Bloggers and the Image of Perfectionism + Isabella Oliver Giveaway Winner

Do you ever read a blog and think, "How the heck does she do it?"

She seems...

organized

to always have the perfect manicure

as though she's wearing something new from J.Crew every freakin' day

like she balances a fantastic career with a personal life (and time for blogging?!)

to still find "free time" to read several books

to have a personal photographer follow her everywhere she goes

I don't know if it is because of the mini-blogging break I just took...but I feel the need to share a few personal insights into this misguided view of the women we get to know online.

So...I started Marionberry Style as a hobby.  I needed something new + fun to help me explore my creative side that I let wither upon leaving the event planning industry.  But let's be honest, I am far from perfect.

I was born with a little chip implanted somewhere inside of me that won't allow me to settle for anything less than 100% effort all.the.time.  This was great when I played sports in college...but not so great when the realities of life begin to pile up and you find yourself sinking under everyday expectations + pressures.  I don't know about you...but I put more pressure on myself than what might be considered healthy.  Pressure in everything from my work to my marriage to my friendships...and let's be honest...this blog.

Which is why I feel the need to share that I acknowledge that bloggers can present a perfect, rosy image with every post.  I am not trying to pretend something I'm not...which is why I want to make sure I'm always honest with you.

So know that at this very moment, if you were to look up "hot mess" in the dictionary, you would likely find a photo of yours truly smiling back!  

Yes, right now I am so...

disorganized

hiding my nails at work because my manicure is chipping (badly!)

frustrated because I don't fit into anything from J.Crew right now

grateful to have my career and a loving husband (but what is a personal life and how do I get one?)

re-reading the same chapter of the same book five times because I keep falling asleep

forgetful when it comes to taking my own photos

So I'm curious...can YOU relate to this post?  Or is this just a "Marion thing"? :)

And just so you all know...I am excited to return to normal blogging next week (including Friday's Moments of the Week) and reconnect with all of you!  Thank you so much for not deserting me during my little break.  I appreciate it more than you know.

xo - Marion

PS - click here to see if you won the Isabella Oliver holiday dress giveaway!

image credit: Scent of Obsession

Checking In...

We are still on the road visiting family...hence the lack of posts over the past few days.  It's been a wonderful week and I honestly haven't been near a computer until now.  Maybe that is a good thing every now and then?! 

Today we are spending the day in Seattle before we fly home tomorrow morning. 

Our first stop in Portland? 

The exact table where we had our first date AND where he proposed a few months later!

Normal posts resuming very soon!

xo - Marion



Cobalt + Oxblood = Perfect Fall Uniform

 I find this photo hilarious as it appears that my tummy and chest 

have totally consumed my belt.  

Sigh...:)

Dress - c/o Madeleine Maternity

Belt - Nordstrom (similar here)

Leggings - Hue

Booties - H&M (similar wedge style here!)

Faux fur - B.B. Dakota (similar here and here)

Bracelet - J.Crew

Two Things:

1) I love cobalt blue + oxblood.  Such a great color combination for fall.

2) Oh....well hello there belly button! 

One More Thing:

The husband and I are traveling to home to Portland + Seattle for the week.  I'll be posting photos and a few updates on my Facebook and Twitter pages.   I am so excited to eat pie see family and friends, get a real cup of coffee and take a long walk in the Oregon rain.  There's no place like home!  :)

If you are traveling this holiday season, I hope you reach your destination safely + stress free.  Enjoy this special time of year wherever you are... 

xo - Marion

Blue Suede Shoes

Dress - c/o Seraphine

Heels - Via Spiga (great affordable option here!)

Earrings - Nordstrom

Another gorgeous + comfortable dress from Seraphine.  

I love the high neckline + shoulder detail...it's pretty much the perfect dress for a day of work --> go directly to happy hour.  And by happy hour, I mean the time period where I sit with girlfriends and sip on strawberry lemonade while I stare at their beers!

xo - Marion

What to Wear on Casual Friday + Moments of the Week

The perfect maternity uniform?  

Fitted jeans + stretchy top + loose cardigan.

This top is actually a nursing top.  

You would never know it from it's simple + classic design and fit.

These Seraphine jeans were a favorite of Jessica Alba's during her last pregnancy. I can totally see why...they are quite possibly the most comfortable article of clothing I own right now.  

Top - c/o Seraphine

Cardigan - BCBG (similar + similar)

Jeans - c/o Seraphine

Bag - H&M

Heels - Kelly & Katie

Bracelet - Nordstrom

Moments of the Week

"Umm...Okay" Moment

Lately, the husband and I have been bouncing around ideas for baby names.  He likes to suggest names that he knows will make me look at him like he is bananas and just shake my head ("Bruiser" or "Moe" for example).  

Anyway, I went online and found a baby name suggester...where you type in a name you kinda like and it will shoot out names that are similar.  Well, this was the top suggestion for names based on what I typed in:

Seriously?

I also love the suggestions at the bottom.  Could you imagine: 
"I'd like you to meet my son Who." 
"What?"  
"No...Who."  

Everyday Random Moments

 Apparently Bogey's head was cold.

To the person who brought 8 boxes of these to school and left them in the freezer for all to enjoy:

"Thank you so so much.  Please never do it again."

"Hmmm, how badly do I really need that pen?"

(the question that every pregnant woman asks herself at least 10x a day)

xo - Marion

Do you  have a friend who is expecting?  

Do you plan on getting pregnant in the near future?  

Be sure to enter the Isabella Oliver dress giveaway (value at almost $200!)

"Must Own" Make-Up Products

4 Facts About My Make-up Routine:

4.  I didn't start really wearing make-up until college.  I know...total late bloomer here!  You see, I am the oldest girl in my family and did not have a mom during my teenage years...so honestly it just wasn't something I was exposed to.  

3.  I consider myself boring a minimalist when it comes to make-up.  I am a sucker for the natural look.

2.  I depend on bloggers to find the best product reviews.  

1.  My everyday make-up routine takes 5 minutes.  Add an extra 3 minutes for a date night (he's worth it).

1 - NARS Laguna Bronzer - Love this bronzer...it lasts all day and is so easy to blend.  A little goes a long way.

2 - MAC Studio Fix Plus Foundation - I found this through the recommendation of Veronika - one of my favorite bloggers.  This product is a hybrid of a powder + foundation.  The matte finish lasts up to 8 hours...so you avoid any chance of the ever-attractive "shiny face."  I wear color NC30.

3 - MAC Powder Blush - I wear this blush in "Peachtwist" and it works equally well in summer + winter months. 

4 - Boscia BB Cream - I found this product in my Birchbox a couple months ago and am hooked.  I love that it acts as a lotion + primer + tint all in one.  

5 - Maybelline Instant Age Rewind - Again, I discovered this incredible product thanks to fellow bloggers (both Veronika and Tiffany love it!) I use the color "Brightener" and just dab a little under each eye before applying the MAC foundation.  Magic.

1 - Urban Decay Naked Palette - This is the original Naked Palette...it has everything I could need.  Such a great value for 12 incredibly versatile colors.

2 - Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner - Another fab find thanks to Birchbox!  This little stick has become an instant favorite product of mine.  So easy to use that it is nearly foolproof (even for this tomboy!)

3 - Lancome Definicils Mascara - The MAC girl at Nordstrom actually talked me into buying this product saying it is the best mascara she has ever tried.  I owe her a thank you.

4 - Benefit Eye Bright - Hands down my favorite beauty product in my bathroom!  I could have 4 hours of sleep and still look wide-awake with this bad boy.  It's like caffeine in a stick!

5 - Urban Decay Primer - Hey!  I just spent a good 45 seconds applying eyeshadow.  This makes sure that these 45 seconds weren't in vain when 3:00 p.m. rolls around :)

MAC Lipglass in "Underage" - Proof that I am really a boring girl when it comes to my lip color!  I keep this color in every purse I own...I'm that dependent on it!

What is YOUR #1 must-own make-up product?! 

xo - Marion

Be sure to enter the Isabella Oliver dress giveaway!  

Just click HERE for details.

Office Holiday Party Style

 STYLE TIP: 

When dressing for your office holiday party, keep modesty in mind:

- The long sleeves on this dress balance out the tighter fit

- Stay away from mini-skirts...just no.  

- Watch the cleavage "situation"... you are still among co-workers who are always making judgements on your professionalism and aptitude.  

Dress - c/o Isabella Oliver

Earrings - Anthropologie

Red Clutch - similar

Blue Clutch - Nordstrom (love this one)

Shoes - similar

When styling this Isabella Oliver dress for a dressy holiday party look, I couldn't decide between the red clutch and the blue clutch.  

I usually try not to match my shoes + purse...but in this case I kinda think the red is fun for a holiday party.  I also would love to see a leopard print clutch like this one with the dress!

So which do you like better - Red or Blue?!

xo - Marion

Like this dress?!  Be sure to enter the Isabella Oliver giveaway for the holiday dress of YOUR CHOICE!  

Just click HERE for details.

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy today!

Holiday Party Style + Isabella Oliver Giveaway

 What do you think of when you see sequins? 

I immediately think party!  

And what better time of year to embrace the sequin than the holidays?!

Husband was cold so we went inside to take the rest of the photos

(don't tell him I told you! :) )

 This sequined waistcoat is the kind of piece that you can embrace 
both during and post-pregnancy.

sequined waistcoat - c/o Isabella Oliver

Tank - H&M

faux leather leggings - Hatch

booties - Via Spiga (similar)

clutch - Urban Expressions (similar)

bracelet - c/o Swarovski

And I'm VERY excited to say that Isabella Oliver is giving one Marionberry Style reader a holiday party piece OF THEIR CHOICE:

Left to Right:

Urban Ruched Dress    /    Ruched Midi Dress (I wore this HERE!)

Ruched One Shoulder Dress   /    Francesca Dress

The best part?  These pieces you can absolutely wear even if you aren't rocking a baby bump.  The material is stretchy and fitted...it'll be the most comfortable dress you own.  

And the winner is...

Congratulations Keely and a huge thank you to everyone who entered!

xo - Marion

Peek Inside Our Living Room

Today I thought I would take a break from the usual "Casual Friday + Moments of the Week" post to share with you something equally as personal...our home!  

Many of you know that we just moved into our new place a couple months ago.  We live in a high-rise in downtown Denver so we wanted to keep the design somewhat modern + clean + fun.

Seriously...I love my husband.  But he is one of those rare breeds of men who knows his way around a fabric sample.  The man has an opinion and wants to talk about every option! 

After moving in, it became clear that the puppies LOVED looking out the window.  We needed to address this need in our design (since it's their home too!)

And now...we finally have a somewhat complete living room:

I hope you enjoyed this little peek into our home!  I know this is a fashion-focused blog, but sometimes it is fun to mix it up a little...

Thank you so so much for reading!
xo - Marion

Fall Baby Shower Style

 Imagine this dress without the lace detail.

Major yawnsville!

Sometimes the smallest detail makes the biggest difference in style.  

My Skincare Routine

I receive numerous emails requesting I share my skincare + make-up routines...so today I am doing just that.  

When it comes to skincare, I primarily stick to 2 favorite brands: Kiehl's + Mario Badescu. 
Both are gentle, affordable and effective.  I've been a long-time lover of Kiehl's, however only recently discovered Mario Badescu's line after reading an article about Martha Stewart's skin care favorites.  It turns out that Martha has been a loyal fan of his skincare products for over 20 years!  And have you seen her skin?!

 

1  /  2  /  3  /  4  /  5  /  6  /  7

I'd love to hear about any "must own" skin products you adore!  Leave them in the comments below...

xo - Marion

PS - I'll be sharing my favorite make-up picks this Thursday!

Fall Color Blocking for the Office

Dress - Zoe Alexander c/o

Shoes - Cole Haan (similar HERE)

Bag - Marc by Marc Jacobs (Similar HERE)

Watch - Michael Kors

Bracelet - J.Crew

Sunglasses - Tory Burch

I adore this color blocked dress from Zoe Alexander for several reasons:

1) Black is a slimming color...so it's perfect for color blocking a pregnant gal's lower half!

2) It fits me perfectly (which is not a phrase I say often these days!)  

In fact, each dress they make is custom made.  You send them your measurements --> they make a dress that will fit you beautifully. 

3) The fabric is such that I'll be able to wear this dress post-pregnancy as well.

For a limited time, Zoe Alexander is offering Marionberry Style readers 15% off their order with the code "ZOE15MG"

So are you still embracing the color blocking trend this fall?

xo - Marion