may the 4th be with you

It's July--what?!  Seriously, how did that happen so quickly?  This week has been amazing though; with the 4th on Thursday this year, I only had to work TWO days this week.  I could really get used to that sort of schedule.  My little family is looking forward to celebrating Independence Day, grilling with friends and enjoying time together as a family.  Here are a few pieces of Americana that have me feeling festive this week:

Movita Beaucoup Peach Cobbler

Peach pie.  We were asked to bring a dessert to our friends' 4th of July BBQ, and like any good domestic goddess wannabe, you know I immediately consulted Pinterest for culinary inspiration.  While the red, white, and blue cakes and fruit confections are absolutely classic, I feel like it doesn't get more all-American than peach cobbler.  Harper, Dallin, and I hit the market earlier this evening to gather our supplies, and now I couldn't be more excited to try this recipe from Movita Beaucoup:

For the filling-

4 cups peeled and sliced fresh peaches (about 8 or 9 peaches)
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon flour

For the crust-
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3 tablespoons brown sugar
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
2/3 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon brown sugar, for topping
whipped cream or ice cream for serving (optional)

To prepare:

-Preheat the oven to 425

-Combine all dry ingredients for cobbler crust in a bowl, and set aside.
-Generously grease a 1 1/2-quart shallow baking dish. Place the sliced peaches in the dish and sprinkle with brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and flour. Mix gently and spread evenly in the baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes.
-While the peaches are cooking, cut the butter into the awaiting dry crust ingredients with a pastry cutter or your fingers, to make the texture like coarse crumbs. Add the buttermilk and stir to form a soft dough.
-Remove the peach mixture from oven and drop rounded spoonfuls of dough on top. Then sprinkle the top of your cobbler with the remaining tablespoon of brown sugar, and return to oven. Bake until the fruit is bubbly and crust topping is golden brown, about 20 minutes. 

-Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream.  Yum!

Girl's Milleraies Striped Tee in gitan/ecume, $22.50
by Petit Bateau

Patriotic stripes.  Harper's Grammy Sue surprised her on Monday with this special tee from Petit Bateau to wear on the 4th, and it has taken all my willpower to wait for the grand debut.  Granted, Petit Bateau isn't exactly classically American, but let's be honest, it doesn't get much cuter or more patriotic than red and white stripes.  Perhaps my favorite detail is the little bow at the neck (the neckline and bow on Harper's tee are white instead of the red shown here).  As a side note, the Petit Bateau store on Newbury Street in Boston is closing at the end of this week.  This means that we have recently purchased some amazing Petit Bateau swag at even more amazing sale prices--but I am absolutely heartbroken to see it go.  Anyway... My vision: this tee, paired with little H's chambray shorts, and her red, white, and blue hair bow...hello, Miss American Pie!

Butler Please, $7.79
by Essie
Available from Target

Starry nails.  I was super bummed to miss viewing The Bachelorette with some of my favorite girlies this week, particularly as our TV night was also a patriotic nail painting party!  Sigh.  Nonetheless, I'm doing my best to nail it on my own this time, thanks to Essie's Butler Please, a nail color recommendation from my fashion icon friend, Aimee, who has it on her toes as I type this.  Called an "indulgent, bright blue," I'm totally loving it.  This blue is peppy, patriotic, and even a little nautical.  After another trip down the Pinterest rabbit hole, I've been inspired to take my nail painting party to the next level and to try this polished version of star spangled, using the reverse color scheme, all blue with one red (not just any red but Essie's Lollipop, another summer fave).  Pictures to follow!

Pinterest inspiration: 4th of July nails

From peach pie to stars and stripes, I'm looking forward to celebrating tomorrow.  I feel like I would be remiss if I didn't express my appreciation for living in the land of the free and the home of the brave--and for those men and women that have made those blessings possible.  Happy 4th of July--and may the 4th be with you!

Episode 18: I Am Thankful For All Things Nautical

I woke up before my alarm this morning and, not being able to get back to sleep, I found myself with a bit of extra time on my hands and decided to check my email.  I was happy to discover a TGIF message from my adorable sister, containing a valuable fashion tip from our dear friend Rian: The Daily Prep, a fabulously preppy blog.  The most recent post featured these amazing rope bracelets by Lemon & Line that appealed to my love of all things nautical--and now I'm a bit obsessed.  So today, not only am I thankful for the lovely Rian, but I am also thankful for the inside scoop on this fun new nautical fashion.

Nautical Rope Bracelets from the Nantucket Collection, $25 each
by Lemon & Line

Made in Newport, these nautical rope bracelets from Lemon & Line's Nantucket Collection are available in red, yellow, navy, and green.  The nautical knot is balanced with a metal clasp that adds an interesting contemporary element--and I am totally sold.  Upon further investigation, Lemon & Line have some other great collections available too (the Newport and Vineyard), but the cheerful color palette of their Nantucket Collection definitely speaks to me.  For a nautical-loving girl like me, there couldn't be a more perfect accessory, and the price isn't prohibitive either.  Many thanks to the lovely Rian for her style savvy and for bringing a bit of knotty-ness to an ordinary Friday.

Last Call for the Royal Treatment!

With my birthday just last week, I have been lucky enough to find myself at the receiving end of all sorts of amazing gifts and general kindness recently.  So in the name of good karma, I thought I'd celebrate the last day of my birth month by paying it forward and sharing this fabulous deal from the fabulously British nail pros at butter London.

Royal Navy Nail Lacquer
by butter London

Today just so happens to be the very last day to score the royal treatment--Royal Navy, that is.  With fall just around the corner, it's almost time to say goodbye to punchy pinks and other summery hues, and butter's fall collection can help soften the blow.  Their Royal Navy is "nautical and naughty," a deep navy blue that not just for sailors and, in my view, is perfect for a fall pedi.  Oh, and did I mention that it's free?!  You can receive your very own complimentary bottle of Royal Navy with any butterLondon.com purchase by entering code "royalautumn" at check-out.  Happy August--and happy shopping--dearest fashionista friends!



Summer Stripes

Barite Top by Tory Burch, $175

Stripes are one of my favorite summer looks.  I particularly love the nautical feel of a classic navy stripe, which may be why the Barite Top by Tory Burch is calling my name.  The summery short-sleeve, crew neck tee features navy and ivory stripes, but Miss Burch ups the ante by adding rope and stud detailing at the sleeves that I'm absolutely obsessed with.


The Garine Top by Tory Burch, $225
(shown over the Barite Top)

 The Tory Burch website suggests layering the Garine Top over the Barite, and as a girl who loves mixing patterns, I think the result totally works.  The heavier weight of the roping and stripes means that they peek out from beneath the spotted cotton silk for a more bohemian spin on the nautical look.  If (when?) I'm lucky enough to own both pieces, I would pair them with a pair of jeans and some high, high wedges for the perfect summer look. 

Sail Away!--A Head to Toe Guide

In preparation for my family's trip to Monhegan Island this weekend, my mind has been focused on all things ocean-related for the past few days. And you know what that means: there are crucial weekend wardrobe choices to be made! We've talked about it numerous times before, but there is no summer style quite like nautical fashion. It's simple yet classic, elegant yet comfortable--and who can argue with that? So in honor of my weekend plans and my summer fashion obsession, let's do a little refresher course, shall we? Read on and learn how to sail away!--from head to toe:

Get tied down: I've seen countless pieces of anchor-inspired jewelry recently, and while I'm admittedly in love with anchor iconography, you have to be cautious of your look becoming overly literal...and thus too costume-y. Made of brass with rope detailing and a lobster clasp closure (so appropriate), this rope necklace from Tory Burch looks great with both summer whites AND sailor stripes! Price tag: $137 (on sale!)

Be a star in stripes: This cheerful red-striped tee is inherently sailor chic, especially when you account for the nautical-inspired buttons at the left shoulder--or the way it inspires you to say, Ahoy! And not for nothing--especially with those July 4 BBQs right around the corner--it's also a bit patriotic. Price tag: $58

Layer against the salty breeze: For those of you who spend a lot of time by the ocean (lucky!), you know that the dress code is all about layers. Sea breezes pick up at night, and even though it might be summer, it can still be rather chilly! Keep warm in style with this waistcoat styled cardigan from Leifsdottir, that is both elegant and completely functional--and with a bit of a military twist to boot! Price tag: $188

Bottoms up: One of the rules of fashion I make every attempt to live by is, whenever possible, keep it comfy. Truth be told, with my love of high high heels, it's really not always possible, but comfy is totally the name of the game where bottoms are concerned. As is versatility--yet another reason why I'm sooo into these Congo Skinny Cargo pants by Citizens of Humanity. Made of stretch twill with tons of pockets, you can walk the collect shells along the beach in your bare feet and then dust off the sand, throw on some heels, and head out for lobster dinner! All in a hard day's work. Price tag: $172

Stay on the Top Side(r): Let's be real here; as outstanding as some killer 5-inch wedges would look with the above wardrobe selections, if we're talking nautical, we need to be talking about boat shoes. I've made my opinions known (why have anything else but metallic?!), but those who prefer to keep their look a bit more understated may like the neutral look of these dusty sage deck shoes by Sperry. Whatever your color palette, you're guaranteed to be golden in this classic footwear. Price tag: $98

It's in the (sail)bag: I've always loved the look of recycled sail bags, and since they're also eco-friendly, it's a purchase you can really feel good about. This particular style from Maine-based Angela Adams and Sea Bags is as durable and water-resistant as it is fun and fashionable. With hemp handles long enough to go over the shoulder and a hook-and-ring closure to keep your valuables stowed safely, this one bag is all you need for a day at the beach, an on-island weekend, or any other adventures you might have planned this summer! Price tag: $198

Sadly, not all of us are able to make a quick getaway on our own personal yacht (or, in my case, even a sailboat, canoe, or dingy!), but with a few key wardrobe items, you can still look the part. In fact, the carefree ease of nautical fashion makes cruise control relatively easy. So what are you waiting for? Sail away!

Images, in order of appearance: (1) "Perfect for Sailing" photograph by Tom Palumbo from Harper's Bazaar, 1956/57, image thanks to Paris Hotel Boutique Journal(parishotelboutique.blogspot.com); (2) Rope Necklace $137 (on sale!) by Tory Burch , available online (http://www.toryburch.com/); (3) Yardarm Tee in red motif $58 by Velvet, available from Anthropologie (http://www.anthropologie.com/); (4) Waistcoat Cardigan $188 by Leifsdottir, also available from Anthropologie; (5) Congo Skinny Cargos $172 by Citizens of Humanity, also available from Anthropologe; (6) Top-Sider Authentic Original Two-Eye Boat Shoes in dusty sage $98 by Sperry, available form J. Crew (http://www.jcrew.com/); (7) Diagonal Stripe Sail Bag by Angela Adams and Sea Bags for J. Crew $198, available online.

On the Top Sider

As spring begins to turn to summer, I've been giving more thought to the areas of my wardrobe that need a little upgrading. One of my favorite summer looks is, as I've mentioned before, the subtle nautical style. Without getting too literal, traditional boating gear makes for fabulous and classic wardrobe staples that no fashionista should ever have to brave a summer without.

Though there are infinite areas of nautical chic that we could discuss (and some that we have discussed before!), today's focus is footwear, with a particular emphasis on these glitzy Sperry Top Siders that take boating to the next level---and beyond. I originally saw these sailor-savvy beauties in the J. Crew catalog a couple of months ago, but I put them on the back burner since it wasn't yet the season. Now, with the season upon us, I'm obsessing about them again and, with the spirit of budget in mind, considering whether or not these shoes fall into the wardrobe "MUST" category. In the interest of fairness, let's weigh the pros and cons, shall we?

On the PRO side: These are not just any Top Siders. Rather, their regal gold sheen takes these iconic deck shoes over to the fierce side. The added bonus is that there is functionality built into this fashion statement, for they're made of water resistant leather with a rubber sole for maximum traction. Nautical fashion that you can actually wear on a boat?!--yes please.

On the CON side: I have already envisioned dozens of outfits around this shoe in my head (my mind is a scary yet utterly fashionable place, you must know), I have to really consider whether or not I will actually wear this shoe... You know what I mean; sometimes you find a must-have item, but then it sits in your closet forever, lacking practical value for your lifestyle. So the big question remains, does this pair of platinum boating shoes have a base in reality? Indeed, I like to think that I would put this sensibly glam footwear to use.

With further consideration to practicality, the Bloomingdales website suggests you wear them with khakis for a classic look or make them edgy with cuffed boyfriend jeans. I'm not really one for khakis (too buttoned up for me--unless they have that fabulous destroyed look to them), but I think these Sperrys would be killer with a pair of weathered skinny jeans, cuffed at the ankle, and a plain white tee (or any tee, for that matter).

As I mentioned before, these shoes are available at both Bloomies and J. Crew (and likely a million other places), and I simply cannot fail to mention that they are $13 more at J. Crew. Why? Well, I'm glad you asked! According to the J. Crew site, their Top Siders feature exclusive details you won't find anywhere else (like grosgrain ribbon at the heel). Indeed, the grosgrain ribbon they speak of seems to be the only discernible difference. Cute it may be, but is it $13 worth of cuteness? I love J. Crew as much as anyone, but unless this irresistible yellow and orange ribbon prevents blisters and chaffing on my heels (debatable), I think I'll pass--but to each her own. After all, who am I to put a price on the details?

So there you have it: all you ever wanted to know (or not to know!) on the Top Sider. So what's the verdict? Are these shoes just too "me" to resist? I'm thinking that might be the case... But please, if you have any feelings on the matter, let me know! Post your comments or send me an email--I mean, this is my WARDROBE that's at stake here. Very. Serious. Stuff.

Images, in order of appearance: (1) Ahoy Sailor!, photo thanks to The Style Spy (http://www.thestylespy.com/); (2) Top-Sider "A/O" Shoes by Sperry $85, available at Bloomingdales (www.bloomingdales.com); (3) Top-Sider® Authentic Original 2-eye metallic boat shoes by Sperry $98, available at J. Crew (www.jcrew.com); (4) J. Crew catalog image of the Top Sider (www.jcrew.com).