November 7, 2011

What's so important about November 7, 2011 you may ask? Well it was my first day working at Lilly! I was super excited (and nervous) all day at my normal job. I have never really worked in retail before, except for one winter break but that was at a home decorating store so that doesn't really count, so I had no idea what to expect. But it was perfect and everyone is so nice! There is not much to learn in retail so my training went rather fast. There are obviously things that will take time to learn, like using the register, aka which enter button to use (yes there is a differece! haha) and product names but I think I can catch on rather fast. And to top it all off I made it out of the store without spending hundreds of dollars! As expected, we have to wear the clothes, they don't have to be that seasons which is super nice, and unfortunately for me all of my lilly attire is summer attire :( but I did get a few things and have a very longgggg wish list right now! Can't wait to get that first pay check and start spending it! Here's what I got and what I plan on getting......

Cassie Slub Dress- perfect for hanging out it, wearing to the beach or even to work. It was a must have. The bag is the 2011 Restort Travel Bag which I have every intention of buying as well


Skip On It Murphee Scarf. Looks adorable with the black dress.



Wish List: Sweater- Lunden Sweater in Azalea Pink, Pants- Main Line Straight Leg Jean

 



Wish List: Dress- Jeanette Dress, Clutch- Opening Night Clutch, Shoes- Swinging on a Star Heel Glam Snake





It's official I'm a Lilly employee

Some may think I'm crazy because I already have a full time job, but I am quite bored after work seeing as though most of my friends from college don't live near me so I decided to get another job. I thought about catering or bar tending but why not work somewhere you love?! It got me thinking, hmmm if I could work anywhere where would it be? Well there is the mall right near my office building, and there is a Lilly Pulitzer store there, what could be more perfect?! So I applied for a job and got hired! I'm super excited to start working there, my first day is Monday Novemeber 7. I can't wait to be able to buy all new clothes (finally I have an excuse to go over board at Lilly) and to help people find the perfect outfit. Whether it be helping people who are already lilly lovers or people who are coming into the store for the first time, I just can't wait to be there and helping others develope a love for Lilly like I have!

Now as an official spokesperson for Lilly, I suggest everyone check out their new 2011 Restor Collection. I already have a huge list of things that I have to get!

Essential to finishing off any outfit

This will be my first purchase



It All Began With A Juice Stand....

I think its time to give a little background on the "Queen of Prep" herself....Lilly Pulitzer

In 1950, at age 21, Lilly McKim eloped with Peter Pulitzer to trade the busy lifestyle of living in New York City for the sun and beaches of Palm Beach. Peter was the owner of several citrus groves and with some of the extra produce, Lilly opened her own juice stand for something to do. She quickly found that the juice was staining her clothes. Needing a way to disguise the constant stains, she created a dress of bright colors to mask the stains. Her customers loved the dresses so much, she had more made and began selling them at her juice stand and with that the Lilly Pulitzer brand was born.

Around 1959, Lilly became the president of her company and the brand took off. Her classic shift dress know as the "lilly" became iconic and shot to international fame when Jacqueline Kennedy, a former classmate, was photographed wearing one of Lilly's dresses while on vacation. The dresses became popular over night and with that Lilly knew it was time to enter the dress making business.



The Lilly brand flourished throughout the 1960s and into the early 1980s. It was at this point when Lilly felt she was no longer having as much fun as she once was and decided to retire from the fashion world in 1984 thus bringing an end to the Lilly line. But luckily for us Lilly lovers, in 1993 Sugartown Worldwide Inc. felt that they could revive the brand and bring it back to the same status it once was in the 1960s.

To this day the Lilly shift dress is still an icon worn by mothers and their daughters around the world. In addition to the shift dress, Lilly has everything from pants to swimsuits to home accessories. Its my favorite brand and I hope that some day, I will be able to dress my kids in Lilly and they will discover the same love for the brand that I have.



Information courtesy of Lilly Pulitzer.com

Make your home a Lilly home

When I graduated from college, not only did I become an "adult" but I finally got a big girl bed. Yeppp that's right, I had a twin size bed at home throughout college. So when it came time get my big girl bed, I decided to completely re-do my room and knew I wanted to do something Lilly themed. Thanks to companies like Garnet Hill, Lee Jofa and Neiman Marcus, I now have a Lilly inspired room and you can too!



 



Garnet Hill even sells towels! Who wouldn't want a Lilly bathroom?!





Can be found at Neiman Marcus



I AM STRONG

If there is one thing I was not blessed with, its the skinny jeans. That is not to say I am fat or overweight but unfortunately I have to work (HARD) for the body I have. But I don't just workout to stay skinny. I love the way I feel after a great workout, or when I am sore the next day but you know its because you did something worth it. One thing I hate about working out though is the outfits! I mean why can't you look good while working out?! Well, studies show you are more likely to actually make it to the gym if you go out and buy cute workout clothes. So here are a few of my favorites....Enjoy!

From the Nike Pro Combat Series

Lululemon Yoga Pants

                     



Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and unfortunately too many of us have either been affected by it or know someone who has been. National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an international event that is supported by all major breast cancer groups to help raise awareness on the disease and to raise funds for continuing research to find the cure for cancer. I am fortunate enough to not have been affected by the disease but unfortunately I do know people who have, including my grandmother who at age 88 went through chemo and beat this disease. One way to support the cause is to raise money  and what better way than through a bake sale. As a person who is addicted to baking, I stumbled upon this recipe and will definitely be making these because they are fun and when selling them, support a great cause.

Pink Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies:

Ingredients:

1. 1 package Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix
2. 1 stick of butter
3. 1 egg
4. 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (I recommed using Nestle Tollhouse)
5. Pink food coloring

Directions:

1. Beattogether butter, cookie mix and egg according to directions on the package in an electric mixer. 
2. Add in pink food coloring until you have achieved desired color. Make sure to mix well so that none of the dough is left uncolored. Using a wooden spoon, stir in chocolate chips until incorporated throughout.
3. Form dough into 2" inch balls and place onto an ungreased, nonstick cookie sheet. Press down lightly on tops of the cookies to ensure your cookies come out flat.
4. Bake in a preaheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until bottom is golden brown. If using a Silpat make sure to add 2 minutes to baking time. ENJOY!

Original recipe and inspiration for these cookies can be found at quick-dish.tablespoon.com

Fall in New England

As much as I love the summer, there is nothing that I love more than living in New England during the fall. There is something so special and wonderful about being able to watch the trees change colors and throwing on a cashmere sweater and jeans. This past weekend I went to Maine and it was the epitome of what New England in the fall should be like. Both days were perfectly 'crisp' and I could wear my sweater, jeans, vest and yes my Rainbow sandals (I go no where without them). The fall is the time for apple and pumpkin picking, sipping on hot apple cider, eating tons of apple and pumpkin pie, raking leaves (and of course you will end up in a leaf fight!) and enjoying the most perfect weather of the year. Of course I love wearing my Lilly and bright colors all through out the year, but here are some of my favorite outfits to wear during the fall.

Yes I know it is a little boys sweater, but they don't make them in women's anymore. Both me and my sister have them and not only are they comfortable, they scream patriotism and Fall attire to me.

Brown is the color of fall. Pair your brown boots with your favorite jeans and most comfortable sweater and you are good to go...perfect for any occassion.

This is why I live in New England! You will have a hard time moving me from here.

 

Both outfits are just perfect!

Perfection......Longchamp, dark jeans, oxford and a patagonia vest. LOVE!

To brighten up your outfit, don't be afraid to add a fun colored headband. Looks great no matter your age :)

Lilly Love

So as I have already shown. I am addicted to pinterest. But its okay because I find some of the best Lilly pictures out there! Here are a few of my favorites...



Adorable family photo! Need to do this with my family...might have a hard time convincing my dad to wear pink pants though :(

Lilly Pulitzer herself. The one who started it all....from a juice stand to a fashion icon.

Will definitely be getting this when I finally get my own credit card :)

Another X-mas card idea. I could definitely get Slater to wear that outfit!

LOVE IT!

My Love of Lilly

Growing up in Fairfield County  I was destined to love Lilly. I remember when I truly fell in love with Lilly. I was vacationing in Nantucket for a few weeks and we stopped by the Lilly Store to shop around. I had never been to an actual Lilly store before then and remember being overwhelmed by the all the options there were! I was allowed to pick out a new skirt but it was so hard to pick just one, so needless to say I came home with more than one. From that day on I knew I would have a love, hate relationship with Lilly because lets be honest as much as I love her stuff, there is just no need to have every skirt or strapless dress. What I love most about Lilly is her ability to design clothes that will never go out of style and you will always be complimented on how cute you look. There is just somethign about wearing Lilly that brightens up my day and makes me happy. What I love even more about Lilly these days is her ever expanding accessories line. My wish list right now is a mile long and I'm sure you can all agree its necessary. Here are some of the things I love from Lilly and what I MUST have!

Lilly Planner 2011-2012

Even those freezing days at Giants stadium could use a little Lilly to brighten up the day!





Can you say Lilly Pulitzer Christmas!? I think yes!

I have the older version of this dress and am completely obsessed with it! I had to have it because it had little fishies on it hahah. I wore it at least 6 times in a 3 month span and got so many compliments on it. Its the perfect dress for any occassion. Graduation (check!), graduation parties (check!), bbq (check!), even Easter mass! I love how every season Lilly remakes this dress with a different pattern but keeps the cut the same. Its a classic dress that you can never go wrong with. I highly suggest investing in one or two or three! 

My Newest Addiction

I am not the kind of girl who surfs the internet all day online shopping or doing whatever it is people do online. But my sister turned me on to the best website ever and needless to say I am ADDICTED to it. Its called Pinterest and its a website where people Pin pictures of things like they, recipes, do it your self ideas, sayings, etc. You can find ideas about almost everythign on Pinterest. As someone who loves to cook, bake and everything that has to do with decorating, Pinterest is a fantastic way for me to see something and have it somewhere it won't get lost. I have found so many great recipes already and am using a ton of decorating tips for my new room. Here's just a taste of some of the fun things I have found...

How adorable are these! I never would have thought to uses Peeps when making 'smores! I didn't think you could make 'smore anymore fun then they already are.

Or how about these fantastic monogrammed plates?! They are such a cute idea and a great personalized gift to give to that friend who has everything

I love everything there is about decorating (too bad I don't have my own house yet, but I will someday). I never would have thought to use an old ladder as a shelving system! I am definitely going to be using this idea on day :)

If you like what you see, then go to Pinterest.com and create an account. You won't be disappointed. And don't forget to follow me at pinterest.com/katelynnjones. As they say......Happy Pinning!