J. Crew Ruffle Striped Shirt + Pink Winnies!

I have a confession to make. I saw this striped ruffle shirt in the J. Crew catalog about 3 months ago, and I just stared longingly at it in my online shopping cart until I finally bit the bullet and purchased it. To be fair, I even tried to buy it in person and try it on at the Naperville J. Crew, but they had already sold out. Mike was starting to think I was a weirdo because I kept talking about this shirt. But, isn't it awesome!!!??? I'm ashamed/proud to admit that I wore it 2 times within 4 days of having it. (Insert monkey emoji covering its eyes.)

These Winnie pants are my go-to cropped work pant. I have black, navy, plum and this punchy pink color called raspberry (above). They're currently $39! I've gotten them as inexpensively as $29! They have no pockets, but they're super flattering with a looser top. They run just a little small. For reference, these are a 6. You want them tighter, though, especially for your flowier tops! Court and I are suckers for the Winnies-- she totally got me started on them, and now I'm addicted. Shall I sent my J. Crew Factory bill to Pittsburgh, girl? hahaha jk. 

I forgot to mention that I also saw this top in the J. Crew catalog, ripped it out, and put it on the kitchen table to stare at it some more. bahaha #pathetic

This top! I am so in love. Size down if you're in between sizes, so you don't look too much like a football player. I hope I don't in these pics. LOL. This is a size 4 for reference. For whatever reason, though, it was excluded from all promos. Lame, J. Crew. But it was worth every penny! 

Annalisa at Beautiful You Salon cut and styled my hair before we took these photos on Saturday. She is the absolute best! She has cut my hair since 2012, and she also did my wedding up-do. Call her ASAP for your next hair appointment-- she rocks! 

If you've followed my blog in the past, you know I am way obsessed with these BCBGeneration Valentino dupes. IMO, these are better than the Vals because they are SPARKLY! And comfortable! And no where near $1,000. But, if you can afford $1,000 shoes, #treatyoself. Otherwise, be like me, and wear $49 ones! 

I love stacking Kate Spade bangles like this, this or this with my Michael Kors watch.

I also love this ruffle top for a less in-your-face ruffle. I have this one in green, and I got so many compliments on it at work. It runs big, though. I have a 4, and I wish I had gone down to a 2.

The pave J. Crew link bracelet is one of my favorites. It looks great with everything.

My glitter earrings: Kate Spade. 

This purse is old Kate Spade Outlet, but I'm obsessed with the navy and scallops. I love a cross body bag.

Here, here and here are some high-quality navy cross body bags. They are certainly investment pieces. Think of them in a PPW (price per wear) type scenario. Then, you'll feel less guilty. haha!

More pink pants: here from J. Crew, here from Loft and here from Ann Taylor.

A few quick snaps from my time in the city with the family last weekend...

^^^Stuck in Chi-town traffic on 90. Wah wah. 

omg. Finny! Those overalls!

Mom, myself and Anna (both in Lilly) on the rooftop of the Hotel Lincoln. 

What's new in your closet?
xxoo
Mary

April Wedding Weekend!

My dear friends Scott and Lauren got married the first weekend in April. We had just gotten back from Florida and were ready to celebrate our two pals!  Check out some of the fashion behind their beautiful wedding.

This is my absolute favorite shot of Scott and Lauren!

Photography by: http://www.rachaelosbornphotography.com/

Lauren and I teach and coach together. Her fabulously fun mom is on the right!

It was SO great to see my Colesters! 

My dress: B.B Dakota. This color is jade. The fuchsia is on sale for $65! For under $100, you cannot beat this dress! (Hence why I have it in 2 colors-- heheh!!). 

Cross body book purse: Etsy.  (Our pal Ben thought I couldn't put down Pride and Prejudice novel and had to bring it with me to the wedding ceremony. baahhaha!). 

My sister is such a trooper-- 9 months pregnant and still looking gorgeous!

Anna's dress (c/o Jackie!): here (on sale!) or similar here (both maternity). 

Cheetah ballet flats: here or here for $24! Here is the pump version.

Pumps on me: here in black (my rose gold is sold out!).

I love this shot of past and present poms/dance coaches for West!

How amazing is Lauren's wedding gown?!

Stephanie (one of the bride's sisters) and Lindsey, the bride's cousin, both looked radiant at the wedding!

Lindsey's hair was so fabulous: it was curled and gathered to one side. She totally rocked it! Her hair was styled by Privato Salon in Oswego, IL. Everyone raved about how pretty it looked all night!

Melissa and Stephanie were the co-maids of honor! Their speech made everyone laugh and provided some tears, as they included a toast from their late Grandmother, who passed away in the fall. 

Lindsey's dress (on the right) old Limited: similar here, here, here (in navy) and here. 

Lindsey's shoes are Bandolino! Absolutely adorable and a great price point. 

Mrs. Miller's dress: Adrianna Papell. That beading! To die for!

Libby utilized Rent the Runway for her cobalt blue stunner. Rent it here in black. Here (those details!), here (DVF and full back zip-- what could be better?) and here (that back!) are blue options from RTR to duplicate that vibrant color!

My earrings: old Stella and Dot, similar here (on sale-- under $20!) and here. 

My forever wedding date! Isn't he cute??? 

A reminder of the back of this dress. I love the open back! Remember when I wore this in red to my friends Jon and Sarah's wedding? 

My Chicago besties. All the SMC gals together!

Julie's red dress can be rented here.

Maria's orange/white dress can be rented here.

Jackie's blush dress (maternity) similar here from ASOS. 

Both Anna and Jackie are 9 months pregnant! They were glowing at the wedding!

We had a blast celebrating Lauren and Scott! 

What's your go-to spring wedding look?

xxoo

Mary

So Much Love- Valentine's Day Looks!

Mike and I had such an amazing Valentine's Day/long weekend together. I am so thankful to God that Mike and I found each other (almost) three years ago because he is truly my soulmate. We went to a fancy dinner Saturday night and had a relaxing day (mass, heart-shaped DQ blizzard cake, heart-shaped Lou Malnati's deep dish pizza and several episodes of Naked and Afraid on Discovery!) Sunday. It's just so nice to be able to sit on the couch with my hubs and not have to go anywhere. I loved the dichotomy of a fancy night on Saturday (another delicious meal at Villa Verone) and the relaxation, pig-out fest of Sunday. Plus, the added Presidents' Day holiday on Monday made for a very special long weekend. 

The glitter Darron pumps are simply stunning. My friend Mandy just bought them in the black and silver glitter. This particular blush color is sold out, but the black and pewter is equally as fierce! Here's another option in gold. 

Bracelets left:

top: Charming Charlie's (old), similar here

middle: Bourbon and Boweties 

bottom: Act like Audrey, Dress like Jackie, Party like Gatsby

Bracelets right:

top: Glitter is My Favorite Color (old Kate Spade), similar here

bottom: Lat and Lo coordinates bracelet from my hubs!

I just love my MFM monogrammed necklace.

My sister chose the mirrored gold for my birthday gift.

Check out Moon and Lola for your perfect monogram! 

Earrings: Kate Spade

Mike got me the most thoughtful Valentine's Day gift. It's a coordinates (longitude and latitude) bracelet! The coordinates he chose are for Geneva Ale House: where we went on our first date (and met in person!). 

Inside, he had inscribed: love at first kiss. 

The Geneva Ale House will always hold a special place in our hearts. We had a 3 hour and 50 minute first date (and meeting!) there! On a SCHOOL night! We met on Match.com, and emailed a few times (he sent me the most adorable first email!), and then decided to meet on a Tuesday (March 12, 2013, to be exact!) to meet in person. We chose the Geneva Ale House and sat and had a couple drinks and talked for hours. I fell in love with him immediately! 

One of my favorite engagement pics, thanks to the incredible Blossom Lane Photography. 

Mike chose the rose gold filled cuff bracelet for me. It's the most thoughtful gift! I will always cherish it. Lat and Lo. is adorable-- their packaging was decorated with anchors, and read, "where are you anchored?" I love it!

My lip color is Stila (from my wedding) in Amalfi. It's the BEST pink for long-lasting color. 

Coincidentally, without even knowing this was my wedding lip color, my girl, Jackie, bought me the same color for my birthday! I'm so excited to have back up! I wear it constantly!

Okay, now I get to brag about my Valentine! 

How cute is he? I am a lucky gal. 

I love when we get all fancy, and Mike busts out the Notre Dame helmet cuff-links I bought him last year for his birthday.  They are made out of real ND helmets that were actually worn in games. Mike wore these for our wedding day.

Funny story about the cuff links. Tokens and Icons did an amazing job with these, but unfortunately, I hadn't gotten them on time for Mike's birthday. I had ordered them plenty early, but there was a snafu with shipping. The men at Tokens and Icons were outstanding and over-nighted them for me after I explained that Mike's birthday was quickly approaching. However, we use a PO box for our mail (just easier/more secure). The cuff-links were being held hostage at the PO box on Mike's birthday, but I was at the dentist getting my front tooth fixed. Well, it was approaching the time that the post office would be closing, and I couldn't NOT have a gift for him to open on his birthday. So, I left the dentist's office (with no front tooth!) and picked up the package! HAHAHA!!! Oh my gosh. What a story that was. I was praying I wouldn't get picked up for speeding because I would terrify the officer, having a nub for a front tooth and all. That is love, my friends. Our post man and woman laughed for about 5 minutes when I revealed that I was missing a front tooth. LOL.

My dapper husband. 

The full look!

This coral and scalloped Loft dress is from last year (I wore it to my friend Leah's wedding). 

My squad! Beautiful girlfriends!

My better half.

 I just added black tights (and a black blazer for dinner-- it was cold!), and closed-toe shoes for a February wearing of this dress. 

But here (those ruffles!), here (those lazer cuts!) and here (that back!) are great coral options. Coral is a versatile color for year-round wear.

Here is a great scalloped option in Kelly green or purple. 

We LOVE the book letters. I got these at Cocoon in Geneva! They are fantastic birthday gifts, too! They come in two sizes-- excellent for creating your monogram to display! 

The Bouqs were phenomenal with their flowers! Mike had these delivered to me on Saturday. They were absolutely stunning! 

Kate Spade vase: (thanks to Mandy!) here

Pride and Prejudice book clutch: Bookarelli from Etsy. She's incredibly talented and sweet! 

Champagne change purse: Kate Spade

Super similar dress here. Such a steal for $16.99! 

Thanks to Maria for this adorable change purse! It's ideal for your cash, ID and credit cards, especially when you're wearing a smaller clutch for a night out-- a clutch that wouldn't fit your typical wallet. 

The back of this dress is the best part! 

It's connected, but it looks like it's separate. Here (splurge), here and here (steal) are options. 

Burberry scarf: here. 

Cobalt J. Crew Factory coat: remember this?

Red velvet DQ blizzard cake! LOL! We traveled to Batavia in a blizzard (real, not ice-cream) for this! WORTH IT! 

You cannot beat the Lou Malnati's heart-shaped pizza. 

Ready for our Valentine's Day meal! 

This is sheer happiness in one photograph: MTF and a heart-shaped blizzard cake! 

How did you spend Valentine's Day?

xxoo

Mary