shell chic'd

Rockport, Mass

shell chic'd — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:30:32 +0000

I am clearly all for harbor town visits this summer! Before the madness of my dance show started a couple weeks ago, we took an afternoon drive up to the North Shore. Inspired by Anna’s post, I requested that we stop in Rockport, and oh my goodness. Its adorableness competes with Scituate‘s [and that's saying something]. I just wanted to capture every sweet little detail of the darling harbor and town!

Dress, Anthropologie [similar]

Have you visited Rockport, or other Massachusetts harbor towns?

Wedding Season

shell chic'd — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:30:04 +0000

Still wondering what to wear to a summer wedding? This happens to be one of my favorite topics of discussion, so for today’s Friday’s Fancies, I’ve rounded up some of my most-loved cocktail dresses— versatile ones that can be dressed a little up or dressed a little down, depending on the formal requirements of the wedding you’re attending!

[ Scalloped Lace Skater Dress, ASOS, $65 | Flutter Sleeve Mini Dress, Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent, $245 | Foley Dress, Lilly Pulitzer, $398 ]

[ One-Sleeve Goddess Dress, alice + olivia, $149 | Anita Dress, J.Crew, $170 | Sheath Dress, Gap, $50 ]

[ Thompson Peplum Dress, ADDISON, $188 | MarieKate Dress, Lilly Pulitzer, $227 | Deco Sequin Shift Dress, Frock and Frill, $212 ]

Do you have your dresses picked out for any upcoming weddings yet?

Seahorses, Scarves, & Summer

shell chic'd — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:30:52 +0000

Dress, Lilly Pulitzer [similar] | Scarf c/o Shawlsmith London | Purse, Kate Spade [similar] | Bracelet, Lilly Pulitzer [similar] | Navajo Midwedges, Jack Rogers

I bought this dress that I adore so much for a wedding last summer, and I hate buying dresses + outfits for occasions like such only to never wear them again. Problem is, I keep associating this dress with wedding-wear, so it feels too fancy for everyday.

Solution: A lightweight summer scarf, to subtly dress it down.

Shawlsmith London sent me this adorable Seahorse Stamp scarf, and it worked just perfectly with the sweet orange lining of this recycled dress!

[ might have matched my earrings to it... find similar ones here! ]

How fun is that print?

Some of my other current favorites from the Shawlsmith London line:

[ Cotton Candy Stripe, $96 | Seahorse Stamp in Sky, $52 | Bicycle, $52 ]

Do you layer with scarves in the summer, or are they a winter-only item in your closet?

Summer Wish List

shell chic'd — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:30:57 +0000

The middle of June is that funny time of year when you’re not sure what season it really is… Memorial Day has passed and temperatures are soaring, but technically it’s spring here for another week and a half! Irregardless, here is my summer wish list… what I’d like to stock up on before the season truly starts…

[ 1 ] Tank Dresses (Joie, $198):: Light, airy, and easy to throw on for super hot days, and to dress up at night

[ 2 ] Critter Earrings (C.Wonder, $34):: Summer is the most appropriate time to accessorize with seahorses, lobsters, and whales.

[ 3 ] Summer Scarves (ModCloth, $65):: Say hello to my new favorite outfit–> sundress + denim jacket or vest + lightweight scarf! Can’t stock up on enough!

[4 ] One-Piece Bathing Suit (Anthropologie, $98):: Is it just me, or are the one-pieces cuter than bikinis this year…?

[ 5 ] Nautical Bracelets (KJP x Brooks Brothers, $48):: I wear these all year long, but anchors are especially fitting in New England in the summer months.

[ 6 ] Starfish Sandals (INC for Macys, $56):: Because I missed out on a pair three years ago and have been on the hunt for some ever since!

[ 7 ] Seashell Belt (Lilly Pulitzer, $58):: With the new blog name, I am more drawn to seashells than ever.

[ 8 ] Monogrammed Luggage (J.McLaughlin, $285):: Less than two weeks until I take my first real vacation in two years = time to get packing!

[ 9 ] Nautical Necklaces (C.Wonder, $128):: Just timeless.

What’s top on your summer wish list this year?

Scituated

shell chic'd — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 13:00:27 +0000

If I were ever asked to pick my absolute favorite corner of the world, I would choose this little neck of Scituate Harbor. 206 Front Street– right outside The Quarterdeck, which was the first store I’ve ever known and still a favorite two decades and some later.

Scallops + Sunnies

shell chic'd — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:30:04 +0000

I love the fact that my office has a very lax dress code, but even there I feel like I’m pushing the limits by wearing shorts to work. That is the only thing keeping me from indulging in my mile-long wish list of them, including scalloped ones like the below, but also fun printed ones like these and these.

[ Stripe Button-Down Shirt, J.Crew, $49.50 (sale!) ]
[ Scallop Hem Shorts, ASOS, $31 ]
[ Mini Legacy Bag, Anthropologie, $228 ]
[ Sundaze Oversized Square Sunglasses, Urban Outfitters, $12 ]
[ Carmelita Wedge, Kate Spade, $258 ]

When and where do you get the most use out of shorts?

Tortoise and the Hair

shell chic'd — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 12:30:07 +0000

I was most definitely that 14-year-old growing up who did not want glasses that blended in, but rather was all for showing off my lack of 20-20 vision with some dark, cat eye frames. I’ve been sticking to black-rimmed glasses ever since, but at the new Warby Parker store in Boston [see yesterday's post for the review!], I took the plunge and tried on a handful of tortoise pairs. I fell in l-o-v-e with this Ainsworth style, and again, am a little too happy I have been blessed with less-than-perfect eyesight!

psst! I was featured as a Modern Style Icon on The StyleUp blog this week! Have you all subscribed to StyleUp yet? It’s a free daily newsletter that provides you with the forecast and one inspiration outfit that matches the weather and is catered to your taste. I get mine delivered at 9pm the night before, so I have time to think about and plan my outfit for the next day! Loving it so far– read my interview to hear exactly why!

Warby Boston

shell chic'd — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 12:30:38 +0000

Are you all as big of Warby Parker fans as I am? I’ve always always loved their style of glasses, but hadn’t gotten the chance to play with any in person until I used their Home Try-On program last month. Now I am beyond excited to have a Warby Parker retail store in Boston– right downtown on Newbury Street!

I joined fellow Boston bloggers a few weeks ago for a breakfast at their new Beantown location and was beyond impressed. The second-floor location overlooking Newbury was bright, spacious, and welcoming– what more do you need to try on glasses?

It still shocks me that all of the optical frames are only $95, prescription included.

I’m especially in love with all of the tortoise options! Pretty Ballard frames.

Don’t wear eyeglasses? Well lucky you! Tons of sunglasses options as well though [Downing frames pictured above].

You’ll have to come back tomorrow to see which pair I picked out… :) In the meantime, head on over there yourself!

[ Warby Parker ]
[ 83 Newbury Street ]
[ Boston, MA ]

Harbor Walk

shell chic'd — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 12:00:49 +0000

In the summers when I was young, we would take the ferry from the South Shore to Boston, for a day in the city. Maybe because these were my first views of The Bean, the harbor/waterfront area will always be what I most associate with Boston, and will always be my favorite place in this town of ours. These are some snapshots from a quiet morning walk a few weeks ago, before the summer tourists began pouring in…

Post-Memorial Day White

shell chic'd — Fri, 31 May 2013 12:30:45 +0000

I’ve never really been one to play by the rules when it comes to getting dressed for the seasons, especially not with this no-white-before-Memorial-Day rule [though I will say please don't let me catch you in white shorts during the fall]. But summer is the time when it feels most appropriate to lounge about in white sundresses as much as you can!

[ Amalfi Cutwork Beach Dress, French Connection, $102 ]
[ The Jean Vest in Storm Cloud Wash, Madewell, $88 ]
[ Booze Cruise Murfee Scarf, Lilly Pulitzer, $88 ]
[ Nappa Leather Starfish Sandal, C. Wonder, $138 ]

I’m hopping on this denim vest trend, and I love the idea of giving the white even more color with an additional scarf. How do you dress up your white?