May the Force be with You

 

So we saw Star Wars, The Force Awakens again! The hubby and I saw it on opening night, but not only was the theater packed, it was not in IMAX (oh the horror!). We had to rectify that and see it in IMAX 3D to get the full experience. Especially now that we had read all the spoilers and had our own theories as to what will happen next and who is really who. 

Since the weather in Chicago is brutally cold, the options for outdoor photos have gone out the window, as in my camera literally does not work outdoors on subzero days! Thankfully I have zero shame, nor does my love, so we just took photos inside the theater before our movie started. Yeah, we are those people. 

My weekend wear tends to be more relaxed, especially when one is out until 2:00am the night before.  Oh what a night! Skinny jeans, a loose long sleeve tee, and a sweater coat was the perfect outfit for sitting in a reclining chair and watching this flick.  We noticed things we didn't the first time around and have even more theories now! And obviously the relaxed top was great for eating handfuls of popcorn. While we are on the topic, why can't you just eat one piece of popcorn at a time? No seriously, it's the only food where we shovel into our mouths with no fear of choking. No plans to stop, just food for thought (pun intended). ;)

Sweater: Express & Ring (both sold out) // Jeans // Top // Bag & Boots // Necklace: EG Jewelry  Poster c/o AMC! 
How many times have you seen the new Star Wars?  I am assuming you have all seen it at least once!

Who Doesn't Love a Great Print?

I don't know about you, but I love me a great print dress!
This one is unique because the print changes half way down making it look a bit like separates. I have worn this dress three times now and each time I just add some jewelry and I'm good to go. I always say, oh next time I'll layer over it or next time I'll switch the belt, but I always end up keeping it as is. If it's not broken, don't fix it, right?

I paired the easy summer look with gold accessories and a great nude wedge to elongate my legs.

Dress: Golden Tote // Shoes: c/o Just Fab // Watch: Fossil // Druzy Ring: EG Jewelry // Hashtag Ring: T+J Designs // Buckle Bangle: c/o It's a Bling Thing // Charm Bracelet: Alex and Ani // Earrings: House of Gemmes // Arrow Necklace: c/o Sarah Aghili 

The look was perfect for a family outdoor party over the weekend. I was able to eat lots and have space in my dress (which is key) and play with the kids comfortably too!

Do you love a great print dress? How would you style this one?

Rocked it & Swapped it

I fell in love with Kaitlyn's Target floral crop top the second I saw it on her. It was unlike anything I've seen in her closet before, which made me love it even more! It is super girly and when worn with it's matching skirt, the outfit was so romantic and beautiful.

When the girl you swap clothes with expands her style sense you get excited because then you get to wear said items and expand your style sense as well! 

Here is how we both styled the top:

 

I don't have tons of floral items in my closet. I don't have tons of pastel colors tops in my closet either, so mixing the two in one top was very fun and oddly more me then I expected.

I decided to mix the top up by separating it from the skirt (yep, she gave me both pieces in our latest swap) and paired it with some white denim. Since it is a crop top, I added a regular white tank under so my mid-drift was not hanging out. 

I finished the look off by adding very girly, simple jewelry and a great mint bag. 

Top: Target (Swap w/ Kaitlyn) // Jeans: Level 99 via ThirtySomethingFashion Box Service // Shoes: Loft // Bag: Lulus // Ring: Francescas // Necklace: EG Jewelry // Sunnies: Prada 

What do you think of this crop top? Do you like how we have styled it (so far)?

Casual LBD Style

When most people think of a LBD they think of a night out on the town or something you would wear to a wedding. The truth is a great LBD can be styled up or down to be chic enough for an event but also casual enough for dinner with a friend. 

I decided to dress mine down by adding a great denim jacket. I wouldn't be me if I didn't add a great six inch heel. I know, I know, this isn't every one's casual...but it's mine! I decided to add a pop of color by adding a sea foam colored heel. 

Dress: MNG by Mango // Jacket: Pepe Jeans // Shoes: c/o Just Fab // Necklace & Ring: EG Jewelry // Hashtag Ring: T+J Designs 

How do you style your LBD? Ever layer up on yours to give it a more casual look?

Rocked it & Swapped it

There is something so perfect about a short sleeved dress. When Kaitlyn wore this beautiful stripe number for a night out in Nashville I knew I would be keeping the styling similar with blues and browns when it came my way. 

It just so happened that in the same swap bag, she sent me a beautiful blue, white, and gray scarf. If that's not a pairing made for each other, I don't know what is! 

Here is how we both styled the dress:

I love that it is versatile enough to be worn for a day event or even a night out on the town.

When I wore it, I had my son's Kindergarten recital so I wanted to be daytime dressy. By adding a flat sandal and the scarf I think I did just that. 

Dress & Scarf: Swap w/ Kaitlyn // Necklace & Bag: Piperlime // Shoes: Target // Sunnies: Ray Ban // Ring: EG Jewelry // Love Ring & Bow Bracelet: T+J Desnigs // Buckle Bracelet: c/o It's a Bling Thing // Watch: Fossil 

Do you own a short sleeved dress? What do you think of how we styled it?

Because Lisa Hosted a Kids Bday Party!

How am I the mother of a six year old? A six year old! For the record, I'm not one of those people who thinks they are "so old" on every birthday...I truly love birthdays. I am a thirty five year old mother of two and proud of it. But for some reason when my kids have birthdays, I feel old. Why is that? But I digress.. 

My son knew this year he wanted a karaoke themed party so naturally we turned our backyard into his wish come true. The weather was a perfect 68 and sunny so I decided to wear a shift midi dress. Super easy, plus cozy and great for moving around so I could dance my butt off as my little man sings!

Dress: Nordstrom // Key Necklace: EG Jewelry // Shoes: Shoemint // Sunnies: Prada // Bow Ring: T+J Designs

I always let my kids decided what type of party they want. We've done everything form an auto show theme to a dress-up tea party (yes, I think the adults enjoyed those hats more than the kids). It makes it way more fun for your child when they get to plan it. It makes it a bit more difficult for you as a parent to bring it to life, but I love a good challenge! 

Here is his gluten free, triple layer birthday cake. 

We picked up a helium tank and bought different guitar, music note, and colored balloons to have inside. My son picked literally everything out with me.

A great thing about having a outdoor kids party is you can use sidewalk chalk and get away with it. The night before the party while the son was inside I grabbed the chalk and wrote all over my patio, fence, and even the side of our brick house. He was so excited when he saw it. I love that something so simple and inexpensive made his face lite up so much.

We had seating in the yard and on the porch so guests could listen and watch the karaoke from all angles. We also kept the grass open for the hula-hoop competition, Gangnam Style dance contest, and Cha-cha Slide. Oh yes, this happened.

My son was so excited when his grandparents got up and sang. We all enjoyed their rendition of Sunny and Cher's, "I got you babe".

Obviously Kaitlyn and I sang Wilson Phillips "Hold On" (Bridesmaids style) And we were good in case you thought otherwise ;) 

My little love sang Katy Perry's "Roar" twice. And by sang I mean full on belted it out and KILLED IT! I was in the crowd dancing seriously so proud of him as he read the words and rocked out all by himself.

We couldn't be any prouder of our son! My husband and I are truly blessed and we hope our kids know that we feel that way.

What do you do for your kids birthday parties? What would you sing at a karaoke party?

Because Lisa Celebrated Mother's Day

 

You read on the blog last week how Kaitlyn hosted Mother's Day this year at her home. 

I decided to wear a basic shift dress and added a blazer, simple jewelry, and a stripe sandal to finish the look off. The best part of brunch is all the food and mimosas so I needed a good eating outfit. This dress did the trick! 

Blazer: Piperlime (similar) // Dress: Old Navy // Shoes: c/o Sole Society // Watch: Fossil // Necklace: EG Jewelry // Sunnies: Ray Ban  

My family made it one wonderful Mother's day! I was able to sleep in, got home-made cards and gifts in bed, attend the family brunch, then relax the rest of the day while my hubby did all the cooking and the grunt of the daily home & kid responsibilities. It was bliss! 

What do you wear to outdoor brunches? Do you like my simple look?