24.6.14

one iced caramel latte, please.

I'm going to tell you a story. It's about a girl who visited the seaport village of Wilmington, North Carolina.


It's about a hot day, five sisters, their parents, and all the time in the world to romp and do everything.  . .and nothing. Really, when the girl looks back, it was her favorite part of the trip. Close your eyes and imagine, especially lovers of street musicians and cafes on the waterfront. . .imagine brick everything. Streets lined with the quirkiest of restaurants and a renovated cotton mill-(uh, North and South, anyone?)-turned general-store-coffee-house-novelty-shop-phenomenon. The Toffee Boy was there. (don't ask. such jokes and giggles are forever locked in that place known only to sisters.) And there was a cat in a bookshop. And places to buy nothing but chocolate. And this odd little hole that sold gorgeous Tibetan shoes that looked liked Toms, only they were embroidered in vines and flowers. The shopkeeper bobbed and smiled, forced several pairs on my feet, insisted I didn't need to buy now (though she was careful to give me her card and jot down the shoe size,) and put my hair up in this twisty bun that was totally adorable. She was adorable. I need to look her up and hire her as my personal hairdresser.


So I like how this outfit just melds together. I woke up feeling like more than a plain black maxi (the only semi-dressy thing I brought on our trip,) and managed to steal borrow this striped skirt from a sister. The awesome thing about having four younger sisters all around the same size. . .is that we can swap and share nearly everything in our closets. Strangely enough, we are also passionate about our personal possessions, so borrowing, stealing, what have you. . .is rare. But anyway. ;) If you'd gotten a strong suspicion that I love grey. . .you are 100% correct. Grey (an "80's" color, as my mom says,) has a cool, crisp edge on the every day black or white. It looks polished, put together, and is beautiful besides. Big fan here. Mixing different shades of grey is a lot of fun, which is why I popped this skirt on and went for a silver-ish top. Slightly lighter than the stripes, and with that fun ruffle that takes a plain outfit and gives it contrast and interest.


I'm a total believer in combining neutrals, "popping" an outfit, etc, but like I always say--don't overdo the accessories. My brown cami and cross-purse were a surprise pairing, and my gold flip-flops (not shown,) thrifted necklace in gold, rose, and sage, silver bracelet, antique-gold earrings, (hard to see in the photos, but one is a bird, the other a bird cage,) and gold/rose sunglasses bring the entire ensemble together. Perfect for a day on the town. And iced caramel lattes. 

specs

Ruffle tee: Thrifted (J.Crew)
Cami: Target (?)
Maxi Skirt: Borrowed 
Cross-purse: Walmart
Pearl necklace: Thrifted
Earrings: Meyer 
Bracelet: Claires
Sunglasses: Claires
Flip-flops (not shown): Old Navy


How do you like to pair neutrals? Do you go for the classy look, or add bright pops of color? 

13 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness Michaela! ^_^ Little towns like these are my favorite places to go! <3

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  2. Beautiful post! Love your outfit (I'm a neutrals/soft colors type of girl). And what a lovely adventure... just the sort of place I would enjoy! Thank you for sharing. Blessings!!!

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  3. Cute outfit! It looks super comfy:)

    I wear neutrals a lot too. I usually add a pop of color to give it a boost.

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    1. That's why I love maxi-skirts--they are so comfortable! Thank you. :)

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  4. I love seeing neutrals on people--they always look SO pretty. I agree about accessorizing--overdoing it just doesn't work :)

    dance a real

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    1. Agree a thousand times over on the accessories. You just don't need a belt, hat, scarf, and tons of jewelry. . .all in one outfit. Each item has it's place, but together it's just tacky. :P

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  5. It is interesting how different people's tastes are even within one family; one of my sisters (I have four younger too, and one brother) LOVES grey and my mom loves neutral. My sisters all borrow amongst themselves, but I have rather different style. I must have color (not often dazzlingly bright, I like soft, muted/clear mediums usually), but all neutral or blue makes ME feel blue. Often I am not wearing any solid neutral at all . . . unless you count silver jewelry.

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    1. I understand this :) I love neutrals, but I love muted colors. Kinda like a Martha Steward pallet.... soft, pretty. :)

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    2. No, I totally get that! My sister Anna and I have two totally different styles. I tend to be a bit more frilly--she likes a harder look. Still feminine, but not all the pink and ruffles. A lot of times I'll ask her how something looks, and she'll say something like, "oh, it's nice for you. " ;) I think it's great that you've embraced your own sense of style! Thanks for sharing with us. :)

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  6. I've lived in Wilmington for 15 years, and seeing your post about it warmed the cockles of my heart. Port City Java is one of my favorite places to study or have coffee with a friend, so I'm so glad you seemed to enjoy it. And what is this little shoe place? I've never even heard of it, but it sounds like it's right up my alley. Confession time: I've never been to the book shop on Front Street. I've heard so much about it, and I'd love to, I just haven't. I guess that's the sort of thing that happens when you live here. Glad you enjoyed your stay, and come back soon!

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    1. NO WAY, you live in Wilmington???? I am SO JEALOUS! It was one of the most adorable towns I've ever seen. <3 I wish I lived closer so I could visit more often. Unfortunately it's an 11 hour drive. :P Ohhh, I can't remember the name of the little shoe place. . .I'll have to look at the card. You TOTALLY need to visit the bookshop, if only for the cats sake. ;) It was so unique and cozy. (hey, if I'm ever in Wilmington again we should totally meet up for coffee! :) )

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