life Archives - Page 3 of 14

#vacation

March 21, 2014 by Emily Leave a Comment

[ Micheline Bikini Bottom, Bow & Drape ]

Gal pals– I am out of here for a few days! We are off to Miami to celebrate a beautiful couple with some great friends. I’ll be back next week, hopefully not too sunburnt, but here are some fun tidbits to tide ya over!

You all remember Hope Kauffman from this post? She has a BEAUTIFUL winter wedding shoot on Style Me Pretty right now! New to-do: Visit Montana.

I was so excited when a friend alerted me that I made it on this Instagram feature from Racked Boston. Check it out and be sure to follow the rest of these fantastic accounts!

Tomorrow [3/22] is Lunch with Lilly— a Lilly Pulitzer tradition. Though years in which you could win a lunch with Lilly Pulitzer herself have passed, there are free gifts with EVERY purchase in store or online tomorrow! I’m personally crushing on these shorts and this tote right now.

There’s still time to enter my Brittany Lauren Design custom stamp giveaway— especially perfect for all of you recently engaged 🙂

The Bow & Drape bikini pictured above. But honestly. I’m obsessed.

I was featured in Blog Better Boston’s hublinks a couple weeks ago, and I hope you’ll all take a moment to check out some of the other posts; the theme was local love— something I believe strongly in.

Everyone needs a little bit of Lilly in their wardrobe. Shell Chic’d colorfully tells us how the clothes, the story, and the brand of Lilly Pulitzer… is everything!

Want unforgettable lips? Boston Mints is your answer. With 12 iconic shades with Boston character, you will surely find one that you can’t live without!

Wear it two ways! “A little pretty, a little reckless.” Style this amazing ruffled black maxi skirt with a little bit of edge or make it girly and fab!

Walk through a virtual Pinterest board known as the Local Love Market at BCAE. No girl can resist such beautiful displays of flowers, jewelry, gifts, and art!

The Tannery is a Boston fashionista’s dream and has many locations all around the city. Mon Petit Chou Chou pays a visit and models her favorite pieces.

Searching for delicious sweets and treats you don’t have to feel guilty about? Learn about this North End chocolatier’s healthier approach in confection making.

Who can turn down chocolate, especially when it looks pretty? Here are some fun and creative holiday entertaining ideas and display tips.

Mass Musings gives you a quick look into 3 wonderful local Boston fashion boutiques. Shop smart, shop small!

Eager to delve into an adventurous recipe but don’t know where to get all the unique ingredients? You can find them at Joppa Fine Foods – a “food enthusiast’s Disneyland.”

“One of my favorite things about this area is the high value Bostonians place on caffeine!” A local bakery and coffee shop to wake you up!

Nantucket in the Winter // Part One: The Calm Before the Storm

February 19, 2014 by Emily 17 Comments

We’re bACK! I have to say, Nantucket was beautiful in the summer, but I have a whole new appreciation for it after spending a few February days on the island. We were super lucky, and arrived safely on Saturday before any of the snow hit [though that did make for some pretty pictures later!].

I selfishly can’t bear to squeeze the whole few days into one post, so here ya go: day one. Exploring downtown, ducking into the few open shops only to find everything 75% off, a trip to the Whaling Museum, and lots of r&r in our sweet inn.

[ travel summary ]
who:: in the winter, there is a very cozy, quiet, romantic feel to nantucket, so i’d definitely recommend this for a couple’s escape. bonus points if you run into a long-lost friend like I did–the darling miss lindsay from lindsay’s look who now lives on ACK!
what:: visit the whaling museum; shop the incredible winter sales; visit the island’s most highly-rated restaurants without a thought of needing reservations; and stay cooped up inside with water views outside. go on a few adventures too– more on that next week 🙂
when:: i really + truly advocate for going off-season now! you save money, and you escape the crowds [nantucket’s population surges to 50-60,000 in the summer]. if you can, plan for president’s day weekend– you’ll find many stores and restaurants open for this weekend only to accommodate the few extra travelers. for summer doings, click here.
where:: eat at dune + lola 41 [stay for their sunday sushi specials!] | shop at murray’s toggery + milly & grace‘s president’s day weekend sale | coffee at the bean + books at nantucket bookworks or mitchell’s book corner | and, most of all, stay at the centerboard inn. this was quite honestly my nautical princess palace and truly deserves a post of its own.
wear:: you’ll see a lot of bean boots around wintertime nantucket, but really you’ll be safe with anything but heels, weather allowing. the islands are also slightly warmer than the rest of massachusetts, so take advantage of wearing that dress! [with tights]. for winter beach walks, you’ll want something slightly more durable, but more on that to come!

Fax Me

February 14, 2014 by Emily Leave a Comment

Anyone else remember thinking that was possibly the least romantic candy heart ever?

Wishing you all a fun Valentine’s Day, be it with your sweetheart or gal pals. All you haters out there, at LEAST do yourself a favor and locate some chocolate! Then enjoy it guilt-free.

Weather allowing, I’m off to Nantucket this weekend for a little birthday celebrating! Be sure to follow along my chilly adventures via Instagram 🙂

The Quarterdeck

February 12, 2014 by Emily 20 Comments

This. This is The Quarterdeck. A small seaside gift shop selling every sort of nicknack, from rubber finger puppets to mood rings to seashell jewelry to vintage travel books to weathered photographs to incense to postcards to war antiques and so much more. This is my happy place.

And after 45 years in business, it is closing.

Forgive my personal pity party over here, but I feel a sort of duty to honor the harbor-side store in which I learned to shop. My parents would bring me here every summer and give me a couple dollars, to which I could spend HOURS trying to figure out how to spend. The shell ring or the mini turtle figurine or the woven change purse?! The possibilities were endless.

I realize now how much its nautical treasures and motifs shaped my own style, both in fashion and decorating. Twenty-some years later, it’s still my favorite place to shop.

I had to make one more trip down to Scituate… to say goodbye, buy ~~a few~~ a ton of unnecessary but oh-so-special treasures for myself, and load up with photos to reminisce on later.

This vintage multi-strand pearl necklace? Found at the QD years ago.

If anyone lives or will be traveling to the South Shore (Massachusetts) before mid-March, everything in the store is 45% off! It also has a supporting role in the Cher classic The Witches of Eastwick, so you’ll get a little bit of Hollywood out of your trip there as well 🙂

Sappy girl OUT.

Weekend To Do List

January 24, 2014 by Emily Leave a Comment

[ Rugby Ruffle Ankle Sock, Free People, $14 ]

This Weekend:
1. Cozy up in a pair of your knobbiest socks with this cup of hot chocolate and stop hating on winter, because remember: these types of activities are unwelcome in the warmer months.
2. Stop by my Free People event in Harvard Square on Saturday! There’s also a Chocolate Festival going on, as if you needed more incentive.

Have a great one you all!

A New Year

January 2, 2014 by Emily 16 Comments

A very merry new year to you all! I’m feeling so refreshed after a few days away and a night of celebrating with friends, new and old. Here’s to making 2014 the best year yet!

psst! My skirt is from the sweet Preppy Pink Shop, and you can find similar glitter mary-janes here [splurge] and here [steal].

Adventures in Style

December 30, 2013 by Emily Leave a Comment

I had something much sappier written out, but before hitting publish, I thought I’d keep those reflections to myself and instead just share some of my favorite travels + looks of the year 🙂 Here’s to remaining grateful, staying humble, and taking life’s curveballs in stride throughout 2014!

[ January | February ]

[ March | April ]

[ May | June ]

[ July | August ]

[ September | October ]

[ November | December ]

Wishing you all a safe, joyful, and sparkly New Year’s Eve, and an even better New Year.

Not Another Moment Lost to Seizures

November 11, 2013 by Emily Leave a Comment

Today’s outfit post is a little different. I questioned whether or not to share this at all, but I think it serves as a good reminder that behind every cookie-cutter glitter-dipped blog, there is a real person.

For the last 72 hours, I’ve been undergoing an ambulatory EEG, to record brain activity and attempt to shed some light on my epilepsy. I in no way am sharing this for pity, attention, sympathy, or anything of the sort. November is Epilepsy Awareness Month, and I’m sharing this getup to spread the word.

Epilepsy affects 2+ million Americans, and 65 million people worldwide. There is no cure, as of yet. But we’re working on it.

I’ve mentioned my condition here before, and I won’t drone on it. But something quick you can do: Read this Seizure First Aid Guide. 1 in every 10 people will have a seizure in their lifetime. If you witness one, you can make all the difference by following these simple few steps.

Thank you for letting me put this all out there today! In happier news, my sweet scarf [that was so cozy to cuddle up with this weekend] is from Shawlsmith London, and they are offering 25% off a scarf of your choice with code SSL25! Purple is the official color of the Epilepsy Foundation, so I have my eye on this one 🙂

Happy Monday, friends. Here’s to a great week!

Chain Mail Q&A

November 8, 2013 by Emily 5 Comments

pssst! Lilly Pulitzer’s birthday is Sunday! #HappyBirthdayLilly

I don’t usually participate in these jaunts, but Alex tagged me, and since I’d trust Alex with my life, imma fill it out.

1. Favorite flower?
I will always have a thing for red roses, but I just love buying myself a big ‘ol bunch of sunflowers at the Haymarket farmers’ market. Pink tulips aren’t half bad either.

2. Most and least organized space in your home?
Even though the surface gets messy, when you get to the drawers, my desk wins for most organized. Least=pantry.

3. What book have you read recently that really moved you?
I’m also reading I Am Malala, and it is incredible so far.

4. What dish are you most looking forward to at Thanksgiving dinner?
Mashed potatoes, green beans, and spiked cider.

5. How do you take your coffee?
A judge-worthy amount of cream & sugar. Maybe 1% milk if I have a moment of strength.

6. Thing you miss most about high school?
Homecoming Week. And I rarely even went to the actual football game.

7. Most memorable concert?
B. Spears 2003 with my best girl Kasey Marie. No joke.

8. Dots or stripes?
Stripes.

9. How do you unwind before bed?
To be frank, I go through my Instragram feed and moisturize with some Yes to Grapefruit lotion 🙂

I tag Georgina, Yi-chia, Lauren, and Elissa! Happy Friday friends!

Head of the Charles 2013

November 6, 2013 by Emily 18 Comments

One of my favorite fall traditions, aside from apple picking and trips to Salem, is heading over the river to Cambridge to watch the Head of the Charles Regatta. Whether or not you’re a fan of crew, there’s something for everyone on the race grounds.

I remember high school friends making the trek to Boston every October to participate in the Regatta. Even though I wasn’t a rower myself, I remember being so excited at the prospect of getting to go watch one day once I moved to Boston.

Brooks Brothers is a HOTC sponsor, and their two tents—one by the finish line and one by Harvard’s Weld Boathouse—are not to be missed for themed apparel and gifts!

[ activity summary ]
who:: Something for all ages; if you go with a group, be ok with splitting up!
what:: Watch the races; eat fried food, chowdah’ in a bread bowl, and Wild Bill’s root beer at the Weld Exhibition on the Cambridge side; shop for limited-edition goods at the Brooks Brothers and Sperry Top-Sider tents + others at the Rowing & Fitness Expo by the finish line on the Boston side.
when:: The penultimate full weekend of every October
where:: All up and down the Charles River, on both the Boston and Cambridge sides. I think it’s most fun to watch the races from the bridges! View a full map here.
wear:: Clothes comfortable for walking around + sitting in the grass; boat shoes or rain boots/Bean Boots if the conditions are muddy [they often are!]

Have you been to the regatta, or other boat races? What are your favorite things to take part in?

#vacation

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Nantucket in the Winter // Part One: The Calm Before the Storm

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Fax Me

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The Quarterdeck

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Weekend To Do List

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A New Year

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Adventures in Style

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Not Another Moment Lost to Seizures

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Chain Mail Q&A

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Head of the Charles 2013

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