The Shell Dress

"My vacations are always rejuvenating."

Well, I did my best to drag these vacation outfit photos for as long as possible, but this is the last set. Naturally I thought what better dress to pack than my Lilly Pulitzer shell dress, with Florida being the birthplace of Lilly and all. Though I feel like I'm more apt to find lovers of the brand in the preppy towns of New England than in Florida. That was my observation, anyway.

I was hesitant to take this bamboo bag as my main bag for the trip (hence the little pink bag which was 'just in case') since it can only be carried one way, in my hand. Not in the crook of the arm or on the shoulder, or even tucked under the arm as can be done with clutches. This makes shopping a problem, especially if the other hand is occupied by a coffee. I suppose if anything it helped reinforce the shopping ban (I was only really tempted by one thing, this hat). Plus it was quite the conversation piece, and a surprising number of people asked me if I was carrying a small animal inside it!

Well... time to start planning the next vacation...

        

The Rundown
Aralyn Shell Eyelet Shift Dress Lilly Pulitzer buy on ebay
Huarache Mules "Camila" Rebecca Minkoff similar
Vintage Japanese Bamboo Bag via eBay similar
Knot Necklace Thrifted similar
Knot Ring c/o Emitations similar

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Spring

and

Oh To Be A Muse's Lookbook Linkup
and
By Lauren M's Mix it Monday

Summer in Lilly

I know it's fall now, but my dress I got from the Lilly After Party Sale arrived earlier this month, and I knew I just had to get one wear in before summer's end. Waiting until the last possible moment, on the last day of summer, Sean and I went to dinner at Shell and Bones in New Haven. The restaurant has some gorgeous water views, and we were treated to a magnificent sunset along with our delicious meal.

       
 The Rundown

Aralyn Shell Eyelet Shift Dress Lilly Pulitzer

Silver Pumps Kate Spade via Coco's similar similar

Pink Bag "Penny" Coach via ebay similar

Double Pearl Bracelet Thrifted similar

Ring Gorjana via TJMaxx similar

Pink Cocktail Ring The Cavernous Jewelry Box similar

Linking up with I Do deClaire's Confident Twosday

and

Cute and Little's On Trend Tuesday

Zebras on parade

All summer I just kept craving the same simple, soft, easy dresses, so naturally the temptation to add another to my closet was not too hard to resist.

Evidently I have a sudden affinity for Lilly Pulitzer, and this terry tee shirt dress I got through Poshmark for $30 checked all my boxes for a summer dress I could wear to work and on the weekends.

The zebra print is really cute and kind of abstract, and I love the V back and the buttons.
I also tried this dress on backwards, and it totally works!

       The Rundown

Zebra Print Tee Dress Lilly Pulitzer via Poshmark

Sandals Ferragamo thrifted similar

Micro Perry Satchel Rebecca Minkoff c/o Shopbop

Pearl Earrings Gift similar

Double Pearl Bracelet Thrifted similar

Stacked Rings Gorjana via TJMaxx similar

Sunglasses Vogue via Sunglass Hut

Linking up with I Do deClaire's Confident Twosday

and

Cute and Little's On Trend Tuesday

Lilly for all

Earlier this year I was really excited about the Lilly Pulitzer diffusion line for Target, and was woefully disappointed when my Target was wiped out at 8:15 a.m. and never managed to get my hands on one of the pieces on my wish list.

Rather than shell out above retail prices to get a coveted shift dress on eBay, I decided to be on the lookout for a genuine Lilly Pulitzer piece secondhand. As luck would have it, I found the perfect Lilly piece to add to my closet during Coco's on the Green's half off sale. I picked up this adorable scalloped hem honey bee print skirt in perfect condition for a mere $14!

Have you entered to win a piece of jewelry from Serendipity & Grace yet?

The Rundown
White Tee Loft similar

Scalloped Skirt Lilly Pulitzer via Coco's similar
Sandals Ferragamo thrifted similar
White Mini Satchel Tignanello via TJMaxx similar
Earrings Market in Italy
Monogram Necklace oNecklace via Good Girl Style Giveaway
Hexagon Cuff Bracelet Line and Label similar
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color "Find Me An Oasis" Essie

Linking up with Mix and Match Fashion's What I wore to work

and

Happiness At Midlife's Throwback Thursday (last time I wore this necklace)

I'm excited about Lilly Pulitzer x Target

Target has been patterning with designers to produce capsule collections for the masses since 2003, and I've greeted most of them with the same attitude - "I'll see if I like anything that is left by the time it hits the clearance racks."

Heading to the store at 8 am on the launch date, or stalking the Target website, desperately adding items to my cart as soon as the clock hits midnight has never been of interest to me.

What makes this Lilly Pulitzer collection different is not that I'm a huge Lilly fan. In fact, I do not possess a single Lilly Pulitzer item, nor have I ever even wanted one.

Until now.

The moment I spotted the first preview photos I was smitten. Perhaps in the winter doldrums I was extremely impressionable to the idea of bright and beachy, perhaps its because I am equally, if not more in love with the housewares included in the collection (hello pineapple serving bowl). Plus, there are beach chairs. My life will not be complete without the set.

While I'm pretty much in love with 90% of the collection, here are the items I will be scrambling to put in my cart come April 19th; may my wallet forgive me.

Fan Dance Shift Dress, $38
Pineapple Serving Bowl, $30
Patio Umbrella, $100
Upstream Pom Pom Shorts, $24
Giraffeey Beach Towel, $25
Set of Four Dessert Plates, $25
Giraffe Bottle Opener, $10
Happy Place Straw Tote Bag, $30
Teak Beach Chairs, $60 each

Preview the full collection at Target!