Blue & White Stripes, Shocking Right?

By now I'm sure we've all read about those trouble at J Crew, and while I agree that a lot of their products are too expensive for the trendy pieces they are putting out, their recent troubles have allowed me to scoop up a few items on the clearance rack at a fraction of their original price. J Crew really needs to get back to the basics and start going back to their original classic look for affordable prices (nobody needs a $400 bedazzled skirt) and I think this top I picked up last week is a great start.

Classic striped tunics never go out of style and I can already think of a million ways to dress this top up or down. Today I'm showing it off with a pair of basic navy shorts, but just last week I wore it to work with a linen skirt and I already have plans to pack it in my suitcase when I head to Cape May in a few weeks! The shirt is currently on the clearance rack, so this would be a great time to stock up.

J Crew Top // Factory Shorts

Striped Bangle, Kate Spade (another cute option here)

Ann Taylor Gold Bauble Bracelet

Necklace, Ann Taylor old // Sandals Vince Camuto, old

Sunglasses Kate Spade Outlet (similar option here)

Bag Michael Kors (similar option here)

xoxo

Theater Tuesday: Kinky Boots

So I don't have a new recipe for you this week, sigh. Lately, I've been trading my fancy Sunday dinners for hamburgers and hot dog's on the grill. Summer is so much more laid back, and my dinner suggestions definitely have been reflecting that. However, I can promise you new recipes are on their way. Over the next few days I'm going to be making a sausage and tortellini dish as well as pork chops in a mushroom wine sauce, so this little blog will be back on it's recipe game soon.

Instead of giving you a recipe today, I've decided to do a recap of Kinky Boots, which I saw at Proctors Theater on Friday night as one of their traveling Broadway shows. Kinky Boots won Best Musical at the Tonys in 2013, so automatically I knew I was in for a good show. Inspired by a true story, Kinky boots tells the story of Charlie Price, who inherits his father's shoe factory 'Price and Son' after his dad unexpectedly passes. Unfortunately, the business is about to go out of business so Charlie turns to his new friend Lola, a drag queen cabaret star who gives him the idea of making fabulous high heel boots that even men can wear. This crazy idea, seems impossible but it became Charlie's last hope to save the factory. 

Kinky Boots was such a feel good movie. I laughed out loud at so many hilarious moments and Lola definitely steals the show with her outrageous costumes and show stopping voice. This is probably one of the more wild shows I've seen (besides Book of Mormon which will forever be the craziest show I've ever seen) but I couldn't recommend it more. With all the recent news stories about Caitlyn Jenner and the fight for equality, this show really has the theme of acceptance of who you are and acceptance of others. The final song "Just Be" encourages everyone to be who they want to be and is sung with nothing but uplifting love. If you ever get a chance to see Kinky Boots on Broadway (or at one of the several traveling Broadway shows across the country), make sure you get tickets because you will be dancing in your aisle.

What is your favorite Broadway show?

xoxo

Summer With Lilly

Yesterday marked the first official day of summer and the first day of summer always corresponded with National Wear Your Lilly Day. Well, seeing how yesterday I never got out of my pajamas (whoops) I decided to show off my Lilly Pulitzer a day late. I picked up this tote a few years ago during the big Lilly end of summer sale for a fraction of the original cost and I've been using it ever since. Big tote bags are always my go-to summer bag because I normally have a bathing suit and change of clothes with me at all times.

Now let me take a minute to discuss this amazing light weight dress (which is currently on clearance at Gap). My mom and I ended up buying matching dresses because we loved it so much. This is a different length for me, normally I'm either in a full maxi dress or a slightly above the knee dress, but this dress hits below the knee reminding me of a midi skirt. I see this as a perfect vacation dress because its super comfortable and can be accessorized so many different ways. You can never go wrong with a classic navy dress and this one is a quality piece that won't break the bank (bonus: it's lined!).

Tote Lilly Pulitzer (new prints available here)

Gap Dress (currently on clearance!) // BaubleBar Necklace

Kate Spade Bangles, old // Ray-Bans

Tommy Hilfiger Sandals // Belt Akira, old

xoxo

Sunday Thoughts + Father's Day

Happy Sunday and Happy Father's Day to all the Dads (and other father figures) out there!

The weather here isn't really cooperating for a fun Father's Day, it's been raining on and off and it's quite muggy but I was able to cook my dad up some pancakes and bacon this morning on his special day. I appreciate him being quite patient with me because despite my success in the kitchen, pancakes definitely are not my forte. First of all, I am impressed with anyone who can get perfectly round pancakes because the ones I made were every shape except round, and second I am even more impressed with people who can successfully flip a pancake without it going everywhere. I am so uncoordinated and made such a mess making these this morning. Whoops.

Anyways, special thanks to my dad who has always supported me in everything I do and taught me not to worry or sweat the small stuff because everything works out in the end. Also thanks for passing down your love of ice cream to me, even though my hips aren't as grateful, ha!

What are you doing for the important men in your life today?

xoxo

Friday Favorites: Kinky Boots

TGIF!

The weekend is finally upon us, phew!

Tonight I'm going to our local Proctors Theater to see Kinky Boots! We're very lucky here in Albany because so many of the traveling Broadway shows make their way to our area every year. I always try an take advantage whenever they make their appearance because it's like seeing a Broadway show, only we're only 10 minutes away from home. These actors are Broadway trained and go across the country allowing us the opportunity to see these shows up close. 

Over the course of several years I've had the opportunity to see Wicked, Mama Mia, The Lion King, Mary Poppins and Book of Mormon at Proctors traveling Broadway program and I'm especially excited to add Kinky Boots to this list. I've been wanting to see this show for quite some time, it was the winner of six Tony awards including Best Musical, so I don't doubt this show is going to be one for the books. 

Next up on my wish list is Aladdin (which I want to see in NYC) and Cinderella (coming to Proctors next year!)

Have you seen Kinky Boots?

What's your favorite Broadway show?

xoxo

Cropped

Guys, we've made it over halfway through the work week. Only two more days and we're in weekend mode. I'm not sure about the rest of you but this week has been dragging for me. Normally my work week flies by because I'm busy trying to do a million things at once. I really like the fast pace because there are plenty of days when I'm so busy I don't have time to look at the clock and when I do I'm shocked that most of the day is already over with. However, I've had no such luck this week. I haven't had a huge work load and I've been thinking a lot about how I'll be in Cape May in 3 short weeks so my motivation has been at an all time low.

On the plus side, last night I went and saw Jurassic World with friends. You all need to go see it ASAP. The first Jurassic Park is one of my favorite movies of all time, it's a classic and one of those movies that I watch whenever it's on TV. The fourth installment did not disappoint, first of all Chris Pratt is super dreamy but the movie was an action pack ride that had my heart racing up until the very end. There are so many twists and turns and the special effects are really stunning. It's definitely the best movie I've seen in a long time.

Now onto the outfit, which I purchased and wore for the first time when I was in St. Maarten in March. It's obviously not something you would wear in the workplace but it's a fun option when you're going out on the town with friends. I just loved the bright teals and blues in the top and it matched perfectly with the white mini with a leather trim (which is currently only $14 online!). 

skirt // Top, Lord & Taylor (similar here)

Sandals, Chinese Laundry, old // Bag Michael Kors

Bangles, Target // Sunnies

xoxo

What to Pack in a Beach Bag

Tote c/o

I have not been shy about my feelings about spending time near the pool and beach during the warmer months. It's terrible, but I put off all my important errands and chores until fall because it's just too hard to be inside on a beautiful weekend day (or weekday for that matter...). Personally, I keep a packed "pool bag" handy at all time for a last minute trip to plop myself down in a float and my pool tote becomes my second bag in the summer, I always have it close by.
Since I officially have less than a month before I ship off to Cape May for a week with my family, I'm already thinking about what I'm going to carry with me to the ocean. So today I'm giving you some ideas on what I like to have handy when I'm relaxing near the water.

1. Comfy towel -- Oversized towels are a must, you want something that will be soft on your skin and keep you dry after a dip.
2. Cover-up -- During my trips to the ocean I trade my shorts and tank tops for easy light weight cover-ups that I don't mind if they get wet. Lately I've been especially loving the kimono trend for when you're hanging out by the pool.
3. A good book or trashy magazine-- I get so much reading done when on vacation. I like to switch between reading the latest celebrity gossip and all the book recommendations I hear from you guys!
4. Sun Protection (beauty edition) -- Ocean sun is no joke, being by the water really increases the suns power so it's important to protect yourself with a good sunscreen and end the day with after sun lotion. I swear by Banana Boats: Aloe After Sun Lotion, it has been a lifesaver of mine and don't leave home without it.
5. Sun Protection (fashion edition) -- A funky hat and cute pair of sunglasses are a must when you're trying to protect your face from those rays. Go for a cheap pair that you won't mind losing if you decide to brave the ocean waves.
6. Music - A good playlist only makes sitting by the water that much better and luckily there are so many lightweight travel radio options that are perfect for dropping in the sand.

What are your beach bag must haves?

Kimono // Bikini Top // Bottom // Sunnies // The Vacationers 

Sunscreen // Towel // After Sun Lotion // Do Not Disturb Hat // Portable Radio

xoxo