Floral Dress and Colorful Shoes!

I have been having the time of my life in Florida with my mom, stepdad, sis, bro in law, nephew and hubs. If you live far away from your parents, you'll understand why being with them is so special. I love being independent and living in Illinois, but I miss them (and Gary) always! Thank God my sister, Shawn and Finn are just in Chicago. 40 miles away is a cinch!

^^ My favorites!

I am soaking up every moment (literally and figuratively) of this vacay. I am so grateful that God has given me 30 years with my family. Praying for decades more!

This dress from Loft was an online exclusive, but they are amazing in the Geneva store and let me order it with the 50% off sales happening + free shipping. I went with a small, and it fits perfectly with the belt! 

Here is the teal version. It looks like the yellow is almost all sold out... so act fast! But fear not! I will link other fabulous yellow floral frocks. Bonus: the teal is currently $39! And the yellow is $48! (40% off applied at check out!). 

These shoes! They're comfortable, too! And they come in much more practical colors (blush, camel, black) if this color combo doesn't fit what you're looking for. The block heel is where it's at. They can be worn for hours with no pain. 

More of this great print in a tee and shorts:

More block heels: 

My sunnies:

My all-time favorite earrings from Court. These are from 2012 when I read in her wedding, but here are some great alternatives:

Finn was not ready for this photo shoot. Haha!

Finn is literally the most amazing babe ever. I know I am biased, but I am sooooo happy around him. 

His little laugh makes us all laugh! 

Me, mom and Anna. 

Green purse, old Banana Republic outlet. Similar here:

Other yellow dresses:

Hope you're having a great week! We are heading out on the boat today!
xxoo
Mary

Traveling in Comfort: Athleisure

Hello! I apologize for my hiatus from blog posts-- the last week before spring break was busy busy with my freshmen! But, I am back! Hooray! Today's blog is sponsored by my Godson, Finn, who is helping me-- haha! I'm talking travel-wear. I love to be comfortable when travelling, but I also like to wear pieces that I can re-wear once I reach my destination.

^^ He is the best! 

Morning, Auntie! Just checking out my Shopstyle earnings. bahhaha! 

Here is a little peak into what I brought to Florida. Has anyone read Little Bee? My friend Lauren recommended it to me, and I can't wait to start reading. 

This bow makeup bag is from this little boutique in Geneva, called Cocoon. Check it out if you're ever in town! It is my favorite place to go for gifts. 

More adorable travel makeup bags:

This shirt was under $15 from Old Navy, and it is soooooo soft. My cousins and I also got shirts that say "Rose all day" for Easter! They are soooo comfy and soft. Plus, they're all under $15. It's awesome! They are currently 30% off, too! 

The Skipper Popovers from Lilly Pulitzer are so incredibly comfortable. They have the most vibrant prints, too! The popovers are ideal for planes; it's always cold, even when you're traveling south. 

Mike bought me this particular one for to wear traveling to Jamaica for our honeymoon 2 years ago. Here are more great prints:

Was anyone else able to snag a Lilly Pulitzer x S'Well for Starbucks bottle when they came out in stores last month? I couldn't find them at our Geneva Starbucks, but my coworker, Kyle, is a real gem, and found them in his town!!! Even though he called it "Willy Garcia", he still is the best!! Kyle, you're my hero!!! 

My Lilly cooler bag is the perfect carry on/large bag for travelling. It's actually an insulated cooler bag, but it fits so much! Julie bought me this and got it monogrammed for my wedding shower! It was the best gift, and I have used it so much for a beach bag over the years! It was also ideal for Jamaica on our honeymoon. The monogram makes it even more special. Thanks so much to Jules for such a perfect gift! 

I love this style of a cross body version. 

These Alo Moto Leggings are life-changing! OMG. They fit soooo well. There are mesh panels and awesome details. Mine are the high-waisted version, and they are so flattering. I have the navy and the evergreen colors. I am wearing a small for reference. I have seen so many women rock these at Pure Barre, and everyone looks amazing in them! Do yourself a favor, and invest in a pair! They are THE best!

Now time to head back to the pool!!
Happy spring break!
xxoo
Mary

Short Sleeve Bell Sleeve Trend-- How to Wear It

I drooled over this bright pink, buffalo-check shirt for weeks before putting it on my birthday wish list! My mom bought it for me, and I absolutely adore it. I've worn it to work once, and I busted it out again for Saturday night's date night with Mike! We met 4 years ago at the Geneva Ale House on March 12, 2013, so we wanted to go back to where it all began. I am so thankful to God that he came into my life! He emailed me first (on Match.com), and we emailed back and forth before meeting 5 days later. The first time he emailed me, I KNEW he was special and my dream man! And that this would be different! The night we met, we talked for 3 hours and 50 minutes... on a SCHOOL NIGHT! And I left feeling happier than I had ever been. I was on cloud nine all night, and I emailed my besties the next day to tell them to start picking out bridemaids dresses because I had met my future husband!  My sister actually used my email to my girlfriends as her maid of honor speech! LOL! A lot of exclamation points and a lot of, "HE'S CATHOLIC! HE WENT TO NOTRE DAME! HE WAS ON THE DRUMLINE!!!!!!" To this day, the email Mike sent me (to Dancer1687 from DrummingMike84) has changed my life forever!  Ok, sorry! I got carried away! Haha!! SIDE note: he also recreated all our Match.com emails and printed them out and got them bound into a book for our 1st wedding anniversary (it's paper traditionally). It is the best love story I've ever read! :):):):)

Unfortunately this shirt is sold out, but fear not! I have linked tons of short-sleeved bell-sleeved tops below for your enjoyment :) 

^^ A few throwback pics from our engagement photo sesh with Meagan from Blossom Lane Photography (who also photographed our wedding!). She's a photog genius! That's where we met! Shout out to the Geneva Ale House! Amazing food and drinks. 

Here's a skirt version of my top! I am obsessed with the brightness of the pink! It's really beautiful-- even more so in person :)

This bright clutch is my favorite new purchase from Jori & June! It will be so perfect to pair with anything Lilly Pulitzer this summer! 

Loving this blue version from Nordies, too!

OMG, and this fringe-y delight! 

And this yellow? HELLO, summer!

Obsessed with these BCBGeneration glittery pumps^^

I have them in black and nude, too! LOL. They are from last fall at DSW, but the black/nude combo is still available. They are SO COMFORTABLE! I wear them to weddings and am completely comfy in them. Don't they look like the Valentino Rock Studs??? 

Here's a practical white version of the bell-sleeved top with a striped edge detail. I love this crisp option for work or in the summer with jean shorts!

^^^ Trying out the basketball hoop the previous owners left in the basement bahahah. #Slamdunk

This is my old monogram (mHm) in gold from my sis for being her maid of honor! I love it too much even if it isn't updated. LOL.

More bell-sleeves below! 

The striped nautical detail contrasting with these gingham ruffle sleeves give this shirt a summer feel! I love it! This would work perfectly with khaki chinos (I have these and LOVE THEM! They run a little smaller than usual, I sized up to a 6 with these) for spring or white jeans this summer.

I am digging these light blue tops from Loft and J. Crew. The flowy sleeves are so in right now! Be sure to pair with skinny denim or a fitted pencil skirt on the bottom-- you don't want to be lost in something flowy on the bottom to make you look boxy.

Even more adorable bell-sleeve short sleeved tops:

I am dying over this chambray one with BOWS ON THE BACK!!!

Okay, this Burberry one is #goals. Jackie, I think you will love that one, too!!!


I hope you had a wonderful start to your week! IT IS SO COLD HERE. AND IT WAS SNOWING TODAY. I. CAN. NOT.

On a lighter note, I am so close to spring break I can taste it! Gotta keep my kiddos focused for 2 more weeks, and then a week of sun, Finny and family!
xxoo
Mary

Ruffle Front Gingham Dress! ON SALE!

When I made my first $100 cash from Belle On Trend (actually, when I was close, and knew it was coming #Icouldntwait) [author's note: I still actually haven't been paid YET, but I will by March 20 bahahhaa], I ordered this dress I had been eyeing for a few weeks. It was PERFECT, and it was exactly what I wanted to spend my first blog cash on.  When I put it on- Mike can attest to this- I literally was standing in my closet screaming with joy! hahaha! I know that sounds insane to actually type out, but OMG, you guys, this dress was made for a ruffle/gingham/bow lover.

It comes in 2 colors, but I already had the blue and white pin-striped Edie shirt. I blogged about it in the fall, and I love that shirt SO MUCH. The fit was absolutely perfect, so I felt confident ordering the same size (4) online in a dress version.

This is the kind of dress you put on, and you're immediately just SO HAPPY!!!! That ruffle! The little ribbon belt! The pockets! And it's currently 50% off $69, which is $30-something! haha! Use code: SALEFUN

All pictures by Andrea at Swofford Photography. Hire her, you guys! She is incredible!

^^ Fresh new haircut thanks to Annalisa at Beautiful You Salon! She has been cutting my hair since 2011!  She's amazing. I haven't colored my hair since 2012, but I am thinking about some balayage this summer! Any suggestions? 

Red lip: my all time favorite Stila lip stain. 

I love everything about this dress. The grosgrain belt can be worn with it, or you could swap out a different belt for a pop of color! Use this link for the sale dresses. For some reason the Nordies ones aren't coming up as on sale, but they definitely are! 

That bow! 

One of my bffs, Cheng, bought me this lightweight Kate Spade blanket scarf a few years ago when we were roommates in Chicago. I've grown up with Cheng; I forced him to be friends with me when he moved to Boardman in 5th grade. LOL. I remember being a totally bratty 11 year old with a bowl cut, and even though I had a HUGE digital watch on, I would never tell him what time it was. hahaha! But thank God he saw past my adolescent ways, and he remains like family to us!  And, hello, this scarf? How amazing is that? He picked it out himself! 

It was A LOT colder than the sun makes it look! But these pics were worth it!

Here's a similar Kate Spade lightweight scarf. It's perfect for the not-too-cold but not-too-hot days!

OMG, these tassels! Check out the other lightweight scarves below! SO many cute options! 

My red bag was my first "public school teacher job" purchase in 2011. (I was not buying Kate Spade bags for myself at my Catholic school teaching job haha). 

It's long gone by now, but here are some similar options. 

Also, the bag for if I go big with the blog... bahahha. The Chloe Marcie in tulip red... I die! A gal can dream, right? 

If you like this Edie style dress, check out these Edie shirts:

How did everyone's weeks start?
I got Starbucks this AM, grande cold brew sweet cream-- my sis got me hooked! I think that's going to be a treat for me on Mondays. I usually only do Starbucks once a week as a treat on Fridays (we have a Keurig), but why not start the week with a fab drink?
xxoo
Mary