Day 97:Last minute morning

Whoops! The alarm didn't go off this morning, which left about half an hour to shower and get out the door. I'm lucky that I don't have to catch a train or anything, and I was able to get to work on time. However, that left just one chance for an outfit photo, so this is what we have. Hair unstyled, barely any makeup, and a nice and easy outfit. The bag is kind of ridiculous: it has images of Nantucket on it and seems very homemade. I don't remember where I got it--maybe the thrift store on the island? I understand where I was coming from when I bought it, but I'm not so sure when I expected to use it. Today was probably the first time I used it since I bought it about five years ago.  Now the question is: do I keep it?

Dress and shoes: Banana Republic

Necklace: Was Margaret's

Bag: Thrifted?

Day 96: Back in the swing

I expected the temperature to be around 50 when I returned from Jamaica, but instead it was about 87. As long as it's still around 50 or 60 in November and December, I think that will be a fair trade.  After going a few days without mascara in Jamaica, I realized how much I loved not having to scrub at my face every morning.  I'll start wearing it again soon, but it was a nice little break!  I just realized that all of these items were gifts, so thank you, family and friends!

Dress: Gift from Mom (from Ross)

Boots: Gift from Mom (From Marshall's)

Scarf: Gift from Jess Mac from Italy

Earrings: Gift from Lauren

Day 95: Coming home

Late Saturday night, I changed after dinner from my Lilly dress into this casual shorts and shirt combination.  I only wore it for a few hours of sitting around with a few old friends and lots of new ones, so I incorporated the pieces into Sunday's outfit as well.  I had to change my plans for what to wear on the plane ride back because I wasn't going to wear the white pants anymore.  I had a feeling that upon landing in Philly, I'd really regret the shorts, but I didn't! It was unseasonably warm on Sunday night around 11 pm and I was actually a bit too toasty in that cab coming home.  These layers served me well.  FYI: Apparently you're not allowed to take pictures in the baggage claim area of PHL.

I'm sorry my vacation posts were a little out of order; I hope you still can see that I had a great vacation and am very happy for my newly married friends. I packed super lightly for this trip, and I think it worked out, and I wore all but two tank tops that I packed.  Not bad, considering I didn't know what to expect!

Blue tee: LOFT

Button up: J. Crew

Cardigan, wedges, and bag: Banana Republic

Shorts: Gap

Boat shoes: Sperry (J. Crew)

Necklace: Rebecca's

Day 93: What I Wore to the Wedding!

Alicia and Tommy got married on October 7! Unfortunately, it was raining, so the wedding was moved inside, but we still had a great time, and we had plenty of time to soak up the sun the rest of the time.  The Avallones are probably my blog's biggest fans, so Tommy wanted a picture to show off the dress so he could guarantee a spot in this post. Of course I'm going to include my favorite new married couple!

One reason I am very lucky to have so many people in my life who like to share clothes with me is that I get to wear something I might not ordinarily buy.  For instance, I think this dress is beautiful and was a perfect choice for Alicia and Tommy's Jamaican wedding, though I'm not sure if I would have bought it for myself. I love how it is perfectly tropical, but if I had a jean jacket, I would also want to wear it to dinner in 50-or 60-degree weather back home. Please also notice that Dave is doing a good job making the most of his wardrobe as well, as he's wearing the vest and pants from our own wedding. We a generally a couple whose outfits complement one anothers' pretty well, but we did not do any dress-tie coordination this time, as you can see.

Dress: Rebecca's, from Anthropologie

Necklace: Gift from Mom?

I am also wearing shoes

Day 92: White for all seasons

This dress did double duty at the resort because it was perfectly casual for lounging but also ideal for breakfast and lunch.  I bought it at my local thrift store, still with the tags from Kohl's on it.  In the past few years, that's traditionally how I have shopped at thrift stores, so I don't think this technically counts as thrifting. I am excited to debut a new skirt pretty soon that is legitimately vintage and also from the $1 rack.

I believe that living in Philadelphia means that the thrift stores don't have the best selection. For better or worse, people love coming to the South Street area to find their one-of-a-kind pieces.  Instead of becoming deterred, I have actually realized that I will just go to PAT more often, so I can always be on the watch for new items and get them before everyone else does.  This dress is one of only two clothing pieces I've bought there. I've actually had better luck with games; I bought Cranium and Wise & Otherwise, two favorite games, for $2.99 a piece.  Next August, a friend will be getting married near Kansas City, and I am already excited to check out some thrift stores there.  Where is your favorite place to go thrift shopping, and what are your best secondhand finds?

Dress: Philly Aids Thrift
Hat: Urban Outfitters

Sunglasses: Kohl's 

Day 95: Rain on the last day

And the blog claims another victim. This shirt is out! In theory, it's a very pretty and classic white shirt. In reality, it is about 6 inches too long, which means it looks good with nothing I own. On Sunday morning, I pulled the shirt tight and twisted the back and tucked that part into the back of my shorts. Not a very practical way of wearing what should be a very practical shirt.  I do remember a time when this shirt worked on me, which means either the fit has changed drastically, or I used to walk around swimming in the shirt. In either case, this shirt and I are going to part ways.  You can't think of a way to style it so that it would work, can you?

A chilly, rainy day is a good way to not be too sad to leave vacation. Dave and I were planning on going parasailing with the bride and groom, but unfortunately, the rain meant that instead, we drank a little, ate a lot, and played some life-size Connect 4 before grabbing that shuttle back to the Montego Bay airport.

Shirt and shorts: Gap

Bathing suit: Lands End Canvas

Shoes: Old Navy

Headband: Forever 21

Necklace: Gift from Lauren

Day 94: My original Lilly

If you know me, you probably know that I have a particular soft spot for Lilly Pulitzer that goes beyond an affinity for bright colors. I love Lilly's clothes because they remind me of Margaret, who introduced me to the tropical clothing line in the summer of 2002. Margaret and Pa took my family to Nantucket, where we stayed at a house on Cisco Beach where we swam, biked, and read, and Mom made calamari, and I got to sleep in the attic nook, my favorite room of the house.  On one of our days in town, Margaret brought us into the Lilly store and together we picked out this pink and orange flamingo and palm tree dress.  It was a really special moment for me because it's not every day that someone buys me whatever I would like.  It's almost 10 years later, and I still think this dress was a solid choice.

Dress: Lilly Pulitzer

Shoes: Kohl's

Necklace: Gift from Lauren