Fall Transitions

August is a time of transition. Whether it be kids getting ready to head back to school, summer activities winding down, or fall product hitting the stores, it’s a time of change in which the sun sets before 8 pm and humidity sticks to everything it can. Fall is truly my favorite time of year in Wisconsin. The beautiful colors and cozy styles are just a few of my favorite things. 

This week I had the pleasure of attending The Global Leadership Summit. What is the GLS you may ask? This is a yearly summit that reaches hundreds of thousands of leaders across the world. The two day simulcast event challenges your leadership and helps you to grow. This was my second year in attendance, and I would strongly encourage you to check it out next year!

So what did I take away from this summit? Below I’ve recapped some of the main ideas that really stood out to me!

-Craig Groeschel 

{In order to be a great leader you need: 1) a heart to care about those you lead 2) a passion to inspire those you lead 3) a willingness to empower those you lead}

{We need to anticipate what is ahead as leaders; not simply react when something happens}

-Danny Meyer

{The customer isn’t always right. But then again it’s not about who is right or who is wrong. The customer simply wants to be heard}

{How do we handle difficult situations in which we made a mistake with a customer? Acknowledge you made the mistake. Apologize for making the mistake. Make it right. Apply additional generosity by going above and beyond to satisfy the customer.}

-Sheila Heen

{When looking to have a difficult conversation with a co-worker/person in your life you need to change the “story” in your head. Looking at both sides and asking what do we each thing the conversation we are having is about? What do we each contribute to this problem/situation? Separate that although there may be good intentions what impact could this have? Why do we see the situation so differently from both sides?}

-Erwin McManus

{Most people need permission to get started, but no one seems to need permission to quit}-Change that!

There were many other speakers and so much great information, but these were a few things that stuck out to me in particular!

As you know I am VERY used to being on my feet all day at work, so sitting in a chair for two full days, felt very foreign and I wanted to be comfortable of course!

As I stated before August is the time of transition, but all the pieces in stores I can wear NOW even in the 80 degree heat!

I chose jeans and a cute blouse, because what is more comfortable than that? :)

These jeans are the perfect fall color-they are a cross between a spicy red and burnt orange-close to the color Pear Red which is one of Pantone’s colors for the fall season! 

This cream blouse which can be worn off the shoulder or on will be on major repeat throughout the season and pairs perfect for spring and summer as well! I don’t know about you, but I seem to have a crush on cream lacy/embroidered blouses (my closet already has too many of them in it-but who’s counting? :P) 

In this time of transition in the seasons and fashion I also look forward to the transformation of leadership I can slowly undergo as I help to hone and strengthen my leadership from the things that I learned at The Global Leadership Summit! Have you ever attended a GLS event?

This whole look was purchased from dressbarn! 

Jeans

Blouse

< CMM

Risky Business

When you think of the word risky what thoughts come to mind? You may ponder words such as daredevil, not a sure thing, trouble, eek!

Today's look brings me back to the 80's (not that I was even alive in that decade..) and some risky business (because it's a bit out of my fashion norm) and I'm fine with that. 

What's the risky part about this look? The faux leather moto jacket with fringe back (business in the front, party in the back, and no I'm not referring to the mullet here). The fringe trend has been huge for quite some time now, and I have seen so many amazing bloggers sporting fringe jackets, but every one I seemed to come across while thrifting was truly out of the 80's and the fit was quite off. I was so excited to find this black piece in a newly shipped assortment from Target to Goodwill for only $6.99 NWT!

 

Underneath the jacket I chose one of my favorite leopard print dresses from dressbarn...black and white..it works any time of year! 

Have a great week!

<3 CMM

Naturally Neutral & Blushing

Happy Saturday! The snow is falling softly outside of my window, and I'm thinking about the beauty that the white snow captures as it lands upon the earth. Today's look is all about embracing neutrals (which compliment the snow nicely), and one of Pantone's colors of the year: rose quartz.

This jacket is part of the Lauren Conrad Runway collection from Kohls, and it serves as the only source of color for this look. I've been so into neutrals and pastels lately, because they are crisp, clean, and work for anytime of year!

  This dress is a 
 gorgeous cream lace with nude under-layer from dressbarn, it is available in a rich green as well (which I may just have to snag up).

To stick with the neutral theme I chose a very light lip by YSL, and a light brown shadow.

Have a great rest of your Saturday! 

<3 CMM

Ready for the Holidays with Influenster

Can you believe that Christmas is already over, and right around the corner is 2016?! This week I've teamed up with Rachel from Brilliantly Chic to show you some ideas for New Years and holiday looks!

What speaks holidays more than sequins? I feel like for a bit sequins were a bit cliche (I think of the crazy bedazzled blouses with huge shoulder pads from a few decades back..) Now, I love how elegant they can be (although not always..)

 Every look has to have a focal piece, and this dress is just that. This is a favorite dressbarn piece from a few years ago.

 For a dressy look such as a holiday party, or for a nice dinner I have paired this dress with black leather Kate Spade boots, and a mink wrap. Although I love short booties, these boots provide much more warmth on cold Wisconsin winter evenings.

 For a more laid-back look I put on this lightweight long dress jacket to stay warm, but also to be not be so "formal dressy." 

What holiday look would be complete without a little glam? This month I received my second #voxbox from Influenster to test the new Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir mascara. I love the volume it gives my lashes, but because it is a more fibrous sort of mascara throughout the day little flecks tend to fall on my face (who wants that?). I encourage you to try it & see what you think!

 Be sure to check out the gorgeous Rachel from Brilliantly Chic below to see how she does holiday style!

Brilliantly Chic

 From the McWilliams household to you & yours...Happy Holidays!

<3 CMM

Winter Whites, Golds, and Everything Nice

It officially feels like winter here in Wisconsin this weekend with temperatures in the 30's and frost on the ground!  

If you live in a cold weather climate, like Wisconsin, you need a winter jacket (or a few depending on the level of warmth you need). This black long pea coat is my absolute favorite jacket of all time...and it was purchased at a resale shop for only $20 (originally from J Crew!). 

 Today's look has lots of texture going on. Rather than pattern mixing why not try texture mixing? We have the fur of the scarf, the soft chiffon of the blouse, and the tweedy style of the skirt. 

Both this cream blouse and skirt are from Kohl's several years ago, but I love how classic and versatile they are. I have been able to get so much use out of them!

I'm once again loving this faux fur scarf wrap from Target. It's not only cozy, but the perfect chic accessory with nearly any look!

Every great look needs beautiful accessories to go along with it right? This bracelet is a favorite from Charming Charlies and this clutch is from Target (which I thrifted for under $2). They both compliment the color scheme, but add more pattern to the look as well too!

Hopefully you had a fabulous weekend & are staying warm!

<3 CMM

Animal Kingdom

It's hard to believe that one week ago I was traveling back home from my trip to Mexico and Dallas. While I was there I of course had to do a little bit of shopping! I was visiting a dressbarn store in Irving, TX and stumbled upon an oxblood vegan leather dress I had been swooning over (as had many magazines), but I never had gotten around to purchasing it. I knew I had to have it!

So often my fall/winter go to over a dress is a leather jacket, but with this dress it was a bit too much, so I had to come up with some other options. Each look I put together centers around fur. Whether it be real or fake, fur is luxe!

 Look 1.

I took a chambray button up that I had in my closet, and tied it at my waist (about three buttons up from the bottom). I then layered a long chain necklace, and put a dark faux fur scarf over the necklace. This one I purchased at Target last year (I have it in teal & a light brown as well). I've seen some new colors and styles at Target this  year as well. To add some pattern to this look, I paired it with a shimmering snake skin patterned clutch from Target (thrifted for $1.50). I chose light brown booties (since I didn't have oxblood) which cognac trim. Would you believe they are from WAL-MART?! They were less than $30, and have a very comfortable heel height. 

Look 2. 

I chose a gold & "parkly" statement necklace from Target (thrifted for $4), to match my pave gold bracelet and ring (also from Target). The real focus of this look however is this mink fur cape (real fur). Would you believe I thrifted this from St. Vinny's for only $6. I'm not much of a fur person, but at that price how could I not get it?! To dress up this look I chose a pair of black snakeskin heels (thrifted $5). This would be a great look for a winter wedding or party!

Look 3.

 This look is all about this faux fur leopard jacket from Forever 21. I do not wear it often, as it does make for quite a statement, but it is a fun piece to have in my closet. I chose a large brown pearl necklace, black clutch, and black booties for a classic look. This look would be great for dinner, church, or a fun day out & about.

Always remember that so often a piece in your closet can be styled many different ways! Hope you're having a great weekend!

 <3 CMM