Best of 2016: Lisa's Style

How has another year already gone by? I don't know about you, but this year was slow at first, and now seems to be moving at lightening speed! As many blogging years prior to this one, I feel like my style has continued to change and grow. I kept my classic wardrobe staples and mixed them in with a few items I added along the way. (Sure, let's pretend it was only a few new items!) ;)

This year, like all before it, had some great highs and great lows on a personal level. The first six months of this year were the most difficult. I can't count the number of times I was beyond stressed out and cried for so many different reasons during that time. Life happens, you know? Then June hit, and you guys I kid you not when I say the last 6 months have been the best months in the last 10 years of my life! I so needed a good year and I gladly took 1/2 of a truly great one. Thank you to all of my friends and family that have been there for us this year, we are so blessed to have you all in our life. 

Now, back to fashion. Here is a look back at my favorite looks of 2016:

January 

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February 

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March

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April

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May

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June

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July

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August

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September

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October 

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November 

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December

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Which is your favorite outfit from above? What to see more "best of" looks? You can find my best outfits of 2015 here. Make sure you stop back tomorrow to see Kaitlyn's favorite outfits of the year!

If it's Not Broken, Don't Fix it

I have owned this dress since 2012 and it is still one of my summer favorites. I love how lightweight and breezy it is, and the high-low hem is subtle enough to still be "on trend" four years later. The best part, I never mix it up too much as it is beautiful as it is. If it's not broken, don't fix it, right?

When it came to styling my dress for a night in the city, I kept it easy as usual only adding a few other pieces. Strappy heels, a great cut-out bag, my favorite leather tie necklace, and a denim jacket where all I needed to take this look to city chic. In the end I added a pop of teal with my earring and in doing so, I ended up mixing my silver and gold metals... I am OK with that!

Wearing:
Dress: Gentle Fawn via TSF box service // Shoes: Just Fab // Jacket: Pepe Jeans (similar) Shoes: c/o Sole Society // Earrings: Baublebar // Necklace: Free People (similar)  Watch: Fossil // Fitbit
Here is how I have styled my dress in the past: 

source // source I've had quite the hair evolution over the years! ;)  Do you have a dress you wear year in and year out and don't mix up the styling that much? How would you style this rust colored beauty? (I'm always looking for new ideas!)

Rocked it & Swapped it

Accessory trends come and go but one of our recent favorites to come back from the 90's are the pompoms! They were everywhere during the holiday season, adorning rich colored bags and slouchy winter hats...since then, we have seen them on Springy off the shoulder tops like this T+J design and colorful clutches like this knit one we swapped Verloop. The poms serve as a great reminder that fashion can be fun and doesn't always have to be taken so seriously.

This particular clutch was very easy to transition from winter white to stripes for Spring. I love that Lisa doubled up on her stripe patterns and added a strappy heel to keep things fresh for a new season.

Shop some of our favorite ways to wear pom poms this Spring:

Keeping it Neutral

There are so many days when I love wearing bright colors. On the other hand, sometimes I just want to keep it neutral...this was one of those days. I am a big fan of mixing all neutral colors, so pairing black, gray, and brown seemed like the right way to go! I also love how the top draped on the sides, so to play off of that, I added a dropped front faux leather jacket. Toss on some flats, sunglasses, and my favorite fringe bag and I was ready for a day of shopping in downtown Lake Geneva!

Top: Target (swap w/ Kaitlyn) // Pants: Express // Jacket & Shoes: Just Fab // Bag: Rachel Zoe (similar) // Sunglasses: D&G via Ditto (use code sistersmarie to get your 1st month of designer glasses FREE!) //  Necklace: Jewelmint  
Do you like mixing neutral colors? What is your go-to weekend style?

Hole-y Cozy

I love a good play-on-words and "hole-y cozy" truly describes how I felt in this outfit. When putting looks together, I don't generally pair two distressed items. Having said that, I put these two on together (while shopping at E Street denim), and it just felt right! Holes aside, both items are truly the softest I've ever owned. I kid you not when I say I felt like I was wearing my PJ's this day. Which makes for perfect weekend wear, don't you think? 

This outfit was perfect for a relaxing weekend day at our lake house. I can't wait to style both in the coming months. I have already planned out how I will pair this sweater the next two times I wear it. Do any of you guys do that? Start going over all the styling possibilities before you even get it on for the first time? That's a sneak peek at how this brain works anyway! ;) 

Sweater & Jeans: c/o E Street Denim // Boots: Dolce Vita // Bag: Target (swap w/ Kaitlyn) // Necklace: Rocksbox // Sunglasses: c/o Sole Society 

What is your rule when it comes to distressed clothing items?  What is your go-to weekend style?

Blog of the Month: Lake Shore Lady

 
Our March blogger of the month is a fellow Chicago lady...a Lake Shore Lady, to be exact ;) Lauren is not only super sweet (AND super stylish!), but so down to earth and approachable, making it very easy to fall in love with her blog. She certainly knows the way to our hearts by sharing delicious (and easy to make!) recipes and detailing her yoga journey which has led her to the path of teacher training (this story, I'll be following along with for sure...that's on my list for 2016!) She makes you feel like “having it all” is an attainable goal but also shares her personal struggles along with all of the photograph-able moments. P.S. Did you guys know she’s also a classically trained singer? 
#SquadGoals.

Here are a few of our favorite recent posts from Lauren:

Zucchini noodles with turkey meatballs

5 Healthy tips for 2016

A dress, a cocktail and a fireplace

Ginger garlic salmon with cauliflower rice

A new adventure...

We are lucky to be surrounded by so much inspiration in the Chicago blogger world! 

Who inspires you?

Mad for Plaid, Glad for Plaid

As March begins one would think that it is time to stop buying long plaid coats and start stocking up on Spring gear. Not this girl! I saw this jacket at Forever 21 (which I thought was the same one as Katie's, but it is not) and when it rang up for under $12, I knew it was meant to be! I mean, who isn't a sucker for a great plaid print? I don't own many long coats, none this long actually, so it is a welcome addition to my collection.

As the weather is transitioning I find myself wearing warm clothes one day and no coat the next. On this day, my new plaid number was the perfect addition to my mixed naturals look. I don't generally pair skinny jeans with a tight top (I mean, that's a lot of tight all at once!),  but the long coat actually made me feel like it was OK. Plus I loved how the blue popped with the berry bag so it was a no brainer to wear for a special lunch date with two of my favorite girls. 

Coat // Top: Express // Jeans // Shoes // Bag // Necklace // Feather Cuff & Sunglasses: Coach (sold out) 

Do you find yourself still shopping for winter items? What do you think of my new plaid find?