Lilly Pulitzer Spring 2012

So a few weeks ago I got the 'frequent Lilly shopper' catalog - in newspaper format -and I am sure several of you all did as well. I got mine probably on about the 16th of Feb as it was just before I left for President's Day long weekend in Baltimore. I often get things about three days later than most people... since I live in the boonies!

"Lilly in Bloom" contained a colorful kaleidoscope of patterns and colors - and I loved the patterns. However, as I commented on some recent blog posters about the Spring 2012 LP collection, I just cannot wear dresses so SHORT to work! Unbelievably short shifts this year!

Patterns I love:
-resort white lavish lillys placed
-turquoise wrapping stripe
-resort white mini spring fever toile
-prep green pink twinkle
-starfruit yellow day lilly

Styles I love:

Blossom dress, style no. 27946:
[in resort white lavish lillys placed for $198]


[in turquoise wrapping stripe for $288]


Buttercup short, style no. 28588:
[in resort white mini spring fever for $68]


Amberly dress, style no. 26873:
[in prep green pink twinkle for $228]


Hayes skirt, style no. 31718:
[shown in resort white spring fever toile, but I like it more in starfruit yellow day lilly for $128]


This dress was not in the catalog - but I like it a lot!

Cherry dress, style no. 26316:
[in prep green pink twinkle for $268]

The only thing is - if I don't get any of these Lilly's due to length, what am I going to wear for Easter, Virginia Gold Cup, Foxfield, Carolina Cup, Preakness, Middleburg Spring Races, Strawberry Hill, Grand National Steeplechase [just to name a "few"]? I will have to go with Shoshanna, Tibi, Trina Turk, Kate Spade or Milly I guess. I will keep you guys posted on what I discover! I need to see these dresses in person and see if the hem can be lowered on any. I hope they have an extra 2-3" to spare!

[photos courtesy of C.Orrico of Palm Beach, a wonderful store with fantastic customer service that M and I both enjoy ordering from!]

Comment moderation...

Well guys, I tried taking off the comment moderation thing. I did it during lunch while at work yesterday. Guess what? I woke up this AM to 35 SPAM comments that now I have to report as spam, etc. etc. So while some of you may be in non-spam bliss for the comment moderator being taken off, clearly I am not so lucky. That is probably due to the fact that I hyperlink non-blogs in many of my posts, since I am such a nice person who enjoys promoting other people, sooooo I may turn comment moderation back on. Sorry for those of you who hate robots and to those of you who suddenly decided you wanted to comment on my blog and gave up. I don't really have the time to have to individually click on each comment just to report it as spam. Comment moderation took care of that for me.

I'll give it until Friday... then I will decide for good!

Ash Wednesday

I was able to go during my hour 'lunch' to a beautiful old Episcopal church just around the corner from my work.

I am not Episcopal, but I attended Chatham Hall which is Episocopal and I learned from it that on the most solemn of church occasions, such as Ash Wednesday, the Episcopalian services really pull my heart strings and give me the strongest urge to reflect. I think that is the most important thing to have with your faith. How it impacts you as an individual.

So here I am back at work, hungry but sipping on tea, as my hunger is nothing compared to what he gave up for us. And I don't normally go on a religious tangent with you all, but I've been trying to be a better Christian in my heart for a while now, because there is a lot of pain and anger that I have struggled to let go of for a very long time. Lent helps me with issues like this one, even if it fades away after Easter --- it gives me solace and as long as I feel more whole I think that is the most important thing.

I personally am not giving up anything for Lent. I really feel as though I need to work on other aspects of my life by adding to it healing and reflection. However, my BFF Muffy Martini is giving up two daily routines, big ones for her, for Lent. So, what are you giving up?

[photo credit]

Oh Shenandoah

One of my favorite songs in the world is "Oh Shenandoah." I posted another version of the same song two years ago, but did not explain why I love it.

I grew up in a musical family, and long evenings hearing my Mother's family sing this song and many others is a cherished memory. It always reminds me of home and the Blue Ridge and Alleghany mountains.
(my Mom and I on my parent's deck overlooking the Blue Ridge mountains)

Here are the University of Richmond Octaves performing this beautiful song:



Here is some history (thanks for Wikipedia, natch):

The lyrics may tell the story of a roving trader in love with the daughter of an Indian chief; in this interpretation, the rover tells the chief of his intent to take the girl with him far to the west, across the Missouri River. Other interpretations tell of a pioneer's nostalgia for the Shenandoah River Valley in Virginia, or of a Confederate soldier in the American Civil War, dreaming of his country home in Virginia. The provenance of the song is unclear.

The song is also associated with escaped slaves. They were said to sing the song in gratitude because the river allowed their scent to be lost.

The Shenandoah area made many parts like wheels and seats for wagons going west. These parts were assembled in Conestoga Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and settlers set out in Conestoga wagons down the Ohio River, on the Mississippi and west up the Missouri River. Lyrics were undoubtedly added by rivermen, settlers, and the millions who went west. Sailors also frequently sang this song in the 1880s.

(me at Humpback Rocks on the Blue Ridge Parkway)
Lyrics:
Oh Shenandoah, I long to see you, Away you rolling river.
Oh Shenandoah, I long to see you,
Away, I'm bound away, 'cross the wide Missouri.

Oh Shenandoah, I love your daughter, Away, you rolling river.
For her I'd cross, Your roaming waters,
Away, I'm bound away, 'Cross the wide Missouri.

'Tis seven years, since last I've seen you, And hear your rolling river.
'Tis seven years, since last I've seen you,
Away, we're bound away, Across the wide Missouri.

Oh Shenandoah, I long to see you, And hear your rolling river.
Oh Shenandoah, I long to see you,
Away, we're bound away, Across the wide Missouri.


Do you have a favorite song, that reminds you of home?

Weekend Plans

Where will I be this weekend?

Here:


Not necessarily this view, but something similar. Happy, happy, happy.

This info may help...

In case my post from earlier this week about Asprey crystal barware left you scrambling - here is the link to those beautiful pieces of art!




XO

Shoe situation

So I have been at my new job since early January, and I love it! I am really enjoying my job and the tasks it gives me. Sorry guys, I have to be vague but I will say being back in the legal sector is so rewarding and I missed it the past two years.

Since I now work downtown in Richmond, my commute is not terrible as long as I time it right. Which is never perfect but so what. I have a paid parking spot in a garage which I LOVE as when weather is horrid that does make a big difference! Anyway, it does require me to walk past a few very busy bus stops. Since I have started this job I have: been barked at (2 times), solicited, asked out, and called any number of things. Lets also throw in that this includes "Oh baby I am going to watch you walk and I WILL enjoy it." yes, that actually happened. That was my breaking point...

What was I wearing? Law firm friendly clothes. I know I am attractive, I love my figure, but COME ON. I lived in Baltimore and this was NEVER this intense or direct. So, I started an experiment, and it has worked the past week. What have I changed about my appearance? Instead of wearing my cute, appropriate but on-trend heels, I wear ugly-ish ballet flats. No one calls me out now!

Example 1:


Enzo Angiolini heels which are gray flannel with black patent leather piping and heels. Nordstrom for Fall 2011. Really cute, great with several of my shifts. (ignore my ankle, which is swollen from my trying to run without stretching and aggravating my plantar fascilitis, ugh)

What did I walk the four blocks to my office in?

Example 2:


Target, Murano brand wool ballet flats. Def look better with jeans because of the herringbone-esque bow. Certainly do not flatter my calves with their nonexistant insole.

No one said ANYTHING as I walked to work or from work today. It was marvelous! I know this situation is funny to you guys but some things still surprise me! Do you ever get in situations like this one?

Registry: Barware

I am a big fan of barware. I love making cocktails, and close friends know if I am in the right place (or at home) my signature drink is a French 75. It's been my go-to cocktail for about four years now and I love it.

French 75:
Ingredients
2 ounces London dry gin
1 teaspoon superfine sugar
1/2 ounce lemon juice
5 ounces Brut champagne

Glass Type: Collins glass
Instructions: Shake well with cracked ice in a chilled cocktail shaker, then strain into a Collins glass half-full of cracked ice and top off with champagne.

That being said, I do enjoy a nice crystal glass. It brings elegance to the side table in your bedroom with some water, it elevates the most ordinary gin and tonic before dinner, and is wonderful for many other beverages.

Have you ever tried Asprey crystal? It is one of my favorite brands due to the elegance they bring to their collections... With some whimsy. On my short list are the following (I am not including the Fox, as it is out of stock and don't want to make your heart hurt with how perfect it is... I think someone must've published these glasses in a spread recently as I don't remember them selling out so fast before):


The shark, $160, is great if you love marine life as I do!!



Likewise with the Octopus, at $160 as well. Isn't it a great price for engraved crystal? Way more interesting than a plain glass and far less 'prissy' for a crowd that includes men!


The Gator is incredibly detailed, and you certainly pay for it at $295. That being said, if you have FL roots like I do this glass is fun to drink from (during football season it certainly starts a discussion!!).

Do you have a go-to set of crystal barware? What drew you to it?