Rocked it & Swapped it: Floral Sun Dress

There's something about a floral, palm print mini dress that reminds me of Summer in the 60's. It feels a little bit retro and the mixture of colors and prints reminds of a woman's wardrobe for a weekend vacation during that time. With ties at the shoulder and a pinched waistline, this custom eShakti dress feels very feminine and fitting for a date night or BBQ. When I styled it, I paired it with a red lip to keep with the retro vibes and I love how Lisa mixed in a printed bag and chose to tie the straps in back for a different look.

SHOP THE FLORAL STYLE:

Do you own any "retro" inspired pieces?

 It's a fun way to mix up your style!

Off the Shoulder

Outside of black and white, was there ever a style combination better suited for each other than black and leopard print? This off the shoulder top and distressed jeans are pretty basic on their own but with a fun printed heel, it totally changes the game. When shopping, I have started to hunt for simple pieces that can be worn over and over by swapping out statement accessories. 

I liked this off the shoulder top because it's plain but the ties at the wrist and peeks of skin keep it interesting. I am getting way to use to being able to customize my clothes...I was able to adjust the length of the sleeves and choose where I wanted it to hit on my hips. Not to mention, I've already thought of multiple other ways I would style it including denim short overalls and white jeans with a colorful neck scarf. No matter which style you prefer, this top has date night written all over it :)

P.S. You may or may not notice I am wearing two difference necklaces in this post...I started with a gold and turquoise medallion but minutes after shooting a few of these, my Park Lane necklace arrived and I was too excited not to try it out...every girl needs a little costume change now & then, don't you think? :)

We were super excited to be included in their Fall 2016 catalog...you can check it out here!

Wearing: 

Top: eShakti - Under $50! (Love this similar one too)

Jeans: Articles of Society c/o E Street Denim

Heels: DSW - Purchased years ago, but still classic

Bag: c/o Sole Society

Sunnies: Zero UV (similar)

Necklace: c/o Park Lane 

Lip color: GloMinerals - Sorbet

Palm (Print) Sunday

Memorial Day weekend is one of my favorite moments because not only is it the unofficial kickoff to Summer but we always spend it at the lake and it typically includes many seasonal firsts: First boat ride, first visit to our regular ice cream shop, first s'more making in the backyard and so on. This year's visit did not disappoint, as we filled every moment with things we've been waiting for all Winter. It almost felt like Summer was going to run out in a few days so we were on a mission to accomplish so many goals in a short amount of time. I think a lot of us in the Midwest can empathize with this because we ARE on a time clock, racing against the sunshine and its short lived visit so we try to make the most of every day. 

Speaking of fun, I wore this dress to a lovely al fresco dinner with the family complete with twinkling white lights, outdoor fires & a nightcap in the form of coconut ice cream. Eating outside is just one of my Summer requirements...and I mean EVERY MEAL possible (which drives my husband nuts -- "Soo, we can't eat indoors for the next 3 months?" -- Must I even have to answer this question?!) That said, it's hard to be mad about dining in nature up north because there are so many beautiful spots, especially if you're lucky enough to snag a spot on the water. 

Are you thinking of visiting Lake Geneva soon?

Here are of my favorite places to wine & dine during the Summer months!

1. Pier 290: This place is what alfresco dining dreams are made of - As a farm to table restaurant, the food here is unique and always fresh but the scenery is what truly makes it special. Both outdoors and in are adorned with  re-purposed antique nautical pieces, various doors and fixtures recovered from all over the area. The outdoor area is half table seating and half Caribbean-like sand with beach chairs, offering front row access to the lake. All you need is a drink in hand! 
2. Cafe Calamari - A Williams Bay staple with an Italian menu that's sure to please Family members straight off the boat. Their famous table side tossed salad is amazing, I can't get enough of the dressing. Luckily you can purchase a bottle before you leave and trust me, you'll be dying to! 
3. Carvetti's - Located in downtown LG, this rustic-inspired spot doesn't stand out from the street but impresses upon outdoor arrival with a huge patio and great drink specials. Walk to the pack and you stumble upon a SECOND outdoor patio with tiki huts and colorful lights...planning a party? This is your place
4. Gordy's - We have been dining here reguarly since acquiring the house 19 years ago (P.S. that makes me feel old!) and you can always count on a good time in this nautical setting right next to the lake in Fontana. Casual fare and dress (come in your suit!) make this the perfect lunch/happy hour spot...their build your own bloody mary bar is a favorite of ours. 
5. Mars - This place is TRUE Wisconsin - It's been around since the 1920's but has the feel of a 1950's super club with dark decor and a piano bar complete with singalongs. At first it seems dated but it's filled with charm, fun and an outdoor deck overlooking Lake Como (not to far from LG). 

P.S. Big thanks to my (self-proclaimed Instagram husband) who graciously took these photos...

and mocked my poses along the way ;)

P.S. If you're looking for some fun ways to explore Lake Geneva, stay tuned for my piece on Parasailing in the next issue of Lake & Country Magazine! 

Wearing:

Dress: eShakti

Sandals: c/o Sole Society

Purse: c/o Sole Society

Sunnies: Zero UV (sold out but very similar here)

Necklace: E Street Denim (almost identical)

Lipstick: Glominerals "Crush"

Pretty in Parasols

Lately, I've been loving quirky prints when it comes to Summer dresses. I think this flamingo style was the start of a long relationship with fun patterns and feminine shapes. From a distance, this dress looks like it's adorned with tiny triangles but they are actually colorful parasols...umm, YES PLEASE, this is all sorts of precious. I wore this to a baby shower for one of my best friends and it was a super dreary day outside so I figured it was the perfect choice. Shower...rain...umbrellas, get it?

The print is even more likable when you can customize the style yourself. Before I ordered it, I decided to change the length, as it originally fell below my knees so I made it a bit shorter and switched out the neckline as well. I should mention, this post is not sponsored - When eShakti first reached out to us a few years ago, I had never heard of the brand, and now, it's one of the first places I look for clothes because not only are they unique in style but by adding my own spin, I can guarantee nobody else will have the same piece. I have become a real fan of the brand and truly recommend it when you're looking for something different. Everything from the customer service down to the alterations is personal and tailored to you.

I also ordered this off the shoulder top and customized the length -- Coming to the blog soon!

Wearing:

Dress: eShakti

Jacket: J. Crew (similar)

Heels: c/o Sole Society

Bag: c/o Sole Society

Bracelet: LOFT (similar)

Sunnies: DITTO: Use code "SISTERSMARIE" at checkout for your first month free!

Speaking Flamingo Lingo

I am constantly in awe of how changing up your personal style can impact your confidence and surprise you in ways you don't expect. I rarely, if ever, have dabbled in any retro wear because it always felt so out of my element. I typically prefer more modern looks but the second I put on this dress, I felt comfortable in it and knew immediately it had to be paired with these yellow heels...I love all the bright colors together and with the addition of the umbrella, I felt like I was walking across the stage in Hello Dolly. Let me tell you, not all of my clothes are this much fun ;) 

This dress is not only crossing style lines but it's even better because it was made special for me by eShakti. So often when we purchase clothes and we wish we could fix something about it...whether it's the perfect pair of flared denim that's too long or a a must-have dress that fits right everywhere else but the waist is too large. It's expensive to tailor all your clothes so why not start with the right fit in the first place? eShakti customizes their clothing before shipping so you can choose your neckline, sleeve or length that works best for your body. When they reached out to us 2 years ago, I was so excited to hear there was a brand who took the time to recognize that a standard size 6 dress doesn't look the same on all size 6 women. We are all shaped differently so it's to our benefit to be able to modify as we see fit. With this style, I chose to raise the hemline a bit...I like my dresses to hit above the knee (unless it's a maxi, obvi), so with that update, it was just how I like it.

Now is a great time to customize your own piece because we're giving you 10% off your order!
Use code "sistersmarie" in the promo box, valid 04/18 – 05/18

Seriously though guys, how Streisand in sequins am I with this gorgeous umbrella? The generous team at Brelli reached out to us about their hand-made line of biodegradable umbrellas which are great in the rain but also block 99% of SUV rays which was the clincher for me. Post dog-bite, I am have become much more conscious about protecting my face and I have strict orders to keep it covered in SPF at all times if I'm in the sun (which is ALWAYS when it's out) so I felt like this collaboration came at a perfect time. I will absolutely keep this by my side this season whether I'm at the beach or on the boat...that way, I can still enjoy the sunshine without worrying about doing any damage to my healing scars. Plus...it's ADORABLE. Right!? 

How often do you change up your style? 

What piece from your closet would you customize if you could?

Wearing:

Custom dress: eShakti (currently sold out but I also like this flamingo style!)

Heels: c/o Sole Society

Umbrella: c/o Brelli

Clutch: Shoedazzle (THIS would also be perfect with this look!)

Sunnies: Zero UV (sold out but very similar here)

Earrings: T+J Designs

Bracelet: c/o Park Lane Jewelry

Lipstick: Glominerals "Crush"

I Want to Ride My Bicycle...

Two things I can never resist: A bicycle print and chambray. And I should mention, the bicycle print applies not only to clothing but adorable wall art like this that would be the perfect addition to my bookshelf. There's something so whimsical about it that makes me smile so I was all in when I saw this skirt. 

In addition, I was able to do something that always crosses my mind when I'm shopping: customize the fit. eshakti allows you to customize to your height, size and style so before I ordered, I put in my exact measurements and chose to shorten the length of the skirt by a few inches.

 eShakti began as a small website offering basic cottons and modestly embellished pieces. As they grew, they were tasked with providing design and fit solutions to meet their customers' needs. Today, they are an international fashion design company making custom clothing. Offering both style and fit customization for women size 0 through 36 is the heart of their business.

Top: Target // Skirt: eshakti (similar) // Shoes: Just Fab (similar)  // Bag: Just Fab (similar) // Sunnies: Old Navy

 Bracelet: LOFT // Earrings: Kate Spade // Necklace: Clyde's Rebirth (swap w/Lisa)

Have you ever customized your clothing?