Her Style: Amanda

Today I'm introducing you to Amanda, my younger sister by three and a half years. A fashion buyer in NYC, she has a unique style that is a blend of current trends and what she likes, trendy or not. On this day, I didn't warn her that I was going to take photos until we got together for lunch. She wore an effortless dress for her upcoming flight back to NYC but threw in some sparkly accessories and her favorite purse.

My sisters and I spent some time in Boston before Amanda headed back to NYC from a busy weekend at home. They accompanied me on my first wedding venue visits and remembered to ask the questions I forgot (that's what sisters are for!).

I'm the shortest of our pack of three, especially when we're all in flats.

On Amanda:

Topshop jacket (old, similar) // Milau dress // nameplate necklace (similar) // coyote tooth necklace (similar) // Chanel bow ring // Mimi So bow ring // Ray-Ban sunglasses (limited edition, similar) // Modern Vice shoes // Chanel bag

bow style

When my good friend Mary showed up to the rehearsal dinner two weeks ago with a pretty gold bow in her hair, I was excited that we had both chosen bow elements in our outfits (she also looked adorable).

on Mary: ModCloth dress // yellow belt from Forever21 (similar) // heels from DSW (similar) // American Apparel bow

on me: Minuet dress (purchased via ideeli - similar here and here) // Enzo Angiolini heels // Gorjana bracelet // nameplate necklace via Etsy (similar)

You could put a bow on pretty much anything and I would love it (hello these heels and this dress). Also loving these items (especially the boots!)

boots // bag // tee // shorts // bangle // earrings

Cape Cod bachelorette

I'm back from another super busy weekend on the Cape, this time for my sister's bachelorette party. It was a lot of fun, and I'm still trying to recover. Here are just a few shots from the weekend.

Each of the girls got a welcome pail that included the weekend's itinerary and a red tank to wear Saturday for our beach day.

Friday night started with welcome drinks and a catered clambake at the house. It wouldn't have been a true Cape Cod weekend without lobsters, clam chowder, and Cape Codders (cranberry juice and vodka).

Friday night ended with most of us in a pool at a bar (epic). It was a fabulous weekend, and we were all sad when it was over!

I can't believe we're already at the end of August! Until next year, beach days...

weekend links

Here's one guy ready for the weekend

These ballet dancers in random situations, which Emily linked to on her blog, is amazing. I also feel like this when I have a great shopping day.

I'm in the beginning stages of planning our wedding, but not everyone wants a big affair. These city hall weddings look perfect in their own ways.

If you work in a corporate office, you'll probably love Mary's blog, which shares her work-appropriate style.

Happy weekend!

wedding Wednesday: Cape Cod wedding recap

If you follow on Instagram, you're very well aware that I was at the Cape all weekend for the wedding of one of my dearest friends. T and I then extended our trip a couple of days to spend some time with my family, so we are just getting back to work for a couple of days - before I have to head back to Cape Cod for my sister's bachelorette party! It's busy, but I don't hate it.

And now, some (a lot of) photos from this weekend's wedding.

the view from the back of the chapel 

such a cute chapel right on the water

morning getting-ready snacks 

a very busy kitchen (with our print outs of updo inspiration)

bouquet arrival! love the bride's bouquet against her floral robe

 bridesmaid bouquets

this is what happens when one of your bridesmaids happens to be a professional photographer

mid-ceremony excitement (p.s. can I have a hair and makeup artist everyday?)

besties since high school and here we are over 10 years later

 reception right on the water

best friends for 19 years! what a gorgeous bride

love, love, love these two 

my handsome date

What a whirlwind of a weekend - and my sister's wedding is now only 1 month away!

back from my bridesmaid duties

One of my dearest friends who I have known for almost 2 decades (that's frightening but amazing at the same time) got married this weekend, and we are finally back from an extra couple of days away. Get ready for a big wedding recap photo post tomorrow!

outfit: mint, pink, black and white stripes

One closet staple that every girl should have is a good blazer, especially to balance a skinnier pant for the office. Even though my office is pretty casual when it comes to dress, I don't want to be anywhere near "that girl" - you know, the one who wears leggings with a shirt that barely covers her butt.

This mint green blazer has a bit of stretch to it and a fun striped cuff, so it isn't anywhere near part of a skirt suit (which I promise I never wear).

I'm not normally one to look for a shorter heel, but these Sam Edelman striped slingbacks caught my eye a few months ago. 

Cynthia Rowley top (found at Marshall's- similar here and here) // Vince Camuto blazer // Banana Republic black skinnies // Sam Edelman "Orly" slingbacks (unavailable - similar here and these are fun too!) // Loft necklace (similar)

fall prep

It's been feeling like Fall lately here in New England, and I could not be more excited. I have always loved the fall more than any season, so I'm excited to swap out my summer wardrobe of thin tanks and cotton skirts in exchange for leather accents, knee-high boots, and scarves. (Sidenote: I own more scarves than any woman should.)
Here are a few items on my radar as we move from humid summer days to changing leaves and cool nights.

Budget-friendly day dresses

Transitional jackets    

Boots you'll wear all season

Do you have any key Fall pieces you gravitate to?

small change, big difference

I feel like I have a brand new kitchen (well, kind of). One of the first things I wanted to change when we moved into our house was the faucet in the kitchen sink:  It was so low that I had to fight it to get a pan into the sink. T recently ordered a shiny, new faucet and installed it while Sprout and I lounged. It is amazing. I highly recommend investing in a good faucet, if only to cut down on things that bug you about your house. 

before (rusted around its base, annoying to work with):

and after (shiny, with a place for the soap so we have less stuff on the counter):

Gilt City Boston #RaidtheWarehouse recap

I attended the Gilt City Boston #RaidtheWarehouse event on Friday night. I've been to a few other sample sales in the past and bought things because I loved the price and not necessarily the item, so this time I was very deliberate about what I bought.

I fell in love with a Gryphon New York coat, but of course it was a smidgen too small (so then I obviously went item by item in the larger-sized rack to try to find the same coat, but sadly I couldn't find one). I was pleasantly surprised to find a big rack of baby clothes, which is perfect for all of the baby showers coming up. So while I didn't find anything for myself in the end, I did purchase a few gifts for others!

Please excuse the iPhone shots

This dress was gorgeous in person. Brocade, Fall colors... unfortunately it was a few sizes too big.

If I hadn't just bought a few pairs of shoes this past week for a couple of upcoming weddings I'm in, I would have been much more interested in the shoe section. I did find some goodies on the tables, like a pair of Sorel boots for only $39 and quite a few Pour La Victoire pumps, but I left them for others (you're welcome). And there were some good deals in the men's shoe section too (something to remember for the next Warehouse Sale, usually in the fall = closer to Christmas!).

I walked away with two nice, neat little bags of goodies for other people in my life. The item I'm most excited about is a gorgeous Sferra sham that matches my mom's color scheme for her bedroom pillows and was only $5 (!). That's about a 95% savings. Insane.

What's the best item you've found at a sample sale?

I attended the Gilt City Boston Warehouse Sale as a guest of Gilt City Boston. All opinions are, as always, my own.

outfit: slouchy pants and wine

I bought a pair of slouchy pants a few months ago, but this was the first time I pulled them out of the closet - and I felt like I was in pajama pants all day (in a good way). For a busy workday I paired them with this wine-colored batwing blouse and black and burgundy heels with a pop of gold under the heel.

blouse old (similar), Guess pants (similar here and here), BaubleBar tassel necklace, Pour La Victoire "Fonda" heels

wedding Wednesday: bridal shower recap

This weekend was my sister's bridal shower, which we did as a cocktail party rather than the traditional weekend brunch.

my co-maid of honor in action, crafting chalkboard signs

the s'mores bar looked gorgeous (and tasted even better)

the gift "table" was highlighted with an inexpensive but colorfully impactful backdrop

the bride herself!

an ice cream bar featuring our childhood favorite ice cream

the bartender served up 2 signature drinks, among other things 

fresh mint for the mojitos!

All of the details took a while to put together, but it was a fabulous party (if I do say so myself). Can't wait for the wedding!