Photo by Jessica Meade

Last Saturday Lydia and I attended a brunch in Wethersfield for Connecticut bloggers. It was held at Heirloom Market and organized by the lovely Nonee, who runs CT Blogger Babes. There were a little over 25 lovely ladies in attendance for a delicious meal followed by some discussions about how to best reach your blogging potential. I actually learned quite a few tips!

We left the event with goodie bags containing fun little bits and bobs like chapstick, lip gloss and an adorable burned wood spoon. I also won a $75 gift card to Pearls and Plaid in Old Saybrook. Looks like I'll be planning a weekend visit! 

The beautiful location of our brunch

Table setting! Love how I had a postcard of London at my place, perfect for me.

The gorgeous table flanked by rows of seeds for sale

Everyone getting settled in

Lydia checking out the food

Food spread!

Mini BLTs with uncured Vermont bacon, local greens, tomato, avocado and focaccia

Avocado toast with farm to hearth bread, local eggs, cucumber, radish, picked onion

Mini BLT, Avocado Toast and Fritata

Blueberry tarts

Blueberry tart and my pile of business cards!

I decided to wear my Carven Paris map print dress because I haven't worn it that much this Summer (I did bring it to Italy, though!) It will forever be one of my favorite dresses. I'm so glad I splurged on it a couple years ago, it's definitely been worth it. I also broke out my rose gold watch for a bit more glam, but the battery died so it was just for looks.

Dress: Carven Paris Map Print (Yoox | Blazer version), Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs 'Natural Selection Mini Messenger Bag' (Saks Fifth Avenue), Sandals: Cole Haan 'Minetta' (Amazon), Sunglasses: Gucci, Earrings: Mejuri, Watch c/o Movado


Finally, here are some official event photos by the lovely Jessica Meade!

Just look at that setup!

Beautiful table

Our location

Nonee welcoming everyone

Setting out the food!

Avocado Toast

Chatting

Nonee taking photos

Cheers!

Looking over each other's Instagram feeds to give tips!

Here's an outfit that I wore almost exactly 7 years ago. Crazy how time flies! This was one of my first designer buys from back in the day. Not the first, but first 5. I wore the heck out of it when I first got it but sadly it sits in my closet unworn now. I guess that's what happens to loved pieces, we love them a bit too much and then they need to sit on the bench for a while.

Dress: Marc Jacobs 'Cynthia' (eBay), Shoes: Nicholas Kirkwood suede Prism pumps (NET-A-PORTER, also here and here)



The Original: Wedges: R2 (DSW)

I feel like I've been neglecting my Lanvin sandals this Summer! So many shoes to wear, so little time. But never fear, they're not going anywhere anytime soon. I'm still trying to find an afforedable replacement pair on consignment store sites for when these eventually die from overuse, haha.

Top: Michael Kors (Lord & Taylor), Jeans: MIH 'The Tomboy' Cropped (Net-a-Porter), Studded Suede Sandals: Lanvin (Net-a-Porter)

This past Friday I "hosted" an event at the Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets Banana Republic store. When I got the email asking if I was interested I almost had a heart attack. I'd never hosted an event before because I'm super shy and feel really awkward talking to strangers. But in an effort to be bold and stop being so scared of things I said yes. I had so many butterflies before the event but once there I was mostly okay. I still felt awkward walking up to people asking if they needed help, but I assisted a few shoppers find some pieces they were looking for, so I feel pretty good about it.

Banana Republic is currently having their Friends and Family sale! Today is the last day to take advantage of the extra 40% off prices that are already up to 70% off! And if you have a Banana Republic/Gap card you get another 10% off! Talk about deals!

I arrived early for the event so I could shop for a new Fall look to wear showing off the collection with $100 that Banana Republic gifted me. I ended up getting 2 pairs of pants, a sweater, top and some linen shorts. The weather wasn't cooperating and it was already getting dark by the time the event was done so I only did outfit photos for one look for now. I'll wear the other when it gets closer to Fall.

How amazing are these cherry blossom print pants?! They are the "Ryan" pant which comes in more colors and prints. I probably could have gotten a size smaller but I'm not used to wearing slacks so I was nervous about them being too tight. I decided to pair them with this beautiful teal peplum sweater to bring out the lighter blue in the pants.

I also picked up the Sloan pant in purple, ruffle sleeve shirt in teal and a pair of gold/tan linen shorts that aren't on the website anymore. The shorts were a whopping $8 thanks to being on clearance AND using the 40% off.

Sweater c/o Banana Republic, Pants c/o Banana Republic, Studded Suede Sandals: Lanvin (Net-a-Porter), Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs 'Natural Selection Mini Messenger Bag' (Saks Fifth Avenue),

Happy Friday!!! I hope everyone had a good week! I'm super nervous today because I'm hosting a styling event at the Banana Republic at Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets this afternoon. I've never done anything like this because I'm so shy, so wish me luck!

Zebra Dress: Splendid (Net-a-Porter), Mules: BCBGeneration 'Beverly' (Saks Off 5th at Clinton Crossing)