the cove.

wiley wears:

top: f21

skirt: american apparel

hat: uo

sandals: jeffrey campbell

     over the weekend jeb and i headed to manchester-by-the-sea for a graduation party turned engagement party.  we love heading to the cove and had a great day out in the sunshine.  the day started out quite cool, but warmed up just as we got to the party.  i went for casual comfort with a black cotton skirt and printed tank.  my panama hat has been a staple so far this spring and summer, and it was perfect to keep the sun off of my face and shoulders.
     only one day left to enter my shabby apple dress giveaway!  head here and leave a comment!

happy memorial day.

wiley wears:

dress: h&m

sunnies: uo

     i hope everyone had a wonderful long weekend.  jeb and i had one for the books.  on friday night we drove to new hampshire, saturday we headed to manchester for the engagement of two of our dear friends, and then back to new hampshire for the rest of the weekend.  we spent the entire three days relaxing with people we love.  i have to admit, i'm looking forward to a weekend at home coming up.  it feels like forever since i've been here for more than a few days at a time.

     while i'm not a big fan of the heat, it does make getting dressed easy.  at the beach this means throwing on an easy dress and calling it a day.  this red, white and blue polka dotted number was perfect to get me into the patriotic spirit.

happy memorial day!!

if you haven't yet...enter my shabby apple giveaway here!

shabby apple giveaway.

want to win the beautiful spanish steps dress from shabby apple?

head on over to their site and check out all the pretty vintage-inspired frocks and leave a comment on this post before thursday, june 2nd at 1:00 pm (est).

a winner will be randomly selected.

(sorry, no international entries this time.)

for those that don't win...

use the code 'wiley10off' until june 24th for 10% off your entire purchase, 

and like shabby apple on facebook for extra special promotions and deals.

jeez um, i love this dress!

{this giveaway is now closed.}

the polka dot.

wiley wears:

top: f21

necklace: anthropologie

trousers: madewell

flats: thom browne

     i do love my polka dots and when i saw this top i could not say no to giant black polka dots.  black and white with a bit of red lipstick is probably one of my very favorite combinations.  with classic color combinations you can have more fun with patterns, prints and textures.  i layered on a black statement necklace that seemed to perfectly match my polka dots.

    stay tuned because tomorrow, starting at 1:00pm (eastern standard), i have an absolutely awesome giveaway coming up from the lovely folks over at shabby apple.  i'm jealous of the winner already!

bright spot.

wiley wears:

dress: j.crew

scarf: f21

cardigan: j.crew

belt: vintage

wedges: uo

     today's outfit turned out perfectly for the bright spot of weather that came through boston.  sunny skies and eighty degrees made it feel like summer is actually arriving.  just on time, considering it's almost june.  i found this spring scarf at f21 this weekend and loved the bright tribal pattern.  i've been drawn to patterns like this lately, and this seemed like a great addition to my spring wardrobe.  accessories are the easiest way to make changes to your wardrobe from one season to the next.  i prove this fact here, where i've paired two staple pieces in my wardrobe, my navy dress and yellow cardigan,  with the scarf to make the outfit look brand new.  i've worn scarves this way a few times in the past, but this scarf seems absolutely perfect for layering over a dress and under a belt.  the scarf is so thin and extra long.  i highly recommend you check out the spring scarves at f21.  good stuff.

the man cardigan.

wiley wears:

tee: target

cardigan: target

necklace: anthropologie

jeans: levis

flats: jeffrey campbell

     this is an after work outfit.  jeb and i headed to the north shore to see our friend's senior art show.  after a day spent in a pencil skirt and button up, nothing seemed more appropriate than an oversized tee, sweatshirt cardigan and comfy jeans.  i wanted to make my outfit look a little more put-together, so i added my silver beaded anthropologie necklace, suede eyelet flats and pale pink lipstick.

     the cardigan is kind of a funny story.  i love a man in a fitted cardigan, but jeb doesn't quite get my obsession with these so-called 'man cardigans.'  through the fall and winter i constantly picked them up on shopping trips trying to persuade him to just give one a try.  time and time again i was turned down.  flashback to a few weeks ago when i found myself in the men's section at target to grab some white tees and i happen to see a whole slew of man cardigans on the super clearance rack.  i thought jeb would love it...it's one of his favorite colors, made of sweatshirt material, and only five dollars.  i made an impulse purchase, vowing that i, myself, would wear it if jeb didn't like it.  he tried it on, said it wasn't his thing and i quickly added it to my own wardrobe, because it's really comfortable and i love myself a cardigan.  (this weekend at the lake jeb was cold.  he quickly asked for the cardigan because it was right there.  and he looked damn good in it.)

lakeside.

wiley wears:

dress: f21

top: old navy

jacket: j.crew

flower: on loan from caroline

belt: uo

shoes: sperry topsiders

     we had the most wonderful weekend away.  the lake is such a peaceful place and we had a blast just sitting on the dock, grilling out and possibly playing a heated dvd version of the newlywed game.  on saturday morning we drove from the beach to the lake, so i wanted to wear something comfortable and wrinkle-free.  this black maxi dress made for the perfect traveling piece and turned out to be a great dock-sitting outift as well.

the last weekend?

jeb and i are off to spend our weekend on the water in new hampshire.  tonight we'll spend the evening at the beach with jeb's family and early tomorrow head to lake winnipesaukee to spend the rest of the weekend with two of our dearest friends.  if the world really ends tomorrow, i'll be glad that the last thing i see is the gorgeous lake.  one of my favorite places in the world.

wily wiley reads.

the hunger games by suzanne collins :: oh my, how do i start here?  do i maybe have an affinity towards young adult fiction?  the answer is yes.  if it's meant for an eighth grader than i will most likely fall deeply in love with it.  after harry potter and twilight i knew i needed a new fix.  the hunger games were the answer to my prayers.  thrown into a futuristic world, the hunger games introduces you to an amazing cast of characters.  katniss, peeta and gale will be the new bella, edward and jacob in no time.  i am warning you that you will need to buy all three at once and you won't be able to put any of them down.  the hunger games gives you a perfect opportunity to get to know the storyline and characters...which you will need throughout your journey through this series.


chasing fire by suzanne collins :: this is a continuation of my above pseudo-review.  really i just want you all to go out and buy these books so we can all go see the movies together next year.  i don't want to give anything away, so i have to stop typing about this...before i start blabbing.

the help by kathryn stockett :: this book deserves every ounce of credit it has been given.  i could not put this book down.  the characters are so deeply written and having skeeter as the story's protagonist only helped me in forging my connection to the book.  skeeter is such an honest woman who is dealing with all of the things girls of that time, and today, have to face.  the novel discusses some of the most difficult parts of segregation, but by giving the characters around the dilemma voices and ideas, the reader is able to gauge his or her own feelings on right and wrong.  i thought it was a beautiful story of love, growing up and standing up for what you believe in.  please go pick this one up.  i'll bet you a dollar you'll love it!

another bullshit night in suck city by nick flynn ::  another recommendation from lin.  this one was such a winner.  nick flynn is so honest, like someone you met in college.  he tells the story of his life and the current disconnect he feels from his father.  with a lot of information on homelessness and homeless shelters, i found it to be informative.  it is only through the combination of this information and a son's story of his homeless father that the book begins to make sense.  i feel so jumbled in my feelings on this book.  the struggles that nick feels often brought up a pain that hit close to home, but i loved the book.  nick flynn is a genious.  read this...mostly if you live in boston.

now that i've given you an update on what i've been reading,  i would love to hear what you've been reading.  summer is coming and i will need at least a book a week, so there is some pressure here, my friends.  i'm currently reading steve martin's born standing up, but don't have anything else on the bookshelf for the next read.  please please please give me your recommendations.

thanks, loves!

adele.

wiley wears:

top: uo

leggings: american apparel

scarf: vintage (great grandmother's)

flats: dolce vita

     on sunday night caroline and i went to see adele and the civil wars at the house of blues.  it was one of the best lives shows i have ever seen.  the civil wars were incredible and definitely a major highlight of the show for me.  adele was just beyond.  she makes such a powerful voice seem so effortless.  we had a fantastic time and i'm already looking forward to the next time she makes her way through boston.

     i wanted to wear something that was cool and breathable since i knew the house of blues would be packed.  this lightweight cotton shirt was perfect i thought it looked great with leggings and flats.  i added one of my great grandmother's silk scarves to put some color into the outfit.

she's back.

wiley wears:

sweater: thrifted

chambray top: old navy

skirt: vintage

shoes: vintage dexters

     we spent another weekend in new hampshire and i feel refreshed after spending all of my time reading, relaxing and eating delicious food.  my little break from blogging seemed perfectly timed after all of the issues blogger was having last week.  from now on i am going to stress less when a day goes by without a post.  today, i am happy to be back posting.  here are a few photos from our walk on the beach this saturday.  it was quite a chilly and wet weekend so lots of layers were a must.  this oversized l.l.bean sweater was perfectly cozy and warm paired with my chambray top and a pleated skirt.

     i am off to see adele and the civil wars with a few of my friends and will be back tomorrow with more from the weekend.

a holiday.

i've decided to take a few days off from blogging.

sometimes i start to give in to the pressure i feel to get up a daily post and i want to make sure i keep a fresh and happy perspective on my blogging hobby.

i'll be back this weekend with lots of daily wear posts and a new 'wily wiley reads.'

i hope you'll stay tuned.

{image found here.}

sowa open market.

wiley wears:

top: j.crew

jacket: j.crew (borrowed from jeb)

scarf: free people

sunnies: rayban

jeans: paige denim

belt: h&m

shoes: vintage dexters

     i spent today with my very best friend at my very favorite market.  sowa is such a fun market with an awesome mix of vintage, antiques and handmade goods.  oh yeah, and awesome food.    i left with one of my beloved chocolate croissants, a loaf of amazing potato onion garlic bread, and a bouquet of giant white lilies. i wanted to wear something that was easy for walking around the city and was springy while still being warm enough for the breezy day.  i'm having a hard time not wearing jeb's jacket and thought i could brighten it up with this jewel-toned top and a floral scarf.  he probably won't be pleased when he puts it on and it smells like perfume.  all in all, a really great sunday. (even though i couldn't spend it with my mom.)

     on that note, i love you mimzy.  thanks for being the absolute best mom ever and being super cute and funny to boot.

online shopping.

i've spent most of my saturday afternoon doing a big closet cleaning.  it's time to purge some of favorite items and make room for new ones.  i've been listing some of these pieces on my smashion marketplace site.  stop by and check it out! 

{image from here.}

wily wiley reads.

     it's been a few weeks since a 'wily wiley reads' post on the blog.  once the weather gets warmer i tend to read a whole lot more.  i actually finished these four books almost a month ago, but haven't gotten around to writing them all up.  since finishing the four books above, i've devoured two more wonderful reads, which will come in the next installment of this series.  writing these reviews is one of my favorite parts of my blog and i'd love to find out whether this is something others enjoy.  i'm also up for any ideas on how i could do it a bit differently.  i'd love to hear your feedback.

her last death by susanna sonnenberg :: this may be one of the most compelling memoirs i have ever read.  it was only after about 150 pages that i realized the book was a work of non-fiction and i found it hard to believe the tales i was reading could be true.  the story of a woman trying to live outside of her mother's shadow, sonnenberg's account of her childhood is both fascinating and appalling.  her mother is a charasmatic and beautiful woman who is as lovely as she is troubled and sonnenberg tells the stories of drug abuse, seduction and a mother-daughter relationship filled with complications.  i would absolute recommend this memoir.

bossy pants by tina fey :: i will try my hardest not to go on and on about how much i love tina fey.  she might be the most perfect woman ever.  this book is hysterical!  her self-deprecation and bizarre sarcasm fall perfectly in line with my own.  the book starts with with tina fey recalling the awkward days of her youth and continues into her television days.  if you're a 30 rock, saturday night live, or just plain old comedy fan, this is the book for you.

vanishing and other stories by deborah willis ::  i have to admit that i rarely enjoy modern books of short stories.  my friend lin encouraged me to give this one a try and promised that it would exceed my expectations.  it did.  willis tells stories in a way that made me feel like she understood things i had never heard another person verbalize.  her writing is raw and honest.  many of the stories talk about loss, death and disconnection.  i reread a number of the passages because they mirrored emotions and feelings that brought back memories from some of my own experiences.  a great read for quick stories before bedtime or on the way to work.

the memory keeper's daughter by kim edwards :: this is another great example of a bestseller that i'm years behind on reading.  edwards tells the story of a doctor who is forced to deliver his own baby on the night of a blizzard.  it is only during the delivery that he realizes he is delivering twins and that one of the twins was born with down syndrome.  the doctor sends the baby away and tells his wife that she died at birth.  little does he know that the nurse he gives the task of transporting the baby to an institution actually takes the baby and raises it as her own.  the book goes on to explain how the lives of all of those involved in this stormy night are changed forever.  i found the story slow at some points and didn't find myself truly engaged by some of the major characters.  overall, i did think it was a great story and i loved the descriptive nature of the writing and the way the story moved through the decades.

     as always, i would love to hear your recommendations for good reads.  next on my list are the help and the hunger games.  what have you read lately?  what do i need to read?

mayfair.

wiley wears:

jacket: j.crew (borrowed from jeb)

tee: j.crew

black jeans: bdg

belt: h&m

panama hat: uo

shoes: vintage dexters

     yesterday i went to mayfair with a bunch of my friends.  it's one of my favorite events in harvard square each year.  we ate 'the world's best pulled pork sandwiches,' people watched and drank beers in the charlie's beer garden.  such a wonderful way to spend a sunday afternoon.

     i've been on the look out for a great vintage army coat, and realized yesterday that jeb's beloved j.crew jacket would work perfectly for the look i was going for.  since it is a men's jacket, i belted it to give it a bit more shape.  sunnies and a panama hat were the perfect accessories for a warm(ish) spring day.