A Little Off the Shoulder Action

I am a bit late to the OTS trend as I keep buying them and then returning for a number of reasons. Anyone else hate how you can't lift your arms up or you get that mark because the elastic is just too tight? Well my friends, I found a top that is loose on your shoulders, leaving no elastic mark, and you can actually lift your arms in this one! Thank you Old Navy, we really needed a top a like this (and I'm pretty sure this one comes in lots of colors and prints too!) 

This outfit was perfect for traveling up north to our lake house, making a few stops at our favorite local shops, and having lunch at one of our favorites, Pier 290. I was very comfortable wearing it & we all know by know how much I love wearing socially acceptable pajamas out in public! I mean...stylish and cozy? What's not to love?! Speaking of cozy, these sandals though...swoon! 

SHOP THE LOOK: 

Top: Old Navy (similar & only $16!) // Skirt: TopShop // Shoes: c/o Cabi Clothing // Bag: Urban Expressions via E Street Denim // Rings: c/o Park Lane Jewelry // Watch: c/o Aibi Watch // Sunglasses: Raen via Box of Style // Compass Necklace: The Brave Collection via Box of Style 
Are you loving the OTS trend this summer? What is one trend you are staying away from because of functionality? Let's chat in the comments section! xo

Tone it Up for Summer

"An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day." I know this to be true because it has become my mantra as of late. I have always been a fitness fanatic with running as my constant and yoga as a new but permanent addition. In between both of these work outs, I have fallen in love with walking wherever and whenever I can. Every year once the warmer weather returns, my co-workers and I utilize our lunch breaks for walks near the office, not only to break up the monotonous act of sitting for hours but to get in our steps. To up our game, my girlfriend and I are partaking in the Tone it Up challenge to walk 150 miles by Summer. The challenge is a part of the TIU "Bikini Series", aka 8 weeks of meal plans, workouts and motivation to prep for Summer. K&K are adorable so not only do you want to join them for their workouts but become best friends ;)

Want to join me on the walking challenge? You can print your own chart here - it's a great way to stay motivated and keep track of your progress.

As you guys know, the Geneva Lake path is my favorite place to accumulate steps - Not only is it a great workout because the path constantly changes but it's the ultimate stress reliever. With unbeatable scenery (both the lake and luxury homes lining the path), it makes for an intimate interaction with the outdoors that I can't get enough of. If I lived here full time, I would be out there every morning with my pup...I just can't imagine a better way to start my day.

How are you toning up for Summer? Hope you'll join me in the walking challenge!

Wearing:

Top: E Street Denim (similar here)

Pants: c/o MPG Sport

Long sleeve top: c/o MPG Sport

Sunnies: Prada via DITTO - Get your first month free with code "SISTERSMARIE"

Hat: Pier 290 (always representing!)

Shoes: Nike (similar here, love these!)

Fitz's harness: Ruffwear - I am including this link because we love it! We have tried other brands but this is super comfortable on him yet gives us the security we need when walking.

The Perfect Way to Start Your Day!

Every time we go up north to our lake house, we find more and more amazing things to do as we relax and recharge for the coming week. Our favorites (that have become our go-tos) include trips to The Coffee Mill,  hanging out on the pier, boat rides, meals at Pier 290, family walks, trips to the beach, shopping at E Street Denim, golf cart rides, laying in the hammocks, antiquing, game nights (yes, board games!), and many more!

Recently, Kaitlyn found out that there is beach yoga daily at Pier 290. As soon as she told me, I knew this would be added to the list of must-dos! We had planned to go on Sunday and headed out the door at 6:30 am. Yes, we woke up early on a Sunday, but it was oh so worth it!

The set-up was perfect. When we first arrived, the sand was freshly raked and the sun had begun to rise. Our view was looking out at the lake the entire time. This was hands down my favorite yoga class to date! It was challenging yet relaxing and we were both instantly more at peace and ready to start our day by the end of the hour. 

At the end of the class, I asked the instructor to show me a pose I could work on and improve on as well as get a good photo out of the deal. I mean, hey, at least I'm being honest! She showed me how to get into bird of paradise. Below is us getting into position. Here is as far as I got on my first try! Definitely something to work on and show you my progress!

Now lets talk yoga clothing. As Kaitlyn has said before, "Like any activity, we're more confident and motivated if we feel good about ourselves and the same thing applies to exercising." This got me thinking, before now I've only owned two pairs of yoga pants, but they are generally for relaxing days and not for working out per say. 

If I was working out, I'd grab one of those and pair it with a basic ribbed tank (or shorts and a tank), but Kaitlyn is so right. I felt better dressed for the part! And now I can't stop buying workout clothes. I guess that just means I have lots of workout time in my future! But I digress.. On this day I wore an outfit made for doing yoga in. 







This top/pant combo is so great. The shirt stayed in place the entire time no matter what poses I got myself into. So that's why that make yoga tops! ;) I also am not a fan of capri pants in normal life (I'm short, so crop pants are not a good look on me), but I love these! And can we just talk about these shoes? Obviously not for yoga, but I am obsessed with them!




Lisa: Top | Pants: Target (similar)  | Shoes: Nike via KicksUSA 

Sunglasses: Ditto (use code SADB to get 1st month of designer sunglasses FREE!)

Kaitlyn: Tank: Target | Pants: Victoria's Secret | Sunnies: Old Navy

What are some of your favorite work out clothing brands? Have you ever done yoga on the beach?

Let's chat below in the comments section.

(Prep)paring for Rain

Supposedly April showers bring May flowers, but I know one thing for sure: March has completely lost its mind. In efforts to stay dry while in Ireland, I purchased a pair of rain boots and wanted to break them in a bit at home so I could ensure they were comfortable. However, I planned on splashing through puddles with them, not brushing off my car from yet ANOTHER snow storm. In other words Chicago, you're drunk.

But what's important here is that whether it's snow or shine, these boots are adorable and have moved into my #1 shoe spot. I'm really into navy lately so I opted for these over the black (though it was a hard decision) but I'm glad I did, because the pop of pink on the bottom is the perfect hint of cute and they're just right for my often preppy mood :)

I hear it's actually supposed to rain in Ireland which means I'll get the chance to utilize my Nashville umbrella for real...not that my neighbors weren't completely amused by my rainy day photo shoot :)

Wearing: Jacket: BCBG (similar) | Jeans: Old Navy | Top: Old Navy | Boots: Kamik 

Hat: Pier 290 | Bag: Just Fab (similar) | Umbrella: Ryman Auditorium 

Behind the Seams: Lake & Country

It's truly amazing how sometimes being in the right place, at the right time, can make the stars align. Last summer, we were dining at one of our favorite restaurants near our family lake house and took a moment to blog our summer OOTD's utilizing the gorgeous landscape. 

Upon returning to our table, a gorgeous stranger with epic long locks approached us: "This might be random, but are you ladies fashion bloggers? I love that!"...First thought: Somebody saw us posing and now we're totally embarrassed...Second thought: Okay, we're actually really flattered! 

We traded Instagram handles and fast forward 6 months to that gorgeous stranger (enter, Sophia) inviting us to participate in a lifestyle editorial piece for Lake & Country Magazine. 

The shoot took place at her lovely loft apartment in downtown Lake Geneva and we had a blast. We felt like we were preparing for a fairy tale wedding with all of the blush colored flowers, amazing photographer, and lots of laughs with some favorite new bloggers (Shout out to Lauren & Elizabeth).  

Here are some behind the scenes shots: 

Pre-shoot:

And some peeks from Instagram (see more with #ladieswholunch15): 

We feel so lucky to be included in this feature and it's a great reminder of how blessed we are to have the opportunity to be creative and fulfill our passion each day through our blog and business. 

Make sure to check back on Monday for the photos in print!

Layering a Skirt Over a Dress, Why Not?

Sometimes when I wear a tank top with a maxi skirt, I feel like the top bunches up or doesn't stay tucked in properly. With that in mind, I decided to layer my maxi skirt over a midi dress to solve that problem. It ended up working out perfectly!

I mixed my neutrals this day adding a brown bag, black heels, and lots of easy silver jewelry.

Midi Dress (worn as a tank): c/o Choies // Skirt: Romwe // Shoes: Just Fab // Bag: Piperlime // Jacket: Pepe Jeans // Necklace: XO Veronika // Sunnies: Prada // Watch: Movado // Bracelet: c/o Original Chain of Life 

This look was perfect for lunch at our favorite place in Wisconsin, Pier 290.

Have you ever layered a dress under a skirt? What do you think of this pairing?