What I Wore: Happy Summer Stripes

Posted on May 22, 2013 by in Fashion, What I Wore

Nordstrom French Connection Striped Dress

French Connection Striped Dress

Nordstrom French Connection Striped Dress

Nordstrom French Connection Striped Dress

I’m Wearing: French Connection Stripe Tank Dress, Calvin Klein Cropped Denim Jacket (similar), Sam Edelman ‘Trina’ Sandal Bujibaja Straw Tote (Similar), Hoop Earrings(Similar), Michael Kors ‘Runway’ Chronograph Watch.

If there was a dress I could live in all summer, this would be it! The cotton fabric of this dress is so soft you almost don’t feel like you’ve got anything on. Combine that with the perfect length and these awesome striped colors and you’ve got a winner. Never mind this dress is now 40% off during the Half-Yearly Sale at NORDSTROMthat starts today!!! Yes that’s right, this dress is on sale for $52! Bummer for me since I paid full price, but great for you!

And how about these Sam Edelman sandals? These are the ones I blogged about that we all four bought on girl’s weekend. You see I didn’t let that little bit of animal print scare me when I paired them with this striped dress. They make such a fashion forward statement with this dress. These sandals are so comfortable (I’m sooo about comfort) and stylish that I’m thinking of taking  advantage of the double reward points and free shipping and returns during the Women’s Half-Yearly Sale and order them in this color too! 

Styling Tip: For those of us with a non-existent waist line (see the picture with the jacket off), adding a belt or a little cropped jacket like I did here creates the perfect illusion of a waist. Don’t be afraid to play around with jackets lengths. I find for me a cropped jacket works the best. A regular length jacket hits me closer to the hips which doesn’t create the waist I need and makes me look frumpy.

 

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What I Wore: An Outdoor House Party

Posted on May 20, 2013 by in Fashion, What I Wore

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Little summer dress

 

I’m Wearing: Express Strapless Chiffon Dress, Calvin Klein Cropped Denim Jacket (similar), Franco Sarto Wedge, White House Black Market Necklace (similar) and Earrings, Michael Kors ‘Runway’ Chronograph Watch, Silver Bangles(Similar), Silver ChainLink Bracelet(Similar).

Happy Monday! Hope your weekend was great! We had our first glimpse of summer-like weather, and it was awesome! Temps in the 80′s, a little humidity in the air…I say, bring it on!!

On Saturday night we were invited to an outdoor neighborhood party and since the mosquitoes haven’t yet sprung to life, I decided to go with a bright little summer dress. I picked this up at Express. It’s strapless, flowy, comfy and so effortlessly stylish. I find if I’m careful not to go with things that are too young looking, I can find really cute and relatively inexpensive items at Express. This little dress comes in half a dozen colors and can be dressed up or down. I love the coral/red color combined with blue. I think it looks so fresh and somewhat unexpected.

And look…I’m wearing those little nude wedges again. I’m telling you, the best purchase EVER!

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What I Wore: The Perfect Travel Maxi

Posted on May 15, 2013 by in Fashion, What I Wore

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I’m Wearing:Athleta Printed Tee Maxi Dress, Calvin Klein Cropped Denim Jacket (similar), Reaction by Kenneth Cole Sandal (similar), Fedora(Similar).
I’m very particular about what I wear on a long travel day. If I’m going to be trekking through the airport and sitting for long periods of time on an airplaine, I want something totally comfortable – no binding jeans, short shorts or skirts that will ride up. In the winter, I usually opt for leggings and a comfy tunic, oversized sweater or loose blouse. In the summer, I love to wear an easy maxi dress with a sweater or jacket. It’s always good to have a layering item in case it gets cool on the airplane or if in my case, you’re returning home to cold Chicago!

I got this maxi from Athleta earlier this spring, and I wore it for the first time on the way home from my girl’s weekend in Miami and it was perfect. There are tons of maxi’s out there, but few are as flattering and comfy as this one and it’s perfect for travel because it has pockets! As I’m going through the airport, I’m constantly fumbling with my drivers license or change from the snack shop. It’s great to be wearing something with pockets and few maxi’s have them.

The soft drapey fabric was so comfortable and flattering. I love the cut of this dress too. It’s not too wide through the body and I’m a huge fan of  the ”U” neckline and the cut-in racer back. The narrow stripes and fading on this dress have a slimming effect in all the right places.

I would say the dress runs very true to size, however, it does run long. I’m 5’9″ and I could barely wear it with my flat sandals. It also has a shelf bra with built in bra cups. This is a bonus if you’re small chested, but if you’re busty like me, you’ll probably want to wear a bra anyway.

Athleta Printed Tee Maxi Dress

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What I Wore: Feeling Minty

Posted on May 13, 2013 by in Fashion, What I Wore

Feeling Minty

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Feeling Minty

Feeling Minty

 

I’m Wearing: H&M Moto Jacket (similar), JCPenny Lace Top, GAP Always Skinny (similar), Coach Legacy Romy Satchel, Franco Sarto Sandals, Ray-Ban ‘Bubble Wrap Aviator’ 63mm Sunglasses Gold One Size, T.J. Maxx Necklace as first seen here, Michael Kors Runway Watch, Henri Bendel Bracelets.Photography by Melissa at Emory Photography.

Have you embraced the mint green color trend? Mint is everywhere this spring. I’m kind of thinking it should have been Pantone’s the color of the year instead of emerald! I’m starting to really love it. I even went with it as a manicure and pedicure color. I especially like it on my toes!

So how to wear mint green? I think it’s harder for some of us to wear this pastel next to the face depending on your skin tone, but everyone can carry it off on the bottom. Here is a great guide to wearing mint bottoms that I found on Pinterest (source):

How to wear mint

Other than cream color or white, I think the easiest thing to wear with any pastel bottom is a chambray shirt. You can see, how great it looked with my lemon colored jeans here. It’s one of those things you just have to experiment with and have fun with.

So one more quick comment before I go…did you notice how much mileage I’ve gotten out of these little Franco wedges? They’re just a nude wedge yet I get compliments on them all the time and I wear them with EVERYTHING. Notice here, here and here! Sorry, but I just love it when I can get this kind of mileage out of one pair of shoes!

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A Little White Dress

Posted on May 11, 2013 by in Fashion

You’d never believe it by how cold it’s been the last couple of days, but they’re actually predicting our first 90 degree day here in Chicago next week and thats got me thinking summer! And nothing says summer like a little white dress! There are so many sweet little white dresses to choose from this season it’s easy to find one that fits any occasion. Here are a few I’ve got my eye on:

I could see myself running around in this simple tunic dress. What an easy and effortless way to look instantly put together.

The clean lines of this dress caught my eye and there’s a really cute criss-cross open back for showing off your tan. This dress can easily be dressed up or down depending on how you accessorize it. The cut in arm holes are always so flattering too.

For a dressy more sophisticated look, I’m just adoring this simple and elegant lace sheath dress.



Finally, I would choose this dress for a more conservative look. It has beautiful detailing and the belled sleeves are so sweet. It would be perfect for a cocktail party or special event.

Oh so many choices! I just love summer! Bring it on!!

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What ‘She’ Wore: Street Style Color

Posted on May 10, 2013 by in Fashion

Street style color

Street style color

Street Style Color

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Street Style color

 

She’s Wearing: Divided by H&M Jeans (similar), PLEIONE Top, Steve Madden Heels, Mix No6 flats (similar), Forever21 Necklace (old), Multiple Alex &  Ani Bracelets, Louis Vuitton Tote. Photography by Melissa at Emory Photography.

I’m so excited to feature my longtime friend and manicurist, Lisa, on the blog today. Lisa has an incredible sense of style. She is an expert at mixing inexpensive items from H&M and FOREVER21 into her looks to come up with outfits that look like she paid hundreds of dollars. I love this street style look she’s wearing today. The statement necklace is perfect. It takes her outfit and puts it over the top. Too bad it’s not still available; I so would have bought it! And how about the way she takes the look from dressy to casual with a simple change of hair and shoes? Great, huh?

Lisa is also the inspiration behind all my trendy manicures including the ones featured here and here. I’ve been seeing Lisa now for over nine years, and I can safely say she’s one of the best manicurists around. You can find her at Profile Salon in Algonquin.

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MLWS on 40+ Style

Posted on May 9, 2013 by in Fashion, Local Boutiques, What I Wore

I’m thrilled to once again be featured in 40+ Style’s fashion challenge. This month’s challenge was to put together two different outfits featuring a dress worn over trousers/leggings. I always so interesting to see what everyone puts together. Here is my submission:

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I’m Wearing on the Left: BCBGMaxarzria Tunic Dress (old),  White House Black Market Leggings, Marc Fisher Suede Booties (similar), purse from T.J. Maxx, Michael Kors Runway Watch, Bracelets (old).

I’m Wearing on the Right: Dress from Wear Did You Get That in Crystal Lake, IL, White House Black Market Leggings (similar), Guess Patent Peep Toe Wedge (similar), DKNY Purse from T.J. Maxx (similar), Calvin Klein Cropped Denim Jacket (similar), Michael Kors Runway Watch, Necklace by Express (old), Bracelets (old).

I picked up the little dress on the right a month or so ago from a new local boutique in downtown Crystal Lake called Wear Did U Get That.

Wear Did U Get That

 

Wear Did U Get That

 

Wear Did U Get That opened in March, and it’s located at 66 N. Williams Street in downtown Crystal Lake. Owner, Stephanie Ormsby, has a long history working in fashion and retail.  She tries on every item that comes into her store so she knows how it fits, and she strives to bring in items that will fit and flatter varying sizes and shapes. Here’s a look inside:

Wear Did U Get That Wear Did U Get That Wear Did U Get That

Wear Did U Get That has a great selection of KUT from the Kloth denim along with dresses, tops, t-shirts, shoes, scarves and jewelry. It’s a cozy little shop and the sales people are super friendly. They get new things every day, so if you’re in the area stop in and tell them Renita from MLWS sent you!

 

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What I Wore: Dinner & A Movie

Posted on May 8, 2013 by in Fashion, What I Wore

Bernardo Leather Moto, Dinner & A Movie

Bernardo Leather Moto

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I Love David Yurman

I’m Wearing: Bernardo Leather Moto from Nordstrom, Paige Denim Skyline Bootcut Jeans , White House Back Market Tee, Franco Sarto Wedges, Tory Burch Clutch,David Yurman necklace, earrings, bracelet and ring (similar).

This jacket was first featured on the blog back in February when I wore it to the IFB Conference. I dressed it down with regular jeans and a plain white tee for dinner and a movie with the hubby on Saturday night. I figured since I was talking warm weather leather yesterday on the blog, and since the jacket is now HALF PRICE  at Nordstrom, I would post about it again. I love the texture of this jacket. In the reviews on-line some people were complaining that it seemed cheap, but it’s meant to be light-weight. It’s great because you can wear it in warm weather and it doubles as a blazer. In fact, I like it so much, I considered buying this Bernardo scuba jacket on girl’s weekend in Nashville. It’s still on my mind, but you know how it goes…so many things I want, so little money!

My favorite gift to receive from my husband for any special occasion (birthday, wedding anniversary, Mother’s Day…hint, hint Mothers’s Day) is a piece of David Yurman jewelry. I was wearing every piece I own on Saturday night – - hint hint! This is the only fine jewelry I own, but I admit to having a love affair with David Yurman. I love the pieces I’m wearing here because they’re classic, they can go dressy or casual and the mix of silver and gold makes them totally versatile with about any other accessory. Here are a few of the things on my wish list right now…and I’m pretty sure that’s where they’re going to stay being as I’ve been spending so much money lately (girl’s trips, shopping). Oh well, a girl can dream!

 
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What ‘She’ Wore: A Little Black Dress

Posted on May 7, 2013 by in Fashion

Black Leather Dress

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Black Leather Dress

She’s Wearing: Halogen Leather Dress (similar), White House Black Market Top Coat, R&Rezni Vero Cuoio (similar), jewelry by Charming Charlies. Photography by Melissa at Emory Photography.

I loved this little black leather dress my friend, Liz, wore so much that I asked her to model it for the blog. I’m sure you’re sick of looking at me all the time anyway, aren’t you? :) No really, I thought it would be nice to highlight a model with a different shape and size than mine. Liz is a petite and she totally rocks in this dress!  And how about those awesome arms? Sorry, you can’t buy guns like this; you have to earn ‘em!

The lines of this dress are so nice and Liz wears it so well. The slight A-line shape perfectly skims Liz’s figure and the length allows the dress to be worn for a dressy or more casual occasion. With conservative accessories as worn by Liz, this dress goes cocktail party, but with edgier accessories like ankle booties and street style jewelry the look can be vamped up for more of a casual “going out” look.

Leather for spring and summer you ask? YOU BET! Warm weather leather is a big trend this spring and summer. I love the look and feel of leather. It’s offers a new texture to add to your wardrobe and mixes things up a bit. Here are some of my favorite warm weather leather pieces (for details simply click on the picture):

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The Shoes We All Bought On Girl’s Weekend

Posted on May 3, 2013 by in Fashion

My friends and I have been taking a girl’s trip together now for the last six years. We all met 18 years ago when we were working together at a public accounting firm in Milwaukee. Yes, I said an accounting firm. Yes, I was a CPA in a previous life. Crazy, isn’t it?

We have settled all over the country now. One girl still lives in Milwaukee, one in Knoxville, one in San Francisco, and I’m in Chicago. Each year we meet up for a long weekend of girl stuff: dining out, laying by the pool, endless chit chat, and of course SHOPPING! I mean what would a girls weekend be without some shopping?! And before we decide on a destination each year, the first criteria is that the city must have a Nordstrom. I’m not kidding. It’s the truth. It has become a tradition for us to start and end our shopping in the Nordstrom shoe department. Don’t believe me? Here we are after a long day of shopping:

Shopping in the Nordstrom shoe department

I just love how they pushed all the shopping bags over towards me! Only the three on the far left are mine. Really!

As you can see, we all have very different lifestyles and unique senses of style. This year, for the first time ever while on girl’s weekend, we all bought the same pair of shoes! Can you believe it?  Now mind you, we don’t go out shopping to buy identical items. But this year, we all tried on these shoes and we all loved them so much we bought a pair. I thought it would be fun to share them with you. Here they are (drum roll please…):

Is this sandal cute or what? The Sam Edelman ‘Trina’ Sandalis a shoe you have to try on to fully appreciate. But just know, once you get it on your foot you’ll have to have it. We all did! Here’s what’s we all loved about this shoe:

  • It’s super cute and stylish! We all loved the coral mixed with the animal print and you can’t tell, but that little heel is see through acrylic! How sweet is that? Totally on trend!
  • This sandal is a neutral; it will go with everything! A neutral you ask? Yes, it is. Today everyone is mixing everything. The best way to approach this sandal is as a neutral. You can wear it with almost everything, even prints. It will make a statement with any outfit.
  • It’s super comfortable! The little heel gives just enough lift and the simple straps don’t cause binding.
  • You can dress this shoe up or down. From a white t-shirt and jeans to a pair of cotton capris and cute blouse, you can’t go wrong with this shoe.
  • And at $99.95 they won’t break the bank!

Don’t you just love this sandal? Oh, I’m so happy it’s finally sandal season! YAY!

 

 

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