The Coastal Chicster

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T09:12:00.002-05:00

Wishing all of my readers and friends a Merry Christmas! Hope your day is filled with family and friends, delicious food, sparkly lights, crackling fires, and at least one cup of eggnog. =)Love,The Coastal Chicster

Winter Bright

2011-12-23T20:17:00.001-05:00

Madewell shirt (similar), Ralph Lauren vest (via TJMaxx), Theory jacket (via consignment shop), Target jeans (similar), Diesel boots (old, affordable alternative), Stein Mart scarf (similar), Michael Kors bag (via consignment shop), Tory Burch shades (similar), H&M bow

Is it Christmas already? Everything since Thanksgiving seems like a blur. After a crazy month at work and a whirlwind trip to Chicago last weekend, I'm finally settled in at my parents' house in New Jersey for a long weekend. My plans? Hang out with family, drink hot chocolate, cuddle up with crossword puzzles, give and receive some fabulous gifts, and squeeze in some quality downtime! I'd also like to get some photos organized and fixed up on my computer. I shot a wedding for a friend a few weeks ago, and I'm aiming to get all of her pictures touched up before the year is out.

I hope everyone's gotten their Christmas vacation off to a great start! Happy holidays!! =)

Time Out

2011-12-12T07:42:00.000-05:00

Forever 21 jacket, Banana Republic shirt, Old Navy pants, Lucky Brand boots (similar), Cole Haan bag, Fossil belt, LOFT pin, Michael Kors sunglasses

Sunny, 70-degree December days are perfect for taking a little "time out" at lunch to enjoy a sandwich at the beach. There's hardly anyone around, plenty of parking, and, of course, the ocean. Nothing beats breaking up the work day with a little sun, surf, and sand...especially this time of year when it's pretty much dark by the time I leave my office in the evenings. I guess there's something to be said for unpredictable East Coast weather after all. =)

2011 Holiday Gift Guide - The Trendsetter

2011-12-08T19:52:00.000-05:00

One last gift guide to get you through the last two weeks of holiday shopping. Hope you find something perfect for fashion fanatics in your life. =)

1. Alexis Hudson Chris iPad Case, $98
2. Liz Law Divine Earrings, $88
3. Old Navy Waffle-Knit Sweater, $40
4. BaubleBar Blue Enamel Cuff, $30 (Unfortunately, I think this bracelet sold out before I got to posting this last gift guide...oops!)
5. Versace VE4211 Sunglasses, $210
6. BP. Mansion Flats, $60
7. Tory Burch Print Cosmetic Bag, $55
8. David & Young Geometric Print Scarf, $18
9. Modalu Mimosa Grab, $290
10. Stella & Dot Sofia Pearl Bib Necklace, $118

2011 Holiday Gift Guide - The Gadget Girl (or Guy)

2011-12-06T18:07:00.000-05:00

A few ideas for the tech-savvy girls (or guys) on your list...

1. Canon PowerShot ELPH 100 HS 12.1 MP Digital Camera, $179 (on sale for $159 last time I checked this link)
2. Logitech Wireless Anywhere Mouse MX for PC and Mac, $60 (on sale for $50 last time I checked this link)
3. Fred & Friends Standing Ovation iPhone Case, $25
4. Joby Gorillatorch Tripod Flashlight, $35 (on sale for $20 last time I checked this link)
5. Roku LT Streaming Player, $60 (on sale for $50 last time I checked this link)
6. Kindle Touch, $139
7. THEIT Bossi Camera Bag, $159
8. Sennheiser PXC 450 NoiseGard Active Noise-Canceling Headphones, $450 (on sale for $244 last time I checked this link)
9. Shinza Zeroshock III Notebook Case, $35 (on sale for $20 last time I checked this link -- also available for iPad and different size notebooks and netbooks)

2011 Holiday Gift Guide - The Classic & The Prep

2011-12-05T18:49:00.000-05:00

1. Max & Chloe West Avenue Jewelry Oval Lace Monogram Necklace, $180
2. Brahmin Anytime Mini Bag, $95
3. Charter Club Faux Fur Trimmed Leather Gloves, $50
4. Tory Burch Nancy Leather Loafers, $250
5. Laguiole Cheese Knives, $68
6. Charter Club Cashmere Blend Cable-Knit Knee Highs, $16 (on sale for $12 last time I checked this link)
7. Michael Kors Reversible Leopard/Black Skinny Belt, $45
8. Penguin Classics Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, $20 (on sale for $14 last time I checked this link)
9. Old Navy Frost Free Puffer Vest, $40 (on sale for $20 last time I checked this link)
10. Lord & Taylor Tartan Plaid Scarf, $50 (on sale for $25 last time I checked this link)

2011 Holiday Gift Guide - The Guy

2011-12-04T10:34:00.000-05:00

A few giftworthy ideas for the men in your life...

1.H&M Plaid Shirt, $25
2. Diesel DZ4213 Watch, $180 (on sale for $140 last time I checked this link)
3. Norelco SensoTouch 3D Electric Razor, $199 (on sale for $159 last time I checked this link)
4. Craftsman Work Gloves, $19
5. Contigo Limited Addition West Loop Travel Mug, $20 (on sale for $15 last time I checked this link)
6. Ugg Wrangell Boot, $220
7. Wiha 12-Piece Screwdriver Set, $90 (on sale for $56 last time I checked this link)
8. J.Crew Flannel-Lined Chinos, $88 (on sale for $78 last time I checked this link)

2011 Holiday Gift Guide - The Primper

2011-12-03T16:32:00.001-05:00

Kicking off a series of holiday gift guide with a few beauty favorites for the product lover in your life.

1. Bumble and bumble A Glimmering Gift, $70
2. Philosphy The Gingerbread Man Hot Salt Scrub, $25
3. Butter London Holiday Glitter Trio, $36
4. Babyliss Pro Nano Titanium 1" Straightening Iron, $90
5. Sonia Kashuk Silver Holiday Brush Set, $25
6. Chanel Rouge Coco Lip Color in "Gabrielle", $30

Addicted - Part III

2011-11-30T22:48:00.000-05:00

Forever 21 jacket, Apostrophe vest, Madewell shirt, Mossimo denim, Lucky Brand boots, Cole Haan bag, Tory Burch sunglasses

I promise to let a reasonable amount of time pass before ~~wearing~~ posting any more leopard print. =)

Addicted - Part II

2011-11-21T22:04:00.001-05:00

Forever 21 shirt, Banana Republic skirt, Target shoes, Cole Haan bag, Tory Burch sunglasses

A little leopard here, and little leopard there. These shoes make every outfit seem just a little bit ~~taller~~ more interesting.

Addicted

2011-11-20T11:42:00.001-05:00

Zara skirt, a.n.a. vest, Talbots shirt, Merona turtleneck, Lucky Brand boots, Cole Haan bag, Style & Co. belt, Tory Burch shades

I've hardly gone a day this fall without incorporating a bit of leopard into my outfits. Whether it's a belt, shoes, a skirt, a top, a jacket or just a scarf -- it seems as though I've accumulated quite the collection of leopard over the last few years.

My favorite thing about this outfit is the combination of new, old, clearance, thrifted and eBay items that comprise it.

1. Zara skirt: Got it over the summer in New York City on clearance for about $20
2. Apostrophe vest: Saw it out of the corner of my eye as I was walking by JCPenney in June. Cost me about $20
3. Talbots shirt - 100% silk. Snatched it up at a thrift store for $2.
4. Merona turtleneck: From 2006.
5. Lucky Brand boots: They were an after-Christmas splurge in 2009.
6. Cole Haan bag: eBay!
7. Style & Co. belt: Clearance plus 20% off coupon at Macy's. Maybe paid $8 for it?
8. Tory Burch shades: Grabbed them at Macy's on a day that 20% off coupons were valid for designer items.
9. Leggings: Costco. Best leggings ever. =)

One Piece, Endless Possibilities: Sequin Skirt

2011-11-14T18:55:00.001-05:00

Ever since last year's 30 for 30 challenge, I've been editing my closet to the point where I finally feel like I've got a wardrobe full of clothes that are stylish, flattering and easy to mix and match. By editing, I mean both shopping and purging, as well as organizing and reorganizing my closet until I find a system that works.

Lately, I've been focusing on bringing in some statement pieces to add a little something special to what I already have.

I know a lot of people who think buying statement pieces is impractical because there may not be many occasions to wear such a thing. I used to be one of them, and I still do agree that statement pieces aren't worth investing in until you've got all your basics in working order. However, once you're ready to dig in, finding a few special items to take your style up a notch -- it's so much fun. Finding the perfect statement pieces is all about how you can integrate them seamlessly into your wardrobe. If the item leaves you stumped about what you'd wear it with, then don't bother. But if you think you can make a few outfits with it right off the bat, then go for it!

To show you what I mean, I took a statement piece out of my closet and created 10 potential looks for the holiday season. The piece I chose is a sequin skirt -- something I've always wanted to wear, but couldn't really think of how or where until recently. If you've got unworn sequins in your closet (or are hoping to indulge in some soon), I hope this post helps you with some outfit ideas! =)

I chose this skirt for a few reasons:

1. The golden hue is a neutral color. In my mind, it's a played up version of a khaki skirt, and I can either dress it up with black or tone it down with knits and/or prints.
2. I chose a skirt specifically because it opened the door for lots of possibilities with clothes I already own. Sequin shorts or pants seemed over-the-top, and I knew I would only wear a sequin blazer or top with dark skinny jeans or black pants.
3. The price was right. I bought it in the middle of the summer for 75 percent off at Macy's (plus another 20 percent off with a coupon).

So, here we go. One skirt, 10 ways. I think I covered everything from day to night to bad weather. =)

Enjoy!

Those Shorts

2011-11-13T18:14:00.001-05:00

Express shorts, Banana Republic sweater (yes, the one from my last outfit post), J.Crew shirt, Avanti leather jacket, Hue tights, Merona booties

I've been waiting for months to be able to wear these shorts again (last seen here and here). Although, now that I think about it, there's really no reason why I couldn't have worn these while it was warm out. I bet they'd look kind of cute with a breezy white top, bare legs, and black pumps. I'll have to remember that in the spring.

Local Spotlight: Ava Clara Couture Bridal

2011-11-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

Several months ago, one of my closest friends asked me to be her wedding coordinator. Not only was I honored and flattered, but I was so excited. I've had a blast riding along with Tina to scope out wedding venues, experiment with floral arrangements, and shop for dresses -- especially shop for dresses. =) In the process, we discovered Ava Clara -- a local bridal boutique, and the shop where Tina found her perfect wedding gown and beautiful bridesmaids dresses.

Ava Clara is a darling little store, and the owners -- Karen and Alex -- are gracious, friendly, super stylish, and dedicated to helping every bride find her dream dress.

Over the summer, Tina invited me to an evening anniversary party at Ava Clara to celebrate their first year in business here in Virginia Beach. Local wedding vendors (caterers, photographers, musicians, lighting technicians, etc.) set the scene for a festive cocktail party, complete with delicious hors d'eourves, a signature martini, and the most amazing chocolate cake pops on the planet. While I was there, I had an opportunity to take tons of great photos and set up an interview with Alex and Karen (pictured below) for The Coastal Chicster.

Enjoy!

TCC: How did you two meet?

K & A: We met when Alex was engaged and shopping for her own gown and bridesmaids, and Karen was her bridal consultant. There was a definite "click" between us, and we began working together shortly after Alex's wedding. Sharing a common dream of owning a bridal store, it was definitely a case of fate that brought us together!

TCC: What made you want to open your own bridal shop?

K: I've been in the bridal industry since college (I'll date myself here by admitting that it was in 1996), as a manager and buyer for other stores. It gave me a lot of time to learn the ins and outs and think of all the ways I'd like to make things a little bit better if I could. So many brides shop in New York or D.C. Why couldn't we bring those styles and level of service to Virginia Beach? I like to believe that we did.

A: Having planned my own wedding in the Hampton Roads area, I believed that there were plenty of things missing. With only one or two shops to choose from locally, I felt there was plenty of room for new ideas, offering designers not seen anywhere else and a fresh perspective on the bridal gown experience.

TCC: What has been your most rewarding experience running your business over the last year?

K: It has been so fulfilling to see so many happy brides! The amount of trust and support that people have placed in us, as a new business, has been truly amazing! We had no idea how many brides we might meet the first year. To have been a part of almost 150 weddings and to already be getting referrals from our brides is a pretty great feeling! Seeing wedding pictures on photographers' blogs or on our Facebook page always gives us a little chill!

TCC: What is your favorite thing about what you do?

A: I love that I'm able to be a part of such a special time in a woman's life. Every girl dreams of a wedding; to see such a happy time, and play a role in that is a dream job!

K: Bridal gowns are the ultimate game of dress up! Seeing a bride put on that dress that makes her feel giddy and completely beautiful is the best feeling ever. I could not ask for a better environment than a bridal store! We also love the bridal market, where we get to see all of the latest bridal trends, and choose which gowns we think our brides will love to wear.

TCC: Any advice for aspiring business owners?

K & A: Dream big! Do what you love, and don't let the naysayers get you down.

TCC: Do you ever get inspiration from the web? What are some of your favorite sites?

K: All of the traditional sites, such as theknot.com and weddingchannel.com are great. It's also really inspiring to stumble upon brides' personal blogs. They give a ton of insight into how women feeling as they go through their wedding planning- what stages were stressful, what did they not want to have end? We love the real, unvarnished stories!

Some of our favorite photograpery sites, like Echard Wheeler Photography and Ramone Photography Studio, are always good indicators of how a bride likes to stylize her day. We love to see all of the little details the pictures capture!

TCC: Do you have a favorite wedding dress or bridesmaid dress right now?

K & A: Our favorites probably change everyday! Right now we're loving working with the Modern Troussaeu collection. They are true couture gowns, custom patterning each bride's gown individually. Each piece is one-of-a-kind, and made to a bride's measurements. Gowns like this don't really exist anymore!

We carry a range of designers, including James Clifford, Augusta Jones, Wtoo and more, with prices from $850 to about $5500. Our bridesmaid collections include Amsale, Alvina Valenta, After Six and Alfred Sung. We have worked hard to ensure that there is a gown for every bride's style and budget, and that every bride can be an Ava Clara bride!

I hope you enjoyed my first interview for The Coastal Chicster! Thank you so much to Karen and Alex for taking the time to answer my questions.

You can visit Ava Clara in Virginia Beach at Renaissance Place Shopping Center (401 N. Great Neck Road). Appointments are recommended, and you can reach Karen and Alex via e-mail (info@avaclarabridal.com) or phone (757-962-1466) to set one up.

A New Version

2011-11-02T20:31:00.000-04:00

LOFT jacket, Banana Republic sweater, Merona shirt, Mossimo jeans, Lucky Brand boots, Cole Haan bag

This outfit totally reminds me of this outfit -- not only because of the floral shirt and the colors, but because of how much I truly enjoyed wearing it all day. It was casual, but pulled together, and the perfect choice for a chilly Saturday afternoon birthday celebration at Cinebistro for a friend I don't get to see very often. =)

Book Review: Make the Bread, Buy the Butter

2011-11-01T05:00:00.000-04:00

I was recently offered the opportunity to review a book -- Make the Bread, Buy the Butter by Jennifer Reese. I gladly accepted because I've been spending a lot more time in the kitchen, and I was extremely interested in the author's knowledge and opinions about what to make at home versus what to buy at the store. Make the Bread, Buy the Butter is the culmination of Jennifer Reese's determination to answer the question, "Should I make it or should I buy it?" It's part cookbook, part memoir, and entirely read-worthy.

While you could definitely thumb through Jennifer's book like any recipe collection, I chose to read it cover-to-cover first, marking off the recipes I thought I'd like to try out. I cuddled up on the couch with it last Monday (while I was home from work sick), and devoured the whole thing, occasionally giggling at a funny story and putting it down only to Google a few ingredients I didn't know much about. It's an easy read, and I was surprised at how easy (and how difficult) some things are to make! For example, I never would have thought to make my own yogurt or bagels, but Jennifer's recipes and experience make it seem achievable with just a little practice.

With each recipe, Jennifer provides a cost comparison, how much of a hassle it is, and her recommendation -- to make it, buy it or try it at least once. =) She also provides some background about her experience with making each item and some details about lesser-known ingredients. No sooner did I think to myself, "White pepper? What the...?" than I turned the page to see a call-out box on the difference between white and black pepper (which is actually pretty interesting).

I've got tons of Make the Bread, Buy the Butter recipes flagged for future adventures in the kitchen, but the one that caught my eye last week was for homemade Cheez-Its (pages 247-248 if you buy the book). Like I said, I was sick -- and the idea of some hot tomato soup with freshly baked cheese crackers sounded like perfection to me. I didn't have white pepper or a food processor, so I used black pepper and my mixer, but they turned out just fine. They're not all orange and processed and perfectly square like store-bought Cheez-Its, but I've got to say they were delicious my tomato soup. They lasted most of the week and made the perfect after-work snack.

If you're looking for some easy, every day recipes and advice about what to make versus what to buy, then Make the Bread, Buy the Butter is the book for you. Once you read it, you'll never buy packaged hot chocolate mix again because Jennifer's makes the easiest, most velvety, sweet and amazing hot chocolate you'll ever taste. =)

You can also find the author, Jennifer Reese, at thetipsybaker.com.

Fall(ish)

2011-10-28T22:45:00.002-04:00

Tommy Hilfiger sweater, J.Crew shirt, Mossimo jeans, Diesel boots, Michael Kors sunglasses, F21 necklace

All week, it was in the high 70s and low 80s, and now it's in the 40s, windy, and raining. I guess that means it's finally fall?

Obsessions

2011-10-26T10:40:00.000-04:00

{Diesel}

Diesel keeps getting bigger, but stays the just the right amount of cute. We've been taking advantage of the perfect weather and taking him on lots of long walks and trips to the park and the tennis courts. He's mastered "sit" and "lay down" with no problem, and we're currently working on rolling over and high fives.

Here are just a few other things making me smile at the moment:

{Essie "Chinchilly" and SEPHORA by OPI "Only Gold For Me" Topcoat}

{pirate pumpkins}

{blooms in autumn colors}

{Mele's appreciation for the stairs in the new place}

Make it Rein

2011-10-24T20:51:00.000-04:00

Ralph Lauren shirt, Forever 21 dress (seen here and here and here), Vince Camuto booties, Cole Haan bag, Michael Kors sunglasses

I often walk past the Ralph Lauren rack in the Macy's petites department and think to myself, "That is exactly what I'd like to be wearing when I'm 60." This shirt was no exception, and the inner equestrienne in me (I used to have a horse, remember?) just had to try it on because it was on super-sale. And I'm glad I did because it turns out I don't have to wait another 30 years to succumb to my preppy tendencies. =)

Sopa Criolla

2011-10-19T22:19:00.001-04:00

Moving into my new place has perks -- one of which is having much more space in my kitchen. Over the last few weeks, I've vastly improved my collection of mixing bowls, measuring utensils and glassware. And since cooler nights are upon us, I've been experimenting with a few new soup recipes.

Sopa Criolla is a Peruvian soup that I fell in love with last winter when J's stepmother hosted us for dinner. It's a substantial soup featuring all five food groups with a little bit of a kick that can easily be served as a side dish or a meal.

I based mine off of this recipe, but made a few little tweaks. First, I substituted a pound of ground beef for the flank steak -- that's how it was made when I had it last year, and I simply loved it. Second, I used a heaping tablespoon of canned diced jalepenos (because I couldn't find fresh ones at the store here). Third, I served it up with cheddar Goldfish outside by candlelight. It was perfection.

It only lasts two or three days in the fridge, though, so be sure to freeze the rest for a later date!

Birds of a Feather

2011-10-16T21:16:00.002-04:00

Hi.

Remember me? =)

I don't even know where to begin. I hope you've all been doing well! The end of September was ridiculous at work. And then I moved the first weekend in October. And then my family came into town for a wedding the second weekend in October. And I've been spending lots of time every day unpacking and organizing and furniture shopping and just getting settled into my new place. It took me seven years and four moves, but I can finally walk to the beach!

Last weekend, we attended a beautiful wedding at the Cavalier Gold & Yacht Club here in Virginia Beach. We had a wonderful time, and the location was pretty amazing. The water served as the perfect backdrop for some family photos before my brother ships out to Navy boot camp next weekend.Although I wasn't planning to buy a new dress for the wedding, I stumbled upon this gorgeous, flowy, peacock-feathery Nanette Lepore at TJMaxx a few weeks ago, and I couldn't resist. I want to wear it every day and never take it off. I felt like I was floating when I walked in it.

I knew it would be chilly after the sun went down, but I didn't want to weigh down the dress with a cardigan or a heavy wrap. Instead, I chose a cobalt blue blouse from Forever 21 -- something inexpensive that I knew I would get a lot more wear out of. And since I splurged on the dress, I chose a cluster of my favorite pendants, a clutch and some black patent sandals out of my closet to accessorize for the night.

Purr

2011-09-14T20:51:00.000-04:00

Skirt c/o Karen Cane, Alfani top & shoes, Apostrophe vest, Style & Co. belt, Modalu bag, sunglasses c/o Costa del Mar

Ever since I got my hands on this cheetah pencil skirt, I've been yearning to wear this outfit. But with temperatures in the high 80s every day, I couldn't find the right moment to wear this wool skirt until yesterday. Even though it got a little warmer in the afternoon, the morning started out crisp and just cool enough that I could pull off this layered look.

This skirt was generously given to me by my friends at Karen Kane to review (along with these jeans), and I'm already looking forward to wearing it a million different ways all season. It's a made of soft wool/polyester blend and fully lined, so it was actually quite comfortable to wear (unlike some itchy wool pencil skirts I've had in the past). It's a little stretchy, and it's a pull-on skirt -- no zippers or buttons -- which makes it look sleek and smooth with shirts tucked in.

Just like with the Karen Kane jeans, I was worried that the skirt might be too long or too tight because pencil skirts are not an item I would normally purchase without trying on. But it fit perfectly, and it's extremely flattering. I can see myself wearing this with tights, blazers, sweaters, etc. It's such a versatile piece. I know I'll have it in my closet for years to come.

So far, I've been really impressed with the quality construction and fit of the Karen Kane items I've reviewed, and I love that many of their clothes are made in the USA. It's obviously important in our current economic situation to hire as many American workers as possible, and I can definitely support a company who makes the effort to do that.

P.S. I've been wearing my Costa Islamorada shades for most of this week, and coincidentally, the brand is hosting a Costa Girls Club contest featuring the Islamorada and Hammock styles. Go check out their Facebook page and vote on your preferred style to enter for a chance to win them! (I voted for the Islamoradas even though I already have them. If I win, I'll give them away to one of you -- I promise!)

Mixing Things Up

2011-09-01T21:23:00.000-04:00

LOFT top, Ann Taylor jacket, GoJane shorts, Target belt

It's a shame that I didn't get some better photos of this outfit, because this combination of navy, gold, leopard and lace is late-summer perfection in my book...

Simplicity

2011-08-31T07:43:00.023-04:00

Jeans c/o Karen Kane, Talbots shirt (thrifted), Target shoes, vintage Coach bag (thrifted), Tory Burch sunglasses

In the wake of Hurricane Irene, we were left with a few beautiful, breezy days that warranted my first time wearing jeans in ages. It seems like fall is just around the corner, and everyone is making plans to incorporate their favorite trends into the season. I've got simplicity on my mind for this fall. September is my busy season at work, and I'm moving in October, so I'm considering a capsule wardrobe full of classic, comfortable and neutral pieces that I'll spice up with detailed accessories, outerwear and shoes.

That being said, when my friends at Karen Kane asked if I would like to wear and review a few pieces from their fall collection on The Coastal Chicster, I was stoked. Karen Kane's line of clothing exemplifies sophisticated simplicity and casual comfort. These jeans were one of the items I chose, despite being a little nervous they wouldn't fit (because I never find jeans that fit without trying on a hundred pairs first). These are a little long on me (as I suspected they would be -- I'm 5'1"), but other than that, I'm delighted with them because they fit like a glove. I was considering having them hemmed, but I actually like the way I can cuff them up at the bottom, and I know that I'll mostly wear these with boots in the fall and winter anyway. They're stretchy, flattering, and super comfortable. They've also got a bit of a higher rise, which was something I was looking for in denim styles for fall. These Karen Kane skinnies are a welcome addition to my denim collection -- I know I'll wear them tons in the coming seasons.

P.S. Yes, that is a Hawaiian print head scarf I am wearing as a tie... (I said everything, and I meant it.)

Dropping In

2011-08-30T19:28:00.000-04:00

Bullhead shirt (old), Jack BB Dakota skirt (seen here and here), Seychelles wedges, vintage belt, Michael Kors bag

Just a quick post to say hi, and let you know that I survived Hurricane Irene, and I'm slowly but surely working leopard into my wardrobe for fall, while still plowing through all those Hawaiian shirts in my closet before the end of summer. =)

Best Laid Plans

2011-08-22T21:17:00.000-04:00

Lucy Love dress (2002), Forever 21 top, Aldo wedges, vintage Coach bag, Tory Burch sunglasses, Ann Taylor ring

I can't believe September is just 10 days away (and I'm still posting photos from July...oops). My summer turned out nothing like I expected. I planned on lazy beach days, lots of parties and nights out with friends, and a few months of serious relaxation before August and September had me cranking out proposals at work. Things started off perfectly, but by mid-July, my summer veered a little off course.

It feels like things have changed so much over the last six weeks, but even though I've been a little stressed, I think it's for the better. The good news is I'm moving even closer to the beach! I've spent the last several weeks viewing every place for rent in my price range, and I finally found something and signed a lease with my roommate this weekend. I'll be within walking distance of my boyfriend (and the new puppy!), the beach, and some of my favorite friends.

Things are about to get a little hectic at work (end of the government fiscal year), but October 1 marks my move date and the beginning of a (fingers crossed) relaxing fall season full of afternoons reading on my new patio, beach days here and there, bike rides, football, chili, and fun.

There is one plan I stuck to -- I wore every Hawaiian print article of clothing hanging in my closet at least once (if not twice) this summer. Just like I said I would. =)

M.I.A.

2011-08-20T21:55:00.000-04:00

I've got tons of excuses for why I've fallen off the blogging bandwagon, but this is the best one -- J and I got a puppy! (Well, mostly J got a puppy -- since the puppy is living at his house -- but I'm fine with that because my cats would probably get pretty jealous if I came home with a puppy anyway.) You can read more about the puppy and see lots of photos here. =)

The rest of my excuses? It's summer. I've been enjoying the weather. Work's crazy this time of year. I'm moving soon, so I've been looking for a place to live -- that's time-consuming. I'm too lazy to sort through the hundreds and hundreds of photos I've taken since July. Hmm...what else? Oh, Big Brother is on three nights a week, and after I saw X-Men: First Class and Captain America earlier this summer, I became obsessed with comic book movies, so I've been catching up on every single one that I never saw. Also time consuming. Need any more?

I've got some posts lined up for this week, though. I swear. =)

Sail Away

2011-08-05T09:50:00.003-04:00

American Living dress, LOFT jacket, American Eagle wedges, Oakley shades, H&M flower pins, Electra cruiser

Here's a glimpse into a typical weekend evening for me -- swingy dress, wedges, bicycle, beach. =) Can't beat it.

Funny story about how I acquired this particular dress...

Earlier this summer, I was flipping through a magazine while I waited for my manicure appointment at a salon. I spotted this gorgeous sailboat dress and knew immediately that I had to have it. It was American Living and reasonably priced, so I pulled out my phone and searched the JCPenney website for it to no avail. I closed the magazine, and my hopes and dreams were shattered when I realized it was several years old.

Hmm. Back to the phone for a quick eBay search. I found it! Three days later, this dress was mine for $9.99 and free shipping. Never underestimate the power of good internet stalking skills. =)

Aloha

2011-08-01T12:00:00.005-04:00

Old Navy shirt (super old), Bp. skirt, Style & Co. belt, Tory Burch shades, H&M hair bow, vintage jewelry, Target sandals

As much as I'd like to tell you that I took an unanticipated break from blogging because I've been too busy hanging out on docks in Hawaiian shirts...that's not quite the case. A few things arose that I had to attend to, plus this is right about the time that work gets a little hectic, what with the end of the government fiscal year approaching and all. But, I did squeeze in some fun since I last posted -- I swear. I took a five-day trip to New Jersey and a few beach days. I've even got the day off today (but only because I worked on a proposal until 2 am last Tuesday). It was a decent trade-off though -- the weather's gorgeous today, but it was about 102 last week. =)

I've got another long weekend trip planned for Thursday through Sunday, but my goal for this month is to settle back into my regular posting routine. I've got tons of photos and stories saved up for both my blogs, so I hope you'll stop by again soon!

Summer Layers

2011-07-11T14:43:00.000-04:00

F21 trench, Target shirt, LOFT tank, J.Crew skirt, Seychelles wedges, A&F belt, Modalu bag, Oakley sunglasses

A week or so ago, we were lucky enough to experience some absolutely gorgeous days in the upper 70s/low 80s, which is practically unheard of around here in the summer. I'd been trying to for weeks to figure out a flattering way to wear this sleeveless trench, and finally settled on a layered look with a lightweight ditsy floral shirt and an easygoing chambray skirt. It was the perfect outfit for the perfect day -- I wasn't too hot, and this outfit carried me easily from day to evening when the temperatures dropped into the low 70s.

How To: Glitter French Manicure

2011-07-08T21:07:00.001-04:00

It seems like bold, glittery nails are all the rage these days, and over the last few weeks I've sported numerous combinations of bright coral, orange, pink, and gold on my fingers. That's been fun, but this weekend I want to tone it down a little. The classic French manicure has always been a favorite of mine, but I'm kind of horrible at painting the white tips. I never get them right. This time, I compromised -- I opted for some subtle sparkles and used them to cover up the imperfections in my French. And you know what? I love it!

Here's what I used:
1. Essie All In One Base
2. Essie Mademoiselle
3. Orly White Tips
4. Orly Winter Wonderland
5. Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat
6. A magazine (I always polish my nails on a magazine. It's so much more glamorous than using a paper towel -- or worse, getting acetone on your furniture. Don't you think?) =)

Keep in mind, this is quite a few layers of polish, so make sure you have plenty of time to hang out and let it dry!

Hello, Pippa

2011-07-06T22:55:00.002-04:00

Modalu bag, vintage Hilo Hattie skirt (thrifted/hemmed), M.S.S.P. blouse, LOFT belt, Sam Edelman wedges, self-made shark tooth necklace, Ann Taylor ring

I couldn't help it. When I saw the photo of Pippa Middleton holding this bag the morning after the royal wedding, I fell in love with it. I'd been searching high and low for a gray and gold bag for ages, and this was the one. I had to have it. I pre-ordered it a few days later, and it finally arrived last week. And even though I sort of jumped on the bandwagon, you know what? This bag is even better than I could have ever imagined.

I can't put it down. It's gorgeous. It's got so many pockets. There are seashells all over the lining inside, and even on the zippers. Seashells.

I'm. In. Love. (Oh, and I'm also still on a Hawaiian print kick.) =)

P.S. This bag saved my life at work today.

Shabby Apple Giveaway Winner

2011-07-06T10:08:00.000-04:00

Thanks to everyone who entered the Shabby Apple necklace giveaway! I'm so excited to announce that the winner is...

Nicole!

Congratulations, Nicole! Please e-mail me to claim your prize -- I'll need your address, phone number and e-mail, and you'll receive your necklace straight from Shabby Apple.

Thanks again to Shabby Apple for sponsoring this giveaway, and thanks to you all for entering!

Scenes from a Long Weekend

2011-07-04T19:20:00.002-04:00

It feels like this long weekend has stretched on forever, but I still wish it wouldn't end in a few hours. We didn't have any plans set in stone at the weekend's start, but we went out Thursday evening for a concert on the beach and kept on celebrating for the next four days. Tonight, fireworks are on the itinerary...as long as these sudden thunderstorms pass over soon. If not, a glass of wine and a decent movie sounds just as good to me. =)

{Carbon Leaf @ Neptune's Park}

{Catch 31}

{my favorite dessert @ Il Giardino -- napoleon}

{spent Saturday @ Chicks Beach -- felt like I was on vacation}

{discovered a few new favorite beverages}

{tied a pretty scarf to my new Modalu bag for a day of shopping}

{Mahi Mah's -- our go-to spot so far this summer}

{quality time in the sun}

{J and I with my roommate and his friends}

{view from my beach chair}

By the way, there's still a few more hours left to enter my Shabby Apple necklace giveaway if you haven't already. =)

Hawaiiana

2011-06-28T23:02:00.001-04:00

Hawaiian shirt from high school, Bp. skirt, LOFT belt, Sam Edelman wedges, Michael Kors bag, Tory Burch sunglasses, H&M flower pin/hair clip

This shirt has been hibernating in the back of my closet for years (along with several others that look a lot like it). Over the years, I've accumulated quite the collection of Hawaiian shirts. I think it all began with my obsession with everything aloha when I was 17. I lived in shirts like this that summer. I mostly wore them unbuttoned over tank tops (and I mostly hung out at the boardwalk and the bowling alley).

A few years later, my collection grew even more when Hawaiian shirts became my work uniform. I was a waitress at Chef Ed's, and I had a different Hawaiian shirt for every night of the week. Although it doesn't exist anymore, Chef Ed's will always be one of my favorite places on earth, so obviously I'm quite attached to the couple of Hawaiian shirts I've still got in my possession.

I'm still pretty in love with Hawaiian things (um, have you seen my room?), and I'll probably never part with these silly shirts, I thought it was about time to find a new way to wear them this season. And this was the very first Hawaiian shirt I ever bought, so it seemed fitting to kick off my endeavor with this one in particular.

What do you think? Did I pull it off?

P.S. Don't forget to enter my Shabby Apple necklace giveaway!

Shabby Apple Necklace Giveaway!

2011-06-27T21:53:00.001-04:00

I've partnered with Shabby Apple to give away this gorgeous Key to Wonderland necklace to one lucky reader!

Shabby Apple is a vintage-inspired online boutique specializing in unique women's dresses and accessories. They were also kind enough to offer my readers an exclusive discount for this entire month! Visit www.shabbyapple.com, and you can use the code "coastalchicster10off" to receive 10 percent off your purchase.

As for me, I'm totally digging their nautical Set Sail! collection right now, too. Something about that blue gingham Overboard shirt dress paired with those bold, red wedges makes me smile every time I see it.

Anyway, on to the giveaway! The Key to Wonderland necklace is an antique, brass reproduction skeleton key suspended on a 24" chain, and it's all yours if you win the giveaway. =)

Here's how to enter:

Comment on this entry and tell me your favorite item from the Shabby Apple website.

For extra entries (leave a separate comment for each one):

1. Follow The Coastal Chicster on Google or Bloglovin' (and tell me you did in a comment)
2. Follow me (@lisadenoia) on Twitter (and tell me you did in a comment)
3. "Like" Shabby Apple on Facebook (and tell me you did in a comment)
4. "Like" The Coastal Chicster on Facebook (and tell me you did in a comment)
5. Blog or post about this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter and/or your blog (and tell me about it in a comment)

This giveaway will be open until next Monday, July 4 @ 11:59 p.m. EDT. Good luck!!

LBD (Long Black Dress)

2011-06-22T07:58:00.003-04:00

Dress c/o Fresh Produce, a.n.a vest, Jessica Simpson sandals, sunglasses c/o Costa, Michael Kors bag, necklaces: Kenneth Cole, Style & Co. and Charter Club via Macy's

This is the second of two dresses I received from Fresh Produce to review this week. (See the first one here.) Let me just preface this review by saying that the photos don't really do this dress justice -- it's hard to capture the details of a solid black dress at dusk, but I did what I could. I'm also not completely sold on this vest. I think next time I'll layer something shorter with sleeves over this dress -- like a cardigan or denim jacket.

Anyway, this is the Malibu Maxi Dress. =) As you can see in the photo on the Fresh Produce website, this dress is meant to hit above the ankle on an average height person. But you know what? This dress has single-handedly fulfilled my farfetched fantasy of ever owning a long dress I can wear with flat shoes!

This dress is made of a super-soft, breathable cotton/lycra blend fabric, and it's amazingly comfortable. The top has some smocking in the back and gathers in the front, which are extremely flattering. Also, I love that the straps are thick enough to hide a bra strap -- that's a huge plus in my book. =)

I like this dress in black because I think there are endless possibilities for styling it for day or night, but it's also available in a bunch of fun colors (my favorite of which is Clearwater), as well as a few prints (Rio and Bali). I could easily see myself wearing this dress straight through the fall and into the winter, layering it with sweaters, cardigans and jackets.

I had so much fun doing these dress reviews for Fresh Produce! I hope you enjoyed them. If you're interested in learning more about the brand, go check out their website! You can find both the Morocco Cafe Wrap Dress and the Malibu Maxi Dress there, as well as so many other sun dresses and some really great tunics (like this one that I would totally be lusting after if I were a little taller -- maybe I could wear it as a dress?). They also offer many pretty plus size styles, as well as some really cute girls' dresses and tops.

Thanks again to Fresh Produce for sending me these lovely dresses! I'm looking forward to wearing them all summer long. =)

Glitter Guide Foley + Corinna Contest

2011-06-21T07:06:00.000-04:00

Tees by Tory Burch
Sandals by Brian Atwood

Have you entered Glitter Guide's Foley + Corinna handbag contest yet? If not, you've got until 11:59 p.m. tonight, so you'd better hurry. =) That's my entry above. I've got my fingers crossed!

Pretty in Pink

2011-06-20T07:09:00.011-04:00

J.Crew jacket, dress c/o Fresh Produce, Macy's hat, Aldo wedges, Michael Kors bag, Tory Burch sunglasses, J.Crew necklace, Ann Taylor ring

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by Fresh Produce about doing a review of their colorful, summer dresses on The Coastal Chicster. I was unfamiliar with the brand, so I did some research and decided that I was very interested -- the clothes seemed right up my alley.

Fresh Produce was kind enough to send me this Morocco Cafe Wrap Dress (in Tropical Punch), as well as another dress that I'll post later this week. I was nervous at first that the dresses wouldn't fit me because I'm pretty short, but an XS in this dress was the perfect length for me, and I fell in love with it as soon as it arrived last Tuesday. I waited all week to wear it because I knew I wouldn't have time to take photos until the weekend, and then I pretty much lived in it for two days straight. =)

This dress is from Fresh Produce's ME line, and it's made of a colorful, high-quality, hand-dyed rayon fabric. It's just a little stretchy, and super comfortable. I think this dress would be perfect for packing to go on a trip because it's versatile, and not easily wrinkled.

One of my favorite things about the dress is that even though it's a wrap dress, it doesn't wrap all the way around. The wrap only crosses the front of the dress, and the side under the wrap is secured at the seam. That means even when it's windy, this dress won't fly open and embarrass me in public. It's always windy around here, so I often steer clear of wrap dresses for just that reason. =)

The pink-on-pink Morocco print is cute and different that anything else that I own, and I thought the colors contrasted well with my white linen jacket. The Cafe Wrap Dress is also available in solid colors and this Bali print.

The only drawback I can see to this dress is that because the print is dyed onto the front side of the fabric, it might become faded in the dryer. I'm not up to par on my garment dying terminology, but the light pink pattern feels similar to the way something would be printed on a t-shirt. I'm afraid it would fade or separate in the dryer, so I'll probably wash it and lay it flat to dry, even though the care instructions say, "Tumble dry normal." No big deal, though. I do that with a lot of my clothes.

Update: I actually retract this "drawback" based on Natasha's comment below...I don't own too many rayon blend fabrics, so I'd trust her judgment over mine on this topic any day! I love the print on this fabric, as well as the weight of the fabric. The dress feels lux to me, even though it's casual and super easy to launder.

Overall, I love the sun-washed colors and beachy clothing from Fresh Produce. In my mind, the Fresh Produce brand (especially their ME line) falls somewhere between Life Is Good with their easygoing, comfortable clothes and Lilly Pulitzer with their signature prints, summery colors and day-to-night versatility. And I was extra impressed when I saw that most Fresh Produce clothing is made in the USA, which is rare these days. I only own a few other garments that were produced in the U.S., and all of them are very high-quality.

Thanks for the dress, Fresh Produce! I can't wait to review the next one. =)

Dear Dad

2011-06-19T15:59:00.001-04:00

This is my dad. Very often, when it comes to holidays, he says, "Don't spend any money. Make me something instead."

Over the years, I've framed photos, made CDs, and pretty much just bought presents anyway. And until now, I've never actually been able to make anything without spending at least a little bit of money on supplies. (Even paste, macaroni and construction paper cost money, you know.) But this time, I've finally figured out something to make that's completely free. This blog post. And since I'm the perfect daughter...I didn't even send a card. =)

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Day to Night

2011-06-16T07:01:00.011-04:00

BP. skirt, H&M top, Style & Co. belt, Aldo wedges, Michael Kors bag and sunglasses, Express bracelet (2006)

This effortless summer outfit took me from a backyard graduation party to a late-night birthday dinner two weekends ago. I threw it together in just a few minutes, and I felt like a million bucks all day. You might not be able to make them out unless you look closely, but I'm wearing an anchor necklace and a skull and crossbones bracelet, which gave this look a subtle nautical (pirate-y?) feel. Sometimes things just click, and an outfit comes together perfectly on the first try. I love it when that happens. =)

Everybody, Everywear: Lace

2011-06-14T10:57:00.001-04:00

GoJane shorts, J.Crew tank, Apostrophe vest, F21 belt, Michael Kors bag, Seychelles sandals, Tory Burch sunglasses

As a style blogger, I occasionally wonder if there's really anything that sets me and my style apart from everyone else in the world. Today, maybe the answer is, "Yes. It's shorts." (Examples here, here, here, here and here).

I'm not sure about you, but shorts are a summertime go-to for me. They're much less scandalous than a skirt for riding my beach cruiser -- that's for sure. And this lace pair? They're more comfortable than most of my gym shorts. Beat that. =)

Southern Belle

2011-06-12T22:10:00.000-04:00

H&M shirt, Urban Outfitters skirt (2004), Seychelles wedges, Betmar hat, Tory Burch sunglasses, Michael Kors bag

Do you like my floppy beach hat?

These photos are from a day my mom, J and I spent at the Norfolk Botanical Garden over Memorial Day weekend. I've been in Virginia Beach for almost seven years, and there's still so many places around here I haven't visited -- this being one of them. I'm not normally much of a flower person, but the gardens were gorgeous, and I got some great photos.

I would totally post those photos, except I've been so busy out enjoying the summer festivities around here that I haven't really felt like spending time inside on the computer... =)

I'm actually the furthest thing imaginable from a southern belle, but I kind of felt like one walking around the botanical garden in the sweltering heat in this girly outfit and huge hat.

Obsessions

2011-06-08T21:49:00.000-04:00

{Voluspa Japanese Plum Blossom candle}

There's something relaxing about living in a beach town. Or maybe it's something about living in what others consider a vacation destination. It just seems like people who live here are super laid back, and most of us have a decent grip on living a balanced life when it comes to work and fun. Maybe because there's so much to do?

I used to tell my mom, "I'm not at work, therefore I'm on vacation." And that's pretty much how life at the beach feels most days.

These are just a few ways I'm "vacationing" after work this week.

{a stack of library books for the beach}

{sparkly flat sandals -- from the kids' section @ Target}

{Joshua Radin on repeat}

{quality time with the kitties}

Goodbye, Spring

2011-06-05T13:50:00.002-04:00

Elevenses jacket (Anthropologie, 2010), Nanette Lepore top (eBay), Calvin Klein jeans (Marshalls), Nine West shoes, Michael Kors bag, Tory Burch sunglasses

Summer is in full swing around here, and things have been pretty hectic. I haven't been posting as much because I've been out enjoying the weather, the beach, my bike and some great music. This weekend we were able to catch a free Beach Boys concert on the beach, which was pretty perfect. It was really, really crowded down there, but lots of fun. =)

I've had these photos for a few weeks now...from one night that J and I went on a dinner date to Mahi Mah's (which has definitely become our most recent favorite spot). This is probably my last real springtime outfit -- I love this blazer, and I tried to wear it as many times as possible during April and May before the blazing sunshine and humidity took over. =)

I've got a bunch of other outfit photos piling up from the past few weeks, so hopefully I can get caught up soon.

Hello, Summer

2011-05-30T16:26:00.000-04:00

Peck & Peck Weekend top (Stein Mart), LOFT shorts (2010), Alfani shoes, F21 clutch, Michael Kors sunglasses, Express bracelet (2006), vintage turquoise ring

What a perfect weekend it's been...full of gorgeous weather, delicious food, friends, family and fun. =)

Jimmy Buffett on Thursday, the Norfolk Botanical Garden on Friday, an all-night cookout on Saturday, a graduation party and a birthday dinner yesterday, a peaceful moment at the POW-MIA Flame of Hope Memorial this afternoon, and tonight we're headed to the new Beach Movie Bistro to see The Hangover Part II.

I hope you all had a lovely holiday weekend, too!

Spotted Coral

2011-05-24T22:41:00.000-04:00

Nanette Lepore top (seen here and here and here), BB Dakota skirt (seen here), Vince Camuto booties, Forever 21 clutch, sunglasses c/o Costa, Roxy watch (from high school)

Tomorrow marks the end of my work week and the beginning of my five-day Memorial Day weekend. I can't wait to have a few days off in a row! I'll be kicking it off Thursday with the Jimmy Buffett concert here in Virginia Beach, and spending the rest of the weekend hanging out with my parents, hitting up the Pungo Strawberry Festival, riding my bike to the beach, hosting a cookout on Saturday, and attending a graduation party and a birthday dinner on Sunday. I'm guessing Monday's going to be a recovery day. =)

How about you? Got any plans for the holiday weekend?

Top Heavy

2011-05-19T23:14:00.001-04:00

Theory jacket, J.Crew and Target shirts, J.Crew shorts, Fossil belt, Target flats, Michael Kors bag, Oakley sunglasses

This is an outfit I've been dying to wear for about a month -- ever since I saw this post by Blair. (Have you been to Atlantic-Pacific yet? It's one of my favorite blogs right now.) I get really excited whenever I discover an outfit I can create easily with pieces I already have, and I loved Blair's so much because I never in a million years would have thought to layer one button-down under another and then top it off with a jacket...much less pair that with shorts.

I kept chickening out on wearing this in public. It was always too cool or too warm or my legs were too pasty to be seen in shorts. This week, I figured it was now or never. There aren't too many days in a year where you can wear three layers on top and shorts on the bottom, you know?

I actually managed to pull this outfit off at the office last week. My company is pretty casual, so we get to wear what we want to work. I waited until Friday, then went for it. I was a little nervous at first, but I figured I balanced out showing all that skin with all those layers, so...yeah. I think it worked out pretty well, actually. =)

Costa Islamorada Sunglasses (A Review)

2011-05-17T07:58:00.000-04:00

As a blogger, I often get all sorts of e-mails asking me to plug products, books, links, etc., but rarely do I receive requests for things I can relate to. When I started this blog, I hoped that one day I'd be able to collaborate with some of my favorite brands or maybe land some sponsors, but most of the offers I've gotten so far haven't really been my style...until now.

If you're a regular reader of The Coastal Chicster, you've probably noticed by now that sunglasses are one of my favorite accessories. I never leave the house without them, and I've started to acquire quite the collection.

So, when Costa offered me the opportunity to try out a pair of their new women's styles for summer, I happily agreed. Finally!

The pair I chose is called Islamorada. (This style isn't available on the Costa website quite yet, but they will be soon.) I picked black/coral frames and grey polycarbonate lenses. They're very square, and I love that they're so different from all of my other sunglasses.

As much as I can appreciate a pretty pair of designer shades, I've got to say that these blow all of my designer sunglasses out of the water. With polarized lenses and nylon composite frames, these glasses are the real deal. They're lightweight, crystal clear, and fit like a glove. They've got all the attributes of a sporty pair of sunglasses, but they're gorgeous and girly, too!

Costa is a brand traditionally well-known by fisherman, sailors and surfers for their high-end polarized sunglasses. They've been around since 1983, and have a pretty interesting history if you want to check it out on their website. (Jacques Cousteau wore Costas!)

The Islamorada is one of Costa's four new women's styles for summer 2011. The other three include Little Harbor, Tippet and Hammock (available soon). All four are available in a variety of colors and lens shades, and Costa also offers glass lenses, which I bet are amazing. (Check out this similar pair of on the Costa website to see all the color combinations you can choose from).

I'm loving the little nose pads on the inside, too. They keep the glasses from sliding off my face if I lean over (which I do a lot because I'm clumsy, and I drop things) and also make them really comfortable to wear. For the price, I think these Costas offer more bang for your buck than most other brands on the market right now. (And I speak from experience -- I try on tons of sunglasses.)

Thank you so much to Costa for giving me these beautiful glasses to review. They've quickly moved to the top of my list of favorite pairs, and I'll definitely be wearing them at the beach (and lots of other places) all summer long!

P.S. I also know that Costa does a lot to protect the environment, water, fisheries, and fish, partnering with organizations like the Coastal Conservation Association and the Bonefish Tarpon Trust. They also created the Blue Highway documentary and blog, aimed at preserving the Lynn Canal in Alaska.

While I was writing this review I dabbled on their website for awhile, and I'm really impressed. It's always neat to discover a company who gives back. =)

Going on a trip?

2011-05-16T21:52:00.000-04:00

Head on over to Law Mama to see my guest post on how to pack light!

Great Lengths

2011-05-16T06:51:00.000-04:00

Forever 21 dress, J.Crew jacket, Style & Co. belt, Seychelles wedges, Michael Kors bag, Tory Burch sunglasses

A maxi dress is not something I ever thought I'd have in my wardrobe because every time I try one on, it's about three feet to long on me. I stumbled upon this one at Forever 21 a week or so ago. Luckily, I happen to own a few pairs of huge, platform wedges that make me just tall enough to wear this dress, which actually kind of gives me the illusion of looking, dare I say, tall?

Okay, maybe just average height. Either way, this dress is pretty, comfy, and different from everything else in my closet, so I love it.

Friend Friday: Outside Influences

2011-05-14T15:11:00.000-04:00

Calvin Klein shirt, Frenchi skirt (Nordstrom), Seychelles wedges, Style & Co. belt, Paul Smith for Oliver Peoples glasses

This week's Friend Friday post about outside influences is a day late because Blogger took a little break from working the past few days. It's okay though -- gave me an excuse to put the computer down. =)

1. What magazines do you subscribe to?
I subscribe to InStyle, People Style Watch and Paste. I've always wanted to subscribe to Coastal Living, but I just never seem to get around to it.

2. Do you watch any fashion TV shows?
Not really. Every once in awhile, I'll catch an episode of What Not To Wear or Say Yes to the Dress, but that's about it. I don't watch any fashion-related shows religiously. The closest thing I watch to a fashion TV show is probably Gossip Girl. I'm addicted.

3. Beyond blogs, what websites do you frequent for fashion inspiration?
Lately, I've been getting a kick out of Pinterest. I like that I can save ideas and images to refer back to later. Beats my old system of ripping magazine pages out and sticking them in a binder in sheet protectors. I can't think of any others off the top of my head except for designer and retailer websites -- that's about it. I guess I don't really visit that many fashion websites other than blogs.

4. Advertisements play a huge role in forming public opinion about a product or brand… what ads do you like and why?
I get a lot of e-mail advertisements, and I especially love Anthropologie and J.Crew ads right now. They're just so visual. It's like a cross between reading a magazine and looking at someone's photos from a surreal vacation. As for print ads, I frequently catch myself admiring the Michael Kors ads -- you know the ones with the blond girl who's always wearing a sweet pair of shades and carrying an amazing bag during many different seasons? Those are pretty cool.

I also just got this really pretty Macy's catalog in the mail -- something about Tahiti? I haven't leafed through it yet, but it's intriguing, for sure.

5. Do you own any fashion books?
No, none that I can think of. I don't own that many books anymore though -- just one little shelf full. I go to the library. =) That way I can save up all my money for shoes.

Want to see what's influencing other bloggers? Head on over to Modly Chic to find out!

Everybody, Everywear: Florals

2011-05-10T07:45:00.003-04:00

Nine West dress, B.P. cardigan, Seychelles shoes , Style & Co. belt (Macy's), Cole Haan bag, Tory Burch sunglasses, H&M flower pins, Ann Taylor ring, various bracelets

I love Everybody, Everywear days. I missed the last one because I didn't own a maxi dress (yet), so I was pleased with this month's floral theme.

This is one of my favorite dresses right now. It was a great deal at Stein Mart, and it fits perfectly. I didn't even have to get it hemmed. =)

Obsessions

2011-05-09T09:53:00.000-04:00

Here are just a few things keeping me sane at the moment. =)

1. CND Shellac nail polish in Hot Chilis
2. Preppy looks (like pink gingham and navy)
3. Diet Raspberry Snapple
4. Wearing five gold bracelets at once
5. My coral Ann Taylor ring

Dear Mom

2011-05-08T13:26:00.001-04:00

This is my mom. She sometimes says to me (and this is a direct quote), "You never take any pictures with me."

Today, in honor of Mother's Day, I would like to say that I respectfully disagree. =)

I would also like to say Happy Mother's Day to Grandma B.

And to Grandma Tillie (even though she's not with us anymore).

And lastly, I'd like to admit, for the record, that my mom did, in fact, own this Cole Haan bag before I did. =)

To be sure my mom actually sees this post, I'm posting it in both of my blogs.

And that is all.

Happy Mother's Day!

Friend Friday: Shoes

2011-05-06T10:56:00.000-04:00

In honor of today's FBFF about shoes, I just bought these (with a 20% off promo code at Shoebuy.com with 10% cash back through Ebates). Fingers crossed that they'll fit.

1.What is your go-to pair of shoes?
Oh my gosh -- that changes weekly! Right now, it's my Tory Burch black Reva flats, but that could change any minute.

2. What goes into your shoe buying decisions?
Price, fit, comfort, versatility, free shipping (I buy lots of shoes online). Buying shoes is a tedious process for me. I search, and search, and search until I find a few perfect pairs for the best price possible (which usually involves promo codes, Amazon Warehouse Deals, 6pm.com, etc.). Then I order them all in two sizes, try them on, and ship back all but one pair. It's exhausting. =)

3. The majority of the shoes in your closet are what color?
It used to be black, but now it's hard to say. Mostly blacks and browns, I suppose.

4. When it comes to designer shoes what are your favorite brands and why?
I love Seychelles because they're high quality and fit me well. I'm also a big fan of Vince Camuto, Lucky Brand, and Tory Burch.

5. If price wasn’t an issue, you’d own which shoe?
If price wasn't an issue...I have no idea. Like I said, buying shoes is a tedious process for me, so it would still take me three weeks to make a decision -- no matter what the price. =)

Want to see what other bloggers are saying about shoes? Head on over to Modly Chic to find out!

New Habit

2011-05-05T11:14:00.001-04:00

Move over, Rue La La. Get ready, Gilt Groupe. Watch out, Hautelook. Amazon.com just launched their own new membership-only fashion destination -- MYHABIT.COM -- and they’re kicking it up a notch. Amazon’s private sale site offers free, instant membership; fast, free shipping and free returns. The site also features upscale photography and 360-degree video of the clothing on live models, giving customers a unique, improved shopping experience.

"MYHABIT is a beautiful website designed specifically for limited time sales and we think customers will love this shopping experience," said Maria Renz, president of MYHABIT. "MYHABIT customers will discover designer clothing at 60 percent off, with free shipping and easy returns."

MYHABIT features daily sales beginning at 9:00 AM PT/12:00 PM ET from top brands such as Doo.Ri, Elizabeth and James, Halston and Vera Wang, running simultaneously across women's, men's, and children's departments.

Customers can easily browse by department and sale event, and will experience detailed product pages with in-depth descriptions, videos and images with a zoom feature for up-close details.

"MYHABIT gives fashion customers an elegant and easy-to-use online destination for private sale shopping," said Maria Renz, president of MYHABIT. "Couple that with a curated selection of the best brands, free shipping and free returns, and new features like 360-degree video footage, and MYHABIT sets a new standard in service, convenience and product presentation."

MYHABIT offers free four-day shipping and free returns. Orders eligible for return will receive credit redeemable from MYHABIT.com, Amazon.com and Endless.com.

Salon Junkie

2011-05-04T09:12:00.000-04:00

Lately, I've been hitting the salon much more often than I used to. I'm not sure if it's a result of turning 30 or maybe just the fact that I've finally reached a point in my life where I can afford to do that, but I'm really enjoying this newfound motivation to look my best.

Hair
Wink Salon is my go-to spot for highlights, haircuts, and deep conditioning treatments (although, I do most of those at home these days). I've been loyal to Wink since they opened in 2006, and there are two stylists there -- Tori and Megan -- that I trust implicitly with my haircuts, highlights and even my bangs. I love the ambience at this salon -- the main area all done up in pin-up art and "The Other Side" is more alternative, decorated in grafitti and bold colors, and always playing the best music.

Facials
About a month before my birthday (as part of my sudden irrational fear of aging), I decided to start focusing more on skincare. My first step was a facial at Spa On The Boulevard. At the time, they were running a special for a 50-minute organic facial for $35 (normally $65), and it was a deal I couldn't resist. I had my first facial with Cassie, and it was amazing. My face felt and looked completely different afterwards. She recommended some improvements to my at-home skincare routine, and I'm excited to go back for my next facial with her this week.

Spa Treatments
My favorite place in Virginia Beach for spa treatments is Spa Phoenix, but it's trés expensive. I've gotten body polishes and massages there before, and they're always wonderful. I would love to go there more often (I haven't been in quite some time), but it's a splurge, and I usually wait until someone gives me a gift certificate for a birthday or Christmas.

Nails
When it comes to choosing a salon for manicures and pedicures, I'm really open to trying new places. There's nothing wrong with having a few alternatives in your back pocket -- that way you can always get an appointment when you need one. I also love getting my nails and toes done with friends, so I'm always willing to tag along to their favorite places.

About two months ago, I had my first Shellac manicure, and I'm addicted! I've never worn much nail polish much because I get frustrated that it chips off so quickly. I just don't have the time or the patience to continually apply, soak off, and reapply nail polish, so I've always worn my nails bare. Shellac is awesome, though! I've found a few places around here where the manicures are very reasonable (mainly Gary Allen and Aqua Salon & Spa), and I've had my nails polished consistently since the middle of March.

Just a quick tidbit of advice about Shellac -- if you want to try a Shellac manicure, you can find salons near you who offer them here. Call around though -- I've seen them priced anywhere from $30 to $55!

How about you? Are you a frequent salon and spa-goer? Do you prefer always going to the same place or bouncing around town like me?

Image courtesy of Wink Salon.

Ups & Downs

2011-05-02T21:39:00.001-04:00

J.Crew blazer and necklace, LOFT top, Calvin Klein jeans, Tory Burch flats and sunglasses, Macy's hat

This past week has been somewhat of a roller coaster. Crazy weather, the tornadoes, the Royal Wedding, Bin Laden's death, the impending floods in the Midwest -- it's a lot to process. Kind of makes me want to rewind to last Sunday, when I spent the day visiting with my grandma and the rest of my family. My grandma's been pretty sick, so we were thankful for a gorgeous, sunny day to take her outside at the rehab center she's been staying at for some fresh air. Later that day, my friend Tina and I drove back down to Virginia Beach just along the edge of a thunderstorm, and we saw five rainbows. I thought for sure they were good luck at the time, but in hindsight, I think they were just a sign of a crazy week to come.

Spring Lake

2011-04-28T20:28:00.000-04:00

Calvin Klein top (TJ Maxx), LOFT cardigan, Gap jeans, Banana Republic trench and belt, Tory Burch flats, Cole Haan bag, Oakley sunglasses

Usually when I'm visiting family in New Jersey, it's a whirlwind of squeezing in as much quality time with as many people as possible in the short time I'm there. This time, I somehow ended up with two hours to myself while my dad was working and my mom was volunteering for her women's club. I would normally spend two hours alone in New Jersey shopping like there's no tomorrow, but this time I decided to go roam around Main Street in Spring Lake (for an hour...then I spent the second hour cramming in some shopping).

The Jersey Shore is much different than Virginia Beach. It's made up of a bunch of quaint little beach towns, all strung together by a Main Street that runs through most of them. A few blocks east, Ocean Avenue parallels the beach and the boardwalk...which is actually made of boards, not concrete. =)

Of course, there are also places like Seaside, Wildwood, and Atlantic City that you mostly see portrayed as ridiculously crazy on TV, but places like that are the exception to the rule at the Jersey Shore. Most towns are home to amazing little restaurants, bed and breakfasts, and boutiques. In the summer, the beaches and bars are jam packed with tourists, but on a cloudy, chilly, spring weekday like last Friday, the streets were pretty quiet, and I had a lovely afternoon walking around and revisiting some places I used to frequent when I lived there.

Oh, and this is what I wore.

J's Closet

2011-04-26T22:46:00.000-04:00

{J's polo shirts...organized by yours truly}

A few weeks ago, my boyfriend's upstairs neighbor had a pipe malfunction that caused some serious water damage to his condo. Drywall, ceilings, light fixtures, carpet and more needed to be ripped out and replaced. The damage was covered by his neighbor's insurance, and he's been hard at work remodeling a lot of the inside of his condo -- mostly painting the walls and putting down wood laminate flooring.

As a result, I haven't been over there too much recently. It's a little messy. =) I think he's almost done though, and I can't wait to go hang out and watch TV there tomorrow night for the first time since April 2!

I usually spend about half my time at J's house and half at my own, which means that I carry some stuff back and forth and leave some stuff over there all the time. That's why his closet looks like this -- we made some room for me. =) And I seriously miss all of my stuff over there -- especially my straightening iron, my YSL Elle perfume, and my gold MK bag...

{J's magnetic bulletin board and my DIY jewelry organizer}

{all my hand washing laundry supplies}

{some pretty pajamas and my white suit}

{fabric bins hold a few of my bags and shoes}

Catching Up

2011-04-25T21:37:00.000-04:00

LOFT skirt, J.Crew top, B.P. cardigan, Seychelles shoes, Sunny Hawaii bag, lots of random jewelry

Yesterday, I returned from a weekend trip to New Jersey to visit my family for Easter. I mostly went shopping with my mom and spent time visiting my grandma at the rehab center where's she's recovering from her two-month stint in the hospital. I also went out one night with my brother, which was fun, and I managed to grab lunch with my best friend and her daughter.

I'm still getting a caught up from being out of town for a few days, but this is an outfit that I wore last week that I meant to share with you. I'll be back soon with something a little more substantial...promise. =)

April Flowers

2011-04-20T08:03:00.008-04:00

F21 dress, Kut From the Kloth jacket, Seychelles wedges, Abercrombie & Fitch belt, Michael Kors bag, H&M flowers

I wanted to post this outfit because I certainly had a fun time wearing it, but once I got these photos uploaded, I thought to myself, "There's a lot going on in this outfit. Probably could have done without the belt." What do you think? Accessories overload?

Either way. I found these bright flower pins at H&M a few weeks ago, and when I spied Taylor wearing both at the same time on her blog, I felt (a) like a fashion genius for buying not one, but two of the same pins as her, and (b) really excited about trying out both of mine together, too!

Try walking around Lowe's in a colorful dress like this on a Sunday afternoon. Everyone wants to help you. Even people who don't work there. =)

P.S. This bag was my birthday present from J. He's got mad boyfriend skills. =)

Obsessions

2011-04-19T08:32:00.004-04:00

{Shelley Kyle Annabelle Sugar Body Scrub}

My friend Tina gave me this totally luxurious sugar body scrub for my birthday last weekend, and I knew as soon as I cracked the lid that I was going to have a love affair with it. Notes of honeysuckle, tuberose, lily of the valley, peony and lime blossom make it the perfect fresh, clean scent for springtime.

Here are four more things I just can't get enough of at the moment.

{my new Oral B electric toothbrush, $25 after rebate because J and I split a two-pack from Costco}

{taking photos of my cat}

{heavenly scented hand soaps I scored @ Marshall's for $4.99 apiece}

{daffodils, hand-picked by a friend}

Like Sister, Like Brother

2011-04-18T08:42:00.000-04:00

On me: J. Crew shirt, Calvin Klein jeans, Nine West shoes, boyfriend's Diesel belt, Oakley sunglasses / On my brother: J.Crew fleece pullover, Urban Outfitters shirt and jeans, Macbeth sneakers

While my brother was in town last weekend, we discovered we had something in common (finally), and that is the color navy blue. My closet is overrun with navy, nautical-inspired pieces, and apparently, so is Stephen's. Not to mention, we both cuff up our denim the same way. (Although, my cuffs are temporary -- these white jeans are en route to the tailor this week for hemming.)

It's a little-known fact that my little brother was the person who first inspired me to start blogging in 2003. We weren't very close at the time because we're four years apart, and I think it's hard for siblings who are four years apart to be close until after college. But he had a LiveJournal, and I started one, too, and that's how we actually started to become friends. We communicated online...while we were sitting in our respective rooms right next to each other. =)

I moved to Vegas and then Virginia Beach soon after that, but we were able to stay in touch through blogging. He's since deleted that original LJ (and I moved mine to Wordpress), but he's got a new blog project going these days -- The Faulty Compass.

P.S. This isn't the first time my one of my family members has made an appearance in an outfit post (here and here). Who's next?

Friday Night Stripes

2011-04-15T19:41:00.001-04:00

H&M top, Gap jeans, Diesel sneakers, Von Zipper sunglasses, F21 headband

I had a few extra minutes on my hands, so I thought I'd try my hand at a real-time outfit post. Got any exciting plans for the weekend? I don't really, but I'm looking forward to a little downtime over the next few days. J is finishing up the second coat of paint in his living room, and tomorrow he's starting on the new wood floors while I spend the day shopping with my friend Tara. So tonight's just a casual night out for pizza and a few beers.

Have a great weekend!

Friend Friday: Gratitude

2011-04-15T08:41:00.000-04:00

This week marks the one-year anniversary of Fashion Beauty Friend Friday! Happy anniversary to Katy for having such a brilliant idea. =)

In honor of this milestone, this week's FBFF questions are about gratitude. I'm accompanying this post with some photos from my birthday weekend because I'm definitely grateful for my friends and family to spending the weekend celebrating with me!

So, let's get to it.

1. When it comes to me personally – I owe a lot of who I am to:

I thought about this question for a long time, and I can't really say that I owe a lot of who I am to any one person. Having grown up in New Jersey, gone to college at Virginia Tech, spent three months in Las Vegas, and then moved to Virginia Beach, I can honestly say I've had hundreds of people in and out of my life over the last 10 years. Each one left their mark, and I'm grateful to have met and gotten to know every single one of them, even if it was only for a short time.

2. When it comes to me professionally – I owe a lot of who I am to:

I had some trouble with this question, too. I think professionally, I owe most of who I am to myself. I've got it together professionally, for the most part. I'm a hard worker, and I'm good at what I do, but I value my work-life balance, and I don't let anyone or anything threaten that. If I had to thank any one person or thing for who I am professionally, it would be the movie Office Space. (Sorry, Dad -- you're a close second.)

3. When it comes to the art of blogging, I’m grateful to these people for helping me through some rough spots:

Laurie (The Sarcastic Cynical Optimist) - For her ability to successfully juggle multiple blogs. Her comments on my personal blog always remind me that I can manage two blogs, and that they're both meant to be fun.

Nicole (27 & Counting) - For leaving me the nicest messages on Facebook and my blog. She recently participated in a few Every Body Every Wear challenges, and I loved that because it made me feel like I inspired her.

Natasha (Required 2 Be Inspired) - Whether she realizes it or not, her tweet to me a few weeks ago made me get my ass in gear and start posting again!

Michelle (Scatterbrained Delusions) - For taking a lot of my photos during our lunch breaks at work. I appreciate that SO much!

Linley (Dwelling & Telling) and Liz (26 & Counting) - For occasionally e-mailing back and forth with me. I really enjoy that because it makes me feel like I've actually made some real connections with girls all over the place through blogging.

My mom - For listening to my ranting and raving about online identity crises that probably don't really exist.

J - I give him a hard time about all the photos I hate, but every once in awhile, when the sun is setting and the light is just right, he manages to snap a photo that makes me really feel like a style blogger. (Or at least a lot more like a style blogger than the days I'm balancing my camera on top of an overturned flower pot.)

4. One blogging challenge I’m grateful happened because it made me stronger was…

The first 30 for 30 challenge I participated in really gave my blog a boost in terms of frequency and quality of posts and photos. Participating in a challenge with hundreds of other bloggers made me feel much less self-conscious about posting photos of my outfits on my blog, and I'm thankful for the 30 for 30 because it really opened my eyes to how fun and rewarding it is to network with other bloggers.

5. To my readers, I’d like to say…

Thanks for reading! And for commenting. I know I've gone through some phases where I don't post as much, so I really appreciate that you guys come back and pick up where we left off after my random unannounced breaks. =)

Click here to head on over to Modly Chic and see what other bloggers are saying about this topic.

Mixed Prints

2011-04-12T20:15:00.003-04:00

LOFT cardigan, Target top (thrifted), Free People skirt (from high school), Bandolino slingbacks, LOFT belt

If I've owned this skirt since I was 17, and now I'm 30, does that make it vintage? "Vintage" sounds so much more sophisticated than "from high school."

This outfit is one of my first attempts at mixing prints. Tiny floral prints are back on the up-and-up, so I thought I'd give it a shot with this polka dot blouse. What do you think?

Birthday Girl

2011-04-10T22:52:00.000-04:00

Charlotte Tarantola cardigan, Caslon top, LOFT skirt, Seychelles shoes

Thank you so much to everyone for the birthday wishes, gifts, dinner, and especially my surprise brunch this morning! I might have been panicking a little about turning 30, but this was the best birthday ever! It was a weekend full of fun with family and friends old and new. I'll post the rest of the photos on my other blog once I sort through all of them, but for now, just...thanks. =) You guys are the best.

Friend Friday: Spring Trends

2011-04-08T08:32:00.003-04:00

This week's FBFF question: What are the top five Spring trends you're looking forward to seeing/sporting this season?

That's easy. =)

1. Embellished white. White is a go-to color for me in the spring and summer. I love the way gold sequins give this Tory Burch top a little flare.

2. Higher-than-high espadrilles. I probably won't be splurging on these amazing Christian Louboutin Praia wedges, but man, would I love to.

3. 70s-inspired denim. See you later, skinnies! I'll be bringing home some new bell-bottoms this spring.

4. Floppy hats. Spring brings early beach days and all-day parties around here, and I can't think of a better way to protect my hair and fair skin from the sun than under one of these bad boys.

5. Punchy brights. What can I say? I want to dress up like a Starburst this spring. =)

Click here to see what trends the other FBFF bloggers are anticipating this spring, and I'd love to know -- what trends are on your list this season?

Hello Again!

2011-04-06T08:08:00.008-04:00

Ann Taylor blazer (2007), Target top, Diesel jeans (2004), CARLOS by Carlos Santana sandals, Kenneth Cole necklace

Welcome back to my blog, outfit posts! And welcome back to my life, Diesel jeans. =) I re-joined Weight Watchers last Monday and the fact that I couldn't zip up these jeans was the reason why. I joined Weight Watchers the first time in 2003, and I lost almost 35 pounds. When I reached my goal, I bought myself these amazing jeans, which have been my favorites for years.

I kept all that weight off for quite a long time, but all this sitting in front of the computer the last few years caused me to gain a few pounds back. I made the decision to join WW again last week, and I'm excited to say that as of Monday, I've lost 4.8 pounds! I'm excited to fit into all my favorite clothes this spring -- these jeans most of all! =)

Birthday Beauty Loot

2011-04-04T09:20:00.001-04:00

I kicked off my birthday week by taking extreme action against any possibility of looking older come next Sunday. I splurged on some new products and some old favorites at Macy's, Victoria's Secret, and Sephora, and even though I winced a little at the register, I'm not having any buyer's remorse. I wrote my 500th post in my other blog yesterday, so I deserved a treat! Besides, I'm turning 30, so that probably warrants a treat, too. =)

So, what did I get?

1. Philosophy Vanilla Birthday Cake Lip Shine. Someone gave this to me as a gift on my birthday last year, and it was my favorite lip gloss ever. I figured now was as good a time as any to replenish because it's hard to justify buying birthday cake lip gloss when it's not your birthday.

2. NARS Blush in Orgasm. I feel like everyone on the planet owns this except for me. I've been wanting it for awhile. I can't wait to use it tomorrow!

3. VS Beach Sexy Sun Dust Bronze Shimmer Body Powder. This seems like a decent way to look tan when I don't feel like slathering actual self-tanner all over myself. I'm thinking I might keep this in my beach bag once the weather warms up.

4. Bumble and bumble Tonic Lotion To Go. This is for my beach bag, too. I've been using Bb products since high school, and this is one of my must-haves for getting a comb through my wet hair. I always carry my bottle to the boyfriend's house and the beach, but now I won't have to because I can refill this mini version. =)

5.DiorShow Mascara. The mascara I've sworn by since I bought one in Vegas on my birthday in 2005. Can't beat it.

6. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Nude. I've got the oil-free version of this moisturizer and I loved using it all summer long. Unfortunately, I've been unable to use it all winter because my face has been kind of dry. Sephora had a smaller version of this original formula, so I figured I'd try it for the next month or so before I switch back to my oil-free one when the humidity takes over.

7. Clarins One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser. I've almost completely avoided exfoliating cleansers for my face over the last few years. I'm prone to broken capillaries, and an aesthetician once told me to stop using anything scratchy on my face. I had a facial last week, and the girl who I saw told me that I should definitely exfoliate, but just use something very gentle with very, tiny beads. After sniffing and experimenting with a few different options, I decided to go with this Clarins cleanser, and I've only used it once so far, but I'm really happy with it! It smells nice; it's very gentle, and it made my face feel super-smooth.

8. Philosophy Vanilla Birthday Cake Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath. Happy birthday to me! Sephora gave me this free gift for my birthday when I showed them my Beauty Insider card at the register! =)

Now I'm ready to spend the last week of my twenties looking, feeling and smelling great. In the past week I've gotten a facial, a manicure, and a pedicure, and I've got a hair appointment on Wednesday, so I can kick off my fourth decade looking perfect.

Friend Friday: Rules of Engagement

2011-04-01T09:00:00.005-04:00

The word "engagement" automatically makes me think of rings. And though I'm not currently the proud owner of an engagement ring, I did manage to score this beauty of a Tahitian pearl in St. Maarten last month. I still can't stop staring at it.

Anyway, it's nice to be participating in Fashion Beauty Friend Friday (FBFF) again. Here are this week's questions!

1. Guest posts are a good way to gain new exposure. What do you think is the appropriate way to go about securing a guest spot?

I've never really written a guest post before, but I have invited others to post on my blog. I think there are two ways to go about securing a guest spot. First, keep an eye out for when your favorite bloggers are seeking guest posts. When I went on vacation, I asked anyone interested in writing a post to e-mail me, and I was surprised how many offers I received. I gave everyone a topic and a due date, and I was really pleased with the results. Everyone's posts were awesome! (See them here.)

If you really want to guest post, but you don't see anyone actively looking for posts, then I think it's probably worth sending a few friendly e-mails offering to guest post if the blogger is ever in need. It might help to pitch an idea or a specific topic, too.

2. Leaving comments is essential to growing your blog. But how can you leave a comment without coming across as ‘Follow Me. Follow Me!’?

That one's pretty simple. Don't say "Follow me!" in your comment. =)

In all seriousness, though, I think most bloggers appreciate and pay attention to genuine comments more than any others. I don't recall ever leaving a comment on someone's blog asking them to follow me. I only leave a comment if I have something intelligent to contribute or say about another blogger's post. Mostly I comment with compliments, and sometimes I add my two cents. Occasionally (very rarely), if I've recently posted about something relevant to the person's post, I'll leave a link to my post in a comment with a note about why they might want to check it out. But I've only done that once or twice, like, ever.

3. We’ve all gotten a mass email at one time or another asking for blog exposure, a link exchange, etc… But the mass emails don’t work. How do you make your email stand out from the crowd?

Again, I'm not too experienced here. I've gotten a few e-mails, but I usually just delete them. If it sounds like spam, I mark it as spam. That goes for tweets, too.

When I e-mail other bloggers, it's to offer them some advice or chat about something that I don't necessarily want to be public information on the Internet. I've exchanged some pretty lengthy e-mails with some of my favorite bloggers where we offered each other design and HTML tips, advice for posts, etc. That's rewarding because I feel like I actually developed a connection with those bloggers. I wasn't e-mailing them just to promote my own blog.

4. In interacting with other bloggers where do you draw the line between seeking support and begging for exposure?

Hmm. I've never sent e-mails that result either one of these, but here are two examples (in my opinion) of seeking support and begging for exposure.

Seeking support:
"Dear so-and-so, Hi! I'm a huge fan of your blog, and I've been a follower for XX months. You're one of my favorite bloggers because you... I've been focusing on growing my readership lately, and I would appreciate it so much if you would drop by my blog at your convenience and let me know if you have any tips. I really value your opinion!"

Begging for exposure:
"Hiiiiii! I just started a new blog that you would love! Check it out here: [link]. Please RT if you LOVE IT!!"

5. What’s one rule of engagement error you made and how have you remedied that?

After reading all of these questions, I'm getting the sneaking suspicion the biggest error I've made is not reaching out enough to other bloggers. I don't always have enough time to be consistent with my online communication, so I haven't really remedied it at all yet.

Want to see how other bloggers are responding to these topics? Find out here!

I'm Still Here, I Swear

2011-03-30T22:10:00.000-04:00

Okay, first of all, sorry for disappearing off the face of the earth. I didn't actually disappear off the face of the earth, but I did end up taking some sort of unanticipated blog hiatus, which was mostly due to lack of motivation and a pre-30th birthday identity crisis. Thankfully, the crisis phase is over, and now I'm just looking forward to a fun birthday and getting back into some sort of blogging routine.

I'm going to start right now by pulling together an FBFF post for Friday -- how does that sound?

In the meantime, if you missed my vacation photos (or just my silly stories), I've been spending some quality time with my other blog here.

P.S. This post is dedicated to Natasha J., who totally called me out on Twitter, and basically told me to get my butt back on my blog. Thanks, lady. =) I needed that.

Eye Opener?

2011-03-10T17:26:00.001-05:00

This afternoon, I had a pretty enlightening experience. I was standing in the dressing room at SteinMart (trying on a gorgeous green and turquoise tunic) eavesdropping on a woman trying to get an honest opinion on a dress she was contemplating for her upcoming vaction to the Caribbean.

"What do you think?" I heard her ask. "Is it too big? Too many layers? Does it fit right or does it look too young?"

"I think it looks really cute on you," the Stein Mart employee told her.

"It's okay," said her husband.

"Okay? Cute? This is so frustrating. I have no clothes for our trip!" She sounded a little flustered.

I emerged from my dressing room two doors down and glanced her over. "May I see the dress?" I asked. "Turn around, and let me see it."

She turned towards me, and I wasn't very impressed. It was a sleeveless, teal dress with three or four chunky tiers, and it came to just below her knee. She looked about 50 (turned out to be 62), was around 5'2" and maybe 130 pounds. The dress was too big, too long, and just generally unflattering to her figure.

"What do you think?" she asked.

"Honestly, I'm not a huge fan. I don't think it does anything for you, and it doesn't emphasize any of your best features. You've got at tiny waist, and this dress is baggy in the waist. You've got very nice legs, but this dress cuts you off below the knees; and you've got a very nice chest, and this dress does nothing to show that off either."

"I don't know what to do," she said. "I just lost 40 pounds, and I have no idea what size I am!"

"Would you mind if I bring you a few dresses to try on? Maybe in a size 2 or 4?" I asked. "I kind of love helping people shop."

"I would LOVE that!" she exclaimed.

I proceeded to pick out a few Nine West and Calvin Klein dresses in petite sizes that emphasized her waist and made her look awesome! After one A-line dress and one full-skirted dress, I asked if she'd like to try on a pretty sheath dress I'd seen earlier. She said she'd try it, and it also looked great on her. I even brought a selection of a few belts into the fitting room to experiment with the dress.

In the meantime, we bonded over her being from Brooklyn, me being from New Jersey and our mutual disappointment in the pizza selection around here. She seemed like she was having a fun time, and it was probably my favorite half hour of the week helping her shop this afternoon. Her husband was delighted that he didn't need to comment on any more dresses. =)

Then she popped the question.

"Is this what you do?" she asked. "Are you a personal shopper or something?"

"Yeah, and do you have a card?" her husband aked.

"Oh! No. I'm not, although I would love to be. I actually work as a proposal writer for a company here in Virginia Beach, but I would LOVE to be a personal stylist, organizer or event planner," I told her.

"You would be so good at that, I think," she said.

I left her with a few words of wisdom on picking out pants, well wishes for her upcoming trip, and a 20 percent off coupon to SteinMart.

So, there you have it. Best lunch break ever. I truly enjoyed assisting her with picking out some great additions to her wardrobe, and I even left her my number and this web address in case she feels like shopping after she returns from the Caribbean!

30 for 30: What Went Wrong? (30/30)

2011-03-06T21:29:00.000-05:00

American Eagle shirt, Target jeans, Lucky Brand boots, vintage Coach bag, J.Crew hair-tie, Oakley sunglasses, Express earrings

This was my last outfit before my trip, and it's the 16th (and last) outfit of my winter 30 for 30.

So, maybe you're wondering how someone who conjured up 20 extra outfits on her first remix struggled to make it even halfway through her second. I'll tell you.

1. I chose items I didn't love. For my first remix, I chose a bunch of favorites that I knew would work well together. In an attempt not to repeat too many items, I strayed from what works for me, and as I result, I wasn't as happy or comfortable in the outfits I put together.

2. I chose items that didn't fit me perfectly. I don't care who you are or how much you weigh -- an ill-fitting article of clothing can wreak havoc on your body image. I chose a few pieces that don't fit me as well as they should, and as a result, I was uncomfortable and extremely self-conscious in a few outfits (especially when it came time to take photos). I borrowed this shirt from a friend, and it's one of the culprits. This shirt is too tight around my upper arms, and I just felt so constricted in it, I couldn't bear to put a cardigan or jacket over it to make the rest of the outfits I had planned for it. I also became irrationally obsessed with the fact that I might have fat arms. All because of this dumb shirt. What the...? So dumb. Don't wear clothes that don't fit.

3. I tried to include my trip. I'm not sure what I was thinking trying to include that trip in my remix. Because I did that, I was unable to include more weather-appropriate items for this time of year, and I had four items that I couldn't really wear.

4. I didn't include any flat shoes. Except for sandals that I could only wear in St. Maarten. That was a huge mistake. I was going to include my nicer pair of Ugg boots (a pair that doesn't look like slippers), but I thought they would look sloppy, so I didn't want to photograph them for this blog. That ended up being another downfall for me because I ended up cheating on shoes several times.

5. I didn't include enough color/prints. I chose a pink dress that I hardly wear, a springy green skirt, and a teal dry-clean-only dress...those were my only colors. Everything else what black, white, navy or neutral. I got bored. Really fast.

6. I included items I'd never worn before and some I hadn't worn in years. Another bad choice. I should have stuck with what I was already loving this season. I felt like I was on a roll -- I was dressing pretty well (and warm) for winter, and I totally threw a wrench into the core items that were making up my wardrobe, so that I could vary my outfits for the blog. Not cool.

7. The weather was not on my side. I tried to create a balance of winter and early spring items, and I created a calendar of planned-out outfits in order to vary my items, but wear them at the right time. That was tricky, and the weather was not cooperative at all. It was freezing on my skirt days, warm on my sweater-and-boots days, and always too windy to take decent photos.

8. I had too many other things going on. I had second thoughts about this remix from the beginning. February was a month full of projects at work, my trip to St. Maarten, etc. My old roommate moved out and left a huge mess for me to clean out. A new roommate moved in, and I took some time to get to know him better. My parents were in London for two weeks, and both of my grandparents ended up in the hospital in New Jersey while they were away. Setting up all those Beach Week posts was much more time-consuming than I thought it would be, and honestly...I just got a little burnt out.

9. I chose too many items with special laundering requirements. Too many dry clean items. Too many hand wash items. They all piled up on my trip, and then I had nothing left to wear when I got back.

10. I stopped having fun. I did this remix because I seriously had a blast doing the last one. I networked with other bloggers, and I truly enjoyed every outfit I put together. This time, I was just stressed out, and I spent the entire time thinking my remix wasn't good enough. I had hardly any free time to even look at anyone else's blog, and I just didn't have as much fun.

So, there you have it. Life and bad choices got in the way of my 30 for 30. Which, in turn, got in the way of my blog because I was dreading posting the fact that I was giving up. =( I hope you'll forgive me!

I hope to participate in another one soon -- maybe in the summer. I think I'm a good remixer, but these two were just too close together for me, and I had too many other things going on...

I've missed you guys, though! I hope to get back into some sort of regular posting schedule again soon, and I'll definitely be checking in on my fellow bloggers' remix recaps this week. Congrats to everyone who finished!

Ridiculous 29/30

2011-03-03T18:27:00.001-05:00

It seems almost ridiculous to post these. Snow? These photos are from before I left for my vacation, which seems like ages ago. Things have been a bit hectic around here. Work's crazy, and all of my 30 for 30 items are still in the laundry pile. I can't quite find the motivation to wash them either. I think I've lost my 30 for 30 magic.

This will be my second to last 30 for 30 outfit, which is why I've skipped from 14 to 29. I figured I'd throw you off on the second to last one, so you can still enjoy the final one without judging me for being a quitter. Don't worry, I'm planning a quite educational "30 for 30: What Went Wrong" post that will pretty much summarize everything NOT to do if you want to have a successful remix.

I'm not sure what happened, but this remix sent me straight into a fashion rut. I've been wearing hoodies and jeans for a week straight, and I'm not proud of it. I'm determined to snap out of it, but I hate to say...giving up on this remix is my first step.

Resort Wear? (11-14/30)

2011-02-28T11:11:00.000-05:00

I said I was going to remix through my trip, and I did my best. I was pretty focused on taking photos of everything except my outfits, though, so these pictures are the best I can do. Now that I've got a new camera, the last thing on my mind is handing it over to someone else to take pictures of me. =) If you want to see some of my St. Maarten photos, I've posted them on my other blog here.

I did wear a few other pieces on my trip -- obviously my bathing suits, cover-up, another pair of shorts, a few extra tank tops, my flip flops, and pair of wedge sandals with me (in the last photo) -- but I tried to stick to 30 for 30 items at night. Overall, I think this challenge enabled me to be smart about what I'd be wearing and pack super-light. I didn't even have to check a bag!

Welcome Back

2011-02-27T11:00:00.000-05:00

Sorry for my post-Beach Week MIA-ness, but a few days in the tropics with no phone and no computer opened my eyes to the fact that I kind of enjoy a few device-free days at a time. Instead of rushing home to blog about my outfits and my week, I decided to revel in my vacation for a few more days until I felt ready to settle back into my routine. I'll get some new posts up soon -- I promise!

Beach Week: Beaches of Europe (by Michelle of Scatterbrained Delusions)

2011-02-22T08:54:00.000-05:00

Are you enjoying Beach Week so far? I hope so! Today's guest post from Michelle takes you halfway around the world to the beaches of Europe!

Thanks Lisa for letting a few readers join in and share some posts! My “Beach Week” post is about the island that I lived on from 2004-2007, the Mediterranean island of Sardinia. I was fortunate enough to enjoy living in Italy for four years and was also fortunate enough to enjoy some of the most beautiful beaches, dare I say, in the world.

My top 5 Beaches in Europe...

#5 Biarritz, France

Biarritz is located in the south-western corner of France just minutes from the border with Spain. It’s pretty, well, amazingly beautiful. The dark sand is clean, and here’s why it’s last on my list... IT'S TOO PACKED. All the time. There’s a beautiful view of a lighthouse perched upon a high cliff... The kicker... It used to be Napoleon’s favorite!

#4 Kefalonia, Greece (Myrtos)

The entire island. Kefalonia is a small island in the Ionian chain, about 121 square miles total. i loved that one of the smaller islands was named Assos! The best beach there is Myrtos, near Argosoli. It’s small, hard to get to, with glorious white sands. It’s a half moon shaped beach, that looks directly out into a magnificent pale blue sea. I loved it, but I loved a few much more!

#3 Lido del Sole, Italy

The literal translation into English is is “Beach of the Sun”. It’s on the Adriatic Sea side about 75 miles North from Bari. This place was pretty and since we were there at the end of the season, there were less crowds. Long white beaches with a shallow sea that can be walked out into pretty far. I think I looked back at one point and I was about 100 yards from the beach. The people are amazing, the sea is wonderful.

#2 Cala Luna, Sardinia, Italy

Many think that this is indeed the best beach in Sardinia but this is number two on my list. It is a little difficult to reach, easiest way is by boat from the port of Cala Gonone. You can walk, which is what we did, along a foot path from Cala Fuili. The beach is on the North Western coast near Dorgali, it’s about half a mile long half moon crescent , hence the name which means half-moon in Italian, overlooking the Gulf of Orosei. The water is azure and crystal clear, and nicely shallow. Very nice, place, but the trek that it took to get here was insane! There’s a winery close to here that makes a sweet white that they have named for the beach, a favorite of mine!

#1 Tahiti Beach, Island of Caprera, Sardinia, Italy

Okay, so I know that I said Cala Luna was hard to get to... but this place, Tahiti Beach was even more difficult! It’s on a remote corner of the east side of the Nature Preserve island of Caprera. We took a boat, and in the August choppy seas of the Tyrrhenian Sea, the boat couldn’t get too close. The only way to get there was to JUMP off the boat. That’s right, I said jump...

It took me a few minutes to mull over the idea, but in the end, the experience won out over the fear of jumping into the open ocean. I set aside my fears of sharks, etc, and took off my flip flops and went to the back ladder and jumped. When I arrived at the small, rocky beach and climbed a little up to take a few pictures... it was amazing.

The best part is that once I was up on the small hill, taking pictures, I was told by a friend that we came with, that I totally could have driven to Caprera from La Maddalena and hiked to the beach! What fun would that have been though! We had a great time and the swim back to the boat was very tiring!

I’m very happy that I got to experience these locations and hope that some day, some of you may be able to see a few of them as well!

Happy sailing!

~Michelle

Beach Week: Virginia Beach (by Lisa)

2011-02-21T15:54:00.000-05:00

Virginia Beach is a pretty awesome place to live. I moved down here from NJ in 2004. Want to know why I like it so much? Here are just a few reasons...

Beach days whenever I want.

The bike path.

People tend to come visit more when you live at the beach.

We have a ridiculously huge statue of Neptune.

We're only about two hours away from Hatteras.

And only 45 minutes from Busch Gardens.

There are more bikes than you can possibly imagine on the boardwalk in the summer.

Mine is one of the coolest ones out there.

Almost everyone around here likes to have fun.

Especially my friend Heather.

Did I mention I'm obsessed with my bike?

Sometimes we go sailing after work.

Sometimes we chill out on docks and drink beer.

Sometimes we get invited to crazy beach parties.

We always have the best seafood.

Even though sometimes it's so fresh, it bites back.

Stages up and down the boardwalk host live concerts all summer.

There's an air show in September, but every day is an air show around here -- which isn't so bad once you get used to the jet noise.

We have Orange Crushes.

And we have cute boys.

All in all, I'd have to say...we {heart} this crazy place.

Beach Week: St. Lucia (by Linley of Dwelling and Telling)

2011-02-21T08:54:00.001-05:00

Ready to head down to the Caribbean? This morning's post is brought to you by Linley of Dwelling and Telling (one of my all-time favorite blogs). I'm probably having a blast in St. Maarten, but St. Lucia looks gorgeous, too!

Hello Coastal Chicster readers! So nice to meet you! I'm Linley and you can find me over at Dwelling and Telling.

Today I get to share with you one of my favorite beach vacation/destination - the Caribbean island of St. Lucia! This is where husband and I honeymooned. The past few years I have been consumed with college, graduate school, and planning a wedding - which left absolutely no time to vacation. So when that week after our wedding (last summer - July 2010) came around, I was ecstatic to put on my swim suit and relax by the ocean!

{husband and I before dinner one night | us in the ocean}

We stayed at a resort - which worked out perfectly for us. There was never ending food, restaurants, activities, entertainment, sunsets, and drinks - for seven days - talk about being in heaven! Most of our days went a little bit like this: sleep in, breakfast in bed, lay out by the pool or beach with drink in hand, get ready for the evening, delicious dinner, more drinks and entertainment, then a late night swim. And the next day we'd just do it all over again. We did branch out to zip-line through the rainforest - there were also tours to explore the island or hike The Pitons.

{One of the Pitons from the plane before landing on the island}

{on the zipline}

This is the perfect island to go and relax, stay adventurous, or do both! The people of the island are amazingly cheerful and friendly all the time and the atmosphere just keeps you happy. The views are spectacular and I would re-visit the island in a heart-beat! If you are looking for a honeymoon destination, I would most definitely recommend St. Lucia - or if you and a group of friends are looking for somewhere fun and different to visit, this is definitely worth considering!

{husband went to get us drinks and that night's entertainer took his seat! and serenaded me. then we danced!}

{the gorgeous sunset we were so blessed to see every evening from our bedroom}

The thing about being on a care-free island or at the beach in general is that you pretty much spend the bulk of your time in your swimsuit. So if I were to re-pack for that trip (or for up-coming trips) here's a little sneak-peak into what would be in my bag. I'd definitely pack some pieces to mix and match, sunglasses, minimal jewelry, a fun dress, and a swimsuit (or five!). Also, don't forget the sunscreen! Here's what my bag would be filled with:

If a Caribbean island isn't realistic for your vacation right now, being from NC, I can recommend some excellent beaches on that coast! I would say take a look into the Outer Banks area - more specifically Nags Head. This area is rich with historic landmarks and lighthouses. There are interesting places to visit such as The Graveyard of the Atlantic, Jockey's Ridge, Wright Brother's Memorial, and NC Aquarium. I spent the majority of my childhood summers in Nags Head and I have nothing but wonderful memories and experiences. I love this area and would recommend it for anyone looking to enjoy the beach, but also experience a bit of history and site-seeing!

If you are interested in either of these beach destinations, please feel free to contact me and I'd be happy to share more with you! It's been a pleasure sharing places I love and I hope you will consider either for your next trip to the coast! Happy vacationing!

Beach Week: My Beach Day Essentials (by Lisa)

2011-02-19T15:54:00.000-05:00

Enjoying Beach Week so far? I hope so!

Living at the beach has its advantages -- mainly that I can have a beach day whenever the weather is right. I keep my beach bag packed all summer long, so it's always ready for me to grab and run out the door. When the days are long and the water's warm, some days I even manage to hit the sand and soak up the last rays of sunlight after work.

These are my beach day essentials.

1. Banana Boat Sport SPF 30. This is my current favorite sunblock. I hate to get burnt and I definitely don't want to become old and wrinkly, so SPF 30 is a must-have for my fair skin.

2. Fedora. This protects my head and my hair from the sun, and it also makes me look like a badass.

3. Vitamin A bikini. The Vitamin A Gold Pin-Up Star bottom is by far the best-fitting piece of swimwear I have every owned. I have it in two solid colors and a print -- all with different tops. My Onyx triangle top and ring bottom comprise my favorite bathing suit right now. (Although, I'll probably be spending most of this trip to St. Maarten in my Trina Turk one-piece -- hanging out with co-workers in a bikini seems awkward.)

4. Bumble and Bumble Tonic Lotion. This light spray is perfect for getting out the tangles after a dip in the pool or the ocean. It keeps my hair from getting too dried out from salt and chlorine and makes it a little more manageable until I get home to wash it.

5. Von Zipper Debutante sunglasses. These sporty shades cover half of my face! The dark amber lenses make it the sun reflecting off the water a tad less blinding. They're pretty middle-of-the-road and more suitable for the beach than my more expensive sunglasses. I never were any sunglasses to the beach that cost more than $100 because the salt and sand can do some major damage over time. Not to mention that it's pretty easy to lose a pair in the water if you constantly go swimming in them like I do.

6. A Salty Piece of Land by Jimmy Buffett. This is my standby book if I'm not reading anything. It's the epitome of beach read, and it's one of my absolute favorites. It tends to find it's way into my beach bag at least once a summer.

7. Putumayo Presents: The Caribbean (on my iPod). Have you ever heard of Putumayo? They release these albums of amazing music from all over the world. These Caribbean tunes remind me of my days waiting tables at a beach restaurant in NJ, and they have this way of making every beach day seem like a vacation day to me.

8. Wide-tooth comb. To go with #4.

9. Parrot beach towel clips. These were a gift from a friend. At first, I thought they were a little silly and doubted that I'd use them, but they're actually pretty handy for those windy days when your towel keeps blowing off the back of your chair and whacking you in the side of the face...

10. Tory Burch flip-flops. I bought these leopard-print flip-flops last summer, and I think they might have topped Havaianas in my book. We'll see if they last another season this year.

So, there you have it. Beach day essentials from the expert. =)

Stay tuned for the next few days as Beach Week continues on The Coastal Chicster!

Beach Week: Alabama Gulf Coast (by Ashley of Hudson's Happenings)

2011-02-18T08:54:00.000-05:00

Beach Week is in full swing! Today's post is from Ashley of Hudson's Happenings, and she's taking us to the sunny Alabama Gulf Coast -- a place I've never been, but would love to visit after seeing all these beautiful photos!

Hello Lovelies! I'm Ashley from Hudson's Happenings, and I'm so very excited to be guest posting for the fabulous Lisa today. I'll be talking about a subject that is near and dear to my heart, living the simple life at the beautiful beach, specifically the Alabama Gulf Coast....where I've spent summers since I was born and soaked up enough sunshine to make me smile forever. If you've never been to my blog, I would love for you to stop by and visit my happy little corner of the internet!

“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.“ -Confucius

One thing that I love about trips to the beach, is that no matter how much time has passed since my last visit, things always seem to remain the same at the seashore. I am guaranteed lazy days spent lying in the sun with a good book, listening to the hypnotizing sounds of the ocean waves crashing on the coast, and the occasional stroll to the swimming pool to take a dip in the chlorinated waters between children playing Marco Polo and teenagers bobbing on neon colored floats. Nights at the beach are always exciting, after a cool shower that washes away the sand and sweat of the long, hot day. The restaurants at the beach, which serve the most delicious seafood, are excellent venues to unwind with family and reflect on the day's beachy activities while admiring the stars overhead. Long moonlit walks are the perfect end to the best days, ambling casually down the wet sand while the tide tickles your toes, watching the ghost crabs scurry to and fro.

Time slows down at the beach, and every moment is just a bit more enjoyable when you are on vacation. Cell phones aren't important. It doesn't matter if you go a few days without checking your email. This year at the beach I reminded myself to slow down. Work hard at enjoying life. Life is not a competition that must be won. Life is simple.

So if you're looking for me, and I happen to be a little bit harder to track down, don't be angry. I'm still here, but I'm doing things on my time. I'm simplifying. I'm taking it slow. I'm learning the art of having less and enjoying life more. I'm changing my perspective. I'm focusing on my true values....my family, my faith, and love. I'm no longer looking for happiness. I've noticed the beauty that's right in front of me.

Beach Week: Florida (by Liz of 26 and Counting)

2011-02-17T15:54:00.001-05:00

Today's Beach Week post from Liz from 26 and Counting brings us back east to Florda...

When Lisa asked for guest bloggers while she’s away enjoying her fabulous beach vacation {um jealous}, I pretty much threw my hand in the air and started waving wildly. Me, Pick Me! Choose Me!! Of course, Lisa couldn’t see me doing all of this, so I opted to calm down and leave a comment instead. So who’s this girl who tends to get a little over excited? Hi, I’m Liz from 26 and Counting. Over at my blog I share a lot of the outfits I wear to work and the occasional {long, but hopefully also funny} story.

You know, I was a bit stumped about writing for “beach week”. Kentucky, other than a few lakes, is obviously not a beach state. Of course there are a lot of beaches I’d like to visit {mostly those across the pond in Europe. Hello, Cote d'Azur, I'm talking to you}, but I wanted to share something that could relate back to 26 and Counting. You can imagine my surprise {and enthusiasm} when my boss asked me to travel to Florida for work last month. Sure I had to work for a few days {half days, if we're being honest}, but I also received a much needed break from the piles of snow the sub-zero temperatures here in the Bluegrass state.
So today I share with you a few pictures from my little South Florida excursion, with a couple of outfit shots on the side! As I'm sure you can tell from the photos, I was in a more Marina-ish type {I'm sure that is the absolute wrong way of describing this} part of Florida, than say the beach.

It was definitely a warmer in Florida, but still cool enough to need a light cardigan. But hey, anytime I can break out a skirt sans tights, or capri pants - I am a happy girl.

Beach Week: What To Pack (by S. of Narrowly Tailored)

2011-02-17T08:54:00.005-05:00

It's Beach Week here at The Coastal Chicster while I'm enjoying some sundrenched days in St. Maarten. Today's post from S. of Narrowly Tailored is a how-to on packing for a beach vacation (which I paid very close attention to as I packed my bags for the Caribbean...). Check back this afternoon when Liz of 26 and Counting brings us back east to Florida

Beach Bag by narrowlytailored featuring halter neck tops

Hi! I’m S. of Narrowly Tailored, blog-sitting for Lisa while she’s enjoying her beautiful and much-deserved beach vacation! She’s asked each of us to share something about traveling to the beach, so I’m tackling one of my perennial vacation problems: what do you take with you?

I have a confession to make, folks: I’m an overpacker. My husband and I are committed carry-on-only travelers, but even with that constraint, I’ve still gone on more trips than I can count where I’ve brought things I didn’t need and come home with unworn items. Some of this stems from our tendency to go on “active” vacations, and some of it from my own indecisiveness. For Lisa’s beach week, I wanted to try to come up with my own version of a super-pared-down essentials list, and share some thoughts on how I ended up with it. I’m not at all suggesting this is the ultimate list of beach attire, but just one possible collection of reasonably priced, easily packable desert island wear.

1. A bathing suit you love and feel good in. File under “duh.”

2. One top you can dress up or down. Preferably in a knit that doesn’t wrinkle, but a favorite floaty, silky concoction that holds up well to travel could also work.

3. One cardigan or other top layer. Hey! It gets cold! Even at the beach! Particularly at night, and particularly if you happen to go to a restaurant that is partially or mostly indoors and has air conditioning. A dressier version might be more versatile, but it depends on your anticipated evening plans.

4. One or two pairs of shorts. My personal preference is for Bermuda-length numbers, but your mileage may vary on this. Non-negotiable: at least one pair in a material that dries quickly and is easy to shake sand out of.

5. Several tee shirts or tank tops. These can be dressed up or down, but primarily for daytime use (hikes, lounging, etc).

6. One knit or otherwise relaxed skirt. Depending on the level of formality, great for covering up at the pool or beach, or for wearing out on the town in the evenings.

7. One relatively-informal dress you love, preferably in a solid, remixable color. This should be something you can dress up to the most formal evening occasion on your schedule, as well as down to a less fancy occasion.

8. Shoes: flip flops and cute flats or “dressier” sandals. Mostly self-explanatory: you’d rather not get sand in the stuff you have to wear out at night. If you tend more towards heeled sandals for dressy summer events, or the place you’re going is more formal, these might be more appropriate. Dressy flats are also always an appropriate choice.

Not pictured but worth considering:

1. I never travel without my gym clothes. To save space in my bag, I’d probably fly in my running shoes, and pack a pair of athletic shorts, a sports bra and one or two athletic tees. If you go hiking or other outdoor-activity-ing, this could double as your outfit for one of those days, depending on what your plans are for afterwards.

2. Because it can get cold at night (and is almost always cold on the plane), I’d probably fly in jeans or pants that could be appropriate for evening attire during the trip.

3. Accessories and sunglasses! But you knew that already. Seriously: just like any other kind of closet remixing, the key to packing light is accessorizing appropriately. So bring your bangles, your baubles and your belts, the things that make you feel comfortable and creative in your wardrobe: you’ll feel less like you’re wearing the same thing all the time, and you’ll be able to conjure appropriate looks for any occasion.

4. If you have one, a sarong or other beach cover-up. On most beaches, this largely obviates the getting-sand-in-clothes-you’ll-need-for-non-sandy-things problem. Just make sure it is or can be modest enough to wear to lunch or for other walking around in front of people moments.

5. A raincoat. As Scar from The Lion King and the Girl Scouts say, “be prepared.”
I have never packed so minimally as to only take the items mentioned above on a trip to the beach – but I wish I had! I tried to think about why I always(!) overpack for these kinds of trips, and wanted to leave you with a list of questions to think about as you plan your own trips to exotic locales (and make me extremely jealous, as I’m stuck here in the snow!):
1. What am I actually going to be doing while I’m there – both realistically and idealistically? We often plan trips that involve long days of doing active things, but don’t always actually get out to do all of them. Am I bringing clothes that will give me the flexibility to meet unexpected needs?

2. What are the maximum and minimum levels of formality I’ll need to dress for off the beach? If the hotel you’re staying at has a fancy restaurant, how often will you eat there? Will you be venturing in to town to experience the nightlife? Will those spots be populated by beachgoing tourists, or locals with jobs in the area?

3. Who am I traveling with? Are you on a private getaway with your honey, or a family vacation, or a trip with your coworkers? As always, your audience should affect the modesty level of the clothes you pack, both on and off the beach.

4. Do the pieces I’m packing “go” together? If I tried to create a mental spreadsheet of the outfits I was creating based on these items, how many would I come up with? Remember that there’s no no-repeats rule on vacation!

5. Do the pieces I’m packing work across levels of formality? This is one of the reasons I love things like jersey dresses, non-jean Bermuda shorts and flat sandals: with the right elements, they can go work up and down the spectrum.

6. Will I have access to an efficient means of cleaning my duds? Whether this means “laundry at the hotel” or “a sink and a rod over the shower from which I can hang stuff” depends on what you’re bringing, where you’re staying and how long you’ll be there, but if you won’t have a means of remedying things that get dirty, you’ll need to plan accordingly.

Again, this is not, AT ALL!, the canonical list of how to pack for the beach, just a collection of lessons learned from a number of overly-laden trips in years past. I’d love to hear your thoughts about your packing strategies for beach trips, and the must-have items you wouldn’t travel without. Lisa will be back soon (I promise!), but in the meantime, be sure to browse through The Coastal Chicster archives, and head on over to visit me at Narrowly Tailored as well!

Beach Week: Northern California (by Liz of Law Mama)

2011-02-16T15:54:00.000-05:00

I'm St. Maarten-bound, and Beach Week has officially begun! I've got a few beachy guest posts lined up for you this week, and we're kicking off the series with Law Mama Liz, who provided this amazing post full of photos from her home state. Liz is one of my favoriteWithout further ado -- the coastline of northern California...

When Lisa first asked us to write about beach adventures for Beach Week, I initially thought about tropical beach adventures in far away places like Hawaii or the Caribbean. While I’ve been to Hawaii (and had a lot of fun), I felt I like should have some California pride and feature some more local beaches.

Almost every year for Jerm’s birthday in May we try to head up to Sea Ranch. We rent a house and plan to eat, drink, sit in the hot tub, hike and take lots of pictures of nature.

Northern California beaches are stunningly beautiful. Steep cliffs against icy cold crashing waves. The fog rolls in nearly every evening, and if you’re lucky it burns off. And they aren’t exactly inviting to swim in. Between intense rip currents, an icy cold Alaskan current, and a nearby great white shark breeding ground, it usually seems wise to stay out of the water. At the most I get my feet wet. The first time I went swimming in the ocean was on a trip to the Cape Cod as a teenager, despite regular beach visits throughout my childhood. It was always too cold and scary for me!

There are flowers and wildlife. I have SO MANY pictures of different wildlife, but I didn’t want overwhelm this blog post, but we’ve seen loads of deer, a fox, skunks, raccoons, jackrabbits and oodles of birds. Sea Ranch has a sea lion nursery and we caught pictures of babies and mamas fishing.

And it tends to be pretty cold so I bundle up accordingly! I’ve had this down vest for ages and it hasn’t let me down yet. This picture is from when I had just finished my first year of law school. The trip was so needed after that stressful year!

And I always protect my eyes and skin from the sun’s rays. It’s easy to forget sunscreen when it isn’t hot out, but you can still get sunburned out there! This picture is from 2008 when I was rocking short hair.

This past year we took Zeke with us, and it was so much fun. It was definitely a different focus (a lot less drinking and more napping and playing), but it wasn’t THAT different. It’s relieving to know that our lives haven’t been impacted by having a kid—we were always kind of boring and Zeke definitely fits in easily.

I hope I’ve helped shatter some misperceptions about California! We don’t all surf or live on the beach, we’re not all blond, and it’s not warm every day. But it is one of the most beautiful places in the world (in my opinion), and I don’t ever want to live anywhere else, despite it’s flaws. I love it here!

Law Mama is a blog about my style journey as I try to navigate the style divide between sweats for the stay at home mom in me and the suits I should be wearing as a new lawyer.

Ready for Beach Week?

2011-02-16T08:54:00.000-05:00

The time has come! I've been working with some of my favorite bloggers to compile a bunch of beachy guest posts for you readers while I'm on vacation in St. Maarten. It's going to be an interesting week, and you'll be reading about beaches all over the world! Guest posts start this afternoon, so check back often from now until next Wednesday.

I hope you all have a wonderful week, and I'll see ya when I return!

Heart This (10/30)

2011-02-14T21:25:00.001-05:00

J.Crew dress, Ann Taylor blazer, Forever 21 shoes

Happy Valentine's Day! J and I just got done eating a super-romantic dinner (Firehouse Subs) and dessert (leftover cookies from dinner on Saturday...at a famous BBQ joint). We actually celebrated Valentine's Day last night, and this is what I wore. We hit up my favorite restaurant, Il Giardino, for 2-for-1 Sunday. There was a two-hour wait for a table, so we sat at the bar. It was delicious, as usual. We also just spent the weekend doing fun stuff together, and tonight he surprised me with some roses! He also got me a tripod to take my outfit photos with. Isn't that sweet?

How was your Valentine's Day? If you're dying to know more about mine, I wrote about it here.

It took hiring a dolphin to come bounce sonar off every surface in my house, but I finally managed to find my black patent shoes. Of course, I left them at my house, and tonight I'm at J's house, so tomorrow I'll be cheating again. But, you won't see that outfit until after I return from St. Maarten, so that's okay.

Are you excited about my trip? You should be because while I'm gone, it's going to be Beach Week here on the blog, and I've got lots of fun guest posts lined up for you all week starting Wednesday.

Rule Breaker (9/30)

2011-02-13T20:49:00.001-05:00

Hollister cardigan, J.Crew shirt, Nanette Lepore skirt, Anthropologie belt, Seychelles, shoes, Forever 21 bracelet, Oakley sunglasses

Okay, so I'm wearing these cheater shoes again, but let me explain. I lost my patent leather ones! I couldn't find them anywhere for a few days. I thought I left them at J's, but I finally found them this afternoon buried under a bunch of crap in my closet. I'm sorry I'm a cheater. I was so awesome at my first 30 for 30 This one -- not so much.

In the meantime, I'm breaking all kinds of other rules like mixing navy and black and brown and black and sequins and a summery belt. This is actually what I wore one day last week when I had to give a four-hour training at work. I like this outfit -- I just wish I'd been able to locate my patent shoes that morning.

Friend Friday: Color Between the Lines (8/30)

2011-02-11T08:50:00.002-05:00

INC reversible cardigan, J.Crew skirt, Lucky Brand boots, Hue tights, INC belt (from another shirt), Tolani scarf, Oakley sunglasses, Forever 21 earrings

This week's Friend Friday questions are about color (which is kind of entertaining because today's 30 for 30 outfit is pretty colorless). The FBFF is actually sponsored by We Love Colors this week! That's pretty exciting because some of the participating bloggers got free tights from We Love Colors. I wasn't one of them, but that's okay because I've got a few pairs of my own already. =) If you're ever looking for a pair of tights in a specific crazy color (or even just plain black)...We Love Colors is your website.

1. What color dominates your closet?

Black. Being from the northeast, I think black is just etched in my brain. If you're one of those people who doesn't consider black a real color, then it's navy blue.

2. If money weren't an issue how would you change the color emphasis in your closet?

I don't think it would change too much because I've become pretty attached to my black, navy, white, gray and a few scattered pinks. =) Actually, if money weren't an issue, then I'd probably focus on different color palettes each season. As it stands now, I'm always looking for a good deal and for pieces of clothing that I'll wear for a long time. It's hard for me to steer clear of black, navy, white and gray because I know those colors will stand the test of time in my closet. So, if I had endless funds (and closet space), I'd probably buy two of everything -- one in a neutral or basic color and one in my favorite color of the moment. In the meantime, I'll continue adding pops of color through accessories and the occasional brightly hued dress, top, skirt or shoes.

3. What is your mantra about mixing colors?

Navy does go with black. I can see it. Right there in my closet. =)

4. For you, how do you incorporate color into your outfits?

I don't think there's any real rules about mixing color and incorporating color into outfits. I tend to wear more bright, fun colors in the spring/summer and darker colors in the fall/winter, but I always enjoy mixing it up to create unexpected combinations. I remember pretty clearly that I first started mixing up colors in the summer of 2004, when I scored six brightly colored layering tanks on sale at Gap. One was yellow; one was plum; one was hot pink; one was light orange; one was teal; and one was lime green. I wore different combos of two and three of those tanks at a time for three months straight. It was a great summer. =)

5. Which blogger(s) do you think do a good job of incorporating color into their wardrobe(s)?

That's a tough one. I can't really think of any bloggers that don't do a good job of incorporating color into their wardrobes. The first one that pops into my head, though, is Natasha of Required 2 Be Inspired. She always works in lots of color, which is just one of the many reasons why her style is unique. She's also an expert at mixing up different textures and shapes, and she's pretty awesome at making her own clothes.

Want to see what other bloggers have to say about color in their wardrobes? Go check the comments on Modly Chic's FBFF post today!

Countdown (7/30)

2011-02-09T22:38:00.000-05:00

Filtre jacket (Nordstrom), LOFT henley, J.Crew tank, Calvin Klein jeans (Costco), Vince Camuto oxfords, Cole Haan bag, Oakley sunglasses

Today, I gave a four-hour training at work. Don't worry -- this isn't what I wore. Not that this isn't cute; it's just not really cute enough to give a four-hour training to a bunch of new employees. I was a little nervous, but it actually went quite well. =)

I need a vacation. Luckily I have one coming up in eight days. I'm counting down the hours. And I promise to come back completely refreshed. And I'll stop writing these stressed-out sounding blog posts. I swear. =)

In the meantime, I can't wait for you guys to see all the brilliant guest posts I have line up for you while I'm gone next week! You're going to love them.

Everybody, Everywear: Classic Blazer (6/30)

2011-02-08T08:26:00.003-05:00

Ann Taylor blazer, J.Crew top, Target jeggings, Forever 21 shoes and necklace, Oakley sunglasses, Cole Haan bag

It's time for the next Everybody, Everywear, and I'm still wearing my stripes! Today's Everybody, Everywear piece is the classic blazer. My friend Tina helped me pick out this outfit because I honestly never thought I'd be caught dead out in public in these super-skinny pants and these shoes. I usually reserve super-skinny pants for knee-high boots. She gave her nod of approval on this outfit, though, and I trust her, so...yeah. This outfit is part rock star, part nautical, and I'm really kind of digging it.

I'm counting down the days until my St. Maarten trip, but in the meantime, the weather's decided to warm up a bit here in Virginia Beach. I actually managed to go running outside last night after work. It was raining a little, and it smelled like springtime! I know that's ridiculous because it's still February, but a girl can dream.

I'm also happy to report that the climate at my house has been much more stable in recent days, thanks to my accidentally stumbling upon the fact that I have storm windows. Little did I know that while my heat's been struggling for the last few winters, I could have easily rectified the issue by simply lowering the extra panel of glass on each window. That explains why it was so drafty in there. I seriously had no idea. I mean, I moved in, hung up blinds, and then never even noticed they were there.

Oops. =)

Can you tell I'm covering up my roots with this crazy, messy bun? I keep having to cancel hair appointments for one reason or another, and last week my stylist was out sick. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that today's the day. My appointment is at 4:15, and I'm determined to actually get there this time!

Anyone who's anyone wore their blazer today, so I think you should head on over to Everybody, Everywear and check them out.

Cheater Feet? (5/30)

2011-02-07T08:41:00.000-05:00

Ralph Lauren sweater, J.Crew shirt, Calvin Klein Jeans, Cole Haan bag, Oakley sunglasses, Express earrings

I might have gotten dressed on Friday morning and realized that these pants were a little too short for the black shoes I included in my remix. I might have stood in front of my mirror contemplating whether or not I wanted to leave the house looking like that because pants being the wrong length is one of my pet peeves. I might have opted to dig out the most similar pair of shoes I own and wear those instead because they're an inch or two lower. I might have put my 30 for 30 shoes in the car just for my outfit photos, but then been too lazy to even bother with them.

I might have done all those things, but I was pretty strategic about picking out which photos to post, so I guess you'll never know. =)

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Friend Friday: Jumping on the Bandwagon (4/30)

2011-02-04T07:30:00.000-05:00

J.Crew shirt, Express jeans, Vince Camuto oxfords, Target scarf, Oakley sunglasses, boyfriend's Polo belt, Cole Haan bag

This week's Friend Friday topic was spurred by some heated debate earlier in the week about whether the 840-something bloggers participating in the winter 2011 30 for 30 challenge are jumping on the bandwagon for all the wrong reasons. I don't take these blogging "events" too, too seriously, so I think you'll find that most of my answers just revolve around whether or not I want to do something...

1. With all the blogging events out there how do you determine which ones to participate in and which ones to avoid?

For me, there are three determining factors when it comes to participating in group blogging events. The first thing I consider is whether I really want to do it. I'm not going to participate in something that doesn't excite me. The second is whether I have time. And the third is whether it's feasible for me to participate (for instance, I didn't participate in the first Every Body, Every Wear because I didn't have a gingham shirt). So, that's it. Pretty simple -- if I want to do it, I have time to do it, and I'm able to do it, I will.

2. Be honest, have you ever jumped on the bandwagon of some blogging movement/event for the wrong reasons? How did that turn out?

The only bandwagon I jumped on was taking outfit photos in the first place. I did it because I thought I'd enjoy it, and I do. Other than that, I wouldn't consider any of the things I've participated in so far "jumping on the bandwagon." I did the first 30 for 30 because it motivated and inspired me. I did Every Body, Every Wear because it was a brilliant, fun idea. I started participating in Friend Friday after following along for a few weeks and ensuring that I'd have enough time to commit to a post every Friday (because I'm a little OCD about doing things halfway). I'm doing another 30 for 30 because I had a blast doing the first one.

I don't think any of those are the wrong reasons, so...I guess I didn't answer the question.

No. =)

3. How do you give your own flair to a blog event while still maintaining the general mission and purpose?

I've gotten much better at being myself on this blog, so I try to throw in a bit of humor here and there. And I've also been trying harder to work in some beachy, coastal photo locations for you guys. Plus, even though I'm inspired by my fellow bloggers every single day, I do try to show you my own style on this blog by wearing things I like that are flattering on me whether they're trendy or not.

4. When determining the best content for your blog what criterion do you keep in mind?

I use Google Analytics to track my most popular posts, so I keep in mind that my outfit posts appear to be what my readers like to see. I try to stick to outfits, style, beachy photos, and a little bit of shopping and beauty thrown in on this blog. Anything else, I take over to my other blog.

5. While everything will not suit your blog, how do you try and support your fellow bloggers who are participating in something worthwhile but not your style?

I try to comment, e-mail, tweet, etc. as much as I can to support my fellow bloggers. I can't participate in everything, but I certainly appreciate that there are many different networking and community blogging "events" going on. There are some that I participate in some weeks and not others -- like Clothed Much's Rule Breaking Monday, for instance. I would never put a link up there just for the publicity on her blog, and I don't break rules every week. So I check out the page every Monday to see who is breaking rules, and every once in awhile, I link to a post of my own. Makes sense, right?

P.S. I may have jumped on the bandwagon of bloggers taking photos on parking decks, but let's face it -- I've got to do something at the mall if I can't shop for 26 more days...

Want to see what other bloggers are saying about this topic? Head on over to Modly Chic and find out!

And also, thanks again (and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!) to Michelle for taking my pictures in the freezing cold wind. =)

On the Horizon (3/30)

2011-02-03T08:27:00.003-05:00

INC cardigan (Macy's), Caslon top (Nordstrom), J.Crew skirt (outlet), Seychelles shoes (Amazon Warehouse Deals), Von Zipper sunglasses (eBay)

First of all, thank you so much for all of your kind comments and messages yesterday. That really brightened my day! On top of that, my friend Michelle offered to play photographer yesterday and she took a ride out to the beach with me at lunch to take these pictures. I love when Michelle takes my outfit photos because she's pretty artsy, and she has a way with cameras. She's also really patient, and she takes the time to find a good angle, good light, etc. She even tells me when I need to adjust my cardigan, get my hair out of my face or stand up straighter. =)

I wore this outfit yesterday because it was 72 degrees out! (Don't worry -- it's back down to 39 or something today.) I found this reversible cardigan at Macy's right before the challenge, and I figured it would be a perfect addition to my items. This is also the first time I've worn my new Seychelles "Password" pumps, which I scored for a sweet $30 on Amazon Warehouse Deals.

Spending a few minutes near the beach in the warm weather felt like a mini-vacation. This is one of my favorite streets to access the beach. It's 47th Street, and there's this really pretty memorial park where engraved bricks offer fleeting glimpses of other people's memories. My favorite one says:

GIGI AND GOOMPA

THANKS FOR GIVING US

THE GIFT OF THE SEA

Whenever I walk over that brick, I envision two grown grandchildren whose favorite childhood memories of visiting their grandparents are of lazy weekends on the beach, building sandcastles and jumping waves.

my Titanic moment

Keepin' It Cool (2/30)

2011-02-02T07:38:00.007-05:00

American Eagle shirt (borrowed), Nanette Lepore skirt (Rue La La), Forever 21 shoes, Banana Republic trench (outlet), Oakley sunglasses (gift from J)

How's it goin'? This is outfit #2.

I had a difficult time posting photos of this outfit because I've been super stressed lately, and I feel like I even look stressed out in these pictures. It's probably because right before we took them, I spent my entire lunch break confiding in a friend. To be honest, I almost skipped this winter 30 for 30 because I've just got so much going this month. I try my best to play it cool, but some stuff in my life is just driving me up the wall right now. I don't usually use this blog to vent (because I've got another blog for that), but I have a feeling this week is going to get worse before it gets better. For instance, (don't judge me) I still have to take down my Christmas tree.

I can't believe I just admitted that I'm a perpetual decoration removal procrastinator. I swear I'm going to do it tonight. Will someone check on me later to make sure I did it? No more blogging until the the tree is down. Seriously.

That's all I got. Happy Groundhog Day. I promise to cheer up before my next post. =)

Here We Go Again (1/30)

2011-02-01T08:58:00.001-05:00

LOFT skirt, Hollister cardigan, J.Crew top (outlet), LOFT belt, gifted pin (from Spain!), Liz Law earrings, Von Zipper sunglasses (eBay), Cole Haan bag (eBay)

Top Ten Reasons I #30x30
(In case you didn't hear, "#30x30" became a verb yesterday afternoon on Twitter.)

10. I like the idea of doing more with less.

9. It encourages me to be creative with the items available to me to create new outfits.

8. It forces me to reassess my closet and understand what I do and don't need when I go shopping.

7. Because Kendi is pretty flippin' cool, and she inspires me.

6. It's a great way to weed out the distractions (aka 329483789230 pairs of jeans) in my closet.

5. It's the perfect time to reorganize my closet and get all caught up on laundry because I'm only using the 30 items on my rolling rack.

4. It takes most of the stress out of getting dressed every day. This time, it's also taking all of the stress out of packing for my trip to St. Maarten.

3. I have fun interacting with other bloggers who are participating.

2. I enjoy focusing on a challenge that has nothing to do with work, working out, or eating vegetables.

1. It's a great way to weed out the distractions (aka 329483789230 pairs of jeans) in my closet. It's amazing how much better I dress when I don't have all those jeans at my fingertips every morning.

I also totally love taking photos in super-wrinkled skirts for you guys. I swear this skirt was ironed before I sat at my desk in it all morning. See that face down there? That's my "This skirt is so wrinkled, isn't it? *Sigh*" face.

30 for 30 Items Update: It's About to Go Down

2011-01-31T21:31:00.002-05:00

So, here's the thing. I've been trying to figure out how I can remix straight through my trip to St. Maarten for days. I seriously just couldn't do it. I couldn't take out enough winter items to fit in shorts, sandals and the dress I wanted to bring.

And then all that 30 for 30-hating drama happened on Twitter this afternoon. And you know what? It inspired me to come straight home from work and figure out just how in the h-e-double-hockey-sticks I could pull this off.

I think I've got this. You ready?

Here's my new lineup.

3 pants

From left to right:
1. Target jeggings (2010)
~~Lucky Brand "Lola" straight leg jeans (outlet, 2009)~~
2. Express denim trousers (clothing swap)
3. Calvin Klein boot cut jeans (Costco, 2011)

5 skirts

From left to right:
4. DKNY pencil skirt (consignment shop, 2006)
5. Nanette Lepore "Troublemaker" skirt (Rue La La, 2010)
6. LOFT green skirt (2010)
7. J.Crew khaki skirt (outlet, 2010)
8. J.Crew pink skirt/dress (2008)

7 tops

Clockwise from top left:
9. J.Crew Breton stripe top (outlet, 2010)
10. LOFT ruffle henley (outlet, 2009)
11. American Eagle plaid button-down shirt (2007) - borrowed from a friend specifically for this remix
12. J.Crew white Haberdashery button-down shirt (outlet, 2010)
13. J.Crew peach sequined ruffle tank (Christmas gift from my mom, 2010)
14. Caslon ivory ruffle tank (Nordstrom, 2010)
~~French Connection print top (Lord & Taylor, 2008)~~
15. Express gold sequin top (2010)

2 jackets + 2 sweaters + 2 cardigans

Clockwise from top left:
16. Ann Taylor blazer (consignment shop, 2010)
~~Diesel jacket (2004)~~
17. Ralph Lauren Fair Isle sweater (Macy's, 2011)
18. Smudge green sweater (Macy's 2003)
19. Reversible black/print cardigan (Macy's 2011)
20. Filtre navy ruffle jacket (Christmas gift from my mom, Nordstrom, 2010)
~~Hollister burgundy cardigan (2009)~~
21. Hollister navy cardigan (2009)

5 shoes

From left to right:
22. Lucky Brand "Deives" boots (Christmas gift from my mom, 2009)
23. Lucky Brand "Marie" boots (eBay, 2010)
24. Forever 21 black patent leather pumps (2010)
25. Seychelles "Password" pumps (Amazon Warehouse Deals, 2010)
26. Vince Camuto "Canasta" oxfords (Macy's, 2010)

4 resort picks

Clockwise from top left:
27. Juicy Couture shorts (Rue La La, 2010)
28. Seychelles "Blast" sandals (Amazon Warehouse Deals, 2010)
29. Calvin Klein teal sheath dress (TJ Maxx, 2010)
30. Banana Republic sleeveless white button-down shirt (outlet, 2009)

And we're off! Wish me luck on this one...I might need it!

30 for 30: Show Me What You're Workin' With

2011-01-31T09:55:00.008-05:00

Note: This post and these items have been updated! See the new items here.

Ready for another 30 for 30? I wasn't quite sure at first, but now that I've got my items all squared away, I'm kind of excited. I think you'll find that this remix will be a bit more casual than my last one. February is a time to hibernate here at the beach because there's not too much going on until things start to pick back up in the spring.

That being said, I've chosen a palette of darker colors -- greens, blues and burgundies -- for this winter remix. The challenge begins tomorrow. I hope you'll follow along!

Here are the items...

4 pants

From left to right:
1. Target jeggings (2010)
2. Lucky Brand "Lola" straight leg jeans (outlet, 2009)
3. Express denim trousers (clothing swap)
4. Calvin Klein boot cut jeans (Costco, 2011)

5 skirts

From left to right:
5. DKNY pencil skirt (consignment shop, 2006)
6. Nanette Lepore "Troublemaker" skirt (Rue La La, 2010)
7. LOFT green skirt (2010)
8. J.Crew khaki skirt (outlet, 2010)
9. J.Crew pink skirt/dress (2008)

8 tops

Clockwise from top left:
10. J.Crew Breton stripe top (outlet, 2010)
11. LOFT ruffle henley (outlet, 2009)
12. American Eagle plaid button-down shirt (2007) - borrowed from a friend specifically for this remix
13. J.Crew white Haberdashery button-down shirt (outlet, 2010)
14. J.Crew peach sequined ruffle tank (Christmas gift from my mom, 2010)
15. Caslon ivory ruffle tank (Nordstrom, 2010)
16. French Connection print top (Lord & Taylor, 2008)
17. Express gold sequin top (2010)

2 sweaters + 3 jackets + 3 cardigans

Clockwise from top left:
18. Ann Taylor blazer (consignment shop, 2010)
19. Diesel jacket (2004)
20. Ralph Lauren Fair Isle sweater (Macy's, 2011)
21. Smudge green sweater (Macy's 2003)
22. Reversible black/print cardigan (Macy's 2011)
23. Filtre navy ruffle jacket (Christmas gift from my mom, Nordstrom, 2010)
24. Hollister burgundy cardigan (2009)
25. Hollister navy cardigan (2009)

5 shoes

From left to right:
26. Lucky Brand "Deives" boots (Christmas gift from my mom, 2009)
27. Lucky Brand "Marie" boots (eBay, 2010)
28. Forever 21 black patent leather pumps (2010)
29. Seychelles "Password" pumps (Amazon Warehouse Deals, 2010)
30. Vince Camuto "Canasta" oxfords (Macy's, 2010)

And this is my "closet" for the next 30 (or more) days!

Happy remixing!