1.5.2016

Happy Tuesday! Today was my day off so I chose to be comfy and casual. Comfy & casual doesn't have to be frumpy and bumpy however. Any casual look can still be put together and accessorized quite effortlessly.

 

I chose a light-wash pair of distressed jeans from Zara (under $50!). They have lots of stretch (which can be a bad thing if you don't have a belt handy), so they move with me rather than feeling stiff and uncomfortable. 

A cream t shirt (from Target on clearance for $2) is an essential in every wardrobe. It is the perfect basic to throw under a dress coat (as I did today), a moto jacket, or wear as-is with a long necklace or scarf.

Seeing as it finally got cold in Sheboygan this week, a blanket scarf provided the perfect amount of warmth today. Although so many ladies have cut their scarves that are similar in half (because they are soooo big) I prefer the volume, especially when it is colder outside!

 

See, casual can be put together! All I did was take a t-shirt & jeans and put on a scarf, earrings, dress coat, and heeled booties. 

 Have a great week!

<3 CMM

Fringe on NYE

Happy 2016! Wow, it's hard to believe that 2015 is over and we are on to a brand new year. Hopefully you are all ready to embrace the new year & all the exciting changes that the year may bring!

I worked for a majority of the day before Shayne and I spent the evening at friend's home to celebrate 2015. Although most people think sequins are a must for NYE, I chose to embrace the fringe trend instead, and stuck to a classic color scheme of black, white, and gold.

Fringe Tassel Earrings (old), Black jacket (old) & Black Fringe Skirt (available here): H&M

Black Fringe Clutch (old) & Blouse (old): dressbarn

Black leather booties with fringe (available now): Sam Edelman at TJ Maxx

 Here's to a happy, heathy, safe, and wonderful 2016!

<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

Influenster-YSL Rouge Pur Couture Review

Happy Saturday! Hopefully you had a fabulous week. Today I wanted to speak about Influenster, and the free lipstick I received for testing purposes! For those of you who are unfamiliar with Influenster, it is a company that sends samples to its members to test and review based on their social media presence. It is absolutely free to sign up! Just because you sign up, doesn't mean you will necessarily receive free product (you have to meet the qualifications of the test). 

I was so excited when I received an email stating I had qualified to receive the YSL Rouge Pur Couture voxbox! Lipstick has never been my thing until about one year ago. Although I generally wear perfect nude #228 by ULTA, I have been branching out of my normal zone with brighter hues as well lately.  Two lipsticks, Fuchsia & Rose Stiletto, part of YSL's Rouge Pur Couture line were included in the box. I've never worn hot pink lips before, but can I just say Fuchsia has my heart!

 

 I've worn this color when I really want my look to.. "POP!" 

The other color, Rose Stiletto, is more of a neutral red color. 

 

 

I really have loved testing these two lip colors out (they will last me for quite some time). I love the packaging they come in, as well as the amount of time they last! I can go the whole day without a total reapplication, which I can't say of my drug store brand lipstick. 

Want to know my only complaint? The taste... Each time I put it on I seem to notice a very chemically sort of taste in my mouth for quite some time after application. I haven't noticed this with my drug store brand lippies before.

 All in all I would highly recommend these gorgeous colors and all the other hues YSL Beauty has to offer as part of the YSL Rouge Pur Couture Collection!

 

Have a great rest of your weekend!

<3 CMM