shell chic'd

Countdown to Derby Day

April 6, 2015 by Emily 8 Comments

One of my top 5 favorite days of the year is coming up quickly!! Time to splurge on seersucker before everyone else gets to it first– here are 12 of my favorite dresses for the Kentucky Derby, plus a handful of the most important accessory…

*wearing this one here!

I may or may not have a bigger life event happening on May 2nd this year, so you all have to mix up a mint julep, watch the race, and enjoy for me, k?

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Weekend Wear

April 3, 2015 by Emily Leave a Comment

Did you gals used to get a new “Easter dress” every year? I remember being so jealous of my girlfriends who did! Nowadays I make a point to buy myself one, and make it a dress that’s versatile (and appropriate!) enough to be worn to Easter dinner, the office, and other spring events [coughbabybridalshowersgalore].

[ Mila Lace Detail Shift Dress | Multistrand Pearl Necklace [50% off today!] | Aqua Clare Cardigan | Lily Avenue Carrigan [perfect size for quick weekend trips!] | White d’Orsay Flats ]

If you’re tempted to do any Lilly shopping this weekend, remember there’s free jewelry with purchase!

Where are you all headed for the holiday?

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Fairytale Separates

April 1, 2015 by Emily 6 Comments

I didn’t do much planning when I first got engaged, but I did jump on ordering some bridesmaid dresses within a couple months. While I still love them and am not regretting said decision at all, I have been smitten with some of the unique bridesmaid ideas I have come across since… from mixed blush tones to bold prints, but especially skirts as opposed to dresses [see here + here + here!].

End of story, as I’m not switching things up on my gals now, but the whole separates thing is on my mind these days, and I’ve been playing with the idea of styling them for formal events, instead of yet another cocktail dress. We can also thank Sarah Hyland circa Emmys 2014 for this.

Boxy Eyelash Lace Top, Forever 21 | Pleated Midi Skirt, Forever 21 | Locket, Catbird [similar] | Earrings c/o Rocksbox [use code shellchicdxoxo for a month of free Rocksbox!] | Cedar Street Mini Maise, Kate Spade | Black Heels, LC Lauren Conrad

Would you try this trend, or rather play it safe?

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How to Style & Stock Your Bar Cart

March 31, 2015 by Emily 8 Comments

Now that we have our own home, I’m realizing more and more how necessary it is to be ready to entertain at a few days’ notice, if not a few hours or moments. And sure, I’ve read to always have a bottle of wine or Prosecco chilling in the fridge, some cheese and crackers on standby… but what if that guest is “in the neighborhood” when all of your wine glasses are in the dishwasher? When the only cocktail napkins you have are from last year’s Christmas party? When you have a jar of olives to garnish a martini but not a pick in sight?

PartyPail made sure this wouldn’t happen to me. They sent a whole box of goodies to make sure my bar cart was well-stocked, and not just with beverages. Fun striped straws and cocktail napkins to add some springy pops of color, plastic stemware to always have on hand when I haven’t run the dishwasher [please let me gloat about my Gatsby-esque tower for a second], a sleek ice bucket that doubles as decor [#acrylicobsessed]… so many fun pieces to make sure I’m ready to entertain at the sound of a doorbell.

[ A little Gatsby, a little Kate Spade, no? ]

Threshold Bar Cart, Target | Straws, Napkins, Ice Bucket, Champagne Glasses, Pom Pom Picks c/o PartyPail | Monogram Mug, Anthropologie | Fancy Another? Melamine Serving Tray, Kate Spade

Maybe this is just me, but walking around party stores seriously stresses me out [perhaps this also due to wedding-planning anxiety?!], and while Amazon offers great prices, it’s taken weeks for items I’ve ordered to ship, and you never really know what you’re getting. So if you’re party planning anything from a bachelorette to a small spring soiree, or you’re just giving your bar cart a little seasonal love like me, PartyPail comes highly recommended.

For more on what liquor to actually stock your cart with, click here! Mine isn’t the best example in that regard 😉

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Singing in the Shower

March 27, 2015 by Emily 8 Comments

When my best friend Kelly got engaged, I didn’t immediately picture the wedding; I pictured the bridal shower. The Lilly Pulitzer bridal shower, that is. Kelly is the girl who introduced me to my favorite brand. Who had me wearing pearls in 5th grade. Who would take me to tea for my birthday. So I knew we had no option but to put together the classiest, Lilly-filled tearoom shower this side of the Mason Dixon Line has ever seen!

From the invitations to the cake to the decor, we tried to incorporate as much of the [now infamous?] First Impression print as we could.

Down to the PHONE CASE matching!

Centerpieces were milk jars filled with farmers’-market florals, and displayed on scrap Lilly Pulitzer fabric swatches.

Venue: Special Teas Tea Room
Invitations: Birdie Says Caw Caw
Cake: The Sweetest Baker
Kelly’s Dress, Scarf, Cake Tray: Lilly Pulitzer [similar dress for 2016!]

And while we’re on the subject, what better time than now to let you know that the Lilly x Target lookbook has arrived? Set those alarms for daybreak on April 19!

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Searching for Spring

March 25, 2015 by Emily Leave a Comment

I give up. I can’t wait any longer. I’m wearing my white jeans and my kelly green and my boat shoes and I don’t care WHATANYONEHASTOSAYABOUTIT.

Glad I got that out.

But about this look! Nothing in blogging gives me more joy than supporting local brands, and I’ve got a new one for you today. cinder + salt is an independent, eco-friendly designer based in Connecticut. Low-impact printing is their MO, and I just love that [Earth Day is coming up frands!]

I used to be a tank + tee hoarder, but now I am SUPER picky. I want only the softest fabrics, and this tank they sent me is nothing but. Like, butter soft. Like, I ended up not taking it off and sleeping in it…

I also chose their signature tank because how can you resist this description? The name, Cinder + Salt, was inspired by the residue of a weekend well spent; the scent of campfire on your clothes and the taste of salt water on your skin.

Why yes, I do want people to think that’s how I spend my days.

Also on my wish list?

This hoodie.
This pullover.
This tank.
These notecards.

Another super cool feature? You can use c+s to have your own designs printed on tees!

Read to shop? Take 10% off until June 1st with code SPRING2015! Code works on the website or Etsy.

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Ultimate Guide to Spring in New England

March 24, 2015 by Emily 6 Comments

I think it’s safe to say that Spring isn’t exactly tourist season around here.

Though folks do seem to have a thing for traveling hours to experience St. Paddy’s Day in Boston. Understandable.

But there’s something special about spring for us New Englanders. That first warm day—and by warm I mean 55 degrees—when everyone dons their shorts and sundresses and heads to the Boston Common to sit in the sun. We may hate each other all winter, as we push ourselves onto crowded T’s and get in fights over parking spots, but on that first true spring day, we become a community again.

While I spend all Fall and Summer, and even a chunk of Winter, planning weekend and day trips, Spring is really when I want to stick around Boston. So here, my dears, are some of my suggestions to get the most out of this season in the city::

Have a Picnic on the Common // As aforementioned, the Boston Common is the place to see and be seen in the warm months my friends. Pack a picnic dinner, or grab something from one of the numerous sandwich shops that line Boylston and Tremont.

EarthFest // I have been going to this outdoor festival on the Esplanade since college, and have never had anything but a fantastic time. Free food and free music [Third Eye Blind anyone?]. This year’s date TBD, stay updated here!

Go to the Ballet // There’s something about a spring evening spent at the ballet. Boston Ballet has a fantastic lineup for this spring, including Shades of Sound (March 19-29), Edge of Vision (April 30-May 10), Thrill of Contact (May 14-24).

The Boston Marathon (Third Monday in April) // While always a holiday to the true Bostonians, Marathon Monday means so much more now than it did a few years ago. THIS. This is really a day about community. Get out there. And if you can, cheer until the end. Those finishing at the end of the day are those who appreciate your support most.

Visit the MFA // Sure you can curl up in the Museum of Fine Arts anytime of year, but this spring has an especially fun lineup, including fashion photographer Herb Ritts and the annual Art in Bloom exhibit. Wednesdays after 4pm are free!

The Kentucky Derby (First Weekend in May) // So like, yes, I know this is Boston and not Churchill Downs. But I loooove me a good Derby celebration in Boston— the bougeys really get into it up here. Julep Bar and The Charlesmark have both hosted great events in the past.

HarpoonFest (Third Weekend in May) // Beer. Music. Friends. Enough said.
More here.

Walk for a Charity // You want to be outside with friends anyway– turn that weekend day into a great cause. Two very close to my heart are Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger (May 3) and the Boston Walk for Epilepsy (May 16).

Go to a Red Sox Game // Cliche, but really. I don’t care if you don’t like baseball; you’ll like an evening spent at Fenway Park. Full schedule here!

How are you spending your spring days in or out of the city?

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Spring Wardrobe Essentials

March 20, 2015 by Emily 2 Comments

Happy happy spring friends! Time to break out those dying-to-see-the-light spring threads!

These are becoming some of my favorite posts to put together. I’ve admitted it before: I’m an outfit planner. Like total type-a plan what I wear each day of the week the weekend before. Thinking about outfits for this season and springs past, these are the pieces I know I get the most use out of, living where I do::

White Linen Blazer ($178):: Just a very sweet staple. Over dresses, over a tee and skinnies, to the office…
Rain Boots ($148):: April showers. And the occasional March snow sprinkling. This pair is packable, so great for weekend trips!
Patterned or Colored Skinnies ($28 // 30% off today):: I have worn nothing but black/blue denim or fleece-lined leggings all winter. Until it’s totally dress season, I need to add some life back into my pants.
[Anddd let’s not interpret that the wrong way.]
Floral Skirt ($33):: Because, florals for spring. Groundbreaking.
Chambray Shirt ($75):: My every-season staple! With colored denim, printed skirts, open loose over dresses. List goes on.
Umbrella ($38):: April showers, part two.
Bright Anorak ($170 // 25% off today):: Are you seeing a rainy-day trend here? Make the yucky days brighter with a fun, nautical pop of color.
Trench Coat ($168 // the classic):: Rainwear for the more professional environment. A yellow rain jacket over an LBD is never a good look– trust me, I’ve tried it.
Long-Sleeve Dress ($188 // the staple):: When you just can’t deal with pants any longer, but it’s still too chilly to bare the arms. A navy striped one is a classic– I wear mine almost too often in the springtime.
Pastel Crossbody ($275 // the splurge):: I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: spring clean! My tote bags are bottomless pits in the winter, littered with chapsticks, gloves, receipts, tissues, and other messes. Lighten the load for spring!
[Side note: lavender is huge right now.]
Derby Hat ($36):: K, not an everyday piece, but necessary for sunny picnic days and the Kentucky Derby the first weekend in May!
Keds ($75):: As much as I love them, I have never been more ready to ditch the Bean Boots. Not quite sandal season around here yet, but love me some fresh white tennies. This darling pair is from the new Keds x kate spade collection, but opt for plain white or gray if you want some that will go with everything.

And how I put everything to use::

What are your spring staples?

On another note, some weekend fun::
1 // In need of plans tonight? Head to the opening night of Boston Ballet’s Shades of Sound and don your finest florals for their Spring Social! What better way to celebrate the first day of spring?
2 // If you’re shopping anyway this weekend, consider heading to the Derby Street Vineyard Vines– you get 10% off your purchase, and Vineyard Vines is giving back an additional 10% to Make A Wish Massachusetts & Rhode Island. A cause very near + dear to my heart <3

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Snow White // Navy Lace Dress

March 18, 2015 by Emily Leave a Comment

I struggle to actually call this a Spring outfit, as you can clearly see it’s still not looking much like spring around here yet, BUT believe it or not, the temperatures have risen just the slightest bit! Enough to trade the fleece-lined leggings for ‘hose and the parkas for trenches.

Oh and HEY snow-colored skin. Needing one of these right now.

Are you baring those legs yet?

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A Wedding By the Bay

March 17, 2015 by Emily Leave a Comment

Here’s something they don’t necessarily tell you about wedding planning: An obscene amount of your time [& money, in most cases], will be spent between Etsy, Amazon, and Pinterest. Ohhh Pinterest, you have been such a friend and a foe. Filling my heart eyes with endless ideas but making me feel so inadequate-slash-poor at the same time.

We’re getting married on Cape Cod, so I’ve constantly been in search of ways to incorporate subtly nautical elements, without looking too beachy. I fear giving too much away will curse things(!), so here are a few ideas from my board that we’ve passed on, but that are still making me swoon::

*images one / two / three / four /five / six / seven / eight / nine / ten / eleven

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Countdown to Derby Day

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Weekend Wear

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Fairytale Separates

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How to Style & Stock Your Bar Cart

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Singing in the Shower

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Searching for Spring

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Ultimate Guide to Spring in New England

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Spring Wardrobe Essentials

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Snow White // Navy Lace Dress

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A Wedding By the Bay

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