Can you believe it is almost Labor Day? 

How can this be? I feel like the Summer just started! 

I had such an awesome week away last week, but this week has been the most stressful of the Summer for sure. Nolan doesn't go back to school until the Tuesday after Labor day and with camps being done for the season it has been a struggle to figure out what to do with him while I am at work. Fortunately, he has some great friends and has had an action packed social schedule for these last days of the season. The thought of having to get him up and on the bus by 6:50 starting Tuesday is petrifying!

I am actually a little embarrassed about how many times I have worn this dress.  You may remember this post from last November.  I styled this maxi going into the Winter with thigh high boots and a fuzzy coat.  The super light fabric, plunging neckline and high slit make it perfect for the Summer. 

I wore it to Father's Day dinner, out for drinks with friends and to a cook out.  I can safely say it was this season's staple. 

What were some of you Summer go-tos? 

xx, Elise

dress c/o / sandals similar here / bag / sunnies / necklace 

Happy Tuesday Loves! 

Back from vacation and back to reality. I had such a lovely week, but boy have I hit the ground running. 

I have always been a denim girl, my work environment is very casual and I am allowed to wear jeans every day (even distressed).  I find in the warmer months I steer clear of jeans because they are just so darn heavy for 90+ degree weather.  And with the temps still soaring to almost 100 this week, I am not completely committing to my 'denim every day' routine, but I have begun to reincorporate them into rotation.  I think I have over indulged a bit too much this Summer, and I did a little less slipping into my denim and a little more squeezing in. Praying my jeans had been washed since the last time I have worn them, or maybe I was just having a bit too much fun! 

I remember as a kid, wanting to wear all of my new school clothes the first week of school, and melting under layers, plaid and corduroy.  While it is still a little too soon to be styling my denim with sweaters and boots, my go-to is a loose tank and kimono for a lighter, breezy transitional look.

How are you transitioning into Fall?

xx, Elise

kimono similar here & here / tank / jeans ON SALE / sandals / belt bag / sunnies     

Happy Thursday Loves! 

My schedule has been so off recently. With my work office move and my Summer social life, trying to get ready for back to school,
my time seems to be escaping me. 
Is anyone else feeling the stress of going back to school?

I am on vacation next week, where I will be laying low, soaking up the sun and enjoying my time with my son, family and friends. 

As most of you know, I am a resister of Fall.  I would prefer endless Summer.  Perhaps if I had my way, I would enjoy the crispness of a Fall sunny day through Thanksgiving, even welcome a few snowflakes in and around the holidays, but come January 1st, I want it to be summer again. I have no use for Northeast winters.  

As I sit and type this in my hoodie, listening to the pouring rain which seems has been falling for days, it is hard not to think about autumn and fall fashion.  

Below are some Fall trends I am for sure going to enjoy 

red boots 

Red boots definitely became a thing last year, when red was having it's moment.  It seems they are back for Fall 2018 in full force. I just absolutely love a pop of red and already can see myself styling the heck out of all of these.  

tracks pants 
Between actual track pants and jeans with a track side stripe, these pants are everywhere you look. 

They are so easily changeable from day with sneakers, to night with heels. For sure one of my favorite trends of the season!
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 

athleisure wear

When this trend happened a few years ago, I resisted. I have never been a girl to wear yoga pants all day everyday, I feel like I am not dressed. But then something happened... joggers became stylish, and sweatshirts had cuter cuts and fun embellishments.  More often than not I am in joggers and an adorable hoodie on the weekends.
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 

the trench coat 
A staple and a classic. Every girl should own at least one trench coat. Perfect lightweight coat to transition you into cooler temps.

1 / 2 / 3

herringbone and houndstooth
Two classic patterns that always seem most comfortable in the fall. A herringbone blazer with suede elbow patches has always screamed back to campus style.  I am loving that these two patterns are branching out from the classic colors and fabrics they are used to. Check out some of these up to date looks.
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5    

What are some of your favorite Fall fashion trends?

Have a fabulous weekend!

xx, Elise

Happy Thursday Loves!

dress / clutch / sandals similar here / sunnies

As previously stated I love to stray from my usual black to more colorful ensembles during the summer, but sometimes a girl has gotta wear black.  Black is easy, sophisticated and can be worn when you are in mourning, and I am mourning the end of Summer.

On insta last week, Shauna from Lipgloss and Lace posted this:

I LOL'd because it's so true, right?

I mean it's already August 9th, we are marching full steam ahead to the end of summer.

I am not excited about the end of beach weekends, my son going back to school and having our carefree summer schedule.  I did however just book a trip to Nashville for Columbus Day Weekend, so I am excited thinking about all of the autumn wardrobe choices I will pack!  

What are you most excited for about Fall?

xx, Elise

The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears or the sea. 

-Isak Dinesen

In my estimation, there are no truer words than the above quote, at least when it comes to state of mind. How good do we all feel after a solid workout, a good cry? For me it's the ocean that gives me all the feels. I am so happy near the ocean and I count my blessings that I am able to be so close.

Every summer I tend to try and incorporate more color in my wardrobe.  What I have found is the color I am most fond of in the summer months, is blue. So much blue! Is it the nautical feeling of being near the ocean, or just the closest color to black, I am not sure, but my closet this season has been overflowing with all shades of blue.

I also have dove deep into the wide leg pants trend, I want them all!
Such a comfy and casual trend.

Have you gotten on board?

xx, Elise

pants similar here / bodysuit / sandals / earrings / sunnies / clutch

similar pants
1 / 2 / 3 / 4

Newport, RI

Two weekends ago, I took my annual trip to Newport. All the times I have been, this was my most favorite trip. 

The site seeing, the food, the shopping, and the company proved to be an outstanding combination.

Named as one of the top destinations in the nation and once referred to as "America's First Resort", Newport has a unique combination of qualities that attracts approximately 3.5 million vacationers from all over the world every year.  Once a summer destination for some of the country’s wealthiest residents, who built the famed Newport mansions, Newport now has something for almost everyone, beautiful architecture, history, galleries, shopping, phenomenal restaurants and activities that keep vacationers flocking year after year.

These are some of my favorite things to do in Newport 

Shopping on Thames

Whenever visiting Newport, I almost always start my day with a little shopping.
Of course they have the touristy t-shit stores, but they also have the cutest most unique boutiques.  
My favorites are 

Mandarine 

Chace and Lulu


Pink Pineapple

&

The Groovy Gator 

Beaches & Where to Surf

Easton's Beach One of the best Rhode Island beaches, Easton's Beach (called 1st Beach by the locals) is located on Memorial Boulevard, right at the beginning of the world famous Newport Cliff Walk. It is situated right on the border with neighboring Middletown, Rhode Island. Definitely the most popular among the Newport beaches.

Second Beach
Do you want to go surfing, then Second Beach is your spot. Technically this 'Newport' Beach is in Middleton, but who really cares?  This beach is less lively than First Beach, but it is more peaceful, offering cleaner, less seaweedy  water, and much better waves!  

Gooseberry Beach  My personal favorite is Gooseberry Beach! Just drive down Belleview, past all of the gorgeous mansions onto the most gorgeous Ocean Drive. Set in a cove,it is a little less remote and the waves are on a smaller scale, making it great for kids. If you get hungry, you can always grab a bite at the Gooseberry cafe. 

   

Sailing 

Scooting
After years of visiting Newport and seeing people scooting around, this was my first visit that we rented these adorable scooters. Less like cars and more like a three wheeled moped, there is no more fun way to get around town. If any of you saw my insta story, you know we were having a blast! 

The Mansions

The first time I remember visiting Newport, I was 11. After we took a drive down to visit Rhode Island School of Design where my sister was interested in attending, we headed down to Newport. My parents tried to explain the mansions, but until you see them in person, there are no words that can describe. Each one different, but equally spectacular. Built by oil tycoons, railroad and shipping moguls, each massive home had a family and each family had a story, that is what I find the most interesting.  My two favorite mansions are the Marble House and the Breakers.

Marble House

Interested in the Mansions? You can find out more here!

Fudge

My love of fudge comes from my father, I remember making it with him once when was a little girl. Is there anything more delicious? For me, fudge is associated with beach communities. There are several fudge places on the Vineyard, quite a few on Main Street, Falmouth, let alone the entire Cape and in Newport there are two that are worth mentioning. Kilwins and The Newport Fudgery.  I only allow myself to get fudge in Newport, and boy is it worth the wait. This year we got classic chocolate, our favorite penuchi, and we branched out and got salted caramel.... OMG, you guys! I think it has taken over as my favorite.

Cliff Walk

In 1965 the walk was designated as a National Recreation Trail, 
the 65th in the nation, the first in New England. Spanning 3.5 miles of the Newport East shore, the cliff walk is world famous combing the natural beauty of the shoreline and the architectural history of America's gilded age.  Some spots paved while others are rough terrain, covered in wild bush and weeds that can camouflage the 70 drop in some parts.   

Polo

Newport Polo, host of the Newport International Polo Series XXVI, is the home of the Westchester Polo Club, America's first polo club, est. in 1876, and founding member of the United States Polo Association, offering public exhibition matches and polo club member services for grass & arena polo, and polo instruction year-round.

Go fly a Kite

One of my favorite things to do I Newport is to fly a kite. 
For years people have gathered at Brenton Point in Newport to fly their kites.  There is an annual kite festival held at the point, but any given weekend during then summer, the sky is always filled with brightly colored, gorgeous kites. 


Where to Eat 

Diego's

The wait staff was fabulous, the margaritas were perfect, and the food was delish! Need I say more?

Loved the Misfits paper under my fish tacos!

Bowen's 22

This is was my second time at Bowen's 22, I went a few years back for dinner. I remember it being lovely. We sat on the second floor deck and if memory serves, I had outstanding salmon. 
This day was a little more casual and laid back.  We started off our day sitting at the bar overlooking the sail boat tours.  The weather was perfect, my burger was amazing and it was so fun to watch all the bachelorette parties file on and off the boats. 

Have you ever been to Newport? What is your favorite part?

xx, Elise