If you couldn’t tell from the abundance of PSLs, Ugg boots, and “I’m so glad I live in a world with Octobers” Instagram posts, it’s fall in New England. Yay! (No, I don’t care for pumpkin spice, despite the fact that I am a semi-basic white girl after all.)
It’s a little challenging to get into the autumn spirit when you live in a.) a place where fall temperatures keep fluctuating between balmy and frigid, and b.) a studio apartment with very few areas to fill with tiny gourds.
But that didn’t stop us from trying! This weekend, we ventured to Bartlett’s Farm in search of some fall fun, because pumpkins and pumpkin adjacent vegetables were 50% off, and you know girlfriend can’t resist a sale.
Okay, I may have gone a little gourd-crazy, but I kept finding so many cute ones of all sorts of shapes and sizes, and I couldn’t resist. But like I said, CLEARANCE! Also they were running this promotion and Steve and I each got one of ours free for correctly guessing the weight of our pumpkins. It legitimately felt like I had won on the slot machines at Foxwoods. There was shouting, high fives – I think I speak for the three people that were shopping there at that time that it was quite the experience to be a part of.
I ended up with about fifteen pumpkins total, partially because they were so darn cute but also because I have a legit but undiagnosed shopping problem. Again these are to be displayed in one room.
A few of my friends and I were talking about how much money we’ve spent lately traveling, going out, you know, all of the things Nantucketers suddenly have time for now that our schedules have plateaued a bit. Plus Saturday’s weather was a downright nasty woman and it seemed a wise decision to stay inside. We decided to do a little dinner and decorating to entertain ourselves, free of charge (minus you know, the hords of gourds).
Molly made these gorgeous apple florets and brought over some of Nantucket Vineyards hard apple cider. #applesonapplesonapples
Unfortunately, none of us gave these plans more than one hour of thought, and we quickly realized we had no supplies. I’m talking no paint, brushes, glitter – nothing. And Nantucket’s not exactly one of those places you can run out to a craft store at 6 PM on a Saturday night. I mean, I had scoured Pinterest and found the most amazing pumpkin decorating ideas, only to find we had nothing to execute any of them (my particular favorites are these ones, this, and also this… you know, you might as well check out the whole board here). Once again, Steve to the rescue. He cut up sponges and DIYd brushes out of skewers, and found all of our paint samples from however many accent walls we’ve experimented with in our various apartments. We were in business!
Did I mention that all of this effort was just to satisfy my personal pumpkin decorating thirst? Everyone else wanted to carve… even Steve, with his oddly shaped gourd. Me? I hate any activity that requires me to get gunk under my fingernails. I’ll stick with my intensely thick latex wall paint, thank you very much.
Um, Steve also made us dinner. He’s a keeper, I KNOW. You don’t have to keep telling me so on Snapchat, I am very much aware of his talents.
I clearly didn’t have any letters or stencils to work with, but I had found these awesome “pun-kins” from Studio DIY last year, and I encouraged the other girls that weren’t obsessed with painting the perfect pumpkin as I was to utilize some of these witty Halloween sayings.
Sometimes, all a girl needs is some red wine and a Sharpie.
I had no part in these. But aren’t they awesome? I think my favorite is Molly’s “sassy” cat on the left. She’s really serving up some Beyonce style realness with that pose over there.
I still haven’t photographed my pumpkins yet, due to my ambitious double coats of paint that required a full twenty-four hours for them to not smudge, because you know, it’s meant to go on drywall. Also my home isn’t exactly Pinterest-ready right now for me to artfully arrange my gourds.
Overall, I’m super happy with my final designs, although I would love to know my true pumpkin painting capabilities when equipped with the appropriate tools. Like GLITTER.
Anyone else do anything crafty this year? Personally I’m loving all the different shades of pumpkins that seem to be everywhere now. Orange never really was my color.
Stay scary friends,
~L
I know that every week I do these outfit posts and I think it’s really the last time before we switch from “I don’t really need a coat” fall to “holy crap where are all my sweaters and wool socks” fall (thank you, New England). But we’re still kind of floating in that in-between state where I’m trying to get a few last wears out of my more warm-weather pieces, with autumnal elements thrown in here and there. I know that October isn’t exactly the time for sleeveless dresses and bare legs, but hey, you gotta work with what you got, amirite?
Forever 21 dress (different style)& necklace (silver version) / NY & Co. belt (sim) / Dolce Vita booties
Zara top (sim) / TJ Maxx pants (sim) & flats (sim & more comfortable!) / Anchor earrings (sim)
Target t-shirt / Forever 21 vest (sim) / Macys jeans / Dolce Vita booties / Charlotte Russe necklace (sim)
Banana Republic sweater (sim)/ Isaac Mizrahi dress (sim) / Milly & Grace necklace (old, but love this brand too) / Dolce Vita booties (zipper version) / JustFab bag (sim) / Kate Spade watch (glitter version)
This is another week where I can’t explain how, but I lost a day. Thursday is mysteriously absent from this bunch. Either I had amazing plans after work or I looked like a bum and it wasn’t worth photographing. Either way, see you next week!
~L
Here we are again, people. Can you tell that I’ve actually tried to stick with something? Taking pictures of my daily #ootds has actually proven to be easier to stick to than other habits I’ve tried forming, like eating healthy or remembering to take my makeup off every night (you know, things that actually benefit your overall wellbeing?). Until I completely turn my life around, you’ll just have to settle for some daily outfit photos for now. This was a short week due to the Columbus Day holiday and trust me, you missed nothing not having a Monday ensemble. Steve and I traveled off-island (more on that trip later) and due to some torrential rain, I spent all day in Bean boots and a navy slicker. New England style to the max! Here’s the outfits I did manage to put together once I was back at work:
Banana Republic cardi (this is way more $$$, but I’m obsessed) / NY & Co. top (sim) / Macys jeans / Dolce Vita booties / C.Wonder belt / Danielle Stevens Jewelry necklace (sim) / Kate Spade earrings (stud version)
Old Navy chambray & skirt (sim, different color) / Talbots cardi (sim) / Marshalls socks (sim) / Dolce Vita boots / Brooklyn Charm necklace
Old Navy dress (sleeveless version) & ring (love this version) / Kate Spade necklace (sim) & watch / Dolce Vita booties
Old Navy dress / Lululemon leggings / Dolce Vita boots / Forever 21 necklace (sim) / C.Wonder earrings (sim, silver version) / Kate Spade watch
Quick note about Thursday’s look: I found this simple red dress in the clearance section at Old Navy last year for $7. SEVEN, as in single digits, like I can’t even spend that little on a trip to the Juice Bar. I couldn’t believe it – it just seemed like one of those perfect pieces you could dress up or down. I’ve worn it everywhere from conferences to hosting Wine Festival for NCTV last year. It is truly one of the most hardworking pieces I own, despite it’s crazy low price tag. When I found out that our local glossy N Magazine wanted to interview me for their latest “Not So Fast” feature online, I knew this would be the perfect pop of color to be photographed in surrounded by the historic scenery in the museum.
Click here to check out the full Q&A!
I think that’s about all the excitement for this week. I’m planning on finally doing my spring/summer to fall/winter closet changeover, so if you don’t hear from me it’s because I’m buried under a pile of discounted dresses (don’t laugh, it has happened not once, or twice, but three times when I’ve broken the rod in my closet).
Until then,
~L
So the first day of fall may have been two weeks ago, but my wardrobe didn’t start feeling the chill until just now. Since I haven’t done my summer/fall changeover yet (because I need a full 48 hours and a Bravo marathon just to accomplish such a feat), I’m working with what I’ve got out and simply piling it on. We’re talking layers upon layers upon layers… of elements like white jeans and chambrays (I’d like to think of these as multi-season pieces). I guess this is goodbye for real, summer. I hardly knew ye.
Inspired by this post I pinned two years ago!
Old Navy turtleneck (sim) / Madewell jeans / Dolce Vita boots (sim) / Francesca’s earrings (sim)
J.Crew blazer / Old Navy tee (sim) & ring / Macys jeans / Dolce Vita booties (sim) / Kate Spade earrings (square version) / JustFab bag (sim clutch version)
Old Navy chambray & pants / ILY Couture necklace (sim) / C.Wonder flats (sim)
Old Navy jacket (sim) / Lacoste sweater / Madewell jeans / Dolce Vita boots (sim) / Forever 21 scarf (sim) / vintage necklace
Not sure what happened to Friday this week… oh wait, I rushed from the office to the boat to clearance shopping in America to my in-laws house to bed. An #ootd pic just wasn’t in the cards that day. But rest assured! Another week lies ahead of us, with more mirror pics coming your way soon (I know, you could hardly wait, right?). In the meantime, you can keep up with my daily pics on Instagram, Facebook, or on Snapchat (@legallylinz).
Til next week!
~L
Happy Wedding Wednesday, folks! Today I’m excited to share the culmination of Bridget and Ted’s wedding photos, which began over a month ago for their one-year anniversary (oops). In case you missed it, you can read part one of their wedding story here. As I said before, I took so many pictures at their gorgeous nuptials that it took me one full year and two posts to share my favorites. So let’s continue celebrating their one-year anniversary!
I know it’s not customary for the photographer to step in front of the camera, but I had to get a picture with some of my AG girls. We spent years in high-end children’s retail and live to tell the tale. I loved catching up with these ladies on life after birthday stickers and Fancy Flips (industry terminology, I’m sure you understand). Miss you gals!
~L
Hey look, here we are! Another week, and more workwear recaps (I know, sometimes I even surprise myself). I read somewhere once that if you’re trying to start a new habit, you have to make a conscious effort to do it for at least twenty-one days. After that, it’s actually harder to stop the thing that you’re doing than it is to continue it. I’m sure that logic is meant for something actually important like exercise nail biting, but I’d like to think that supplying you all with a collage of Instagram photos of my daily outfit ranks right up there on your must-haves.
I think what inspired me this week was coming up with new ways to wear some of my favorite summer pieces for the seasonal transition we’re experiencing right now. While the temps have dipped slightly, we’re not quite there with sweater weather yet, and the thought of doing my massive spring/summer to fall/winter changeover is already weighing heavy at the bottom of my to-do list. So right now I’m trying to make do with what’s in my closet, with the addition of a few layers. Like I said, I’m working with what I got, so a lot of these items are old but I’ve tried my best to link to similar (and affordable whenever I can) options. Here how this week went down:
Free People dress (sim) / NY & Co. top (sim) & belt (sim) / C.Wonder earrrings (sim, silver) / Target shoes (sim – really sad about this one because shortly after this Schoon ate the left shoe)
Old Navy chambray, pants & flats (seriously?! not intentional) / Amano Studios necklace (not available anymore on their website, but sim here)
Target tee / Macys jeans / H&M denim jacket (sim) / Forever 21 scarf (sim) / Dolce Vita booties via Nordstrom Rack / Kate Spade earrings (square version)
currentVintage top (sim) / C.Wonder skirt (sim) / Old Navy flats / (sim) earrings
Forever 21 blazer (sim) / Express top / Old Navy pants / Target shoes (sim) / Kate Spade necklace (sim)
That’s all for this week! Stay completely up-to-date on all the #ootds over on my Instagram, Facebook (where you can see my full album of all my daily outfit pics since I started), or Snapchat (@legallylinz). Let’s be friends!
~L
Hey remember when I used to take pictures of my outfits everyday when I started working in a real office? Me too! I fell off the wagon for a bit, and then I got back on thanks to Snapchat (are we friends yet? You can find me @legallylinz… and don’t worry, I finally took my story off private. Oops). I had a few people asking me if I was still posting my daily #ootd, and it inspired me to take regular photos and actually put them on Instagram, where they don’t immediately disappear and more than fifteen people might get to see it.
So barring hideous weather or accidentally hitting the snooze button, I’m going to try to commit more to posting outfits on the regular. Even if they don’t make it to the blog every week (although that would be the dream), you can find me on the Snap, Instagram (also @legallylinz) and my blog Facebook page (click the button on the sidebar or search Lindsay’s Look).
Target tank / Talbots cardigan (sim) / Madewell denim / Old Navy flats / Earrings (sim)
Target tank / J.Crew blazer / J.Crew skirt / Kate Spade earrings / Dolce Vita bootie / J.Crew purse (sim) / Danielle Stevens Jewelry necklace (sim)
J.Crew top (sim) & blazer / Old Navy pants, flats & earrings (sim) / Vintage ring
Target dress (sim) / Old Navy shirt & flats / New York & Co earrings (sim) / Kate Spade watch
Sidenote: not sure what happened to Thursday this week. Must have been an off day :/ Anyway, hope you enjoyed this week’s workwear recap. Let’s do it again next week, shall we?
~L
Today’s post is a year in the making, not only because it took me that long to sort through over a thousand photos, but because today is also Bridget and Ted’s one year anniversary!
You may remember this adorable couple from the e-session I did with them last year in Boston. Bridget and I survived the trenches of high-end children’s retail and lived to tell the tale, and I was completely honored when she asked me to shoot her August ceremony + reception. So for my eighth and final wedding of 2015, I got to play the role of photographer/guest at their nuptials, which was amazing because not only do I love photographing people that I already know and adore, but I also got to reunite with some of my AG ladies that I hadn’t seen for a long time (and no, I don’t mean Kirsten and Samantha).
So much can change in a year. There have been ups and downs for this couple throughout their relationship, but they truly support each other through it all. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel, as Bridget and Ted are now pregnant and having a baby this January! I had so much fun reminiscing about this wedding, and I hope to continue to be their official family photographer when Baby K arrives in 2017.
So grab a snack, sit back and relax, because folks – this is a long one. It was so hard to narrow it down – I loved so many of the pictures from this night that I was basically avoiding this post because I knew it would take me forever to pick my favorites. But I told Bridget I would have a post to commemorate her first anniversary, and dammit, an American Girl always keeps her promises. So here’s to Bridget and Ted!
~L
(Disclaimer: Wow, I wasn’t kidding about how many favorite photos I had from this wedding. I’m pausing here at the halfway point – look for the formals/reception photos in the next post… coming soon!)
I have a lot of clothes. Like I’ve broken two closet rods a lot. My favorite pieces are by far my dresses. At one point I had over 100 in my arsenal, which I completely understand is kind of crazy. Keep in mind probably 75 of them were from Forever 21 and cost less than $15. As I get older, I’m starting to really go for this whole “quality versus quantity” thing, and that’s where Ellie Kai comes in.
I had first heard of Ellie Kai at a trunk show at an event in 2014 here on Nantucket. I thought the concept was cool, but still was hesitant about custom-ordering a dress online. Like an addict, the rush of shopping feeds my soul. Touching and feeling the fabrics, trying them on, and of course, getting a bargain, are all an essential part of my fashion DNA. Basically, with Ellie Kai, you choose a fabric and a style of dress, and poof! It’s made for you, celebrity-style. You can even add extra customizations like short, tall, etc. Is it a bargain? Not exactly, but you know that saying “you get what you pay for?” As an adult, I’m starting to learn how true that is.
When Kate asked me if I wanted to give Ellie Kai, I thought, why not? Summer on this island is filled with function after function, and I often go back and forth between attending things like a normal human to working them like a show pony. Hence why I chose the Kelsey sleeveless dress in Ketan, one of this season’s new prints. Wrap dresses are basically a universally flattering silhouette, and are office but also cocktail appropriate. There’s a gajillion and one patterns to choose from, but I decided to stick with something that would work with my already vast nautical wardrobe. Plus blue and white are basically the national colors of Nantucket. If we had a flag, this would be it!
When the dress arrived, I immediately starting thinking of all the ways I could style it. I knew I couldn’t just pick one! So this is the first of a mini-series of posts with the different options for wearing this baby out and about, starting with a casual daytime look. I’m so excited to have partnered with Rebecca Love Photography – if you need any kind of photos on Nantucket (wedding, family portraits, little kids – you name it), she’s your girl. We spent a gorgeous Sunday morning walking around downtown and she indulged all of my blogger fantasies by telling me how cute I looked as I melted into a pile of humble goo and performed quick changes out of my car. We had the best time and I hope to work with her again very soon. Like tomorrow and then the next day and then maybe just all the time 🙂
Check out my daytime look, and stay tuned for evening and office styles to come!
~L
Ellie Kai Kelsey dress c/o / H&M denim jacket (old, similar here)/ Kate Spade clutch (outlet find, sort of similar here / Kendra Scott earrings / Vintage brooch / Jack Rogers sandals / Old Navy & vintage rings / Burt’s Bees lipstick in Fuchsia Flood
You guys know I’m something of a bargain hunter. I love getting a good deal on something, so much so that I can still identify exactly how much I paid for a majority of the zillions of pieces that make up my wardrobe. But now I’m getting into a weird stage in my life where I’m starting to think that I should maybe go for quality over price? (I know, adulting is weird.) Don’t get me wrong, I will still head to Forever 21 for a trendy piece of jewelry that I won’t cry about if it turns parts of my body green.
But now here I am, oh so close to my thirty-first birthday, and starting to wonder if the money I’ve spent of the “fast fashion” items that I’ve picked up in the past should be used towards better-made pieces that could potentially last me more than a season or two.
So this brings me to my latest quest (or obsession, as some would call it, but let’s not get all judgey here): the perfect summer wedge. I have been rocking a pair from TJ Maxx that I spent $30 on five years ago. They have elastic straps and a heel covered in a braided hemp material that has slowly been shedding over the years. I would like to think that I have well gotten my money’s worth (I mean, that’s a whopping $6 per year) but seriously, it’s time for those babies to head to shoe heaven.
Here’s my current conundrum – I want a new pair of neutral, tan wedges. However, in my older, wiser age, I have become increasingly pickier without really expanding my budget. And I read approximately 648 more blogs now, and of course fell in love with a super-expensive pair of Tory Burch wedges that go with everything that there’s no way I could ever bring myself to actually buy (nor would I be let back into my home if I went out and spent this on a whim).
But they’re beautiful, supple leather in a perfect in-between brown and tan shade that obviously would go with everything (as exhibited on a constant basis by Cait of Southern Curls & Pearls). And to add insult to injury, I just happen to go online today and see that they are marked down from $325 to $227! Have I lived on a very expensive island for too long that I now think, “hey! That’s a great deal”?
In an effort to calm my constant craving for said wedge, I decided to search a few of my favorite affordable stores and see if there was anything remotely similar at a lower price point that would temporarily quench my insatiable shoe thirst. So I bring you, my way cheaper wedge options:
dsw $39.95 / forever 21 $27.90 / nordstrom rack $39.97 / nordstrom rack $29.90 / tory burch (on sale for $227) / target $26.24 / lucky brand via zappos $89 / tj maxx $39.99
Let me explain the very specific criteria in which I searched:
- I was looking for a light cognac/neutral/beige/tan wedge that could be worn universally with pants, skirts, dresses, etc. Day to night and all that business.
- I hate the look of cork. Do you know how many wedges there are that aren’t made of cork? (I’ll give you a hint – you’re looking at them)
- I was also kind of over the hemp thing. Which again, eliminated 75% of the options out there for wedges. One of these pairs has a hint of it because it was getting ridiculous and basically unavoidable.
- I really wanted a solid platform (no wood/fake wood – the closest I got was the Target pair, because again, I was working with very little options).
- I wanted a thicker strap for general security, because well… I sprained my foot once because of an Old Navy flip flop. So there’s history there.
- I wanted height, but even at 5’3, I gotta draw the line somewhere. There’s a lot of cute Jessica Simpson options, but they are no joke, five inches tall. I live on an island made up of sand and cobblestones. You do the math.
And in the end… I still haven’t decided. Yes, my heart (and sole wink) yearns for the Tory Burch pair, but it’s just not a practical option for me right now (plus once your husband buys you Manolos, you’re pretty much not allowed to ask for another fancy shoe for like at least five years). I was all set to pull the trigger on the Target pair and at least get through this summer, but the practical side of me decided to read the reviews and saw multiple complaints saying that these wedges just fall apart immediately. So now I’m just kind of hanging back in shoe limbo.
So what would you do? Fork over the big bucks or rock a bargain brand and hope it makes it through the summer? If you need me, I’ll be here, drooling over my laptop.
~L
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