Pineapple Critter Shorts + Puppies!

One of my friends, Ashley, sent me a link for these adorable shorts. I absolutely loved them! There's nothing cuter than a critter print, particularly if it is pineapples.  Also, they are $12! I think mine were even less because I had a $5 reward! Haha! I immediately texted my bff, Megan, as she adores all things pineapple.  I did size up for these, and I was glad. I read all the reviews, and it seemed girls were either going a size or two higher than normal. I went for the 6, and they are a little tight, but overall fine!

I am in love with Bella and Bentley! Our lives are so much brighter with these two nugs!

My earrings are old Stella and Dot, but here are some fun statement earrings to covet:

^^ Bentley only likes to be held like a baby. haha!! 

My shirt is old J. Crew, but here are some new versions of the style:

^^ Bad tan lines from my day of weeding haha

Daddy with Bella and Bentley. Please don't mind our rogue gutter extenders in the back. lol 

Bella is totally a daddy's girl ;-)

Action shot of this little guy!

That face!

^^ FYI, I am 5'6 for short-length. I will say these are a little on the short side, but for $12, I could not resist!

My monogrammed Jacks were a gift to myself before we got married. I wear them so often, you guys! 

More critter shorts:

my absolute faves.

How was your long weekend? I can't believe it has come and gone so fast! But, that just means I am closer to summer break :)

xxoo

Mary

Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale, Part 2! My picks under $50!

Hello again, and happy Friyay! I am back with even more goodies from the #Nsale. Let me tell you, I have been going page by page on the women's sale (there are 222 pages in case you're wondering, hahaha!!), and I am finding some major steals. The only downside of the Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale is the pace at which items fly off the shelves (and website). Act fast, fellow fashion addicts!

Here are my under $50 picks:

[1.0] Loving this crocheted, peplum tank!
Perfect for date nights or nights out with your friends! I love the style of the thick straps; it is flattering on everyone! Peplum is flattering on all body types, too. I love peplum, and I know I've mentioned this before, but you can eat and drink all you want without being uncomfortable. LOL.

[2.0] These rose gold block heeled sandals!
There is nothing better than a sensible, thick heel to get you comfortably through the day. These Steve Madden sandals are nothing short of fabulous. I love the rose gold metallic choice.

[3.0] Alo leggings in the prettiest color.
I own about 7 pairs of Alo leggings, and to say they're the ideal legging doesn't even do them justice. They are so flattering and SO stylish. I love the ruched detail on this pair! The high-waisted style is what I have in all my pairs, and it really is so flattering.

[4.0] This look alike Givenchy bag.
I just ordered this purse, you guys, because I have been drooling over the super similar Givenchy Antigona bag (and stupid expensive, mind you!) for years.  I cannot wait to get it!

[5.0] This floral one-shoulder tank!
I love the colorful floral on the ruffle. I don't know what color I like the most, though! Free People is consistently a win for me with their boho chic styles.

[6.0] The only wedge sandal you'll ever need.
I own 3 pairs of these Toms wedges, and I seriously could stand/walk in them all day long! I have been buying Toms wedges since I lived in the city, and I would get them from Akira. LOL #throwback! But the beauty of them is that they have lasted years! 8 years to be exact! I am on my feet in the classroom all day, and they are pure comfort.

[7.0] If you own Hunters, you NEED these boot socks!
I have two pairs of Hunters, a green pair and a purple pair, that I have had for over 5 years. I am obsessed with them for rain, but I put welly socks on with them in the winter, and they are perfect for high snow! And these socks are GLITTERY!!!  Love love love!!!

[8.0]  A swing-y workout top for your next Pure Barre class!
I am all about a breezy tank top these days for exercising.  I like a lot of openness under the arms and on the back. This comes in a pretty coral color, too! Beyond Yoga pieces are sooooo soft. This would
work great with a fun, strappy sports bra.

[9.0] This open-back workout top for colder months.
I know it's the official start to summer this weekend, but, I am all about stocking up on winter clothes when they go on sale! I am often sooooo cold when I walk into Pure Barre from outdoors that I love having an extra layer on in the winter. Here is the answer to my conundrum!

[10.0] These fancied up sandals-- loving the rose color!
Fun note: these sandals are $40.16 on the Nordstrom sale, but I found them for $34.99 on Off 5th, but the beauty of Nordstroms is they price match! So you can get the free shipping from Nords with the $34.99 price tag. What color do you like best?

What is your Memorial Day Weekend looking like? We have a lot of fun on the horizon! Tonight I am having two of my former dancers over (one who just graduated from Saint Mary's College (like me!) and made it to Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Training Camp!!!) who are now my close friends. Tomorrow night, our friends and us are going to this new brewery in Elmhurst on the Metra line where you pour your own beers!  Sunday we are going to our other friends' BBQ! And then a fancy date night compliments of Finn (lol thank you Anna and Shawn) at our favorite Italian straunt, Villa Verone. We are finishing out the weekend with a gathering of our neighbor pals on Monday! Ah! So excited for all that lies ahead on this long weekend. We are done with school June 9, and I am soooo pumped for a summer of no work, for the first time since I was 14 years old!

xxoo
Mary 

Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale! Belle On Trend's under $30 picks!

Hi, guys!

Today is the beginning of the Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale! It's amazing! SOOOO many pieces are 40% off or more!  I have rounded up 10 items under $30 for my first installment of the Nordies half yearly sale. Author's note: these deals move FAST!  I picked out a bunch of pieces earlier, and they are already gone! Act fast if you like something!  Also, Nordstroms always has free shipping and returns! Here we go.

[1.0] This bell-sleeved top for $26.98!
If you want to try out the bell-sleeve trend, here is a perfect opportunity for you! The back is a little open, so it adds a "party top" element to it without being Forever 21-esque. LOL. Loving both colors. I envision this with skinny white jeans for summer!

[2.0] These square stud earrings-- 2 pairs for $7.98!
They are exact copy cats of the Kate Spade glitter earrings I love so much! I might stock up on these for stocking stuffers. hahaha! Is that cray?! Probably.

[3.0] This Kendra Scott look alike tassel necklace for $11.98.
I am totally obsessed with stone/tassel necklaces, and the Kendra Scotts are my all time fave. However, they're also about $80. These look identical, and they are under $12. A no-brainer, IMO!

[4.0] This Zella cross-back tank for working out. $23.40!
I am all about the open back tanks for Pure Barre. This fits the bill for sure! It's so fun to show off your colorful/strappy bras with cut out tanks! I want that mint color!

[5.0] This shirt with bows down the sleeves for $29.40! 
Talk about sassing up a plain shirt! I'm obsessed with these bows! I like it in black, too!

[6.0] This dressed up sweatshirt for $23.40.
There is nothing better than fancy-ing up a cozy sweatshirt! Add the ruffle detail to this, and you have the perfect pairing for a cooler night by the fire pit this summer. White shorts with the navy version or jorts with the gray! I am sold.

[7.0] Baublebar Pearl drop earrings that would be on repeat for you-- $20.40!
I have seen these on so many fashion bloggers, and they look fabulous with blazers, dresses and everything in between.

[8.0] These Kelly Green leggings for working out/athleisure for $31.20! Ah, shoot! These are $1.20 over my promised budget! Sorry, guys!
I can't get over this gorgeous color! I find that I own sooo many black workout tops, so adding a pop of color in my bottoms is the best way to even out the dark top.

9.0] Wait. This phonecase!!! I am obsessed. SO cute! Fancy camels!
Kate Spade has so much whimsy in everything they do. I looooooooooooove this case.

[10.0] This business in the front, gingham in the back shirt for $31!
I love all three versions! How cute would this look paired with white jeans or white shorts!!??

What are you eyeing on the half yearly sale?! Go ahead, treat yourself! You deserve it!
xxoo
Mary

Kara and Josh's Wedding: Nautical Looks!

My beautiful cousin, Kara, married the love of her life, Josh, on Saturday in Shelbyville, Michigan. The location/venue was absolutely stunning; everything was on the property of the hotel, and you could walk from the hotel to the reception to the wedding to cocktail hour within a minute or two. It was just stunning! The weather cleared for the wedding! It was like God giving a little blessing down on the newlyweds!

^^ Mom and I fighting over Finn, haha! Just minutes after arrival. He's the best!! 

Mom's Lilly:

My Lilly popover (that I literally wear every time I travel! PS- I got it on the Lilly After Party Sale for $64!) :

The view from our room at the Bay Pointe Inn!^^

Friday night for the rehearsal dinner, I wore this dress from Nordstrom. Do you remember this post?  Or this one? I have now worn it for two weddings and two rehearsal dinners! Oh, and Valentine's Day! :) 

It fits TTS (maybe even a smidge big!), and I am wearing a 4.

Remeber Caitlin and Neil's wedding in October? My other cuzzies? We had such a blast together!

These gold wedges are my go-tos! I wear them soooooo much. I am due for a new pair, but they are still holding up from the original purchase date of July 2012 for my Mom's wedding! lol! Anna wore hers for the wedding, too! LOL. 

Cousins with the beautiful bride!

Okay, those baby adirondacks! We said we needed to put Bella and Bentley on them. LOL

Love the cut-out back on this dress! 

It comes in literally 14 colors.  My friend, Becky, just bought it in black for a wedding! 

My studly hubs!!! 

This whale purse was such a hit! 

It was a total impulse buy at the Kate Spade outlet in Florida for $70, but seriously, I have been searching for a fun/whimsical clutch for weddings for about two years!

How cute were the coozies? #ahoyHoyer was the #!

So basically Gary's blazer was the greatest blazer I had ever seen in my life. 

He has an eye for *fun* fashion, and this blazer was absolutely perfect for the nautical wedding!

Also, it's on sale! Holler. 

Don't worry: he also has the pants. LOL

My hubs and step dad! 

Mike's bow tie had flamingos on it! #nautical

My dress is the Ashlyn style in the re-released "You Gotta Regatta" from last summer. It was under $100 on the Lilly After Party Sale.

It was the perfect fit in size 6, except for the top. I had my amazing seamstress take it in, but the length and bottom didn't need any alterations! Please talk to me if you're in the western burbs-- Charice is the best seamstress! She is so talented. She has probably altered 15+ dresses for me. She is based out of Bartlett. 

Mom's Lilly bag:

My earrings here in yellow for under $20! 

Similar styles of the drop earrings that are huge right now:

Love this guy ;)

They are so cute :)

Now for some iPhone snaps: 

The most adorable little boy at the wedding! 

All flamingo'd out! 

Kara and her mom's side of the family! HOW gorgeous does she look?! 

Kara's Aunt Rhonda! How darling is this cold shoulder dress? Love! 

I loved all of Kara and Caitlin's friends! Remember when I wore this dress? I love it so much on Danielle! 

our sweet "baby" cousin! We love you so much! How amazing is that dress?! It was two pieces!!!

Kara with her mom and aunts! Love this! 

Have you ever been to a wedding on the water? It was so gorgeous! 

I hope Kara and Josh are having a blast on their honeymoon in Jamaica! Love you guys!

xxoo

Mary