Monday, May 15, 2017

Cobalt Blue Buffalo Plaid Skirt... and we have DOGS!!!

Okay, so the outfit is not even the highlight of this post! You guys, we got dogs (yes, two!!) a week ago today!!! Seriously!!! Let me tell you the story.
^^Bentley is a Yorkie/Bichon mix! 

^^^ Bella is a pure bred Lhasa Apso! 

First of all, let me preface this by saying everything good literally comes from Pure Barre Geneva. LOL. But, for real. I met our amazing realtor, Val, there, and also our OUTSTANDING lawyer for the closing, Mary, too!  I would recommend them both WITHOUT HESITATION! Plus, I have met so many of my suburbs pals there, too! It's hard to make friends in the suburbs when you're an adult, especially if you haven't grown up here. Well, not at Pure Barre Geneva! Seriously. Everyone rocks and is soooo friendly/genuine.



But yes, the dogs came from a Pure Barre connection, too! I was talking in my teacher volume voice (so loud, Anna says I lack an inside voice haha, but you have to with 30 freshmen in a room!!!), and telling my friends Taryn and Jena about how badly we want a dog, but we were having so much trouble adopting. We have been applying to adoption agencies in the area/ Wisconsin since November, and we haven't been chosen yet. I do think we are less appealing because we both work full time, and we haven't had pets before, but still!




God definitely nudged me out of bed that morning when this all happened, too, because I was set to go to the 9:45 am class, but for some unknown reason I was wide awake at 6:50 am. Barf! So, I went to the earlier class. THANK GOD I DID! A sweet woman was getting ready for her class, and she overheard me (I don't think you can miss me haha) talking about how badly we wanted pups. She introduced herself and apologized for eavesdropping, but she said she was looking for a home for her two dogs!! At first, I was a little worried because going from 0 dogs to 2 scared me! Mike was in New Orleans for Lee's bachelor party (Lee was our best man in our wedding!), so this conversation wasn't even including my hubs! She wanted to find someone who could take both because they'd been together 5 years, and she couldn't possibly separate them! Understandably!






^^ Bella is so funny; she kept turning her head away from the pic hahaha

But, then this angel woman (haha but really) showed me pics of the dogs, and I seriously squealed! Two 5-year-old pups, who she just couldn't care for anymore. We exchanged numbers, and I called Mike on my way home. We were going to meet the pups on Monday! We showed up, the dogs ran into our laps and gave us tons of kisses, and we were smitten. Also, the previous owner gave us everything we could possibly need. She is seriously a Godsend and the most generous person we've ever met. I couldn't believe this was happening! ...and now they are ours!!!

Their names are Bella and Bentley!

^^they met cousin Cooper this weekend (and Finn!).


Onto the less important (but still pretty great) portion of the post: THE OUTFIT! :)

This skirt is my go-to. I have it, honestly, in 5 colors: black, tartan red and green, khaki, coral and this one. It is so versatile. I wore it to work with a green scalloped-collar skirt tucked in and green Hunter Boots. 
It is currently $34.50!!! It is true to size. This is a 6! I have a couple 4s and a couple 6s in the sidewalk skirt. Either is great! The 4 is a bit shorter, so it's better with tights. 




^^Bella hiding in the shade of my chair is hilarious!
My Jacks are on repeat all summer. I have a monogrammed gold and white pair, a pink pair and these teal ones. Do yourself a favor, and invest in a pair! Mine were all under $100 on sale when I got them.






My tassel necklace is old from Ruelala, but here are some similar ones:



Are you a pet owner? Isn't it the cutest thing when you get up in the morning, and they are soooo excited to see you? Or when you come home from work?! It is an amazing feeling!!!
xxoo
Mary



Saturday, May 13, 2017

Rainbow Stripes

When I saw this dress on the J. Crew Factory website, I knew I had to have it. When I bought it, it was 40% off + 20% off if you used your J. Crew credit card. I swooped it up for $46; so don't buy it until it's on major sale again! All photography by the super talented Andrea Swofford of Swofford Photography!










It is linen and super lightweight! I bought a small, and it's comfortable and the perfect length to wear to work. I love that you can truly wear ANY COLOR accessories and shoes with it!


My scalloped shoes are Talbots from last year, but here are some equally adorbs ones:









In love with this baby blue Kate Spade bag I picked up in Florida at the outlets for $110. 
Similar bags:















^^^ my Saint Mary's Ring!!! 



Equally fun and fabulous colorful striped dresses for all budgets:






Do you like wearing bright stripes? How is your weekend going? It is literally 79 and sunny, and I am loving life while typing this on the porch. I cannot wait for summer!!!! 
xxoo
Mary

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Finn's First Fiesta!

Mike and I hosted our nephew, Finn's, first birthday party at our house a few weekends ago. How about that alliteration, btw? :) The English teacher in me loved all the F's! Haha! It was, without hesitation, the best party we have ever thrown (aside from our wedding, of course!). We had a blast, and I think everyone else did, too!

I mean, we had three cakes!!! By the amazing Sylvia Carranza. WOW. She was just incredible! She is a teacher's aid in my district, and she makes stunning cakes on the side. Please let me get you in contact with her for your next party!
^^ Oreo truffles! The one thing I can actually make. LOL No baking required. And, they're SOOOOOOO GOOD.  Thanks to Lauren for introducing me to them!


^^  Finn's smash cake 

Beth and Mike share a birthday! The day before Finn's (April 21). 

Look at that incredible detail!

I just sent Sylvia ideas from Pinterest, and she created the masterpieces!


I wore this fun graphic tee from Forever 21 to match the theme!  I will say, SIZE DOWN!  I wore a small, and it was really roomy!


Hanging with the littluns!

The man of the hour!

Finn has great taste in jewelry! lol! 







Love this one of the girls! Happy 1st birthday to Milly today!


The Chicago pals!!! ^^^



Family!!! ^^^

I paired the tee with these yellow pants from Loft. I love the Marisa fit of Loft pants because they're perfect for work, and I always know a size 4 will work (I love when I can size down a bit in pants haha!).  They are currently 30% off without an Ann Taylor card or 40% off with your card! Use code: LOVE MOM.  I wore them to work this week with a chambray collared shirt. They are a fun pop of color to add to any plainer top.




Grammy, Finny, Momma and Auntie



Taste testing with Kieran! 


The cakes were soooooo good. We ate them all week!



I wore these block heels from DSW. I am so in love with these colorful shoes!!! They are SO COMFORTABLE, too! And I promise I am not just being facetious. The block heel makes them even more manageable. Remember them from this post? Or this one?  I am also linking the black, which would probably be a little more practical! :) OH! And they are on sale! I paid $69 for mine, but now they are under $50!!!!  #worthit





My cobalt blue tassel earrings were from J. Crew Factory. They're from the fall, but here are some equally awesome beaded tassel earrings!



With his fave toy: the $1 maracas hahaha



Love to Grandpa! 

Finny and Milly, future husband and wife! 


My friend Paige and Matt have three boys who are JUST the politest, sweetest kids! 



Cooper totally had a taco costume for the occasion bahaha!

incredible food!!! The company set up and made all the tacos fresh in our backyard!


  Gary embracing the props! ^^ 



We had an amazing time. Thank you SO MUCH to Andrea Swofford of Swofford Photography for the incredible pictures. I can't believe our nephew is 1!

How is your week going so far? Have you seen my Instagram/Instastories?! We got two dogs on Monday!!!! AH!!! So much excitement to come!!!
xxoo
Mary