Wednesday, August 31, 2011

What I'm Loving...

Love that I'm leaving for Denver tomorrow morning! Tips welcome, I've never been. (We had tickets to see Kings of Leon at the Red Rocks Amphitheater but the tour was cancelled... wah!)


You know I love tortoise... this necklace caught my eye from the latest J. Crew catalog. Dress up jeans and a tee or wear with a cocktail dress. Oh the possibilities.


Loving The Belles of Saturday, your go-to source for football Southern Belle style.  One of my future children will attend a college in the SEC so I have a legit reason to root for a team besides choosing my favorite colors and mascot.


I'm in heaven just looking at this. Buffalo chicken and grilled cheese... two of my most loved foods... together! In the words of the chef, "You really cannot go wrong with a spicy filling encased in melted, ooey, gooey cheese all wrapped up in a buttery lightly toasted bread."


Finally, loving that Nancy Grace will be on Dancing with the Stars. Her expressions kill me!

SHARE:

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

The Wrap Dress

One of the my favorite styles is the wrap dress. It's a classic and works for so many occasions. Here I am wearing DVF at a bridal shower earlier this year.


I'm always on the lookout for a great wrap and obviously my first choice would be from the originator Ms. Dianne von Furstenberg...


but I will never pass up the look for less. In this case not only is the price right ($317.20 less to be precise) the pattern is right on. I picked this up from Forever 21 last week and I know I will get a lot of use out of it for months to come. Tights and a scarf will carry this into the winter months as well. (If the pattern isn't for you, I've spotted some plain versions at Banana Republic here and Ann Taylor here.)


By the way... a bit of a warning. I've had some embarrassing wrap dress moments (see Carrie Bradshaw) on blustery days, so mind the front of your dress because the wind WILL find the fold!
SHARE:

Monday, August 29, 2011

Mad Weekend

via Instagram
Finally, I'm back online! As you can see, I was prepared for Irene with the essentials. Unfortunately it looks like my neck of the woods in CT will be without power for a couple days, so I am staying in the city.

via Google Images

I lost power/cable on Sunday and spent all day watching the first season of Mad Men with Ted. I got the DVDs from an office holiday gift exchange last year and it's the only season I've seen. (I had one of the last picks and stole this. Good choice, right?) We have until March 2012 to catch up on the next 3 seasons so it's plenty doable. From what I've heard, it only gets better.


I'm sure you've seen the Mad Men inspired line at Banana Republic, what do you think?


I'll take the leopard print pumps please!
SHARE:

Friday, August 26, 2011

Friday's Fancies

"Friday's Fancies" Polyvore
Fridayyyyy.... wahoo! Linking up with {av} of Long Distance Loving for Friday's Fancies. This week's theme is wedding guest chic. I will be traveling to Denver next weekend for Teddy's sister's wedding and would love to be wearing this ensemble.


While coral is no doubt a summer color, some of fall's prettiest leaves are this shade too. Perfect for the transitional weekend.

Click below to check out more wedding outfits and vote for your favorite. Have a great weekend - those on the Eastern Seaboard stay safe. Better get my shopping in early Saturday. :)

SHARE:

Weekend Update: Vineyard Part 3 - Blue Canoe


One of the highlights of my last beachy weekend of 2011 was dinner at the Blue Canoe Waterfront Grill in Vineyard Haven with Teddy's family. The restaurant reopened in May for dinner under new management and great reviews were heard on the island.


After a long day in the sun I was looking forward to relaxing and enjoying seafood. We had a great view of the harbor from our table and could hear the ocean hitting the sand.

Tuna Sashimi, Raw Oysters, Shrimp Cocktail

Chilled Lobster & Shrimp Salad


As you can see I opted for the cold plates - both were delicious. One of my new favorite Vineyard spots!

Blue Canoe Waterfront Grill
52 Beach Road, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568
508-693-3332
SHARE:

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Weekend Update: Vineyard Part 2 - Agricultural Fair

My first trip to the Fair! Teddy and I stopped by the 4-day event in West Tisbury Saturday afternoon. It wasn't too crowded and we were able to take in so much in just a couple hours. As you can see, there was lots to keep you busy.


One of the blue ribbon prize winners inside the Main Hall. Exhibits included produce, crafts, photography, painting, wood working, quilts and baked goods. I read in The Martha's Vineyard Times that over 4,000 exhibits were submitted last year for judging.


One of my favorite stops was the Fiber Tent. This animal was minding its own business before I startled it with a loud "BAHHHHH!" - then it stared me down. Eek - smile for the iPhone!


We checked out all of the food vendors before settling on splitting a serving of Super Friend Chicken for our first course. I didn't get up close and personal with any chickens so I didn't feel too bad about this.


We topped it off with strawberry shortcake. The shortcake, somewhere underneath that heaping mound of whipped cream, actually looked like a biscuit from Kentucky Fried Chicken.


Before heading out we watched the last round of the clam and oyster shucking contest. Boy were they fast. Cocktail sauce was drizzled over the fresh little necks and offered first come first serve for the crowd.


So this was just a little itty bitty part of the fair. On our way home we saw a few roads blocked off by police and people along the road with cameras. I got excited hoping we might catch a glimpse of the motorcade. (That was all I was really interested in seeing, a fleet of black cars.) Turned to Twitter to learn that the Obama girls were stopping by the Fair. I'm sure they had a great time too. Anyway, looking forward to that strawberry shortcake again next year!

Update: Dress is from the love 21 line at Forever 21 - purchased a couple months ago.
SHARE:

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

What I'm Loving...

Over the weekend Teddy and I went to the Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Society Fair. I loved this giant sunflower!


Last week I was surprised when a package from J. Crew was waiting on my doorstep after work. I didn't order anything... was I sleep shopping? That wouldn't surprise me because I had been dreaming about this necklace that my friend Kate was wearing during my trip recent trip to Boston. She sent one my way! Love her sweet thought and my new little elephant.


I love free things. Personalized is even better! When I got an email offer to order a set of free thank you cards from Shutterfly and just pay shipping I took them up on it and ordered the Modern Tile Navy. Select cards are on sale.


Plan to dress up jeans and a black top with this beaded geo print clutch from Forever 21. I love the print!


Finally... loving my paisley Tervis Tumbler that I picked up at Bed Bath and Beyond to keep at my desk (happened to match Essie's Lovie Dovie on my nails last week.) I accidentally left it around the office and it was immediately returned to me. Love that it's so identifiable, haha. Good excuse to use one of the BBB coupons that are always lying around... just saying!

SHARE:

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

I Eat Mainely Lobster

Great new color from the OPI Touring America collection - I Eat Mainely Lobster. Who thinks of these names?! See the rest of the collection at Never Enough Nails.


This earthquake is a good time to evaluate your eating habits. If you died tomorrow, ask yourself, are you eating enough lobster? #DoYouTue Aug 23 20:14:47 via HootSuite

See my Taste of Maine in Manhattan post from earlier this year featuring Luke's Lobster. Yum!
SHARE:

Weekend Update: Vineyard Part 1

The total hours spent in my car between Connecticut and Massachusetts this summer has been absurd. On Friday we were caught behind an accident and actually had to turn around on the highway along with 50 other cars and trucks to get off the exit we just passed a quarter mile back. That was after being parked for at least 20 minutes... ON THE HIGHWAY. When we finally made it to the Cape all the ferry parking lots were full, craziness. We have never seen that before. Oak Bluffs fireworks, Obama, Agricultural Fair, end of summer... lots going on.


Tip: When taking the Steamship Authority ferry get the clam chowder! When Teddy told me that it was the best chowder he's ever had on our first trip together 3 years ago I  was a little skeptical. Sometimes we sit inside... sometimes outside... and even if he's sweating in the sun on the outer deck there is a good chance there is a piping hot chowder in his hand. Even better chance I am eating half of it.


That night we went to see the reggae group Easy Star All-Stars at Nectar's (formerly known as The Hot Tin Roof - it was founded by James Taylor and Carly Simon). The band has some awesome covers including Pink Floyd, Radiohead and The Beatles. Highly recommend you check them out if they are near you... but looks like they are touring abroad this fall.


I wish I could have seen Citizen Cope and Grace Potter during their stops at Nectar's this summer but the timing didn't work out. The venue only holds about 550 people...get there early and you can grab one of the few seats behind the open floor.

More to come, stay tuned!
SHARE:

Monday, August 22, 2011

Surviving the End of Summer

Have you read any novels by Nantucket author Elin Hilderbrand? After reading many great reviews (most recently from Linda at Beachside Cottage) it was about time. I bought and finished The Island early last week, so much for saving it to read at the beach. LOVED it, I am hooked on her storytelling. Here's a glimpse...



"We all know what it feels like at the end of the summer when you feel sort of heartsick about going back to school, going back to work, going back to the city...so my novels give people an opportunity to take a little bit of summertime home."

So true, I'm going through that stage now. From East Beach on Chappy to Times Square in 24 hours...talk about extremes! I'm going to pick up her latest book Silver Girl to carry me through. Here's some advice from the author on surviving the end of summer.


10. Hit the farm market.  I buy corn on the cob from Bartlett Farm here on Nantucket every night that we’re home for dinner, and I always get a few extra ears, cut the corn off the cob, and freeze it for the winter.  And I buy pounds and pounds of Roma tomatoes and turn them into sauce.  Yum!

9. Get out on the water.  Pond, river, lake, swimming pool…or here, ocean.  I will go to the beach every day until the middle of October, but these last days of August and first of September, are the very finest beach days.  On the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, we do a lobster bake, complete with a beach bonfire and s’mores, and we turn our cars’ headlights on the ocean and the kids swim in the dark.

8. Baseball game. I suffered through a very long Little League All-Star season with my older son (last game on July 27th) but now I find I miss it.  I’m getting tickets to the Red Sox!

7. Get out on the water, part 2.  But go in a boat: rowboat, canoe, kayak, sailboat, power boat.  We always do a sunset cocktail cruise on Labor Day weekend with sushi and lobster rolls, and my dear friend Margie’s birthday is on September 2 and the way we celebrate is to take the launch up harbor to the Wauwinet Inn for an al fresco lunch.

6. Move it, move it!  There were days this summer when it was too hot to leave my bedroom where the a/c was on full blast.  However, now is the time to run ten miles, bike the long loop around town, golf nine, play an extra set of tennis, stick the croquet wickets in the fragrant grass.  Nothing says summer like croquet!

5. Spend the day with a book.  You were waiting for this one, weren’t you?  My favorite summer novels are…my own.  But assuming you gobbled down The Island on July 7th the way you were supposed to, you are now free to move on to other of my favorites from this summer: A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan and Every Last One by Anna Quindlen.

4. Catch fireflies.  Remember to punch holes in the top of the jar.

3. Stargaze.  My favorite childhood memory is one where my father would wake us all up in the middle of the night (say, 11pm) and take us outside to look at the stars.  This was followed by a game of “midnight UNO,” played by candlelight at the dining room table.

2. Go barefoot, put your hair in a ponytail, sprinkle sand in your shoes, raise your face to the sun (with sunscreen, of course!)  Hold on to that feeling for as long as you can.

1. Don’t despair.  There are good things about fall, too:  apple picking, pumpkins, cider, brilliant foliage, good movies, good TV, new theater, and the NFL!  And remember…there’s always next summer.
SHARE:

Friday, August 19, 2011

Vineyard

Heading back to the Vineyard for the last time this summer. I'm sure you have heard that President Obama will be vacationing on the island, which always stirs up controversy. There is much needed to be accomplished in Washington during this economic crisis but I can't blame him... I'd rather be on the Vineyard too. Enjoy the weekend!


SHARE:

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

New Scout Patterns

Time for new Scout patterns! Here I am with one of their bags on the Vineyard that I had originally bought to tote my lunch to work. Turns out it was perfect to keep my wallet and essentials for breakfast and then throw in my beach bag later. If you aren't familiar let me acquaint you... pictured are just a few styles and patterns from the Fall/Winter and Holiday Cruise (already?!) lines.

Original Deano in Angelina Ballerina Paisley $35

The Original Deano is one of the most popular styles, the Scout classic. I see this all over the beach in the summer since it holds so much.

Four Boys Bag in Green Eyed Lady Paisley $50

Another popular style. I could see this being ideal for teachers bringing supplies/books/etc. back and forth. I like that it zips shut so if it rolls over in the backseat of the car nothing will spill.

Rump Roost in Black Swan Paisley $55

I have some smaller storage bins for winter and summer scarves. They fold up easily if needed.

Fast Getaway in Def Leopard $100

Perfect for short trips. I won this bag through a Junior League raffle last November. Mine is in a bright blue, which wouldn't have been my first choice but I've grown to love it and appreciate how it stands out among other luggage. It's been rolled many, many blocks in Manhattan and has held up wonderfully.

Spirit Liftah in Purple Haze Paisley $7

Yes, please bring me wine in one of these totes!

There are also other great fall colors... but if you couldn't tell I'm partial to the paisleys. Which is your favorite pattern?
SHARE:
Blog Design Created by pipdig