Spring Must-Haves!

We had a little tease of spring/summer temps two weekends ago (in fact, Mike and I walked over to the Sunset Pool in Geneva and bought ourselves a family pool pass for the summer-- LOL! Anyone belong there? #SplashPark), but this past weekend was downright COLD! The more normal May temperatures are back, and that means we need to discuss spring dresses (obvi!)! 

My mom and Gary are pretty darn cute! 

Mom's Lilly Pulitzer dress: here.

Similar floral dresses: here-- love this maxi, here-- another color of that beautiful maxi, here-- these pineapples!, here-- gorgeous blush and lace, here-- what beautiful colors!, here, here and here. 

Mom's nude Talbots sandals: similar here.

Also, check out these scalloped alternatives: here. Totally head over (mini) heels for these seafoam ones! (Any full-priced item on Talbots.com is 40% off May 5-May 8! Use code: MOM40). Mom and I are ordering some scalloped heels. Going with nude for practicality, but those mint ones are just BEAUTIFUL! 

I love seersucker. This dress is from my mom and Gary's wedding in 2012, but I still wear it so often!

More seersucker options: here (that bow!), here, here (monogrammable!), here in a scalloped skirt, here, here (a classic and perfect for work!) and here.

There is nothing that says summer more than seersucker! 

Multistrand pearl necklace: J. Crew factory

Jack Rogers: here

Mike's button-up shirt: J. Crew Factory

Mike's chambray shorts: Banana Republic

Mike's Sperrys: here in classic brown leather

We had fun trying to "pose"! 

My wonderful Mom. I thank God for her every day. 

Laughing because we aren't so good at posing. 

Happy [early] Mother's Day to the most important woman in my life.

I love you, Mom!

More fabulous spring dresses and skirts: here, here-- omg that fruit!, here and here.


What are you wearing to welcome spring?
xxoo
Mary

Southern Charm and Warm Temps in November

Over the weekend, I was lucky enough to travel to Punta Gorda, Florida to attend my step-brother's wedding! It was gorgeous; his new wife loves glitter (like me!) and everything was punctuated with gold sparkle.

I came back from the whirlwind weekend away, and Tuesday got hit with a really nasty bug. I have been couch-bound for two days! I hate missing work and poms, but I guess this was my body's way of saying SLOW DOWN, OR ELSE!  It has given me some time to catch up on the most weirdly intriguing show, Chrisley Knows Best, during my time at home Tuesday and Wednesday.


But back to the good stuff: Florida!  The weather was amazing! My step-dad said the temperatures are currently about 10 degrees higher than normal. I'll take it!

This is helping me feel better! 

The wedding was outside on Charlotte Harbor

This location has the most breathtaking sunsets I have ever seen!

The fashion behind the trip:

When traveling somewhere tropical in the fall or winter, it is so much fun to bring out your summer clothes again. I wore Lilly Pulitzer for the rehearsal dinner and actual wedding-- how could you not? Don't feel obligated to adhere to the rules of northern colors/fashions. It is fine to be in your whites and brights for a weekend away in November!

Above: I wore Lilly Pulitzer for the rehearsal dinner at the Nav-a-Gator (so much fun if you're ever in Punta Gorda!).  Jack Rogers sandals were my go-to for pool-side events and the rehearsal dinner in the sand.  My mom (middle) is in a Black House White Market dress, on major sale, here!

Anna (above) also went with Lilly Pulitzer for Friday's rehearsal dinner. Anna and her husband, Shawn, are expecting a baby boy on April 21! (my cousin, Beth, and my husband's birthdays!). Here she is sipping a virgin Pina Colada in a Lilly shift dress. (Similar, here).

My uncle and I at the Nav-a-Gator in Punta Gorda!

Dress: similar fit and flare, here.

Anna also chose Jack Rogers sandals to complete her look! 

My husband stayed true to the southern gentlemanly look with a gingham bow tie, linen pants (similar chinos) and linen sport coat for the ceremony and reception.  His shoes are Banana Republic wingtips.

My lip color was Stila in Amalfi pink!

Earrings: old, but similar here!

My cousin, Ashley (above, middle), rocked a fabulous Anthropologie dress (similar here for an unbeatable price!). My sister, on the left, wore a dress from Mod Cloth (similar, here). Original, here, in different colors.

The scoop back of this Lilly dress was one of my favorite features. 

Going with the sparkly theme, I wore my gold wedding shoes (similar here, for $59! and here, higher wedge) and a Lilly Pulitzer shift dress for Saturday's festivities. Dress similar, here, in a fabulous royal blue.

The bride wore sparkly gold Jack Rogers sandals for comfort and glittery gold Christian Louboutins for the ceremony. Oooh, la la!

Met a fellow Lilly lover (above) who may also be a fellow Belle! She was applying to Saint Mary's as one of her top choices!

Kerry's dress, similar here.

This gentleman (above) totally won at Southern chic.

A red seer-sucker blazer and a METAL bow tie (our long-time neighbors back in Ohio owned Wendell August Forge, and they actually make an aluminum bow tie!).  Nantucket red chinos and a critter belt. 

We had an awesome trip and loved spending time with our family! The warm weather and sunshine can be so rejuvenating and healing. I can't wait to go back to Punta Gorda for spring break with my hubs.

My step-brother and his new wife (above) 

Anna, far right, in Jack by BB Dakota. 

Our family outside the church (above)

My mom (front, center) in White House Black Market (similar here). 

Shawn, left front, in a seer sucker suit from his sister's wedding. 

It was tough to return to the 40-degree weather that met us Sunday night in Chicago, but the sun has been shining all week, which makes Illinois much more manageable. :-)  Now I just need to get over my sickness!

Off to drink some more Emergencee,
xxoo
Mary