Sequin Striped Oxford-- Business in the Front, Party on the Sides

My darling BFFL, Courtney, coined the title of my blog post!  She is always cracking me up and talking fashion with me. She bought this sequin-side-striped collared shirt when I first posted it (for my Thanksgiving blog) and sent me the cutest selfie of her rocking it for work. I put this J. Crew Factory shirt on my Christmas list, and my mom was kind enough to purchase it for me. I wore it on January 6, my birthday, to work and dinner! It dresses up the boring-light-blue-button-down-shirt we all know and love.  (BONUS! It's 50% off $29.99 currently! HURRY!) 

From the front, the shirt is all business: crisp, polished and refined. A classic work staple for any career/field of work. 

Okay, so I had to share this. Mike's card looked exactly like us! He and his "fall uniform" for work, and me in heels and a dress! Awwwww. Best birthday ever, thanks largely in part to him! 

Chevron wrapping paper amidst several Kate Spade bangles! 

Mike had me open my presents before we headed to dinner at Villa Verone (be sure to check that restaurant out if you're even in Geneva or any of the far western 'burbs!). Fabulous meal! It's in an old house in downtown Geneva. The owners are authentic Italians! They're so welcoming and full of life! We have never had a meal we didn't completely love at Villa Verone. 

I have been whining for months about not having any perfume to wear. What I have was from 2012-- I know, bad-- and I don't know that it actually smelled any more. Haha! So, my husband, bless his soul, went on a mission to find me a new scent. This Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh is quite possibly the best perfume I've ever smelled! It's light and refreshing, yet strong enough that one of the security guards at my school came up to me to compliment how great I smelled! I was so flattered!

This was the best surprise ever! On top of everything else Mike did to make my 29th birthday the best yet, he found these Under Armor SMC running tights on the Saint Mary's College bookstore website and ordered them! They're magnificent! The French Cross is AWESOME! If you are a Smick Chick, you understand how coveted the French Cross is. Now I have it on the back of my calf!

Mike referred to my Belle On Trend "what to pack for traveling" post to find this tee for me! I love it so much! 

The side of this collared shirt has a stripe of gold sequins and one of just plain black ribbon. Right now, it's on the J. Crew Factory website for 50% off $29.99! 

Another option to spruce up a plain collared shirt: here, for $29.99!  (50% off $29.99 online today!)

Ahhhhh! The B.B. Dakota Lace fit-and-flare dress in jade! I am sooooo excited to wear this to my friends Scott and Lauren's wedding in April! 

Time to bundle up for dinner! 

The North Face Thermoball puffer jacket is incredibly lightweight and can pack up into a minuscule ball! But, the warmth is unlike any coat I've ever owned before.  My particular coral color was on sale during the Nordstroms half yearly sale, but honestly, I would have paid full price for this-- it is THAT effective and impermeable in the brutal wind and frigid temperatures of northern Illinois. Shout out to Mandy for allowing me to copy her style and purchase a Thermoball Puffer! :-)

The Saint Mary's College leggings in action, post Pure Barre class. 

Top: old Lululemon, similar here. 

I am in love with every gift I received for my birthday. My Chicago friends came in from the city to be with me last weekend to celebrate. More on my (best ever) birthday in a post to come! I feel so blessed to have been able to have a healthy and happy 29th birthday. Thank you to everyone for the birthday well wishes and love! It made me so overjoyed!

xxoo
Mary