This weekend was a whirlwind! We spent Friday and Saturday (day) with my parents at their home in Bucks County, and drove back to the city on Saturday night for drinks at Farside Bar and Grill and sushi with Mike and Kara, high school/Hoboken friends. (That’s when these photos were taken. By the way: You’ll definitely see this outfit again in the near future. So lucky not to have a dress code at work!)
Sweater: J.Crew Factory, similar here (Lovin’ the color “lemon pulp” so much!) / Blazer: TJMaxx, similar here and here / Necklace: Groopdealz (Original inspiration for the necklace: J.Crew. This one was found by my Instagram buddy, @msthymadeline! Thanks, girl! Find it on Etsy!) / Jeans: J Brand, similar here and here / Flats: Kenneth Cole via TJMaxx, similar here and here by Kate Spade (Swoon!) / Watch: Marc Jacobs (And loving the wrap version, too!) / Bracelets: J.Crew; Stella & Dot; and Old Navy, similar here / Bag: C.Wonder, similar here, here and here (On sale! In reddish/orange)
On Sunday, I drove out to Port Jefferson on Long Island for a beautiful bridal shower for my friend Kristen. While I grew up on Long Island and have likely been to Port Jeff before, I couldn’t remember anything about it. Well, it’s absolutely gorgeous. The shower was at the Danfords Hotel and Marina, overlooking the water. I’m so sad that I forgot my camera to document the day!
I love Kristen. We met through the New York City Teaching Fellows when we both took positions at my current school in the Bronx. Like me, she’s also marrying a NYCTF who works in the Bronx! They’re getting married at the Bronx Zoo over Memorial Day weekend. I cannot wait. I have no idea what to expect!
I’m also thrilled to see all of our friends from the early days of teaching. When Mitch and I first started at our school, there was an insane amount of first-, second- and third-year teachers there, all between the ages of 21 and 30. They became our best friends, and we did essentially everything with them. Not sure if you’ve ever been to a teacher happy hour on the Upper East Side, but they’re really, really fun. Teachers know how to do it right on Fridays. ;)
A couple of years ago, everyone started getting engaged (some to each other! ;)), moving away from the Big Apple and settling down. It’s sad, and I miss seeing my friends every day. But I have to remind myself that our early teaching days were a life stage. There are many stages in life, and usually, you meet some pretty amazing people in them, and those people become lifelong friends. And that’s exactly the case with this life stage. We may not see each other as often as we used to, but when we do, it’s like nothing has changed! And since so many of us are coincidentally getting married this summer, it’s really going to be just like the old days!
The only downside to Sunday was that the ride home was really, really bad. Like, laughably bad. Something you should know about me is that you should never, ever, under any circumstance, get into a car with me. I belong on a subway!
I ended up choking back tears, a police office trying his best to calm be down, after I’d sideswiped another driver on my way home. “It’s really not that bad,” he said. “I don’t understand why you’re so upset!” He was right, thank goodness. It wasn’t that bad. My car–an orange Honda Element, hehe–is partially made of plastic, so the thing almost never gets dinged up. It was 100 percent fine. The other guy’s car had a few marks on it, and there might have been a small dent, but it was nothing serious. The driver was super nice to me, too. I guess I looked pretty pathetic. But that was only the beginning. When I finally got back on the road, I sat in traffic for 3.5 hours, stuck right in front of the Queens Midtown Tunnel. I left the bridal shower at 3:30 p.m., and didn’t get home until 9 p.m. But when I did get home, Mitch had my favorite meal–chicken parm–and cupcakes from Crumbs waiting for me. Luckiest girl ever? :)
Today I took a much-needed mental health day to catch up on wedding planning, Brooklyn home searching, apartment cleaning, and life in general. Tonight I’m meeting up with Erica on the Upper East Side for some pub grub. Can’t wait. Sometimes all you want is your best friend. Especially when your best friend is your role model and hero. Love you, Rickster.
Sweater: J.Crew Factory, similar here (Lovin’ the color “lemon pulp” so much!) / Blazer: TJMaxx, similar here and here / Necklace: Groopdealz (Original inspiration for the necklace: J.Crew. This one was found by my Instagram buddy, @msthymadeline! Thanks, girl! Find it on Etsy!) / Jeans: J Brand, similar here and here / Flats: Kenneth Cole via TJMaxx, similar here and here by Kate Spade (Swoon!) / Watch: Marc Jacobs (And loving the wrap version, too!) / Bracelets: J.Crew; Stella & Dot; and Old Navy, similar here / Bag: C.Wonder, similar here, here and here (On sale! In reddish/orange)
OMG! That bow bracelet is sooo cute! You found that at Old Navy?!? Great find girl! Your whole outfit is full of great finds! Definitely want to find those cork flats, and that necklace was a wonderful look-a-like find (love those look-a-likes;) )
xoxo
Renee
stylewithastory.blogspot.com
Thank you so much, Renee! Yes–how crazy is that?! It was $6 I think, haha. I loved it instantly. I tried looking for it online when a few girls inquired about it, but I’m not sure if Old Navy sells jewelry online. I recently got it, though! :)
You have to go to TJMaxx! Every time I go home to visit my parents, I stop in there and find some amazing stuff! Marshalls too. The TJMaxx and Marshalls in the city are so picked over. Not even worth it, haha ;)
Thanks again!
xoxo
Kelly
Love this outfit! Polka dots and flowers? Can’t go wrong. So girly and fun.
Thanks so much, Emily!! :) I’m definitely 100-percent into the polka dot fad this year!! hehe
xoxo
Kelly
There are so many things I love about this outfit! Super cute as always! And that Groopdealz necklace looks amazing! I am kind mad I spent the money on the real thing…only kind of. ;) Always so jealous of your amazing blog photos. I finally had my photographer friend shoot some of me this past weekend! Three outfits – woo hoo! Haha. They’ll be on the blog next week hopefully!
xoxo Meghan
http://www.everydayfashionandfinance.com
Hi Meghan! :)
Thank you so much! It’s so great to hear from you!! I LOVE the necklace, but I wouldn’t be too sad about having the real thing! I’m kind of sad I didn’t pounce on it when it was still available. I’ve found that the real thing lasts… and that matters! Plus, J.Crew always replaces if your item breaks. Totes worth it. :) :)
I cannot WAIT to see your photos!!! So exciting! You know, if you ever want to talk photography, I’m an open book! I absolutely love chatting with people who want to get into it. It’s such a fun hobby!
Thanks again!
xoxo
Kelly
What a great look! I LOVE that combo of colors–mustard and navy always go together so well!
Alyssa,
Thank you!! I figured I only have a little time left with the mustard color… Soon it’s on to neon! ;)
xoxo
Kelly
Adorable Outfit! <3
Hey, Ricks. Love you. ;)
I’m so glad I found your blog. Your entire look is gorgeous…especially that beautiful necklace!!
Mercedes,
Thank you!! That means so, so much to me!! I’m so glad to have you as a reader. :)
By the way… your name is AWESOME. Loving it!!
xoxo
Kelly
Ah I totally saw those Kenneth Cole shoes at my TJ Maxx the other day but ended up not getting them because the toe was neon orange, not silver like yours! Are they comfy? I may end up going back and getting them tomorrow! You’re such a bad influence! :)
Jessie
jessieholmesspringer.com
Jessie,
That’s so funny!! I really wanted the orange toe ones! Haha, you know me and ridiculous colors. I’m never practical, ha ;)
They actually ARE comfy! I feel like I put my shoes to the ultimate test. Today I walked from 94th Street to 42nd Street, and then over at least five avenues. No blisters. Good sign, right?! :)
Haha, I really AM a bad influence. ;)
xoxo
Kelly
Kelly this is ADORABLE! Absolutely LOVE it!!
xxoo,
Mary
The Classy Cubicle
Mary,
Thank you! That means a lot coming from you! :)
xoxo
I Love everything about this outfit! The cork flats are adorable and I love the deal jacket! Precious!
xo
Ally
basicallybere.blogspot.com