ACK...!

The gorgeous and storied island of Nantucket is one of my very favorite places on earth.  I spent two summers in college slinging sandwiches by day and drinking gin and tonics on the beach by  night.  This summer I took a day trip back to ACK to revisit some of my favorite haunts...
Nantucket Natural Oils is an amazing resource for me (I left with three fragrances after this years visit).  I love perfume but have grown disenchanted with overpriced "designer" fragrances in alcohol bases that evaporate quickly and contain toxins like hormone disruptors (nothing glam about that)!  Nantucket "Nose" John Harding's emporium can recreate virtually any scent you can dream up by using organic, essential oils for a fraction of the cost of traditional fragrance brands.  They also offer a gazillion single note fragrances as well as their own Nantucket inspired blends.  The About Us section of the website explains in perfect detail why Nantucket Natural Oils has been the choice of savvy Nantucketers for years... 




Vis-a-Vis (the website is terribly lacking...) always stocks a literal ton of jewelry and clothing but I was particularly smitten with the vintage inspired, over sized handbag below...



The charming cobble stone streets of "town" are picture perfect no matter where your eyes fall...



Murray's Toggery Shop is one of the most famous Nantucket landmarks.  They cater to the blue bloods of the island with uber preppy gear like the signature "Nantucket Reds" collection of clothing and lobster embroidered mules.  Also on the racks are whale belts, loafers, polo shirts, madras tennis skirts and sweaters (to tie around your neck, of course).  I don't buy something every time I visit but I always love to look...



New to me and fairly recent to the island is UK import Jack Wills.  I am a sucker for the Union Jack as well as almost anything British. In a previous post about shopping in Boston I stated JW is the Anglo version of Abercrombie & Fitch which is why I left with only a mug (pictured below)...But I loved the shopping experience and worn in feel of the store.  The striped fitting rooms, set up as college bedrooms, are a cheeky touch.  And I discovered my life just won't be complete until I own a Union Jack chaise lounge...




I love the scenery of Nantucket...everything is so damn charming!!  I had to snap a picture of the water meter cover made in Wabash, Indiana...




Now we're getting to the good stuff.  Henry Jr is where I worked once upon a time so I went back to yet again taste the awesomeness of a Henry Jr roll...it was everything I remembered and more.  And NO trip to ACK is complete without a coconut macaroon from the Nantucket Bake Shop.  Their Boston Cream Pie is also TO DIE FOR!!!



During my first summer working I earmarked money from each paycheck for a Peter Beaton hat.  By the end of summer I was the proud new owner of a fabulous and timeless straw hat that I wear to this day.  I popped by the shop for some new ribbons and critters...



Behold the Lily Pulitzer wrapped Jeep...only in Nantucket!



I have purchased my share of Cheryl Fudge scarf tops in years past but this year I discovered her Fashion Camp where campers learn to design and sew their own clothes...so cute!



I always love the crisp and clean yet colorful clothing and accessories of the island's shops...and nothing screams "I have more money than you" than a tote bag emblazoned with your very fancy zip code...



The tiny red row boat below is the "007"...my (now) husband and I spent many nights taking in this exact scene, dreaming of what our futures would hold.  Seeing the gorgeous sights of the harbor always takes me back to the magical summers of Nantucket Island with the man who would turn out to be the love of my life...ok, enough sap...Nantucket is really cool and you should visit.

The Christmas Shop...

It seems kind of silly to start talking about holiday decor in August however every year I buy at least one new tree ornament for Christmas (we call it Foxmas in our household).  The Christmas Shop in East Sandwich, MA has been in business for over 70 years and our annual trip is a long standing family tradition.  The tiny, antique building was erected in 1747 as a shelter for cranberry bog workers.  The house is so tiny and charming...anyone over 5'2" needs to duck their head when entering the shop.  Every inch of the interior is covered with ornaments and holiday decor.  The pieces I collect are all German blown glass, coated on the inside with liquid silver and hand painted on the outside.  The technique and molds have been used since the 1800's and the tradition is carried on today by the Merck family.  I have been collecting seaside and Boston inspired ornaments for my "Cape Cod" tree for a few years now...




A sampling of their ornaments...the cuckoo clocks provide a familiar soundtrack...





A few of my favorites from this year: The Wizard of Oz collection, the Flying Pig, and the veggies...



The Cape Cod and Boston items that will be adorning my little tree in December: a cute Santa-ish sea captain, a red kayak just like our real life version and a skunk, natch!



Red Sox gear (my husb will not enjoy these as he's a Cubs fan), shells, seahorses and lighthouses, crabs, fish and seagulls.



Sassy mermaids and glittering swans in honor of the famous Swan Boats from the Boston Public Garden.



I'll post a pic of the finished tree in a few months!

urban outfitters...

While in Boston I stopped into Urban Outfitters to buy more limited run Lego character packs (I'm desperate for the figure skater). I always have fun perusing their novelty wares and accessories.
The buyers at UO are apparently having a "moustache" moment:






Always a fan of bacon gifts and paraphernalia and I know a few other peeps that would like this too...(ahem, #smbfw - you know who you are).




I always find cute bags but the lack of quality deters me from buying.  I just know the faux leather won't wear well...but these are cute none the less!  I quite enjoy the nylon backpack...




The housewares aren't as great as UO's sister store, Anthropologie, but I did find a few must haves...






The leopard turban (an urban turban!) and the infinity scarves were screaming my name...




You can always count on a few UO items emblazoned with "blue" language...

Bahhhhhston...

During my east coast vacation I'm spending some days in my former home: my beloved Boston!

I had to visit my "go to" shops and tour my favorite neighborhoods to see what's new on the style scene. The Boston culture is a great mix of brains, history and innovative thinking but clothing trends aren't as fast moving as NYC. I love to check out the sartorial contrasts between the biz peeps in the Financial District, the students walking Newbury Street and the international crowd shopping at Copley Place & the Pru.



Louis Vuitton windows in Copley are always inspiring and creative.  I would love to have a life sized version of that boat...what a beauty!

Club Monaco had a lovely mix of textures and colors...a bit of sparkle and sheen with military inspired twill pants and jackets. I have pieces already in my closet I can use to replicate some of these looks.

Wagamama for lunch...one of my favorites from studying in London many moons ago...



...and Pinkberry for an après lunch treat. Their little lounge is super cute!




Vineyard Vines is such a fun store for a dash of preppy chic...just a dash though!  I can't bare to drink the kool-aid and go "full Vines" as it's just a little too pretentious for my taste...I fell in love with this men's belt.



I shopped the giant Sephora store but I can't even begin to go into what I saw/wanted/inevitably bought so I'll move right along to the flower vendor in the Pru.  The blooms are always very fresh and they have such a great selection of exotic varieties...




Had a quick visit to Gretta Luxe to check out their dizzying array of handbags that I can't afford.  The Chloe clutches were particularly calling to me...huu huu huu...



Of course I love shopping Marc by Marc Jacobs for many reasons ($5 rubber rat key chains, anyone?) but I particularly love seeing the selection of fashion, art and style books they offer.  I saw so many titles I have to save them for a different post...



Kate Spade is a brand I really adore due to the whimsical twists they add to each and every product.  I love stopping in to their Newbury Street shop to see how they've merchandised for the season.  I fell in love with the dressing room, clad in fresh green palm leaves and a bright red chair.




Boston girls REALLY love Longchamp Le Pliage nylon totes.  You literally see them everywhere...I was pleasantly surprised to see the more stylized version below.


 
Boston based New Balance recently rolled out the Hubway system of bike sharing (no doubt inspired by another local company Zip Car).  It's a brilliant concept for a city that really embraces this form of transportation.  I'd like to see this pop up in other cities across the country.




Jack Wills is kind of like the British equivalent of Abercrombie & Fitch - but without the overwhelming stank of cologne and overly sexualized catalogs.  Although, this prepster brand is more refined than A&F and is, of course, "fabulously British."  Outside their store on Newbury Street were extremely charming branded bicycles...they look perfectly at home on the tree lined street.




Newbury Street has a ton more to see, do and eat.  To learn more about all the stores, salons and spas and resto's click here.

whole foods style...

Whole Foods is known for its fab selection of organic and healthy foods but their beauty and style departments are rapidly growing - much to my delight but to my wallet's dismay...

Jewelry, knit coin pouches and clutch purses, nursing/sleeping bras and boutique worthy organic cotton tee shirts and hoodies have joined the already popular beauty aisles. Yoga gear, baby toys and clothes as well as fashionable water bottles join the soy candles and sage smudge sticks. Flip flops, sunglasses and woven handbags are now conveniently offered next to your favorite hippie mouthwash.

Whole Foods is quickly becoming a lifestyle brand...me likey. Now I just need them to open up in Ft. Wayne!