Peplum Blazer

As it gets colder, I find myself struggling to find cute *super warm* clothes. I totally adore this peplum-front blazer from my cousin, Beth! She bought me this for my birthday last year, and it is ALL KINDS of perfect. Also, it is SHERPA-LINED! OMG! I wore this out to dinner last week at Riganato in Geneva (get the ricotta stuffed meatball when you go!!), and I stayed toasty warm, even in the single digits. 

Blazer (old Francesca's), similar here in light grey. 

Also, loving this color with the plaid. 

And how cute is this with the bling?

Obsessed with these faux-leather tuxedo striped leggings. They're fleece-lined, HELLO!!! 

These are $29! A perfect price-point for your first pair. 

My bar necklace is a Lat & Lo. coordinates necklace of the latitude and longitude of our apartment! It says "our first home" on the back!

Such a great gift for a friend, girlfriend, wife or mom. 

Bow shoes: old Nine West. Similar here with the bow in front! And they come in several colors and suede, too! 

Okay. So, Sarah Jessica Parker is my fashion idol. Long before she had her own shoe brand, I worshipped her on SATC! I even wore a dress just like her white one with the huge gold flower to senior formal at Saint Mary's. She has the most AMAZING glitter bow pumps I have ever seen. Prepare to swoon, guys and dolls!  

These pink bow-back sandals are on sale! #todiefor

SCALLOPS AND BOWS! Melt x2. 

Tassel earrings: old J. Crew Factory, similar here in a gorgeous blush color. 

LOVING this version by Lisi Lerch. 

My hair looked super red in these pics! So crazy. I haven't colored my hair since 2012! So, maybe it was just the light?! 

More adorable blazers: 

How do you stay warm but stay fashionable in the winter? It's so tough when it's LITERALLY -10 degrees!
xxoo
Mary

Sweaters

I have been totally in love with these "open sweater"/ponchos for fall and into winter.  And since it is currently -1 degrees in Geneva, I am all about the wrap sweaters and cozy layering blanket scarves.  (My all-time fave blanket scarf). 

Tips on wearing oversized/open sweaters and ponchos: 

1. Keep your pants skinny (faux leather leggings or jeggings are ideal!). You're flowy on top, so keep your bottom tailored.

2. Layer with a tank top or long-sleeved Henley (depending on climate).

3. Pumps dress up your poncho and elongate your body, since the top is not going to be form-fitting. 

4. Finish off the look with a long, delicate necklace.

This might be my favorite new open front sweater-- that blush color!

I love wearing oversized sweaters with skinny black jeans or faux leather leggings.

Here is what I'm currently scoping out for a pair of faux leather pants:

The openness and coziness of this sweater (you can find it at YM Boutique!) is perfect for layering. 

This one is almost identical, and it's $39! Obsessed. 

The Boysenberry color of this cape is gorgeous.

Necklace ideas:

In these frigid temps, you could layer your capes or ponchos with long-sleeved shirts like this:

Just LOVING this Merlot hat from YM Boutique. 

Loving this J. Crew Factory option and this identical Old Navy steal for $20. 

This Rag & Bone poncho is nearly the same as below. 

I adore the $39 price point of this similar poncho from Nordies. 

More ponchos:

More wraps, ponchos and blanket scarves for layering: 

Happy Friday!
This week has been so busy and painfully cold! The HIGH on Sunday is -1. The low is -17! hahaha-- it is just laughable because it's so brutal. We are done Wednesday-- I am so excited for Christmas break! We've all earned it :)
xxoo
Mary 

On Becoming a Godmother (x2) and Wrap Dresses!

A little over two years ago, I was asked to be my cousin Bryn's Godmother. I was sooo incredibly honored! Jay and Beth, Bryn's parents, are our cousins, and we just love them so much. They live nearby in St. Charles, which is so great since our parents are back in Ohio. God always has a plan because the fact that I ended up in the western burbs near our "Chicago cousins" is kismet. Here are some pictures from Bryn's baptism in 2014! 

^^Me, Beth, Jay and Godfather Danny! With sweet BRYN!

My dress: old Sail to Sable. Similar here. 

^^ Bryn was one of our adorable flower girls at our wedding! 

^^^ I love this picture (mainly because Mike is just rogue hahaha!) 

Last weekend I was given the honor of becoming Finn's Godmother. 

^^^ Anna with sweet Finny! 

Finn wore a baptismal gown from the early 1900s! My great grandmother made it for my mom's mom, my grandma Audrey. Then my mom and uncle Gery wore it, and both my sister and I wore it, too. Now it's Finny's turn! 

The proud parents, my BIL Shawn and Anna with Finn. 

Action shot ^^ God bless, Finn! 

My Ann Taylor wrap dress is the perfect piece for fall. The navy, blush and pewter are great jewel tones for the autumn months. I love the fit! It's true to size and a bit stretchy. I wore this the first week of school and received so many compliments. It is not too low, which is always my biggest fear with wrap dresses. 

Anna and Shawn got married at this church! Isn't it beautiful?

It's called Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Chicago. It was also my church when I lived in the city. 

God parents with the proud parents and Finn.

Wrap dresses were the dress of the day. They're perfect for work, and they're incredibly flattering. 

My wedges: here.  Remember, these wedges have been on heavy rotation since my mom and Gary's wedding in July 2012. That price per wear ratio is amazing. hahaha #justification

Anna's wrap dress: here. 

My wrap dress: currently an extra 60% off! 

Brendan and myself, the Godparents for Finn Patrick. 

This picture would be great if I wasn't kicking my foot out like a weirdo. Haha! 

Our family together! 

Gar, mom, Mike, me, Finn, Anna, Shawn, Patty and Dad. 

I love that Finn nibbled on the heirloom gown the whole time. Hahah! He was SO good! No tears whatsoever. 

Sweet baby boy with dad and Patty!

Mom in Lilly & Gary with Finn! Does he just look like a sweet angel? 

A similar wrap dress version of mom's Lilly: here. 

My favorite Ann Taylor wrap dresses of the season:

More wrap dresses to love: 

And if you are doing well and want a high-quality, quintessential wrap dress, get a DVF!!!! 

Swoon x 1,000,000. THAT will become an heirloom for any nieces or daughters in your life. 

Are you a Godparent?
xxoo
Mary

Trending 6.23.16

Here's what's #trending in my world this week! 

[1.0] YGR!
Lilly Pulitzer brought back the You Gotta Regatta print for a hot minute-- get on it fast, ladies! I am MELTING over this romper! I just got hired for a summer job at a boutique nearby, so maybe with my first paycheck!? Masters degree loans, be damned! I need some Lilly! Hahaha.


[2.0] CROAKIES!
I might be alone in thinking this, but to me, croakies are brilliant! Add pearls to them-- they become a practical piece of beauty! Check out these pearl croakies by KJP. I think they'd look fabulous attached to my glittery Kate Spade sunglasses! They would dress up any pair of sunnies, and, think of how functional they are!

[3.0] OFF THE SHOULDER!
This darling dress is extremely affordable (currently 50% off!) and super lightweight/summery. I love that it's gray-- I don't own much gray, and this would be a perfect summer hue to add to my wardrobe. Also, look at that cute detailing on the ruffle- precious!

[4.0] EASY DAY DRESS!
This is the dress version of the tank top I had been lusting after a few weeks ago. Sadly, the tank sold out really quickly, but this is still available. SO cute!  Throw it on with your Jacks, and you have a 30 second outfit (the best kind of outfit!).

[5.0] WATERMELON!
Okay, THIS is everything! The ruffle! The daintiness of it! The watermelon! I'm in love! Also, I love this price point in a watermelon print dress, too. Critters will always be on trend, in my opinion.

[6.0] FLAMINGO AND PINEAPPLE TOMS!
I am all for Toms and their mission. I've had several pairs of wedges, classics and booties over the years. When I saw that there were FLAMINGO and PINEAPPLE Toms, hand-painted by Haitian artists, I lost it! HOW stinkin' cute are these?

[7.0] THE DRESS FOR A SUMMER WEDDING TO TOP ALL OTHERS!
This dress in pink or blue (sorry, I don't care for the color orange.. haha!) will make you the second most beautiful belle of the ball at your next summer wedding. How gorgeous is that? And the price is very reasonable! I am loving the bow back detailing, too!

[8.0] TEAL GINGHAM!
This Modcloth beauty ties in the back. How fun is that? I love gingham (as evidenced by my last Belle On Trend post), so this dress is right up my alley for summertime!

[9.0] MORE TEAL GINGHAM!
Okay, these shoes are my new obsession. I will watch these like a hawk until they dip in price a bit, but they are SO CUTE!  And, with the thicker heel, they look comfortable, too! And the ribbon to tie on your ankle! AH! All you'd need to add to these shoes is a plain cotton dress-- something solid-- and you have a perfect outfit. Easy!

[10.0] PEARLS FOR DAYS!
This is one of the most beautiful necklaces I have ever seen. Banana Republic constantly has 40-60% off sales, particularly with your BR card, so I'd never pay near full price for that statement piece. But, it is breathtaking! All you'd need for an outfit with that necklace would be a white tee shirt, dark jeans and a pump. WOW. Just, wow.


What's on your wishlist currently?
xxoo
Mary

Wedding Shower Looks for the Bride and her Guests: 2 of 2

Welcome to the second installment of wedding shower looks for the bride and her guests! It is so fun for me to reminisce on Megan's wedding shower weekend with her sweet friends and family.  

I am absolutely in love with this darling Lilly Pulitzer dress on the gorgeous Jeannette.  The zipper was a little piece of bamboo-- too cute! 

Beautiful Jamie and her beautiful mom!

I love the idea of a classic black maxi dress and a statement necklace. Jamie texted me prior to the shower and said, "Dear Belle, is a black maxi too morbid for the shower?" Haha! I said, no way! I knew she'd look gorgeous in anything, but I especially love how she brightened up the dress with her fun jewelry. 

Baublebar is a go-to for me for statement jewelry at a very reasonable price point. 

Funky, trendy necklaces: here, here, here and here. 

My mom with her comfy Lilly Pulitzer dress. Look familiar?  

Similar here and here.

Sweet Lauren had the most adorable dress on from Francesca's. (Seen here with her Bloody Mary skewer- haha!). 

Long tassel necklaces are HUGE right now and so versatile. 

Here and here are other cute necklaces similar to Lauren's!

Halle, Jeannette and Reshma totally embraced the patterns for Megan's breathtaking outdoor shower.

Fun, patterned dress options: here, here, here, here, here and here. 

Kimmy, one of Megan's sisters and maids of honor, also went with an adorable patterned dress. 

I told her to pose with the table-- haha!

Here's our bride Megan in here white Nordstrom's dress and Jimmy Choo nude wedges with her bestie, Haleigh! 

I loved that Megan's dress had tasteful, dainty cut-outs that showed just a smidge of her skin. Here is a great option, under $100. I loved the delicate detail! I love this strapless option, too! You can't go wrong in the summertime with a LWD!  Here, here and here, here are other fab options!

This is one of my all-time faves; it's even on sale!

I wear this striped Anthropologie dress SO often. I originally bought it in 2013 for my friend Caitlin's wedding rehearsal dinner, and then I also wore it for my sister's rehearsal dinner. Since then, I've worn it for my first day of work this year, to lector at mass, and for other showers. It's a showstopper. However, it is old. But, here, here, here, here, here and here are some great alternatives! 

The bride with one of our best childhood friends, Alyssa! SOO wonderful to see her and catch up over dinner at my mom's! :) 

The high school besties! 

Amanda's tunic (second from the left) incorporates the embroidered trend that is so popular right now! It is boho chic. Also, her Louis Vuitton "Never Full" is majorly swoon worthy! It is an absolute heirloom. 

How darling are the details on this bloody Mary bar?

I love Megan's collection of Alex and Ani bangles. She is actually the person who introduced me to Alex and Ani! 

I think this is one of the most amazing gifts I've ever received, so I had to get one for Megan, too. It's their wedding invitation engraved on a vase! My cousin Lori got one made for me, my sister and my mom with our wedding invitations! It's such a great way to memorialize your invitation! 

This talented guy does it, and he ships anywhere in the country. He did it so quickly, too!

Visit his website here.  

Megan's sweet pal, Haleigh, made the large H board for her new last name and these beautiful wine bottle decorations!

Pretty bridesmaids!

Halle was incredible at making the bow bouquet! It will be perfect for the rehearsal!

Megan being Megan. hahaha! Love her. 

The SHOES. These are Megan's wedding shoes, and to say they're perfect is an understatement. These nude Jimmy Choo wedges will be worn time and time again in the coming years. They're comfortable and classic-- I adore them!

How cute is my bestie? Just a little under a month until we get to celebrate her in Nashville, and then another month-ish until the nuptials! 

The bridesmaids-- just missing Reema and Crea!

Jimmy! The groom-to-be. Another GORGEOUS bouquet of flowers! 

Love my L-si!

Jimmy's watch was AWESOME.

Watch: Michael Kors

And just some Miura pictures (Amanda and Darren's absolutely PRECIOUS daughter) to make your day!

What have you worn lately to wedding showers?

xxoo

Mary