

National dog day was yesterday! Have to give a shout out to these two lovable nuggets. 

Aren't these sleeves fun, too?

Bella! Look at the camera! 

Bentley and Bella! These two are sooooo clean today because their parents gave them full service baths & blow outs. LOL! Bella loves the hairdryer, but Bentley is terrified of it. Poor punkin! haha!

My cutie with our cuties ^^ 

Current favorite peplum tops from Nordstrom: 

I hope you have a wonderful start to your week! Are you going anywhere for Labor Day Weekend? I am going no where, and I am so pumped. HAHA!  I am so old! 

xxoo

Mary 

Fall Photoshoot-- What to Wear?

My sweet friend Angelina asked me for some advice for what to wear to her October family photoshoot. I loved this idea! I thought many of you will be in this boat in a few weeks, and I'd love to get some ideas going. Fun note about Angelina: we met at Pure Barre, and before I knew her personally, she came up to me and said, "You don't know me, but I follow your blog! I have recreated some of your outfits!" And it was seriously the nicest compliment ever! She made my whole week! We've been friends ever since, and she's such a sweet person.

Whether you have a family photoshoot planned for an apple orchard or a fun pumpkin patch, here are two head to toe looks.

Look # 1

1. Fringed ladder drop earrings- on sale!

2. Floral eyelet top (on sale!)

3. Quilted puffer vest if it is cold (on sale!).

4. Obsessed with these jeans for under $50!

5. Toms booties-- pure comfort! 10% off your first order and 15% off for teachers!

Look # 2

1. Floral drop earrings

2. Loft dress

3. Blazer if it gets cold.

4. Riding boots (on sale!).

5. The longest lasting lipcolor for the shoot!

Do you guys have any family photoshoots on the books? Let me be the first to recommend my go-to photogs: Dave Jennings and Andrea Swofford. Hit them up to get your fall photoshoots scheduled! Dave took these pics and Andrea has taken a ton of my blog pics including these.

xxoo
Mary

Holding onto Summer in Lilly

Hello!! Happy Sunday! I am back in teacher-Mary mode, so I apologize for the brevity of this (and the lack of posts this first week back to school).  I promise I will find a better school/blog balance, but the beginning of the school year creates zombies out of all teachers! haha!  

My family was in town all weekend for our cousin, Rosie's, wedding. She was a stunning bride! Just beautiful! It was so fun seeing our Ohio relatives (plus my mom and Gary) and all our St. Charles cuzzies. I know I've mentioned it before, but our STC fam is like our stand-in parents because our parents are so far away. They are so good to us! We love them so much; they take such great care of us.  

This Lilly dress is my way of holding on to the waning days of summer. It was sooo flowy and comfy; I'm in an XS, and I didn't have to worry about length with my heels. Also, the straps are adjustable, which was amazing. It is definitely a splurge; it's 100% silk and a stunner. But, I seriously ate so many appetizers, my whole meal, and 2 pieces of cake, and my dress didn't show it. ahha!! I love a forgiving gown. 

 Finn's babysitter, Andrea, took this pic before we left. She's also the gal behind a lot of my photos (Swofford Photography), and she was the best babysitter ever! LOL! What a catch!

Similar version of my mom's Lilly dress:

My cousin, Ashley's, off-the-shoulder floral dress: on sale!

Our little family of 4! Bella with me, and Bentley with daddy! 

We hold him like a little baby. Hahaha! But that's the best way to get belly rubs. 

Also, my dapper husband! 

Finn loooooves to water the plants! 

Hi, everyone! 

How beautiful did Rosie look?! Her dress was incredible. 

My earrings:  

I loved their little photobooth area with all the cute props! 

Pre-wedding with Finn! 

Unkie holding Finn after the gorgeous ceremony. 

Finn selfie! 

Lip color:

Cousins! 

Okay, I had to include this. Bryn is my Goddaughter, and can you tell she is totally my mini me? Lilly Pulitzer shift and a sensible sock! She had one 2 different colored cowboy boots-- obvi! SO stinkin cute. I love this little gal so much, and I am so honored to be her Godmother!

More Lilly midi/maxi dresses:

What are you looking forward to this week?

xxoo

Mary

Metallic Striped Bell-Sleeve Dress

When I saw this shift dress on the Banana Republic website, I audibly gasped. Everything about it was beautiful: it was shiny, striped, metallic-y, and the bell-sleeves were FIERCE!  I knew I needed it in my life. However, it was still $138. Meh. I don't like to spend that much on a dress unless it's for an occasion. So, I waited for a 40% off sale (which come quite often!), and then I gathered up Mike and I's Banana/Gap coups and went to town. I got this dress down to $72! Much more reasonable.

Obsessed with the Toms Majorca peep toes. You guys probably think I am a broken record, but they are so comfy! And soooo wearable! For work OR weekend! Mine are old, but below are the updated suede versions (on sale!). 

Tassel necklace: 

The back has an invisible zipper! So chic!

Sunnies: 

Inexpensive version & the actual ones.  Remember, I had to splurge on mine because they're RX. #imold haha!

Loving this earrings! I bought them for spiritwear Fridays, since they're navy, but I actually wear them ALL. THE. TIME. They are old, and J. Crew Factory isn't selling them any more, but here are the J. Crew versions in white and green! 

Other navy earring ideas:

More of my favorite bell-sleeve dresses:

So tomorrow is my first day with kids! I seriously think I get *as* nervous as my freshies do! LOL!! I kept re-organizing my piles of papers today like a crazed person. I just want them to be perfect! hahaha! Exciting! I hope I can sleep tonight. I always have first day of school nightmares. haha! How is your week going so far?

xxoo
Mary