Casual Friday + Moments of the Week

This outfit would be something I'd wear to a Fourth of July BBQ.  Or it also works well for sitting at Starbucks and reading a book (which is what I did in real life).

Shorts - F21

Top - Abercrombie & Fitch (old)

Shoes - Tahani

Watch - Michael Kors

Moments of the Week

My Bachelorette Moment

Do you watch The Bachelorette?  Well, to be honest, the husband is the one who got me hooked on it.  (Yes...I realize that it's usually the other way around, but he is a special man.  I love you honey).  

So in this week's episode, Emily took the men to Prague.  She took Jef on a date to walk the city (an no...that is not a typo.  He spells his name that way.  His parents apparently found the extra "f" disposable.  Maybe they were in a hurry when they did the birth certificate.  Or maybe they are just too hip for me to comprehend).

Anyway, Emily and Jeff walked by this store:

 I immediately recognized the place from when I was last in Prague and I yelped "Oh!  I've been there!"  I then began to look for evidence via a photo.  And see?!

I know that I'm a dork...but it is kinda clever.  Right? :)

I Have a Problem Moment
You may or may not have figured this out from my blogging photos, but I have a problem NOT smiling in photos.  I can't help it.  I would be the worst model ever.

Well, the husband and I need new passports so we went to get our photos taken.  New federal rules apparently dictate that you can't smile in your photo (what?!)  So it took me a few tries...as in the lady was getting super annoyed.

So here are my least happy looking photos.  I think they'll put that last photo on a terrorist watch list right away...I look mean!

Sad Moment

Many of you know that Palmer, my 8-month old rescue beagle, had to have emergency surgery about 10 days ago.  Well...he's had a setback in his recovery and has been living at the surgeon's office all week.  I get to bring him home this weekend but he may have to have a 2nd surgery on Monday.  Please cross your fingers for my little guy.  I miss and love him so much.

Bogey misses him too.  He is sleeping in Palmer's kennel non-stop, isn't eating and is not wanting to go for walks. Sigh...

And once again...I don't mean to end this post on a negative note!  I promise to bring back the happy, ridiculous "moments of the week" next week! :)

Have a wonderful weekend friends!

XO - Marion

Style Icon: Jessica Alba

My top 3 reasons why I love Jessica Alba's style:
1) The current Lucky Magazine cover girl has a style that is both unique yet trendy.
2) She takes risks.
3) She puts thought into her style...even when her style is all "Oh this?!  Oh, I just threw this on.  Do you like it?"    

image sources: (Top L-R) 1  /  2  /  3  /  4  /  5  / 6  /  7

Which of her styles above is your favorite?


XO - Marion

Trend of the Month Link-Up: Colorful Blazers

Blazer - H&M (Similar HERE and HERE)

Striped Top - Banana Republic (Similar HERE)

Pants - BCBG

Watch - Michael Kors

Bracelets - JewelMint

Clutch - Nordstrom

Can you wear colored blazers to the office?

Absolutely!  

Pairing a colored blazer with an all neutral foundation (like I've done here) really makes the color pop!  And the color on your upper half brings the focus where you want it...near your face.  Well, unless you prefer your lower half...but save that for after work hours.

Now for the link-up...Can't wait to see all of your styles!
Also linking up with Rolled Up Pretty :)

Trend Watch: Bright Bags

(Top L-R)  1  /  2  /  3  /  4  /  5  /  6  /  7  /  8

Above are a few favorites in every price range!  In fact, two of these bags are under $21.  Can you guess which ones?  Hint: it's not the one with the Tory Burch emblem...although that would be pretty darn cool :) 

Are you sporing a bold colorful bag this summer?

XO - Marion

PS - Can't wait for tomorrow's "Trend of the Month" Link-up!  Click here for more details... 

One Way to Wear Neon to Work

 STYLE TIP: 

Not everyone can (or should!) bring neon into the workplace.  But if you toil away in an environment that allows for such bold color and you wake up one morning with a wild streak, be sure to keep the silhouette simple and classic.  

Here I grounded the yellow in greys + black and kept the styling minimal.  

Skirt - BCBG

Blouse - Bellatrix

Shoes - Kelly & Katie via DSW

Clutch - Urban Expressions (Similar HERE)

Earrings - gift

I can't wait to see all of your styles featuring colorful blazers for Wednesday's "Trend of the Month" Link-up!  Click HERE for more details...

Casual Friday + Moments of the Week

Top - Banana Republic

Jeans - F21

Heels - Enzo Angiolini

Clutch - Fossil

Earrings - Nordstrom

Two things about these photos:

1) It was darn windy.  

2) As husband was taking photos he casually remarks, "You've already worn this outfit on the blog honey.  Do you need new clothes?"  

My immediate thoughts were in this order:

- My husband looks at my blog!  And even remembers my outfits...I love him.

- Oh, and I think he's right about this outfit.  Rats.  

- And is he offering to take me shopping?  I love him.

Moments of the Week

Mystery Moment

I came home to this Costco-sized bag of pancake mix on the ground:

Obviously...someone was being naughty. But how was I going to know who did it?!

"Umm, Are You Serious?" Moment

I'm walking the dogs late at night.  Two guys approach me on their way to a nearby dance club.  The following dialogue takes place:

Guy 1: Aww, how adorable!  Look at these beagles!  I die!

Guy 2: You can always tell which one is the male and which is the female.  The males are always way skinnier.  So this one is obviously him.

Me: Um, actually they are both male.

Guy 2: {confused look}  Are you sure? 

My Big Fat Poo-Sandwich Moment

I go to my mailbox super giddy because I am expecting this:

But instead, I open it up and find this:

I'm being audited.  If that's not a big poo-sandwich of a moment, I don't know what is.  But I'll figure it out :)

As always, thanks so much for stopping by, reading, and just being a part of this blog.  I appreciate each of you so much.  Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!  

XO - Marion

Next Wednesday, I hope you'll join in for the "Trend of the Month" Link-Up!  The theme for June is Colorful Blazers!  

Click HERE for more details.

June's Trend of the Month Challenge

Top - Stem

Skirt - H&M (similar on sale HERE)

Shoes - BCBG

Clutch - Nordstrom

Earrings - Tiffany & Co.

For some reason, I have a difficult time determining what qualifies as "coral."  I was at Nordstrom looking for a coral top and came across this super cozy T-shirt from Stem.  I carried it up to a few sales people and the following exchange took place:

Me:  "Do you think this color is coral?"

Nordstrom gal: "Yes.  But I guess it could also be a shade of pink...  What color do you want?"

Me: "Coral."

Nordstrom gal: "I think it's definitely a coral."

Random lady walking by: "Looks sorta red to me."

Looks like I'm not the only one!  Can't wait to see all the great coral + mint looks in today's Bloggers Do it Better link-up!

And guess what?!!  It's time to announce the Trend for June's Link-Up!  I'm so excited for this one...

 The TREND OF THE MONTH Link-Up for June:

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. This MUST be a NEW post...please don't link old blog posts.

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, June 27th

Three Bold Colors

Shorts - F21(similar on sale HERE)

Blouse - H&M (similar on sale HERE)

Shoes - Chinese Laundry (similar HERE)

Clutch -  Nordstrom

Watch - Michael Kors

Bracelets - ASOS, F21

Necklace - H&M

I walked into Whole Foods wearing this outfit.  I didn't think anything of it...until an elderly woman standing in line behind me gives me the once over and remarks, "My honey, you sure are colorful!"  I look down and then look at her and confirm that "Yes, I suppose I am."  She then shakes her head and responds with, "Don't worry, sometimes I don't match either."

I then walk into my front door and my husband looks up from where he was sitting and quickly remarks "Huh...that's an interesting outfit."  

So tell me what you think...too much color?

XO - Marion

Casual Friday + Moments of the Week

 It looks like I'm continuing my color-less trend this week! 

Jeans - Paige Denim

Top - BCBG

Bag - BCBG

Shoes - Kelly & Katie via DSW

Watch - Michael Kors

Visit my Facebook to see this outfit styled with a POP of color!  Which do you prefer?!

Moments of the Week

My Mothership Moment

If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you may already know this news.  But I am repeating it here because it really was THE BEST moment of my week. 


So...I was featured in Nordstrom's blog this week!  As someone who has considered naming her first born "Nordstrom," I was pretty darn giddy.  Check out the link HERE and leave a comment if you like :)

50 Shades of all Kinds of Naughtiness Moment

This evening was my book club.  This month, we read the 50 Shades trilogy (yes...I belong to a scholarly book club that only chooses the most enlightening literature).   My friend Diana was so thoughtful and provided a classy cake for the occasion...

And yes...I censored this image.  But if you use your imagination, you can see that "it" is wearing a grey tie.  I thought that was a nice touch.

My Baby's Got a Boo-Boo Moment

Palmer had surgery this week.  Apparently he had a disease that only elderly bulldogs contract.  Awesome.  (Seriously...the surgeon was almost ecstatic when he explained to me that "this might seriously be the first documented instance of this disease in a dog other than a bulldog!  I will definitely have to look this up!")  I asked for a discount and he just laughed as if I was telling a joke.  

So the only treatment option is surgery.  And did I mention that they would have to remove about 1/4" of his wee-wee?  (I can't say or type the p-word.  Sorry...I am a grown-arse woman and I can't help but burst out in a slew of uncomfortable giggles when I do say it.  Yes...you can imagine that I was a hoot for the 50 Shades book meeting!)

Palmer BEFORE:

 Palmer AFTER:

Palmer resting and giving his wee-wee some space to heal:

As always, thank you so much for reading!  Have an incredible weekend!

XO - Marion

If I Had to Spend $100 Today...

Let us imagine that I woke up this morning and immediately received a text from the husband with the following message:

"Good morning my perfect wife.  Please don't leave the house until you've spent 

$100 shopping online.  I picked up your favorite Starbucks beverage...it's on the counter for you my sweet princess.  Dinner will be ready by 6pm (I'm making your favorite!)  Laters baby."

Well, this is what I would pick out...

1  /   2   /   3

And yes...I went 86 cents over budget.  But we will also just imagine that my husband will see this as "overachieving."  

Which is your favorite?  I know mine...

XO - Marion

Black and Silver

STYLE TIP:

Sometimes a summer style doesn't require much color.  

Take a second look at your black, white and grey items and see if the 

cut + fabric is hot weather ready!

Skirt - River Island

Top - BCBG (old)

Cuff - JewelMint

Heels - Bandolino 

In graduate school, I was taught the power of visualization.  If you close your eyes and envision what you want from life/career/relationship in a very detailed way,  than it is more likely to happen.  

Well, I have decided to apply this same practice to my online shopping.  And guess what!?  It totally works.  I saw this skirt online...imagined it being in my closet...and then SHA-ZAAM!  One week later and it was hanging in my closet right where I pictured it being placed.  

For some strange reason, the husband was not impressed.  I will simply need to start visualizing him in a more supportive mood. 

So would you wear black + silver in the summer?

XO - Marion

Linking up with Rolled Up Pretty + The Pleated Poppy + Little Bit of Lacquer!