Life + Style

We are so proud to be a part of the most adorable community in Southern Illinois....Carterville! And one of the best parts of summer in Carterville, Illinois, is the local farmer's market at Cannon Park. The Cannon Park Community Market brings together local farmers and artists all over Southern Illinois. So we dressed up in something pretty and decided to check it out!

Jordan stopped to smell the flowers at Chautauqua Bend Flower Farm's display. Their colorful bouquets immediately put a smile on her face. We had to buy one to brighten up the Eccentrics Team eating area!

Bandana Dress $65 // Black Lace Bralette

After checking out the flowers, Jordan visited Makai Jewelry's table featuring beautiful handmade Hawaiian jewelry. They also had the cutest baby moccasins!

Bandana Dress $65 // Black Lace Bralette

Next, Jordan hit up the fresh produce stands. Brumleve Farm in Cobden, Illinois, had some beautiful tomatoes and peaches! We might have bought a bag....or two.

Let's Go Get Lost Tank Top $37

Hubbard Farm's booth had some delicious jam and broccoli for purchase. We missed out on the fresh berries though. That will teach us to arrive at the farmer's market right when it opens!

Nothing says fresh from the farm like brown eggs! Big Muddy Hogs & Poultry had their brown eggs on display. They already sold out of fresh bacon before we got there but we won't let that happen again!

Checking In Dress $55

Jordan checked out the vegetable and herb plants at Naturae Via, LLC table. It would be nice to finally start our own produce garden! We fell in love with the owners of Schluter Produce in Cobden. We asked the sweet older couple if they had a website or Facebook page to link to....and they said no. So make you you visit the local farmer's markets to support their local farm! We scored some fresh kale that is delicious!

Checking In Dress $55

It was definitely a successful day! Thank you to all of the local farmers and artists who enrich our communities! And another huge thank you to the beautiful Brittney Dillon (pictured below) for letting us come out and do a mini photo shoot at Cannon Park Community Market! She does an amazing job organizing this wonderful addition to the Carterville community!

Do you have a favorite farm or farmer's market? Tell us in the comments below!

Stay Stylish!!

It's our first Taylor Made Tuesday post since Taylor left us for Mizzou! We're so excited to bring this series back for the summer! We challenged Taylor to put together two different looks with two different basic bottoms: a mid-calf length grey skirt and black BCBGeneration black high-waisted shorts. So let's take a look at what Taylor created...

Taylor's first outfit is simple and stylish. The neutral tones work well together to create a laid back effortless look. The bow belt and "Oh Boy" oxford flats create a nice contrast of feminine and masculine elements.

Grey Pleated Skirt with Belt $44 // Plain Jersey Tank $19 // Oh Boy Oxford Shoes $45 // Stone Bracelet $34.95 // Brown Bead Bracelet $22.95

 Transform our grey pleated skirt into a boho chic outfit. Throw on our ivory lace crop top and wear fringe high heel sandals. We love this style for a day out with friends. And how cute is this LilyWhite Designs purse designed exclusively by our in-house designer??

Grey Pleated Skirt with Belt $44 // Ivory Lace Crop Top $38 // Fringe City Sandal $64 //Bead Bangle $32 // Stone Wrap Bangle $27 // Lily White Purse $40

 For another trendy look, Taylor dressed up our BCBGeneration black high-waisted shorts. The first look is a casual approach with our adorable "In Case of Emergency Save My Shoes" graphic tee and pops of red accessories!

BCBGeneration Black Shorts with Tie $68 // In Case of Emergency Graphic Tee $43 // Red "Quotes" Pointed Flats $45

For the second style, Taylor added our adorable new black polka dot blouse and high heels with scallop back design. Add a large BCBGeneration purse and head out the door.

BCBGeneration Black Shorts with Tie $68 // Polka Dot Blouse $43 // BCBGeneration Handbag $108 // Chinese Laundry Black Sea Breeze Heels $75

Which look is your favorite? Do you prefer a more dressed-up style or fun casual touch?

Stay Stylish!

From the moment I found out I was expecting, I just knew I was having a boy! It was time for me to give up buying high heels and start buying diapers. I'm now a girly girl who is blessed to be raising a boy! Ledger is my sweet, happy and cute little two year old man. I adore how curious and carefree he is. To be honest, I didn't know anything about boy stuff before him. I grew up in a girl family and we just didn't tackle each other (haha)! Sports were never a part of my interests...I was more concerned about what I was going to wear to the games instead!

So, for any other girly girls, here is what I've learned while raising a boy:

1. Getting dirty is a requirement. Whether it's digging in the dirt or rolling around in the grass, I use better judgment on when I wear white clothing!
2. Wrestling is not just something on television. It's a real contact sport...and little boys have to get out all of their energy!
3. Stitches and ER visits are not my favorite....but have happened more times than I want to admit.
4. Bruises and scratches become a part of the landscape while he interacts with the world.
5. Water guns and games are more thrilling than I expected!
6. Wear running shoes. All. Day. Long.
7. Our second language is "Dinosaur." Rawr!!
8. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Hot Dog Dance" is a better workout than Zumba.
9. One short day can be full of more love than I ever expected.

As a boutique owner, I love how one part of my day is full of pretty dresses and stylish shoes....but then I get to end my day digging in the dirt searching for dinosaur fossils.

XO,

Lauren

Happy Mommy Tee $32 // Polka Dot Scarf // White Tank Top with Pom Poms // Hat

We are so excited to feature Mandy Rose, author of House of Rose, on our blog today! If you are following her blog, you know that she is full of excitement and joy. If you haven't been following her blog...well...you need to start! It's easy to feel like she's your best friend before you even know her. Well, we just had to spend a day with Mandy and capture some pretty pictures of her wearing our hottest looks this season.

Tell us a little about yourself:

I'm Mandy, author of House of Rose, Dollars & Roses and Co-Founder of Happy Mommy Box. I'm a boy mom, fountain coke lover and diy wanna-be. I believe in celebrating motherhood & creating a fun place for women to BE INSPIRED, SHARE JOY & love one another.

As a mother of three boys, how important is it to dress up and feel feminine?

From two square in my living room to baseball in the hallway to dirt digging in the front yard, I am constantly surrounded by all things BOY. One of the things I love most about being a boy mom is being able to dress up all girly and pretty and having my boys say to me "You look beautiful mommy!"  There's nothing like a compliment like that from your sweet little boys.

Mandy grew up in Carterville, Illinois. She is now raising her family in her beloved small Southern Illinois town. Since we are also located in this friendly community, we knew this was the perfect location for a style inspiration shoot with this successful blogger.  So we grabbed a camera, lipstick, and a couple cute outfits.

What’s something you do every day that you love?

Drink fountain coke. #oops 

No really, every day I get up and put on makeup. Not a ton of makeup, but powder, blush, mascara and lip gloss can make you feel 100 times more put together and it only takes 5 minutes!

What do you love most about living in Carterville?

For those of you who don't know this about me, I was born and raised in Carterville and I never left. You may think that sounds boring, but I happened to love it! Small town life is just my thang'! This town is my home. The comfort and joy I get from knowing almost every person I see at the grocery store or gas station is something you can't replace.

We had such a wonderful afternoon full of laughter with Mandy! Which of her outfits is your favorite? Stay tuned for more collaborations with House of Rose!

Stay stylish!