Casual Lunch with Friends

Hi All,  This is my first outfit of the day post.  I thought I would share what I wore to lunch with my college girlfriends today.  We had a ton of fun and I look forward to this outing every year.

Shirt   Converse Sneakers   Jeans   Necklace   Earrings

I don't know if you will agree, but I find that if I visit the actual store, the price on the items is exponentially cheaper than buying it online.  The necklace is $21.99 online, but I paid a little more than $9 for it at the store.  The shirt is adorable with bell sleeves that make it really modern.  This is a size large and I wish I had bought it in a medium.  I bought the navy in a medium and it sort of stretches out a little when I wear it, so downsizing is smart.  When washed, the cotton/modal material holds up well and doesn't lose shape at all.  

This picture was taken at my mother's house and you can see my sister's house in the background.  It is under construction, and I have enjoyed watching the renovation all summer long.  She lives across the street right now, and is moving on the other side of my mother.  I told her that she has mother issues.

I promise the picture quality will get better.  I hate blurry, fuzzy pictures.

Audra's bike has been in the driveway all summer.  She uses my mother's bike all summer, and had an unfortunate brake line failure the other day.  The cable broke, and thankfully, was still able to use the other brake to stop.  She texted me that she needed me to buy her a new bike.  She has been angling for a new bike for many years, but I can't justify it for the 6 weeks a year that we spend in Connecticut.  So, I was very happy when the bike shop was able to fix it for $15.  I call that a win!  I don't think Audra would agree.  She wants a beach cruiser (not!).

Hunt Breakfast at Griswold Inn

Mom and Audra at The Griswold Inn
Audra's outfit is from the American Eagle Outlet in Clinton
(Funny how the belly button wasn't showing when we bought it, #lifewithateenagedaughter)

     I am thrilled to be able to take you on this fabulous tour of an historic country inn that has served the community for over 200 years!  The Griswold Inn is located in scenic Essex, Connecticut.  The Inn has been in existence since 1776 and has been serving the Hunt Breakfast, a buffet style spread fit for a king, which was started by the British when they occupied the Inn during the War of 1812.  We were celebrating my father's 78th birthday yesterday in style and were wrapped in the 18th century architecture and exquisite Maritime decor befitting this Yankee treasure.  Although we didn't stay at the Inn, I'm told it has 33 charming rooms that have beautiful views of the water along with centuries old antiques that furnish the now modernized living quarters.

Omelet Station  

Variety of Salads/ Check out the pictures on the wall

Breakfast was served: bacon, eggs, sausage, scones, biscuits

Complete with live music!

Mary and Dad

Audra, Uncle Carmine, Aunt Tina, Joann

My sister, her husband, my nephew and his wife and new baby Josephine Rose

Cousin Luke, Aunt Tina, Uncle Carmine, and Dad

We are just getting acquainted, so in case you are wondering, my husband John, and daughter Amanda are missing.  You will be hearing from Amanda in upcoming posts because she is devoting the next two years to mission work and I actually started this blog so we could partner and share her journey.  You will meet her soon and I couldn't be more excited for you to see the shining light we call Amanda.  My hubs will be joining me in Connecticut before heading back to Texas at the end of the summer.  Can't wait for you to meet him!

Previously, I showed you the outfit I planned on wearing to the party.  I have a shot of it and loved the pencil skirt with the understated black top.  I changed the necklace and wore a cream, woven necklace with shells hanging from braided twine.  A nod to the nautical theme of the day.  Anyway, enjoy the pictures.

Laurie, Dad and Me

The reason my skirt looks tight!

Stay tuned because I am working on a really special post that I am asking a guest to write and you won't want to miss it.  I don't want to give any more detail because I don't want to spoil the surprise.  Alright, here is a hint. It is the anniversary of the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey circus fire that occurred here in Hartford, Connecticut.  That's all I'm saying.

Are We Alone?

     Ok, before I give my husband access to the blog, I thought I would talk about my shoe obsession share my philosophy about shopping and fashion.  I am a lover of fashion because I love to play dress up and accessorize on a regular basis for work and pleasure.  I am 5'7" tall and wear a standard size medium in tops and an 8/10 in skirts and pants.  This affords me the pleasure of being able to shop
"off the rack" and throw caution to the wind without a worry that anything will need to be altered or hemmed.  I mention this because my maternal grandmother could buy nothing without alterations and always envied those of us who could shop with reckless abandon and buy and return on a whim.

     My birthday is September 27 and I am a libra which means that I am attracted to pretty things, but my sensible side doesn't like to spend a lot of money.  So, I like hunt for my treasures because handing them to me on a silver platter would somehow seem dissatisfying.

     I am fortunate to have some free time this summer and especially enjoy shopping at the nearby TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Clinton Outlets and Westbrook Outlets and thought I would share some pictures of a few treasures I have found in my travels.

    I will be going to a brunch or, as it is properly named, "The Hunt Breakfast" on July 16th at the beautiful Griswold Inn located in picturesque Essex, Connecticut.  If  you would like to check out the venue or menu, here is the link:

       http://griswoldinn.com/food-wine/sunday-hunt-breakfast/

     This is the outfit that I plan to wear to the event. The shirt is casual with rolled sleeves and is a basic. I paired it with this beautiful striped pencil skirt with side slits from Ann Taylor Loft in Westbrook ($17.99).  Told you I love a good bargain.

    The earrings are from Kendra Scott.  If you haven't heard of Kendra Scott, she is a jewelry designer from Austin, Texas and her baubles are all the rage.  People in other parts of the country weren't familiar with her designs, but lately I'm seeing everyone on television and social media wearing her incredibly versatile pieces.  Nordstrom carries portions of her line, but for the full line check out her website at the link below.  We are lucky enough to have a Kendra Scott store in Plano, Texas where we live full time.

    I chose to wear wedge heels with the outfit which makes me the jolly green giant, so I would opt for a pair of flat sandals like the ones pictured below if I were attending the event with my husband.

Tee Shirt 
Kendra Scott Bracelet/Earrings
Wedge Sandals
Tassel Necklace, skirt Ann Taylor Loft (no website available)

                                             
 Jessica Simpson Sandals from Marshals

                               
Kate Spade Sandals with Tassels from TJ Maxx $36.00 (love)

Embellished Sandals TJ Maxx

     I wear a size 10 shoe and I just happened to hit the jackpot with the beauties.  There was a large
selection of footwear at the stores we were at, but I am particularly loving the Kate Spade black tassel sandals.  I will wear these a ton for work.

     Since I am still getting the hang of blogging, I have gotten the product links to work but need to improve the quality of those.  I will include more pictures of people in upcoming posts because I enjoy seeing the fashions on real people, but for now enjoy the goodies and happy shopping!