Lisa's Top 10: 2014

This past year was my favorite style year on the blog so far. Last year, I showed you my top ten looks of 2013 and looking back, I can see how much my style has evolved. At this point in my life, I am comfortable taking more style risks and I am happy in my everyday "mom wear" as well. I guess it really does come down to just being comfortable and confident in your own skin and when you get there, it truly shows.

Here are my top ten looks from 2014: 

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I think this is a great representation of my style. I love jeans, rompers, jumpsuits, and dresses and those have really been my go-tos this past year. As you can see, I don't have just one go-to style. What I end up wearing all depends on my mood,  the event I'm attending, or just the day I have planned. 

Do you have a favorite look from above? Did your style change at all this year?

Kaitlyn's Top 10: 2014

I have been a part of the blogger world for 3 years now and 2014 holds a special collection of style moments for me. Nothing can compete with my number one #OOTD from last year but as I looked back through more recent posts, I realized how much I continued to step out of my box.

As someone who doesn't typically like big changes, I felt good about taking trying to new styles. When it comes to hair, I stuck with the long bob for awhile (if you know me, that's a big one) then got extensions (missing those mermaid locks!). Fashion wise, I swapped out skinny jeans for flared denim (hello, flattering!) and fedora's for wide-brimmed (who knew boho could be so fun?) 

Check out some of my favorite OOTD's from 2014: 

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How has your style evolved throughout the years? 

DIY Vanilla Body Scrub

Using this recipe, I made my own sugar body scrubs for the ladies who join us on Christmas morning. In addition to all the gifts I enjoy shopping for, it makes me happy to create something from scratch because it's personal and a little more meaningful because it comes from the heart. 

These are perfect for exfoliating! All you need is a palmful... just rub in a circular motion, rinse off and moisturize as usual. Use 1-2 times a week for soft glowing skin.

The scrubs were SUPER easy to make and assemble...

(all purchased from Hobby Lobby)

The mixture smells amazing (good enough to eat!) and the cinnamon sticks added a special touch. I think the ladies enjoyed them so I'd like to to try these lip scrubs next -- the vanilla cranberry looks amazing! 

Did you DIY any Christmas gifts?

Merry Christmas (Eve)

Today we are busy putting the finishing touches on wrapping (still need tags? print free ones here!), baking (last minute? here's an easy cookie recipe), and of course, decking the halls. 

Our regular blogging will resume Friday, December 26th.

Have a very Merry Christmas with family & friends! Xo 

Layers of Love

Lately, I have been in love with layers – Specifically, button-up blouses with sweaters where a hint of plaid, polka dots or fun patterns can peek out (like this, LOVE!) As long as you refrain from a bulky style, it’s not only a great way to keep warm (I'm beating a dead horse but I am seriously ALWAYS cold) but fun to try your hand at mixing prints to come up with new combinations. 

This is one of my favorite sweaters (obvi, it’s nautical themed) but to me, it always feels too summery for the winter months so I decided to add a plaid blouse underneath to make it more winter appropriate…think it did the trick?

Sweater: Old Navy (similar, LOVE!) | Blouse: Target (swap w/Lisa) (similar) | Booties: Just Fab

Purse: c/o Shopbop | Necklace: Shoplately | Glasses: Coach

How do you layer prints? 

Plaid Layered on Plaid

I am so obsessed with winter layers lately. I feel like once you get the hang of layering, the options are endless. You begin finding yourself pairing items you never thought you'd put together before. Take these two plaid items for example. They are both in high rotation currently, but I would have never thought to pair them. I was all dressed, minus the scarf and when I was putting my coat on I tossed it on just to see what it would look like. Another happy fashion accident that went oh so right!

Now can we discuss how in love I am with this amazing olive colored cross-body Botkier Bag? It is the perfect color for everyday wear and I just love all the zippers and chain details. You can bet you will be seeing this beauty quite a bit here on Sisters Marie between myself and Kaitlyn!

Coat: Victoria's Secret // Cardigan: Kohls // Top: H&M // Jeans: 7 for all Mankind // Scarf: Nordstrom // Bag: c/o Shopbop // Ring, Necklace & Boots: c/o Just Fab // Earrings: House of Harlow 1960

How do you feel about layering?

Have you ever layered plaid on plaid?

Boyfriend Style (With a guys POV!)

When it comes down to it, us Midwestern kids just want to be comfy and cozy during the polar vortex months. As opposed to summer crop tops, instead we choose over-sized sweaters and anything that feels “lived in.” A sweater with a little extra room paired with distressed boyfriend denim is the “basic” winter uniform…just throw in a Starbucks red cup for Instagram, please ; )

But like so many other fashion choices, this one leaves us wondering what the guys think...We THOUGHT they didn't think anything baggy was cute, but we decided to ask our husbands, just to be sure…

Ryan (Lisa's husband): I've always thought the idea of a girl wearing my old t-shirt, or sweater was pretty attractive, in kind of a "college sleepover" kind of way. As for a girl wearing my jeans, I think it could work with some of my tighter, more-tapered jeans, but maybe not so much my more-relaxed, "weekend" jeans, ha.  Lisa, you may start  to find more of my clothes "laying around" the house (well, more than usual, at least). Maybe you should try some on!

Lisa: Will do, babe! I never do think to borrow from your closet, but I bet I could get some use out of quite a few items. The wheels are turning...I, however, am obsessed with this style. I love relaxed/boyfriend denim paired with cozy knits and heels. It's great for everything from everyday wear to weekends and even dinners out.

Mike (Kaitlyn's husband): I'm not a fan of the boyfriend jeans. Girls generally look more put together than us men, and wearing those, you would look like you woke up and threw anything on - in this case, however, I realize you would have put much thought into getting that "I woke up like this" look. The sweater is fine with me - it looks comfortable and I'm not one that needs a woman to wear tight clothes to look attractive. Plus, it balances nicely with the girly shoes.

Kaitlyn: Can we just talk about how my husband references heels as "girly shoes?" I think that's both cute and endearing. I also enjoy that you're on board with comfort because this girl isn't worried about showing skin in Chicago temps!

Thanks to our men for sharing their thoughts! Stay tuned for the next guy's point of view...

Rocked it & Swapped it

A great blazer is a wardrobe staple. I don't know about you, but I have about 10 blazers in different colors and even some with embellishments. This stripe blazer from Piperlime is fun because it's not a basic solid color and it gives each outfit a bit more of an edge. When I wore it last year, I styled it with high waisted denim, a graphic tee, and a crown braid in my hair (of course).

When Kaitlyn got her hands on it this year, she too paired it with high-waisted denim, but went with a more dressed up look. The darker denim and collar top make it more business chic and the hat is the perfect finishing touch.

Here is how we both styled the striped blazer:

What do you think of how we styled our looks? 

Do you have a blazer that different from the rest?

Matchy Matchy Winter Layers

Lately I've been loving layering thinner items to get my winter style. I still feel warm, but not so bulky (if that makes sense). I started this outfit with blue skinny jeans, a black turtleneck, and then added a blue blouse over that. I don't generally love to get to matchy-matchy with my style, but this day I went for the full on look. I copied the blue black over and over in my boots, jacket, sunnies, watch, and even in my bracelet. 

Jacket: c/o Sheinside // Blouse: Swap w/ Kaitlyn // Turtleneck: H&M // Jeans: J Brand // Boots: Rampage via Hautelook // Bag: Michael Kors // Cuff: c/o Shop Lately // Watch: Urban Outfitters // Sunnies: Ray Ban // Bracelet: T+J Designs // Necklace: House of Gemmes 

Do you ever get matchy-matchy on purpose? What do you think of this outfit?