Guest post: A man's fall wardrobe

Mary's note: my sweet hubs agreed to post as a guest. He is always on trend; it's one of the first things I noticed about him when we met at Geneva Ale House in March of 2013. I then fell in love with everything else about him and his personality, but his style certainly caught my eye when we met. 

Sunday morning, Mary and I awoke to what can only be described as a perfect fall day: the sun was shining, the leaves had changed to glorious reds, oranges, and yellows, there was just a hint of chill in the air, and our Irish had just taken down arch-rival Southern Cal the night before! What better time than now to share another fall wardrobe?

This time, however, Mary asked me to get in front of the camera and share my own autumn staples! Sit back and enjoy a cup of coffee. Welcome to my fall uniform.

The navy blue cardigan is a staple in my closet. I blew out the elbows of the last one I owned (a discount purchase from Nordstrom Rack), so I had to immediately find a replacement on that fateful day! This is from J. Crew, and it comes in very handy when I don't know what temperature to expect at the office in the fall. I think I got it at a time when I was able to stack a coupon code on top of the store's sale -- such an even better deal for something I'd wear all the time.

My pants are from J. Crew's discount brand, Factory. I have to admit that the oxford shirts I've purchased from there haven't always been great quality-wise -- lots of issues with stitching, weird fit problems, and so on -- but I've never had any problems with their chinos, and they can ALWAYS be purchased at a steep discount and/or with a coupon code. These are no exception. These green ones will probably be in my rotation for the next 7 months or so, until I switch them out for summer weights and colors.

(It's only as I write this do I realize how much J. Crew stuff I had on. That's usually not the case.)

My shirt, amazingly enough, isn't THAT J. Crew blue gingham shirt, and actually isn't even J. Crew at all. I think it's Tommy Hilfiger, but I've had it so long, who even knows. Suffice to say, the style is ubiquitous, but that's because it's a shirt that goes with jeans, shorts, and chinos. It's perfect. Here's a link to the style, but I'm sure every store and brand has their own version.

Fall also means it's time to bust out the desert boots. These suede shoes are great in colder weather, and also work great with both jeans and chinos. Clark's are the standard bearer, in a wide variety of colors, but these are the Macalister from (you guessed it, J. Crew). I've owned both brands. I had zero complaints from the Clark's, but the J. Crew shoes are just incredibly soft. I don't think I'll be going back when these bite the dust. And since you probably already can tell I love a deal, I'll let you know that I've had luck finding the Clark's in their own outlet store and Nordstrom Rack in the $75 range, while the Macalister's I'm wearing here were another sale + coupon code stack. Best. Purchase. Ever. (Aside from Mary's ring, of course)

Finally, now that summer is over and I'm not baring my ankles everyday, I gotta keep my sock game on fleek! I got these socks from thetiebar.com, the same place I purchased bow ties for my groomsmen. Sadly, these particular socks don't seem to be available anymore, but here's a striped pair in the same colors, while these would have matched the green pants better. I guess I have another purchase to make!

Feel free to follow me on Twitter: @Fremeauji

I've Never Met a Lilly I didn't Love

Pictured above: my big sister, Anna, myself in Lilly (here) and my lovely cousin, Kara, at my bridal shower in Youngstown, Ohio. 

Lilly Pulitzer (d. 2013) represents the epitome of southern belle chic. Her dresses (and patterns, for that matter) embody a place that is warm, carefree and full of soirees. She is known to have quipped, "let's have a party, let's have it tonight."   Her floral prints originated because she used to work at a juice stand on her husband's citrus groves. She continually ruined her clothing with the juice spills and stains, so she decided to design something full of colors and patterns to camouflage those spills. With that, the Lilly Pulitzer shift dress was born.

All I can say from my own discovery of Lilly P (thanks to Julie and Jackie) is: Oh, SHIFT, there goes my income. Ha! Not exactly. I will tell you some secrets of my Lilly Pulitzer love.

1. First and foremost: NEVER buy a full priced Lilly Pulitzer piece. It's as simple as that. Wait until the twice-a-year sale. One of the sales is right around Christmas and the other is right as school begins (think: late August). Also, try 6pm for last season's steals.  Sign up for Lilly P. emails on the website and follow them on Twitter and Facebook to ensure you know about the sales.

Below are two of my favorite Lilly dresses with one of my favorite Lilly lovers, Courtney!


2.  Lilly Pulitzer dresses last forever.

Above: one of my favorite pictures with my Aunt. Aunt Sue, my cousin, Ashley, my sister, Anna, my mom, the bride, and me.  This picture was taken on July 20, 2012; I have worn that seersucker Lilly dress so many times since we got it to be my mom's bridesmaids! 

Above: my step dad and I in March of 2015. 

Above left: my pals Maria, Mikey and Libby (also in Lilly seersucker pink-- scalloped shorts!) in summer of 2014. Find Libby's great shorts (on sale!) here.

Above right: strolling along the Fox River in Lilly, circa 2013.  My dress, as you can see, is about 4 years old. However, she still sells a blue seersucker fit and flare that is to die for! And on sale! You can't beat this!


3. Lilly Pulitzer isn't strictly for warm weather!  That is a common misconception about Lilly dresses. Throw on some tights and boots, and you have yourself a fall/winter look! Of course, some dresses are more practical for warm weather, but most are versatile into the seasons with the appropriate amount of accessorizing. Think: scarves, tights, boots, blazers and cardigans.

 

Above, left: Lilly Pulitzer black lace fit and flare for New Year's Eve with my girl, Mandy. Old, but here is a similar one! Above, right: throw on a blazer with a strapless Lilly to accommodate the shifts in season. Old, but here is an equally adorable one.

 

Above left: the navy shift dress with navy tights and my Frye boots made a perfect outfit for a November birthday party for my uncle.  My sweet cousin, Ashley, and her boyfriend Kevin and best friend, Lorenzo.   Above right: I wore the black lace Lilly dress in October for my friend's rehearsal dinner in Indy! It was just the right temperature to be tights-less.

4. The fit of a Lilly Pulitzer dress is epic! It fits true to size. If you're like me, smallish on top with a large booty, the strapless Lilly is a perfect fit every time.

Above, left: one of our engagement photos by the extraordinary Meagan Hudak of Blossom Lane Photography.  Above right: celebrating my masters degree with a night out! Those gold wedges you see in the photo are also Lilly Pulitzer. They are no longer sold anywhere (I have been trying for years to buy another pair because they are the best shoe I've ever owned), but here is a similar pair. Anna and I bought these wedges for my mom's wedding in 2012, and we have been wearing them to this very day.

Above: my mom and I at the White's wedding, October 2013. Lilly has some embellished dresses that are just to die for. Here is a beaded shift. This one is similar to above, but a more updated version: adorable! The embellishments on some of her dresses add an element of dressiness. 

5. Lilly for Target 

This may bring back some PTSD moments for devoted Lilly lovers. I will admit, I was in line at the local Target prior to opening, but I bought a few pieces and headed on my way. Courtney, my Lilly-loving pal, totally helped me prep for the sale. We previewed the dresses online and made a plan. Court was shopping in Pittsburgh, but we kept each other posted!  It was fun to pick up a few LFT pieces, but there was no way I was elbowing my way through or sprinting to the racks like a customer I saw! Yikes! She took 8-10 items of each style off the racks and sprinted away. Sheesh!

                                                                             Jack Rogers sandals: similar, here.

I loved the above pattern (clearly). I also purchased two headbands (pink pictured above) and a phone case. It was certainly an experience! But Lilly dresses for $36? Yes, please!  I plan to bring these pieces with me on my November trip to Florida, as we head down to celebrate our step brother's marriage. 

6. Lilly is for generations to come; her pieces are heirlooms!   

Above: Jennifer, Anna, Jackie, me, and Julie at Jackie's Lilly-themed wedding shower in spring 2011.

My first Lilly dress was a steal ($60) at the Lincoln Park T.J. Maxx with my darling pal, Julie. It was not in my size, but I thought I'd give it a whirl because it was so affordable and downright gorgeous. It fit! Kismet, I'd say. 

My stepfather gave me a pair of old Lilly P. golf pants (pictured below) that my extraordinarily talented seamstress turned into a beautiful pillow. They were from the 80's! And still in perfect shape.

I plan to pass my Lillys on to my nieces, Godaughter and maybe my own daughters one day. They are extremely high quality and will always be on trend. 

Below: here I am heading to Jamaica for our honeymoon, Lilly madness ensuing. Popover, similar here. Julie monogrammed that fabulous cooler/insulated beach bag for me: similar, here.

My iPhone case can be found here for the 6. 

A little less coo-coo of a picture, below. Waiting (in Lilly) at O'Hare with my hubs. :-) 

Give Lilly a chance; you'll find a sudden urge to want to celebrate (anything and everything)! 

XXOO

Boots de Resistance

Having lived in Youngstown, Ohio growing up, and off to college in South Bend, Indiana, only to graduate and move to the next state westward, I have become well-versed in dressing (my feet) for Midwestern winters.


Let me tell you about my boot-spertise.
Below: Frye similar, here, green Hunters here, aubergine Hunters similar, here (and on sale!), Sorels similar, here.

Hunter Boots:

My favorite pair: pictured above with Mr. Fremeau's Sperrys :-)

Hunter Boots sans boot socks are perfect for warmer weather with rain.
Below: my friends Lauren and Maria with me in the middle. Rainy springtime calls for Hunters without the boot socks!

I will say, however, you must wear boot socks when it is cold. The rubber is not warm nor insulated; however, the height of the Hunters are extremely necessary when Chicagoland gets feet (yes, multiple!) of snow.  The boot socks are fleece-lined and fabulous. Find fun boot socks, here and here (both on sale!).  You can get matte Hunters or glossy ones. Hunters are available in different heights, too, but I have always stuck to the tallest (our snow gets deep out here!). Additionally, there are extra wide calf-widths for my runner friends!

Pictured below: wintertime Hunters with my bestie, Mandy. Mine are matte; Mandy's are glossy.

I suggest to stay away from the foldable/packable Hunters. They're nice and structured when you buy the originals.  Here is a staple pair  to begin your collection.  Nordstroms and Von Maur have been my go-to for on-sale boots. I have NEVER paid full price for a pair!


Frye Boots (leather):

Disclaimer: do not pay full price for your Fryes. They are an investment, and a boot you will wear for years to come. But, they are not a $450 investment! Wait until the Nordstrom's annual sale-- I purchased mine for half price at that time. Sign up for Nordie's emails or download the app to stay in the know; the annual sale is typically around the end of summer.  The Frye company has been in business for over 150 years. My horsey-pals know Fryes are the best for riding boots, too. The history speaks for itself!

Above: the hubs and I at the Moscow Ballet's Nutcracker last year. In the picture, I am wearing old Banana Republic boot socks (similar here, from Urban Outfitters).  

Above: Fryes with on-sale Target knee socks. My advice to you when looking for boot socks for your Fryes is to check the sale section of socks at Target. The colors can be impractical, but at some time you might be inclined to wear coral knee socks, and for $2.49, you really can't go wrong. 

Above: fall in Youngstown with my man. Fryes over skinny jeans work perfectly! With a full boot-length zipper, you can tuck away pants without a struggle. 

Camel colored, here.

Classic black, distressed here (click for the black view).

Sorels:

The warmest boots you'll ever own!

These are, by far, the best winter boots I have ever purchased. I wore Uggs around the Saint Mary's College campus for four years, but the salt ate them mercilessly each season. No amount of "Ugg" spray could protect those suede monsters from their untimely disintegration.

Mandy and I have matching Sorels. :-) 

Similar, here.

My try-ons at Von Maur, AKA my happy place. 

Sorels are perfect winter footwear. Tuck them into your skinnies or crops for protected and warm ankles and feet! 

Whether you're a Hunters-type of gal, a Sorel-boot wearer or someone who rocks a Frye, what are your go-to winter boots? Let me know! I'd love to hear from you!

xxoo
Mary

Saturday Night in the City: A Guide to Fall Fashion

If you live in a state where there are seasons, you are blessed. Seeing the fall foliage on a run or a walk or even while driving is such a gift. Seasons can be rough when it's Chicagoland in late January, but for now let's relish the beauty of October.

Dressing for a night out in the fall is slightly more difficult than a very cold month (hello, Sorels and sweaters) or the dog days of summer. Tights or no tights? Long sleeves with no jacket? Short sleeves and jacket? No tan any more, so how can I rock lighter colors?

Fear not, fashionistas, I shall show you some options!  For reference, it was about 66 degrees Saturday, and it dipped lower in the evening.

Here are the pieces of an effortless fall look, that won't break the bank. This outfit will also transition nicely into winter with the addition of a cardigan and tights.

The bootie

I just picked these up to take me through winter. I found them at Von Maur, but they are online at the link above, too. I sprayed them with suede spray, and they will become my go-to bootie with crops, skirts and tights, and skinny jeans. Extremely comfortable, and worth every penny. 

I found a flouncy/flowy/majorly comfy black dress (with pockets!) at this great little boutique in downtown Aurora. YM Boutique is one of the cutest hidden gems in Aurora. I heard about it because one of my dancers works there and also models for the store. The owner, I found out from another sweet employee, came from LA two years ago to start the boutique in downtown Aurora. Once the pieces are sold, they are typically not reordered (very unique!). There are a few sizes of each item, and EVERYTHING was fabulous. It was like walking into a downtown Chicago boutique-- but in the burbs! I highly recommend visiting the store. You won't be disappointed! The price point is awesome; for reference, my LBD was $36.50. I know this dress will transition perfectly into winter with layers and tights, and then can be re-worn in the summer with flip flops and a tan :)

The fun stuff: accessories

For a night downtown, I don't like to carry my normal, large purse. A clutch is excellent for a night out. I don't need my full size wallet-- I instead carry a card case. This Tory Burch card case was a gift from my fellow fashionista, Jackie, about 4 years ago. It is still as good as new, and I am sure it will last for years to come.  Find it here. It's perfect for when you have a small purse and no room for your daily wallet. 

A clutch, in black or gold, is such a staple piece for an evening out. If you're at restaurants and bars, it is much more convenient to not be bothered with anything bulky. Chose, instead, a hand held clutch. Mine was from the Neiman Marcus for Target line, a few years ago, but here is a similarly fabulous clutch from Kate Spade.  Another sparkly option can be found here.

The jewels:

Since my dress is fairly simple, I knew my jewelry game had to be on fleek. I chose to go heavy on the gold accents, with my Alex and Ani collection of bangles on display.  Check out the website, here! These stackable bracelets are to die for! They are great gifts. I have a Saint Mary's College one, an "F", a Godmother one, an angel of wisdom, and a feather. They're perfect to stack and layer. Fellow Belles, check this one out: adorable!

My necklaces were layered-- two statement necklaces together can create a mega-chunky, mega-trendy look. Mine are old, but here are two similar: Loft option, here and J.Crew option, here.

I also love stacking the Kate Spade bangles. Here are a couple fabulous ones: You can never go wrong with gold glitter, and this black and white one is so versatile! My girls Mandy and Sarah bought me a black and white bow one that I wear several times a week. Any of the idiom bangles are perfect for daily wear, stacked with your watch. Awesome new idiom bangle-- as good as gold.

Also, this pave link bracelet works with all my gold accessories. For $18, you can't beat it! 

My earrings were a gift from one of my besties, Mandy. When I got engaged, she got me these knot earrings, found here, for "tying the knot"! It was the most thoughtful gift! I wear them CONSTANTLY!  

The red lip:

Stila stain-- found here. I got it for my wedding in the Amalfi color. The red was a gift from my fabulous sister, Anna. The red I use is called Fiery. It lasts for HOURS-- through eating and drinking, too. I got so many compliments on the magenta color I wore at our wedding. 

A final note, these pockets made this dress so fun! We had such a great night out, celebrating Meg's visit to Chicago and her new job.

What are your go-to fall pieces? Tell me about it in the comments! 

XXOO

Save vs. Splurge: What Clothing Items are Worth the Dent in your Wallet?

One of our good friends, Maggie, gave me the idea for this blog post-- thanks, Maggie!  Save vs. splurge-- the age old question when it comes to fashion.  I have certainly saved when I should have splurged, and vice versa, so I have some insight to offer from my own mistakes and conquests over the years. My husband always says, "you get what you pay for!" (And he's right!)

Where to save:

1. Trendy jewelry

Okay, so the J. Crew bauble necklaces didn't outlast the test of time. The original bauble necklace was over $100.  I decided to go the much more practical way for this trend, and buy a few different colors of them from eBay. I am so glad I did! The bauble necklace trend has fizzled out, and I don't feel guilty for giving away my old ones (or tossing them) after 2 years+ of wear. Mine were about $12 a piece-- totally worthwhile, particularly because no one knew the difference!  Charming Charlie, Bauble Bar and J. Crew Factory are your best bets for trendy, in-the-moment, statement jewelry.

Mike and I and a white bauble                       2014 Holiday Christmas party with a teal bauble

 

2. Party tops/bachelorette party garb/anything fully sequined

There is nothing I love more than a fully sequined piece of clothing. There's something about sequins that shouts, "I am ready to have fun!" However, there is no need to splurge on something that can be worn 1-2 times, mainly at your or your besties' bachelorette parties. For my friend Leah's bachelorette party, I tried on a few high waisted skirts and cropped sequin tops (thank you, Kim Kardashian, for making me think this was a good idea!). I went with a $10 crop top from Forever 21 (I think they could sense I was WAY past 21, so I made my visit speedy!).  I paired it with a $5 cotton high waisted skirt, also from Forever 21. One of my friends, Jackie, was then able to re-wear this look for my own bachelorette party. Totally worth all $15 of it!

My sister, Anna, (left) and I celebrating Leah!

Forever 21 dressing rooms! Ha!

3. Jeans

I know this might sound crazy, but I never pay more than $80 for a pair of jeans. I'll tell you why: jeans are constantly in flux. Styles are forever changing-- the boyfriend jean is back again, some rips are fairly common, the wash is darker now, higher waisted jeans are popular-- why spend $150+ on a jean that might not be on trend next season?  I find the best jeans at Von Maur; my favorite brand is Else.  It's the little sister (cheaper) brand of Joe's Jeans, and they will run you about $69 bucks (or less, here!).  They have an amazing, flattering fit!  Ann Taylor Loft also has fabulous jeans (and there is always a sale happening online and in-store. Plus, if you're a teacher, there's a 20% discount for all purchases!). J. Crew Factory also becomes my jam in this category as the jeans are constantly on trend and on sale (hello teacher discount at J.Crew, too!).   Who knows if high-waisted, light wash, match stick skinnies will be in next season? But at least you've only paid $49 for them.

Don't get me wrong: I used to covet my Seven Jeans, True Religions, Citizens, etc. But, once I started seeing high school BOYS (!) wearing Trues, I knew the time had come to switch.


Where to Splurge:

1. Workout/exercise clothing and tennis shoes for working out/running

I discovered Lululemon when I moved to Chicago in 2009. It was the promised land of spandex-- everything made me look sportier, healthier and more toned. Of course, it was probably just the intoxication of the Halsted Street location, but there was something amazing about rocking that tiny Omega. My first pair of flare-legged (!) Lululemon groove pants (here) were bought in the fall of 2009. I STILL wear them to this day!  Lululemon hems for free and ships for free, too. All the different rises of waist lines can be confusing or overwhelming if you're new to Lululemon. My advice is stick to a basic black pair of the Wunder Under crops or pants (avoid high rise or roll down, too much extra fabric). They'll change your life! Luon is a great fabric to work with. Don't go with anything flared. Stay skinny or cropped with your pants or capries; it will work better for any type of exercise.

I find that if I am in a workout outfit that I love, I will want to work out! I coach the dance team at our school, and it requires me to be in dance clothing at least 3 days a week. Feeling confident in a well-made pair of spandex with just the right amount of compression can make exercise fun (and fashion-forward).

I have tried Target, Old Navy and other places for workout gear, and what I find is: pilling, stretching out, struck/broken zippers. So, then I ended up buying a few replacement $30 pieces, instead of one, tried-and-true piece.

My favorite Lululemon tank top is this last photo. It's called the "Free to Be Wild" Tank.  I just got a second on Sunday at the Naperville Lululemon. You will be in love! Runs true to size-- check it out here. Forgive my selfies; I am new to the blogging world, but soon I will have a better camera!

2. A wear-every-day watch

Michael Kors is my go-to designer for watches. I have a gold and a silver watch, to match my accessories of the day. I have had both for several years-- similar to my gold, here. Disclaimer: do not pay full price for your watch! You can splurge for less at the Nordstrom's annual sale. I paid about $120 for each of my watches. Here is a shot from our engagement photoshoot with the watch.

Here is a similar watch to my silver MK. I love all things sparkly, so I went for the pave bling. The linked choice is slightly more demure. Rose gold and tortoise watches are also huge right now, if you are in the market for a new timepiece.

3. Shoes for work

As a teacher, there is nothing worse than standing in uncomfortable shoes all day. Additionally, there is nothing worse than going out for a night in uncomfortable heels. I swear, my night can be extended by several hours if only I am in the right shoe.

As a teacher, I must wear a wedge. I want a heel to give me some height around the tall high schoolers, but the best approach is a wedge, particularly because on most days I am getting over 10,000 steps in on my Fitbit.

Toms makes THE BEST WEDGE ever. Hands down. Here it is in classic black. You will NOT regret this purchase. I would stock up when you see them on sale at Von Maur or Nordstroms.

Mike and me, prom posing, downtown Chicago. Madras Toms wedge (old) but similar here for the summer season

Bag is Kate Spade (old) similar here. 

Dress is J. Crew Factory (old) similar here. 

With my SMC Belles at our 5 year reunion. Floral Toms wedge on me, far left

Shout out to my adorable pals, Fran, Courtney and Ash (from the left)

Their bootie is another shoe that cannot be beat. Peep toe and perforated for the summer is fabulous.  These are my favorite shoes-- and on sale!  (see above).  Dress is old Sale to Sable, but here is one just as fabulous!


Sperry Topsider Boat Shoes are a timeless shoe that can take you through almost all seasons (aside from winter in Illinois). My first pair of Sperrys was a Christmas gift from my mom in 2007 when I was in college. All the Smickers and Domers had Sperrys-- I had to get them! I chose navy leather ones, for tailgating, of course. I wore those puppies until 2013, through years of dancing (and frequent spillage) at the Backer, Finny's, Rum Runners (RIP), Club 23 (RIP) and the Oyster Bar. (Club Fever required a pointier, higher heel).


A chunky heel (Sofft- found here) is best, too.  The platform helps to make it extremely wearable. (Below is us smooching outside of Graham's during our engagement pictures). Check out the Soffts!

Tory Burch makes a flat that is to die for. Pricey? Yes. But everlasting? Heck, yes.  I have 4 pairs of Reva Ballet Flats that I have worn for years. It took me all through college, student teaching and my first two years in the city to outwear my first black pair (similar here).


3a. Running shoes: be sure to get these fitted at your local running store. You should definitely be running on a treadmill in store to determine if you pronate or supinate (fancy words for your ankles rolling in or rolling out). I ran the Chicago Marathon in 2011 in these shoes (the Ghost) and haven't stopped purchasing the new models of this shoe since. Brooks are awesome! Whether you're working up to a 5K walk or a marathon distance run, I assure you the best thing you can do for your knees and shins is to invest in a pair of Brooks.


4. Purses and work bags

I bought a cheapie cross body purse at Target (pictured below) to bring to Lollapalooza a few years ago, and it didn't stand the test of a single day! I couldn't believe it.

However, I wear Kate Spade purses for several years. It's only usually until I pop them up on eBay to save for a new bag that I will stop wearing one. My current bag here, on sale!

A pop of color-- this yellow Kate Spade bag (below) is one of my all-time faves!
Bag: old, but this one is a similar structure and a great color!
Dress: old (also by Sail to Sable like the gray above), but this is an updated version of mine!
Shoes: Toms wedges as mentioned above

My favorite red purse by Kate Spade (below). Old, but similar here. 

Julie and I at the Chicago craft beer fest last year!

If you are like me and have to carry papers, folders, notebooks, textbooks, a liter-sized water bottle, 45 binder clips and a laptop around all day, you'll appreciate a sturdy and classic work bag. My go-to is always Tory Burch. Since my first Tory tote while student teaching, I have been purchasing a new bag every few years. It is so important that there is plentiful room and that the straps LAST. Here are a few of the best Tory Burch bags out there right now: mine and my sister's. Though my sister is in a completely different career, she has to carry similar items in her work bag; the Tory Burch tote is the most practical for all careers.



When it comes to your closet, what do you save on? What are you big splurges? Let me know in the comments below!

xxoo
Mary
PS: check me out on Pinterest:  @BelleOnTrend  -- I have pinned some great Lululemon pieces if you're interested in giving Lululemon a shot. I promise you won't be disappointed!