Trending: 9.30.16-- Celebrating One Year of Belle On Trend!

I can't believe it has been one year! I thought the best way to ring in a year of blogging would be with my traditional #trending report. So, here it goes! It will be slightly different, though. My top ten will have some bits of advice for those of you who might be interested in starting a blog and just some general reflections. Enjoy! (And, I will have some random pictures for you, too! Haha!)

Engagement pics by Meagan Hudak of Blossom Lane Photography. She is the absolute best!

^^^ Time to celebrate 1 year of Belle On Trend! 

Dress: Camilyn Beth.  

[1.0]  As of today, 47,508 people have visited www.BelleOnTrend.com. I honestly NEVER IMAGINED that this blog would reach farther than my dad in the Poland Public Library. hahah! Hi, dad! Love you and your support. I am so grateful to everyone who reads this blog. It has been a rewarding experience all year, and I am extremely grateful for the following! Author's note: I currently have 1,013 Insta followers! OMG!  Follow me on Twitter, Insta and Pinterest: @BelleOnTrend. Also, you can find my Belle On Trend page on Facebook, too!

[2.0] I never thought I could figure out a blog myself, but let me tell you, if I CAN, you for sure can! I always laugh because my kids know I am awful with technology. I can never make the projector work, and 9 times out of 10, somehow I end up projecting my screen saver of Mike and I's wedding instead of their actual assignment. In other words, ANYONE can be a blogger. I promise you that! (It also helps to have a super savvy hubs! Thank you, Mike!). (One of my favorite engagement pics below! He's a genius. Real talk!)

[3.0] I had a "fan" who I didn't know (!) approach me in the park, and it honestly meant sooooooo much to me! I know that I idolize my favorite bloggers (101 Things I love, Barefoot Blonde, Bows and Sequins, Sequins and Stripes, Classy Girls Wear Pearls, and McKenna Bleu), and when I met 101 Things I Love's writer, Johanna, at the Wilco concert in Chicago, I was SO STARSTRUCK!  And, she just so happened to be the sweetest gal ever! McKenna Bleu emailed me back a few times about 2 years ago, and I just have always appreciated her personable nature. These are women who make a living being bloggers. I, of course, do not -- haha! I would never want to stop teaching! But, they have millions of hits each day! They are famous in my eyes!

^^^ Here is the background to my laptop and desktop at work! Haha. Finny!!! 

[4.0] Here's my first ever blog post on our wedding.

^^All the most important little people in our lives (minus Finn because he wasn't on earth yet, haha!)

[5.0] Ask friends and family about blogging. My friend, Krista, helped me set up Shopstyle for my blog. I am currently at $52.71 and will get paid out at $100! I can't wait to celebrate when I make my first real money!

Here's a pic of my good friend, Krista! ^^ and her adorable daughter, Everly Rae!

[6.0] Do it now. Honestly, when else will I be able to write a fashion blog, take pictures of outfits, and just enjoy the time before babes? It's so important to enjoy your own hobbies outside of work. It's also super important to have unique hobbies that your significant other may not share. While Mike drums, I blog :) it's a really nice combo!

^^^ from our 1st anniversary getaway in New Buffalo, MI.

[7.0] Follow your favorite bloggers. I remember the first ever blog I read was Sarah Vickers in Classy Girls Wear Pearls. Jackie showed me this blog about 4 years ago, and I was hooked ever since. Jackie, my super fashion-forward friend and "big sis" is another major reason why I started my blog.

^^ Jackie and me (and my fully sequined crop top baahhaha)

[8.0] Some friends from my 10 year class reunion who I hadn't seen in years approached me and said they loved the blog. That was the best compliment I could have received! I am so thankful for people being so positive. It's so fun to get comments, too!

My besties before our 10 year high school reunion ^^^ 

[9.0] Never let someone discourage your dream. I know that sounds super cliche, but when I told some people I wanted to start a fashion blog, I got a lot of "why?" and "how will you make money on that?" "Wait... what?!" Well, I don't make money... yet! Haha. And why create a blog? Because I absolutely love fashion and writing, so why not combine the two? I've gotten some amazing deals (and free clothing!) to blog about!  That is worth it for me!

^^Images of my favorite graphic tee and my mug (thanks to Megzo!) from The Trendy Sparrow! The cutest online booty-q based out of Chi-town!

[10.0] Reach out to your super talented friends. Katie Carter, one of our family friends from our middle school days, is an incredibly talented designer. She created my business cards and all my icons/backgrounds for Facebook and Instagram. Check her out! She is the most creative gal ever and has worked for some BIG NAMES in the fashion industry! Plus, she's the sweetest girl, eva!

^^ Katie's handiwork! 

I want to thank you (yes, you!) for reading Belle On Trend. Writing my blog is seriously one of my favorite hobbies. I have been a little down in the dumps this week after getting my lower back MRI results. I have a herniated disc and a stress fracture in my back. It means I need another steroidal epidural in my lower back (scheduled for October 10), and I have to wear a back brace 8 hours a day for 3-4 weeks. Not exactly conducive to wearing fun clothes to teach in, right? My kids and coworkers are amazing. Everyone has been caring and kind about it. Hopefully after the 3-4 weeks I will be healed and back to the Barre. (The other bummer-- I have to take this time off Pure Barre. The ladies at Pure Barre Geneva have been sooo sweet about it).

But, this blog lifts my spirits! And all your kind comments on Instagram. So, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Cheers to many more years of bloggin' :-)
xxoo
Mary

New Buffalo Anniversary Trip, Night One

I cannot say enough about how wonderful our anniversary weekend was. (Check out my first ever Belle On Trend post about our wedding!)  We had SUCH a good experience where we stayed, ate and dined/explored! Mike planned this whole weekend himself for us, which was the kindest gift to me ever.  Our first anniversary trip was absolutely fantastic, and I want to recommend the places we went to you. Whether you have an anniversary or birthday approaching, this is a spot for you and your significant other.

This is the deck outside our door at the Lake Country Inn. It is a small hotel, with about 10 rooms, but each is a color. We were in the "red room", not to be confused with REDRUM, haha. It was SO CLEAN and spacious and gorgeous. Everyone we met who worked at the hotel (the owner, his wife, another employee) were just so lovely. They were kind and happy we were there. The other people we ran into who were also staying there were all so friendly. It was awesome.

I LOVE Adirondack chairs. I don't know why, but I have such an affinity for them, particularly colorful ones. When I saw these on the deck, I was sold! 

The Lake Country Inn is walking distance to anything you'd want to do/see in New Buffalo. Staying on the water or marina is much more expensive, but honestly, this was the greatest experience that even if we had more money to spend, I wouldn't choose another location. 

Dress: Lilly Pulitzer. Mike bought me this one down in Florida in March, but linked are the updated patterns.

Earrings: old Stella and Dot, similar here. 

Lips: Stila in Amalfi. 

This is my favorite Lilly Pulitzer dress I've ever worn (and not just because my hubs bought it for me!). It is fit and flare, which is most flattering on my body. It has a half zip back that is stretchy. I needed a size 4 for this, so I sized down from the shift dresses (I am typically a 6 in those). 

Purse: old Banana Republic, similar here.

Wedges: old Lilly Pulitzer (4 years old to be exact! I will always know because I purchased them for my mom and step dad's wedding in July 2012). Updated styles here and here. 

The outdoor/backyard area of the Inn was so peaceful and shady. We loved sitting on the deck to eat our breakfast (which was complimentary, I might add!). 

Bangles: left, old Kate Spade, similar here. Right, bow bracelets (and here) by Kate Spade.

Watch: Michael Kors. Pro-tip about MK watches: both my silver and gold MK watches were purchased during the Nordstrom Anniversary sale in years past. I have had my watches since 2009/2010-- they last forever! I've only replaced one battery on my silver watch. But, definitely wait to get the Michael Kors watches on the #Nsale. Starting very soon (credit card holders had access on July 14), you'll be in Nordies Heaven!

Mrs. neckace: Kate Spade.

Another huge bonus to this dress: POCKETS!!!!!! 

Had to turn the camera on my amazing hubs.

One of the many reasons I am so madly in love with him is his style. He's effortlessly cool, and I love that about him. He bought these gingham pants, and I DIED! STYLISH! 

Sunglasses: Kate Spade.

We walked over to the marina for a spectacular dinner at Bentwood Tavern. I highly, highly, highly recommend their crab salad, guacamole and shrimp (the trio!) as an appetizer! YUM! 

Gorgeous view from dinner. 

Outside the Bentwood Tavern with my love.

The wind kicked up my skirt a little-- haha!

I will say, this dress is shorter than my typical Lilly dresses. However, I usually wear a size 6, so that might have something to do with it. Also, the heels might add to it. 

I was so shocked at how late the sun went down in Michigan! I couldn't believe it was this light out at 9 pm! Mike grew up in Michigan, and he was used to this.  I was really surprised and jealous, haha. I would have loved to play outside as a kid until 9:30 pm!

Gorgeous sunset by the marina. 

Even better view with my MAN! 

Have you ever been to New Buffalo? I had only driven through on a few trips from South Bend to Chicago, stopping at Redamaks (!!!). Thanks to Julie for exposing me to those amazing burgs! It is another must-do-- Velveeta cheese burgers at Redamaks on your way home! More on that in the next installment... ;-)

xxoo

Mary