Gingham and Jorts!

There is nothing that screams "summer" to me more than gingham-- particularly red or pink gingham! It just reminds me of a picnic in the park :)  I scooped up this gingham shirt at the J.Crew Outlet a few weeks ago for about $29, during one of their frequent (and incredible!) 50% sales.  I wore this outfit to help my sweet friend Jackie find her wedding dress. It was perfect for lunch on a rooftop patio at Old Towne in Geneva (we had the best new salads and summertime sangria!) and the time we spent at Crystal Bride (that's where I got my wedding dress, too! With the help of Kayla, also! She is a genius. If you are a bride-to-be, let me get you in touch with her!).

Selfies in the Crystal Bride showroom! I stood on the same platform in front of the same mirror when I tried on my dresses. 

How adorable is she? Jackie looked absolutely radiant in every dress she tried on. But, she found HER DRESS! Downright gorgeous! 

Hair flip! Hahaha.

I layered my MFM Moon and Lola necklace in mirrored gold (compliments of my amazing big sis) with this beautiful pearl necklace. I actually received the pearl necklace a few years ago from one of the most amazing students and his parents (seriously, the most generous end-of-the-year gift I could ever imagine). It's from State Street Jewelers-- another must-go-to in Geneva. The necklace is dainty and delicate, but it layers perfectly with other necklaces.

Alex and Ani bangles: here. 

So in love with these Francesca's earrings! I couldn't bring myself to buy the gorgeous $65 J. Crew ones, but I found these at Francesca's in Lincoln Park when my bestie Court was visiting, and I am SO glad I purchased them!

Watch: Michael Kors. 

Jean shorts aka Jorts: old Gap, similar here, here and here. 

Toms madras peep-toe wedges: old, similar styles here- on sale! and here- also on sale!.

Lips: Stila in Fiery. So long-lasting! 

Glasses: Kate Spade.  

I didn't know what to do with my legs. Haha! It was senior pictures all over again.

Tried the "half-tuck" that J. Crew is known for, but I ended up just looking sloppy. Haha!  Hard to pull off, IMO. 

More gingham tops:

What gingham pieces do you own? 

xxoo

Mary

Our Wedding: The Fashion Behind Fremcock

There has never been a better day in my life. July 11, 2015 was the day I was blessed enough to marry my soul mate! I had about 14 months to plan every detail of this day, and the fashion aspect of planning was one of my favorite parts.

Finding THE DRESS is a quintessential part of the planning process. I went to a couple different bridal shops, but I ended up purchasing my dress at  Crystal Bride in Geneva. I can't rave enough about the shop. Kayla was my consultant, and she was phenomenal!

My dress was designed by Allure Bridals.


I knew that I wanted to incorporate SPARKLE/GLITTER into our day. I found these gold wedges on clearance at J.Crew online (below).  I tried on these similar Kate Spade beauties (Pumps), but the J.crew wedges were a great deal and perfect height.  My sweet friend, Julie, wore those Kate Spade stunners for her wedding last October, and she helped me to know about modge-podging the shoes. Be sure you do that in advance for a fully glitter shoe to ensure that the glitter stays put.

Our wedding had a book/novel/literary theme to it. I originally wanted one of the Kate Spade book clutches, but a lovely Etsy seller from the UK (Book Clutch) created this one for me at a much more reasonable price.

Additionally, my saint of a husband decided he would create our table numbers by folding each page of a book into said number. Incredible. 22 books, 10,000+ pages, 1+ year of folding-- Mike is a keeper. They looked absolutely STUNNING!


My jewelry was all from Ann Taylor online, aside from a bracelet I borrowed from my fellow Belle and dear friend, Ashley. See Ann Taylor jewels here: Similar.


I had my fabulous bridesmaids choose their own dresses in a palette of blush, champagne, gold, and nude.  Any fabric/texture was fine by me!  My girls are so fashionable; here is a photograph of their choices (gold sequin hangers from Pearls and Pastries).

From left to right above:
BCBG-- the dress, but in red, Rebecca Taylor-- The dress in white, Donna Morgan-- Similar here,  BHLDN-- similar found here, Adriana Papell-- From Nordstroms, Milla Bell-- Similar here, Camilyn Beth-- Similar, but without the fab sequins, Sue Wong- From Nordies.

Here are my beautiful bridesmaids in the dresses.

And I can't leave out the most handsome man I know: the groom! He bought his tux from Gilt (it is Hickey Freeman). His groomsmen were in midnight blue tuxedos by The Black Tux (a fantastic rental tuxedo website). Mike got the gents ties from The Tie Bar.   The groom's adorable glasses are Penguin from Third Street Eye Care in Geneva (be sure to ask for Amy to help you-- she fitted us both with our specs!).  Mr. Fremeau is wearing a bow tie by Sam Hober.

All wedding pictures were taken by Meagan Hudak at Blossom Lane Photography. She is simply amazing!

My makeup was done by the extremely talented Marguerite Preston. Check her out here.

Our beautiful flowers were arranged by Polly Klein at Polly's Petals and Particulars.