Season Ending Stock-up Time

Right now is a great time to stock up on some summer footwear for next year. 

I always buy a few real leather pieces because they tend to last longer (I love shoes you can wear year after year) and why not get more bang for your buck?! 

Depending on the online shop or store you do your shopping at, there are tons of end of season sales going on right now as well as just great finds! 

I like to pick up both cute flats and heels as I am a fan of everything from mommy-on-the-go to mommy's night out wear. ;)

If you stick to neutral colors (and maybe a few with a color pop), they are sure to be in style next spring/summer. Let's be honest, you will wear both brown and black sandals every year. I do! Heck, I tend to pick up brown, black, gray, tan, navy, and/or any other neutral I can find! 

Here are some sandals I am loving and thinking I may pick up before this season ends.

1) Reef Gypsy Uptown $36

2) Just Fab Lyla shoe $39.95

3) Reef Rivers Sandal $64

4) Sole Society London Shoe $40.17 (on sale)

5) Roxy $18.37

6) Milanno High Heel sandals $84.99

7) BCBG Wedges $120

Which are your favorites? 

Do you ever stock up on items for the following year?

Fab Kids: My Daughter's August Pick

This month my daughter was all about the stripes and the peplum! 

Here is her August Fab Kids choice:

Top, Bottoms, & Bow: c/o Fab Kids, Shoes: Target

I am obsessed with this entire look! How cute is the zipper at the ankle? LOVE! 

Later in the day it warmed up quite a bit and we paired the peplum top with a pair of Fab Kids shorts we got back in May:

I can't tell you enough how great their pieces are for mixing and matching. Month after month their items are interchangeable and that my friends is KEY! ;)

Are you Fab Kids members yet?

Outfit: Family Day

This past weekend we celebrated my dad and brother's b-day for lunch then headed to Chuck E Cheese for an hour before dinner. 

My son had asked that before school started (he started this past Monday) we take him where a kid can be a kid. Thank you very much Chuck E Cheese commercial, you got my son hook, line, and sinker. ;)

Here is what I wore my my afternoon with the family:

 

Dress: Swap w/ Kaitlyn (Loft), Shoes: c/o Just Fab, Necklace: Lotus Blossom Design, Earrings & Chain Bracelet: House of Gemmes, Sunnies: Loft, Watch: Fossil

Lunch was amazing we got a lot of sun while we played outside with the kids as my brothers and dad played basketball.

Shortly after we headed to Chuck E Cheese and we had perfect timing as we got to see Mr. Cheese himself! ;) 

Here are some shots with the kids:

Do you ever jam a few events in one weekend day so you have the other free and clear to do absolutely NOTHING? 

Like my hair? Tutorial coming soon...

Outfit: Tony Bennett at Ravinia

Last week on Thursday I went to Ravinia with my in-laws and we saw Tony Bennett. To say that this was a once in a lifetime show to attend would be accurate. He is still playing sold out shows at the age of 87, but who knows how much longer he will be doing this. The best part, he had a recording of Frank Sanatra introducing him onto the stage! It was a very fun night. 

It had rained all day and was going to be 60 degrees at night so I decided to wear a blouse, jean leggings, and rain boots.

Here is what I wore:

Blouse: Macy's (similar), Jeans: J Brand (similar), Boots: Victoria's Secret, Bag: c/o Just Fab (similar), Necklace: Threadsence, Watch: Fossil, Bracelet: Baublebar, Stackable Rings: Shop Jules

We ate delicious food, drank wine, and cuddled with the ones we love while listening to the sounds of Tony Bennett. Can you think of anything better? I can not! ;) 

Here are some shot from the night:

Have you ever been to Ravinia? 

Have you ever seen Tony Bennett live?

Giveaway: Jumpsuit Crew Jumpsuit of Choice

With football season right around the corner it's time for tailgating, games, and supporting your favorite team!

I was lucky enough to be part in the first Jumpsuit Crew photo shoot and I have to say these jumpsuits are AMAZING!

My 2 favorite thing about them is you can wear your regular clothes under them (even hoodies for those colder weather games) and they have two sets of pockets. One to store your items (regular pockets) and the other to get to your clothes under the jumpsuit! I don't know about you, but I think that is an awesome idea. I love leaving my phone in my regular jean pocket, so it was cool I could just garb right to my clothes too.

Here are some photos from the shoot:

 

The tank tops and tee shirts are coming soon to their website!

Some info about the Jumpsuits:

Officially Licensed NCAA Jumpsuit 

- Easily worn over your everyday clothes, or any other game-day apparel.  Wear your school colors with Pride!  Perfect for current students, Alumni and fans nationwide! 

Features:

- Screen Printed

- Blend: 65% Polyester/35% Combed Cotton, 7.25 o.z. Twill

- Care: Industrial Wash, Light Soil, or Home Wash

- Closure: Two-way Brass Zipper

- Collar: One-piece, Top-Stitched

- Finish: Durable Press With Soil Release

- Pockets: Two Set-in Front Pockets, Two Patch Hip Pockets (allows for access to under garmets), and Two Breast Pockets

One lucky winner will win the Jumpsuit of their choice (a $65 value!)

To Enter:

Like Jumpsuit Crew on FB and leave a comment below with your email telling me you have done so.

Extra Entries:

Follow Jumpsuit Crew on Twitter

Follow Jumpsuit Crew on Instagram

Leave a comment for each you do!

Winner will be announced Friday 9-6 at 7:00am. Open to US residents only.



Outfit: Flower Power

This was one of my back-up Lollapalooza outfits.

I had this dress shortened since the last time I wore it because I wanted to be able to wear it with flats.
After spending my first day at Lolla I realized I loved this dress too much to chance ruining it between the outhouses and day drinking. ;)

I also wanted to get these Radbands for the festival, but I never made it to the Dana Spa Hotel where Rad & Refinded had their pop up shop. 

My solution? Order my radbands online and wear the outfit for a night out! 

Here is my flower power look:

Dress: Nordstrom, Belt: swap w/Kaitlyn, Shoes: Victoria's Secret, Jacket: Express (similar), Sunnies: Rad & Refined, Bag: Sole Society, Ring: Lili Claspe, Earrings: c/o Sole Society, Watch: Fossil, Lip Color: Candy Yum Yum by MAC

I am so glad I had the dress taken up. I can now wear it as more of an everyday summer dress and not just to events. 

What do you think? Ever have your dresses shortened to get more wear out of them?

Fab Kids: My Son's August Pick

It's official, Fab Kids released their boys line of clothing and man are they right on trend!

It was hard to choose a favorite as so many of the looks are interchangeable and great for back to school, but my son saw these pants and HAD to have them.

Here is his August's pick:

2 long sleeve Tops & Camo Pants: c/o Fab Kids, Shoes: Converse 

He's going to be one styling dude this fall! 

I love how the pants are more like sweatpants and less like jeans. My 5 year old is always on the go (running/climbing/jumping) so these are perfect for everyday wear.

What do you think?

Are you a member of Fab Kids yet?

Dressing to Music: Ellie Goulding- Lights

Ellie Goulding was one of my favorite bands that I saw at Lollapalooza this year. 
When she played this song, I danced my butt off and have been doing so everytime I have heard it ever since. (It's my son's current favorite so it is on heavy rotation.) ;)

Here is the outfit I styled as I danced around my room to Lights:

Tank Dress: Aqua, Skirt: c/o Persun, Bag: Swap w/ Kaitlyn (Just Fab), Shoes: c/o Just Fab, Watch: Fossil, Wrist Wraps: House of Gemmes, Bracelet & Ring: T+J Designs, Large Ring: Lili Claspe, Necklace: Clyde's Rebirth, Sunnies: Prada, Lip color: Rose Blossom by Bobbi Brown

What's on your summer playlist? 

Are you an Ellie Goulding fan?

Outfit: Lunch on the Beach

There is a wonderful restaurant by my hubby's family Lake House called Pier 290.
I had never been there prior to this past weekend, but I can tell you this will for sure not be the only time I visit! 
The food was amazing but even better was the decor and way it is set up (both indoor and outdoor dinning areas that is).

Here is what I wore for our family lunch out:

Top & Shorts: Loft, Shoes: c/o Just Fab, Ring: House of Harlow 1960, Necklace: Shore, Sunnies: Ray Ban, Watch: Fossil, Bracelet: c/o Sarah Aghili 

The sand is obviously brought in as it is the most soft white sand my feet have ever stepped in. It's almost like being whisked away on a mini vacation in the middle of our little lake house get away (which was also like a mini vaca). 

Here is a shot of the restaurant from the lake (yep, you can park your boat right in front) and a few from our lunch:

Have you ever been to Pier 290? If you are ever in the Lake Geneva area, I highly recommend you do! 

Head over the the Sisters Marie blog today to see Kaitlyn's outfit post from this day! 

Willow House Jewelry

You have seen me wear and wear again some amazing pieces from Willow House Jewelry. 

Here are a few outfit posts were I was wearing their jewelry:

So far I only own three pieces, but as you can see I wear them a lot (these are just some of the outfits I'm wearing Willow House Jewelry in). 
The quality is amazing and the sales they run are equally as good! 
They have one sale called the Nifty Fifty where you buy one item at full price and the second at 50% off. This sale is pretty much ALWAYS going on. 
They also have daily deals. SCORE! 

I recently opened my own Willow House boutique. This is great for bloggers or people who want to earn so extra cash but not make your friends and family come to parities. ;) 

Anyone can open a boutique of their own (open yours here) and when people sign up under you, you can earn money off their sales too! 

I will be having a Willow House Jewelry giveaway this fall, but in the meantime check it out, do some shopping or make your very own boutique....it's free! 

Outfit: Stripes & Neon

Being the maxi dress lover that I am, I fell in love with this beautiful striped dress of Kaitlyn's right away. 

The day I wore it, the weather was warm during the day, but cooled off quite a bit at night. 

My solution? Adding a crop faux leather jacket and a great nude heel. 

Here is my stripe and neon look:

Dress: Swap w/ Kaitlyn (Calvin Klein), Jacket: Express, Shoes: c/o Just Fab, Bag: Sole Society, Wrist Wrap: c/o T+J Designs, Necklace: ThirtySomethingFashion Box Service, Rings: Lili Claspe, Earrings: Just Fab, Watch: Fossil 

I love how bright and playful this dress is. Perfect for a day in the sun or a night out on the town.

What do you think? 

Ever layer up on your maxi dresses for cooler weather?

Outfit: Pre-Fall Wear

I love pre-fall wear! 

It was 67 degrees this day and what's better then cutoffs paired with long sleeves, a cute hat, and boots?! In my mind, not much! 

Here is my pre-fall everyday wear:

Top: Free People, Shorts: Gap, Boots: c/o Just Fab, Bag & Hat: Nordstrom, Bracelet: c/o Lotus Blossom Design, Sunnies: Prada, Watch: Fossil, Ring: Lili Claspe

Bad hair day? Toss on a hat. Don't feel like putting makeup on? Throw on your favorite sunnies. This look took all of 5 mins to put together and I felt cute and pre-fall ready for my mommy-on-the-go day! 

Get the look:

What's you go-to look as the weather is changing?

Outfit: Surprise Date Night

Let me start by saying I am the WORST at keeping surprises a secret. 
In the past 5 and 1/2 years that myself and Ryan have been married I have never pulled off a surprise date night. 
It was AWESOME! Plus I didn't spill the beans so it's was another first. ;)

Four weeks ago I asked my in-laws if they could take the kids off our hands 1 day the following month so I could take my man out (we are so lucky they were excited to take them for the night!). 
After I knew the date would be the 13th, I rented a dress from Rent the Runway. 

Three weeks before our date I bought a gift card to the restaurant (as a single income family you never know when you'll have extra funds so I bought right after a payday) and made reservations requesting a booth and saying it was our anniversary. It's never good to lie, but I wanted to be treated extra special on our night out so I felt a small fib was OK. ;)

Two weeks before I told Ryan I had an networking event and he HAD to get home from work on time so I could get to my event. 

One week before I confirmed with everyone (in-laws, dress rental, restaurant, and hubby being home on time that day) to make sure all systems were a go.

The day of: The kids had been picked up prior to him getting home, so as Ryan pulled in the driveway I was standing outside with a rose in my hands. I felt a little cheesy and I think he thought something was wrong at first, but I'm so glad I did this! 

Here is what I wore:

Dress: Halston Heritage via Rent the Runway, Shoes & Chain Bracelet: c/o Sole Society, Earrings: Badgley Mischka via Rent the Runway, Stackable Bracelet: Chamak by Pirya via Rent the Runway, Watch: Fossil, Bag: c/o Just Fab, Sunnies: Prada, Opal Ring: Pandora Collection via Jared

It took him a few minutes to figure it all out. He was for sure shocked. I told him he had one hour to get dressed and ready and this was all for him. 

So often I get all dolled up then dash out the door for blog/networking/work events and I forget to do things for him when it's not our anniversary/b-day/etc. I decided that needed to change. By the look on his face and how romantic the night ended up being, we will be doing this sort of thing more often. 
As spontaneous as it seemed to him, it did take a lot of planning. I guess that's what spontaneous looks like for parents! ;)

As we were driving to dinner he took what I thought was a wrong turn. When I asked where we were going he said "you want to take blog photos, right?" 

Where did we go? To the place we got married! We took some photos outside and then went to dinner. I truly have the best hubby ever. My plan takes four weeks, he surprises me in 30 seconds! ;) 

Here is a shot of the two of us:

Do you ever plan special nights with your spouse? 

It does get hard when you have small children to get nights like this, but it is possible if you both want to (and of course if you have great family that loves to help you out!)! 

Fall Boots I'm LOVING

Who's ready to start fall shopping? 

Fall is by far my favorite season and boots are hands down my favorite thing to wear! 

I am super loving all the cute booties I'm seeing and I'll of course still keep my tall boots in rotation but you may see me in a lot more crop boots in this fall then in years past.  

Here are a few fall boots I'm loving right now:

1). Ivanka Trump Buckled ankle booties $101.25 (maron w/ buckles)

2). Dolce Vita $129.99

3). Just Fab Hunter Boot $39.95

4). Black Poppy Boots $33.99 (tan in color)

5). Just Fab Shyla Boot $39.95

6). Sole Society Vivienne $79.95

7). Shoemint Emma $109.98

Which are your favorites? 

Are you a fan of all the crop boots that are for sale this year?

Outfit: Breaking all My Rules

We all have fashion "rules" right? 

Things we say we will NEVER wear or never be caught dead in. Or maybe just trends we thought we are too old/young/wrong body shape/etc to pull off.

Wearing a high waisted skirt with a bandeau bra is definitely out of my comfort zone. Mostly because I knew I was wearing a bandeau bra as a top, but I never thought I'd be so daring at 34 years of age.

Here is my breaking all my rules look:

Bandeau: Shop Frankies, Skirt: Rachel Zoe Collection, Shoes: c/o Just Fab, Bag: Michael Kors, Cuff: Hive & Honey, Necklace: Forever 21, Chain Bracelet: T+J Designs, Watch: Fossil, Ring: Lili Claspe, Earrings: Just Fab, Lip Color: Rose Blossom by Bobbi Brown 

I am happy to announce I did not break one rule. That is the pay full price for designer items rule. ;) 

This skirt retailed last year for $525. It's 100% silk and 100% amazing....but I can not afford that price tag.

Thank you Piperlime for your lime tag sales! 

This beauty was on clearance (no returns) for $130 then I used my gift card bonuses for frequent shopping (thank you again Piperlime for letting people use more then one at a time) and finally checked out spending only $85! 

That my friend is a steal! I had it altered as it was about 5 inches too long on me, but now I am one happy camper! 

Do you ever break your fashion rules or find yourself in something you thought you'd never wear?