Shop Small, Save Big

When we came up with the idea for Because I Shop Too Much and Because They Grow Too Fast, we were so excited to create a place where fellow fashion lovers could share their style by swapping with a friend or selling gently used items in order to make room for their new favorites. 

Our goal was create the portal and let the rest be in your control - We encouraged you to ship your items using your preferred methods and customize your packaging by inserting a personal note or a story about the history of the piece...maybe you wore it on a first date or for a tough job interview. We loved the idea of girls (& guys!) bonding over something as simple as an item from their closet and we hope you do too.

In honor of your support, Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, we invite you to shop our closets at 30% off today through December, 2nd. Between the two of us, there is a nice mix of boho chic, preppy, animal print (our favorite neutral!) and staples for each season so there is something for everyone. Just email us with your order: sisters.marie@yahoo.com or tag us with your wish list on Instagram! 

Click each image below to shop:

BONUS! Our graphic t's are on sale for  $20 $15! 

Click the image below to shop:

Thanks so much for shopping small...and too much ;) 

Stay tuned on Monday for some fun photos from Thanksgiving! 

It's all in the Accessories

Sometimes all you need to make an outfit great are the perfect accessories. I started my look off with an all black pallet; my favorite black flare denim, a black blouse, and some black boots. Then comes the fun part, the accessories!

I started out by adding this beautiful Rebecca Minkoff quilted bag and decided to play off the gold in the chain by adding a gold watch and my new favorite gold midi ring. Next I decided to add this amazing plaid scarf. To finish my look off I added a classic brown wool trench.

Coat: Victoria's Secret // Top: Macy's // Jeans: 7 for all Mankind // Bag: c/o Rebecca Minkoff via Shopbop // Scarf: Old Navy (Swap w/ Kaitlyn) // Sunnies & Ring: c/o Shop Lately // Watch: Fossil 

Can we just talk about the color of this purse? How unexpected and beautiful. It's so different than anything I own, I knew right away I just had to have it! Shopbop has such a great collection of Rebecca Minkoff bags to choose from, it really made it difficult to pick which one was right for both myself & Kaitlyn to share. In the end I think we made the right choice.

Do you ever keep you pallet monochromatic then rev it up in the accessories? What do you think of this bag and color?

Lace Up Love

A plaid sweater with leather trim, distressed denim, and combat boots...if it wasn't for the long locks and red lips, you'd think I was describing a handsome man (AKA the coveted #lumbersexual). I enjoy pink and sequins as much as the next girl but come wintertime, I tend to embrace everything rustic and rugged. 

 I pinned these boots to my Pinterest list a few months back and luckily my Mom took notice. I LOVE the standard lace up combat boot but when I saw them in this camel color, I was hooked. They paired perfectly with this cozy plaid jacket for a rainy sunday breakfast and coffee date with the family and I can't wait to mix them with skirts and dresses come Spring...Versatility at its finest ;)

Jacket: c/o Sheinside | Jeans: Old Navy | Boots: Sole Society

Bag: Old Navy | Watch: Michael Kors (similar) | Lipstick: Kate Spade

Recreate this look with a few similar pieces during Shopbop's BIG EVENT (details below!)

Rebecca Minkoff | JOA | Sam Edelman

Blog of the Month: Diary of This Girl

We first started interacting with Megan a few years back over Instagram and immediately fell in love with her quirky sense of style and sweet nature. She was quick to compliment our work (especially our rock & swap features) which always brought a smile to our faces. Since then, we have become big fans of her blog and sincerely wish Seattle was our next door neighbor so we could be besties. 

Here is a little bit about Diary of this Girl:

This little blog details my life after college. I'm adjusting to life as a montessori preschool teacher,  finishing school, living on my own, and spending as much time as possible with friends. please introduce yourself and send me the link to your blog! I am always looking for something new to read. let's be blogging friends!  More about me? I am a frozen yogurt addict, avid reader, volunteer, shopaholic, lover of red lipstick & toms, and am slightly obsessed with nail polish, denim shirts & my dachshund, bailey.

You can shop Megan's style in her online closet, but for now, here's some of our favorite looks:

Who are your favorite style bloggers and why?

Shop, Lately?

1. "Wait, what is the hash tag?!"
2. "We gotta do the Ellen selfie! .... "Yes! I love that everybody calls it that!"
3. "What's your phone number? I only have your social media handle in my phone..."

Conversations like these are just routine when #ChicagoBloggers get together for a photo shoot. These fun opportunities are just one of many reasons why we feel so lucky to be part of such a supportive blogging community. We have met so many sweet girls and it's like worlds collide when we can collaborate together in order to blend everyone's unique style and ideas. 

We were really excited to team up with ShopLately to showcase a few must-have wardrobe staples for all the festivities over the next few months. ShopLately is a marketplace that gives designers and brands the opportunity to showcase their products to an audience, so it's similar to Etsy but specifically fashion focused...Yes please!?

Here is my holiday look (perfect for NYE or cocktails with the girls):

Dress: JC Penney (similar) | Blazer: Piperlime (similar on sale!) | Boots: GILT | Purse: BISTM 

Necklace: Shop Lately | Rings: c/o Shop Lately | Bracelet: LOFT | Lipstick: Kate Spade

Back Row: Love Zahra, Myself, Stilettos & Diaper Bags

Front Row: Defining Tabitha, Hallways are my Runways, The Naked Canvas, 101 Things I Love

Let's take a much deserved moment to address this necklace from Lily Wang (currently sold out, but here is a very similar piece). I have a vast collection of neck wear but this one was placed in my regular rotation immediately, especially with holidays coming up. I think it works great with this dress for an evening look but I also love the idea of wearing it with a simple white t or knit, taking something from very basic to super chic...they don't call them statements for nothin' ;) 

You can shop more of our holiday picks here...it's refreshing to find a selection so unique and it makes me feel good to know everything is coming from entrepreneurs fulfilling their passion.

Have you browsed Shop Lately? Let us know what you think!

P.S. The answer to number 1 is #ShopLatelyBloggerHoliday...now you can see all of our Instagram posts!

Rocked it & Swapped it

A great blouse is like a great pair of jeans: It can be worn year in and year out (never going out of style), it can be styled so many different ways, and it is also a staple item in your closet. 

This white and black polka dot blouse from H&M has been in my closet for two years now. I first wore it to the pumpkin patch last year and styled it by adding a faux leather jacket over. Kaitlyn styled the blouse under a vest and with a wool hat last month, and I styled it again a few weeks ago by adding plaid for some pattern mixing. 

Here are our looks: 

Do you have a few blouses in your closet that are worn year in and year out? 

How do you style yours?

Find a great polka dot blouse for your own closet: 

Equipment // Club Monaco // Lisa Perry  

Make a Statement with Sparkle

Top: Express | Necklace: House of Gemmes

So much of my every day outfit selections are based on accessorizing. I feel naked if I leave the house without (at a minimum) my stud earrings and one other piece of jewelry, typically a statement necklace. Over the years, I have accumulated quite a large collection in order to complete any outfit...oh, and because I'm like a kid in a sparkly candy store when surrounded by jewels. 

With the holidays right around the corner, I wanted to share a few of my favorite wardrobe and necklace pairings that are perfect for any occasion.

Top: Forever 21 (similar) | Necklace: T+J Designs (similar)

I am as they say "mad for plaid," especially this season because it's everywhere and I LOVE to see it dressed up. As mentioned many times, I gravitate towards fashion that mixes feminine and masculine pieces so this lumberjack gone black tie affair look is my ultimate mix.

Blazer: Piperlime (similar) | Necklace: Forever 21 (similar)

Much like my anchor print collection, the amount of leopard print items in my closet is getting slightly out of the control and this blazer is queen of them all. The leather lapel detail gives it an extra edge so I like pairing it with an equally gritty piece of jewelry. With flared denim and a heeled bootie, this look exudes confidence.

Dress: LOFT (similar) | Necklace: T+J Designs (on sale!)

There are statement necklaces and then are STATEMENT necklaces and this is my go-to. I knew we would be a perfect match from the first time I laid eyes on the gold and lucite design. This piece always makes any outfit feel more special whether it's a basic white blouse or a festive red dress and I (don't) apologize for being a repeat offender because isn't going out of style any time soon ;)

Jacket: Buffalo Jeans (similar) | T: House of Gemmes | Necklace: LOFT (similar)

If I was asked to describe my favorite outfit, I would likely mention the graphic T and leather jacket combo. I am by definition a jeans and T girl but I do enjoy spicing things up with a unique accessory. I think the pink in the necklace compliments the red jacket nicely and makes an otherwise edgy outfit feel a little more girly. 

Shirt: H&M (similar) | Necklace: T+J Designs

Oh chambray, how I love you so. In my mind, it's one of the most versatile pieces you can own - pair it with a pencil skirt, leather skirt, opposite wash jeans (hello Canadian tuxedo!), printed pants, shorts, layered with a knit or flannel, and the list goes on. I like the blue on blue pairing here and love when the statement necklace fits perfectly under the collar, making for the perfect peek of sparkle.

How do you make a statement with your jewelry? 

What is your favorite of these combinations?