My First Lilly Sale!

Yesterday morning was quite the morning for me. I was up at six-thirty with the sounds of my younger sister getting up and ready for school. I didn't even wake up grouchy; I was just excited to shop my first Lilly Pulitzer Endless Summer Sale! I parked myself on my bed with my laptop and opened up the Lilly website, patiently waiting and watching the live countdown on the homepage. At seven on the dot, I refreshed the page, looking for the sale tab. As it reloaded, no sale tab.

 What?!?!?

Of course, this was not the end for me. I opened another tab, reopened the site, and, praise the Lord, the sale tab was there! Having heard all the stories about the site crashing in the past, I worked quickly, picking my way through dresses, tops, sweaters, and skirts. Even with the huge sale prices, my original cart still came out to about $700. No way I was getting Mama to pay for $700 of Lilly goodies, no matter how much I begged, pleaded, and promised years of servitude and meticulous housework. Not that I was really up for groveling at seven in the morning. So instead, I started whittling, keeping in mind that I really didn't want to blow my entire fall budget, regardless of how much I wanted everything.

Here's what I ended up with:

Tate Skirt in Hotty Pink Seersucker: $108 $29

Jarvey Skort in Resort White Fresh Cut: $88 $19

Patricia Sweater in Hotty Pink Argyle AND True Navy Argyle: $128 $25 each

I placed my order with no problem, and within a minute or two, my phone dinged with the familiar sound of a confirmation email. Success! I was so glad I didn't have any problems, because the minute I got my email, the site totally crashed! My heart goes out to all of y'all who had problems with the site, I know how rough that must have been!

I had originally wanted to get a dress or two, but since I wasn't really in looove with any dresses from this past season (except the Adelson, which I already have in the Lilly State of Mind print!), I skipped on that. Plus I'm already pushing to wear Lilly for Homecoming...

Did you luck out at the sale yet? Or did you have some tech issues?

XO

Current Obsession: Quarter Zip

It started freshman year with my quarter zip pullover from Poms. To this day, that sweatshirt is one of my absolute favorite sweatshirts ever. So I guess that this obsession isn't so much current as set up to be life-long. But I digress. Lately, I've been seeing so many adorable quarter zips that I'm in love with!!

Vineyard Vines 1/4 Zip Sweater

This sweater from Vineyard Vines is the cream of the quarter zip crop. I'm so in love with it, and plan on ordering one in all three gorgeous colors and wearing all three to death. That's how perfect it is.

More from the masters of the quarter zip, the Shep Shirt is an essential. 

Nike Element Half-Zip Running Top

I have one of these Nike tops (stolen from Mama's closet...she's not getting it back!) that I wear all the time to go running and when I'm lounging around the house. It's so comfy and I love how it's stretchy without being too tight or clingy!

Patagonia has a few takes on the half and quarter zip pullover, my personal favorite being this one in fleece. (And can you tell I'm loving green lately?)

XO

Lilly Pulitzer Spring 2012

I'd been anticipating the arrival of the Lilly Pulitzer Spring 2012 collection since Resort 2012 was launched. Finally, the wait is over!!

This season's dresses–especially the shifts!–are my absolute favorite part of the collection. The Ricci Shift (above) is probably my favorite, but it's really so hard to choose!

But then again, there's also the Adelson Shift...in two gorgeous prints!

I love, love, love the vintage feel the pieces have. It's classic Lilly at her finest.

The Mariana Dress is a bit dressier, but still retains the classic Lilly Shift vibe.

The Whinnie Dress would be perfect for a dressy spring or summer party!

It's definitely a contender for my Sweet Sixteen!

And don't even get me started on the Lottie Dress! This one is the perfect winter-to-spring transition piece. I could totally wear this for the Turnabout dance in early spring.

The Roslyn and Tate skirts are simply precious! 

I'm sure y'all can tell at this point that the Lilly's State of Mind Patch print is my favorite of the season!

As the weather heats up, these Callahan Shorts need to find their way into my closet, ASAP.

For cooler spring days, the Patricia Sweater is perfect with shorts or a skirt.

Pink and green argyle = any prepster's dream combo!

How darling are the flowers and ruffles on the Allison Top?

Of course, spring isn't complete without a great tunic!

On a totally unrelated side-note, there are only three days until I leave with Poms for the UDA National Dance Team Championship! I'm so excited!!

What are your favorites from Lilly?

XO

North Shore Prep

J.Crew Sweaters

I've said it before, I'm not the biggest fan of fall and winter. I love the warmer, sunnier days of spring and summer more than the average person. I love being barefoot at the beach and biking with friends to the neighborhood ice cream stand.

But one thing I do love about the cooler temperatures is that it's time to bring out all of my favorite sweaters. In the fall and winter, it's rare to not see me wearing a sweater on any given day. I wear sweaters with jeans, sweaters with skirts, long boyfriend cardigans with leggings...you get the idea.

J.Crew has a really great selection of sweaters this season, many of which have ended up on my Christmas list. My favorite is this cable-knit V-neck.

I absolutely love it in this creamy color, but every other color is gorgeous too! My only complaint is that it isn't available in navy:(

I think a sweater like this would look really great over a crisp oxford. With the cream, I'd go with a light pink, definitely!

I'm also loving the Cable-stitch Sweater, also from J.Crew. Yep, partial to cable-knits.

I can really see this being a year round staple. It's super cozy for fall and winter, and would be great to throw on when the summer nights get cooler.

A classic crewneck like J-Crew's Tippi Sweater is a must-have in any closet–in multiple colors! I love it in navy...

...heather dark grape...

 ...and monterey pine.

Who am I kidding? I want it in every. Single. Color.

Let's face it now, there are some days we just don't want to get dressed for class. Instead of having a lazy day in yoga pants and a huge sweatshirt, opt for black leggings, boots, and a long boyfriend cardigan like the Eden Cardigan. It's just as comfy and cozy as a sweatshirt and yoga pants but looks instantly more pulled together.

And finally, just like we all need a classic crewneck, we all need a classic cardigan. I love the Jackie Cardigan. It comes in a million colors and looks fantastic over any shirt or dress. My favorite colors? Navy (of course), Maraschino Cherry, Saddle, African Violet, and Neon Azalea (shown here).

The J.Crew Factory site also has some awesome sweaters for ridiculously low prices, like this v-neck,

and this adorable cardigan!

Are you loving J.Crew's sweaters as much as I am?

XO

North Shore Prep

Madewell

Before today, I had no idea that Madewell even existed. But earlier, as I checked my email, I found one telling me to request a catalog. As it turns out, Madewell is owned by my very favorite J.Crew, so I figured I'd check it out.

Aimed mainly toward a younger customer, Madewell offers pieces similar to those at J.Crew, mostly for a lower price, with a bit of a hipster edge to them.

Contrast Ex-Boyfriend Sweater

Silk Printmaker Shirt

Novelist Shirtdress

Hampstead Trench

Ex-Boyfriend Sweater

Personally, I can see myself wearing their sweaters the most. But I'll totally keep checking back for other new items! Right now, you can get free shipping on any order of $100 or more with the promo code GOFALL.

XO

North Shore Prep

Seeing Stripes

As I walked the halls of my school today, I was seeing stripes EVERYWHERE. Including on my sweater. I heard at least 6 people say "Everyone is wearing stripes today!" I've always loved stripes, and am so happy that they're so huge this fall.

Parisian Poise Striped Cropped Jacket

Sequin Splash Sweater

Boatneck Painter Tee

Kirra Stripe Crop Pullover

I love this sweater in all three color combinations.
 Factory Stripe Drop Shoulder Sweater

Little stripes count too! I love the fit of this button-down.
Kelly Shirt

Are you loving stripes as much as me?


XO

North Shore Prep

Post Birthday Shopping Spree

As a gift for my birthday, my parents very generously gave me a (read, much-needed) gift card to  J.Crew. Shopping time!!

I love these shorts! I already own them in khaki, navy, and that fantastic honey tangerine color, so I figured it was time for some more...playful colors. I chose African Violet...

...and laquer yellow. It's like sunshine on a short!

This dress should be a staple in every closet. So versatile!

Same goes for this sweater. It's light enough that you wont boil in the summer heat, but it'll still keep you warm when the sun goes down--and keep your arms safe from mosquito bites!

I'm really into this sweater with those yellow shorts, wedges, and a braided brown leather belt.

What do you like to spend your birthday money on? And what are your summer must-haves?

XO

North Shore Prep