Rad & Refined Summer Launch Party

I had the most wonderful time at the Chicago Blogger Network Rad and Refined summer launch party event over the weekend. This is what I wore:

Dress: Swap w/ Kaitlyn (Discovery), Shoes: C/O Sole Society, Bag: C/O Just Fabulous , Watch and Silver bracelet: C/O Kristin Hassan, Skull Bracelet and Necklace: Baublebar, Colored stackable ring set: gift, Stackable silver ring set: Shop Jules, Heart Ring: Self Made (I SPY DIY project)

As a fan of not only Rad and Refined but also both blogs Natalie off Duty and Color Me Nana, I was in blogger heaven this night. Truly!

Natalie, myself, and Dylana

There was shopping to be done, drinks to be had, food to be eaten, and photos to be taken! I had my eye on a maxi dress all night and could not stop coming back to it! I'm so predicable. lol

Myself and Jacqueline of Rad and Refined, me totally dorking out with Natalie (or making her think I'm a total dork, however you want to say it ;) and finally me passing out Because I shop too much cards to the girls! Hopefully they will set their closets up soon! ;)

Jessica and Jill of Style Juncture and myself

Delish cake pops from Coco Mori

And the night would not be complete without a little photo booth action compliments of Shutterbooth!

I was so happy my hubby came with me (he got a glimpse of my world), I hope I didn't make too big of a fool of myself as I am a super fan of both Natalie and Dylana, and I am beyond pumped at the new maxi dress I bought! Obviously you will be seeing it soon on the blog! And obviously I needed another maxi dress. No, seriously I did! ;)
*To book an appointment to shop Rad and Refined Chicago email info@radandrefined.com

Outfit: Taking Care of Business

Blazer: Urban Outfitters (similar) , Tee: Stylemint, Jeans: Level 99 via ThritySomethingFashion Box Service, Boots: Dolce Vita, Necklace (similar) & Bag: Windsor, Watch: Fossil, Wrist Wrap: C/O Kristin Hassan, Red Bangle: C/O Baublebar

This is what I wore for our first (of many) business dinners for BISTM (you can follow us for updates on Twitter and FB).
 It was a very casual dinner so I wanted to put a cute twist on jeans with a tee.
I am in LOVE with my Dolce Vita boots. They are probably the lowest heel I own (I'm no kitten heel girl), but I am over the moon for them. I am also super digging my red denim. Great shade for summer for sure don't you think?
The meeting went amazing and we have lots to do in the next 2 months, but it's all very exciting! 

Outfit: Family Day

Top: Free People, Tank and Jean Leggings (similar): Express, Shoes: C/O Sole Society, Earrings and Ring: Jewelmint, Wrist Wrap: Baublebar, Sunnies: Loft

Sunday we celebrated my mother-in-laws b-day. We all pitched in and cooked/baked a dish and had a wonderful brunch with the family. We had beautiful weather and ended up playing outside after. The kids had so much fun! 

This is my "eat all you can possible eat" look! lol Stretchy pants, loose top, what's not to like?! And I wouldn't be myself if I didn't add a 6 inch wedge to top it all off. 

On a different note, I want to thank everyone who comes here and reads my silly blog everyday. You guys are the best and I am blessed to have such a great bunch of people in my life! I don't think I say it enough but THANK YOU!!! xo

Outfit: Mini Photo Shoot for BISTM

Myself and Kaitlyn had a mini photo shoot over the weekend. We saw an amazing picture over on Pinterest and knew we wanted to recreate it for a stock photo to be used on our new website. Here is what I wore:

Top: Swap w/ Kaitlyn, Tank: Express, Jeans and bag: Windsor (similar jeans), Shoes: Lulus (similar) (similar), Bracelets: Baublebar, Heart Ring: JGood, Stackable Rings: Shop Jules

On Kaitlyn: Shoes: C/O Sole Society, Watch Wrap: C/O Kristin Hassan

I realize this outfit does not match, but I was going for a bright, over styled look for the photos! ;)

Here are the photos that we came up with:

What do you think? We super love them!

BecauseIShopTooMuch.com is coming along great. We finally have an official launch date of June 1st. Yes, it is taking forever, but we want to give you the best possible site so we promise it will be well worth the wait! For updates you can follow us on Twitter and Facebook or comment below with your email to be added to the email list.

*Photos taken by Mike Agnew

Newly Remodeled Mario Tricoci (Schaumburg Location)

 I was invited to the ribbon cutting event for the newly remodeled Schaumburg location of Mario Tricoci. Anyone who knows me, knows I love Mario Tricoci! I get my colored and hair cut there, I get my eyebrows waxed there, I get massages and facials there, bottom line, they are my go to when I want to get my pamper on. So obviously I was super excited to meet Mario Tricoci! ;) Here is what I wore to the event:

Top: Target, Blazer: Urban Outfitters, Pants: ASOS, Shoes: Shoemint (similar), Necklace: Shop Jules, Ball necklace: Jewelmint, Bracelet: C/O Kristin Hassan (style sold out), Stackable Ring: Baublebar


This location has been open for 19 years now and looks even more amazing! I didn't take pictures in the spa area because I felt rude (everyone knows to be quite in there! lol) but I did see a demo for the diamond tip microdurmabrasion. Yeah, mama wants one of those badly! Here are a few photos taken during the ribbon cutting.


Next up, enter a raffle and get my spa on! I was given a complementary wash, blow out, and curling, a bamboo infused massage and my mother-in-law got her nails done. So fun!


The salon and spa look amazing and I was happy to be included in such a fun morning!

**In other news, today a winner gets picked! The winner of the Eucerin products and the $25 Visa gift card goes to:
Caycee!

Congrats lady! I will pass your email address along and you will be notified about shipping info soon! A big thank you to Eucerin for hosting this giveaway!

Outfit: Having Friends over for Dinner

Top and Shoes: Loft, Jeans: Gap, Triangle necklace: Threadsence, Necklace: Shop Jules, Gold band ring: Kohls, Stackable ring: Baublebar

Please excuse the rubber band on my wrist. I was cooking and every long haired gal knows to tie back their hair while cooking! ;)

This is what I wore for a dinner/play date with my bestie and her family.

If we are being honest, I ditched the shoes and wore my slippers most of the night! Great times, great food (if I do say so myself;), well behaved kids, and great friends. What more do you need?!

Outfit: New Years Eve

I had originally ordered a dress from Rent the Runway and I was so excited when it arrived on Friday. I was quickly panicked when I realized both of the dresses (they send it in 2 sizes to make sure you get the best fit) did not fit. One was tight in the hips the other too big on top. Darn you childbearing body (shakes fist in the air)!
Thankfully I had picked up the dress below at Express a few weeks ago as a back up dress. I was very happy with what I ended up wearing.




Dress, belt, earrings, and Coat: Express, Shoes: Steve Madden, Red bangle: House of Harlow, Black and gold bangles: Baublebar, Black wrist wrap and silver and gold bangle: Kristin Hassan, Ring: T plus J designs

I went to dinner and drinks with the hubs, my brother and his wife, my other brother and his girlfriend, and my dad. We then headed to my hubby's band's (Lucky Boys Confusion) show. They played a great set and EVERYONE had such a fun time. I had a little too much fun and ended my night with 2 tequila shots?!? I do not remember this. Nor do I remember the ride home (we took a car service). Oh the shame! lol Talk about mom's going wild! ;) I have not drank that much in years or been that hungover. I guess I did go out with intent to get drunk and have fun. And I did just that so really I'm just a woman of my word.

Here are shots of my family at dinner! Hope everyone had as much fun as me! ;) Happy New Year!!

Pizza party

Tank Victoria's Secret, Cardigan Forever 21, Jeans Gap, Shoes Jessica Simpson, Necklace and heart ring Jewelmint, stackable ring Baublebar

My favorite thing about the cooler weather is being able to wear layers. I have been waiting to wear my new cardigan sweater and I just love the colors in it! I layered a loose tank under and threw on some great gold jewelry. The look is easy yet still looks put together. I love when getting dressed takes all of 5 minutes, especially when I take so long curling my hair! ;)

Double Date night

Dress MNG by Mango, Belt Express, Shoes Jessica Simpson, Necklace self made, Earrings Erin Gallagher Jewelry, Quartz Ring Free People, Stackable Ring Baublebar

This past Friday, the hubbs and I went out for dinner with another couple. Kristin and I talked blogs and the boys talked music (we seriously could have been at different tables our convos were so separate)! lol
We had a wonderful time and it reminded me how much I love (and need to spend more time with) my fellow mommy friends!

I FINALLY wore my Mango maxi dress!! I got this bad boy months ago and have been debating having it shortened. (it's soooo long on me!!) I ended up adding a belt and pulling it up a bit, as well as adding a 6 inch heel. Hey, a girls got to do what a girls got to do! I love it even more now! I'm not sure how yet, but I am going to try to style it a bunch of different ways so I can keep wearing it this fall/winter! Maybe a knit over, maybe a blazer, we'll see.... ;)

My little guy walked the runway this weekend

top Forever 21, shorts Lauren Conrad for Kohls, blazer Urban Outfitters, Shoes Nicole Miller, bangles and stackable ring Baublebar, heart ring Jewelmint

Over the weekend my son was in a charity fashion show. It was at the Chicago Marriott and channel 5 news covered the event (my hubby, dad, father-in-law, and mom made it on TV) and I was his escort. There was a lunch, silent auction, raffle items, and then main event! All the kids looked adorable in their outfits and it was so cute how they all danced and looked so proud walking down the catwalk! About 400 people showed up and they raised lots of money for ASPIRE (a company that supplies services to children and adults with special needs). I was so proud of my son and thought he looked super handsome in his new outfit!

I did not plan an outfit for myself. Honestly I remembered I had to walk too the day before. I decided to pair my bow neck blouse with these shorts. I then added the blazer and booties to polish the look. I loved this look! I'm trying to be more unexpected in my outfits lately and I think it's paying off! What do you guys think, hit or miss?

Wedding atire

Dress: Target (old)
Belt: Urban Outfitters (old)
Shoes: Jessica Simpson (old)
Bangles: Baublebar
Necklace: Tiffany & CO
Bag: MNG by Mango
Pashmina: Nordstrom
Earrings: Self Made (similar)
Sunnys: MNG by Mango

I went to my cousin's wedding this past weekend and had a wonderful time. The ceremony was beautiful, the food de-lish, and dancing was so much fun! I have to say, it was my first time doing the cha cha slide in 6 inch heels! ;)
I was in a bit of a bind outfit wise this day. In the past this has been my funeral dress (I wear it with a black blazer) but I wanted to zip it up a bit for the occasion.
I added silver, brown, cream, and citrine accessories and was ready to go! I LOVE how this look turned out! I am also happy that this dress now has better mojo! lol

special night out

Dress: Swap c/o Kaitlyn
Shoes: Jessica Simpson
Bangles: Baublebar (sold out)
Heart Ring: Jewelmint
Gold band ring: Kohls
Necklace: Stella and Dot

This past weekend we celebrated my sister-in-laws recent engagement with a super dinner bash! It was such a beautiful night filled with laughter, amazing food, champagne, cake, and stories of what's to come for the happy couple!
I wore a dress I got from my last swap with Kaitlyn and I really felt beautiful in it! It was a bit big in the bust (damn you well endowed Katie), but I figured heck with it, I'm wearing this one! I paired it with black shoes and black with gold jewelry. I know that wearing black with brown used to be taboo, but I just love mixing neutrals! What do you guys think? Ever mix black and brown or do you sick to the old school rules?



**Don't forget, you have until Sunday at 10pm to use code SADBBLOG10 on Kristin Hassan's site to receive $10 OFF ANY PIECE OF JEWELRY! Shipping is always free too! Happy shopping!