The Adventures of Millicent

So what do you think of Millicent's new paint job? Doesn't the hunter green look so awesome with the tan handlebars and seat! Plus, I just had to complete her transformation with a wicker basket.

A few of you asked me why I chose Millicent for my bicycle's name, my answer is three fold- 1) I love how old fashioned the name sounds 2) I think Millie is a fun and playful nickname and 3) Millicent means 'brave strength' or 'strong work' which feels very fitting for a bicycle.

Here's a little background story about my jacket... About six and a half years ago, Cole and I were straight out of college, newly married and living in Boston. Life was a bit crazy for us, we were young and living in an unknown city. Every day when I would walk to work, I would pass by the Ralph Lauren store and drool over this jacket. I felt it was meant for me and that it would change my life. The only thing keeping me apart from my dream jacket was its hefty price tag. Cole, being a good husband, listened to my woes. A month went by and I had given up all hope of buying the jacket. One day, Cole came home from work with a large package under his arm. He handed me the big navy blue Ralph Lauren box and I immediately went into shock. Once, I opened the box, shock turned to tears. I couldn't believe that he had bought me the jacket. I was so over the moon! Ever since that day, I have cherished this well worn and well loved jacket and its special memory.

The below photos make me roar with laughter, Cole couldn't resist a spin.

Photo Credits: Cole. Thanks, darling!

Old quilted shooting jacket: Ralph Lauren
Vintage tweed vest: from mil
Ruffle shirt: J.Crew
High waist jeans: Urban Outfitters
Penny loafers: Lulus
Vintage bicycle: Millicent, aka Millie
Here's a before picture of Millie:

Not a terrible color, but I had my heart set on hunter green.

I hope everyone had a wonderfully relaxing weekend!

P.S. I've been having internet issues, so please bear with me as I slowly catch up on my blog reading.

J.Crew Fall '10

This might even be better than the Alexa Chung for Madewell collaboration, and considering how much I covet that collection, that's saying a lot.

Photo Credits: Style.com

A big thank you to everyone that gave me tattoo advice and feedback. I truly appreciate it. I'm still loving the little anchor not only for what it personally represents but because it's clean, vintage and a bit preppy.

XOXO

Holiday Look No.5: Carissa Rose

It's so freezing cold outside with tons of snow that I had no choice but to do a indoor shoot. I really wish these photos did the gorgeous pieces from Carissa Rose more justice. I can't begin to tell you how excited I was when Carissa contacted me and offered two items from her latest collection! You see, Carissa makes clothes for the busty, well-endowed woman. Her styles are meant to accentuate your curves by basing the sizes on your bust and waist. Dresses and blouses are indeed the hardest things for me to find. I usually have to go up a size due to my large bust and then everything else looks baggy, or in the other extreme, I go down a size and squeeze my bust into a minimizer bra and hope that I don't pop any seams! I was nervous about the different sizing, but the pieces fit like a dream- the dress hugs in all the right places and the blouse doesn't gape one bit!

Photos by Cole. Thanks, darling!

Lola Pencil dress and Portia Pintuck blouse: c/o Carissa Rose
Old satin heels and velvet headband: J.Crew
Fur jacket: F21
Old silk tartan skirt: Brooks Brothers...Thank you so much for all the get well wishes! I'm doing better and hope to have another photo shoot for either tomorrow or Friday!

Yours,

Holiday Look No.4: Duck, Duck, Goose

It's so fun having shoots where I'm so warm and bundled up! The only parts that froze this time around were my hands and feet. Here are a few more old pieces from my wardrobe. I bought these duck embroidered, corduroy, pants five years ago for that finance job in Andover, MA. Boy, did people stare when I wore these babies. They are part of my go-to-hell pants collection that also includes both madras and Nantucket reds. So fun. Anyone else have any wardrobe shockers that they like to wear- épater le bourgeois?

Photos by Cole. Thanks, darling!

Old duffel coat, sweater and pants: Brooks Brothers
Beret: American Apparel
Peter pan blouse: thrifted
Vintage kiltie heels: Lost and Found Vintage, Royal Oak, MI
Vintage Dooney & Bourke bag: ebay...Fingers crossed that I get my act together and post some cute holiday pieces for my shop!

Yours,

Prep This Way

Most of you know I have a preppy heart beating beneath my strange exterior. It doesn't always manifest itself, but I like to think it's always there thumping away. While I like to play around with loads of different styles, the one I identify with the most is the classic preppy look from the 60's, 70's and 80's. Thankfully, over the last few years others are catching on to this phenomenon and making shopping for my desired looks that much easier...
I am forever grateful to my lovely reader Emma of Olive Bea, for introducing me to the wonderful husband and wife run shop, EmersonMade. Cole and I plan on starting our own label/shop, so the adorable Emerson and her husband Ryan are a great inspiration. Plus, how amazing are these vintage-inspired, high-waisted, wide-leg jeans!? Although pricey, they're just what I'm looking for. Commence saving pennies now.

Dressing Ivy League men since 1902, J. Press has been the standard for preppy men's attire. Colaborating with Urban Outfitters is an interesting twist but I love how the designs lean more towards the Take Ivy look from the sixties. Now if only they made women's clothes, I could die a happy girl.

Ah, Ralph Lauren. What is there to say that hasn't been said before. Starting his career as a Brooks Brothers tie salesmen, RL took that early experience and made an empire. When Rugby was launched in 2004 it tapped into a younger less noticed segment of the preppy market. While some of the styles skew too far from the classic look I love, they still hit the nail on the head with their vintage revivals. ...TGIF! Wishing you all a carefree weekend of pleasure!

Yours,

L.L. Bean Men's Sweaters

Just last week, an L.L. Bean men’s fall catalog arrived on my doorstep. As I flipped through the pages I found myself looking at the most perfect classic pieces to wear for cool crisp nightly walks, carving pumpkins and sipping hot apple cider by the fire. In particular, nothing brings to mind cozy fall feelings more than a classic thick-knit sweater from L.L. Bean. Fear not ladies, we can wear these, too...simply order a size small and it will have that perfectly slouchy, borrowed-from-your-boyfriend look!

Irish fisherman's sweater; Bean's Norwegian sweater; Houndstooth cardigan; Cable knit sweater; Roll-neck rag wool sweater; Commando sweater.

...Well, I'm half way done with my replies. Boy, I'm slow but I'll get there eventually. After last week's rss feed hiccup I think I finally found the solution! Also, if you've been having issues getting Lulu Letty updates on your blog list, that should be fixed now too! Please let me know if anyone is still having problems.

Yours,

Sunset by the Lake

It's so nice having the lake to ourselves again. Now that the weather is turning cold, the park is pretty deserted rendering it perfect for photo shoots. There is nothing more serene to me than a sunset by the lake. We had to shoot fast because within no time the sun was turning bright orange and falling behind the horizon.

If you spotted yesterday's tumblr, you probably noticed that I mentioned shopping in Ann Arbor at American Apparel. Well, I did and I bought this lovely navy blue beret. You've seen my old black beret many times, but I've been dying for a navy blue one for as long as I've owned my duffle coat. I think they go together perfectly.

Photos by Cole. Thanks, darling!

Old navy blue duffle coat and cable sweater: Brooks Brothers boys
Old pleated skirt: Banana Republic
Old knee socks: from high school
Vintage kiltie pumps: thrifted
Satchel: Urban Outfitters
Navy blue beret: American Apparel...Random side note, everything that I'm wearing (accessories aside) I have owned for over five years. The coat, sweater and skirt I bought back in 2005 when I was working in finance in Andover, MA and the knee socks are actually from the beginning of my high school days bought in 1995. Shocking right!

Yours,