Why Babies + Coffee Shops are a Great Mix

While on maternity leave, one of my favorite things to do with the little man has been visiting different coffee shops. True, I always enjoy making a java run (with OR without him) but as he's gotten older and we've established some semblance of a routine, it's been a nice way to break up our day and get him to (hopefully) nap at the same time. He loves the stroller and really responds well walks so if we're not walking around our neighborhood or the park nearby, a coffee stop is our other plan. That way, not only do I get some "Mommy fuel"... CAN I GET AN AMEN?

...but we also get out of the house and he tends to doze off while I sip. If I want to meet up with a girlfriend or a Family member during the day, I find that a coffee date is easier to plan - It's really hard to schedule anything at a certain time with an infant (like a lunch or dinner) because there are so many variables but because coffee is acceptable at all times of the day so with that in mind, you can always re-schedule for an afternoon date if your morning was a wash. Plus, coffee outings tend to be shorter, giving you a little more wiggle room if your baby tends to get fussy when you're out...this way, you're not committed to waiting for a meal. 

I'm just saying...I think babies + coffee are great in more ways than 1 :)

My mom joined us when we visited a coffee cafe nearby recently and it was such a nice afternoon. It's a tiny, locally owned shop with homemade muffins (baked fresh each day!) and an adorable menu with seasonal options. I love how different the muffin combinations are - zucchini and pineapple + peanut butter and coffee are two of my faves. The owner is so sweet and such a hard worker...She gets in a 3am every day to bake a fresh batch of muffins and believe me, they go quick! 

She explained to us that the shop is her entire life and it can be really tiring but she loves blending different flavors in her baking and coffee and seeing people respond to them is the best part. She learned different techniques from her Mom when they lived in Greece during her childhood and you can tell that this passion has lived within her since. It's stories like these that make local coffee shops (and any small shop, really) so unique and special. This is another one of the best coffee shops in the area -- You must visit! Their Fall menu is to die for. And if you're looking to try out any more, I shared some more of my favorites here. 

By the way, these Cabi loafers are my new go-to for Fall! Floral & suede = the cutest combo!  Expect to see a lot more of them on the blog in the coming weeks...
Have a great Tuesday!
Wearing:
Top: Urban Outfitters (old, similar) Skirt: Old navy (old, similar) Shoes: c/o Cabi Clothing  Necklaces: c/o Park Lane Jewelry Purse: Forever 21 Sunnies: H&M

Leather and Lace

It seems that every Summer, one of my first “new season” wardrobe purchases ends up being a white dress. Perfect example - Last year, I wore this one on repeat. To me, the simplicity of a lightweight, casual dress reminds me of everything I love about a traditional (even if, old fashioned) American Summer…lemonade on the porch, barefoot in freshly cut grass and s’mores on cool nights. Typically, I would pair this lace style with my favorite denim jacket and sandals but the nice part about a basic staple is changing it up whenever you want and I love making ultra-feminine things a little more roughed up. By adding a leather vest and lace-up heels, this suddenly went from daytime casual to a night out with the girls. 

Just an FYI, this is not necessarily a look to wear around town on a weekday...I stopped in a local pizza shop after shooting these photos to pick up our dinner and witnessed a few different kind of looks from surprised to confused and from the cooks in the kitchen at the restaurant, enticed. But perhaps it was just the teal Old Navy flip flops I changed into that threw everybody for the loop...In case you were wondering, those are not recommended with lace & leather ;)

P.S. Now that Summer is actually a reality, I'm doing a little refreshing in my closet. Between my husband and I, we just donated 5 HUGE black garbage bags of clothes so all that work deserves a little play, don't you think? Specifically, I'm restocking on tank tops, shorts and even a few pieces of jewelry. I'm also in the market for the ultimate one-piece swimsuit...does that exist, ladies? To me, it would keep the top lady parts concealed (yet still highlighted, obvi) and entails a perfectly placed cutout. Let me know if you bought one that you love! 

Like this look? Shop similar white dresses for Summer here and remember...

New Tobi customers get 50% off their first order!  

Wearing:

Dress: c/o Tobi

Vest: Kut from the Kloth (similar under $60)

Shoes: Just Fab (these are similar and on my summer must-have list too)

Bag: Sheinside (old but similar here under $20)

Necklace + Earrings: Forever 21

Sunnies: c/o Ilymix

Lipstick: GloMinerals "Sorbet"

All American Style

There’s something about a white peasant top and distressed jeans...the combination just begs to share the screen with an American flag (and a cold Coca Cola or apple pie for that matter). While it’s not overtly Patriotic, it’s still reminiscent of the great classic American style…whether that means rustic, glam or preppy in your mind, it almost always means effortless style…and a great pair of denim (Enter Old Navy Rockstar...I've had these for more than a year now and they are still in constant rotation. They go with everything!)

On another note, I have recently started to enjoy Forever 21 again (When I have the time to search, that is). As Lisa mentioned previously, they have started to carry apparel that caters to an older audience in addition to their tween-young 20’s market and it shows. When I picked this shirt up, I also purchased a faux leather midi skirt, nude blazer, and sleeveless turtle neck dress, all part of the Contemporary line (formerly Love 21 in case anyone was wondering where that went!) and great re-mixable pieces for Fall. The clothes may not last 10 years but nor do all trends... :)

Top: Forever 21 (similar here) | Jeans: Old Navy | Booties: Just Fab (love these too!) 
Hat: Target (almost identical!) | Bag (need this color too!) & Sunnies: Old Navy
Lip color: GloMinerals | Necklace: E Street Denim 

Where you shopping this Fall?

How do you feel about Forever 21's new direction?

All that Glitters

When it came to choosing my dress choice for hosting a very special bridal shower, I put a bow on it. I tried on an endless stream of beautiful dresses at our Rent the Runway appointment and then last minute, I spotted this pretty in pink beauty out of the corner of my eye. We were taking a few more shots of the beautiful store décor when I asked our stylist if I could try on a few more (Yep, just me and Dr. Seuss, here!)

I’m not typically a ultra-feminine, pink-wearing, bow obsessed kind of girl…I usually like a little bit of “edge” whether it’s through menswear, sneakers or jewelry but I couldn’t resist the adorable factor of this dress. Especially after I saw the open back…gets me every single time. 

Oh, and the Kate Spade glitter clutch...I about died and went to heaven when my stylist Asia hung that on my arm. Kudos to her because I've never been sold on anything so fast in my life ;) 

Dress: Rent the Runway |  Clutch: Rent the Runway | Heels: DSW  (love the colored heel!) | Earrings: Forever 21

Bracelet: Francesca's | Rings: Rocksbox (use code sistersmariexoxo to get your first month free!)

Have you rented the runway? How was your experience? 

Connecting the Dots

We recently celebrated our Grandmother’s 85^th birthday and every year on that day, I count my blessings that she’s still healthy (relatively) and happy. However, part of me always wonders if this year will be the last, so I try to treasure these moments as much as I can, even conversations like the following:

Grandma: “So, those shoes are the new style these days?”

Me: “Booties? Yeah, I guess so, they’re pretty popular. What do you think of them?”

Grandma: “You DON’T want to know what I think of them”…

Lisa, our girl cousins and I are used to comments like this, as she often doesn’t understand current trends in fashion and pop culture. I remember how confused she was that I was wearing blue shoes for my wedding (“don’t you want to wear satin white?”) but on the day of, she told me how beautiful they looked. I have to remind myself how different things looked to her in the late 20’s and 30’s when she was a young woman.

It’s easy to get irritated when she doesn’t understand things that seem so simple to us. Then I think about how fast the world flies by her as she watches it from the window in her condo, her comfort zone, and I realize she’s just trying her best to keep up and connect the dots…but aren’t we all?

Jacket: Forever 21 (for sale in my closet) // Top: Old Navy // Skirt: Old Navy // Booties: Just Fab (similar)

 Hat: Nine West (via BISTM- Lisa's Closet)  (similar) // Bag: Just Fab (similar) // Sunglasses: Old Navy

Because It's Grilling Season!

Chicago temperatures are officially in the 80's which means it's time for frequent grilling and al fresco dining (and I mean daily, as in restaurants without a patio are no longer in my plans) This was our first deck-sitting experience of the season and it was lovely - a night filled with fruit salad, corn on the cob, & wine spritzers and I'm a happy girl.

Top: Old Navy (similar), Jeans: H&M (similar on sale!), Belt: Unknown, Sandals: Old Navy (similar), Bag: Just Fab, Earrings: C/O Lotus Blossom Design (inspired by Lisa, under $10!), Watch: Nordstrom, Bracelets: Forever 21

He loves his outside time like I do...especially when playing ball is involved.

Isn't Spring gorgeous?

Have you grilled yet this season? What's your favorite recipe?

#Kaitlyn

Rocked it and Swapped it

I purchased this sweater from Lisa at our Swap in the Suburbs party and it has already become one of my favorites - It's SO comfortable!

Sweater: Forever 21(similar), Jeans: GAP, Glasses: Warby Parker, Bracelets: T+J Designs

To show its versatility, here are some of the ways Lisa styled the top:

Which look is your favorite?

#Kaitlyn