Weekends in Cape Cod and Maine

Hello my lovely readers,

My Mom and my sister Caroline are visiting me in Massachusetts!! I have been waiting since January for them to visit and couldn't wait for them to get here. While they are here, we have been traveling down to the Cape all the way up to Kennebunkport, Maine. I recently have bought a one piece for the first time in years from J.Crew. I am so excited to wear it!! I am glad that one piece suits are making a comeback because I've always hated bikinis due to my long torso. I didn't bring my seersucker suit down to our day-visit to the Cape, but I am definitely breaking it out when my sister and I lay out on Devereaux Beach in Marblehead.

Weekends at Cape Cod by theconservativeprep featuring a seersucker swimsuit

                                  

My mom, sister, husband, and I have had one amazing weekend. As everyone has been traveling back to the real world this weekend, we decided to head out of town. While down around the Cape, we went outlet shopping (I picked up a pair of Prada Baroque sunglasses) and visited Hyannis (The John F. Kennedy Memorial) and Mashpee. After visiting with a family friend this morning, we decided to explore Kennebunkport, Maine. There were cute shops and great seafood places. The Bush Family's Summer house overlooks the Atlantic Ocean in Kennebunkport, which was an awesome site to see.

Caroline and I wore older Lillys all weekend!! Two of my favorite prints that I never got the chance to wear before. Prints: Aquamarine In The Slim and Hen House.

     

Until next time,

Good Reads and Vintage Finds

Hello my lovely readers,

I hope everyone is doing well!! On rainy days like this (Tropical Storm Andrea is heading towards Salem/Marblehead), I like to go vintage shopping. My parents typically stick to Estates Sales, which is where a good majority of my jewelry collection is from. Recently, I have been looking for winter items as New England weather has been unpredictable. On eBay, I found this red and navy Patagonia Synchilla pullover that I have become obsessed with. This pullover was made back when Patagonia manufactured in the USA before they outsourced to Asia. Has anyone else had any awesome vintage finds??

Quick Review: Patagonia is warrrrrrrrrrrmmmmm.

As for the good reads, I have been re-reading True Prep by Lisa Birnbach with Chipp Kidd, which is a tongue-in-check guide to all that is preppy. The book lays out all the information that good preps, like myself, already know, such as the not talking about money (it's rude and tacky), the power of private education, and prep style. Another book I've been reading recently is Inferno by Dan Brown. Brown added another historical drama to the Robert Langdon series. I loved the first two books in the series, Angels and Demons and The Da Vinci Code. I have had trouble starting this book as summer is very busy for people in the aquatic industry such myself, but I'm glad Brown decided to bring Langdon back to Europe. What is everyone else reading??

xoxo,

Summer Days Off of Work

Summer Days Off of Work by theconservativeprep featuring kate spade watches

Summer on the North Shore

Summer starts this Memorial Weekend and always typically very busy for me. I work in the aquatic industry, which goes into hyper drive from Memorial Weekend to Labor Day, but this summer is different from the previous summers as I now live in Massachusetts. My husband and I have planned many excursions around the area to places such as Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket. Are you feeling a little jealous now? I'm very excited. 

One thing that I have been putting off is updating my summer wardrobe. Last year, neon ruled the fashion world. I have slightly more traditional taste, but I dabbled into the neon jeans trend last summer. While I can probably re-wear the neon jeans, I am going to start moving on to more classic long-wearing pieces. I'll keep neons to fun nail polish colors. I have been obsessing over J.Crew and Madewell's new arrivals for summer. My first purchase of the summer will be the Rugby-stripe dress from J.Crew as I will need comfortable dresses to travel and explore in. I also bought a classic Timex Weekender watch that I can use at work. 

Summer on the North Shore by theconservativeprep featuring leather tote bags

                         

As with any preppy living in New England, a pair of boat shoes must be added to my shoe collection. I wore two pairs off and on during my senior year of high school at Sacred Heart Academy and my freshman year at the University of Louisville, but unfortunately, those pairs got lost in the move. I bought a platinum pair of Sperry Top-Sliders to add a metallic touch to my outfits, but as my platinum Jacks that I can add to any outfit or change into for comfort are quickly wearing down, I bought the cork pair of Jacks to replace them. 

In other news, I was not too impressed with Lilly Pulitzer's Summer Collection so far (SHOCKER). I only plan to add the Sandrine dress in Resort White Pop and Shorely Blue Tossing the Line and the Didi dress in Multi Pansy Dance. Although, I do have to admit I hope the Lavender skirt in Just Add Mint is on eBay next spring so I can wear it for Derby festivites.

It's been awhile...

Hello my lovely readers,

It's been a while...and I am sorry. Life has been incredibly busy this spring for a number of reasons.

1. We went on our honeymoon.

My husband and I decided to go on our honeymoon some time after our wedding...and we went to Disney World. I have been obsessed with Disney World since the first time my family went when I was twelve. My favorite parts of our trip were eating with the Disney princesses at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Norway at Epcot and my organic facial at Senses Spa at the Grand Floridian Resort. This trip proved Disney is for all ages.

2.  The University of Louisville Cardinals win NCAA Basketball Championship

After we got back from the honeymoon, my Louisville Cardinals defeated Duke (with a tragic injury to Kevin Ware) to go to the Final Four. My husband surprised me with a trip to Atlanta to see my team play in the Final Four and eventual Championship game. While my Cardinals won the NCAA tournament, one of my favorite inspirations passed away. I celebrated her life with the purchase of a new Lilly at the Atlanta store. My favorite part of the trip, other than UofL winning, was my superstition with accessories. I wore the same accessories for all the tournament games.

3. New Addition to Our Family

My husband and I adopted a kitten two weeks ago and named him Mo. We were going to wait to adopt a pet in September, but I randomly walked into PetSmart and couldn't resist that face. He is becoming quite the snuggler.

This spring has also brought up some interesting events in the political world as well. This IRS scandal is becoming quite hilarious for me due to the media. Liberal outlets trying to brush it "under the rug" while conservative outlets are blowing it more out of proportion than it needs to be. Did the IRS target Tea Party groups who applied for tax exempt status? Yes. Conservatives need to stop acting so shocked (since it actually came out a year that the IRS was doing this) and just keep investigating. As Lois Lerner keeps pleading the Fifth Amendment, those responsible will incriminate themselves. Just be patient. Let's remember what happened when the Republicans went after President Clinton during the impeachment process.

One blog post and an article on Politico I suggest:

http://www.politico.com/blogs/joe-scarborough/2013/05/how-not-to-handle-the-scandals-164786.html?hp=l1

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/05/what's%20next%20for%20the%20IRS-91880.html

On an ending note, I have to say that I am very proud of Senator Rand Paul for his defense of Apple during a Homeland Affairs and Government Affairs Subcommittee hearing concerning how Apple files its taxes.

Hope this is a great start to the summer,

Snow on the North Shore and the Debt Ceiling

Hello readers,

I woke up to snow this morning and was really surprised to see it since it has been soooooo warm on the North Shore lately. Since I do not get to dress up for my job as a swim instructor, so sometimes I show up for work dressed to the nines because I enjoy it. This week I will be wearing the outfit below for a Child Abuse Prevention meeting in Haverhill. I tend to always be warm, so it would have to be very chilly for me to wear an actual coat. I love Patagonia's Los Lobos vest that I got for my birthday due that fact that one can dress it up (cords and oxfords) and down (over-sized long sleeve tee and leggings) for winter.

Snow on the North Shore by theconservativeprep featuring stud earrings

                               

Over the past couple of months, I have been loosely following the Fiscal Cliff debates in D.C. I have been disappointed with both the Republicans and Democrats over their tactics in coming to a solution to this economic problem. The person I am most disappointed with is President Obama. We get it. You won the 2012 Presidential election, but you don't have to act like a bully to the Republicans to push through your economic policies in this Fiscal Cliff debate. Republicans in Congress know Americans will blame them if this issue is not resolved properly, but the Democrats (under Presidential leadership) don't understand how to stop ridiculous government sending.

The tune of President Obama's song regarding raising the debt ceiling has changed for the last seven years. In 2006, Senator Obama stated that "Increasing America's debt weakens us domestically and internationally....Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren." In January 2013, Obama's tune changed to raising the debt ceiling and that he will not pay the GOP a "ransom" to raise it. While I agree that the United States not paying its bills to be "irresponsible", calling out Republicans is not necessary to the solution to the Fiscal Cliff. While many are proclaiming Obama to be a strong leader because of these statements, I do not believe him or Congress (regardless of political party) to be at this moment. Leaders solve problems without "calling out" their dissenters or laying blame. Remember, everyone elected official D.C. represents the American people. We can easily not re-elect them.

Words of advice for D.C.:

 SOLVE THE PROBLEM!! STOP LAYING IMAGINARY BLAME!!

Sources:

1. 

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324734904578243573783663786.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

2.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/04/obama-2006-vs-obama-january-2011-vs-obama-april-2011-on-the-debt-ceiling/

BUSY BUSY BUSY!!

I am so sorry everyone!! I have been busy as a bee lately and I had another bout of the common cold. Since I last posted, New Year's Eve and my 24th Birthday have passed. As I was sick and busy with work, I didn't get to tell my resolutions!!

1. Get back into reading: I love to read, but for the last year, I have been in the biggest funk when it comes to reading. I hate finishing books because I hate the feeling of abandoning the characters at the end of a novel or biography and starting on to a new book too soon.

2. Start exercising in new ways: I have been spinning for years...I mean YEARS. So I decided to join the Masters Swim team at my YMCA. I really want to get into swimming more because its such a great way to work out. Another goal is also try a vegan diet for a week.

3. Explore more: When. I was living at home in Louisville, I didn't explore my surroundings and enjoy the natural wonders of Kentucky as much as I wanted because I was too obsessed with working. (I used to be a pretty bad workaholic.) Now that I am in New England and everyone skis, hikes, and camps on the weekends, I want to take in as much of the area as I can.

Last Sunday, I had my 24th Birthday. The day before, my friend Bridget came up from Boston to visit me for my birthday!! We went to see Les Miserables, which I highly recommend. I started off my day with a pedicure and manicure. (I usually don't do those things as I am so crazy about nail salons being ridiculously clean, but the nail salon I go to has the highest standard of cleanliness that I have ever seen.) I got wear my favorite sandals that haven't worn since September to get my toe nails done in OPI's Lucky Lucky Lavender.

My husband surprised me with three dresses from the Lilly sale, a Patagonia Los Lobos vest, and another pair of L.L. Bean boots. I really needed the Patagonia vest. Massachusetts gets very cold along the coast due to the wind, but I am always usually burning up when I wear coats, so a vest is perfect.

Allura dress in Spring Fever Toile, Alicia dress in Passion Pink Petal Pusher Lace,  Alexi dress in Resort White Oh Buoy, and Patagonia Los Lobos vest in Nickel

We took the train into downtown Boston eat dinner at Anthony's Pier Four, which had the honor of serving their amazing Lobster bisque at three Presidential Inaugurations. I had the swordfish. We will probably go again, but to the restaurant in Swampscott, which is closer to where we live.

Other than NYE and my birthday, I have been busy as bee working, but in other exciting news, I have a new eye doctor who has forced me to buy a new pair of glasses. I choose the Ray-Ban New Wayfarers in Tortoise Shell. Finally, I have a pair of glasses that I won't be completely embarrassed to wear out on the town.

I would like to end this post with a huge CONGRATULATIONS to my Louisville Cardinals football team for defeating the University of Florida to win the Sugar Bowl.

Until next time,