Welcome to my little corner of the internet

Welcome to Simply Mar — a little corner of the internet where fashion meets real life, and simplicity is always in style.

I’m a Chicago girl at heart, a boutique owner, and someone who has spent decades in the fashion world — since 1997, to be exact. My journey started in hat making, where I had the privilege of creating pieces for some pretty remarkable clients, including a few celebrities along the way. Fashion has always been my language, my creative outlet, and honestly, my joy.
But life has a beautiful way of teaching you what really matters.
When I became a mom, my world got wonderfully chaotic. And for a while, I let the noise of the outside world make it even more so. Then one day it clicked — so much of the chaos was unnecessary. All I needed to do was get back to the basics. Simplify.
That’s what Simply Mar is all about.
This blog is my way of helping women like you find simple, approachable ways to feel fashionable, healthy, and grounded — without the overwhelm. We’ll talk fashion and beauty, wellness and everyday living, and everything in between. But always through the lens of less is more.
Community is everything to me. Whether you’re shopping with me at my kids’ boutique in Chicago or joining us here online, I want you to feel like you belong somewhere warm, real, and inspiring. I’ve spent years building something bigger than a store — I’ve been building relationships. And I’d love for you to be part of this one.
My daughter is 30 now and living her absolute best life — and watching her thrive is my greatest accomplishment. She reminds me every day why it’s worth it to slow down, show up fully, and savor the simple things.
So pull up a chair. Stay a while. Let’s simplify this beautiful life together.

Marlène