Style Guide: An Afternoon In The Park

Now that we’re well into spring, my mind is starting to drift to lazy days spent outside. One of my happiest memories growing up is trekking to the local forest preserve for a family picnic. It was so nice to see everything come back to life again — us included! — after the humdrum winter months.

The only problem? Well, let’s just say I wasn’t the most fashionably conscious lady back then — certainly not like I am today. So to make up for it, make sure you pack these eight essentials the next time you head out to the park…

Picnic basket, $39.99 | Straw hat, $34.50 | Checkered shirt, $39 | Binoculars, $12.99 | Bird Bingo, $29.95 | Comfy pillow, $28 | Lilly Pulitzer tumblers, $25 | Floral picnic blanket, $45

What about you, friends?? Have you taken any picnics yet this year?? What was on your Must-Pack List? And just for fun, what’s your favorite picnic food? xoxo

Family Photos: When Your Mom Perfectly Captures Spring…and Harry!

I’ve got a few errands to run this morning (helllooo, haircut!), but I couldn’t resist posting these two photos my mom snapped after work yesterday. Spring, at its finest.

And Harry…what would a classic photo post be without a shot of this cutie? I know I may be just a tad bit biased, but LOOK at those paws! xoxo

P.S. Fun fact: My mom has an overabundance of confidence in her many abilities EXCEPT when it comes to her picture-taking prowess! What?? Feel free to give her a little encouragement in the comments…*nudge, nudge*

April Beauty Favorite: Springtime Lip Smackers

Picture this: It’s a few days before Easter and I’m zipping down the aisles of Target. I’m a woman on a mission. Past the CDs. Past the makeup. Heck, I even zoomed right past the glorious $1 section.

Like I said, I was on a mission here.

I eventually found myself in heaven — or at least, my version of it.

The Easter section. Shelves and shelves piled high with chocolate and PEEPS and jelly beans and malted milk balls; all these were great choices, sure, but they weren’t really what I was after. They weren’t what was calling my name. After a few minutes of scanning, my eyes zeroed in on my target. I mean, we’re talking laser-pointer precision here. I could have shined a spotlight on them with the way I was glaring at them.

The object of my desire? The Easter-themed/springtime Lip Smacker sets.

Oh, trust me, they were a beautiful sight to behold, all new and shiny in the package. So what did typical “me” do? I may or may not have thrown ALL five kinds in my basket — you know, NBD. OK, in my defense, just take a look at these pics…

I mean, with names like Squared Marshmallow Treat, Lemon Tart Surprise, Bunny Mint Delight, Choco-Coco Whip and Nutty Brittle, how can you not scoop them all up? No, really, I dare you to try it and leave Target empty handed. It’s not easy, I tell you.

Not to mention the fact that the packaging is a-dor-able (picture me saying that!), especially the cute chick and bunny key chains. Now all I have to do is make room for them in my lip balm organizer, which, admittedly, is almost overflowing. Ahh, the life of a Lip Balm Addict, huh?

Have you tried these limited-edition balms, friends? If so, what were your favorite flavors? xoxo

Family Photos: Polo Shirts and Patios!

There comes a time in every public figure’s life when they must apologize for their transgression, and, well, that time has come for Yours Truly. I must say “I’m sorry” because my conscience won’t let me off the hook on this one — thanks for the super-developed sense of guilt, Mom!

A couple weeks ago, I received an email from reader Linda…

Hi Melissa!

I’ve been reading and enjoying your blog for a little over a year. I look forward to reading it each morning. I do have a question, though. What is going on with your polo shirt season? I started watching for it April 1st and have yet to see any mention of it. Please don’t tell me you stopped sporting polos?!

I hope you don’t think this is too strange of a question (even though it is!), but I couldn’t let another day go by without asking!!

(Im)patiently waiting your reply!

Linda

As you can imagine, this email filled me with both an overwhelming joy and utter shame. Joy because it’s just another confirmation that people other than my immediate family read my blog, so maybe I’m doing something right here? And shame because you all know how I hate to disappoint and it looked like I had big time here.

So here’s the deal, as I wrote to Linda. I didn’t forget about Polo Shirt Season — you should know by now that I have the memory of an elephant — and, in fact, I was very excited about it. But then, during my spring break, I found myself sidelined by that annoying cold. Add to that the fact that April 1st occurred on a Friday, and, well, HELLO to a recipe for disaster.

All this to say that I am here to mend the error of my ways! I wore my first polo shirt last Monday and snapped the above photo of myself. The shirt, my red hair, the morning spring sun glistening in the background — the perfect ingredients for a photo, don’t you think?

And then last weekend, my mom and I christened our patio for the first time this year with our first game outside. It was a beautiful Sunday morning. You know, one of those lazy ones when you have the whole day ahead of you and are grinning from ear to ear because you…are…just…soooo…relaxed. It was glorious, even if I did lose most of the games of rummy that we played. Oh well, as I always say, I’m here for the social occasion.

Does anyone else think my mom is copying me?? She’s wearing a polo too!!!

How’s your spring shaping up, friends? What FUN things have you been doing? Feel free to share your adventures in the comments! xoxo