Short Sleeve Bell Sleeve Trend-- How to Wear It

I drooled over this bright pink, buffalo-check shirt for weeks before putting it on my birthday wish list! My mom bought it for me, and I absolutely adore it. I've worn it to work once, and I busted it out again for Saturday night's date night with Mike! We met 4 years ago at the Geneva Ale House on March 12, 2013, so we wanted to go back to where it all began. I am so thankful to God that he came into my life! He emailed me first (on Match.com), and we emailed back and forth before meeting 5 days later. The first time he emailed me, I KNEW he was special and my dream man! And that this would be different! The night we met, we talked for 3 hours and 50 minutes... on a SCHOOL NIGHT! And I left feeling happier than I had ever been. I was on cloud nine all night, and I emailed my besties the next day to tell them to start picking out bridemaids dresses because I had met my future husband!  My sister actually used my email to my girlfriends as her maid of honor speech! LOL! A lot of exclamation points and a lot of, "HE'S CATHOLIC! HE WENT TO NOTRE DAME! HE WAS ON THE DRUMLINE!!!!!!" To this day, the email Mike sent me (to Dancer1687 from DrummingMike84) has changed my life forever!  Ok, sorry! I got carried away! Haha!! SIDE note: he also recreated all our Match.com emails and printed them out and got them bound into a book for our 1st wedding anniversary (it's paper traditionally). It is the best love story I've ever read! :):):):)

Unfortunately this shirt is sold out, but fear not! I have linked tons of short-sleeved bell-sleeved tops below for your enjoyment :) 

^^ A few throwback pics from our engagement photo sesh with Meagan from Blossom Lane Photography (who also photographed our wedding!). She's a photog genius! That's where we met! Shout out to the Geneva Ale House! Amazing food and drinks. 

Here's a skirt version of my top! I am obsessed with the brightness of the pink! It's really beautiful-- even more so in person :)

This bright clutch is my favorite new purchase from Jori & June! It will be so perfect to pair with anything Lilly Pulitzer this summer! 

Loving this blue version from Nordies, too!

OMG, and this fringe-y delight! 

And this yellow? HELLO, summer!

Obsessed with these BCBGeneration glittery pumps^^

I have them in black and nude, too! LOL. They are from last fall at DSW, but the black/nude combo is still available. They are SO COMFORTABLE! I wear them to weddings and am completely comfy in them. Don't they look like the Valentino Rock Studs??? 

Here's a practical white version of the bell-sleeved top with a striped edge detail. I love this crisp option for work or in the summer with jean shorts!

^^^ Trying out the basketball hoop the previous owners left in the basement bahahah. #Slamdunk

This is my old monogram (mHm) in gold from my sis for being her maid of honor! I love it too much even if it isn't updated. LOL.

More bell-sleeves below! 

The striped nautical detail contrasting with these gingham ruffle sleeves give this shirt a summer feel! I love it! This would work perfectly with khaki chinos (I have these and LOVE THEM! They run a little smaller than usual, I sized up to a 6 with these) for spring or white jeans this summer.

I am digging these light blue tops from Loft and J. Crew. The flowy sleeves are so in right now! Be sure to pair with skinny denim or a fitted pencil skirt on the bottom-- you don't want to be lost in something flowy on the bottom to make you look boxy.

Even more adorable bell-sleeve short sleeved tops:

I am dying over this chambray one with BOWS ON THE BACK!!!

Okay, this Burberry one is #goals. Jackie, I think you will love that one, too!!!


I hope you had a wonderful start to your week! IT IS SO COLD HERE. AND IT WAS SNOWING TODAY. I. CAN. NOT.

On a lighter note, I am so close to spring break I can taste it! Gotta keep my kiddos focused for 2 more weeks, and then a week of sun, Finny and family!
xxoo
Mary

Casual Chic

This outfit was so cozy, comfy and chic that I would love to LIVE in it! It was definitely an atypical style for me (I'm usually fully glitter and bright colors-- haha!), but I am head over Toms booties for this look. 

This is my second look from my Jori and June collab. How cute is the shop? You have to get in there if you haven't been yet! All these photos were by Andrea of Swofford Photography. She's incredible! 

I wore my favorite Stila lip color for this shoot. It's perfect because it's a matte stain, and it doesn't fade! It's especially good for a long day or event that you won't be able to reapply your lip color. I wore the Amalfi version of it for our wedding, and it stayed bright ALL day.

One of the owners of Jori & June actually makes these shirts! She is an incredibly talented artist. Check out more prints here. Her brand is Behova. 

I was hesitant about the choker trend, but this leather wrap one from Jori & June is fabulous! You can wrap it a few times or just once. It hearkens back to my middle school days. LOL -- but much chicer now!  

These Articles of Society jeans are the softest, most flattering jeans. The price point is amazing, too. $65 for this pair. I loved the wash on these, too! They were super stretchy and absolutely comfy. I love to roll my jeans once or twice with booties to show off the top of the bootie. 

My Toms Lunata booties are a dream to stand in all day for work! They are a couple years old, but they still look great because they wear super well. I just would recommend to spray them with a suede protectant before the winter hits! 

This LA Made cardigan is swoonworthy. It's so soft; it also has pockets and thumbholes! The length is great if you wanted to wear leggings with it. Below are a few different options of lengths and colors, but the best is the one from Jori & June in stores! I mean, you cannot go wrong with gray!

I loved the ease of this outfit. It would be perfect for having friends over or for weekend lounging/errands.
Side note: how amazinggggg was Lady Gaga at half time? OMG! We watched the Puppy Bowl this afternoon, and our puppy fever has returned with a vengeance. Seeing Lady Gaga reminded me of the year I saw her at Lollapalooza downtown and was just absolutely amazed!! She is SO TALENTED!
xxoo
Mary

Jori & June Collab: Fringe Blazer

On Sunday, I had the best time shooting with Andrea of Swofford Photography at one of my all-time favorite boutiques in Geneva: Jori & June! Melissa, one of the owners, has such an eye for unique fashion. She absolutely rocks. I was honored when she asked me to collaborate. You MUST get in there if you haven't been. You can also order from her website, too! Let me know when you're going, and I'll come too!! :)

This brand new Tularosa jacket is a dream. The fringe detail was my favorite part.

That detail, though! 

Jori & June has such beautiful, delicate jewelry to layer or wear as a stand alone piece. 

^^ it was snowing!

Another Jori & June dainty piece: the gorgeous stone bracelet. 

Author's note: I am totally in withdrawals without my Saint Mary's class ring. It's currently being re-sized at Balfour wahhhhhh. This would be such a good pic with it for @ringsdoingthings !!! #smicks

Black Orchid Denim is my favorite designer jean. I obsessed over it this summer from Jori & June, and now I am back to obsessing this winter! How great are these high rise skinnys? I am smitten. They're stretchy but really flattering. I love the distressed knee. Just a little rip-- nothing crazy.

And of course, my trusty booties:

Some more fun blazers with unique details:

And even more jackets in some FAB pricepoints. Like this one, for $19.88! WAIT! YOU NEED THAT! 

Also, dyingggg over this fully sequined number! Amaze! 

Get this one ready for the SPRING!

Off to teach SAT classes!
How's your week been so far?
xxoo
Mary

Black Orchid Denim and Jori & June!

I recently found the most incredible-fitting pair of jeans at Jori & June in downtown Geneva. I first wrote about Jori & June here-- I still wear my tassel necklace SO much. In fact, my sweet bro-in-law, Shawn, bought one for my sister Anna, too because she loved mine! (Pictured below with my nephew, Finn! Omg! He's too cute for words!)

I went into Jori & June to claim a gift certificate I had won from a drawing after posting myself with my Jori & June purchase; I never win anything, so this was seriously the best surprise ever (also, it was incredibly generous-- I was floored-- thank you so much!). Plus, I adore the owner, Melissa, and everything J&J posts on social media is amazing. (Follow them on Facebook: Jori & June and on Insta: @JoriandJune).  It is so fun for me to shop locally and support small businesses in my town when I can. It was a special occasion with my gift certificate, so I went a little wild (in my defense, I do have a summer job now!). But, my outfit was worth every cent. Also, hanging and shopping with Melissa was so great! 

These Black Orchid jeans are the best jeans I have ever owned. Hands down. 

One of the owners of Jori & June said she can wear hers 3-4 times without any unwanted sagginess or stretching. 

I bought an amazing tank top with my jeans, something totally unique and different, by LA Made. I hadn't heard of Black Orchid or LA Made, but now I follow both on Instagram. They have such a one-of-a-kind style, and it is something that you can't find at your typical mall stores.

This top! I seriously died over it when I saw it on the Jori & June Facebook page. It's so distinct-- I will wear it with jeans and shorts all summer long, and then I will pair it with some (tasteful) (faux) leather leggings come fall. Be sure you check out my Boomerang video on Insta and Facebook (@BelleOnTrend) of me putting it on. HA!

Head into Jori & June quickly because they still have a few left! 

I have an XS for reference, but a small would've been just fine. (They didn't have a small when I was in, but I liked the top THAT much-- haha!). 

 

These jeans!

I usually buy jeans for under $50 from Loft, Banana Republic or Gap. Mike always tells me, "You get what you pay for, Mar" when I complain about cheaply made clothing. I guess it makes sense that my $34 jeans are pilling after a few washes and stretch out beyond re-wearing after 1 wear. 

Enter: Black Orchid Denim. 

Melissa had these on in the store when I popped in. She raved about them, and they looked SO darn cute on her. I had to try them.  

Well, now it's my turn to do the raving! They are so flattering, they don't sag or stretch out, and they are comfortable! I love them! 

My earrings are my go-to Stella and Dot chandeliers, from about 7 years ago. 

But here, here and here are some equally fabulous options. If you want to buy from Stella and Dot and need a seller, I have a couple great gals who would love to sell to you! LMK!

I can't get enough of these Toms booties. 

You guys are probably sick of me raving about them, but they are SO comfortable and easy to wear.

Here, here and here are different colors and materials of the bootie.

My next purchase will be these black ones! 

We took photos at the Batavia Fabyan Parkway windmill, and it was beautiful. Such a cool site so close to us.  I've run past it for years, but I've never taken the time to stop and have a look. 

"Be a windmill!" My idea. haha

Below are the steps to get your LA Made tank on just right. It looks confusing, but trust me, it's easy! 

1. It's actually a long piece of fabric that will go around your neck.

2. Twist said piece of fabric! 

3. There's a little soft piece of fabric for behind your neck so you know it's set up properly. LOL

Ignore my stank face. 

4. Over the neck!

5. Even it out!

6. Fix your hair-- obvi!

7. Start to get situated... 

8. Ta da! Just the most adorable, drapey, one-of-a-kind, totally unique tank I own!

Cool story about this bag: it was actually my mom's! She bought it for herself when she was hired at Boardman Center Middle School in 1980 (where she then was a guidance counselor until 2009 when she retired!).  Side note: Anna and I both attended BCMS, too!

It's a vintage Coach bag! It is 36 years old-- amazing!  It just goes to show how long real, quality leather will last. It has a nice patina on the back of it, too. The strap is adjustable to be cross-body, as well. 

I am loving this and this as similar alternatives. 

More fun drapey tanks:

Are you in the market for the perfect jean? You MUST go to Jori & June! It's located in downtown Geneva, 25 S. 3rd Street, directly across from the Post Office. Visit their website, like them on Facebook and be sure to follow them on Instagram (@JoriandJune)!
xxoo
Mary