Epic shopping day at the Green Tangerine!

I had the opportunity to take a quick day-trip up to Kennebunk, ME - more of a trip of 'errands' before summer arrives.  But, you know me.  I couldn't help but to stop at the Green Tangerine and check out their summer goods!  And boy, was I happy to have stopped!

Image from facebook.com.

Caroline (shop owner) is a master of curating clothing!  She carries a ton of different brands, all at different price points. From Vince to Lilla P to Vineyard Vines to Splendid.  Everything is mixed together, so it's not as though all the Vince is on one rack, and all the Splendid is on another.  Pieces are placed with complimentary items, and that's what I love.  I picked up all kinds of summer goodies!

The frenzy started when I walked by this scarf:

Image from zappos.com.

Simple, light, white Michael Stars scarf ($48) with grey and peach embroidery with khaki pom-poms.  I kind of fell in love, and needed an outfit to go with it.  So off I wend to find a peach or grey top.  And I found a peach Vince tshirt and a white G1 'everyday' skirt.  And it all looks great together.  The G1 skirt is basic, but I have another G1 skirt from YEARS ago (from the Green Tangerine) that I still wear all summer long.  Perfect material and length.  Why not have another?

Image from store.g1goods.com.

I'm ALWAYS on the hunt for a lightweight, everyday summer dress that's not clingy and doesn't require a special bra to wear with it. I found a good one!  This tunic dress by Velvet is going to see a lot of wear this summer.  Yes, it's a little out of my wheelhouse of normal, but it fits great and I love that it's different from what's in my closet already.

Image from shophorseshow.com.

Last summer at the Green Tangerine, I picked up a great, loose-knit sweater with a skull worked into the knit of the sweater.  Totally fun. Wore it to death.  Here it is:

Image from lyst.com.

This year, I picked up a new one - in sheer, white cashmere - with a skull on the back of the sweater.   It's so subtle, but so fun and unexpected.  Will put colored tank tops underneath to make the skull stand out.  Cannot for the life of me find it online to show you, which I also appreciate since I won't see it on anyone else.  

This is the beauty of the Green Tangerine - unexpected, unique pieces of clothing.  If you are every in Kennebunk or Kennebunkport, you MUST stop in, say 'hi' to Caroline, and allow at least an hour to go through her beautiful store!   Thanks for a great shop Caroline! ~ JH

Back in a little...

This is the view I'm hoping to see very shortly.  Not a lot of pumps needed here.  Some cute tunics, espadrilles, and a Tory tunic dress or 2, but that's about it.  Ahhh.  Needless to day, we're going to be offline for a little, but I'm sure we'll have random posts to wrap up spring/summer 2013.  I have yet to hit the Green Tangerine!  With fall clothing is hitting the stores and the Nordstrom anniversary sale is around the corner, no doubt we'll be back soon!  Happy 4th! ~ LB & JH

W2WW On the Road - Kennebunk, Maine

Each summer, we escape to Maine for a bit.  And each summer, my FIRST stop (after the grocery store and the farm stand) is at Green Tangerine.

I seriously make a BIG shopping list and stock up on lots of summer goodies.  I wait until I get here to purchase my 'beach basics', from updated ("clean") beach flip-flops to cotton dresses and shorts to tunics.  I love the store and have shopped it for years.

Monday morning was the morning.  Dropped the girls at a little day camp and by 10:30am, I was ready to shop.  Caroline, the owner, was there, and after a big welcome and hug, I got down to business.

The beauty of Green Tangerine is that it has a range of price-points, the friendliest staff ever, as well as a HUGE amount of stock.  The array of brands is staggering and deep.  There was a full table of Michael Stars tops, an entire wall dedicated to Vineyard Vines, tables full of t-shirts and shorts, and this sweater table filled with sweaters by August Cashmere and 360 Cashmere. (Oh, and by the way, that Missoni-looking sweater in the middle is now mine.)

The selection of summer tops is the real reason I go nuts.  I always have a tough time finding a good non-t-shirt-t-shirt and Caroline stocks so many different brands (Michael Stars, Mystree, Splendid, Vince, Velvet, Lilla P, Triple Dot, etc.) and styles with such depth that I am bound to find something.  Today I scored an Ella Moss cotton top, a Lilla P cotton top, and a EMU Australia fine merino wool navy sweater (for the cooler nights in Maine).  I had no idea until this week that EMU made anything other than an Ugg-like boot.

I always say I'm not going to get anything but summer tops, but that rarely happens.  The cute summer dresses in all lengths (mini, knee, maxi!) beckon from their racks.  The dresses on this one rack are from Juicy Couture, Milly, Lilla P, and a host of others.

I couldn't help myself - I know, shocking.  I found this Velvet dress (in a slate blue rather than red) and had to pick it up.  With a new belt.  Super cute and wearable.

Image from shop.velvet-tees.com.

I wasn't in the market for tunics today, but there were lots of Gretchen Scott Designs and Barbara Gerwit tunics available.

And Caroline doesn't forget about your feet!  There are about a dozen, if not more, buckets and baskets of flip-flops all over the store, including Havaianas in the new 'braided' style.  See the gold ones in this photo?

And for those ladies liking a bargain, Caroline keeps a great sale corner in the back of the store; it's always fun to dig through and find a nugget!

Each winter, I think about taking a day trip to see what the winter stock looks like.  Maybe this winter will be the one.  If you find yourself in Kennebunkport or Kennebunk, it's worth a trip in Green Tangerine! And if you have a favorite resort boutique, please share with us! ~ JH

Unless noted, images from Jennifer Houston.

...you are tired of plain old t-shirts.

Image from madewell.com.

They beckon to you from colorful tables.  Stacks of multi-hued, solid color t-shirts.  And you are drawn in to purchase a couple. They aren't expensive and they are fresh and fun!  Right?!

Image from scottsdalefashionista.com.

I always get sucked in at J. Crew or Madewell or the Gap, only to find I have the same 'tissue', 'v-neck', 'perfect fit', 'boat neck' t-shirt right at home already.  Yes, the lighter colored ones need to be replaced annually (especially the white ones), but really, do I need anymore plain t-shirts?!

On Tuesday, I started my annual hunt-for-the-non-t-shirt-t-shirt.  It's a sport that starts in May each year, as I comb my favorite retailers for something different, fresh, easy, a little more stylish, something that I can wear JUST LIKE A T-SHIRT over shorts and cropped denim, but THAT IS NOT A PLAIN T-SHIRT.  And it might be a t-shirt, with a twist in the cut of it, the fabric, the print.  Just something that's a little unique.  (I've been hot on tunics in the recent past as my go-to, so I'm trying to circumvent that habit too.)

It's tough out there.  I went back-to-basics at Nordstrom with Amy Swartz, our fabulous personal shopper.  Here were a couple of my finds.

I started with a top that a friend had purchased and I coveted.  (I'll apply the rules of what to do when your friend has the same piece of clothing.)  This Majestic t-shirt is simply fabulous, the croc print completely fresh and I had to have it.  You can dress this up and down.  Very versatile.

Image from nordstrom.com.

Next up, a knit tank (under which I'll be wearing a white tank - the double layer looks great!) from Joie, in a fabulous color-block.  Looks great with white shorts.

Image from nordstrom.com.

This Splendid 'sweatshirt' sure feels like a sweatshirt, and will look great over orange, white, or navy shorts, with a bunch of bracelets on one arm OR a pendant necklace.  I won't be wearing this 'out', but I'll certainly be wearing it to run errands.

Image from nordstrom.com.

I had seen this 10 Crosby Derek Lam sweater online, and Amy informed me it was on sale, so I'll be expecting it soon.  Thought it would be great with a pair of black espadrilles I just picked up.  Oh, and it has 'fringe' and I'm a sucker for texture.

Image from nordstrom.com.

And finally, this Soft Joie ikat t-shirt.  Apologies to my friend (same one with the croc t-shirt) who purchased this a month ago, but it was on sale.  And I love it.  And it goes really well with these linen, skinny cargo Theory pants I picked up on Tuesday too.  I know, excuses, excuses.

Image from nordstrom.com.

That's it for round 1, and I think I did pretty well.  I'll probably hit Calypso this weekend to see what they have, and then onto the Green Tangerine in Kennebunk, Maine, as the summer kicks off in June.  Stay tuned... ~ JH

...you are at Disney World.

A friend and her family are heading to Disney World for the first time this April vacation and asked me what a more 'fashionable' person would wear while there.  Think about what you will be doing:  walking for miles, standing in lines, riding on rides.  For me, it starts with the shoes and you go from there.

You might first think about sandals.  I'm not sure I would go there.  You see, I get a little squeamish thinking about having open shoes in that kind of environment - on the rides and waiting on line, etc.  I prefer a more closed shoe in environments like that.  The second thought is sneakers.   But, not a running shoe.  Can we make them a little fashionable?  A little sporty?  I love the look of these Tretorns for a trip like this...with a sport sock that you really can't see, protecting your toes from blisters.

Image from jcrew.com.

Or, honestly, what's cuter than this Prada sneaker?

Image from nordstrom.com.

Usually, I'm not a fan of shorts in warm weather - I like skirts and dresses in the summer.  But, in Disney, you don't know what you'll be sitting on and rides might just blow up a skirt, so shorts are the option here.  If I have to wear shorts, I'm a huge fan of G1 shorts; I was first introduced to them at my favorite boutique in Kennebunkport, ME, The Green Tangerine, and now, I have seen them (this week!) at Bloomingdales in Chestnut Hill (but strangely, not online).  They are not inexpensive ($80-110 a pair), but the fit is great (no gapping in the small of your back), they have a mid-rise, and they don't stretch out.  They come in a ton of colors, and wear like iron.

Image from willowst.com.

I'm also a fan of J. Crew's shorts - online they have all different inseams (3", 4", 5", 7", and 9" - and you can roll up the longer lengths to your perfect length), so pick an inseam that you like, and stick with it.    The 7" ones are a good length for me and come in at least 10 colors.  I recommend a white, navy, stone, and a pop of color, like 'ornament orange'.

Image from jcrew.com.

Onto tops.  I'm always in search of the non-t-shirt-t-shirt.  I define this as a top you would wear like you would a t-shirt, except it's not a t-shirt.  Something different, a little more fashionable.  I usually head to Calypso for tops like this.  Their Skylar Habotai shirt is tough to type and pronounce, but how cute would this be over white or orange shorts?

Image from calypsostbarth.com.

This peasant top would be cute too over navy or orange shorts.  Lightweight and fun!

Image from nordstrom.com.

You definitely need a purse that you feel you can 'wipe off'.  Put your Louis Vuitton away, and reach for a nylon, Longchamp La Pliage bag.  Either over the shoulder, or the cute back-pack, it's a fashionable and sensible choice.  Pick a fun color to give a pop of color to your outfits, like this orange one:

Image from longchamp-mybag.com.

Sunglasses are essential too, and I love aviators!  I am seriously wanting these Tom Ford aviators...

Image from nordstrom.com.

...but am settling for these Marc by Marc Jacobs aviators, at $98.

Image from nordstrom.com.

Top off your outfit with some fun, stacked bracelets, and you are ready for Mickey.  Or Minny.  Or the Princesses.

Finally, I put together a little Polyvore outfit set for those of you headed to Mouse-land...just a little more fashionable than the family with matching tie-dyed t-shirts.  Not that there's anything wrong with that. ~ JH

Update - 3.26.2014 - See our new posts on what to wear during the day at Disney and evening at Disney!

What 2 Wear When...you are at Disney 

Calypso St Barth long top
$150 - calypsostbarth.com

J.Crew chino shorts
$45 - jcrew.com

Prada shoes
$350 - prada.com

Longchamp travel tote bag
$145 - neimanmarcus.com

Chan Luu beach jewelry
$190 - calypsostbarth.com

Ray-Ban ray ban shades
£138 - eyewearbrands.com

...it's 70 degrees in November

Fall is my favorite season.  I love the start of school, crisp air, the colored leaves, and warm and cozy clothes!  I'll be the first to turn over my closet, changing out tunics and summer dresses for sweaters, scarves, vests, and suede shoes.

Today is an exception to the fall I know and love.  The leaves are colorful, but the air isn't crisp.  In fact, it's downright hot.  What is a girl to do when it's 40 degrees at 8:25am drop off and 70 degrees when leaving the gym at 10:15am?

One word:  LAYER.  A formula of tank + light top + scarf over jeans = success!

Tanks...my personal favorite, the Shimera Seamless Tank at Nordstrom.  Long, doesn't roll up, enough stretch to keep you together.  Comes in TONS of colors - $26 each, or $2 off every one when you buy 2 or more.  I have white, black, brown, plum, and cream in my wardrobe (am wearing white right now).

Photo from Nordstrom.com

Light weight top...love a J. Crew merino v-neck sweater (navy, gray) or a chambray blouse.

Photo from JCrew.com

Photo from JCrew.com

Scarf - make it colorful - Madewell (a J. Crew company) has TONS of unique and different scarves at great price-points! Plus, you can remove it and tie it on your handbag if it gets too warm in the day.

Photo from Madewell.com

Jeans - I have several favorite jean makers, but my be-all-end-all jean is the AG Adriano Goldschmied Ballad.  Long, lean, and takes 5 pounds off me, they are fantastic (disclaimer - only in dark colors; the white in the summer shows every bump and imperfection!).   They are a slim, bootcut.  Word of caution - do not attempt to hem them.  It breaks the line and a tragedy to ruin a pair, as I did.

Photo from Nordstrom.com

For jeans you can hem, because we'll all not 6' tall and slender (but if you are, good for you!), I turn to Citizens of Humanity Ava or Elson Jeans.  Both have a  straight leg, a higher rise (which is another blog entry altogether!), and generally, come in 2-3 washes a season.

Photo from Nordstrom.com

Or, (and clearly, I need to write a whole entry about jeans) how about these newcomers, DL1961 jeans, in the Coco style?  Straight legs, great washes, and talk about keeping you together - great amount of spandex, but not clingy.  Caroline, at The Green Tangerine in Kennebunkport, ME, introduced me to my first pair this summer.  I was NOT in the market for jeans, but they were so good, I couldn't leave them in the store.

Photo from dl1961.com

That, and some ballet flats will get you through the 70 degree pick-up in the afternoon, and take you through your child's ballet class and into dinner.  So, enjoy the weather! ~ JH