Fauxhawks & Foliage

With so many weddings on my calendar this year, I've been trying my best to remain budget-savvy (did you catch that, husband?) so for the last one, I thought it was smart to try out a dress for a few days rather than years when it may not even get another wear. I'm always checking the new arrivals on Rent the Runway and this Nanette Lepore style popped right off the page...I loved everything about it from the sheer polka dot top to the full skirt and mix of fall floral colors. 

[P.S. Get 20% off your next RTR dress with our special code: RTRFALLSTYLE2E35DD]

As my 7th experience with RTR (my first rental in 2012!), I can tell you I've had success each time thanks to the helpful reviews on the site, a great company policy (free backup size and returns!) and the option for a style swap..if you don't like your original dress choice, RTR will let you swap it out in time for your event. I got so many compliments on this dress but the truth is, it only felt complete with the addition of one thing...

My new favorite braid or what I lovingly refer to as, "the dino." My friend is the master behind this piece which is actually a series of small pony tails turned into knots to imitate an (amazing) braid. I have a slight obsession with long hair and fat braids...No joke, I just about lose it over every single Instagram shot of Amber. Her Elsa-esque braids are out of control and one of the reasons I long for the return of my extensions so to say I'm obsessed with this faux hawk meets Jurassic Park up-do is an understatement. With the graphic triangle drop earrings and mix of patterns in the dress, I felt an edgy hair look was the ideal way to seal the deal. 

Look for a dino braid tutorial coming to the blog soon! ;)

How have your RTR experiences been? What's your favorite braid style?

Dress: c/o Rent the Runway | Clutch: c/o Rent the Runway | Earrings: c/o Rent the Runway

Sunglasses: Karen Walker - Use code SISTERSMARIE for your first pair free on Ditto! 

Bracelet: Forever 21

Lip color: Crush by Glominerals 

Heels: ASOS

Wedding Season Style

Wedding season is officially upon us and with four this year, we're ready to drink champagne & dance on the table (is that just us?) As we look back on our bridal shower style, (seen here and here) it's time to switch gears and share some of our favorite wedding looks and right now, we've got the Hamptons on our mind. 

With its beachy glamour, opulent residences, crystal blue skies, and scents of the sea (making you look real bad, Chicago!), it's giving us a strong wanderlust feeling to visit the ultimate summer playground. By the way, does anyone else automatically think of Gossip Girl when someone refers to the Hamptons? 

Serena’s all white Grecian look and Blair’s prepster florals (matching headband included, of course). Ugh, it's years later and the style is still perfectly on point. I'd like to spend a day (or lifetime) utilizing the show's stylist...here's looking at you, Eric.

These looks are perfect inspiration for our summer wedding style guide...

Here are 5 looks we are currently coveting:

Light yet fitted and complete with a slip underneath...isn't this everything we're always looking for in a dress? With heels and jewels, this vibrant maxi is just begging for an invite to the after party.

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This dress fits in with the current athleisure trend (so thankful by the way…any style that makes leggings and sneakers acceptable is welcomed with open arms). With its racer back style and fight and flare finish, it’s a great option if you plan on doing a bit of dancing…and why wouldn’t you? 

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Nobody could pull this dress of better than Blair Waldorf, but with the right accessories, we could certainly try ;) A floral print with a nude heel is the definition of romance in the summer.

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Cutouts & Maxi dress...3 words that should always be said in the same sentence. In a blush tone with a soft updo, this is such a feminine style that could easily transition from the beach to a night under the stars.

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This is possibly (but not surprisingly) our favorite look, the tiny tulip jumpsuit...the cutouts, the wide leg and the tie detail around the waist make for something a little unexpected yet super chic for a luxurious event near the water. Just add metallic jewelry to dress it up...How perfect would this statement necklace be? 

Shop the look

Are you going to any beach side weddings this summer? 

Let us know what you're wearing!

**This post contains affiliate links and we will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. 

All that Glitters

When it came to choosing my dress choice for hosting a very special bridal shower, I put a bow on it. I tried on an endless stream of beautiful dresses at our Rent the Runway appointment and then last minute, I spotted this pretty in pink beauty out of the corner of my eye. We were taking a few more shots of the beautiful store décor when I asked our stylist if I could try on a few more (Yep, just me and Dr. Seuss, here!)

I’m not typically a ultra-feminine, pink-wearing, bow obsessed kind of girl…I usually like a little bit of “edge” whether it’s through menswear, sneakers or jewelry but I couldn’t resist the adorable factor of this dress. Especially after I saw the open back…gets me every single time. 

Oh, and the Kate Spade glitter clutch...I about died and went to heaven when my stylist Asia hung that on my arm. Kudos to her because I've never been sold on anything so fast in my life ;) 

Dress: Rent the Runway |  Clutch: Rent the Runway | Heels: DSW  (love the colored heel!) | Earrings: Forever 21

Bracelet: Francesca's | Rings: Rocksbox (use code sistersmariexoxo to get your first month free!)

Have you rented the runway? How was your experience? 

Rent The Runway CHICAGO style!

Imagine a place where you can try on the dresses of your dreams, get style advice from a fashion forward team, while completing your outfit with an endless selection of handbags and jewelry? For fashion bloggers and fashion lovers alike, this kind of experience is something you read about or longingly lust for while watching on E on the couch...for us Chicago gals, it's real life.

Enter Rent the Runway - The Chicago Showroom! We were invited to attend a 45 minute stylist appointment to see how the new process works. We have rented many times but only online which leaves things a little more up to chance without being able to try things on.

Our in-person experience was a night we won't forget, as it made us feel like true princesses. It was the epitome of 2 kids in a candy store by letting the two of us loose around all these gorgeous dresses, jewelry, and bags. The store decor was breath taking...we were stunned from the moment we walked in, as everything was clean, modern, bright, and beautiful. Not to mention, we were the only ones there during our appointment so we felt like we had stumbled upon a world of sequins, tulle and intricate beading that only we knew.

Our stylist, Asia, wrote us beforehand to get an idea of what style dresses work best for us, our sizes and what occasion we were renting for. We are co-hosting a bridal shower this month so we figured that was the perfect place to start.

Our favorite part of the experience was trying on styles that we don't typically wear...Kaitlyn tried on a floral look with a cape while Lisa worked a silver mini dress, both out of our elements, but so fun to mix it up and continue to find out what works best for our body types and personalities. 

Here are some of the styles we had waiting for us in our dressing rooms upon our arrival:

Love the mix of textures here..the dress is made of lurex and is structured but still comfortable. A little out of my box so it was a lot of fun to try on. P.S. I may or may not be standing awkwardly because I was pinching the material behind my back...they didn't have my size in stock but I still wanted to try it on and get an idea of what it would look like if I rented :)

(rent here)

(rent here)

Hello, lover... This was the first dress that I tried on as soon as I arrived. It was like it was meant to be as this is the dress I rented for the bridal show I am co-hosting! Asia picked out some great options and I'm so glad this one had been pulled. I love me a great maxi dress and the colors on this pallete just drew me in. I can't wait to show you how I end up styling it. I rented a stunning bag and statement earrings too for day of... Seriously can't wait. 

(rent here)

Again, this dress is about 3 sizes too big on me but the print caught my eye and I thought it was perfectly delicate for the bridal shower I'm hosting. I didn't end up going with this one, though it was my second runner up...It's great for a summer wedding too! 

(rent here)

Someone please give me an idea of where I can wear this! I LOVE this jumpsuit. It does come in black too, but I love how clean the white was. I feel like need to go on a an extravagant trip to debut this but no matter what, this look IS happening at some point this year! Oh. and it has pockets you guys...pockets! This was the second outfit I tried on and as soon as I was handed a few different necklaces and bags to try I really didn't want to take it off. Ever. 

The store was adorned with mirrors everywhere and Asia surprised us by letting us know that one of them was a SELFIE mirror! Yes, a selfie mirror. You give them your email address and the photos are sent to you right away in a collage with the proper hashtag (search #RTRxChicago for more pics of the store). How amazing is this? Clever marketing done right, my friends ;) Asia told us twice to back up so we weren't cut off but apparently we were too too excited to listen...

If you live in Chicago or one of the cities where RTR operates, we HIGHLY recommend you check it out. We ended up testing looks we wouldn't have chosen just by browsing the website, plus the staff was wonderful (can we be best friends, Asia?), making the entire experience such a pleasant one.

Oh, and did we mention...we walked out of there with epic Estee Lauder gift bags including a full size fragrance that smells like summer and now has a permanent spot in our rotations.THIS is how you do a Tuesday night, ladies  ;)

Stay tuned for what Kaitlyn chose for the shower...it was a hard decision between these 3:

Which one do you think came home with us?

Because Kaitlyn Rented the Runway (part 2!)

As mentioned last week, I recently utilized Rent the Runway for a wedding but the dresses didn't make it to my house in time due to crazy winter weather (which actually worked out because alternative dress was uhhmazing). That said, my original order did show up a few days later so I couldn't resist playing dress up which inspired a fancy dinner at home with the husband. 

(P.S. This was during the negative double digit temperatures so I was not about to take these bare legs outside...inside shooting it is!)

Dress: Rent the Runway (Badgley Mischka) // Belt: Target // Heels: c/o Just Fab 

Earrings: Castellammare Designs // Clutch: Aldo 

Dress: Rent the Runway (Sachi + Babi) // Earrings: T+J Designs // Heels: DSW

Bracelet: Francesca's (similar) // Clutch: Francesca's

I'm sorry if you're tired of seeing these earrings posted all over the blog...

In the words of Miley, can't stop, won't stop.

Which RTR dress out of the 3 is your favorite?