There are few things more joyous in the chilly Northeast than the first day of bare-leg weather. Spring is FINALLY starting to arrive 🙂
Navy Blazer, H&M [similar] | Striped Boatneck Tee, GAP | Flippy Skirt, Aryn K [similar yellow 1; 2] | Tortoise Sunglasses c/o Warby Parker | Via Limoni Bag, Kate Spade [similar 1; 2; 3] | Patent Flats, Kimchi Blue [similar 25% off with code FRIENDS!]
You barin’ the legs yet ladies?
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This little bloggity o’ mine turned 4 years old last week. If BF hadn’t asked me to marry him, that means mine + the blog’s relationship would have been the longest I’d ever had. Pause for giggles.
Because I can’t resist a good reflection post, let’s chat about four things around here… where we’ve been and where I hope to take them.
Style // It’s no surprise that I love working with local brands and businesses. This year I was introduced to Cinder + Salt, k.m. hutton, Vineyard Prep, Brittany Lauren Design, Hollis Hayes, and White Mountain. I’ve especially enjoyed working with the ladies of Boutikey— a local company that also supports local boutiques!
But mostly, I hope to continue embracing and sharing the real New England-ness and seasonality of my current and dream wardrobe. Anyone and their mother can start a style blog these days; I’m here because when it’s 6-degrees and snowing out, I want to help inspire you to get dressed in something more than sweatpants. And if you’re going to wear cozy flannel, dangit I want that flannel to have a purpose and be more than a lazy-day staple!
Travel // I’m no Julia Engel [really, someone tells me how her life works?]. Day trips are my thing, and I can’t wait to bring you more of those this summer and fall.
Entertaining // This is new! Now that I’m out of my adorable-but-dinky post-grad apartment, we have begun to entertain more, and I promise to share more bits and pieces of that around here.
Shoes // 32 pairs OOTD’d here over the last year, give or take. I’ve got my party shoes on today to celebrate shell chic’d’s birthday– the latest in the Keds x Kate Spade spring collection! How cute are the ladybug ones too?
Scalloped Shirt, Vineyard Vines [similar] | Polka Dot Skirt, SheInside [altered shorter anddd I wore this in a dance show #funfact] | Army Candy Bracelet, Kate Spade [similar] | Piper Sunglasses c/o Warby Parker | Kate Spade Champion Love Sneakers c/o Keds
Real talk: Experienced an unfortunate number of Monroe moments this day and yes my top sure did come untucked! Bubble-waisted is so in right now.
Can I ask you something? What do YOU want to see more of around here? xo
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pssst! Huge deal over at Shopbop! Take 25% off your order with SPRING25, no minimum spend!
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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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.
Denim Jacket, Old Navy | Tank c/o Cinder + Salt | White Jeans c/o Articles of Society | Rope Bracelet, KJP | Metallic Boat Shoes, Sperry x J.Crew [similar] | Leather Crossbody, Madewell
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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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.
Trench Coat, London Fog | Navy Lace Dress, Madewell [similar 1; 2] | Locket, Catbird [similar] | Leather Bow Belt, Anthropologie [similar] | Clutch, vintage Coach [similar 1; 2] | Nude Pumps, BCBG Paris [similar]
Are you baring those legs yet?
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First stop:: BOSTON
image via
I’ve teamed up with Kohl’s for their #DestinationSummer road trip across America, where they’ll be stopping on a different blog in a different city every couple days, and I am SO excited to be kicking it off in the Bean! Because, when have I ever not been jazzed to chat about Boston?
Throughout today + tomorrow, I’ll be sharing a couple of my fav Beantown neighborhoods, choice things to do in the city, and one special day-trip idea.
Let’s start the series in one of the underdog neighborhoods of Boston: The South End
I think one of the best things about the South End is the fact that it’s not a tourist destination [no offense touristas!], yet has so much character and is a BEAUTIFUL area to walk around on summer evenings. These were taken on one of the sweet little brownstone-lined streets on our way to dinner.
[ outfit details ]
No-Iron Striped Oxford Shirt, Chaps c/o Kohl’s | White Skirt, H&M [similar] | Tortoise Piper Sunglasses c/o Warby Parker | Eat Cake For Breakfast Tote, Kate Spade [similar] | Nude Pumps, BCBG [similar]
[ neighborhood summary ]
who:: Tons of restaurants + bars make it a great date night neighborhood. My fiance often meets me at my office on the edge of the South End, and we walk to the main-traffic streets [Washington, Shawmut, Tremont].
what:: EAT. The South End is foodie-central. It’s not so much a stroll + shop area, though there are a few hidden gems of specialty stores.
when:: #DestinationSummer of course!
where:: Asking me to pick a favorite South End restaurant is like asking me to pick a favorite child, but if I HAD to, then brunch at South End Buttery | lunch at The Gallows [Thurs-Sat] | dinner at Toro [be prepared for a line– they don’t take reservations!] | and drinks at The Beehive. Shop for amazing skincare products + makeup at Follain and vintage cookbooks + kitchenware at Farm & Fable.
wear:: It’s a pretty business casual-looking crowd in the South End. I’m usually coming from the office, so that’s easy for me. To make this outfit a little more fun and date-night appropriate, I untucked this oxford and tied it up for a flirty twist 🙂
Stay tuned for more glimpses of Boston later today + tomorrow, and in the meantime, check us out on Pinterest!
Can’t stop // won’t stop // don’t care about that silly old rule. Because <rant> if you can’t wear white jeans throughout May, when CAN you? The so-called “appropriate” times to sport them are basically June-August, and I’m pretty sure it’s bare legs or bust in those months [helloooo sundress season].
</rant>
Anyway, the rest of NYC seemed to agree with me this past weekend, including the darling salesman in Kate Spade who was also rocking them.
Dahlia Top, Lilly Pulitzer [pink; orange; similar navy; similar navy] | Mya Skinny Jeans c/o Articles of Society | Tortoise Sunglasses c/o Warby Parker | Monogrammed Cuff, York Design Co. | Starfish Earrings, Sylvia’s By the Sea [similar] | Tassel Bag, Old Navy | Seersucker Wedges, Lauren Ralph Lauren [similar 1; 2]
In other totally unrelated news, I found this post in my archives… photos taken on this very same porch [my BFF Kelly’s!] THREE years ago. Funny how time flies + how much things have changed around here, huh? Slash hardly changed at all?
First Cape weekend of the year! And it’s never looked better. BF [we’re just going to keep calling him that cause it’s easy, k?] was running a relay and I was volunteering, but we still made time for a little exploring on Sunday.
[ nauset light ]
“The Three Sisters” lighthouses were built in 1838, but due the the constantly retreating shoreline, they have been rebuilt and replaced many times. The current Nauset Lighthouse was built in 1877, but resided in Chatham first. Only in 1923 was it dismantled and moved to Eastham, its current location.
[ outfit details ]
Jewel Collar Blouse, J.Crew [similar 1; 2] | White Mya Skinny Jeans c/o Articles of Society | Tortoise Sunglasses, Target | Mini Transport Crossbody, Madewell | Gold Tassel Keychain, Design Darling | Navajo Sandals, Jack Rogers
Anyone else made it over the bridge yet this spring?
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again:: I hate wearing pants post [approximately] 54 degrees.
As soon as the earliest days of spring hit, I jump on shedding them for [very pale, sorry] legs. And to beat the chill, I trade off by layering on top! I’ll take a shirt + sweater + jacket combo over pantalones any day.
Sailboat Sweater, Old Navy [1; 2] | Polka Dot Button-Down, Old Navy [similar] | Rain Jacket, Old Navy [similar 1; 2] | Denim Boyfriend Shorts, Target | Get Nauti Clutch c/o Preppy Pink Shop | Rope Bracelet, Kiel James Patrick | Boat Shoes, Sperry Top-Sider
Do you prefer to shed all bottom layers asap like me, even if it means more on top, or would you rather keep the jeans for t-shirts?
In typical cliche blogger fashion, I have a severe addiction to French macarons. I’ve spent the 7 years I’ve lived in Boston trying to hunt down one as good as Ladurée‘s, and only now have I found it in the new Cameo Macaron food truck!
Founder Kinesha Goldson, a Northeastern grad who studied abroad in Paris, is quite possibly the cutest human ever + my new personal hero for finally making authentic macarons easily accessible and affordable outside of France and NYC. I love Trader Joe’s frozen version as much as the next person, but I mean….
I unintentionally rocked some appropriately bright colors visiting the truck the other week. I think these would be Black Currant // Wild Raspberry // Passion Fruit??
The truck rotates between Northeastern, Back Bay, Financial District, and the Pru– click here for the full schedule.
And the rest of the candy-coated look…!
Blazer, H&M [similar] | Worth Straight Jeans, Lilly Pulitzer [similar color] | Pearl Necklace c/o Francesca’s [sold out online – similar] | Anchor Bangle, Lilly Pulitzer [similar] | Iris Clutch, GiGi New York | Shell Wedges, Lilly Pulitzer [similar]
Have you visited Cameo Macaron yet?
