The Return of White Denim

The first day you wear your favorite white jeans after a long winter of hibernation in leggings is like breathing fresh air for the first time. It's an official sign that warm weather is (hopefully) here to stay and the best days are yet to come. I have 2 pairs of white denim and one pair of white cropped pants, all 3 which have now become part of my regular rotation. They feel so fresh compared to the dark denim I lived in this winter and will (eventually) look great against a tan. 

This gorgeous weekend day, we surprised my Mom with a family photo shoot in the park. We told her that we were doing a post about how to work navy into your wardrobe so she was excited and dressed for the part...However, she was shocked to find the whole family standing there upon our arrival, dressed and ready for pictures...I'd say that's even better than a blog post ;)

Top: Old Navy | Jeans: H&M (similar) | Shoes: Just Fab | Bag & Sunnies (similar): Target

Earrings & Necklace: Rocksbox | Bracelet: Shoplately

The Mad Plaidder

I'm lucky plaid is everywhere this fall because it's always been one of my favorite prints - from the Britney to the Serena (not so Catholic) school girl days, I love how preppy and classic it feels. 

Still to this day, I swoon for knee-high socks, a plaid skirt and loafers but these days, plaid has become much more versatile, showing up in scarves, shoes (my favorite pair!) and of course, jackets. When I spotted this coat, I figured it would be ultimate addition to my fall wardrobe and it's a great layering piece!

Jacket: c/o Sheinside (similar)  // Sweater: H&M (similar) // Jeans: LOFT (similar) // Boots: Just Fab

Bag: Just Fab (Swap w/Lisa) // Beanie: Forever 21

P.S. In case you're questioning my drink of choice, let me be clear: I am an iced coffee girl year round and this particular concoction (the Honey Bee) is from the Coffee Mill in Wisconsin, where I would spend all day if I could. There's something about small town coffee shops that can't compete with Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts...Maybe it's the charm, maybe it's the generosity, but either way, it always makes for a special visit.

How are you wearing plaid this fall?

Rocked it & Swapped it

Who doesn't love a great item of clothing in an animal print? No seriously, I'm asking? Personally, I am under the assumption that we all need a touch (or TONS) of animal print in our lives. This beautiful cheetah print tank from H&M is the super versatile and can be worn year round. 

Kaitlyn recently styled her tank tucked into a pink maxi skirt and paired it with a denim jacket. I personally am in love with the entire outfit. In fact, I may recreate her look (thanks for the inspiration, Katie!)

When I wore it back in May, it was all about layers and mixing it with nude and gold accessories. 

Here are both of our looks:

Do you have a favorite animal print item of clothing? How would you style this tank?

Shop the Looks: 

I Found My Love In Avalon

My husband and I recently returned to Catalina Island, the site of our engagement 2.5 years ago to celebrate our 1 year wedding anniversary. I still have the note in my phone on the “notepad” app that I wrote that day so I wouldn’t forget a single moment…

“After our romantic dinner, we walked through Avalon and ended up stumbling upon a little drink stand by the ocean so I ordered two lemon drops for us and we toasted to being engaged…I’ve never felt happier in my entire life! Mike told me that he chose to propose on Catalina so it could be considered our place to always come back to and I can’t wait until we do.”

While I thought nothing could be better than that day, this trip was absolutely amazing. Our typical vacation is spent beach bumming with a side of drinks so we entertained our adventurous side this time by zip lining (holy shit, btw!), walking on the ocean floor, taking a tour of the famous casino, renting golf carts to explore the island and experiencing our first massage together! There are no words to describe my love for the island but there certainly are photos in which my smile says it all…

Jacket: J. Crew (similar)  // Skirt: LOFT // Tank: H&M // Sunnies: Old Navy // Bracelet: LOFT 

Sandals: Old Navy // Bag: Persun (Swap w/ Lisa) 

Here is a shot from our engagement day...

and our return to that spot :)

A few fun shots from our trip...

Do you have a special vacation spot that you always return to?

Rocked it & Swapped it (2 Items, 2 Ways)

A great sheer knit is a wardrobe staple for summer. So is a straw fedora or panama style hat.

Kaitlyn got this beautiful top from H&M and I found this hat at Forever 21, both picked up a few months back. 

When she wore the top up north, it was styled over her bathing suit early in the day, then over a gray tee that night. A sheer knit really is such a great layering piece to have in your closet for those cooler summer evenings! She also added the hat to finish her post-beach look off. 

I too wore her top at the lake house, but this time over 4th of July weekend. I put it on over a swing dress to stay warm on the pier at night and had my hat on all day for sun protection. 

Her is how we both styled the top and hat as a pair: 

Do you own either or both of these items? What are two of your summer style wardrobe staples?

Rocked it & Swapped it

Kaitlyn has this adorable Eiffel Tower tank from H&M that we first saw on her during our Disney trip. As everything of hers that I love, I was hoping it would find it's way into my swap bag at some point.

When I styled the tank, it was a cooler spring day so I added a fun print pant, some purple hair chalk, a crop jacked, and ankle boot. 

Now that's it's starting to warm up (oh, hello summer…FINALLY), Kaitlyn wore it again. This time she styled it with pink shorts and a super fun hot pink bralette that peeked out in all the right spots.

Here is how we both styled the tank:

Which look do you like best? Do you have a favorite tank that can be worn year round?

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 Kaitlyn Loves Winter Brights

A blanket of white snow makes such a great canvas for a pop of color, don't you think? I got this bright blue Old Navy infinity scarf from my secret santa at work and I can't stop wearing it. Thought it was the perfect addition for an all black ensemble (Which btw, I loved…felt great to channel Johnny Cash. "You look like you're going to a funeral…well, maybe I am.")

Sweater: H&M (similar) // Leggings: JC Penney // Boots: ℅ Just Fab // Scarf: Old Navy // Hat: H&M (similar)

Even though we're already counting down the days until next Christmas, I still wanted to get a few more shots in front of our tree before taking it down. This was a year of firsts for my (new) husband and I which included buying our first tree together so I'm a little emotional about taking it down. 

We got some really personal ornaments this year that I look forward to hanging up each holiday and being reminded about all the wonderful people and memories in our lives. 

Do you find it hard to take down the decorations that made your house so festive for the Holidays? 

Rocked it & Swapped it

There is something about a killer blazer that just takes a look from good to great. 

Kaitlyn has this amazing faux leather sleeved H&M blazer & the mixed materials are perfect to give any look an extra pop!

She wore it in our Because I Shop Too Much fall photo shoot back in September. 

I was in love with how she kept the look all black and white & then added a pop of color in the bag. And just to mix her neutrals, she finished the look off with a brown Just Fab boot. Genius. 

When I got my hands on it in November, I decided to pair it with a high waisted skirt & I kept the look all black & white still (hey, if it's not broken, don't fix it). 

I added my pop of color with blue mirror Ray Bans and lots of gold jewelry. 

Here is how we styled the blazer:

Truth be told, this was a hard one to give back. 

Let's not forget, the best part about swapping with a sister/friend is that you could always ask to borrow it again down the road (or better yet snag it once it is listed on BISTM). ;)

Do you own a mix material blazer?

#Lisa 

Because Kaitlyn Loves Fall Style!

When I was in high school, I spent all my time imagining my life in California and thinking up ways to convince my family to move out there with me because I couldn't imagine anything better than flip flops and shorts every day. 

But as I get older, my appreciation for the midwest continues to grow -- As much as we complain about Chicago winters (and boy do we), we are lucky to experience four different seasons, each with their unique looks and feels. 

Fall is one of my favorites, not only because I'm a pumpkin-a-holic (so much that my husband can't even stand the smell any longer), but because it signals all of the festivities right around the corner in the months to come...

Vest: Nordstrom (swap w/Lisa) // Sweater: H&M (similar) // Pants: JC Penney (similar) // Booties: c/o Just Fab

Necklace: T+J Designs // Bag: c/o Just Fab

Find your Fur:

Because Lisa Went to the T+J Designs Holiday Party!

You saw yesterday that Kaitlyn & myself attended the T+J Designs Holiday Party last Wednesday night in Chicago.

What's not to love about a jewelry party on a roof top in Chicago complete with signature drinks, passed apps, and all our favorite Chicago bloggers and friends?!

Here is what I wore:


I'm so obsessed with the plaid trend right now, when I saw these shorts I scooped them right up! 
I kept the styling neutral with a black top, black tights, emerald heels, and gold jewelry. 

Top: H&M // Shorts: Piperlime // Shoes & Bag: c/o Just Fab // Tights: Walgreens // Necklace: House of Gemmes // Watch: c/o Timex // Cuff, Rings, & Chain Bracelet: T+J Designs // Earrings: Just Fab 

I love so many T+J Designs styles, but their rings are always the first thing I shop. I have about 6 styles right now and I have a few more on my holiday wish list. What can I say, I am slightly ring obsessed (ok, or extremely!)

Here are Corri McFadden's favorite styles. I love how many bold statement pieces she chose, gotta love a necklace that looks just as fab with a tee, jeans, and a blazer as it does with a LBD. 

Just wait for all the new earrings to be uploaded on their site... I'll be picking up about four of their new styles there too. 

Kaitlyn and I do not boast about something unless we truly love it. I stand by my opinions and I feel that Jennifer and Tiffany really know what they are doing when it comes to what is current, classic, and beautiful in jewelry designs and styles. 

Some of my favorite ladies in Chicago:

Tiffany & Jennifer of T+J Designs, Zahra of Love Zahra, Janet of Fashion-a-holic, 
Corri McFadden, Mel Muoio, & myself with Kaitlyn 

This was such a fun event to attend. Thank you to Jennifer and Tiffany for the invite and feeding our love for jewelry and sales! ;)

Have you shopped T+J Designs lately?