Kelly’s Family Photos: Fall 2021

Kelly’s Family Photos: Fall 2021

I’ve said it before, I love getting family photos taken. We love our photographer, Shelly, and have been using her for years – if you are local to Chicago and are in need of a photographer, I highly recommend her!

Outfit Details:
Me: romper (sold out but here is a similar), booties (almost sold out so here is a similar pair), earrings
Rob: button down, jeans, belt, shoes
Hunter, Grayson, & Preston: button down, slacks, belt, shoes

Here are some of my favorites from our session together.

Fall Essentials: This or That Part 5

Fall Essentials: This or That Part 5

This is our final week of this or that for fall essentials! We had fun doing with with you and seeing what you like most. So this weeks this or that… do you prefer OTK boots or knee high boots? This one is hard for me because I wear both all the time, just depending on my mood for that day.

I love how slipping on a pair of boots elevates even the simplest outfit. For this outfit I am wearing a simple grey cropped sweater, mine is old, linking similar here without the v-neck, here in a light blue one with buttons, here in a pretty cream color, and here in a basic black sweater. I paired my sweater with a pair of white skinny jeans (that are on sale right now for close to $50 from their original price of $90) and my YSL bag.

2021 version of these boot here * similar here
similar here and here

Which type of boots do you gravitate towards?

Fall Essentials: This or That Part 4

Fall Essentials: This or That Part 4

Are you a cardigan girl or a sweater lover? Michelle is a sweater girl 100% of the time, where as I go back and forth.

similar cardigan (here too) * tank * jeans * similar espadrilles * bag
sweater * jeans * similar espadrilles * bag

Both of these outfits would work for the same type of day, you could easily wear them both running errands, to a child’s game on the weekend, to the park, etc. The joy of a cardigan is that if you get warm throughout the day you can always take it off and still be comfortable. But the sweater gives a more polished vibe.

Which do you tend to wear?

Fall Essentials: This or That Part 3

Fall Essentials: This or That Part 3

This week’s fall essentials this or that – we are comparing jackets! Are you a jean jacket lover or a blazer girl? I definitely go back and forth between the two depending on my mood and the occasion. That being said, if I had to decide, I would go with a denim jacket!

blazer is old LC by Lauren Conrad but here is the most recent version * similar
denim jacket * pink tank is old similar here & here * similar white skinnies * ysl bag

What is your go-to light weight jacket? Denim? Blazer? Something different? Let us know!

Lulu’s Wedding Guest Dresses

Lulu’s Wedding Guest Dresses

I am heading out of town this weekend for a wedding in North Carolina. It will be so nice to spend the weekend at the beach, celebrating with family and friends! As I was looking for dresses, I kept coming back to the Lulu’s website – they have such great choices and at such great prices! I figured I would show you all a little Lulu’s wedding guest dress try on haul to give you some inspiration for upcoming weddings you might have.

This first dress is adorable and not a style I typically gravitate towards, but I love it! There is currently a waitlist for this dress but I found a similar one here. I love how the forest green color is appropriate to wear year round. The cut out in the front adds an elegant flare to the dress and the larger keyhole cut out in the back is a stunner.

The second dress I got, I have already worn to a wedding we had a couple weeks ago. This one might be my favorite! This vibrant red orange color is perfect for the autumn season. It is comfortable, flattering, and easy to dance in! The only thing that is hard about this dress … tying the gorgeous bow in the back. I have to say, it is possible to do it on your own but I would highly recommend having someone there (who is good at tying pretty bows) to do it for you. When I wore this dress, I received so many compliments – it is a beauty – and at under $60, it’s a no brainer!

This final dress is the one that I am wearing this weekend. Although this light blue color that I purchased is sold out, there are many other colors available. I love the navy blue option, the forest green color is also pretty, and you can never go wrong with a little black dress! Once again, the back of this dress is beautiful and the lace detail throughout is amazing!

There were SO many options at Lulu’s, these were just three favorites of mine. If you are in need of great quality, adorable dresses that won’t break the bank – head to Lulu’s! You won’t regret it! Which look is your favorite?!

Fall Essentials: This or That Part 2

Fall Essentials: This or That Part 2

We’re here with Part 2 this week. This next trend is a bit more debatable than last week’s skinny vs flared jeans and I think I know where most people will stand on this – but that doesn’t make me any less excited about this new fall trend! This week, we have the same outfit but one with booties and the other with clogs!

In today’s post I’ve paired both pairs of shoes with a sundress but both could easily be worn with any type of denim (skinny, flared, cropped, etc), nicer slacks, or even leggings. Both shoes are equally as comfortable and I have spent an entire day teaching and running around in both pairs.

Will you be giving this shoe trend a try this fall?!

Fall Essentials: This or That Part 1

Fall Essentials: This or That Part 1

We thought it would be fun to play a little this or that game over the next few weeks with fall essential trends. The trend with are starting with this week is with your denim. Do you prefer skinny jeans or flared jeans?

similar sweater here and here * similar jeans * booties

Michelle is a skinny jean girl through and through, while I like to change things up a bit. I am thrilled that flared jeans are back in style (I personally have never stopped wearing them over the years). The flared jeans that I am wearing in this picture are probably 10 years old from Forever 21, so they no longer have this exact pair…. but I’ve found you all a wide range of flared denim to try out if you are in search for some this fall.

If you know you like the flared jean trend and are looking for a nicer brand then these dark wash Frame jeans or these light wash Good American would be the ones I would get. Not looking to spend over $150 on a trend you aren’t so sure about? I hear you! I found these Abercrombie jeans and these pull on Free People jeans – both are under $100 and look so good. Even still, not sold on flares but still curious? Head to Forever 21 and look at these jeans – at $29 you can’t go wrong (and you could be me, still wearing them 10 years later haha!).

What are your thoughts, skinny jeans or flared jeans? We would love to know!

Football Season: What to Wear to a Tailgate

Football Season: What to Wear to a Tailgate

We are so excited that football is back this year in what appears to be normal conditions. Friday night lights with high school football is in session once again, and it feels like fall seeing them practice for their weekend games. With football comes tailgate parties, we love a good tailgate! Who doesn’t?!

Last year we bought this ‘tailgates & touchdowns’ sweatshirt from Draper James and we just love it! Unfortunately it is no longer on the Draper James website, but they do have this small adorable canvas bag. This ‘tailgates & touchdowns’ bag would look adorable in a clear (easy security check) tote.

Gameday Couture is a website that has such cute collegiate apparel. American Eagle also has some cute NFL options! This Chicago Bears raw hem sweatshirt would be perfect for the early fall games, before we have to bundle up. Also, Etsy has some really precious (and personalized, obviously) options. This crewneck sweatshirt is so adorable. I couldn’t forget about our alma maters – loving this old school Baylor tee and this super soft Dayton tee.

We are ready for Friday Night Lights and tailgates over here!

Tie Front Ruffle Dress

Tie Front Ruffle Dress

Last year around this time we posted and wrote about this dress, and over the past year this blog post has been the top viewed and clicked on post. We wanted to give that post an update, since that Vici dress is no longer in stock. Since you all loved that dress so much, we went on the hunt to find similar style dresses. The Vici dress I bought last year is a pretty good dupe of the beautiful Rhode Ella Dress, but at a significantly lower price. We found 8 dresses that are currently available (and at great price points!) and have a similar style/feel as either the Vici dress I am wearing in the picture or the Rhode Ella Dress.

Which one is your favorite?

Blue Outfit

Blue Outfit

Back at the end of July we posted a reel on Instagram on back to work outfits and you all loved it! We have gotten a couple questions since then about some of the outfits, so we figured we would highlight the most popular ones individually. Today we are focusing on the blue and white outfit.

sweater * similar tank * slacks * sandals * tote

This is a great work outfit if you work in a setting where you can dress more on the business casual side, absolutely perfect for teaching. If you are looking for comfort but still wanting (or needing) to look professional – these slacks are a must buy! They are pull on pants and are easy to sit in all day (or if you are a teacher, easy to get up and down off the floor when helping students!). Although my top is old, I found a very similar one here – the only difference is the scalloped detail is only at the bottom. This top is so precious and so perfect for a year round wear, a great staple in the summer but also a perfect layering piece in the fall and winter. Finally, if you know me then you know I am always cold – so a cardigan is a must for me in the summer months when I will be in the air conditioning. I love this pale blue sweater from Amazon. It is lightweight and just a great basic to throw on over any top!

Are you back to work now or still working from home?