Nantucket Brand: Review

I wanted to tell you all about Nantucket Brand. They sent me one of their cable knit sweaters to review and I thought this would be appropriate because I've received several inquiries on how to style cable-knit sweaters without looking dowdy. Nantucket Brand has several cable-knit styles. They sent me the cable-knit v-neck sweater to review and it is a great, classic piece for anyone's wardrobe.

I got a size small and it fits me perfectly. It is 100% cotton, 12 gauge cable-knit. The company started out with a store on Main Street in Nantucket and has expanded to online.

I chose "white", however, it is definitely more of a cream/off-white color. It is light in weight-- definitely more of a spring/fall sweater.

Here is a close-up of the bottom of the sleeves and body. The lightweight woven fabric gives it more styling options.

I took the cable-knit and tucked it into a navy J. Crew corduroy skirt and added a belted cow belt to make the look more polished. For shoes, I wore Bass Weejuns. After being introduced to Nantucket Brand, I have now added this little beauty to my wish list:

Houndstooth pea coat. For $89, you can't beat that price for a wool coat!

Have you shopped Nantucket Brand? What's your favorite piece? Have a fabulous and safe Halloween!
Best,
sCe

Happy Halloween

via

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

BOO!

sCe

Hair of the Past

Recently I have been experimenting with my hair. I hate getting hair cuts because it always takes me such a long time to get used to the change in length and how I style my hair. I also want my hair to be as long as possible so getting it cut will only take me a step back. The "bun on the top of your head" a.k.a ballerina bun is really in right now and I've tried in on my hair several times, but I just can't bring myself to walk out of the house with the style yet.
I'm not really a hair person but I've found that if you just blow dry wet hair and pull it back, and throw it into the bun, the hair is a lot more fuller, creating a much larger bun. Hairspray is also your best friend with this 'do. I've also been doing a lot of pony tails a la Serena from Gossip Girl. Her hair looks so great in a slick pony tail and this type of hairdo is great for those mornings when you're waking up late. Other than recent trends, I've been looking at retro images to inspire my creativity. Here are some that I've been loving from Pinterest and Tumblr. 

 I love the bow pulling her hair out of her face. Very simple and easy to do too! 

 I saw this on Pinterest and just had to share! Lauren Conrad shows how to get that '40s look!

So Vogue! Love the side pony given a little glamor with the curled ends.

This style is unfortunately only capable with short hair but I love the style!

Another great look-- if you can pull of this hair, you have lots of possible Halloween costumes!

Love this look too! That far-to-the-side part is perfect. If I didn't color my hair, I'd switch my part all of the time, but unfortunately, I keep the same part because that's where my hair gets the blondest. It doesn't help that all of these women are gorgeous too! So how do you style your hair when you are stuck in a rut? When you've pressed the snooze button too many times? When you're in need of a cut? Have a fabulous day!

Yours, 

sCe

So you think you know Summer Wind?

 I can't remember when or where, but a while ago I saw this on a blog and I thought it was fun! Plus, I figured it would give you more insight to me; especially for my newest followers!

.. I could live anywhere in the US ... Georgetown in Washington, D.C. (hopefully that will happen very soon!!

 
... I were to have more children ... I don't have any children but 2 would be ideal! 

... I could have any talent in the world ... Probably something musical. I love playing the violin and piano but I never kept up with it!

... you met me in real life ... you would probably think I am a neat freak and plan-aholic; I can't stand when my room is a mess and I always have my planner with me!

... I went back to school ... Luckily, I'm still in school until May 2012!

... money were not an object ... I would have several houses. One in the west for skiing, one on a beach for bronzing, one in the the city (NYC/DC), etc. I'd also travel anywhere and everywhere and probably be a frequent visitor of the Greenbrier. Not to mention the extensive wardrobe I'd have.

... I could meet one celebrity ... it would probably be Gwenyth Paltrow. She's gorgeous, she's got style and her husband is a musical genius.

... I could only shop at one store for the rest of my life ... Brooks Brothers.

... I could choose an animal/pet ... a penguin or a giraffe!!

... I could go on a trip right now ... I would plan a week in NYC to stay in the presidential suite at The Plaza Hotel and have spa appointments, shopping trips and restaurant reservations.
 
... I had to choose between a house cleaner and a personal chef ...I would definitely choose a personal chef. I hate cooking and I am not good at it either-- I see cooking as a burden to my day. I love to eat out or have other people cook meals for me. Definitely not a house cleaner because I love to clean (so weird, right?). 

So now that you've learned a little bit more about me... Here is a recent OOTD!

Dress: Ann Taylor Loft

Fly away Cardi: Marshalls

Watch: Daniel Steiger

Boots: Dan Post

If you're unsure of how to wear long, open sweaters with something other than leggings or skinny pants, try pairing it with a dress. This will dress the dress down and also provide warmth. It's a great way to get more wear out of your more summer-weight dresses. To add a little more shape, simply add a thin belt around the smallest part of your waist. Have a fabulous day!
Yours, 
sCe 

Two Months!

 

If you're like me, you woke up this morning and the first thing that came to mind: Christmas is in 2 months from today! I have a countdown in my datebook and even follow ChristmasCount on Twitter. Well, it's time to start preparing those lists and be extra nice, because Santa is watching! With the holidays coming, you have to have something to wear, right? Here are some of Summer Wind's Holiday 2011 picks for a very merry party!

 Tory Burch Kathleen Dress

Gap Kids. If you don't have a lot of curves and wear a 2 or 4, this is an option. I have said in the past that some of my prettiest dresses/skirts have come from Gap Kids (and if you're on a tight budget, this is the way to go).

Kate Spade.I really don't like how KS paired this dress with pink tights. I think the look is a bit odd-- No tights or plain black would look much better.

Forever 21. So perfect if you have tons of occasions to go to, but also perfect for a college budget!

Another Forever 21. So girly and cute! Because of the color and fabric, you could wear this all year long.

Who could resist this Designs by Kara Kihm McCarrick Holiday Shirt. I picture it with lots of pearls, black skinny pants and gold flats. So perfect for a more casual holiday party. You could really dress this up though with a full, floor length black skirt; very elegant and classic.

Elizabeth McKay Oscar Dress. Such a gorgeous dress. Maybe I am biased thought because I love anything navy blue.
Have you shopped for holiday parties yet? What are you thinking? Have a fabulous day!
Yours,
sCe

*As a side-note, if you're noticing something different, I changed the background to boring old white-- I feel like everything looks so much more organized and clean. I'm just test-driving it for right now so let me know what you think!*

Falling for Fur

After being in Pittsburgh this past weekend, I've realized that summer is gone. No more walking around without a jacket, no more sandals, and no more run-out-of-the-house-with-wet-hair. So now I just have to embrace the cold. How? Well with these beauties...

$70. Two colors to choose from. I'm in love. I need it. 

$358 Juicy Couture.  Mom, if you're reading this... Christmas is only TWO months away!

$148. Much better pricing and if you're wearing faux, then you can afford to have options, right?

Kate Spade $845. I picture this with black heels, black silk pants,  red leather gloves and over-sized pearl earrings.

$250 J. McLaughlin. For the more everyday wear.

How to wear fur?

Fur is dressier and not really for the average day. However, I say, why not wear it every day? Above are some ways that you can dress down your fur and make it more everyday appropriate. How do you wear your fur? Are you lusting over any faux fur vests or coats this fall? If so, leave a link to your favorite in the comments! Have a fabulous day!
Yours,
sCe

Happy Birthday to the BEST mom Ever!

Happy Birthday Mom! I love you! I am so glad I am able to be home with you to celebrate! 

 XOXO, 

sCe

Georgetown

I couldn't leave you all without pictures of the shopping this past weekend. The highlight of the visit was seeing the Brooks Brothers concept store on M Street. It is the most gorgeous store I have ever walked into. I think I even like it better than the flagship store in NYC. It was tastefully decorated (but could you expect anything less?).

Isn't this chandelier gorgeous? I want one for my house at home... I'm thinking it may just look a little out of place in my college townhouse...

I loved that they had a pool table in the middle of the bottom floor!

Loved the little girls displays! They were too cute-- I wish they made everything in adult sizing! 

Another shop we stopped in: Sterling and Burke whichoffers luxury leather items. We stopped in not only to see the gorgeous store but bEw's roommate from boarding school's parents own it and he wanted to stop in and say hi. Tasteful doesn't even begin to cover the gorgeous store. Every inch of the store was decorated-- very understated but very well done. Definitely worth stopping in if you're ever in the area.

I couldn't help but to snap pictures of the beautiful leather products. I would love love love to own a handmade jewelry trunk! 

Isn't the decor lovely?

To end the weekend we took a fun boat ride on the Potomac. It took us from Old Town Alexandria into Georgetown where we had lunch at Clydes and did a little more browsing.

Isn't the view gorgeous?

Of course, boys being boys, we had to find a bar to watch the Redskins game (of course I was outnumbered and didn't get to watch the Steelers!). Rugby Cafe was the perfect fit... I loved the way they presented their menus! 

Have a fabulous day!

Yours, 

sCe

Weekend Wonders

This weekend I was so busy I don't even know where to begin!Friday bEw and I drove into DC and stayed at his house for the weekend!
First we met some of bEw's friends at Policy for a drink. It was a really neat atmosphere but we left after one drink because it was a little too wild.

We headed into Georgetown for Friday night and stopped into Mr. Smiths, the piano bar, and had fun singing a long to a lot of good songs. Then we headed over to The Guards to meet up with my bff from high school, eFm! I was SO happy I got a chance to see her! Then we ended the night with pizza at Avocado... we just stumbled in and ordered but once I tasted the pizza, I was in heaven! It tasted just like my favorite Pittsburgh pizza place-- I couldn't believe it!

The piano player at Mr. Smiths was great. He played everything from Dixie Land Delight to Frank Sinatra!

 The next day we shopped Wisconsin and M. I pretty much wanted to buy everything in every store. bEw loved the Vineyard Vines whale heads and wore it around for a good 20 minutes.

Taste of Georgetown was going on and we had to check it out so we headed over to the booths and tasted some awesome stuff. One ticket got you one tasting and the tastings were very generous. My favorite tasting?

Serendipity's frozen hot chocolate! So yummy-- it almost tasted like a chocolate milkshake but something was different about it and I can't put my finger on it!

 

The best part of Taste of Georgetown was the wine/beer/liquor tasting tents. It was fun to sample different things that you wouldn't normally buy/order. 

But, all in all, the best part of the day, and really the entire weekend was being with so many fun people!

 That night, we had dinner in Old Town Alexandria and then went back to Georgetown for another night out. We started off at Rugby. I always love visiting Rugby-- the decor is super preppy. I wore my Annie Griffin dress and got tons of compliments. I think I need to get another one of her pieces. After Rugby, we headed to George for a drink. I really liked that atmosphere as well.

Then we made it to Adams Morgan... Needless to say, after being in heels all weekend my feet were absolutely killing me. So much to blog about last weekend-- I told you I was busy!!! More to come tomorrow! Have a fabulous day!
Yours,
sCe