Dressing for Theme Parks

So, I live in Orlando (have I not mentioned this 17 million times yet?), and I spend a lot of time visiting various theme parks. Why? Because there is some seriously world-class entertainment in Central Florida and many of these attractions are literally in my backyard. I didn't grow up here and I won't live here forever, so there is still a novelty in deciding on a random Saturday afternoon that I feel like riding Pirates of the Caribbean and eating a Dole Whip...and doing it!

In addition to being a theme park nerd, I am also a hardcore people watcher. Sometimes that is the best part -- settling on a bench with a huge iced coffee and just watching the world go by. I am always interested and sometimes fascinated in what people wear as they're chasing down thrills and costumed characters. You kind of see everything -- super dressed up, incredibly dressed down, and everything in between.

I pass no judgment -- you're on your day off, so you wear what you like.

BUT, I don't think you have to give up your personal style for the sake of comfort and functionality on a long hot day in a theme park. In fact, you probably have some great park options sitting in your closet right now. Whether you're planning a big summer vacation to Disney or just hitting your local theme park for the day, here are some of my go-to park options that feature one of my favorite wardrobe basics: a good classic white button-down.

Gap Fitted Oxford Button Down ($50)

1. This is my go-to outfit for a day of hardcore park-hopping. Crisp, cool, totally put together -- you'll be able to ride every stomach-churning thrill ride again and again and still look great in all of those goofy photos you'll end up want to taking.

I just ordered these cute graphic print shorts (saw an awesome flash deal that brought them to less than $25 with shipping) -- this simple, chic print looks great with a classic button-down. Comfy shoes are a must -- you may get wet! -- and a chunky watch and sleek shades are practical and cute. A small cross-body bag is a must for keeping cash, keys, phone, water, snacks, and extra sunscreen.

2. The weather in Florida is not always your best friend, and a rainy day can happen at any park. Your button-down is a great choice for layering under a light, slim rain coat (that can be folded into a little pouch if the sun shows up). I'd add a light pair of cropped jeans and rubber wedges (similar), perfect for staying dry in the deepest puddles (note: I own the Tretorn wedges pictured and they are the best rain shoes ever -- I regret not stocking up before they were discontinued). I wouldn't bother carrying a lot of extra stuff -- just a little card wallet with some cash and credit cards is all you'll need.

3. Maybe you're heading to a park for something other than rides and junk food -- theme parks all over the country have food festivals, concerts, and fine dining options. A button down is great over an airy maxi dress, just knotted at the waist (think Gwyneth Paltrow in The Talented Mr. Ripley) -- it is a perfect extra layer during the day to keep the sun from broiling your skin (and then you can tuck it in your big, roomy bag when the sun goes down). These mini wedges look comfy and have a kind of jolie laide quality to them. I have these sunglasses and they're amazing, and I love a simple bold necklace.

4. OK, so maybe you want to have a little fun -- here's my version of cute but still fabulous character-inspired dressing. A nod to Minnie Mouse, the chicest rodent ever.

The white shirt is perfect with slim cropped red pants and comfy slides. I almost always want to wear giant sunglasses and a big rose gold watch, so why not here? I'll admit, I'm kind of afraid of a fanny pack this little sleek one seems perfect (I like to keep my hands free for Mickey Bars). Just add your sparkly mouse ears and you're ready to go!

Truth (Vol. I)

I haven't shared a lot of personal stuff on the blog yet, so I thought I'd try a little something different today. If you met me in person, here are some of the things you would come to know...

LIKE: Cake
DISLIKE: Pie

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LIKE: Dogs using their paws like hands
DISLIKE: Dogs winking at me (what are you trying to say?!)


LIKE: Blythe Danner
DISLIKE: Gwyneth Paltrow


LIKE: May flowers
DISLIKE: April showers

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LIKE: Brunch (prime rib, champagne? check!)
DISLIKE: Breakfast (no prime rib or champagne? boring)


LIKE: Manicures
DISLIKE: Smudging the polish before I get home (always)

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LIKE: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
DISLIKE: The Daily Show without Jon Stewart (I am in denial -- how can he leave us?)

LIKE: Running
DISLIKE: The first 10 minutes of a run ("Am I dying? I might be dying.")


LIKE: Mets
DISLIKE: Yankees


LIKE: Broad City
DISLIKE: Girls 

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LIKE: Your comments on my silly posts
DISLIKE: Well... ;)

Weekend To-Do List

Sometimes a weekend seems like 48 hours of endless possibilities and I just go go go, trying to jam as much into 2 days as humanly possible.

And then sometimes you just need some time to be a slug.

1. Things got off to a rough start on Friday night as I tried to make my way home from a short business trip. I travel a bit for my job and I usually don't mind it too much -- it isn't particularly glamorous, but I like to explore new cities and I always try to mix in some pleasure after the business part is done. This was just a quick 2 days in DC. They were pretty long ones but generally successful and I was happy to headed home -- my 7:30 flight should have gotten me back to Florida around 9:30 and I planned to pick up some dinner, rescue my dog from her luxury pet resort and be on the couch catching up with my DVR for an hour or two before bed. It was such a good plan...

Instead, our flight was delayed for hours: one in the terminal (which wasn't so bad as DCA has thoughtfully installed approximately 1 million power outlets so the masses can be soothed by all of their glowing screens), and then more than two on the plane. When you travel a lot you know that some delays are unavoidable, but the pilot basically admitted this was a case of human incompetence. I am so, so grateful for Chris Hardwick and an iPod full of Nerdist podcasts to keep me from completely losing it.

We finally landed in Orlando around 1am and I sprinted through the terminal, ready to get my hands on some food (nothing on the plane, nothing open in the airport when we landed) and my dog. And it all took FOREVER. I finally made it home at 3am and shoved a couple of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in my face before collapsing into bed. 

2. Saturday I let myself sleep in a bit. As I was falling asleep just before 4am I realized that I'd been awake for 42 of the past 48 hours. A lazy morning turned into a lazy afternoon with a Catfish marathon, some blogs, and a snuggly puppy dog to keep me company.

3. I didn't let my trip and need for sleep get in the way of two big fashion/beauty related events happening this weekend. First, I hit Sephora to take advantage of their 15% off sale for VIBs. I am all about skincare these days, and I picked up a few things I've heard people raving about: Clarins Beauty Flash Balm (Lisa Eldridge loves it), Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial, and a small size of First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream. I'll share some reviews soon!

4. I also hit Target to check out the Lilly Pulitzer collab and I'm still annoyed by it -- read more about my unhappy experience here.

Time to tackle another busy week -- hope you're having a great Monday!

Lilly Pulitzer x Target Was a Shitshow (and everyone involved should be embarrassed by it)

After much fanfare and a teeny bit of controversy, the Lilly Pulitzer x Target collection launched today. 

And IT. WAS. A SHITSHOW.

You can read all about here and here and here and probably a million other places.

My experience: I arrived at my local store at around 7:45. I am not a major Lilly fan, so nothing in this collection was a must-have for me. Some of the clothes looked great, and I loved a lot of the home goods. But I wanted to see things in person and take a moment to consider my purchases, so I chose to head to the store rather than try my luck at online shopping (not Target's forte). This was a mistake.

While waiting in a decent but not long line, we were told that quantities were very limited -- for most items, they had ONE in each size. One. ONE! When the doors opened, women made a mad dash and snatched every last dress, romper, dish towel, and folding chair off the racks and shelves. By 8:15, everything was gone. By 8:30, the racks were being disassembled. I'm sorry, but....that shit cray.

These were the items I was hoping to pick up -- guess you didn't want my $250, Target!

I bought nothing, because I didn't feel like beating anyone over the head for a pair of flip flops and I just got turned off by the whole collection as a result of this sad experience. A lot of ink will be spilled over this mess, so I don't want to waste a lot of time on this, but here are my thoughts:

Target really has no idea how to gauge the reaction to their designer collaborations. I don't think they were expecting this (because if they were, they left MILLIONS of dollars on the table by not having enough merchandise), and I think it is because they just don't understand what appeals to their shoppers. Some of their recent designer collaborations have been duds -- I think every single item in the Altazurra collection went to clearance, it was a terrible fit with Target's audience. They don't seem to understand that some elements of designer clothes (great fabrics, expert tailoring, high-fashion silhouettes) don't translate well into a lower-priced garment. But there are elements (like great prints and flattering shapes) that still look great even if you're cutting costs. Missoni and Lilly Pulitzer are perfect examples of this.

The other thing these two brands have in common is that they can work for a wide range of women. Even if you don't consider yourself particularly preppy, you'll probably enjoy having a fun floral dress in your closet for some great little summer shindig. And you can add a happy/fun zigzag knit piece to almost any look. Missoni and Lilly have pretty universal appeal and their designer lines are priced too high for the average consumer, so it should come as no surprise that there is huge demand for lower priced versions of these brands. (Do you hear that, Target? SHOULD COME AS NO SURPRISE. But clearly you were surprised -- why?!?)

What is particularly irritating about the Lilly x Target collection is the amount of hype that has been generated over the past 3 months. We've been reading about this in blogs and magazines since January -- so many outlets breathlessly announced the release of the lookbook, giving us a chance to get excited about a pretty great looking and expansive collection of clothing, accessories, and home goods.

But Target never had the inventory to support this kind of interest. DID I MENTION MY STORE HAD ONLY ONE OF EACH ITEM IN EACH SIZE?!?!?

Target has forgotten a key piece of its original Design For All mission with these collaborations: the "all". Being able to buy great clothing from a big box retailer shouldn't mean hoards of intelligent women are fighting over a polyester maxi dress like people fought for bread in Soviet Russia. 

And worse than that, this debacle really took the fun out of things. These collaborations should be fun for everyone. Fun for designers, who get to think outside the box a bit and reach new customers. Fun for shoppers, who get to enjoy something special at a great price. And fun for Target, who should be enjoying great press and a fire hose of cash flowing freely into its registers. But instead, almost everyone involved is left disappointed and unsatisfied.

Two ideas for the next time around:

1. Hire me to manage your designer collaborations. I could do better than this, no doubt!

2. Bring back Isaac Mizrahi's collection -- seriously, that shit was amazing. 10 years later I still have (and wear) three or four pieces that have held up (in terms of quality and style) beautifully.

Target claims that it will learn from this experience, but only time will tell. If you're unhappy about this, don't hesitate to let Target know...and for the love of god, don't overpay for these things on eBay!

What do you think -- did ANYONE have a good experience with this collection? Do you think this was a savvy strategy or a total catastrofuck?

Wishlist Wednesday: Un-Mellow Yellow

I've always loved pops of yellow when I'm decorating a room (I've salvaged many a thrift store/Craigslist find by slapping on a few coats of shocking yellow paint), but I don't have a ton of yellow in my wardrobe.

Then I saw this coat and thought, "Damn, mama needs some electric yellow duds: stat!"

Sadly, this color is sold out online (maybe a few are floating around in stores?), but I've been inspired to find some more fun options for adding some very un-mellow yellow to my life.

clockwise from l to r:

Lilly Pulitzer x Target Romper ($35) -- this happy little romper hit shelves this weekend (if you're interested, act fast -- I expect a pretty big turnout for this collection). On its own it could come across a bit juvenile, so be sure to add a pair of chic sandals and one or two pieces of good jewelry to make it a bit more sophisticated.

Uniqlo Linen Striped Sweater ($30) -- life motto: never enough stripes. I love a classic striped shirt, so this top is an easy way to incorporate a bold color without going too far outside my comfort zone.

Brooks Brothers Quilted Barn Jacket ($52) -- yellow is so classic for spring, but you may also find some deals on bright winter pieces from last season. This jacket is fun and preppy and would be great for those annoying spring days that are cold enough to require real outwear but you just can't bear to dig out your winter coat (note: this is a boys' coat, but check out the size chart: a L or XL should fit smaller ladies).

Zara Elastic Waist Trousers ($60) -- I'm loving this easy, relaxed silhouette (Old Navy and J. Crew have really similar pull on cropped pants) -- the bright color is kind of a fun styling challenge.

Gap Printed Boatneck Dress ($46) -- a pretty little dress that seems easy to throw on when you need to look great on the hottest summer nights.

Ray-Ban Liteforce Aviator Sunglasses ($180) -- if you want to dip just a toe in this trend, a pair of sunglasses is about as noncommittal as you can get. The only other yellow sunglasses I ever had were oversized gag glasses from a bar mitzvah DJ, so this traditional aviator shape seems considerably more practical.

Target Sam & Libby Toni Slide ($27) -- everyone seems to be doing a version of this simple sandal. This neon yellow pair would be amazing with relaxed summer whites.

H&M Bangle ($15) -- does this remind anyone of your high school prom corsage? (Mine was awesome, six lovely blush-colored roses). This version is a bit cooler, and you don't have to endure any awkward slow dances.

Gap Fit and Flare Sundress ($42) -- bright yellow is the perfect color for this sporty dress. Tennis anyone?

Weekend To-Do List

I had company visiting this weekend and decided to make it an extra long weekend so I had plenty of time to play (I actually haven't worked a Friday in weeks and I could definitely get used to that). This weekend was all about fun -- I ate, I played, I watched mindless TV. It was awesome. Chores and errands will wait -- sometimes it is fun to just take a few days off of being an adult and let your inner child make all of the decisions.

1. One of the highlights of the weekend was singing, dancing, and YMCA-ing my heart out at the Village People concert. Epcot has a lot of great (free) concerts all year long -- the lineups often feature weird combos of forgotten stars of the past, one-hit wonders, and cover bands, and they are always tons of fun. There are all kinds of great snack-y treats and yummy cocktails nearby so you grab a bite, grab an adult beverage, and rock out. The Village People were just as much fun as you'd hope -- disco will never die!

2. When you're on vacation (or you just feel like you are), it is hard not to indulge in some delicious food. There was a lot of dessert consumed -- I'm proud to say I shared the ginormous brownie sundae that came at the end of today's lunch, but I polished off the entire trough of peanut butter/chocolate goodness known as the No Way Jose that I ordered at Beaches and Cream yesterday. There was also a bottomless skillet of chicken and ribs and corn at some point in the weekend -- so glad I was wearing my favorite stretchy jeans.

3. At some point I found a few minutes to jump on a few things from Old Navy's weekend sale. I really just wanted this cute tee (total price after sale/coupons: $3.50), but I added a few basics (running tights, jeans) that I've been wanting to stock up on to get free shipping.

4. At some point we found ourselves too tired to keep trekking around the parks but too hopped on sugar to completely call it quits, so we burned off some energy in one of my favorite arcades. Skee ball, air hockey, pinball -- reminded me of fun afternoons on the Jersey Shore and Coney Island when I was a kid.

5. We made the best of a stormy, rainy night with a double feature of classics: Bridesmaids and Mean Girls. Even funnier when you know all the lines, right?

Back to the grind tomorrow -- hope your week is off to a great start!

Wednesday Wishlist: Prints Charming

Since moving to Florida, I've had to overcome a pretty serious fear of a particular item of clothing: shorts. Shorts are the basis of most Floridians' wardrobes, but I honestly hadn't worn a pair since college. My pale, athletic legs just seemed more suited for jeans and trousers. I sweated through June and most of July last year until I gave in and realized I just needed to find a way to make shorts work for me.

There are two rules that I follow when I'm shopping for shorts: find the right length (for me, a 4-5" inseam is usually best; shorter just hits me in the wrong place, longer makes my legs look stumpy), and go for fun patterns. I initially tried to play it safe with solid, neutral colored shorts, but I actually found that a bold (and sometimes crazy) print was more flattering and a lot more fun -- and the opportunities for bright and happy pattern mixing are endless!

Here are some of the prints that are charming the, well, pants off of me right now:

clockwise from l to r:

Old Navy Seahorse Poplin Shorts ($23) -- I love the fresh minty green color, and how cute are these little seahorses?

J. Crew Factory Ikat Print Shorts ($35) -- this is a bold print, but the black and white palette makes it work like a neutral. You can pair this with a million solid colors, but it would also look great with your favorite striped tee, a polka dot cashmere sweater...or maybe a crazy Lilly Pulitzer-esque paisley print!

J. Crew Factory Printed Boardwalk Shorts ($40) -- this happy floral print seems perfect for summer days at the beach or summer nights at a great outdoor bar. I love the idea of keeping the top dark and neutral (a nice navy blouse or a slim black sweater) and then picking up one of the pretty pink shades in your lip color (I just bought Nars Roman Holiday after seeing it on the fabulous Franzisca, which would be perfect).

J. Crew Striped Board Shorts ($84) -- so yes, J. Crew does some pretty great print shorts. These are too short for me, but the sporty striped pattern is great -- you should buy them so I can admire your great ass.

ModCloth Aweigh With Words Shorts ($60) -- in Florida you can get away with a nautical print year-round, so I love these cute anchors. Stripes would pair nicely here -- I'm also thinking about this adorable sweatshirt that I saw at Anthropologie over the weekend (it is SO soft). Now I just need a boat!

Loft Cabana Stripe Riviera Shorts ($55) -- these are very chic, and 'cabana' and 'Riviera' are two of my favorite words -- if you believe in The Secret and the laws of attraction, buying these shorts might just be the first step to some very fabulous summer plans.

Zara Jacquard Mini Shorts ($60) -- I love the subtle print of these shorts -- they give an airy basketweave-y feeling that feels so right for summer.

Dorothy Perkins Khaki Left Shorts ($29) -- this print could be called Florida camouflage, and it kind of reminds me of the wallpaper in Blanche Deveraux's bedroom, which is basically the highest compliment I could give a crazy leaf pattern.