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Lord & Taylor x Paper Crown Pop Up Shop

June 8, 2017 by Emily 6 Comments

You beauts know what a fan of Paper Crown I am. Two years later I’m still trying to figure out why I didn’t outfit my bridesmaids in their dreamy dresses. Two years later I’m still trying to figure out a lot of the decisions I made for my wedding. Except for the groom. Love ya boo.

So I get my fix by filling my closet with their everyday and occasion pieces. Like this romantic gem of a drop-waist dress. Hi, am I a princess yet?

And I’m SUPER excited to let you know that while I still have to wait on a full-on brick-and-mortar flagship store {I’d probably move in}, there is a Paper Crown pop up shop in the vicinity!!!

The Lord & Taylor x Paper Crown Pop Up Shop just plopped itself in New York City #FifthAve #duh and is hanging out until July! 30,000-square-feet of blush bliss. Here you can shop all of their new summer arrivals and a selection of exclusive bridesmaid dresses. Again, where was my head in 2014?

Paper Crown Kennedy Dress c/o | Lisi Lerch Coco Tassel Earrings | Pink Mirror Sunglasses | Similar Woven Sandals | Similar Book Clutch

If you’re lucky enough to be based near NYC or are headed down this summer, don’t you dare miss the Dress Address. Find it on the 5th floor of the 5th Ave Lord & Taylor until early-July, and if you just CAN’T make it, shop the Paper Crown Pop Up Shop collection online here!

Photos by Madeline Heising

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Full disclosure: This post was created in partnership with Paper Crown and Lord & Taylor.

The Daytrip Diaries: Sailing into Newburyport

June 6, 2017 by Emily 1 Comment

MJF and I often chat about how if we were absolutely FORCED to trade in the city for the ‘burbs, Newburyport is where we would head. It feels like a small city of its own {my wallet has definitely helped the local economy}, and ya can’t beat the views son.

We drove up there on a record-cold Memorial Day to catch the end of three tall ships’ stay in town. Docked behind the Custom House Maritime Museum to celebrate Maritime Days, these beauties were opened to the public for the weekend, and shoutout to the crew who definitely let me overstay my welcome.

We had a wave of deja vu stepping onto The Alabama–the same ship we took a sunset sail on during our very first trip to Martha’s Vineyard together. Hashtag young love.

Ooh let’s chat about my outfit for a sec, d’you mind? My most-comfortable-ever kicks are the latest edition to my Keds collection (c/o), and they were designed by a local beaut by the name of Alaina Marie. Inspired by “the sea’s working waterfront,” they were the perfect choice for a day on the ships. Boat shoes are so last year.

Haven’t heard of her work? Get on that—and shop her limited edition Keds here.

My new sunnies (c/o) are from another company I’m feeling pretty passionate about these days:: DIFF Eyewear. For every pair of glasses purchased, they donate a pair of reading glasses to someone in need. Doesn’t sound much like a luxury to us, but they are virtually unattainable in so many other parts of the world. I’m also so excited to give you 25% off your pair with code EMILYSHELL. Try limiting yourself to just one. It’s not gonna work.

These ships have unfortunately sailed for the season, but they’ll be back next year! Keep up with Shop Newburyport & the Custom House Maritime Museum to be the first to know.

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Full disclosure:: I received two complimentary tour tickets for the purpose of this review.

National Wine Day with 90+ Cellars & Lila Wines

May 25, 2017 by Emily 3 Comments

One thing I miss about working in food publishing in the celebration of the most random food holidays. National Tortellini Day (February 13). National Lemon Chiffon Cake (March 29). National SOFT Ice Cream Day (August 18).

I’ve been in need of a girl’s night out like it’s 2009, and National Wine Day sounded like the perfect excuse.

{Though we’re all closer to 30 now than 20 so a girl’s afternoon in it was.}

One of my dearest gal pals Marie was my right hand lady in putting this Sunday funday together. Here’s our recipe for mixing up the perfect little rosé soirée::

4 bottles decor // Stay on theme with your decor! I used a few empty wine bottles to put together this inexpensive floral display. Best part? You only need a few stems for each to look full, so one mixed bouquet from your local grocery store will do the trick.

2 parts savory // Is there some scientific reason we all crave cheese and salt with a glass of wine? Bueller? Marie put together the perfect combination of a classic wine fest charcuterie board and caramelized onion & goat cheese flatbread {#iatehalf #perfecthost} to satisfy our hankering. I’ll let her tell you more about them.

1 part sweet // When drafting your guest list, confirm that you’ve invited the best baker your know to take care of this detail.

Mix and top with ~~a splash~~ all of the wine // I’ve been a fan of 90 Plus Cellars Rosé for long before now, but these new bottles? WOW have I mentioned I’m a sucker for packaging? The Lot 132 Côtes de Provence is that pale shade of rosé pink that just screams summer and begs for a dozen oysters on an outdoor patio, and the classic Lot 33 Rosé is my go-to refresher, top of my grocery list justtttt about every week.

Finish with a touch of something stiffer // Like salty or sweet at the movie theater, wine or cocktail is always the question of any celebration. YOLO kids, let’s have both.

Lila Canned Wines were, more or less, my best discovery of 2016, so I was supha-dupah excited to see the release of their new Sparkling can. I love playing around with new gin & tonic recipes, and the mix of cucumber, grapefruit, and bubbles here made for a refreshing libation that this group will certainly be turning to more than once this summer.

Let the Evening Be Gin
serves 2

{ingredients}

Ice cubes
Crushed ice
1/2 cup cucumber
2 ounces gin
1 ounces simple syrup
16 ounces sparking wine
Splash of grapefruit seltzer

{instructions}

Add cucumber, gin, and simple syrup to cocktail shaker and muddle. Shake vigorously. Distribute between two crushed ice-filled glasses. Top each with 8 ounces sparkling wine. Finish with a splash of grapefruit juice.

How are you gals celebrating National Wine Day today?!

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Full disclosure // This post was created in partnership with Latitude Beverage. All opinions expressed are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support shell chic’d!

Four Spring Trends I Love

May 24, 2017 by Emily 2 Comments

Trends have got me bad again. While you won’t be seeing me in a choker any time soon, I’m digging these four spring looks that have been making their way around Pinterest and the basic biddies of America.

*via Suburban Faux Pas

Bell Sleeves // I definitely meh-d at this look when I spotted it in spring preview catalogues, but seeing it on bodies has swayed me. There’s some kind of romanticized old glamour about them, and while the prints and layers can be over the top, pairing them with white and denim jeans make the look everyday chic.

*image via A Southern Drawl

Palm Print // Palms are still comin’ in HOT. We visited The Beverly Hills Hotel while in LA last week, so they are back on my mind and then some. Screw Hawaii, there are no reservations about wearing tropical prints in the city right now.

*via Lonestar Southern

Fabric & Fringe Tassel Earrings // While I will always love the beaded tassels that took the fashion blogs of the universe by storm a couple years ago {100% snaps for Lisi for making that happen}, I’m digging the new fabric-wrapped and fringe tassel earrings. They tends to be ever bigger, but they’re so LIGHT and I can now make it through more than two hours without withering in pain!!

*via Collage Vintage

Wicker Basket Bags // Straw totes were hot-hot-hot last summer, and no doubt that they will continue to be, but I am absolutely high on wicker basket bags right now. My family’s Nantucket basket purse will always be my favorite, but an affordable, functional option with a strap? I’ll take two.

Which of these spring 2017 fashion trends have you fallen victim for?

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What I Wore:: Dressed Like a Daydream

May 23, 2017 by Emily 2 Comments

So LMK. Were you convinced to buy tickets to Boston Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty ramblings? No? Maybe so?

Getting dressed up might be one of the most fun parts of going to the ballet. Most gals pick out their Christmas dress. I pick out my Nutcracker outfit.

In the theme of girly princess goodness, I went a little overboard, topped with just the cutest themed accessory—these limited-edition earrings directly from the Opera House shop. They are the work of Metal Monk and were designed, with the Lilac Fairy as her inspiration, exclusively for the Boston Ballet.

Metal Monk Sleeping Beauty Earrings c/o, available at the Opera House gift shop | Pink Mirror Sunglasses | Similar Lace Crop Top 1; 2 | Similar Midi Skirt 1; 2 | Similar Beige Wedges

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50 Thoughts I Had While Watching Boston Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty

May 16, 2017 by Emily 1 Comment

Photo by Liza Voll, courtesy Boston Ballet

As a self-proclaimed Disney princess in training and a former dancer, it’s slightly mortifying to admit that, on the way to my recent viewing of Boston Ballet Sleeping Beauty, I googled “which came first sleeping beauty ballet or story.”

Yeah it was the story. By about 200 years. 10 points from Gryffindor.

I’m here to talk ballet though. With the exception of some VHS viewings during the toddler ballet class I used to co-teach {read: I was on bathroom duty}, I, also embarrassingly, had never seen it. That {finally!} changed this month, and here’s how it went down…

Prologue

What’s thaa–FLOWER CROWNS!
Ohh Mom can I get one? Boston Ballet gift shop is so on TREND right now.
Or maybe she brought it herself in which this 6-year-old is so on trend right now.
How is it 2017 and we have not figured out a way to make holding a handbag, program, ticket, and champagne glass while trying to find one’s seat just slightly more feasible?
Spill number one. I think that lost sip alone cost about three dollars.
God I hope there are no political undertones in The Sleeping Beauty.

Photo by Liza Voll, courtesy Boston Ballet

Showtime

1. BUTTERFLIES
2. And I’m an 8-year-old me in Magic Kingdom.
3. I might cry actually?
4. Oh poms on the shoes, very in gentlemen, very in!
5. KIDS there are KIDS in this performance oh those little ballet boys are such a treat!!
6. Dancers’ effortlessly graceful hands are without question their most underrated feature.
7. No Newbury Street manicure and paraffin wrap ever gon’ make my hands looks that graceful.
8. This Cinderella looking one is stealing alllllll my attention right now and not just because I like her costume.
9. The sound of pointe shoes on a stage gives me all the feels.
10. {loud sigh next to me} Mom too.
11. This scene is 8-year-old Emily’s vision of what love is supposed to be.
12. Can I have some wine to go with that cheese?
13. Related: I am so committed to my husband but good god these male bodies.
14. Stop gaping Emily.
15. Flying monkeys?
16. Nope wrong show Wicked comes to town next month!
17. I swear I remembered my glasses this time but is that makeup or masks?!
18. Masks. Must get prescription checked.
19. I don’t know if this is Mikko’s doing or who deserves credit but Boston Ballet has been upping the sneaky additions of humor lately and it is CLUTCH.
20. I met Mikko Nissinen this month.
21. You could say we’re basically besties.
22. I have FOMO of not being in this ballet right now.
23. Ahhh. They think they defeated this behemoth but we know better.

Photo by Liza Voll, courtesy Boston Ballet

24. This aesthetic is on point so ANTHRO.
25. Like I would have been very happy with this as my own wedding.
26. Minus the whole marrying a man I met once before bit.
27. I’m not going to name names ok I don’t actually know her name but I spy someone who is going to go preeetttyyy far in this company.
28. Speaking of principals! Aurora!
29. Aren’t these suitors a little old for her?
30. Oh who am I to judge.
31. Holy SHPLIT it just keeps going!!!
32. It’s going to break!!

Photo by Liza Voll, courtesy Boston Ballet

33. Why, just why, would you approach a shadowy hooded woman on your own account girl?
34. Well I mean I guess the Beast refused to and got sort of screwed so ok I see your point.
35. So impressive how people dressed then.
36. But honestly there must have been some version of the yoga pant in 1890, no?
37. These nymphs are sporting some J.Crew Holiday 2013 sequins and I’m o-b-s-e-s-s-e-d.
38. This sass is playing hard so hard to get you’d think Prince was just her side boo.
39. She’s all, you think I’m just a dream well how you like me now?
40. I’ve seen a lot of chaîné turns in my life but these chaîné turns really put the wind in my sail.
41. You could say they’re turnt.
42. QUESTION how did Aurora make it to a bed when everyone else froze in place?
43. People are offended by the idea of The Bachelor but girlfriend just woke up and decided she’s ok with marrying him after one walk around the forest and a 100-year break?
44. Lilac Fairy is all yeah, you all owe me.
45. PUSS IN BOOTS who let them in here?!
46. Blue Bird is like, oh, you want me to put my leg down now?
47. But, why did Little Red Riding Hood bring the wolf as her wedding date though?
48. I know it’s the biggest faux pas to even think the word Disney in relation to the ballet but THIS. IS. SO. MAGICAL.
49. I’m not crying you’re crying.
50. Oh good Mom is actually crying.

Because of the company performing it, and the esteem of the story, my expectations were subconsciously set high for Boston Ballet Sleeping Beauty. Unsurprisingly, they were met and exceeded with a cherry on top.

The Sleeping Beauty runs through May 27 at the Boston Opera House. It’s a true gem for all ages, and I can’t wait for you to scoop up some tickets for yourselves!

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Full disclosure:: I was provided with two complimentary tickets to The Sleeping Beauty for the purpose of this review. All opinions expressed are my own

Little Bach Dress

May 3, 2017 by Emily 1 Comment

If summer is wedding season, spring is bachelorette season. And nothing says bachelorette party more than party beads, penis straws, and the little black dress.

Unless you’re team of bridesmaids I saw wearing rottweiler t-shirts this passed weekend? Guess we had to be there.

Recently I found a picture of myself at one of 2016’s last-flings-before-the-ring wearing a black scallop shift and then I crawled into a hole and cried because I’m 28 not 58. Newsflash girlfriends who let me get away with that:: Just because I have a blog does not mean I always make appropriate choices when it comes to dressing myself and you should probably let me know that.

Anywho, Tobi.com to the rescue this year—this little black off the shoulder dress is the perfect combination of too-married-for-bodycon-but-I-can-still-show-some-skin and so-comfortable-it-almost-shouldn’t-be-allowed-in-a-bar. Win WIN chickadees.

Tobi Tuscan Nights Black Off the Shoulder Dress c/o | Lavender Tassel Necklace | Cameron Street Byrdie Crossbody | Similar Embellished Heels 1; 2; 3

So playful, right?

Do you have your GNO looks in order for bachelorette season? Next stop, Drybar!

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Run For The Roses

April 27, 2017 by Emily 4 Comments

iiit’ssss the most wonderful tiiiiime of the yeeeeaarrr

May means ~~peonies~~
~~Rosé season~~
~~My anniversary~~
DERBY DAY!

Just eight days until they’re off, so Kentucky Derby outfits are on. my. mind. As someone who now works in the industry, I can tell you that, much to my dismay, traditional, springy, ladylike shift dresses are not poppin’ this year! There’s a shortage of seersucker across the country y’all. I WILL say, however, that I am sort of digging(?) these trendy styles in classically preppy patterns—off the shoulder gingham? Pinstripe bodysuit? Ok, I see you.

{Click the images to shop!}

Planning a Derby Day soirée? Have a look at the incredible Kentucky Derby bridal shower my best girls threw me!

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Yes Way Chambray

April 20, 2017 by Emily 4 Comments

Remember how when 2016 ended we were like PEACE WORST YEAR EVER, and then 2017 came along and was like, hold my beer.

Things could be worse, they absolutely could, and especially on a personal level. But I was thinking this morning, I now have a routine of holding my breath as I bend down to hit snooze every morning, wondering what sickening news alert is going to be sitting on the screen. Hell, even waking up to the Academy Awards “winner” announcement made me cringe.

So, yeah. We’re still living in a preeeettyyy sheety and scary time.

None of this has anything to do with this outfit. On the contrary, this Paper Crown chambray top {those BUTTONS though!!} and navy flutter shorts are giving me life. SHORTS I said, as in these babies are bicycle-friendy and Marilyn Monroe moment-free. Now that, is some positive news.

Paper Crown Cypress Tank c/o {similar Paper Crown chambray top} | Paper Crown Tanami Shorts c/o | Packable Straw Bow Hat | KJP Oyster Pearl Necklace | Navy Bow Wedges {similar}

Anywho, let’s be extra kind to each other this week, k? Lend a smile, write a letter, donate a dollar wherever you can. It takes a village.

Photos by Madeline Heising

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Sunny Shoulders and Other Spring Things

April 14, 2017 by Emily 3 Comments

It ffffinally is feeling like spring! And then some. 83-degree forecast for Easter, ok?

Contrary to popular belief my favorite thing about the rise in temps is not #barelegsfordays, but rather being able to just WALK freely outside again. MJF and I love picking a Boston neighborhood and parking ourselves along its streets for a few hours, and that just don’t get done between January and April!! Taking a long walk through Beacon Hill on that first warm day of the year though? Those are the days that remind me just why this city has my heart.

These silly shots—featuring this new Tobi.com chambray off the shoulder dress that I CANNOT get enough of—were taken in a particularly grammable Beacon Hill gem:: Follain. Come for the addicting clean beauty products {high on this clearing mask right now}; stay for the tantalizing decor.

Tobi Chambray Off the Shoulder Dress c/o | Crispin Bauble Drop Earrings | Similar Open Toe Booties

Photos by Madeline Heising

Off to enjoy this weather, toodaloo!

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Lord & Taylor x Paper Crown Pop Up Shop

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