Showered with Love

I have only worn this dress a handful of times but it is actually one of my favorites in my closet. It has all of the essentials: A great print, flattering fit, and versatile styling options. Being tall (and slightly busty) can make it difficult for me to find a dress that isn't too short or too revealing so I get excited when I find a piece that can still make me feel confident without being over the top. 

A statement necklace is the exclamation point in most of my wardrobe choices sand I thought this (obnoxiously) bright yellow necklace was perfect for pulling out the yellow hints in the print. What do you think?

Dress: LOFT // Shoes: Just Fab (similar) // Bag: Just Fab (swap w/Lisa) (similar) // Sunnies: Old Navy

Necklace: T+J Designs // Bracelets: My Mom's & It's a Bling Thing // Ring: Forever 21

Lucky Girls Confusion

Saturday night we attended the Lucky Boys Confusion concert at House of Blues. I have been in the same situation countless times in my life -- an all access opera box at one of the most amazing music venues in Chicago to see my talented brother and for this, I am so lucky. It doesn't matter how many times I go back, I can never get enough. 

We started the night with a delicious dinner at Crossroads where we listened to a great blues band and dined on cornbread that was straight out of the south. Followed by drinks (and a few memorable moments with Fireball), we sang at the top of our lungs with great family and friends. As always, the guys played an amazing show -- one full album with no stops and a crowd whose hands were permanently in the air.  

Top: Apricot Lane // Jeans: LOFT (similar) // Clutch: Just Fab // Shoes: Old Navy (similar) 

Earrings: Francesca's (similar)  // Bracelets: It's a Bling Thing, Target 

As for my #OOTN, I chose a top from one of my new favorite stores -- Apricot Lane is a boutique with many locations and ours has a wonderful buyer with great taste. The first time I walked in to check it out, I knew they had a made a forever customer out of me -- All the pieces are unique and on trend without being overkill…oh, and they constantly upload photos of new items to their Facebook page which is HIGHLY distracting to my productivity and savings ;) 

Do you have a favorite boutique? 

Let us know in the comments, we love learning about new stores!

It IS Easy Being Green

This is one of those days where I was pretty much decked out in "Lisa" from head to toe - I found this great sheer midi dress in my most recent #swap bag and it was perfect for our al fresco dining experience at the lake and I chose to pair it with her gold belt and blue sunnies for a few photos. I love this dress length because it's appropriate enough for work with a jacket or blazer but also just right for the beach. 

The night before this, we had some fun with hair chalk by testing out different hues in our hair. I've always wanted to dye my hair a different color but I will never let myself because I'm too afraid I'll never get my original color back -- my hair stylist  (slash amazing photographer) pretty much refuses to let me touch it so the temporary chalk is a great way to mix it up when you're bored. 

I think the pink was a good choice for me though I'm tempted to try the purple next ;)

Dress: Shop Frankies // Sandals: Old Navy // Purse: Persunmall // Belt: ASOS (similar) // Bracelets: It's a Bling Thing  Jacket: J. Crew // Brown sunnies: Old Navy // Blue sunnies: Ray Ban // Necklace: Rachel Roy// Hair chalk: Amazon (similar)

Which sunglasses look do you prefer on me? I like both styles, depending what outfit I'm wearing.

Have you ever tried hair chalk?

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 Kaitlyn MAXImized Her Easter

Having been a married woman for 9 months now, I think one of the more challenging aspects can be figuring out how to incorporate both families into holidays equally. On Easter Sunday we made the rounds starting with my Grandpa's in the morning, his parents for dinner and over to my house for dessert. 

My husband and I are lucky because our parents live about 2 miles away from each other so it makes it easier to MAXImize our time with everyone (I couldn't resist) but it also usually makes for a very busy, albeit, wonderful day. 

And what a gorgeous Spring day it FINALLY was in Chicago! Being blue-eyed, blonde and fair-skinned, I did manage to score quite a sunburn but after months spent inside by the fire on the couch, looking like a lobster for a day feels glorious.

(had to take advantage of an Angelina moment, obvi)

Dress: H&M // Jacket: J. Crew (similar) // Sandals: Piperlime // Sunnies: Target

 Ring: Lili Claspe // Earrings: Kate Spade

How did you spend your Easter?

Because We Attended the Silver Jeans Grand Opening! (Part 2)

Yesterday you saw photos from the Silver Jeans Co. grand opening at Woodfield Mall. Here is what we wore to the event:

Kaitlyn: This was a rare day where the sun was out and it reached 70's so I went with a breezy blouse, my favorite distressed denim and flats. I think I was inspired by weather to mix bright gold and royal blue and my husband even told me, "you look like the sun." I definitely took this as a compliment :)

Top: Loft // Jeans: Old Navy // Bag: Just Fab (swap w/Lisa) // Flats: Target // Necklace: ℅ It's a Bling Thing 

Lisa: I decided I wanted to keep it comfortable and chic and found myself in my favorite peplum from last year. Rolled up my denim, added my favorite plaid flats, a great hot pink lip, and I was good to go!

I am so in love with this necklace right now.
It is super light weight and I think the length is just perfect for some many different outfits and tops.

Top: Express // Jeans: c/o Silver Jeans // Bag: Rachel Zoe // Shoes: c/o Sole Society // Necklace: XO Veronika 
Bracelet: c/o House of Gemmes // Watch: Movado // Lip Color: Candy Yum Yum by MAC

What do you think of our casual weekend looks?
Do you own Silver Jeans?

Because We Enjoyed Blogger Brunch (Part 1)

We recently attended a lovely Sunday brunch (#bloggerbrunch, that is) hosted by Mary of Sportsanista. She said the idea came to her after she thought about how often we all converse regularly via Instagram, our Blogs, Twitter, etc but don't see each other nearly enough in real life and we couldn't agree more. 

It's so easy to leave a complimentary comment or send an e-vite for an event, but it's important to find the time to slow down and chat about the world outside of our digital footprints…we quickly realized how much we all have in common (besides a passion for fashion) such as the men in our lives rolling their eyes when we ask them to take ANOTHER outfit photo or hope they can see the need for that non-functional sequin pillow (yes, NEED). 

Blazer: Target (Swap w/ Lisa) // Shirt: JC Penney // Jeans: Old Navy // Belt: GAP // Shoes: Converse
 Bag: Windsor (Swap w/ Lisa) // Bracelets: c/o It's a Bling Thing // Sunnies: Target // Rings: Francescas,  Lili Claspe

We are already looking forward to the next get together…There was mention of pasta + wine, so I'm pretty sure we won't have trouble finding room in our schedule :)

Dress: Because I Shop Too Much // Jacket: c/o Just Fab // Boots: c/o Sole Society // Necklace & Rings: T+J Designs 
Bag: c/o Funky Pretty by Design Dahl // Sunnies: Prada 

Check back on Monday for photos of the "could this be any cuter" brunch set-up Mary created just for us!