Ring My Bell (Sleeves)

Did you hear? Sleeves with some interest are on trend in 2017. We're talking, Jerry Seinfeld's puffy shirt would not only be acceptable but welcomed. I draw the line at an excessive amount of ruffles but I am however having fun with bell sleeves. 

I like the way they create a little extra movement and add a few boho vibes without feeling overwhelmingly 70's throwback. Plus, they're super comfy...so much of what we wear in the Winter feels binding because we add layer over layer so this is a nice way to be covered but still let your skin breathe. The lace detail on the edge of the sleeve pairs perfectly with the floral print and makes me slightly anxious for Spring. The countdown is on, ladies!

SHOP THE STYLE:

What are your thoughts on "interesting sleeves" for this year?
Wearing:
Top: c/o Style & Co Jeans: Old Navy Boots: Choies (similar) Beanie: Old Navy (identical for $10) Earrings: Forever 21 Lipstick: GloMinerals - Sorbet

Rocked it & Swapped it

Always say yes to a red lacy dress! Seriously though, how amazing is this beauty I scored about a year ago? Let's back up, I 100% realize this dress was (is it still?) massively overproduced and knocked off, I mean a version of it was sold at about 20 different websites! Having said that, it's darn cute and so fun to wear. I wore it for the first time, last summer in Austin, TX. Maybe that's why I love it so much, it brings me back to my first happy experience wearing it.

When styling it the second time, I decided to try to make it seem like a skirt. I have to say, wearing it like this was really fun! When Kaitlyn styled it, she looked stunning wearing the dress for Mother's day with a denim jacket and wedges. I love the way it hits her as a midi style dress! Just such a chic length, don't you think? 

How would you style this red lacy dress?

Shop red lace dresses below! OK, now I want like three more! ;) 

A Denim & Crochet Kind-Of Day

Some days, you get dressed and spend the whole day wishing you had worn something else. Whether you woke up late or just felt off when selecting your outfit, you just can’t wait to get home in sweatpants. This was NOT one of those days. I look forward to these rare opportunities which allow me to get a little fancy, such as our Family outing for Mother’s Day. I’m still of the mindset that Sunday brunch calls for the best of the best, be it lace or a full skirt, or in this case…both. 

I had been lusting after this dress long after Lisa wore it and it felt just as magical on, as it did in photos. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who thought so – Between our (SUPER delicious) meal at Prasino and our walk through town, I received so many kind compliments on the dress. To the elderly gentleman who did a double take and let me know I was beautiful, you made my day. I certainly felt that way…if only everything we wore gave us that kind of boost, right?!

What items in your closet make you feel great?

Wearing:

Dress: Choies (save | splurge)

Shoes: Just Fab (similar)

Jacket: J.Crew

Purse: c/o Sole Society

Blooms: Mariano's

Sunnies: c/o Ditto - Use "SISTERSMARIE" at checkout for your first month free!

Maxi Dress Obsessed

Year in and year out, the item of clothing I buy the most is hands-down midi & maxi dresses. They are just so easy to style and can be worn year round. Plus most of them give a nod to my favorite 70's style so it is really a no brainier when it comes to shopping for them. I recently stumbled upon this one online and it was under $20 so I figured why not? I love that it is button up and you can even style it as a long cardigan if you want! 

I kept the styling all back and added in gold in my belt and jewelry. To finish the look off I added a pop of green in my bag and added a few braids in my wavy air dried hair. This was seriously the easiest outfit to put together for a dinner with my hubby. He thought it was sexy and fun and I thought it was great because I was ready in 15 minutes. Win win! ;) 

Dress: Choies // Belt // Shoes // Bag: Vintage // Sunglasses // Watch How many maxi dresses do you own? What item of clothing are you most drawn to shopping for?

Saturday at the Shore

You know when you take a drive up north for breakfast then suddenly come across to a gorgeous beach that backs up to Lake Michigan? Okay, right, this isn't an everyday occurrence, especially in February, but it made for a truly amazing Saturday. During our last visit to Winnetka, my Mom and I stumbled upon a charming, tiny cafe (and when I say tiny, I mean 10 tables with a chalkboard menu) where we enjoyed pancakes and coffee. 
We loved it so much that we made a date to go back but this time, we explored a bit more and found public access to the lake. Gorgeous houses back up to this beautiful blue view and I think, how cool that you don't even have to live in the city to take advantage of a scene like this in your backyard. We were the only people there, so we just relished the silence, sound of the waves and even the cold which felt unusually refreshing. We walked on the sand but at the same time, noticed the icicles still forming on the driftwood along the shore. It was a very cool experience to be there in the winter...made us remember how exciting it is that Spring is yet to come. And all along, I couldn't stop imagining this scene/song from Across the Universe...The whole experience felt very cinematic. 

Side note, I am loving this pom pom pouch - I picked it up from a boutique during a sidewalk sale in our downtown. I also purchased a pair of texting gloves that day, not knowing they were from the same brand. Think I found a new love! This pouch will be so much fun to style in the Summer...I look forward to wearing it with white dresses, sandals (and a tan!)

P.S. Hubby, what are your thoughts about moving to the north shore? I promise I'll quit shopping to make it possible ;) Bonus - We can join the north shore mathletes!
Wearing: 
Sweater: Old Navy (old, similar here) Pants: Old Navy Boots: Choies Beanie: Purchased in Ireland (similar) Clutch: Verloop (love this design too!) Sunnies: Rayban via DITTO (get your first pair free by using code SISTERSMARIE)

Sweater Stir Crazy

I don't know about you guys, but every year around this time, I start to go sweater stir crazy...With how cold it's been in Chicago, I've been living in chunky knits, jeans or leggings and winter boots to stay warm (and my office is always freezing!) In the beginning,  I enjoy wearing/styling each sweater for the first time but after awhile, it becomes redundant and I start to get stuck in a clothing rut. Sometimes it literally feels claustrophobic with layers and layers of thick materials. I just want to breathe.

Even if the temperatures stay the same, I think it helps to change up your style every now and then to give you hope that dry, pale skin will eventually retreat and tanned, bare skin will return once again. Enter knee high boots -- a peek of skin paired with a festive skirt pattern is cheery and a welcome break for your legs that have been stuck in hibernation. Add a complimentary pop of color via your purse or lipstick and kick those sweaters to the curb...for today, at least ;)

How do you avoid a winter clothing rut?  What suggestions do you have for mixing it up?
Wearing:
Top: Old Navy (old...this is equally adorable, though!) Skirt: Old Navy (old but love this similar t+j style too!) Boots: Choies
Hat: Amazon Fashion Purse: Nordstrom (similar in red) Necklace: Target Bracelets: Evelyn Jane Heartbeat Ring: T+J Designs Lip color: Glominerals...guys, sorbet is my FAVORITE! 

Over The Knee and Through The Woods

I don't fall in love with every trend, but this year, over-the-knee boots got me bad...the bordeaux Stuart Weitzman pair, to be exact. Every time I saw them on a fellow blogger or celebrity, I longed to have my own which I would pair with fabulously floppy hats and flowy dresses on a regular basis (totally practical for my office job, obviously)...

However, I just COULD NOT justify paying $800 for a pair of BOOTS. I realize it's an "investment" in a statement item, but they are not classic in terms of style and I can't guarantee that I will love them forever. So, I set out on a mission to find a (similar) affordable pair and was so excited to see these beauties from Choies! The color and tie at the back of the knee were a requirement for me so I was thrilled to find a pair that was almost identical. They are exactly what I was looking for and SO comfortable.

We spent New Years Eve at our lake house with my Family and it was one of the best yet. Typically, we host a party there for our friends (which we love!) but this year, our schedule was full of nothing BUT parties and pre-scheduled plans so we allowed ourselves to start 2016 on a more relaxed note. The four of us went to dinner at a local Italian restaurant where the food was fantastic and the drinks were strong but the company and conversation made it the most memorable. My parents mentioned more than once how they were so lucky we wanted to spend our New Years with them but I feel the same way...they are truly some of my best friends.
Afterwards, we drove through some Christmas light displays and ended with a nightcap at one of of our favorite establishments on the water...they had an outdoor bar set-up complete with heaters and a gorgeous fireplace. The setting was just right and I couldn't have asked for a more pleasant way to start a new slate.

Wearing:
Dress: Old Navy Boots: Choies Beanie: Old Navy (currently out of stock online but this one is very similar) Necklace: H&M (similar for under $6!) Clutch: Glint (almost identical) Hair: Beachwaver
How did you ring in the new year?  What are you most looking forward to in 2016?