With help and inspiration from the Jenni Kayne Resort 2016 collection, this Spring Staple is sure to be a classically cool addition to your wardrobe. The white shirtdress is easy, breezy and right on trend for this spring (and summer!) This traditional style has been a favorite of classic style icons for years, and has only just become a favorite of mine. So much so, that I had purchased a chambray shirtdress from Old Navy and I actually wore it yesterday! I love this staple piece because you can dress it up or down, and who doesn't love something that is multi-functional? I've put together four different outfits that can be worn this spring, so shop below!

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a great first day of May yesterday, so I'd like to wish you all a fun month filled with new adventures. Speaking of new adventures, I wanted to talk about an awesome event that I was invited to coming up THIS FRIDAY! Naot Footwear is hosting a Trunk Show & Donation Event called #NaotGivesBack, and imagine my surprise when they reached out to me with an invite to any on one of the nine Schuler Shoes locations in the Twin Cities! I will be going to the Bloomington location, and I'd like to invite any of you to participate with me by stopping by and trying on a pair of shoes any time between Thursday, May 5th and Saturday, May 7th.
If you try on a pair of shoes, Naot will donate to those in need with the help of the nonprofit, Good in the 'Hood! If you decide to buy a pair, they donate TWO pairs. It's literally a win/win situation, and so I can't wait to participate and I hope some of you can as well. I'm looking to head over on Friday, May 6th in the late afternoon to try on couple pairs. If you can't make it this weekend, make sure to follow me on social where I'll be sharing my experience in the store and which shoes I try on! I hope to see some of you soon. Thank you to Naot Footwear + Anneliese for the invite!

It is pretty hard to believe that we are already on the fourth day of January 2016, and things keep chugging along. Nothing really has changed, but there is always that sense of new and promising adventures to happen during these first few weeks. While I'm not sure if anything will be happening with me yet, I wanted to spruce up Mostly Lisa a little and add a new series called "My Style File." It's essentially the same thing as my "Fashion Friday" series, but a little more focused on aspects of the type of style I wear and how I wear it. So for the first installment let's journey back to literally a week ago, and how I styled an outfit for a BFF date!

The BFF Nicole and I had set on going to a familiar place here in the Twin Cities, The Copper Hen, with an added bonus of getting to dress up. The task of finding a dress that would fit the occasion came on a whim, and I ended up finding a Plus Size Deep-V Midi Dress from Forever 21. It was definitely not something I would normally purchase, but it ended up pairing really nicely with an Old Navy Plaid Pocket Tee (similar) I had on hand! What a slimming option both of these were, and I felt so comfortable having it cover most of my stomach and legs. The statement necklace and pair of flats were a must to go with this, and my favorite red lip added a nice festive touch.

This was such a magical night! Especially being able to be with my BFF, exchange gifts, be in a beautiful setting and be able to eat some delicious food. It made the ending of the holiday season that much better, and had my hopes for a positive New Year. I hope that all of you were able to do the same, and if you weren't, listen to Zara Larsson! You'll get an instant dose of happiness!

A new year is around the corner, literally tomorrow, and I find myself wanting to reflect on what this past year has brought. While these posts may be very cliche, I enjoy looking back on what has been and what can be. It's like a refresh button on life and a time when you can dream about what you want to do for the next 365 days. I don't aim to start a new diet, eat healthier or stop drinking soda (though I really should) but to just live happy. Overall, the biggest goal I have for 2016 is to travel and travel well. Before that happens though, here are some positive things that have happened during this year!

• SimplyBe featured me on their Instagram, in one of my favorite outfits this year! 
• The Valentino Spring/Summer 2015 Couture collection was made of absolute dreams, and was a consistent part of my favorite fashion moments. 
• Target announced a new plus-size collection in January, and it was so inspiring to see three of my favorite bloggers in the featured video.
• Jeremy Jordan did a cover of "It's All Coming Back To Me Now" for Broadway Loves Celine Dion. I've more than likely listened to it about 20 times.
• Zendaya at the 2015 Oscars. Everything.
• Elie Saab Spring 2015 Couture, in motion! 
• One of my more popular Instagram posts, mostly because Lauren Conrad liked it. 
• Paper Fashion x Cinderella illustrations were a beautiful combination.
• Jetted off to Austin, Texas for a short weekend. I finally got to see the Alamo! 
• If you've never watched Agent Carter, I highly suggest you do. It's a fantastic woman-led show on ABC, and Hayley Atwell brings such charisma to a dynamic character. 
• April brought me a new car! The very first car I could call my own, and it's been mine ever since. 
• The first image of Lily James as Elizabeth Bennet in "Pride & Prejudice & Zombies" was released. Cue the freakout! 
• This song by twenty-one pilots pretty much ruled my April.
• "Age of Adaline" came out, and I literally had to step back and process every feeling I had after seeing it. It's such a beautiful movie. 
• THIS FASHION MOMENT WITH CHANEL IMAN!
• "Jurassic World" came out, and obviously it was epic. 
• I turned 26, and nothing special happened. Haha.
• There was a huge trend this year of doing history videos on YT, based on fashion, beauty, trends, etc. I personally really enjoyed it, but this has to be one of my favorites! 
• I got to meet Lennon & Maisy during one of their stops in Minnesota. They are the absolute sweetest and so talented. 
• The Dubsmash Wars of 2015 began in July, and it was the best part of the summer for me.
• Felt particularly great in this photo. 
• An introduction to Haley Reinhart and her spine-tingling voice with a cover of "Creep" with Postmodern Jukebox. The start of a beautiful relationship. 
• A good friend of mine from college got married, and it was like a fairytale. 
• I met BB-8 for the first time in August! BB-88888888!
• Wrote my first blog post for Mall of America, and it was pretty satisfying to see my name for such a big brand.
• This guy posted a 15-second video on Instagram, and it was so funny that it exploded into Insta-fame. So much so that he created a full-length video to satisfy the laughter. Just watch.
• I finally got to see Taylor Swift live, and it was with my sister!
• No big deal, but Blake Lively liked this photo and it was the most successful IG post I've EVER had. 
• We got the full-length trailer for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" and it was so amazing. 
• This was a magical sunset.
• Attended a fall wedding with my BFF. 
• "Hello" by Adele dropped, and the world freaked. Probably the most important part of the year for me, and then she came out with "When We Were Young" and everything definitely changed. I am extremely distraught that I will not be able to see her when she stops in St. Paul.
• Finally succeeded in being Ms. Frizzle for Halloween. 
• The third annual Mostly Lisa Gift Guide series went live in November. So proud.
• Daisy Ridley + John Boyega on the cover of ASOS Magazine. 'Nough said.
• The "Captain America: Civil War" trailer came out! Next year, hurry up!
• An entire collection that is quintessentially an ode to being an ice princess! Sign me up. 
• "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" finally came out in theaters. What a spectacular experience.
• Mostly Lisa turned five years old!
• Finally, a lovely way to end the year. A BFF date night at such a beautiful restaurant.

It's officially the very last Monday of 2015, and I'm extremely weirded out by this fact. What better way to get prepared for the upcoming new year, than with one more round up of links I've found interesting throughout the last week or so. Enjoy, and here's to even more of these next year!

• A new year obviously calls for a new calendar! I'm so torn between this one from Rifle Paper Co. or this one from Anthropologie. Which one would you choose?
• Adele on the cover of Time Magazine? Bow down to the queen!
• While I may not be doing anything for NYE, party wise, these festive cocktails from The Glitter Guide definitely have me wanting to stay home and make fun drinks!
• That one time where I actually felt like a model... I had to capture it.
• Reem Acra's Pre-Fall 2016 collection was moody and romantic, just the way I like it. 
• This dress though! 
• What an interesting read from Levo League, on how to unplug for 24 hours. I have no idea if I would be able to do that, but it's definitely something to try next year. 
• Free People has their downloadable calendar up for next month! So pretty, and still so crazy to me that we'll be in another year. 
• Can't. Get. This. Song. Out. Of. My. Head. 
• This print by the FoxandWild shop on Etsy is beyond gorgeous. Need it in my life.
• Sweater Weather Braids is a real thing, and they're pretty great. Enjoy this tutorial by blogger Kassinka.

I wasn't too fond of this color when I first saw it, but it's slowly growing on me. Especially since it reminds me so much of like a cranberry/burgundy color.. but nonetheless! Marsala is officially the color of 2015, which means that you can easily incorporate it into your wardrobe throughout the seasons! A seductive and classy color that is definitely inspired by wine, and is super versatile for any skin color. Check out these rich Marsala looks from designers Burberry Prorsum, No. 21 and Valentino.

 

 

OUTFIT #1: Blazer: Forever21 (old) | Blouse: H&M | Tank: Old Navy | Denim: Old Navy | Necklace: Old Navy (store only) | Bag: Urban Outfitters (old)

 

The first outfit is something I would wear to work, out with friends, or some place casual. I love pairing denim with a nice blazer, and then having a neutral color underneath. I'm all about basics, so this outfit is something I would wear a lot. I think the sandals compliment it nicely and they make the outfit youthful!

 

OUTFIT # 2: Cardigan: Target | Dress: H&M (store only) | Necklace: Old Navy (store only) | Bag: Urban Outfitters (old)

 

The second outfit is one of my favorites. I just purchased this gorgeous floral dress from H&M for Easter, and thought it'd be great to showcase it in this challenge. I will definitely be wearing this dress a few times this spring/summer, since it's super comfortable and is very flattering on my body. I think it pairs nicely with the sandals too and spices them up a little bit.

 

I just want to say thanks to DUO for reaching out and giving me the opportunity to be apart of this challenge, it was a lot of fun and I love the sandals so much. If you haven't heard of DUO, go check them out on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter! Make sure to let me know if you happen to purchase a pair, I'd love to see what you get.

 

P.S. Thanks to my sister, Melissa, for taking these photos. You were VERY helpful.

 

Always,

Mostly Lisa