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!

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?

Brunch Style

One of my favorite things to do on the weekends is go out for Sunday brunch. Yes, it's nice not cook one meal of the weekend, but there is just something about eating a bit later in the morning and having a mimosa (or two!). Side note, I have found that the older I get, the more I like day drinking. Truth, I would rather drink on a Sunday morning then on a Friday night. Judge away, but there is no hang over and I'm with the people I love the most in this world, my family! Then we go home and the rest of the day is spent relaxing. Why isn't brunch a mandatory monthly activity? It should be...just saying.

I tend to want to look put together, but never wear tight clothing as I do like to eat! I mean, brunch is usually my only meal prior to dinner so I stock up! The perfect solution was layering this sweater over a maxi dress. Flowy, loose, and cute...works for me! I added a few accessories, beach waves to my hair, and I was good to go. Sometimes less really is more. 

Coat: Victoria's Secret // Maxi Dress: Forever 21 // Sweater // Shoes: DSW // Bag // Necklace: Baublebar // Fitbit // Earrings // Hair
Do you ever layer sweaters over your maxi dresses? What is your go-to brunch style?

Rocked it & Swapped it

 
A classic swing dress is a perfect example of a wardrobe staple that can be transformed each time you wear it. Shopping for a swing dress doesn't have to break the bank either. Take this one Kaitlyn bought at Old Navy, very cute and under $30 (similar style currently selling for $17). I love that it is super soft and cozy and the color navy is perfection in my book. 
When Kaitlyn wore it on NYE, she styled it with OTK boots, an ombre beanie, and a sequin bag. She took a dress that can be worn casual and really made it look regal! I love everything about how she styled it and was very excited to find it in our most recent swap bag. 
My full post and outfit details will be on the blog next week, but I will tell you, I tried to mix it up a bit. I wanted to bring in lots of neutral colors so I wore a black vest, camel coat, gray tights, and berry shoes. I think you can see how many more style possibilities that there are with this beauty...Endless!
 

Do you have a swing dress in your current wardrobe?
What do you think of our styling choices?

Shop our favorite jersey swing dress style's here:

Inspired by Vinyl

I don't know about you, but I am always looking for new shows to watch (and binge watch for that matter) with my husband. I recently saw the trailer for Vinyl on HBO and I can't even contain my excitement. It airs February 14th at 9:00 p.m. and you best believe we will be watching. Mostly for the fashion, and of course all the amazing music! As most of you know, I am such a fan of 70's fashion. Any chance I get to make that part of my everyday, is a great day as far as I am concerned. 

On this day I was feeling Vinyl inspired and decided to rock a vintage but modern outfit. By adding in throwbacks such as this high waist belt and leather wrap necklace, it took my tee-shirt maxi dress back to the 70's. To paid homage to the music of this time I went with a faux leather jacket and added my faux fur stole to finish it off. I mean, it's winter here and I needed all the heat help I could get! 

A simple ponytail seemed like the best way to go with my hair, but I decided I needed to add a twist. The only style that made sense was a side dutch braid that is pulled into the ponytail. I really do love how this whole look turned out! 

Dress: BCBG MaxAzria (similar) // Jacket: Sheinside // Stole: Nordstrom (similar) (similar) // Bag // Belt // Necklace // Earrings: T+J Designs // Lip Color (Loved Up)

Are you ever inspired by television shows in your fashion choices? Who else is super excited for Vinyl to start next month?

Winter Florals

Oh the weather outside is...well, it's all over the place actually! I can't really complain, I was outside in December with no coat on for pete's sake. ;) The trees have shed their leaves, but that doesn't mean we can't bring some flowers back into the mix. Floral prints in your clothing that is.

This dress is everything! As soon as I saw it on the Shopbop site, I knew it needed to be mine. Love at first sight? Yes it was.



The entire top have of the dress is sheer, so I picked up a sweetheart neck bandeau to go under. This piece can obviously be mixed and matched tons in my current wardrobe so I was very excited to find it. To keep my outfit perfect for this night int he city, I added olive boots, a brown bag, and lots of gold jewelry. Bare legs in December never felt so good.

Dress: c/o Shopbop // Shoes // Bandeau Top // Bag // Cuff: Coach // Watch // Teal Ring & Earrings: House of Harlow 1960
What do you think of my winter floral look? How would you style this dress?