shell chic'd

Singing in the Shower

by 8 Comments

Lilly Pulitzer Party InvitationWhen 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!

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

Lilly Pulitzer Pink First Impression DressLilly Pulitzer Bridal ShowerDown to the PHONE CASE matching!

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

Afternoon Tea Wedding ShowerLilly Pulitzer Flower ArrangementsLilly Pulitzer Bannerhow to make a bridal shower bouquetLilly Pulitzer MonogramsBridal Party TeaLilly Pulitzer Fabric SwatchesLilly Pulitzer First Impression PartyLilly Pulitzer Favors

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!

lilly pulitzer target

emilysignature

[ follow along love! instagram | twitter | rss | bloglovin ]

Dream Park

by Leave a Comment

painted playgrounds

I suppose you could say my fashion blogging career started in this playground.

Sometime during my awkward high school years, probably drooling over the spreads of Teen Vogue, I realized this park would work as a pretty darn cute backdrop for my amateur “fashion photography,” if you can even call it that. So, I would grab my best friends models, put together some outfits [all fitting within a theme of course, jungle fever or bohemian flower child, perhaps], style them, and shoot away. I had quite the portfolio for a 16-year-old with a point-and-shoot.

Anyway, it only seemed fitting to stop by the old playground when I was in town, and experience for myself what I used to put my friends through all those years. Ladies, I do apologize now.

Preppy Fall Outfit

Blazer, The Limited [similar] | Oxford, Gap [similar] | Jersey Skirt, American Apparel | Tartan Frat Hat, Southern Proper | Monogram necklace c/o Onecklace | World Watch, Urban Outfitters | Le Pliage Tote, Longchamp | Boots, Lauren Ralph Lauren [similar]

Souther Proper Green Tartan Hat

Onecklace Gold Monogrammed Necklace

Anchor Cuff

Blackwatch Plaid Baseball Cap

Medium Navy Longchamp Le Pliage

Monograms and Memories

by Leave a Comment

Old Smith Bridge Pennsylvania

Though my family no longer lives there, I couldn’t resist a short trip down to my home area of the Brandywine Valley in Pennsylvania when the opportunity arose over the holidays. It really deserves a travel post of its own, but most of our time on this particular journey was spent inside visiting old friends [and eating… namely Wawa, Philly Cheesesteaks, Half Moon Saloon‘s Crab Nachos, and Hank’s Place‘s famous corned beef hash].

Smithbridge Chadds Ford

I did have to take a few moments, though, to show BF some of my favorite childhood sights, like this darling covered bridge. While the original from 1839 has since burned down, this 2002 version was rebuilt to replicate the original, and it still holds the same rustic, single-lane charm [as nerve-racking as driving over it may be!].

J.Crew Christmas Plaid Skirt

Sweater, Banana Republic [similar 1; 2] | Plaid Skirt, J.Crew Factory [similar] | 24K Gold Plated Monogrammed Necklace c/o Onecklace | Pearl necklace, J.Crew [similar] | Bag, Jesslyn Blake [similar splurge // similar steal] | Boots, Lauren Ralph Lauren [similar]

Gold Plated Monogram Necklace

#hairflip

My monogrammed necklace [which has been on my wish list for-EVER] was sent to me by the kind folks at Onecklace— much more affordable than most retailers I’ve seen, yet still beautiful quality. And you just cannot beat free shipping!

Onecklace Review

Sequin Elbow Patch Sweater

Chadds Ford Christmas

A Winter Escape

by 12 Comments

DSC_0479

This past weekend, BF and I braved the oncoming snow and took a drive down to northern Pennsylvania. We had a, quite literally, dreamy winter-wonderland weekend bundled up at Skytop Lodge, a stunning resort in the Poconos Mountains that dates back to 1925. It was like taking a step back in time… such a beautiful place with so much rich history!

Christmas at Skytop Lodge

DSC_0444

Skytop Christmas Tree

DSC_0496

Christmas in the Poconos

Vineyard Vines Lobster Sweater

[ outfit details ]
Lobster Sweater, Vineyard Vines [sold out, but hat and scarf still available] | Oxford, Polo Ralph Lauren | Jeans, American Eagle | Pearls, vintage [similar] | Snow Boots, L.L.Bean

Nautical Christmas Sweater

DSC_0442

Preppy Christmas Sweaters

Bean Boots + Socks

Skytop Lodge Exterior

Life-sized Gingerbread House

Hello life-size gingerbread house!

Skytop Christmas Tree

Felt like I was in the Nutcracker sitting by this tree.

old fashioned ski lodge for Christmas

[ travel summary ]
who:: family, friends, or romantic getaway. we went a huge group of family and it could not have been more fun.
what:: stay cozied up at the lodge, the inn, or one of the cottages. lounge around the lodge living and game areas. ice skate. soak in the hot tub. climb to the observation deck. have milkshakes in the tea room. hike if weather cooperates. ski the bunny hill on the property, or there are other mountains within a 45-minute drive.
when:: this post only speaks to skytop in the winter [which was amazing!], but it is even more popular in the summer.
where:: skytop, pennsylvania in the pocono mountains. within a 5-hour drive of boston, nyc, and philadelphia.
wear:: not too long ago, you were not welcome in the dining room without a jacket. things have casual-ed up a bit, but still better to be overdressed than under here! #shmancy

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

post script: other fun holiday things!
Check out my stocking wish list over on la vie j’aime today + this fun new feature from the team at Blog Better Boston!

These local bloggers were chosen to represent the best of the best holiday themed blog posts in Boston via Blog Better Boston’s new {hub}LINKS. They wrote about holiday fashion, cocktails, entertaining, gift guides, and more!

Show these blogs some love:

  • Kneadle + Bread tackles the task of finding the perfect hostess gifts.
  • Mon Petit Chou Chou shows us how to make a delicious holiday cocktail.
  • FiveToNine finds the perfect gifts for our four legged friends.
  • MOPA stays warm during the snowy winter weather by baking with her family.
  • A Daily Dose of Vitamin D puts together a festive outfit for holiday gatherings.
  • Shell Chic’d decorates her bar cart for holiday entertaining.
  • Cobbs Hill introduces us to beauty products to help you shine all season long.
  • HollyDolly demonstrates how to create a simple DIY Holly pin for your hair.

Want to be featured in the next edition? Sign up for the {hub}LINKS newsletter and submit your posts!