So Long Sweet Summer

I honestly thought this weekend would never come. I have had an extraordinarily long summer break (I am NOT COMPLAINING!) due to my school's renovations, and we are finally heading back with kiddos on Tuesday! I am enjoying every moment of this long weekend; I need to soak up these remaining days. 

I know people used to be very adamant about "no white after Labor Day", but I still somewhat abide by that. I like to keep my brightest Lilly dresses for the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day. I do like to bust out my Lilly prints in the spring, just to get my spirits back up from those winter doldrums! :) Usually I just can't rock white in the winter simply because I AM SO PALE! 

Friday night we headed to Villa Verone (omg, best Italian food in Geneva, hands down) for dinner al fresco, and we got these pics along the way. So many people at the restaurant (men and women-- haha!) stopped us to tell me they loved my dress!  I am all about a comfortable shirtdress. This Lilly Pulitzer shirt dress was originally $168, but I got it for $59 on the After Party sale! It was so incredibly comfortable; it was perfect for eating a feast of a meal (I got the lobster ravioli special and ate every last morsel).  I belted it for a more refined look, but it would be great sans belt, too! This is a size small for reference. 

My dress is back up to its original price of $168. (Also, I love this print!)  But, here, here and here are some great alternatives to avoid that price tag! 

Tassel earrings: here, here and here. 

I love the detail on this dress. The front is pleated and has buttons. 

Tory Burch flats: here, here and here. 

My TB flats are my live-in shoes for the school year. You can stand in these babies all day with no pain at all. Very comfortable, and they literally last for years! 

Digging these major sale dresses: here and here.

^^^ Mike's proudest photography moment to date! Hahaha!

My belt is super old/super sale from Gap. But here are some belts to try: 

black or brown. This is $6.97! So is this! 

Side note: I am OBSESSED with the below Buttercup shorts by Lilly Pulitzer. I wore these out on Saturday night to visit our friends Laura and Dave. They were $39 on the Lilly P. #afterpartysale -- but, I would absolutely recommend them even at the full price. The scalloped detail is ADORABLE; they're super comfy, too!  I tried these exact shorts on in Florida in March, but I had to be stopped. LOL! They are TTS for reference. 

Chambray popover shirt: J. Crew Factory

Sandals: Jack Rogers 

Here are some transitional shirt dresses to take you into fall:

How did you spend your Labor Day Weekend?

xxoo

Mary 

Ivory and Birch multi-colored dress!

I was so excited to visit Ivory and Birch in Boardman, Ohio, when I was home for my bestie Megan's wedding showers in June. My other bff, Amanda, had gotten me the most adorable mug from Ivory and Birch last year when I was going through some really rough times, and every time I look at it, I am reminded to be strong and courageous. It was the most thoughtful gift, and I love drinking my coffee from it! 

I went in to Ivory and Birch to pick out a dress for Mike's cousin's wedding. I knew it would be an outdoor ceremony and a rustic reception, so I was thinking of something a little more casual. I found THE PERFECT dress. 

The detailing of the cross-front was just a small accent, but it really made the dress unique. 

The colors were amazing, too! 

We absolutely love to take pictures in front of this side of a building in Geneva. I think it's a dog grooming place?! That sells fancy cookies for dogs?! Either way, that teal is a lovely color!

My earrings are old Stella and Dot, but here and here are similar pairs. 

I paired the dress with my best Lilly Pulitzer gold wedges. They're 4 years old (from mom and Gary's wedding in 2012!), but they're still in great shape.

Here and here are the updated LP gold wedges. Extremely comfortable and long-lasting! 

My gold clutch was one I got for Anna's wedding in 2013. It was when Target had a line in conjunction with some designers around Christmas time, 2012. This was Marc Jacobs. I adore this bag!

Similar gold clutches: here, here and here/here-- glittery! 

Michael Kors watch: old, but similar here.

Kate Spade sunnies: here. Other adorable options here or here. 

This tunic dress was the epitome of comfortable. I ate (all) the amazing food at Andrew and Stephanie's wedding without worrying about my food baby protruding. It was flowy but not too oversized! I went with a size small for reference.

Bangles: left top- old Kate Spade- similar here, left bottom- old Charming Charlie's- similar here, right top- old J. Crew Factory- similar here, right bottom- Lat & Lo.

Mike's bowtie was a dream! I had to turn the camera on him to capture it. 

Flamingo bowtie: the Tie Bar. 

Cheer Darling change purse: Kate Spade.  

Maria bought me this change purse, and I use it every time I go out for an occasion. It's perfect for my ID, debit card, cash and credit card. It fits nicely in my small clutches. Also, it's so much easier than bringing my big wallet out and trying to stuff it in an evening clutch. Here's another adorable option!

My forever wedding date! 

He's in gingam pants! MELT! He is so fashionable. One of the thousands of things I love about him.

How beautiful is that sunset? Shout out to our SIL, Lidija, for capturing this one outside the reception venue!

Another highlight of the wedding: Sarah (on the left) is a fellow belle! She graduated with me in 2009 from SMC! We had no idea that her cousin was the bride and Mike's cousin was the groom! Such a small world. And her sister, Kate, is on the right-- another SMICK chick! So happy to see them!

My sisters in law! 

Lidija and Molly :)

Molly and her daughters, my adorable nieces! 

Loved celebrating with them!

Additional bright printed dresses: here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Do you like to wear bright patterns? 

xxoo

Mary