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?

Swap Not Shop

Whenever we ("need") a new shirt for an event or because we're tired of looking at our own wardrobes, Lisa and I text each other with, "time for a new swap?" It is so much more cost-effective to borrow a new piece of clothing from your best girlfriend or sister rather than rushing out to the mall to purchase an item you may only wear once. We also both swap quite a bit with other users on bistm which is fun a way to meet new people and update your clothes in the process.

To wear our love for swapping on our sleeve (or chest, in this case) we created another graphic T and HiCustom was perfect for customization and pricing. I loved wearing the T with jeans on a cool summer day and I know Lisa can't wait for it to show up in her swap bag ;)

Jacket: J. Crew (similar) // T: HiCustom // Jeans: LOFT // Shoes: Old Navy // Purse: Persun // Glasses: Target

And then I swapped my jean jacket for the warmth of this cute 4-legged friend...

Do you ever swap clothes with someone close to you? 

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 (Twice!)

I was given this bag by Persun in early December and wore it twice in blog posts. When I was not capturing my daily looks, it quickly became my everyday bag.  After two months of use (and an embarrassingly large purse collection), I decided to put it up for sale in my closet and Kaitlyn swapped me for it right away! 

Here are 4 ways to remix 1 great bag:

     source // source

     source // source 

This bag is the perfect size, classic style, and a great black bag is like a LBD: everyone needs one! 

Which style do you like best?
Do you own a great black bag?

Because Kaitlyn Enjoys Spontaneity

Lisa and I met up to do a site check on a place we're considering for our next #swap party and we ended up finding a really cool spot to take photos. While the surrounding area didn't seem seem like much at first, it ended up being a hidden gem. 

I've found that spontaneity often has the best outcomes -- as organized as I am, sometimes it seems like excessive planning can result in too much structure. We didn't prepare anything for this evening, as it was a weeknight after a long day of work and it ended up being a great outing. Go with the flow, I say...Perhaps my new yoga class has instilled me with the value of namaste already :)

Chambray: Target // T: Forever 21 (old) // Leggings: Express (similar) // Boots: Just Fab // Bag: BISTM-Lisa's Closet  (Persunmall) (similar)

Hat: Mom's Closet (similar) // Initial Bracelet&Necklace: Old Navy 

Gold Bracelets: Forever 21 // Sunnies: Nordstrom (similar)

Are you more of a planner or go with the flow type personality?

Lisa's Holiday Wish List

There are so many amazing items I am swooning over this month. Tis the season for pretty, sparkly things!

Here are a few items on my holiday wish list from some of our favorite places to shop:

T+J Designs $68 // House of Gemmes $38 // T+J Designs: Pave Bracelet $48, Watch $36
Bow Bracelet $24 // Shop Jules $150-$160 (depending on silver or gold)

Because I Shop Too Much $30 // Just Fab 39.95 // Sole Society $39.95 // Because I Shop Too Much $15

House of Gemmes $14.70 // Sole Society $29.95 // Persun $104.99 // Sammy Dress $10.89

What item is your favorite?

Because Lisa Went to a Baby Shower

My roommate from college is having a baby! I am so excited as I have known Abbey for 14 years now and it's so cool to see her enter this next chapter in her life.

I wanted to dress dressy yet chic (which is how I picture Abbey & her family) for this shower and this outfit just kind of happened.
I was styling and went for an ombre type look. Black on the top half (earrings & top of knit), lighter in the middle including gray jewelry on my wrists and finger, and nude at the bottom.
I think I pulled it off! ;)

Top: Target // Skirt: Kristin Hassan // Shoes: Just Fab // Bag: c/o Persun // 

Ring & Square Bangle: c/o House of Gemmes // Cuff: Jewelmint // Mix Metal Bangle: House of Gemmes // 
Watch: Aldo // Earrings: White House Black Market 

The shower was beautiful and I can't wait to meet her little man in the new year!

What do you wear to baby showers?
Do you like my ombre inspired look?

#Lisa

Rocked it & Swapped it

Button up blouse season is quickly approaching and Lisa and I are more than excited. Lisa rocked the dots with a great pair of cut off's while I chose to stay warm in jeans during our annual summer visit to Ravinia. Summer or fall, this top has you covered (Pun intended!)

(btw, we saw Tony Bennett and if you haven't, everything you've heard is true - he is a real legend and at 87 years old, that title is well deserved - what a voice!)

This is one of my favorite necklaces lately - I am a sucker for delicate gold pieces and the two linking circles is a perfect reminder that I am so lucky to be recently marred to my best friend.



Beautiful Blouses

No matter what season it is, you can find a variety of blouses in our closets and in my opinion, the crazier the print, the better. This summer, my go-to outfit has become a button-up blouse with shorts and flat sandals - casual chic & comfortable (the 3 best c's!) 

Here are a few of our current favorites from Persun (great prices too)

Blouse blast from the past:

In addition to Persun, check out the BISTM selection of blouses for more good deals!

Happy Weekend:)

#SistersMarie