Fringe for Days

I have been seeing much more fringe lately, and I am absolutely head over heels for it! You can rock a bit of fringe with your outfits without looking like a hippy. Here are some pieces to get you started!

Fringe skirts:

A pleather mini skirt from H&M

This skirt is only $24.99! A perfect way to experiment with fringe at a budget-friendly price.

A forest green fringe mini from H&M

For under $40, this would pair fabulously with a plain black shirt (as pictured). This skirt additionally comes in black! (NYE, anyone?) The scalloped-hem bottom is extremely on trend. 

Another H&M stunner, in gray, for under $40!

This gray skirt would pair nicely with any white or black top. Add black tights and pumps, and you have the perfect look incorporating fringe!

The layers in this black skirt are so adorable!

Fringe tops:


For $32, this J. Crew Factory top would look lovely with skinny jeans and pumps!

Try glittery heels with this top in navy or black-- an ideal holiday party look!

This Anthropologie top comes in black and tan



I can't decide which I love more!



Since fringe detailing is likely to be a hot trend, you may not want to spend a lot of money on it. However, if you are looking to make a bigger investment, here are some ideas for you!


Top:

Navy fringe with a lace bodice

From Anthropologie

Bottom:

A cream-colored, tiered skirt from Nordies

The chevron pattern to this skirt is fabulous!


Dress:
Sail to Sable in red and black

This dress also comes in an all-black version. Just GORGEOUS! 

Similar to sequins, pair fringe with a very basic, polished top or bottom. The main piece is the fringe; don't let your top or bottom take away from that! Be sure it compliments the fringe nicely-- opt for a chambray button up or crisp, white oxford. The Scalloped Oxford from Kiel James Patrick would be an excellent option to pair with a fringe skirt.

How are you including fringe in your wardrobe this winter? I can't wait to head to H&M to pick up a fun new skirt!

xxoo

Mary

A Wedding Weekend at Notre Dame!

Two of my dear friends, Jon and Sarah, got married over the weekend at The University of Notre Dame.  ND holds such a special place in my heart; I attended Saint Mary's College (across the street) and my husband attended Notre Dame. The Basilica, in my opinion, is one of the most beautiful places on earth.  Sarah was absolutely radiant, and I've never seen Jon happier. Thank you so much for including us in your day!

Paparazzi shots, courtesy of Mike. haha! 

The inside of the Basilica at Notre Dame-- it's so ornate and gorgeous.

Any time I've attended mass at the Basilica, I have to remind myself to stay focused on the homily and to not just stare at the gorgeous ceiling and architecture! But it was easy to stay engaged at Jon and Sarah's wedding; their priest was AMAZING! He was married for 45 years, has 5 kids and 15 grandkids-- after his wife passed, he became a priest. What incredible life experience! And, he was hilarious! Everything about their mass (and wedding!) was perfect. 

Mike is getting very good with the new cam! The exterior of the Basilica.

My dress comes in 11 colors! 

The back was TO DIE FOR!  

Find it here. My color was Crimson. 

The front! Haha. I hope this isn't really how I look when I dance! However, Sarah and Jon's playlist was the best! So many Backer songs (for all you Belles and Domers, "Africa" by Toto was one of the first songs!) 

Lips: MAC, Brave Red

Maria opted for Rent the Runway and looked absolutely fabulous!

Find her dress here. Maria loved the dress she rented so much that she is actually going to rent it again for New Year's Eve! 

Maria's lip color: MAC Diva. 

Maria's bracelet: mine from Fran's wedding! But here is an equally adorable one. 

Maria and Kevin looking fancy and dapper outside the Dome.

Maria's shoes: black glitter pumps!

Maria's chain link clutch: similar here. 

Earrings: on Maria (old Ann Taylor), similar here. 

Mine, old Macy's, similar here. 

Since we both wore lace dresses, we avoided necklaces, and we instead chose ornate chandelier earrings and stacked several bling-y bracelets. 

I loved the fit of this $98 B.B. Dakota stunner. 

I ordered it online from Nordstroms, and it fit perfectly. I will say, if you are between sizes, size down! It was better for me to go with the smaller size. (Also, the reviews confirm this!). 

My bracelet is old Ann Taylor (from my wedding, actually!), but here is a similar style. 

Shoes: my trusty BCBGeneration studded pumps!

I danced all night in these shoes without any pain. 

Also, no tights or coat in December in South Bend! It was 61! Crazy!

Selfie! Oh, my. Too close! haha!

Nails: OPI Edin-Burgandy (discontinued), but here is a similar OPI color! 

Our hotel room was our wedding date! 7-11!  Kismet? I think so. 

Purse: from Etsy. This shop owner is sooo talented and wonderful to work with! She makes different book clutches from several choices of novels. The books are actually the real texts! But she lacquers the sides, and cuts into the book to create a purse. It's phenomenal! The price is right, too, especially in comparison with the Kate Spade book clutches. 

I think I'm going to need to purchase this dress in more colors! I received so many kind compliments on it. Additionally, it was comfortable to the max. Fit and flare is the best style for me, and this dress exemplifies the fit and flare style.

Many congrats to Jon and Sarah!
xxoo
Mary

Belle On Trend's Recent Looks

I wanted to share with you a few looks I have worn lately :) Our Illinois weather has been unseasonably warm for December (today's high is 58! What!?!), so I find myself re-purposing spring and fall skirts with winter (lightweight) sweaters and tops. Here are some ideas if you find yourself in my spot: a strange (but certainly welcome) warmth between seasons!


I am in love with the lightweight 3/4 length J. Crew Factory sweaters. They come in various patterns and colors, and they pair so well with pants and skirts (my newest approach is tucking the sweater into the skirt-- try it!). They can be layered (think: gingham button up underneath) or stand alone. I paired this floral green one with an eyelet Loft skirt I had from the spring. It was in the 40s and rainy, so I went with my Hunters, as well.

Sweater (old J. Crew Factory): similar floral style here. 

Skirt (old Loft): similar midi, bright pink, fit and flare here.

Boots: Hunters

Earrings (old Stella and Dot): similar chandeliers here. 

Teal FitBit Flex: found here. 

The temperature of my school (and almost every other school I've ever been in!) varies by location in the building. I like to layer to be ready for both a hotter room and a colder part of the building.  This J. Crew Factory gingham button up gets so much wear from me!  Below, I paired it with an old Lilly Pulitzer cardigan and embraced the chains.

J. Crew Factory navy gingham: found here. 

Lilly Pulitzer chain-detail cardigan (old): similar here. 

Michael Kors watch (old): similar here. 

Kiel James Patrick bow bracelet: here. 

Pave link chain bracelet: found here. 

Link chain necklace (old Banana Republic):  similar here. 

Since it has been so much warmer than the typical December Illinois days, I have been waiting to wear tights until it's absolutely necessary. Instead, I go with boot socks and my high boots. This wool J. Crew Factory pencil skirt is polished and dressy, but I made it slightly more casual with this ruffle hem sweatshirt. My black boots are comfortable and easy-- these are old Nine West, but some other classic options are linked below the picture!

J. Crew Ruffle Hem Sweatshirt: here. 

Cobalt blue J. Crew Factory skirt: here. 

Nine West black boots: for $85! Alternative: Sam Edelman, Franco Sarto or Born. 

I popped the cobalt blue again with these J. Crew Factory earrings. They're a few years old, but here is a fantastic alternative by Kate Spade! 

Finally, I will always support fellow SMC Belles! I am currently reading my second Adriana Trigiani book, Big Stone Gap, and I am LOVING IT! I get so excited every time there is an SMC reference! This is a must-have stocking stuffer (even if you aren't an alum!). 

My French cross necklace is from the bookstore at SMC, but a similar one can be found here (without the diamond): A Design and Sons. Side note: A Designs and Sons is a company formed by a 1982 alum of Saint Mary's. The jewelry is just stunning; there is nothing more special than my French Cross pendant. 

I am wearing a script pave "Belle" necklace, given to me by one of my former students (turned friend!) who is now a junior at SMC. It is no longer available on the Nordstrom's website, but this is a fun alternative on Etsy-- make your own, here. 

For our first holiday party of the year with my neighbors next door, the temperature did not require the typical layers that the Geneva Christmas Walk usually calls for. Instead, I went with a lightweight scalloped oxford from Kiel James Patrick and my Julie Loft cropped pants. I wore booties with this look, but I didn't even need a coat! The KJP scalloped oxford is an investment piece, but I have worn it several different ways over the past two years! I have received innumerable compliments on it, and it looks fabulous with a statement necklace.

The Julie pant in red is sold out at Loft, but my coworker Jackie has these from J. Crew Factory, and they are adorable! A perfect alternative!

Any statement necklace will suffice with the scalloped collar. Here are some ideas: this necklace is GORGEOUS! And 50%, the white is so versatile, and you can never go wrong with this bling.

Similar Kate Spade bag in new colors!

My final recent look incorporated my Winnie J. Crew Factory crops ($36! And they fit so well!) with a jeweled-neck sleeveless shirt from J. Crew Factory and an Ann Taylor cardi. This way, I was ready for any temperature at work!

Ann Taylor Cardigan (old): similar option for $25!

J. Crew Factory crystal-neck sleeveless shirt (old): A pricier alternative, but currently 30% off! And adorable!

J. Crew Factory Winnie Crops: in navy.

Sofft brown booties: in leather.

And this mug is my favorite new accessory! Thanks to my bestie, Megan, I can rock my "Bloggers gonna blog" travel coffee mug! Find it here.

How are you transitioning your looks through the seasons?

xxoo
Mary

Belle On Trend's Christmas Wish List

Here are a few of the items I am asking Santa (AKA Mom, my hubs or sister) for. I am also an epiphany (January 6) baby, so I will be sure to keep these in mind for myself with the after-Christmas sales!



1.  This ruffle top from Banana Republic.  The ruffle detail is so fun and feminine. I love ruffles on everything-- especially shirts! Blush is one of my favorite clothing colors, too. (The gray version of this top is darling, as well).

2. The Girl on the Train was recommended to me by one of my awesome coworkers at school. I love to buy and own books, instead of using an iPad or Kindle (I also love stocking the books up on our bookshelves!). It must be the English major/teacher in me. I am looking forward to reading this, as my friend told me it's extremely gripping!

3. This sparkly bracelet from Kate Spade is to die for!  Kate Spade bangles are my favorite pieces of jewelry. I tend to stack them with my watches. Here is the "Glitter is my Favorite Color" idiom bracelet.

4. I popped into J. Crew in downtown Naperville the other night before meeting Mike after work. I saw this beauty in the flesh, and it was a fabulous find! How fun would this be (I love the white or gray) with a skinny pair of cropped black pants and fancy heels? Or even skinny dark jeans? Maybe Santa will find it as adorable as I do!

5.  Last year, I watched (okay, obsessed) over a buffalo plaid Milly dress that was about $400 and completely out of my price range. I checked it daily on Nordstrom's website, in hopes that somehow it would go on sale for approximately 75% off. To my dismay, after cyber-stalking the dress for months, it sold out completely.  I was heartbroken! (I later saw Reece Witherspoon wearing it in a magazine, so she may have increased its popularity. Sheesh!).  But, I just saw this dress from Mindy Mae's Market that is a very similar style! I think it's kismet! It is $67.99, and I could wear it in winter with boots and a cardigan, and then into the fall with wedges or Sperrys!

6. I have been married now since July 11, and I have sneakily continued to use my old MHM monogrammed necklaces.  The time has come to retire my old monogrammed pieces and move on to MFM!  Moon and Lola is where I bought my first monogrammed necklace about four years ago. It has served me well!  I love the different bright acrylic colors M&L offers! 

What's on your Christmas list this year? What gifts have you bought so far? I would tell you what I've bought, but I can't give anything away just yet! ;-)

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