birks, baby.

to some of you, saying birkenstocks are back just isn't true. there are many people out there who never stopped wearing them. but to those who haven't had a pair since the late 90s or maybe have never even owned a pair, that statement is real.

i'm not sure we ever thought that they would be a 'fashion forward' item, but here we are. we've seen them on runways, in editorials, and of course, on our favorite street style celebs. what was once very hippie has become something very modern. 

now that you know my feelings (and see my birks below), what are your thoughts??

photos via pinterest.

guess what's back?!

that's right! swapmaine is back for its SEVENTH swap! mark your calendars for saturday, may 17th! we are going back to the east end school, so get ready for a BIG swap!

the set up is the same. you can get in free by dropping your bags off the night before. if you come the day off with your bags, you pay $5. if you just want some new clothes and want to keep all your current ones, it is only a $10 admission!

as always, we are partnering with goodwill of northern new england. we like to say give more than you take. all the proceeds and leftover clothing goes directly to goodwill. 

and even though it may not feel like spring yet, i promise (or i think i can) that we will be able to get rid of all our layers soon, so start cleaning out your closets now!

beautiful bhldn.

i have been in love with bhldn since the day the website launched. it is pretty much everything i have looked for in wedding attire and decor. though i am not yet getting married, i have been obsessed with all things wedding for a long time. not in the way that i am desperately planning my wedding, but because of my love for all things beautiful. and beautiful is only one way to describe bhldn. when we found out they were opening a shop outside of boston, we couldn't wait to go. since my sister is getting married and since she already has her dress, this was a shopping trip for me and my mom.

\\my mom and some beautiful wedding gowns//

\\the bride and more gowns//

\\oh hey there! still working on my 'selfies'//

\\cake trays and candleholders//

\\my fitting room picks//

the second we walked into the shop, my mom and i both found our dresses. of course, we pulled more to try on for fun. since i am my sister's maid of honor and a bridal party of one, i got to pick out anything i wanted. of course, i wanted to make sure my sister loved it as well, but i was happy to have some extra fun with this. all the dresses i tried on were beautiful, but i chose the one that didn't make me feel like a typical bridesmaid. i wanted to feel special and not wear something that made me feel like there should be 5 girls next to me in the same dress. my mom and i both chose the first dresses we tried on, which happened to both be the first ones we saw. 

and of course, we can't go to anthropologie without trying on some other things! i also got the dress in the middle. big, bold, fun print for spring!

my mom and my sister also can't come to boston without going to one of our favorite eateries. saturday, giacamo's in the north end was our restaurant of choice. even though most people who walk by have something to say about the line we are waiting in, it is worth every minute standing outside. it was a beautiful day so it made it that much easier to wait, but knowing that good food for a good price was waiting for us was enough. terry got to take part in this adventure. lucky him.

trying something new with denim.

i suppose when you think spring, and now, even summer, you don't necessarily think about denim. but since we live in new england and you don't actually know what the weather will be, it is still a good  to have a few denim options in your closet.

if you head on over to fore front fashion on mainetoday.com, you can see a few looks i put together to help inspire you to get a little more wear out of your denim.

and to give you a little hint at something i may be talking about, do you remember this outfit from the winter:

or this outfit from last spring:

head on OVER to fore front fashion now! and then let me see how you wear your spring denim!

shop at home: happy new year! edition.

a few weeks ago, i shared with you the first part of the holiday shop local gift guide i styled for fore front fashion and mainetoday.com. and today i am sharing with you the second part to get you ready for new year's eve! shop stores like bliss, joseph's, portland dry goods, helene m, ll bean signature, and portland flea-for-all to get the looks seen here: Shop at Home: Happy New Year! 

see popular portland spots, petite jacqueline and the snug, all dressed up. and did i mention you may see a familiar face hanging around in these photos? it is none other than my favorite guy, terry!

hope you enjoy this lookbook as much as the first and you find some inspiration for a very festive and fabulous new year's eve!

shop at home for the holidays: buy local gift guide.

i am beyond excited to have worked on the shop at home for the holidays buy local gift guide with fore front fashion and maine today. it came out better than i could have ever imagined. it was so much fun to style these beautiful models and work with such talented people.

make sure to take a look at it over at mainetoday.com and see the beautiful offerings from some of portland's best stores: bliss, helene m, portland dry goods, joseph's, and the portland flea-for-all. great gift ideas for everyone on your list, or may just for you!

stay turned for buy local guide part two coming soon! hint hint: get ready for new years!

shop your closet halloween: carrie bradshaw.

carrie bradshaw is one of my all time favorite tv characters. being able to put this fancy, fun costume together like her was so exciting! furs, beading, legs, turbans, the highest heels, and a bubbly outlooks make this look come together.

what you will need for this particular carrie look:
a nude dress - mine is from goodwill
fur coat - mine is vintage from goodwill
super high heels - mine are from aldo
turban or headband - mine is from urban outfitters
big rings or other fun jewelry
envelope clutch - mine is marc jacobs

the great thing about a carrie bradshaw costume is that it can be done in so many ways. all you really need is to put together a few crazy fashion-forward looking pieces. tulle is always good. anything with a designer label on it, but make sure to wear it ironically. layer lots of pearl necklaces. throw your hair in a top knot. add a belt or a fanny back or both! the possibilities are endless, as long as you don't forget those 5+ inch heels.



happy halloween!

shop your closet halloween: suri.

this has been a big year for this little one. her blog takes off, her parents get a divorce, and she writes a book. all while being head to toe in designer clothes and ruling the playgrounds of hollywood.

what you will need:

a pink party dress (preferably designer) - mine is from rodarte for target

a cardigan or a fur coat - mine is from the gap

tights

flats or kitten heels (preferably designer) - mine are from urban outfitters

a girly headband (preferably designer) - mine is from j. crew

a fancy little purse - mine is vintage

reading material (vogue, elle, shakespeare) 

stuffed animal or baby doll (preferably designer) - mine is from childhood

a better-than-all attitude..

but remember, you are only 6 years old.

shop your closet halloween: duck hunter.

grab your orange and our boots and you are ready to get your hunt on. 

what you will need for your hunter costume:

flannel (feel free to show off any animal) - mine is from rogues gallery, sporting some ducks

orange jacket or vest - mine is terry's, also from rogues gallery

boots (wellies or beans will do) - mine are hunter

hat

add some props like a duck or toy rifle.

get it?!