Jori & June Tassel Necklace!

I was so excited when I saw the signage for a new boutique coming to 3rd Street in Geneva (25 S. Third Street, to be exact! Across from the Geneva Post Office). I walked passed it every day, getting pumped for the grand opening! Jori and June opened a few weeks ago, and my friend Lauren and I had to check it out.  We loved everything-- the vibe was boho-chic-sophisticated-trendy-fabulous! Follow them on Instagram and like their Facebook page if you get a chance (@JoriandJune). We met Melissa, one of the co-owners of the store, when we went on opening day. Her kindness and energy made me want to be a return-shopper! She was extremely friendly, and it was evident that she happy we were there!  EVERYTHING in the store was on trend. I had to narrow down my purchasing, but I decided on this teal Allie Beads tassel necklace, and I couldn't have been happier with my decision! It's certainly a statement necklace, but I will wear it over and over again!

The addition of this necklace made my LBD stand out! 

Earrings: Old J. Crew, similar here and here. The earrings I'm wearing in the pictures were $2.60! NO JOKE!  Lauren and Maria can confirm this! 

Sunnies: Kate Spade.  

These are my wedding shoes! They were the biggest steal from an online J. Crew sale (under $100 shipped!) a few summers ago, but they are comfortable and super fun-- I wear them often!

Similar sparkly shoes: here, here, here, and here.

These are identical to mine, but they are silver glitter instead of gold. They are $60! 

Pave link bracelet: J. Crew Factory. It is $18 currently!

Watch: Michael Kors.  

The focal point of this outfit is certainly the necklace. It was just such an easy way to spruce up my black swing dress. #30secondoutfit

You may recognize this dress from the fall! 

I am IN LOVE with it. I wear it constantly-- we have it back in stock at the Geneva YM Boutique location (my new summer job!). We have it in red with short sleeves and a black version that is sleeveless. It has pockets and is truly the most comfortable dress I own. 

Come into YM Boutique in downtown Geneva or Aurora-- this dress is under $30! 

Also, follow @ShopYMB on Twitter and Insta! 

Purse: Old Kate Spade. Similar here and here.

Additional little black *swing* dresses: here, here, here and here.

Nail polish color is Fiji by Essie. One of my faves, thanks to Jackie!

Lip color: Stila in Amalfi. My favorite magenta! I wore this for my wedding day, too!

You cannot beat POCKETS in a dress!

How do you dress up your LBDs?
xxoo
Mary

Trending 6.23.16

Here's what's #trending in my world this week! 

[1.0] YGR!
Lilly Pulitzer brought back the You Gotta Regatta print for a hot minute-- get on it fast, ladies! I am MELTING over this romper! I just got hired for a summer job at a boutique nearby, so maybe with my first paycheck!? Masters degree loans, be damned! I need some Lilly! Hahaha.


[2.0] CROAKIES!
I might be alone in thinking this, but to me, croakies are brilliant! Add pearls to them-- they become a practical piece of beauty! Check out these pearl croakies by KJP. I think they'd look fabulous attached to my glittery Kate Spade sunglasses! They would dress up any pair of sunnies, and, think of how functional they are!

[3.0] OFF THE SHOULDER!
This darling dress is extremely affordable (currently 50% off!) and super lightweight/summery. I love that it's gray-- I don't own much gray, and this would be a perfect summer hue to add to my wardrobe. Also, look at that cute detailing on the ruffle- precious!

[4.0] EASY DAY DRESS!
This is the dress version of the tank top I had been lusting after a few weeks ago. Sadly, the tank sold out really quickly, but this is still available. SO cute!  Throw it on with your Jacks, and you have a 30 second outfit (the best kind of outfit!).

[5.0] WATERMELON!
Okay, THIS is everything! The ruffle! The daintiness of it! The watermelon! I'm in love! Also, I love this price point in a watermelon print dress, too. Critters will always be on trend, in my opinion.

[6.0] FLAMINGO AND PINEAPPLE TOMS!
I am all for Toms and their mission. I've had several pairs of wedges, classics and booties over the years. When I saw that there were FLAMINGO and PINEAPPLE Toms, hand-painted by Haitian artists, I lost it! HOW stinkin' cute are these?

[7.0] THE DRESS FOR A SUMMER WEDDING TO TOP ALL OTHERS!
This dress in pink or blue (sorry, I don't care for the color orange.. haha!) will make you the second most beautiful belle of the ball at your next summer wedding. How gorgeous is that? And the price is very reasonable! I am loving the bow back detailing, too!

[8.0] TEAL GINGHAM!
This Modcloth beauty ties in the back. How fun is that? I love gingham (as evidenced by my last Belle On Trend post), so this dress is right up my alley for summertime!

[9.0] MORE TEAL GINGHAM!
Okay, these shoes are my new obsession. I will watch these like a hawk until they dip in price a bit, but they are SO CUTE!  And, with the thicker heel, they look comfortable, too! And the ribbon to tie on your ankle! AH! All you'd need to add to these shoes is a plain cotton dress-- something solid-- and you have a perfect outfit. Easy!

[10.0] PEARLS FOR DAYS!
This is one of the most beautiful necklaces I have ever seen. Banana Republic constantly has 40-60% off sales, particularly with your BR card, so I'd never pay near full price for that statement piece. But, it is breathtaking! All you'd need for an outfit with that necklace would be a white tee shirt, dark jeans and a pump. WOW. Just, wow.


What's on your wishlist currently?
xxoo
Mary

Gingham and Jorts!

There is nothing that screams "summer" to me more than gingham-- particularly red or pink gingham! It just reminds me of a picnic in the park :)  I scooped up this gingham shirt at the J.Crew Outlet a few weeks ago for about $29, during one of their frequent (and incredible!) 50% sales.  I wore this outfit to help my sweet friend Jackie find her wedding dress. It was perfect for lunch on a rooftop patio at Old Towne in Geneva (we had the best new salads and summertime sangria!) and the time we spent at Crystal Bride (that's where I got my wedding dress, too! With the help of Kayla, also! She is a genius. If you are a bride-to-be, let me get you in touch with her!).

Selfies in the Crystal Bride showroom! I stood on the same platform in front of the same mirror when I tried on my dresses. 

How adorable is she? Jackie looked absolutely radiant in every dress she tried on. But, she found HER DRESS! Downright gorgeous! 

Hair flip! Hahaha.

I layered my MFM Moon and Lola necklace in mirrored gold (compliments of my amazing big sis) with this beautiful pearl necklace. I actually received the pearl necklace a few years ago from one of the most amazing students and his parents (seriously, the most generous end-of-the-year gift I could ever imagine). It's from State Street Jewelers-- another must-go-to in Geneva. The necklace is dainty and delicate, but it layers perfectly with other necklaces.

Alex and Ani bangles: here. 

So in love with these Francesca's earrings! I couldn't bring myself to buy the gorgeous $65 J. Crew ones, but I found these at Francesca's in Lincoln Park when my bestie Court was visiting, and I am SO glad I purchased them!

Watch: Michael Kors. 

Jean shorts aka Jorts: old Gap, similar here, here and here. 

Toms madras peep-toe wedges: old, similar styles here- on sale! and here- also on sale!.

Lips: Stila in Fiery. So long-lasting! 

Glasses: Kate Spade.  

I didn't know what to do with my legs. Haha! It was senior pictures all over again.

Tried the "half-tuck" that J. Crew is known for, but I ended up just looking sloppy. Haha!  Hard to pull off, IMO. 

More gingham tops:

What gingham pieces do you own? 

xxoo

Mary

Wedding Shower Looks for the Bride and her Guests: 2 of 2

Welcome to the second installment of wedding shower looks for the bride and her guests! It is so fun for me to reminisce on Megan's wedding shower weekend with her sweet friends and family.  

I am absolutely in love with this darling Lilly Pulitzer dress on the gorgeous Jeannette.  The zipper was a little piece of bamboo-- too cute! 

Beautiful Jamie and her beautiful mom!

I love the idea of a classic black maxi dress and a statement necklace. Jamie texted me prior to the shower and said, "Dear Belle, is a black maxi too morbid for the shower?" Haha! I said, no way! I knew she'd look gorgeous in anything, but I especially love how she brightened up the dress with her fun jewelry. 

Baublebar is a go-to for me for statement jewelry at a very reasonable price point. 

Funky, trendy necklaces: here, here, here and here. 

My mom with her comfy Lilly Pulitzer dress. Look familiar?  

Similar here and here.

Sweet Lauren had the most adorable dress on from Francesca's. (Seen here with her Bloody Mary skewer- haha!). 

Long tassel necklaces are HUGE right now and so versatile. 

Here and here are other cute necklaces similar to Lauren's!

Halle, Jeannette and Reshma totally embraced the patterns for Megan's breathtaking outdoor shower.

Fun, patterned dress options: here, here, here, here, here and here. 

Kimmy, one of Megan's sisters and maids of honor, also went with an adorable patterned dress. 

I told her to pose with the table-- haha!

Here's our bride Megan in here white Nordstrom's dress and Jimmy Choo nude wedges with her bestie, Haleigh! 

I loved that Megan's dress had tasteful, dainty cut-outs that showed just a smidge of her skin. Here is a great option, under $100. I loved the delicate detail! I love this strapless option, too! You can't go wrong in the summertime with a LWD!  Here, here and here, here are other fab options!

This is one of my all-time faves; it's even on sale!

I wear this striped Anthropologie dress SO often. I originally bought it in 2013 for my friend Caitlin's wedding rehearsal dinner, and then I also wore it for my sister's rehearsal dinner. Since then, I've worn it for my first day of work this year, to lector at mass, and for other showers. It's a showstopper. However, it is old. But, here, here, here, here, here and here are some great alternatives! 

The bride with one of our best childhood friends, Alyssa! SOO wonderful to see her and catch up over dinner at my mom's! :) 

The high school besties! 

Amanda's tunic (second from the left) incorporates the embroidered trend that is so popular right now! It is boho chic. Also, her Louis Vuitton "Never Full" is majorly swoon worthy! It is an absolute heirloom. 

How darling are the details on this bloody Mary bar?

I love Megan's collection of Alex and Ani bangles. She is actually the person who introduced me to Alex and Ani! 

I think this is one of the most amazing gifts I've ever received, so I had to get one for Megan, too. It's their wedding invitation engraved on a vase! My cousin Lori got one made for me, my sister and my mom with our wedding invitations! It's such a great way to memorialize your invitation! 

This talented guy does it, and he ships anywhere in the country. He did it so quickly, too!

Visit his website here.  

Megan's sweet pal, Haleigh, made the large H board for her new last name and these beautiful wine bottle decorations!

Pretty bridesmaids!

Halle was incredible at making the bow bouquet! It will be perfect for the rehearsal!

Megan being Megan. hahaha! Love her. 

The SHOES. These are Megan's wedding shoes, and to say they're perfect is an understatement. These nude Jimmy Choo wedges will be worn time and time again in the coming years. They're comfortable and classic-- I adore them!

How cute is my bestie? Just a little under a month until we get to celebrate her in Nashville, and then another month-ish until the nuptials! 

The bridesmaids-- just missing Reema and Crea!

Jimmy! The groom-to-be. Another GORGEOUS bouquet of flowers! 

Love my L-si!

Jimmy's watch was AWESOME.

Watch: Michael Kors

And just some Miura pictures (Amanda and Darren's absolutely PRECIOUS daughter) to make your day!

What have you worn lately to wedding showers?

xxoo

Mary