Trending: 2.12.16

Here's a peek into what is trending this week in Belle On Trend's world! 

T R E N D I N G 

2.12.16

[1.0] I popped into Banana Republic the other day to look for a shirt for Mandy's birthday celebration. I didn't end up purchasing anything (go, me! #Self-control!), but I was totally oogling EVERYTHING in store. I will be buying this top ASAP! I love the mint color AND the mustard yellow. It combines two of my favorite touches: peplum and ruffles! It will be perfect to pair with pencil skirts come spring.


[2.0] Mandy's birthday shirt was amazing: find it here! She looked fierce with a messy side bun (courtesy of Hair by Mols-- haha!!). I opted for this ruffle shirt from Banana Republic for Mandy's celebration! Molly wore the most amazing pleather leggings. I thought for sure they were uber expensive and designer, but she told me they were from Target! I WILL be purchasing these when I go on my Target run this weekend. (Molly rocked a longer tunic to cover the pockets). For $16, you can't miss this trend!

French Connection embellished shirt on Mandy and ruffled Banana Republic top on me. 

The Mattox women!

Mandy and her beautiful high school friends.

Kristin, Michele, Mandy, Sondra and Laura 

Loved celebrating Mandy with these beautiful ladies!

Just Mrs. Mattox and Molly were ready for this one. Haha!

A shot of Molly's pleather leggings!

This ruffle shirt from Banana is on major sale! I got it for $8 in store. Also, Banana Republic just released it in stripes! Adorable!

[3.0] I have been selling some older Lululemon pieces on eBay to earn some money to buy some new Lululemon! I have my eye on these, these and these!  The Wunder Under crops are my go-to for Pure Barre class and fit impeccably. I love the mesh detailing on the Metta pant.  Mandy and I are trying an Orange Theory Fitness class out on Saturday morning! I am so excited and nervous. I will update you on how it goes! I've heard nothing but great comments about the class!


[4.0] I tried on this full lace shirt at Express over the weekend. It was TO DIE FOR! However, they didn't have my size. I would wear a tank under it (duh, I'm far too old and pale for exposed skin! haha!), but I am in love with the romantic look of long-sleeved lace blouses lately! Here and here (saw this one in store over the weekend-- it's FABULOUS!) are other options for long-sleeved lace shirts.


[5.0] This Kate Spade watch! Oh my gosh! I was helping my girl, Sarah, decide on some new wrist candy, and I spied this beauty on Nordstrom's website. My school colors are blue and red, so this bow watch is completely beckoning to me. Bring on my ACT prep. class earnings! ;-)


What trends are you obsessing over?
xxoo
Mary

New Year's Eve Look: Glitter Pants and Black Peplum!

For the past month+, I have been eyeing gold sequined pants with New Year's Eve in mind. (Perhaps you remember this post: Glitter is my favorite color).  My dear friend, Jamie, found these lovely pants for me at a Target in Ohio and was sweet enough to ship them to me! Seriously, talk about a fabulous BFF! Once I laid eyes on these, I knew what my NYE outfit was going to be. 

Blue coat: Old J. Crew Factory, but similar here. 

Bag: Old Kate Spade, but similar here.

Mandy photographed me on this snowy day! She saved the day and cheered me up big time! 

The bow detail on my bag and shoes is my favorite part! 

Shoes: $46 now on 6pm.com! Side note: my Nine West bow pumps are patent leather, but 6pm.com is selling the suede black bow pumps for half of what I paid last fall at Von Maur! They're so darling in suede. 

I am such a sucker for a bright-colored coat. I think it makes the winter less depressing! Some of the dark/super cold months call for an uplifting coat. Here, here and here are some other fun-colored wool dress coats!

Shirt: old Loft, peplum and pleather. Here is another option. This maroon and black peplum top is another adorable alternative. I love this sleeveless version, too! Okay, one more! Peplum tops are my favorite: I love being able to eat as much as I want and still look slim on top. Haha!

Bangles, left side of photo:

top: old Kate Spade, similar here. 

bottom: Kate Spade charm bracelet from my sweet cousin, Beth. 

Right side of photo, top: J. Crew

Middle: old from Kate Spade, but here's a fun alternative (particularly appropriate for the New Year!)

Watch: old Michael Kors, but equally as fabulous, here. 

Cheers idiom necklace: old Kate Spade, but here is the Mrs., the True Friend, the Adore You, and the Yes idiom necklace. 

Statement necklace: old Loft, but similar here from J. Crew Factory or here and here from Loft.  

I love layering dainty necklaces (crosses or words/phrases) with chunky statement pieces. Sometimes I will even layer my French Cross necklace (an Saint Mary's staple) with my Belle script necklace or another dainty necklace. It's so much fun to layer and mix it up with your jewels!

Jackie and Ben hosted the best New Year's Eve bash in their new home. All the gold and black glittery decor was perfect! (So perfect, in fact, that I wanted to wear some of it-- haha!). 

Lips: Brave Red

These pants were such a hit! 

Prepping for the Target-sequin-babies photo op! 

My bestie, Julie, is wearing another sequined-Target piece (fabulous, but no longer in stock! Bummer. Find a similar skirt, here from J. Crew. Another Target option is this). 

All the Chicago gals! Congratulations to Maria for her recent engagement to Kevin! So happy for you two!

He kept my spirits up through all the hardships of 2015. Now it is time for OUR year! 2016! (Fitting, as our first dance at our wedding was to "This Will Be Our Year" by the Zombies). Mike's the best. 

My curled hair is all thanks to the amazing Annalisa at Suzanne Denee Salon in Saint Charles, Illinois. Book with her ASAP! She also styled my hair for our wedding, too! She has cut (and colored when I used to color) my hair since I moved to the 'burbs in 2012. 

Happy New Year! With my cutie preggo sis. Her dress is AWESOME. It features a gold sequined Peter Pan collar.  It's maternity, by Pea in the Pod, found here. 

2015 was truly the hardest year of my life. We lost three very special family members, all of whom we loved dearly and would have been at our wedding. But, our wedding was the best day of my life thus far. Now we are ready for happiness and health in 2016. Mike has carried me through every trial. My amazing friends and family have kept me smiling and staying positive. I am SO ready for a GREAT YEAR! 

What did you wear to ring in 2016?

xxoo

Mary

Glitter is My Favorite Color

There is nothing that makes me happier than a fully glittered shoe, pant, skirt, top, purse or cell phone case. 

Actually, fully glittered ANYTHING pretty much makes my day. (Shout out to my girl, Julie, who loves all things glitter as much as I do! Pictured below at her bachelorette party!).

Find Julie's sequin and tulle dress, here. 

I never thought it was possible to wear a fully sequined shirt to work until I gave it a spin last year. I wore this J. Crew sequined top (pictured below) with a nice pair of Gap khaki pants and a chambray collared shirt underneath. I knew I had nailed my outfit when my sweet coworker and BFF, Sarah, told me that it was "her favorite outfit I'd ever worn." SHE knows her stuff, so this was a huge compliment.

Here is a fabulous alternative (from Banana Republic) to my older J. Crew Factory shirt.

Also, can we please talk about this amazing (pictured below) fully-sequined bronze blazer from B-rep? I am so impressed by the current Banana pieces for the holiday season!

I recently became obsessed with finding these glitter Ann Taylor gold pants (below). I blame Maria for this (haha), but they really are beautiful. However, there was no sign of them at the Naperville or Geneva Ann Taylor, and they were totally sold out online. I was so sad!

[Addendum: I was just searching again while editing my post, and I see that Ann Taylor has one size left in the sequin pants! See them here! Sadly,  not my size, but maybe they're yours!]

Until, however, my dear friend, Jamie, came to the rescue. She'd seen similar ones at Target back home in Ohio and picked up a pair for me.  The best part about a sequined pant or skirt is that all you need on top is a plain shirt. It can be plain black (to contrast the gold or silver) or white to embrace a "winter white" look.

Here is a phenomenal option of sequin leggings from Nordstroms.

The Target ones are not available online, but you can find them in the junior's section of your local store. 

I have also been totally melting for these fully sequined skirts.

These two are under $50 from Mindy Mae's Market, an online boutique that has amazing deals and trends. I have purchased two idiom tee shirts (gifts for my sis and bestie) from MMM, and the shipping is extremely fast and FREE!

Check out the great $49.99 price tag on this gold stunner.

Shop this beauty, here.

My dear friend, Mandy, sent me these great skirts from Banana the other day.

I foresee many a NYE being celebrated in this one!

Currently, Banana Republic has a 40% off sale happening! Scoop this up for December 31!

This bronze sequined skirt looks perfect with a cozy, chunky sweater. 

It is demure enough in this bronze color to be worn to work. 

J. Crew Factory never lets me down. This gorgeous skirt is $70 currently and available online. 

If you don't know if you could be as daring as fully sequined pieces, I challenge you to add in a little sparkle in a more subtle way. I wear this skirt (below) so often! It is about 3 years old, but J. Crew Factory just re-released another design of it, here. 

Julie, Alison and me! 

This pleated skirt with a ruffle is another fantastic alternative to fully sequined. You can step cautiously into the realm of sparkle with this one.

Add a statement necklace to your simple top (crisp, collared shirts or chambray work wonders paired with sequins, too), and you have the perfect outfit!

My advice for fully sequined skirts is to stay at pencil fit and knee length to avoid looking to "clubby."  I, for one, can no longer rock my fully sequined Express mini skirts of my days at Fever or Tao Night Club in Vegas :-)  Plus, it adds class and sparkle simultaneously to your look.


How do you incorporate sequins into your clothing regime?
xxoo
Mary