Gym Chic - Fabulous Workout Clothes to Make you Excited to Sweat

At Pure Barre Geneva, some of the teachers and other clients were talking to me about Gym Chic. They said I'd love it! I had to check it out. Fun, stylish workout capris and tanks? I was intrigued! Gym Chic just opened in downtown St. Charles, and they have so many fun pieces! I really do feel more motivated to exercise when I wear something I love. I also feel more confident and stronger, but that could definitely be the placebo effect. Haha! I love to support small businesses and to shop local, so it makes much more sense to me to get my Alo from nearby as opposed to ordering it online.

I chose two pieces. First up is this blush Alo Yoga Bralette in shell. It's slightly sheen-y, and I love how it's longer than a typical sports bra. It will go so nicely under all my workout tops! 

And this Onzie (one size fits all-- very cool concept!) tank with a white t-back. It is super luxe; the material is amazing!  It was ideal for Pure Barre Platform because of how airy and flowy it was. I always need extra air-conditioning for those hardcore classes! I tried a similar tank on in a beautiful magenta, too!

I love how loose-fitting this tank is! It will show off all your spunky, strappy sports bras!

I am a diehard supporter of the Lululemon Wunder Under Crops! They fit so perfectly, and they last for years. I typically buy the practical solid black ones, but with fun waistbands for a peek of "party"!

I'm also a huge fan of the Nike Frees (these are on sale!). The fabulous colors of the Free Fly Knits are also to die for. They're sooo incredibly light- you feel like you're barefoot! I bought mine on sale last year in the sale room at Von Maur, but watch the Nordstrom's sale that begins July 22-- they're always on sale during that time. I bought mine for $60, down from the original $100 price tag. TBH, they're worth every penny! I wear them constantly.

These non-slip Lululemon headbands are incredible! I have collected them in various colors since I first discovered Lululemon in 2009 when I moved to Chicago. They wash wonderfully, and they are the only headband you'll ever need. They keep your bangs out of your face and your sweat from dripping in your eyes. The perfect addition to any workout look! Bonus: they come in adorable colors, too!

Do you feel like me about working out when you have a fun new outfit? I swear, it is like an intrinsic motivator! Oh, wait, that would actually be extrinsic. HAHA!
xxoo
Mary

More Wedding Shower Looks: For the Bride and her Guests!

I have been asked many times by friends and family members about what to wear to wedding showers/brunches. Also, I have friends and family members who are currently in the bride's shoes, and they've asked about what to wear for their own showers. I love ALL things wedding, so this was a super fun topic for me to explore. My focus is my bestie Megan's wedding showers last weekend in Ohio. Megan and I have been friends since we were little girls in elementary school with matching blond bowl cuts. We survived our braces-clad middle school years together, with our moms confusing us on the volleyball team because we looked exactly the same- haha! Our friendship grew even stronger in high school (remember when we were employed by the fruit stand?! What in the world were we doing?! hahaha!), and we remained close through college at Miami of Ohio (Meg) and Saint Mary's (me) and Megan's time in dental school (and my move to Chicago). Though we haven't lived close since we were 18, we love to catch up weekly via text or the phone! She was in my wedding last year, and now I get to return the favor! :)

I absolutely adore this white dress on Megan! Even if you aren't in the market for a LWD, you can get it in navy or green for the summer. At $34.99, you'd be silly NOT to pick it up! The fit and flare style is extremely flattering.

We laughed because I actually featured Megan's dress on my eyelet post back in March, but she had purchased it before I posted it, so she felt really special. Ahead of Belle On Trend! haha!

Additional white shower dresses for the bride: here, here, here, here and here. 

Drooling over this Banana Republic sale dress, in eyelet: here. This J.Crew Factory eyelet dress is also fabulous (and on sale!). 

I picked up three Kate Spade bangles for Megan because my gift (more to come on that!) wasn't going to arrive in time (or so I thought!).

I bought a teal bangle for "something blue", a white bangle for "something new" and a "best friends ever" bangle for something borrowed-- this was a stretch-- because our friendship is "shared"! Megan is one of the most creative gift givers ever, so I wanted to try to be like her! (Don't worry-- I went on-registry for her other shower! Haha!). 

I also love her statement necklace.

Here, here, here, here and here are some great options to dress up a classic white dress. 

Jimmy, the groom-to-be, and Sean, the best man, surprising Megan with the most gorgeous flowers I'd ever seen! Blush Gerber daisies! OMG!

I love Jimmy's Nantucket Red shorts and chambray Oxford. Jimmy has also been my friend since we were under age 10, hanging around the swim club and West Blvd. Elementary School playground together! It's hard to believe I've known him 20 years! :) So glad these two ended up together (I knew it allllll along!). 

The future Dr. and Mr. Jim Hlebak! 

Best friends since elementary school! Literally, decades. WOW!

My dress: old Lilly Pulitzer, similar dresses here, here and here. 

My tassel earrings: here. I also love these Bauble Bar ones!

The bridesmaids! Just missing Reema and Crea! :) 

Megan and her sisters and her mom (far right) and soon-to-be MIL (far left). 

I mentioned Kim's dress on my last trending report. I just ordered it for 50% off! Major deal! 

I love the cobalt blue that Mrs. Hlebak, Kaitlin (middle) and Mrs. Turk have on.

Cobalt blue dress options: here, here, and here. 

What have you worn to recent bridal showers? Special shout out to Jeannette for taking the pics!
xxoo
Mary

Trending: 6.10.16

Here's what is currently #trending in Belle on Trend's world!

[1.0] This Limited maxi dress.
I fell totally in love with this beauty when I saw Megan's sister, Kimmy, wearing this at Meg's bridal shower. OMG, it needs to be in my closet. Now. Here's Kimmy rocking it (below) at the shower with Megan (middle) and their younger sister, Kaitlyn! (More on the shower to come!). Kimmy's earrings were Kendra Scott (to die for) and matched perfectly. Kimmy is the sweetest-- she gave me a 50% off for The Limited so I can scoop that dress up! I just saw on their site now that some items are 40% off, and if you use code 301, you can get 20% off anything! Wahoo! Happy shopping!

[2.0] These "Dizzy" shorts by Elizabeth McKay.

How darling is that scalloped belt? These shorts come in 4 colors, too! I am loving all the Elizabeth McKay dresses, too! The Coco dress would be absolutely gorgeous for a summer wedding! 

[3.0] This Nancy Rose Performance open back top. 

I own this top in black, and now I want to purchase the twilight color! The owner of Pure Barre Geneva, Brynn, wore this top in the cobalt/twilight color, and I knew I had to have it. I snagged it up from the Pure Barre Geneva Instagram auction, so I got it for a steal! But, I'm willing to pay full price for such an amazing piece. It's long, it's super soft, and it's completely flattering. There are thumb holes, too! I love that it comes in numeric sizes-- I got a 6 for reference. 

[4.0] This Free to Be (Wild) sports bra.

I know I talk about these FTB bras a lot, but that is because they're AMAZING! (See above with my Nancy Rose top!)  There's nothing better for running, Pure Barre or just lounging. I typically scope them out on the "We Made Too Much" sale section of the Lululemon website. I love a good sale, and since I know my size, I can swoop these up without going into the Naperville store (where I'd be tempted to buy much more than just one specific item!). My new obsession is open back tank tops, and the FTB bra looks fabulous underneath. The strappier, the better!

[5.0] This pleated Kelly Green ombre dress.

Banana Republic has some excellent options for summer weddings! This would be ideal-- you could wear it with wedges or pumps to a wedding but also dress it down with your Jacks for date night. How beautiful is that color!!??

[6.0] This ruffle dress from Banana Republic.

I can see this as a perfect summer dress for a winery tour or a day walking around on vacation with your family or friends. I also see this as a fall work dress with a cute cardigan over it.  However, never, ever, ever pay full price at Banana. They are constantly having 30-40% off sales. I've never paid full price for anything from BR because of their outstanding sales!

[7.0] These Tory Burch sandals.

OMG, they're multi-colored! I can't even fathom my excitement! My friend Scott got his now wife, Lauren, the Miller sandal for their wedding. Her maiden name was Miller, so it was the perfect gift to represent the transition to Wasulko! I've been eyeing the Miller sandals ever since Scott asked me about them, and now I've found the ones I NEED!  Lauren can attest to them being super comfortable. She wears them to work and out on the weekends, too! The Tory Navy and Sunshine Patent Leather are both multi-colored on the T's! ADORABLE! Here they are in red, too!

[8.0] This pineapple cardigan.

With just a subtle pineapple detail, you will add instant flair to any outfit. How summery is this? I'm in love! And for $29? Yes, please! 

What's on your wish list?

xxoo

Mary

Nautical Stripes: Sail to Sable!

I had the opportunity to wear one of my all-time favorite tunic dresses over the weekend when I was home in Ohio. I was meeting three of my best friends from childhood for drinks, and this was the perfect outfit! (S/O to Erica, Jess and Katie! We had the best time catching up-- I laughed so hard I literally got a side cramp-- bahahha!). This dress is about 4 years (or more?!) old, but I will link some equally fabulous Sail to Sable dresses!  STS holds up so well; this dress looks brand new, and I have worn it so much over the past years. It's long enough for work, and it's easy to dress up. Check out Sail to Sable for your new fave dress! 

Tunic dress options: here with an awesome color scheme, here-- perfect for MDW and July 4!, love these summer colors, more nautical stripes here, and you can't go wrong with this classic navy!

PS: found 5 STS dresses below that are on sale! 

Jack Rogers sandals: here.

Kate Spade Cheers necklace: old, but I love this Better Half version or the classic Mrs.

Lat and Lo. bar necklace: here. 

Kate Spade statement earrings: old, similar here and here. 

Kate Spade yellow purse: (old), similar here, here- in lemonade, here, here and here- how flippin' cute is this!? 

I love a bright colored purse for the summer months! My mom bought me this Kate Spade bag about 3 years ago when I was helping my sister plan for her wedding showers and bachelorette party. It was the best surprise! I have it on heavy rotation from May to August! 

Red lips: MAC

What's your "old faithful" go-to dress? Check out Sail to Sable for dresses that will last for YEARS! They have awesome sales, too! Be sure to sign up for their newsletter for the alerts on sale pieces.

xxoo

Mary

Buffalo Plaid Romper!

I had so much fun this past Saturday night with two gals who were my students and dancers I coached 7 years ago! I met Maddy and Stephanie when they were 14 and 15, freshmen and sophomores at my first real job out of college. I was 22, but I was giving teaching my all and trying so hard. I will never forget how sweet they were to me (I was only there originally for a maternity leave, so I just taught them for 3 months), and their patience as I was a bumbling 22 year old new teacher was never forgotten. Fast forward two years, and I made my way back to that school as a full time teacher. I was their dance team coach, and I watched them grow as students and dancers and head into college. I convinced Maddy to check out Saint Mary's College, as I just knew she would love it. Low and behold, she did! She is now going into her senior year at SMC; she is the captain of the Notre Dame Pom Squad (I swear I predicted this!) and will graduate next year. I just happened to send a text to both Steph and Maddy the other day, and I am so glad I did! We decided to catch up because they were both coincidentally in town. Steph was even able to attend our wedding last year (Maddy was actually dancing professionally in LA at the time!). Since they've graduated, we have become real friends. I'm so lucky to know them both!

This romper is my first ever romper! I made a pact with myself that I would *try* a romper this summer, and I found this cute one at the Old Navy outlet for $11! I couldn't believe it when it rang up at the register! For my first foray into the romper world, $11 was a good starting point. 

I just bought this on Thursday, but it looks like it's sold out in many sizes online; act fast! It runs a little large-- if you're in between sizes, I would size down. I bought a small for reference.

 Below are some equally awesome rompers to begin your collection! 

I love this chambray!

You could dress this one up with strappy heels!

The scallop detail on this one is fabulous.

The ruffle bottom on this is sooo cute! 

The off-the-shoulder look is perfect for summer.

These details! OMG!

This one with strappy black sandals= your next night out.

My all-time fave-- those ties in the back!

I was so excited about this little photo shoot. A sweet gal passed by while we were shooting and said, "blog pictures?" and I was like, "YES!" And she said she had just finished hers! I was telling her my blog name when I realized: I have business cards for this very reason! I gave out my FIRST EVER biz card! I was through the roof! Check out her blog here. It was such a cool moment!  

The jewels!

Alex and Ani bracelets (above left): here. They are such a personalized gift, and each one tells such a special story. If you're ever stuck on a gift to buy someone, definitely get an Alex and Ani bracelet!

Bangles, etc. on the right: Kate Spade gold (top), Kate Spade white (second), J. Crew Factory pave chain (third), J. Crew chunky crystals (fourth), Kiel James Patrick bow (fifth), Michael Kors watch. 

We had such a fun night catching up! 

SMC Belle #ringpic with Maddy!

We tried to go out, but it was monsooning! So we settled for Papa John's instead-- yum! 

Toms wedges: old, but updated versions here.

I was always so hesitant to try a romper. All my friends who wore them looked so darling, but I had some pressing inquiries: would I look like a baby in a onesie?! What if it was too short on my body?! I am here to tell you that all my questions were answered, and everything turned out just fine. Give it a try! 

What's a fashion risk you've taken lately?

xxoo

Mary