Lands' End Goes to Land's End

Well, not quite, but close enough.  We are just one town away from the East End of the North Fork, and that, my friends, is just where I love to be.

That gate?  At the very end of the boardwalk?  I believe it is a portal to another world.  It leads my my mother-in-law's wonderful little beach.  Ah, yes.  Vacation.

Dress, Lands' End Canvas; Swim top, Lands' End.

Sunday Best

Hotter than Hell?  Better go to church!

(That should be on a church's signboard, dontcha think?)

This dress will appear again on this vacation, I guarantee.  I like the length, the color, the ruffles, but I am not sure it is the best for my....assets.  I added the cardi to be church appropriate.

Dress; Soprano, via TK Maxx, $19.99; Cardigan, J Crew; Shoes, DSW; Bag, Sears circa 1998.

Spa Day

First day of vacation.  What's better than a massage at the spa? A massage and a manicure at the spa, with the woman you have been friends with since the 4th grade!

The only thing even nicer?  To be able to edit pictures!

Shorts, New York and Company, $15; tee, Lands' End Canvas; wedges, Nine West.

Vacation Begins!

Today at 7:30pm my vacation officially began. I'm not sure what to promise for posting, but I will do my best (in dressing and posting).

Today I felt a little celebratory (VACATION!), so I added a sprinkle of sparkle...

I do admit that I was out of this outfit soon after this picture, since the next stop in my schedule was the dump.  So glamourous.

What's on the vacation agenda?

A spa day with oldest friend
A trip to the best kids' museum in Connecticut
A ferry ride to my mother-in-law's
Lots and lots of beach sitting and reading
Visits to family
A few gimlets
My husband's 30th high school reunion
More beach sitting and reading

Can't wait and don't have to!

Tank, JC Penney; Skirt, Victoria's Secret; Belt, J Crew; Shoes, Madden Girl; Cardi, French Connection.

Best Intentions

You know those days when you just are ON?  Yeah.  This wasn't one of those days.  I went to bed thinking about outfit possibilities but a 3am toddler wakeup, followed by oversleeping by an HOUR AND A HALF meant I grabbed what was closest.

Luckily I had decided on the shoes in advance, knowing I'd be walking a fair bit during the day.

Honestly, I see that this is a fine casual weekend look, but not what I have been trying for at work.  In the winter, my grab and go is more tailored and polished.  But summer...I struggle.

What's your go to look on rushed mornings?

Top, Loft (four years ago...bought when I was nursing E.); pants, Victoria's Secret; Shoes, SE Boutique; necklace, Target.

Driven

So I'm driving my husband's gigantic GMC truck instead of my Nissan hatchback.  I love to drive it, but parking?  Well, that's a horse of a different color.

I always feel dainty driving it, though I would never describe myself as that.  I imagine if I were dainty I could channel Audrey Hepburn in this outfit.

But I'm not Audrey and I would like to express annoyance with these pants.  The J Crew Minnie pant bags.  Yes, it does.  The places where it bends (knees, butt) always have a ghost of a joint in them.  They are slightly better after dry cleaning, but 10 minutes into wearing, I have baggy knees.  Boo.

But I suppose when they see me hop out the truck, the people are not expecting polished.  They are probably expecting a burly fisherman.  Like, you know, my husband.   All his fisheries are represented.

Offshore:

Alaska:

The Adirondacks:

Nickelodeon:

But I can decorate myself, too.

Tee, French Connection; cami, Target; pants, J Crew; necklace (repaired!), Pink; shoes, DSW

Fit to be Tied

Today was one of those days.  A routine visit to the mechanic for an oil change and tire rotation turned into  an hour of negotiating, scheduling, and generally screwing up life's rhythms.  Then, as I wrote this post, my girl beaned my boy with a board book, causing much screaming, crying and flowing of blood.

So, not even this dress could make me feel better.  But I did change it from last time by tying it in the back. It helped.

Dress, Target; wedges, Nine West; necklace, MassMOCA.

Help Wanted

I need a dress to wear to cocktails for my husband's 30th high school reunion and to a late afternoon wedding in August.

Where would you go shopping?

One Giant Leap...

Shorts.

Yes.  Shorts that are not made for hiking, or gardening, or running.  In other words, shorts not meant for the sole purpose of sweating.

Shorts for looking cute.

I have not tried THAT for 15 years.  Or more.

So, I decided to pretend I am a whole lot younger and gave it a whirl.

Okay and one without training wheels...

Huh.

Maybe I need to get some more pairs.

Shorts (!), Lands' End Canvas, SALE $25 and free shipping; top, LLBean; wedges, Nine West; Bracelet, made by my sister-in-law Janet; Necklace, Grammy's box o' costume treasures.

Support System

Ah...the same Lands' End Canvas dress again.  And it has been transformed by a.) accessories and b.) a new bra. Again, my lack of a full length mirror that I can actually see myself in has posed a problem.  With my old bras this dress was flattering, but not inappropriately so for the office.  But today?  Let's just say I was embarrassed by some of the pictures....Note to self: on days when it is not 90 degrees warm AND the office isn't empty?  Wear a layer underneath.

Dress, Lands' End Canvas; Scarf, gift from my dad from Paris; necklace, from Taste in Greenport, NY; belt, LL Bean, via the Fashion Exchange; bracelet, Grandma Jane's. 

In Full Swing

Now here is an outfit that I really like.  I feared I would be too warm in these capris, but with the floaty cami it felt just right. (At least for being inside my office with the AC blasting!)

I am dishing it up in black and white, because I always think th cami has an old fashioned feel to it.  But color is good too!

I love the way the cami moves and swings around me.  When I bought it I learned a valuable lesson in TRYING THINGS ON.  I have mentioned before that I do not.  And when I saw this in the store I skipped right over it.  It wasn't until the sales associate brought it to me and INSISTED I try it that I even considered it.

And now it is one of my favorites.

And in honor of the romantic top, I put on my wedding earrings.  (I rarely wear earrings because I have a horrible, painful reaction to them, and the content of the metal makes NO difference.)

And one more shot, just because I like it! (And because for once, I was wearing lip gloss!)

Cami, J Crew; Capris, TJ Maxx; flats; DSW; Earring, maybe Macy's?  It was 6 years ago!

Mama Tried

Well, sometimes it takes a few tries to get an outfit right.  And this is the first try for this one.

Not bad.  But it features the two other "b" words.  Boring and boxy.

I refrained from belting today, because I feel like I now belt everything and that would have taken away from the coolness of the linen.  (Yes, still hot.)

I do like the texture of the top.

And rolling the sleeves was a good move.

So why does this look just not make it?  I think maybe there's something missing.  Perhaps some color. Maybe this blouse would be better as part of a layers looks.

Thoughts?

Blouse, LL Bean, gift from my husband; Skirt, Victoria's Secret; Shoes, Madden Girl.

Too Hot

When I was a kids my mom would sometimes have to tell me "Quit hanging on me!  It is too hot."  I never understood that.  Maybe as the hanger it's fine, but for the hanged on?  Now I get it.

I do like the heat though.  That full on roasting as you walk out the door.  The good excuse to skip a workout and eat ice cream.  Today I wanted to look unwilted.  That was my only goal really.  And these pictures are from the end of the day, so in that I succeeded.

I think I finally really did it with this skirt.

Tee, Target; Skirt, Gap; wedges, Nine West; Necklace, gift from the hangers-on's (I mean kids') day care provider; belt, LL Bean via the Fashion Exchange.

(red) White and Blue

I managed to avoid my usual sunburn (the red) but spent the weekend in an otherwise patriotic ensemble.

And I would just like to say that this picture represents a vast improvement over last year...Every swimsuit picture from 2009 has me chest deep in water.

Swimsuit, Lands' End.

Longtall

"Mama, you look longtall today!"

I would never call myself tall, but I am taller than average.  (I am just shy of 5'7".)  But I have the Fuller legs.  Which are short.  Especially considering my height.

But this outfit has some kind of magic.  I never tried pairing a closer fitting top with the skinny jeans, but I think that, along with the dark tone of the shirt really stretches me out.  Especially below the waist.

And I am not a jeans and heels girl, but these wedges?  That works for me!

I did wear jeans to work today, as I have mentioned I can.  Rare for me, but now I have tried this combo I might do it again.  And also?  How great is it that I can advertise a condom on my work shirt?  And then have it be a totally appropriate visual aid for a leadership meeting...

Jeans, Lands' End Audrey jean; Wedges, Nine West; Scarf, Victoria's Secret; Tee, Planned Parenthood Proper Attire (required for entry) fig leaf shirt, available here.

Pro-Casual

Since starting this project, I've started reading a number of fashion blogs.  And I am starting to get ideas and inspiration.  One look I see a lot and admire is a kind of pulled-together casual-ness, ala Blue Collar Catwalk.  Like this.  So I went for it...

I think it worked, except...that jacket?  Some days I like it and others I hate it.  It's not fitted and its not really a 'boyfriend' blazer either.  So confusing!

Can you see what I mean?  And also, do you think it because that troll over my shoulder has cursed my wardrobe?

I did get to wear my favorite necklace though.  Too bad it is now broken.  Babies, man.

And this last picture?  Since my better half is in Alaska for work, I will leave it up to all of you to tease me for making "that face" in the picture.

Jacket, Victoria's Secret; Pants, Victoria's Secret; Shirt, J Crew; Shoes, DSW; Necklace, in need of repair.