Pale Lilac + Red

I drive by this wall nearly every day.

I love the color contrast and the artwork.  Spiders are generally no bueno in my book...but this one seems nice and not real.  

Biggie Smallz (that is the spider's name I granted him a few months ago) and his wall were the inspiration for this look.  Below is our first couples portrait session...

STYLE TIP: Pale Lilac is an on-trend color right now...pair it with red 

for a fun color twist (as I've done here) or 

pastel pink for a romantic girly look.

Ha!  I think this photo proves that I am sooo not programmed for 

serious fashion photography.  I laugh too much...

Maxi Skirt - Lily White via Nordstrom Rack (beautiful options HERE and HERE)

Tank - B.P. at Nordstrom (Purchase HERE)

Necklace - Vintage

Earrings - Anthropologie (would love to have worn THESE)

Bracelets - Nordstrom

Sunnies - Gucci (Purchase HERE)

Do you take fashion inspiration from random things you see every day?


XO - Marion


Linking up with Monday Mingle :)

Moments of the Week

Sooo...I have good news and bad news.  Which do you want first?


I'm gonna guess the bad news since I think you're all reasonable people and reasonable people always choose bad news first.  


Bad news: I don't have any photos for Casual Friday this week.  As many of you know, this guy ate my camera:

He looks so innocent when he's sleeping (and yes...he's sleeping on our kitchen table.  I came home from working out and this is what I found.  So bloody naughty...but I just love him).


Good News: My husband bought me a new camera!  Here is my new baby...yay!

Moments of the Week

Giddy Moment:

I rarely eat sugar.  But when I do...this is the face I apparently make:

Geesh...I take the term "cheeseball" to a whole new level here!

Moment of Celebration:

My husband turned 1 year older this week!  I threw him a golf-themed party (he was a former pro) and couldn't resist featuring some fun cupcakes...

And yes...I am about 99% sure that I made the same cheeseball face when I ate a cupcake...

We went out for dinner the next evening to celebrate just the two of us.

I love my husband.

Competitive Moment:

Much of my job includes playing games with kids.  It's a great way to build rapport and have fun together...except I am super competitive by nature.  I'm fine losing every now and then.  In fact, I often lose on purpose just because it's appropriate when playing against a child.  But I have a problem...

But then there's a 2nd grader whom I'll refer to as "Lucky."  Lucky.Always.Wins.  Even when I am seriously trying my best.

Well, Lucky and I play Jenga every week...and I've never won.  Not even once.  The worst part?  Him winning this week and looking at me with a serious face and asking the following, "Don't you get tired of losing?"  

He then suggested Candy Land as a game that might prove more successful for me.  

Awesome.  Especially coming from someone who's mom still cuts the crust off his bread.

I hope you all have a beautiful weekend friends!

XO - Marion

LINK-UP: Trend of the Month Challenge

So this happened...

Thanks to this guy...

Which caused this to happen...

Which all resulted in awful iPhone photos in horrible lighting for this post...

Dress: Mimi Chica via Nordstroms (similar HERE and HERE)

Shoes: BCBG

Earrings: F21

So I apologize for the photos.  I blame Palmer.  

But enough about that...Time for a link-up ladies!

RULES:

1. Link to your specific blog post...not your blog's main page. 
**Must be a NEW blog post...old posts will be deleted.**

2. Link back to Marionberry Style.  Why?  Well by golly, it's just the nice thing to do :)

Be sure to visit other cool bloggers who linked-up to see all the floral-goodness! Stay tuned next month when we announce the next trend!

Favorite Piece of Jewelry...

I am wearing my favorite piece of jewelry here...and it truly makes me feel happier and more "whole" when I put it on.

 STYLE TIP: When wearing solid colored pieces on both top + bottom, consider a patterned shoe.  You'll add instant interest with little effort.

My color obsession with navy+ gold continues...I blogged about it previously HERE.

Skirt - H&M (Purchase HERE)

Blouse - F21 (similar option HERE)

Watch - Michael Kors (Purchase HERE)

Shoes - Cole Haan (similar HERE, and y'all know I'm not a huge fan of flats, 

but THESE are adorable!)

Belt - Nordstrom

Clutch - Fossil

Necklace - Nordstrom

Bracelet - Belonged to my Mom

I took a close-up of my bracelet because...well...I wanted to share it with you.  This belonged to my mom.  I cherish it because it reminds me of all the things my mom was proud of: 

- her ability to fix anything 

(there is a hammer, a wrench and a screw driver on this bad boy!)

- her love for the Girl Scouts

- her love of learning (hence the school house)

- and then of course her photo.  

When I wear this bracelet, I feel just a bit closer to her... 

Do you have a favorite piece of jewelry?  

XO - Marion

PS - I'm excited for tomorrow's Link-Up! 

Floral Print Trend: Choosing Your Level of Commitment

Do you ease into trends?  I find that I'm conservative with some trends and more adventurous with others.  

In preparation for the Floral "Trend of the Month Challenge" Link-up on Wednesday, I thought I would share a few options for addressing this trend.  

F21 Bracelet - Purchase HERE

Floral Heels - Purchase HERE

Tory Burch Floral Print Blouse - On Sale HERE

D&G Floral Dress - Purchase HERE

From simply dipping your toe in the water to doing a full-on cannonball...which do you prefer?

XO - Marion

Click HERE for details on Wednesday's Link-Up!  

Can't wait to see all the looks...

Casual Friday + Moments of the Week

This Friday I continued my love-affair with gray.  
This time...with blue and a hint of yellow.

We'll start with this typical "Marion is a cheese ball" photo.  

I seriously find something to laugh about at every shoot.  

It really doesn't take much...

When I am at a loss of what to wear, 

my gray Paige jeans have come in handy so many times...

 Jeans - Paige (Similar HERE)

Plaid blouse - American Eagle

Sweater - F21

Belt - F21

Bag - H&M (Purchase HERE)

Shoes - Kelly & Katie

Watch - Michael Kors (Purchase HERE)

Bracelets - Nordstrom and Saks 5th Avenue

Moments of the Week:

Moment of Gratitude

I was on the playground trying to contain a 1st grader who had crossed over to the dark side.  He was throwing rocks at me while a 2nd grader (who I like to refer to as "boy-with-incredibly-good-fashion-taste") skipped by and shouted, "I love your heels Mrs. G!"  

All of a sudden, the world was a little sunnier. 

Aww...the power of a timely compliment.  It served as a great reminder for me to not be so shy and tell people (even strangers) all the wonderful things I notice about them.  So later that day, I told the gal at the grocery store that she had incredibly gorgeous hair.  She smiled...and I think her world was just a tiny bit sunnier.

Freak Out Moment 

I'm walking the beagles.  We are happy as can be.  The dogs are sniffing the air and I'm listening to my Jason Aldean channel on Pandora (which always makes me happy).  All of a sudden, Palmer the Puppy strikes the "poo pose" and I look at my leash handle...I am all out of baggies!  I'm looking around frantically because I don't want to me "that girl" and then I see it.  I am horrified as I read the following sign posted directly above us:

This sign was literally just above Palmer's head as he did his business.  Needless to say, we ran the 2 blocks to the next doggy bag stand!

I hope everyone has a beautiful weekend!

XO - Marion

Link-up next Wednesday, April 25th with this month's 

"Trend of the Month Challenge!"  

April's Trend: Flower Power

Click HERE for details!

Color Combo Obsession: Coral + Gray

Which color do you think all the other colors love the most?

It isn't yellow (he's annoyingly happy all.the.time)

It isn't red (she's a hussy)

It wouldn't be turquoise (he's still trying to find himself.  "Am I blue?  Am I green?  Sigh...")

The answer: Gray!

Gray is the perfect complimentary color for nearly every shade in your closet.  Blue, orange, green...you name it, they all look great with him.

Gray is fantastic in toning down those summer brights...

I saw this coral and gray dress and it was love at first sight.  Although I am wearing heels here (big surprise) a pair of gray flats would be super sweet for hot weather.

Dress: Express (On Sale HERE)

Bag: BCBG

Earrings: Nordstrom

Heels: Kelly & Katie 

So are you loving gray as a springtime neutral?

XO - Marion

Be Sure to Link-up for the "Trend of the Month Challenge" 
next Wednesday, April 25th!  

Challenge: FLOWER POWER

Click HERE for details

Linking up with Rolled Up Pretty + The Pleated Poppy!

April's Trend of the Month Challenge

This Month's Trend: 

FLOWER POWER

Floral Jacket  /  Floral Dress  /  TB Clutch  /  Skirt  /  Shorts

How it Works...It's as easy as 1 - 2 - 3!:
1)  In the middle of every month, I'll announce a new trend that is either here or forthcoming.  You'll have a week to pull together a style and take photos.


2)  When the date arrives, simply link-up your specific post using the link widget I'll have posted on Marionberry Style. 


3)  Please link back to Marionberry Style from your site so this "Trend of the Month Challenge" stuff makes sense to your readers.  Plus it's nice and helps spread the word!

Link Up Date: 

Wednesday, April 25th

I can't wait to see the looks you all pull together!

XO - Marion

Taking Inspiration from the J.Crew Catalog

I saw this photo in the J.Crew Catalog and wanted to give this style a try...

I never would have thought to pull together this combination...

and part of me wonders if it "works."

I kept the shoes neutral since there is so much going on here with color and pattern.

 Shorts - Express (Purchase HERE)

Chambray top - Express (Purchase HERE)

Blazer - F21 (similar HERE)

Necklace - t+j Designs (on sale HERE)

Shoes - Tahari via Nordstrom (similar HERE)

So tell me...does this style really "work" for real life? 

XO - Marion

Casual Friday + Moments of the Week

 STYLE TIP: When wearing a top with a solid color, 

consider a long necklace to add some interest. 

Here I am laughing because a nice homeless man just asked me for a piece of gum (I wasn't laughing because he wanted gum.  That is a common need.  

I was laughing because I felt so awkward with him waiting for me to 

open my purse for gum while I took a photo).

A fitted blazer over a loose top provides a nice contrast. 

 Jeans - Hudson (Purchase HERE)

Blazer - Gibson (similar HERE)

Blouse - Frenchi (Purchase HERE)

Clutch - Fossil

Necklace - Nordstrom

Watch - Michael Kors (Purchase HERE)

Bracelets - Nordstrom and F21

Cheesy Grin - All me

Moments of the Week:

Pure Bliss Moment 

The 3 P's: Pedicures, Pool time and Prosecco.  

A girlfriend and I relaxing + having fun. 

Not-So-Blissful Moment

The same boy who commented on pink eye + constipation came up to me the other day and the following conversation took place:

Boy: "How old are you?"

Foolish School Psych: "How old do you think I am?"

Boy: "49?"

Foolish School Psych: Just walks away.  

Proud Moment

So this is what I saw when I went to get coffee in my building the other day:

Seriously...who leaves delicious peanut butter cookies out by the coffee?  This is not right.  Either this person is:

A) super nice + thoughtful and sees nothing wrong with the occasional cookie

B) super mean + just likes to watch people struggle to resist the delicious cookie temptation.

Well I may have taken a picture and stared at the cookies for a little while, but I did not eat one.  So that means I win!*

Have a great weekend friends!! 

XO - Marion

PS - Aprils "Trend of the Month Challenge" announced soon!

*I see nothing wrong with the occasional cookie.  I just didn't need a cookie at 6:00 a.m. :) 

My Perfect Wednesday Work Look

This is the type of outfit I save for a Wednesday.
I'm tired.
I stumble out of the shower to my closet and stare at the racks (this is not a pretty process).
I seek something simple and...well...obvious.
I curse as I hold pieces of clothing up together and they don't look "right."  
I reach deep into the bowels of my closet (yes...my closet has bowels) and I find this type of dress.  It's one color and needs little styling...success!

 I paired it with vanilla colored accessories appropriate for work.  

Plus I always save the fun colors for a Monday or a Friday.  I'm weird like that.

Dress - Presley Skye via Nordstrom (I love Presley Skye...highly recommend their dresses.  

Find a great collection HERE.  I am wearing a size XS).

Belt - F21

Clutch - H&M

Necklace - Nordstrom

Heels - Tahari 

Watch - Michael Kors (Purchase HERE)

So please tell me I'm not the only one who struggles to pull outfits together sometimes!  

XO - Marion

PS - I should add that this dress was the unfortunate victim of "sloppy joe" day in the school cafeteria following this shoot.  I carry a clipboard so I can fend of the kindergarten hugs during lunch, but I had a moment of weakness and alas...this dress is now on a hanger at the dry cleaners!  


Linked up with The Pleated Poppy & Rolled Up Pretty!