Nantucket Archives - shell chic'd

Color Study: Sankaty Light

July 24, 2024 by Emily Leave a Comment

Is the blog back from her slumber?! Starting a new series, let’s see how we do.

Location | Sankaty Head Lighthouse, Nantucket
Tuckernuck x Nantucket Reds Aiden Sweater
Half Zip Swimsuit | Straw Bucket Hat | Green Linen Mini Dress
Adidas Handball Spezial Sneakers | Leahlani Happy Hour Serum
Linen Cotton Tote Bag | Raffia Sandals
Ribbed Mini Dress | Vest Mini Dress

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The Daytrip Diaries: Sconset, Nantucket

July 17, 2019 by Emily Leave a Comment

{Edit: Bebe is here! Now enjoy this post I wrote and started to schedule from a hospital bed during my two-day induction process.}

A few Julys ago, we started a little tradition of⁠—I know, I hate myself for this too⁠—Scooter to ‘Sconset. I was capital b Burnt Out from working on Nantucket (don’t @ me) and starting to fall out of love with that happy little island.

During a particularly hormonal week, MJF, my ginger in shining armor donated quite a few hours of precious sleep to the cause and drove down to Hyannis early one morning to hop the Hyline and meet me on island for one of my days off. We gtfo’d crowded downtown Nantucket and rented a scooter (I recommend Nantucket Bike Shop!) to drive out to the sweet little village of Siasconet on the east side of the island. And I will now put an irresponsible amount of money on the line to tell you there are few places in this world more beautiful than ‘Sconset in bloom. And I’ve been to Greece.

Since baby’s due date falls smack in the middle of what would be our annual day trip week (mid-July is PRIME for hydrangea hunting out there) and I have been advised to not find myself on an island within possible hours of going into labor, I’m taking this time to finally share—you called it—last year’s snapshots of Sconset Bluff Walk and the rest of this cottage-filled village.

Breakfast // I have had very few true cravings during this pregnancy, but the thought of Sconset Market’s blueberry muffins has been t-o-r-t-u-r-i-n-g me. Actually let’s be honest, that craving has nothing to do with pregnancy.

Lunch // The most dee-lish made-to-order sandwiches at Claudette’s

Dinner // I’m very serious about my al fresco dining, so The Summer House‘s beachside bistro being one of my all time favorites should really tell you something. It’s pricey, but, it’s Nantucket. A piece of toast on that island is going to cost you $12.

Beach // ‘Sconset Beach

Shop // CJ Laing might as well just take all my money. This straw tote and this basket bag hail from there!

Stroll // ‘Sconset Bluff Walk. Do not make your way to Nantucket and skip this. The public footpath leads you through the back flower-filled yards of some of the bougiest houses I have ever seen and is one of the best kept secrets on the island. Or, was before Instagram came along and exposed it.

Enter ‘Sconset Bluff Walk on Front Street off of Broadway (look for the “Public Way” sign at the end of the street). At the end of your stroll, keep walking down Baxter Road to reach Sankaty Light, maybeeee (just maybe) one of my favorite lighthouses in all the land.

And believe it or not, with a bit of caffeine, you can do Boston–>Nantucket–>Sconset in one day.

(I may retract that statement a year from now when we attempt such with a one-year-old).

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Wrap it Up with Sara Fitz Studio

July 30, 2018 by Emily Leave a Comment

If you’ve ever been so lucky to receive a gift from me, you may have had to feign excitement and an ~~I’ll probably regift this~~ omg thank youuuu. But I am sure as heck that you at least drooled at the sight of my wrapping job. I take a lot of pride in packaging—and fall victim to it often. It’s half the reason I blew so much money at Free People during college because have you SEEN their boho cloth shopping bags?

So every year I kick off the holidays by planning my gift wrapping theme. TG I’ve got a few more months of above-freezing temperatures until then, but Sara Fitz’s watercolor wrapping paper and stationery has me READY to give everyone a side of New England summer along with their most likely mediocre gifts. Her coastal-inspired art is so Nantucket that you can almost taste a Juice Bar waffle cone, with hydrangeas, daffies, basket purses and boat totes, and other quintessential motifs.

While we’re on the subject, some of my favorite IRL straw bags.

The problem for my wallet is it’s way more than paper goods: Check out Sara Fitz’s nautically painted dishware, art prints, even handbags. And remember when I was 100p ready to wallpaper our bathroom? Absolutely revisiting that idea now.

I love that Sara Fitz Studio is actually made up of Sara and her husband Miles. Their clear love of New England is so evident in this simple, but whimsy, art. It’s an aesthetic I know would fit in our home forever. Now about that Cape house Matt…

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Nantucket Shopping Guide {Part II}

November 12, 2015 by Emily 6 Comments

I wasn’t kidding when I said shopping was a highlight of our fall trip to ACK, and Old South Wharf was just part of it. Here are five other places to get your Nantucket shopping on…!

Best of the Beach // 2 Straight wharf
Don’t be fooled by the Nantucket-emblemed merchandise displayed out front– this is not is not your mama’s beach souvenir shop. Rather, another one of those stores you, my darling readers–if I’ve taught you anything–will walk into and mindlessly utter “Emily” without even realizing you’re doing so. Here you’ll find seaside-inspired homeware [everything from plastic tumblers to fine silver platters], beautiful linens and bedding, women’s clothing and accessories [you’ll recognize brands like Gretchen Scott and Vera Bradley], and the famous Nantucket 02554 zip code jute bags. Screw registries– this is where I plan on picking up wedding gifts for any and all of my likeminded friends.

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Ship to Shore // Straight Wharf
RIGHT off of the ferry dock lies Ship to Shore, making it the perfect place to stop for that gift you forgot to buy you sister’s cousin’s niece. But again, don’t dismiss it as another silly souvenir shop– while small, this store had some of the more attractive ACK apparel I saw on the island. Jewelry, ornaments, books by local authors– don’t pass it up because you assume it’s home to a stack of lax-bro pinnies with NANTUCKET LIFEGUARD plastered across them.

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Milly & Grace // 2 Washington Street
Meet my Christmas list. Girly dresses, preppy home goods, pastel kitchenware, darling stationary. Read more about it and see my Milly & Grace-inspired outfit here!

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Nina McLemore // 22 Centre Street
I feel fortunate to work in an office that has a, let’s say, less than professional dress code. If we’re being honest, people assume I’m job hunting or something if I show up in anything that could possibly be deemed business casual even. But, I feel for those of you who do have to follow a stricter dress code at work. Mostly because when I picture “business casual” or, God forbid, “formal,” I see nothing but black and gray pantsuits and stiff dresses. Until I walked into this vibrant shop on Centre Street.

Nina’s pieces are designed “to address the needs of senior professional and executive women and women who are active in their communities,” and they fill one serious void in this industry: COLOR. The jackets and the pants and the blouses oh my– these belong in your professional wardrobe ladies!! Her side-zip travel pants have to be one of my favorite pieces [maybe because I’m living in the past and miss the days of dressing up for travel?].These are comfy as yoga pants but chic enough for sharing a row on the airplane with your boss. Game changer.

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Freedman’s of Nantucket // 14 Centre Street
These photos don’t even begin to do this incredible store, and its owner, justice. Don Freedman preaches exactly what I’ve been trying to get across in the struggle to decorate our condo, and his furniture and home accessories fill the void: We want nautically-inspired decor, without filling our home with novelty items that border the line of cheesy and cliche. And his one-of-a-kind designs achieve that. Ship wheels. Brass compasses. Weathered anchor doorknobs. Hand-carved whale statues. Leather suitcases that double as portable bars and cocktail tables. An endless supply of clocks, each one different, that look like they belong in the captain’s quarters of a ship.

Don travels overseas to find his artists and craftsmen, and he works with them to turn these pieces that could be considered “touristy” or “novelty” into something that’s creative and unique. He has been selling on Nantucket for over 30 years, and his store has be considered the most creative on the island. Prices range from $25 to $6,000, so when I say there’s something for everyone, I ain’t joking kids. If nothing else, visit just for the chance to talk to Don, to hear his stories of traveling the world and garnering inspiration.

These store owners and managers are some of the most creative and interesting people I have ever met. There is so much more to experience in their shops than product alone.

Christmas Stroll is December 4-6 this year, and it’s one of the best times for Nantucket shopping according to many of the folks we met. Time to book that ferry!

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Full Disclosure: This trip was sponsored by Nantucket Island Resorts.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Where to Shop on Island {Part 1}:: Old South Wharf Nantucket

November 11, 2015 by Emily 3 Comments

I’m prettyyy positive that when most people, or at least millennials, think “shopping on Nantucket,” visions of pastel pants and popped collars and $300 loafers come to mind… maybe with some J.McLaughlin and Lilly Pulitzer snuck in. But visiting ACK in the quiet season gave us the opportunity to do much more exploring, and the shopping really ended up being a highlight of the trip (the mister even agrees!!). I so easily could give each one of these stores their own post, but for the sake of leaving you with a single comprehensive guide for your next trip, I’m dividing it into just two parts.

First up, the real hidden gems of the island, which lie on Old South Wharf– a strip that lies behind the cottages at the Boat Basin, and one that many of you who have visited have probably walked by without noticing a hundred times…

Made on Nantucket // 18 Old South Wharf
This shop practices exactly what it preaches:: Tons of jewelry, art, photography, and other unique pieces made right on island. Despite its teeny tiny size, this is one of those stores that you could visit every day, always finding something new. Owner Kathy Duncombe carries the largest selection of Bakelite on the East Coast, along with vintage kitchenware, barware, endless prints and jewelry, including the famous Nantucket cut-out necklaces and bracelets. Even in the dead of the off-season [weather permitting!], you can find them open 11-4 on Saturdays.

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Island Weaves // 20 Old South Wharf
Those beautiful handwoven blankets you’ll find in just about every B&B on the island? I’d bet you a lot that they were made by Karin at Island Weaves. Nantucket brides wear her “Island Wedding Shawl.” Nantucket babies are christened in her blankets. She’s created rugs out of everything from silk ties to Nantucket Reds. The shop is overflowing with cozy pieces already, but give her a request and she’ll make it. The bigger, and of course custom, pieces come at a pretty penny, but her hand towels would make the nicest wedding or housewarming gift.

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Cromartie Gallery & Studio // 23 Old South Wharf
Few things recently have made me feel as ignorant as not realizing the serious celebrity status of James Cromartie when I ~~stumbled upon~~ [ok, Kathy took me there] his gallery on Old South Wharf. If “leading hard-edge realist” doesn’t mean anything to you, look at this. His paintings of the White House and the Capitol have been featured in textbooks, and his patrons have included Princess Diana and Nelson Rockefeller. [Princess Di came into this store!! In a baseball cap!!]

Whether you plan on dishing out the bucks to purchase one of his prints or not, don’t leave Nantucket without stopping in this gallery. Jim is one of THE more entertaining and talented individuals I’ve had the pleasure of encountering– and you can watch this trailer for his upcoming documentary if you don’t believe me.

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Pete’s Fresh Fish Prints // 17 Old South Wharf
I’d also like to formally apologize for not knowing was gyotaku was prior to this trip? You don’t either? Whew. I’m actually going to let you google the specifics on your own for the sake of keeping things alive around here, but end story, it’s a Japanese practice that generates some awesome art. Peter VanDingstee’s prints are exactly what I plan on filling my future ‘Sconset mansion with, but until then, I’ll continue paying Pete visits on the wharf.

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Ellie Kai // 5 Old South Wharf
I was lucky enough to have already been introduced to Ellie Kai this past summer at a trunk show, but this was my first time getting to visit an EK showroom! If you’re unfamiliar with Ellie Kai, picture your favorite day-to-night dress. Now picture having it in every other color and print you could want, at a length custom made for you, and under $200. You can read more about the company and how it works in my post here, but visiting a showroom? So worth it. There’s something about this brand that makes you fall in love with pieces even more when you try them on, and getting to flip through all the prints in person? There’s no way you’ll be walking out of here with less than two things.

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So next time you walk past Old South Wharf Nantucket, stop and turn the corner– there are way more hidden treasures down there than you would ever think.

I’ll be back tomorrow with guide no. II!

Looking for where to stay and eat on island? You can find my recommendations here.

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Full Disclosure: This trip was sponsored by Nantucket Island Resorts.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Nantucket in the Fall

November 5, 2015 by Emily 13 Comments

We’ve done it in 90 degrees. We’ve done it in a blizzard. And now, on a slightly more normal scale, we can say we’ve done Nantucket in the fall.

Yeah. While you all packed your bags and drove toward Western Mass foliage or the New Hampshire mountains, we hopped on a Hy-Line ferry for an autumn jaunt to ACK. And I kind-of-really-highly suggest you do too.

Top 10 Reasons to Visit Nantucket in the Fall::

1 // Everything is on sale. Everything.
2 // The hotel rates are unbeatable– this is your chance to book where you may not necessarily be able to afford in high season. We stayed at the Jared Coffin House, but The White Elephant also comes highly recommended.
3 // NO. CROWDS. And the island really feels more like a community than a standing-room-only tourist destination. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that at least 70 percent of our fellow ferry passengers knew each other.
4 // But, things are still open, at least downtown. Not every restaurant, not every store, but a good chunk of them– I didn’t pass one business that I felt like I was missing out on, and we had no shortage of options. Just be aware that as the fall goes on, less and less stay open 7 days a week; your best bet is visiting Friday-Sunday.
5 // Cisco Brewer’s Pumple Drunkin.
6 // The chilly temperatures outside mean there’s no reason to feel guilty about cozying up for a flick in the Starlight Theatre instead of making it a beach day.
7 // Christmas Stroll! The first full weekend of December marks this Nantucket tradition, when most of the seasonal stores and restaurants reopen for business.
8 // The red wine list at Nantucket Prime. I reserve reds for October through February only.
9 // To support a small seasonal community.
10 // You can take photos of all the bourgeois’ immaculate summer homes and not feel like a total creep since they all left the island on Labor Day.

As far as I’m concerned, the only negative was no hydrangeas in bloom. But I guess it’s not fair to consider that a deal breaker.

Click each photo for links to their respective restaurants and lodging!

[ destination:: nantucket, massachusetts ]

who:: Hubs + I, and we also met up with my sweet friend Lindsay— an ACK resident and total expert. Hit her up for anything I haven’t answered!
what:: Wander the cobblestone streets and take advantage of how–for once–quiet they are. Shop the sales. Meet the store owners and chat with the locals– I can’t tell you what fun conversations we had all weekend. Stroll Old South Wharf. Get your history fix [and warm up from the fall chill] at the Whaling Museum. Take a trip out to Barlett’s Farm [open all year ’round!]
when:: This is for FALL y’all. Specifically, consider coming for Columbus Day Weekend and Holiday Stroll in December.
where:: Stay at Jared Coffin House (cozy, romantic, historical) or The White Elephant (elegant resort atmosphere) | Brunch at Brant Point Grill (the French toast, please and thank you); lunch at Starlight Theatre & Cafe (catch a matinee here too!); dinner at Nantucket Prime (take advantage of their heated outdoor patio) | Shop at [CHECK BACK NEXT WEEK FOR MY COMPLETE ACK SHOPPING GUIDE!]
wear:: GAP Navy Cable Knit Sweater | Jack Wills Eyelet Dress [similar] | Longchamp Le Pliage Tote | ALDO Brogues [similar]
click here for my Milly & Grace outfit!

You wouldn’t believe how easily you can get on island from Boston– just a quick ride over on the HyLine Fast Ferry. Trust me– it’s wonders what a day out of the city can do for you, especially as the cold sets in and the days turn dreary!

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[ for additional travel guides, click here! ]

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Full Disclosure: This trip was sponsored by Nantucket Island Resorts.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Cozied Up on Nantucket with Milly & Grace

October 28, 2015 by Emily 7 Comments

We just got back from the best little weekend jaunt to Nantucket thanks to some of my friends at NE Development, and I tell ya– taking even just one day off work and getting out of the city can do wonders for a fall slump.

I’m excited to share a fall-on-ACK travel and shopping guide with you soon [gotta get you prepped for Christmas Stroll!], but for now, a quick outfit from the weekend, featuring a new ruana (which I happen to be wearing wrong) (which I shouldn’t have admitted to you) from one of the most darling stores ~~on Nantucket~~ ever, Milly & Grace.

Milly & Grace is a confluence of owner Emily Ott Hollister’s two grandmothers’ styles– sassy Milly and sweet Grace. Anyone who knows me could walk in this store and see why it’s a place in which I feel right at home– preppy and feminine dresses, delicate but colorful jewelry, whimsical gifts and home accessories, and the prettiest displays and dressing rooms. It’s vintage-inspired, yet fresh and cheery.

Humble brag, but this ruana made me feel chic AF.

Be back with more Nantucket shopping guides next week…!

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Nantucket Basket Purse

June 24, 2015 by Emily 6 Comments

Know what I love about New England? Even our purses here have a rich history. World, meet the Nantucket Basket. These sweet babies have been around for 150 years, when lightship workers would weave them to pass their time aboard whaling ships. They’ve been known as Nantucket Lightship Baskets, Nantucket Friendship Baskets, whatever they’re called, they’re a symbol of the island. Class dismissed.

This purse has been passed around my family, a gift from my mother to my grandmother and then back down to me, and it’s one of those quick-there’s-a-fire-what-items-do-you-save most treasured possessions of mine. #cheese

Striped Boatneck Tee, Gap [similar] | Cream Tulle Skirt, LC Lauren Conrad | Nantucket Lighting Basket [similar 1; 2] | Beige Patent Pumps, Steve Madden

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Nantucket in the Winter // Part Three: Exploring the Frozen Island

March 5, 2014 by Emily 10 Comments

We spent the second half of our weekend on Nantucket bundled up for exploring the island. I didn’t have the highest hopes for even making it to the East side, where Sankaty Head Lighthouse + the sweet village of ‘Sconset lie, but we fell into some extreme luck + happened to stay at an inn whose owner was in town and all over taking us on a jeep tour around the island, allowing us to see so much more than I expected [another point for the Centerboard Inn!].

[ sankaty head light ]
Built in 1850, this is another oldie! Like Gay Head Lighthouse on Martha’s Vineyard, Sankaty Head is falling victim to erosion; it has already been moved back once [400 feet] from its original location on the eroding bluff. You may be familiar with Cisco Brewers’ Sankaty Light Lager, and this sweet lighthouse is its namesake.

Back closer to town on the North side of the island lies Steps Beach. Despite the wind chills we felt, there was something so calming and beautiful about the snow covering the sand. Almost makes me fall back in love with winter!

My super-soft scarf is from Shawlsmith London, and the lovely folks there are continuing my reader discount and giving you all 25% off your order with code SSL25! This is the best transition scarf for spring– cheery yellow but enough cotton fabric to keep you warm.

Thank you all for bearing with me through this series! May it inspire you to take advantage of the few pretty things about living in New England through the bitter winter. Now let me know, where have you jaunted off to this season?

Nantucket in the Winter // Part Two.Point.Five: Brant Point Light

February 26, 2014 by Emily 14 Comments

Shocker: We made time for lighthouses on our trip.

We saw Brant Point Light this past summer, but it was quite possibly even more beautiful under a fresh coat of snow. It was frigid out there on the point, and yet we couldn’t help but stick around for a while… clearly capturing every angle possible…

Toggle Coat, American Eagle [similar] | Crossbody Bag, Madewell | Boots, LL Bean

Color Study: Sankaty Light

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The Daytrip Diaries: Sconset, Nantucket

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Wrap it Up with Sara Fitz Studio

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Nantucket Shopping Guide {Part II}

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Where to Shop on Island {Part 1}:: Old South Wharf Nantucket

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Nantucket in the Fall

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Cozied Up on Nantucket with Milly & Grace

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Nantucket Basket Purse

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Nantucket in the Winter // Part Three: Exploring the Frozen Island

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Nantucket in the Winter // Part Two.Point.Five: Brant Point Light

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