One Tough Cookie

The leather moto jacket is no longer just for the Harley rider, but has become a staple in many womens' wardrobes. I was out shopping with my mom this week and found this gem at JC Penny for about $20! The pleather jacket was on sale for $36. They were offering an additional 25% off of clearance in addition with my mom's 20% coupon when you use your JCP card. I love that this piece can be worn indoors as part of my outfit or used as an outerwear piece when I'm out and about.

 I chose to wear this look for work yesterday. It was 40 degrees out and was so nice not bringing a winter jacket and UGG boots to work with me! Since the jacket has silver detailing I wanted to stick with similar tones for the rest of the look. It is completely okay to mix gold & silver together, but I often stick to one tone or the other!

Underneath the jacket I chose this long sleeve embellished tee from dressbarn that I purchased this week. Along with the grey it is also available in teal and is currently on sale for 60% off the ticketed price.

I love to layer necklaces together to pack an extra punch. Why not layer two of the exact same necklace for an extra statement? These silver strand necklaces are available at WAL-MART on clearance for....$3 each! (what a steal)

To tie the look together I chose these ponte pants with perforated pleather detailing on the sides. I love how they are an edgier take on the classic ponte skinny. You can find this style at dressbarn for 50% off currently!

To complete Saturday's look I chose my black leather COACH boots, an #ArmParty of assorted silver bracelets & a snakeskin print ring from dressbarn.

<3 CMM

During Wisconsin Winters layering is often a must. This week it has been in between 0-10 degrees each day, so if spending time outdoors or traveling one must be bundled! Today and tomorrow happen to be my weekend off this month (which I always enjoy even if I have nothing planned). Today was that relaxing day in which I did nothing other than errands, cleaning, working out, and watching TV (my perfect day).

 Today's ensemble was all about the layers! Many retailers such as J. Crew, Ann Taylor, Target, and H&M to name a few, have been all about embellished blouses and sweaters the past few seasons. (I tried an ADORABLE black blouse with beaded bees on it yesterday at H&M, but it turned out to be a crop top..shucks) This cream sweater is from Kohl's in their Elle line. I also have it in black as well too, because I love it so much :) I chose a tan dressbarn blazer over it for extra warmth.

Underneath the sweater I chose a chambray blouse from Old Navy. The dictionary defines chambray as, "a linen-finished gingham cloth with a white weft and colored warp, producing a mottled appearance." So many think of chambray as the thick style shirts found at Fleet Farm to work out in the garden.. but the chambray of the present is no such thing! I love using my chambray blouse to layer under a dress or sweater, or wear it as is with a leopard print scarf. Chambray has made a large comeback on the fashion scene and no...I hope we will never ever go back to denim from head to toe look that JT and Brittany did at the 2001 American Music Awards...(see above)

Every woman needs a great pair of dark wash denim. Today was the first day I wore my new pair from dressbarn. I had a favorite pair from American Eagle, but over the past few years they had worn and were starting to form holes :/ I was in desperate need of a new pair & I tried this pair on and fell in love! This is the dark wash pair of luxurious stretch denim that you can purchase here.

At $29.50 (the regular price) you can get more than one pair. They are available in dark wash (pictured above), a dark blue, light wash, and black as well too. Seasonally they are available in other colors. Previously we have carried them in marsala, pink, grey, white, olive, brown, and tan.

 A slim leg or skinny pant is a closet essential, especially for the winter to pair with boots. Also they work great with wedges, sandals, flats, and booties. A skinny pant is a win win all around. One thing when shopping for this type of pant is to remember fit. You may not feel comfortable with a pant hugging close to your body, but honestly this is the proper fit...and a saggy behind is most definitely not the proper fit...it may just take some getting used to :)

Speaking of boots...I love this pair..soo much so that I also purchased them in black. They have a wedge heel, but are very comfortable. Kohl's still has them for sale in store, but watch the price..original price is $109, but I purchased them when they were on sale for $39. Today they were marked at $70. I find it rather ridiculous the wide variance of prices they have had them available at..part of why I rarely buy anything at Kohl's unless it is on clearance.

 

I chose pearls to accentuate the already embellished sweater. I loooove the peek-a-boo earring trend. Basically a smaller earring is in the front and then the back of the earring serves as a larger stud, or a piece that hangs down. The pearls are my favorite however! You can find some similar peek-boo-styles here for only $10.

 

 Hopefully you are staying nice & cozy!

<3 CMM

 

Lovely in Lace

Hello All &

Merry Christmas!

I hope you all had a wonderful time spent with your loved ones & church families this week celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

My outfit for Christmas Eve was all about my lace dress from dressbarn. I was working one day and voila a return came in that happened to be my size..and...it was on CLEARANCE.

 

 I looooove lace & this black lace dress is one of my new favorites! You can get a similar style here in teal or taupe; part of dressbarn's Db RSVP collection.

I once again chose this short jacket with pleather detailing for extra warmth from Target ($10).

 

For a classic, yet fun touch, I chose this leopard print belt to help to cinch in my waist.

Check out that bling!! WAL-MART has been selling soo many cute necklaces lately for in between $5-$10. (I've been going a bit cray-cray picking up too much jewelry.) This gorgeous piece I picked up for $10, and I honestly think it's the biggest necklace I've ever worn, but I love it!

 <3 CMM

 

 Butter London polish

grayscale

Happy Sunday, Shortest Day of the Year, and First Day of Winter!
Surprisingly, there was no snow in Sheboygan...and look!...we still have green grass.

With Christmas only four days away, today was spent at church, with family, and finishing up some last minute shopping & gift wrapping.

Today's ensemble was all about white, gray, and black-simple & classic for a busy day.

The look is all about this wavy print knit dress from TJ Maxx. I found it last year while Shayne & I were in South Dakota. It has sleeves and came with a rope belt. I chose to cover the sleeves and add a tailored skinny black belt rather than keeping the rope belt, because I felt this helped to dress it up a bit and helped to pull in my waist.

So many individuals I encounter are scared of pattern, because they feel it makes them stand out more or may make them appear larger. An all over pattern can actually be VERY flattering. It keeps the eye moving and unfocused on any one area of the body. Because of this it helps to hide the imperfections we may have. 

 This print/fabric is one we have had at dressbarn in blouses, skirts, and dresses in several different styles since I have started working there. I would definitely recommend this comfortable knit!

I chose this cropped black jacket for extra warmth & to  help break up the pattern. It has pleather detailing on the lapels and pockets & zippers up the front for an edgier look (although I prefer to wear it open). Can you believe I found this at Target for $10? :) 

For a classic necklace that still made a statement I chose this pearl & bead cluster necklace from dressbarn (about $24).

 

Today's #ArmParty included various bracelets from Kohl's, WAL-MART, and online. I just found this hinge-wrap pave ring at Kohl's for $3 on clearance! Grey heels with bows on the toes from J. Crew (purchased on clearance for about $40) complete today's look. 

 

<3 CMM

 

Polka ....

Happy Saturday all! Tonight I am working at the Baymont; covering the front desk (since I had off at dressbarn today). Today's ensemble is fun, but yet professional for interacting with guests. 

The look is all about the dots in this polka dot one button blazer from Target. I purchased it last spring for 70% off. I had been eying it up, and watched it go to 30%, 50%, and finally 70% off...at that point I knew it was for me!

I love the black piping on the lapels and around the bottom, because it adds an extra point of interest. Also, by having it be one button it helps to accentuate the waist and balance out the shoulders and hips for an hour glass figure. 

 I absolutely love these black pants I am wearing from dressbarn. We just received them in stock yesterday, and I immediately tried them on and purchased them ($29.50). Normally I prefer a slim leg to a straight leg, but these fit so nicely and are very comfortable! I have come to loooove pants with no button and zipper. There are no bulges & it makes tucking blouses in a breeze. 

For a "pop" I chose this neon shell from Chico's. I found it at Salvation Army for less than $2!

The necklace I chose for this look is a doppelganger of the Kendra Scott rayne necklace which retails for $80-$100. I found this one in cream online for under $15.

Gold & leopard print complete the look. Leopard belt (from JC Penny), Leopard gold-tipped flats (Michael Kors), gold & pearl flower ring (Kohl's on clearance), and cream enamel spike bracelet (thrifted from Goodwill, originally from Target) complement the cream and neon. Lastly, this chunky gold chained bracelet with pave accent is from....WAL-MART...for $5. I hate to say this or promote WAL-MART, but they really have stepped up their accessory game.

 

<3 CMM

a Day of Thanksgiving

Millions of families, friends, and loved ones gathered together this week to spend time with one another and give thanks for the many blessings they have been given. (They most likely ate some turkey too.)

I love Thanksgiving, Christmas, heck any holiday for that matter in which I get to be with my family & gorge on yummy foods! This year I was fortunate enough to be able to celebrate Thanksgiving not once, but TWICE! 

I am thankful for many things; as God has continued to bless me with a wonderful life. One of these blessings happens to beeeeeeeeee......Mr. McWilliams. Shayne spent the whole morning on Wednesday cooking and baking a wonderful feast for myself and his family to indulge in later that day.

 On Thanksgiving we headed to get our buffet on with my family. After eating we always go to my grandparents' house for pie and more fellowship. (Who doesn't love pie right?)

 
 Another thing I am thankful for...my grandparents, parents, and brother. I am blessed to have all of my grandparents still here with me on this earth. (Above is my dad with one of his goofy faces & my grandma B) I have two wonderful parents, and my brother Michael who is an interior architect working in Dallas, TX. I could not ask for a more loving family!

Another thing I am thankful for includes catching a squirrel to relocate Thanksgiving morning! (Yes, you read that correctly.) We have had issues with squirrels trying to nest in between the walls of our house, by entering a small hole in the side of the gutter. Shayne even boarded it up, and....they chewed right through it. It reminds me of National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, when the squirrel is in the Christmas tree...soo funny (but scary)!

Because it was a holiday I wanted to dress with a bit of.. SPARKLE, so I chose to layer two embellished sweaters for a bit of pattern mixing and extra interest. (Navy, Grey, and White seemed to be the theme--bringing me back to my several years employed at Abercrombie & Fitch.)

This navy skirt has elastic all the way around and is perfect for year round wear! I have it in acorn as well too. Both were purchased from J. Crew Factory. The retail price is over $70, but often you can find a great deal online when they run special sales/promotions like I did! (You know I would never pay that much for a basic skirt). Sign up for their emails and you can be notified of all the promotions and sales :)

I loooove this cream sweater with embellishment from Kohl's (Elle) ( I have probably gotten too much wear out of it ). This is probably one of the only items I have ever purchased from Kohl's that was not on clearance, only on sale. Several months later I was shopping and came across the same style in black on clearance (under $10!), so you know I had to scarf it up! 


The light grey cardi I chose is one of my thrifted finds from Goodwill for less than $4. It was originally from Target (tags still attached), and there are little bows on it..how cute!

Pearls are always a great classic! This necklace is from Charming Charlie ($20), and is a basic they always carry. I had my bridesmaids wear it for my wedding, and loved it so much I had to go back to purchase one for myself. 





Because every good outfit needs an #ArmParty I chose assorted styles from Kohl's, J. Crew, and thrifted finds. These grey flats with bows on the toes are the final touch tying the look together. I found them at J. Crew Factory on clearance for $40 (originally $100).









Now that the snow has fallen a coat is always a must when leaving the house. I have two perfect peacoats. (Always a great classic.) One of which is a military inspired one from dressbarn, and the one below is from J. Crew. I found it on clearance at Nikki's Next 2 New for $25 last year! 

I hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving & have many things to be thankful for :)

<3 CMM

Jumping in the Snow

 

Last week we had our first snowfall. As you can see from above it was less than an inch, but snow is snow. It was funny to watch all the weather persons say over and over again, "Please be careful when driving, and please remember how to drive in the snow."

I chose this jumpsuit for last week's Sunday ensemble. I love that the black and cream is such a classic look and was less than $16 on clearance at dressbarn! The thing I hate about this ensemble: The Buttons!!! It is fine if you only plan on wearing it for an hour or two, but if you plan on all day wear...be prepared to spend lots of time unbuttoning and re-buttoning the buttons each time you have to use the restroom...not so fun.

 

 Since this was a summer piece it was sleeveless (now it's winter..well technically still fall I suppose) so I chose my favorite oxblood stretch blazer from dressbarn for some added warmth.

 

Because there was no pattern in this ensemble I decided to incorporate my favorite...leopard! I chose a printed belt found at Nikki's Next 2 New for $2, Michael Kors leopard gold-tipped flats, leopard ring, and a black and gold stack of bracelets to accessorize. 

Although this is the first jumpsuit I have purchased I think I will get more this coming spring/summer. It is an extremely comfortable style that I would highly recommend!

 

<3 CMM