trending 2.9.2017

Here's your #Trending report for this chilly Thursday!

[1.0]  This periwinkle shirt dress with the pleated bottom and ikat details. OMG!
First of all, don't worry if you don't know what ikat is. I totally didn't know how to define it, so here is a nice definition for you, compliments of the Googles: fabric made using an Indonesian decorative technique in which warp or weft threads, or both, are tie-dyed before weaving.
Now, more importantly, how beautiful is that dress for the transitional temperatures leading us into spring?

[2.0] Do you have spring break on the brain? If so, this sweatshirt has your name on it.
We are going to Florida for spring break to visit my mom and Gary, and we are finally getting to go at the same time as my sister and Shawn (and FINN!!!!!). A week of Finn, family and the sun is going to be heavenly.

[3.0] Are you a teacher? Do you love ruffles?
If you answered yes to either of these questions, you. need. these. khaks! I just ordered them when there was a 20% off and free shipping deal (plus, I had $25 off!), and they just arrived yesterday! LOOK AT THAT RUFFLE DETAIL! They're high-waisted and amazing. I got a 6 because I read that they ran a little small. I am so glad I did! If you're in between sizes, size up.  I cannot tell you how hard it is to find a nice pair of khakis. It seems so silly, but I SEARCH for khakis every fall. I currently have 1 pair, and there's a big bleach spot on one leg. CLASSY! Currently on sale for 25% off with code HEARTYOU. 

[4.0] I am loving this beautiful yellow floral top!
Old Navy is totally my go-to for trends. They do not disappoint when it comes to work-to-weekend styles (I see this yellow peplum with navy capris and a nude wedge for work). And, their pricepoint is fabulous. You always get a steal at Old Navy.

[5.0] Old Navy is getting me so pumped for spring with these pixie pants.
Look at the golden yellow, large floral or black floral options. Helloooooo teacher pants!!!! Pants under $30 are definitely my jam, too. Plain collared shirt on top (white or chambray), statement necklace and you're good to go.

[6.0] This lightweight wool bow sweater is beautiful!
I know we will have cold temps in Illinois for a few more weeks months, so I better get used to it. What better to ease the pain of the doldrums of February than this adorable sweater? BOWS on everything! Loving the blush color best. Currently on sale for 25% off with code HEARTYOU.

[7.0] I will entitle this one, "when I'm rich".
Talk about the mother load of bow-tiful amazingness. That pricepoint is RIDICULOUS, obvi, but, seriously, that is a thing of beauty. Or, should I say, bow-ty. LOL, cool puns, Mar. On the other hand, it IS cashmere, so keep that in mind. SWOON.

[8.0] This ruffle top, at the most reasonable pricepoint.
My good friend and fellow fashionista, Krista, sent me two items she found that reminded her of me. Numbers 8 and 9 are all thanks to Krista! She works for Kohls and is seriously my blog-inspo. I would have never started Belle On Trend if it weren't for her original blog, Fit for Fargo. Love you, girl!

[9.0] A bow neck coat that resembles the Kate Spade stunner.
Thanks to Krista for another Kohls find! Seriously, I have wanted the Kate Spade bow neck coat for approximately 6  years. I try it on EVERY time I go to the outlets, but I always talk myself out of it. Now, I can purchase the Kohls version for a fraction of the price. Plus, I am loving this cobalt! It's gorg!

[10.0] This ruffle top from J. Crew.
Do you guys sense a theme here? Bows, ruffles and glitter? Hahaha!! I guess I have a signature style. But seriously, this shirt!!!!!! J. Crew has made me sooooooo mad lately with overcharging me and messing up a return, in two separate circumstances, but dang, they have the best clothes ever. Like, even as I say this, there was a J. Crew package on my front porch (and a Factory one hahahaha, but that was from Mike to me for Vday). So, clearly even though they make me mad, I still can't stop shopping there. UGH. For the record, they have fixed the issues both times, but it's been a real pain. I should definitely boycott. However, I physically cannot. bahahah. Currently on sale for 25% off with code HEARTYOU. 

[11.0] I can't stop at 10 this week because there are too many good finds! These fringe Miller sandals will be perfect for spring break in Florida!
My favorite of the three colors is the magenta and beige. Beauty!

[12.0] Okay, last one I promise. This floral bomber jacket!
I am obsessed! And, get this, IT'S FROM TARGET!  $29, you guys! -5% with my Red Card. Plus, I can get our groceries and just hide this underneath the produce so Mike doesn't notice hahahah! Pshhhh. It's my Target card anyway. #idowhatiwant #justkiddingirunitbymike #becausenowwesharemoney



I hope you're having an awesome week. I have had the busiest week with my last formal observations, starting a new tutoring gig and a Barre Besties challenge at Pure Barre. Oh, and teaching my SAT prep classes! This girl needs a little break!

Looking soooooooo forward to Valentine's Day celebrations with my hubs this weekend and seeing the second most important man in my life... FINN!

xxoo
Mary

So Much to be Thankful for + Turkey Day Outfit

My sweet sister-in-law, Lidija, took some photos of me on Thanksgiving day while we were in Jackson. She is incredibly talented; check out her website!  She travels all over for wedding shoots. She's a fabulous photographer! Here is a couple of our engagement pictures that Lidija shot for us at Notre Dame and Saint Mary's! 

On the steps of Le Mans ^^

In Lilly on the Ave! (Lidija also went to SMC! And her husband, Mike's oldest brother, also went to ND. Well, all his brothers did. And my other lovely SIL, Molly! And his dad. And aunt Joan and uncle George . LOL. Oh, and cousin, Becca! And cousin Katie at SMC! Have I forgotten anyone, babe?)

#domers

^ with the Golden Dome behind us :)

This outfit was super simple to throw together (ideal for a packing situation), and the Winnie Pants I'm wearing offered ample stretch for the turkey, green bean casserole (GBC thanks to Court!), pumpkin pie, apple pie, mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, salad and apps I ate!  It was really great to be with my in-laws and nephews! :) I can't wait to reunite with the entire Fremeau clan over Christmas break. 

I am so obsessed with this vest. I got it a few years ago at J.Crew Factory, but here is a link to my last blog post about it! (I wear it A LOT!)

I am equally obsessed with this elbow-patch shirt!

I bought mine last fall at YM Boutique in Aurora, but they've since re-released some new elbow-patch tops. My friend, Lauren and her sister, Melissa, totally got me hooked on these! The length is perfect- longer to wear with skinny pants. Also, we bought my sister one with pink elbow patches! Adorbs. 

This is a great option with black elbow patches. Here's a really similar one to mine for a whopping $8.99! 

Here's another version of the elbow-patched shirt for under $10! 

I am all about a cropped Winnie pant + a critter sock for winter. I like that you can see a peep of my matching socks when I sit down. Check out these Winnie Pants and critter socks from J. Crew:

PS: best stocking stuffer, too! Especially the J. Crew Factory socks for $4!

I bought these Sofft booties a few years ago, but they are incredibly comfortable. Again, I can't buy a shoe that isn't practical for work. I'm on my feet all day-- there's no way to be in pain!  Sofft shoes are really the only work heels I own. They last forever, too!

I love layering chunky necklaces. The top one is super old Loft and the bottom is equally as old Charming Charlies.

Trying layering any of these:

This TJ Maxx version of the puffer vest is currently $22! You can't beat that!

The J. Crew Factory version is only $43! I wear this puffer vest soooo much, guys! You need one. Stat! Also loving this red tartan version.  My all-time fave: this splurge from Vineyard Vines. 

More striped tops: 

More comfy brown booties to add to your collection:

Never be scared to mix patterns. It is a fashion risk worth taking!

How is everyone doing back at work this week?
xxoo
Mary

Bow Back Kate Spade Dress + Neil and Caitlin's Wedding!

I had admired this dress for years, since I first laid eyes on it on the Kate Spade website. The original price was $450, and GOD knows I wouldn't pay $450 for anything other than a car part. LOL (Which, by the way, was the exact price of this Monday morning's alternator disaster. I went to leave for work, and my car made such an awful sound that I thought it was a radio commercial for a haunted house. Then the battery light came on. Fast forward a smidge, and I take Mike's car to work, he works from home and brings it to the shop down the street. The mechanic said he was genuinely shocked that it didn't die on us on the highway when we were heading to or from Caitlin and Neil's wedding. We DEFINITELY have to be grateful for that and for our guardian angel. Need to keep things in perspective!).

I couldn't stop twirling and smiling once I put on this dress! Of course the smiling was mainly due to celebrating my cousin Neil and my new cousin, Caitlin, but I just felt so happy and fancy in my Kate Spade dress! The fit and flare is so flattering for women of my shape (small on top + booty!), but the creme de la creme was the OPEN BOW BACK! #babygotback

We were walking around in downtown Cincinnati before the wedding, snapping some pics along the way, and so many girls stopped me to tell me they loved my dress. But they had only seen the front! I believe my words to one lady were, "GIRL, you gotta see the back!" Mike laughed pretty hard at that.

There is no price to put on feeling your best in a girly dress you adore, but this one came at a $116 price tag at the Kate Spade Outlet in Aurora, Illinois. I have seen this dress in multiple colors every time I've been at the outlet.  I can't explain to you how many times I have tried this very dress on, and then talked myself out of it. In fact, I have almost rented it several times, too, on Rent the Runway! But now I own it! My seamstress is amazing-- she took it in (I got a size 6 for reference, but I needed it taken in. A five would have been perfect, had it existed haha!) and sewed in cups. Please let me know if you ever need a seamstress in the Chicago suburbs. Charice is incredible! She works out of her home in Bartlett.

The jewels^^

Anna made fun of me and said I was doing "wedding shots" of my deets. Haha. Touche. 

I just felt so fancy all night! 

^^ seconds before disaster struck and the winds blew all that water onto me and into my hair! hahaha! Major fashionblogger fail. 

Good news: the dress was fine and dried perfectly without a trace of the fountain attack!

More deets! Bows on bows on bows.

Left bow bracelets: top, middle, bottom-- all Kate Spade. 

Right side bracelet: my wedding bracelet from Ann Taylor, old, but similar here.  

My wedding shoes! I wear these so often! They were on clearance for $90 from J. Crew in the summer of 2014.

Old J. Crew, similar here. 

That bow. It just makes me smile! 

omg, so windy. LOL ^^

I loved the thickness of this dress. It was structured and did not wrinkle all night, despite sitting through dinner and the ceremony.  I didn't have to get any length taken off. If you're a taller gal, you might just need the hem undone. SIDE NOTE: it has pockets!!!!!!!!!!

I can't even begin to give this dress's comfort justice. Just believe me when I say I could eat as much cake and delish food as I wanted to with no discomfort. Ha!

Lsob and Gar 

Shawn and Finny! 

Finn's first experience in shoes. How cute is this seersucker suit?!

Waiting outside the Monastery with mom. That was honestly the most gorgeous wedding venue I had ever seen! 

#windblown

My wedding earrings from our wedding! Old Ann Taylor, similar here. 

The ceiling of the venue. Beautiful shades of teal! 

I cannot handle how cute Finn is! 

In between the ceremony and reception, overlooking the city. 

Neil and Caitlin's ADORABLE (and delish) wedding cake! Neil is a big time car guy, and he races, too! Their cake topper was PERFECTLY them!

My sister couldn't look prettier. How did she just birth a kid?! 

Her dress is from Rent the Runway. 

I love you, forever wedding date!

Now to the important pictures: my cousin Neil and his gorgeous wife, Caitlin! My new cuzzie! And her stunning bridesmaids!). 

I've known Neil since I was 10 days old (I'm 10 days older, haha!). Here's a great pic of us as baes. Also, Mike says I still make that face (I'm in acid wash in the front, Anna is in the middle!). 

These robes! 

Caitlin's bridesmaids are some of the sweetest women I've met! They just were all so welcoming to me at the shower and wedding. I love them! It just goes to show what a wonderful person Caitlin is because her friends are all so kind. 

^^^ does that dress back drop look familiar? hehehe!

Mandy Paige was their photographer, and she did an unbelievable job! 

I think this is my all-time fave pic of the bride. Showing off her fabulous Michael Kors pumps and breathtaking gown. 

The cuzzies! 

Shawn and Anna, Josh and Kara, myself, Neil, Caitlin and Mike!

Dancing with dad during the fathers-daughters dance!

Tell me about the last fab wedding you went to!

xxoo

Mary

Yellow J. Crew Factory Tulip Hem Dress!

I saw this dress on the J. Crew factory website in mid-summer, and I knew I had to have it for back to school! The colors are just gorgeous; I love mustard yellow with navy.  I paired it with this navy tassel necklace that I got on sale at the J. Crew Factory at the Aurora Outlets. In total, my dress and necklace were $47 (with a $20 coupon I had). This dress goes on sale every few days! The bottom hem is tuliped; it's such a unique detail. I loved that it was long sleeved because my classroom is a little chilly (BUT IT'S GLORIOUS TO HAVE GOOD AC!). Have you heard of the Geneva Festival of the Vine? It was going on over the weekend, and it is adorable! There are wine tastings up and down 3rd Street, little vendors and craft booths, tons of delicious food, sales in all the stores/boutiques and live music. It happens every September! 

Specs: Kate Spade.

Just bought new specs with my friend Amy at 3rd Street Eye Care! I can't wait for them to arrive. I also tried to get contacts, but I am DEATHLY afraid of touching my eyeballs, so it has been really hard. Haha! #shameful #IcantseewhenIdontwearmyglasses #onedayIwillgrowup

Lip color: Mac Impassioned.

Red purse: old (2011) Kate Spade. Similar cross body option.

Loving this bow. 

This is just like my camel TB! 

My Toms booties never fail me!  They are currently on sale for $71!

I matched the bike!

(This pic was taken right before I nearly fell over with the bike...oops, haha!).

Loving the blue mustard pattern for this shirt and this scarf^^. 

Some more fun tassels from J. Crew factory here, here and here. All on sale! Just got these earrings in gold and crystal. 

Navy tassel necklace: J. Crew Factory.

My favorite earrings: Kate Spade, compliments of my bff Courtney. She gave me these in 2012 when I read at her wedding. Cute yellow finds: here, here-- convertible! and here-- hello! $5!.

Watch: Michael Kors.

How cute is my man? 

The man behind the cam! So incredibly stylish.

I love that we can finally open the windows and turn off the AC.  I absolutely love the heat and summertime, but something about the chill in the air just makes me excited for the months ahead and seeing my nephew experience every milestone! How are the temps in your neck of the woods?

PS: We babysat my Goddaughter Bryn and cousin Jack overnight this weekend, and we took them to a park in downtown Geneva to play. A sweet woman who was there with her family approached me and asked if I wrote a fashion blog. She wasn't entirely sure if it was me, but I am SO HAPPY she said something! It totally made my day! Made me so happy that my blog is reaching people I've never met before. Thanks so much for reading, you guys!
xxoo
Mary