femme edge.

top: urban outfitters (from ireland, old) shorts: thrifted heels: h&m (borrowed) clutch: urban outfitters

despite my love for dainty silhouettes and feminine colors, the little edge that i do have in me loves to come out and play every once in a while. spinning a summery, casual look into a sharper, edgier flavor is easy if you add just the right amount of darkness and sass.

these shorts have been a tough match for many of my tops and shoes, so i decided to invade my roommate's closet... and i found these adorable studded heels. having a fashion merchandiser as a roommate has its perks ;) this sherbet crop top is so easy and versatile... and it was only six euro!



how often do you let your edge come out?



polly's.

on a sunny sunday, the golden's woke at the crack of dawn (okay, 7 o'clock...) and hit the open road until we found ourselves in the white mountains of new hampshire. twin and i have been nicely begging mr. golden to bring the family up there for weeks, so it was a treat to feel my ears pop and to enjoy a deep breath that didn't fill my lungs with new york city smog. 

we made it to polly's pancake parlor, just in time for brunch. my family has been coming to this quaint, farm hugging restaurant since twin and i were little babes. i have the fondest memories of this place, and i know i'll bring my own family here for pancakes too, one day. 

 our waiter had worked at the parlor for the past fourteen years...and he started when he was fourteen years old. that's the kind of people that this place attracts. the kind that want to stay a while. it was pretty amusing to have him as our waiter  and to hear my parents share stories of all the times they have come to eat. he even took my dad's video camera and taped a behind-the-scenes look at polly's! i haven't had the pleasure of watching it yet, but he filmed for a good five minutes, so that must be some pretty decent kitchen footage. ;)

although they since retired the donkey that twin and i sat on as kids...this is still pretty exciting for us. :)

if you'd like to check out polly's with your own family, here is where you can find it. i highly recommend it, and to possibly skip the pancakes and go for kathie's famous ham, cheesse, and apple sandwich. :)

newburyport, by night.

going home this past week, i made it my mission to fit all my favorite things about a new england summer into a few short days. some may call it a challenge, but after successfully making it to the ocean and our favorite river, hopping on a friend's boat for a ride with the sunset, eating brunch in the mountains of new hampshire, and catching the most unbelievable shooting star from plum island ... i call it a success. :) this being the first summer "away," i knew the five days that twin and i got to spend at home, taking in our favorite starry blanket of sky and walking those familiar cobble stone streets would leave us nostalgic for summers past, but also so, so happy for this one. right now.

 

a couple nights in, twin and i switched the air conditioning out for windows down...and drove the windy, out-of-the-way-but-so-worth-it route to our favorite seaside town, newburyport. here are a few shots that twin and i captured, on that ninety-degree, mid july night:



 

{raspberry sorbet and state street}

{the boardwalk, and one adorable boat that was spending the night}

so thanks, summer thirteen. you may be half over, but you're living up to your heavy expectations. i hope you get to catch a shooting star this summer, too. if you really want to see one, come on over to plum island beach after midnight. every single time i've gone, i have seen at least one, no lie! i swear, there's something about this place. ;)

shiny and sweet: an affordable look at soft, feminine style

there's nothing quite like a sweet summer night... ice cream on a cone, dangling legs over the boardwalk... a game of mini golf under the stars. but how about finding the flirty look to go along with it all? pairing an ombré maxi skirt with a bright, layered crop and pastel ballet flats gives off that whimsical, soft feel that so many are in search of this time of year. a pair of dazzling studs and an iridescent bag add the perfect amount of sparkle to an angelic look, finished off with a nude nail and statement bracelet.  this airy ensemble will add that magical, light touch to any dreamy evening. (the sunglasses to be stowed away after that glistening sunset, of course!)

skirt: chicwish top: riverisland shoes: zara bag: zara  

 

color me shocking: a mix of summer thirteen's tastiest trends

we all know that peplum isn't exactly running away anytime soon. this pattern blocking oscar de la renta number is sweet enough to pair with a shocking pair of neon dipped heels, and a matching messenger bag. play up the green hue with bold accents, throw in a polished leather pencil skirt, and finish off with a bright pink pucker and you're ready to out sizzle any hot summer day.

top: oscar de la renta skirt: the row bag: michael kors heels: jimmy choo 

twin (not) in the city.

and here, is an explosion of photographs...

as bright and happy and dazzling as those fireworks on the 4th of july!



...i hope you enjoyed this magical holiday just as much as the 17 of us did :)

 

hugs and sparklers,

megan

{photos by twin and me}