I wore this to the Boscov's blogger preview last week and can't believe this was my first time wearing this combo. Perhaps its because I always want to pair this top with jeans. Anyway, it feels so perfectly Fall and I can't wait to bring this Saint Laurent patchwork blouse back into rotation! It's one of my favorite statement pieces because it's so wild. This was also my first wear of my favorite booties this season! I still haven't unpacked the rest of my boots and tall boots but all in good time! Probably when I get home from Florida next week.

We spent so much time shopping that I had to rush home to work and couldn't stay to take outfit pictures with Lydia. Luckily I have my trusty home photographer and we shot some quickly in the backyard. 

Silk Patchwork Blouse: Saint Laurent (eBay), Leather skirt: Sienna Style (Coco's $10 sale), Boots: Vince Camuto 'Davilla' (Marshalls), Bag: Emm Kuo 'Calle Bahia' (Roundabout), Sunglasses: Gucci

Last Friday I was able to attend a blogger preview of the newly opened Boscov's at the Connecticut Post Mall in Milford! Boscov's is a family owned department store and this Milford location is their 47th store. Boscov's is the largest family owned department store chain in the nation; selling clothing, shoes, handbags, jewelry, watches, home items, bedding, and toys!

Our day started with breakfast and an introduction to the brand by Jim Boscov himself! He really loves his brand and makes sure that the stores all uphold the family-friendly values of the original store in Reading, PA. Boscov's aims to open one store per year with the reasoning that they take the time to find the perfect location and everyone at the company spends weeks preparing the co-workers at these new stores. They are also committed to the communities they have stores in and make sure to support local charities. At this year's grand opening they had a ribbon cutting ceremony with $100 bills and each one went to a member agency of the United Way of Milford and $1000 for the United Way.


The Connecticut Post Mall in Milford is currently in a redevelopment phase to revitalize the shopping center. In addition to Boscov's, they will also be opening a Dave & Busters, Muse Paintbar and Kidz Klub. Soon The Post will be your one stop shop for activities whether that's going to the gym, seeing a movie or shopping for anything you need!

The store is THREE packed floors of merchandise offering anything you could possible need or want. They have all the brand names you're used to in a department store at even better prices! No one is left out when it comes to clothing. They carry petites, plus sizes, kids, misses, adults, mens and they have an amazing men's suits section!


I walked out with a $29.99 cashmere sweater, $60 Mickey pearl earrings and two $5 long sleeve tees for Christian. In addition to those already low prices we were given a 15% off coupon and a $15 gift card for our purchases! Mr Boscov also treated us each to a pound of DELICIOUS fudge! I got dark chocolate and it's amazing! So smooth and only $5.99 a pound!  Unfortunately I had to return the tees I bought because they were too big and they didn't carry Smalls in the styles I bought. I also ended up exchanging the cashmere sweater for two sweaters (dark ruby and dark teal) that were only $9.99 each and just as soft, haha. I went back with my parent's and Christian yesterday so they could check out the store.


Make sure to head to the store this week to check out all their grand opening sales! In addition, Debbie Boone - of You Light Up My Life fame - will be performing daily at 2pm and 7pm!

The store also has an auditorium where they hold all sorts of classes and events. They even have a Melissa & Doug play area within the toy section!

And, if you plan on doing some holiday shopping, make sure to stop by the courtesy desk for complimentary gift wrapping on your purchases!


*I was invited to a preview of the store and received a 15% coupon and $15 gift card as compensation. I was not required to write this post but chose to because I enjoyed experience.*

I'm not into the whole huge wedding say your vows in front of everyone thing. I enjoy going to weddings but I don't personally want to be the center of attention - thanks social anxiety. Luckily Christian wasn't big on the idea of a large wedding either so we opted for a small ceremony in the park where we go for our daily walks with just my parents and my grandparents in attendance. His immediate family decided to come for the party instead of the ceremony since they're a 20 hour drive away.

The following week we had a party for family and friends in my parents backyard.  I let my mom do most of the planning because she has great taste and I knew it would be easier that way. I had made a Pinterest board with a few things I liked and we went off of that. Christian's brother also hand carved an amazing Lord of the Rings sign for us as a wedding gift so we brought it to the party since it was on-theme (see photo above.)

We decided on a color palette and chose a bunch of hanging lanterns as well as string lights. After that I pretty much took a back seat and approved or vetoed her decisions. (aka always approved because she's great at planning and decorating.) The only thing we disagreed on was tables. I wanted rectangle instead of circles because it looks less formal that way.



Rather than cooking food ourselves we chose a caterer that had more than just the basic Italian food options, The Executive Chef. We had a great menu planned with appetizers and a dinner buffet. My mom took care of the desserts - she's an amazing baker - and we both made a ton of french macarons to give out as party favors.  My mom also created a really cute candy bar for the dessert table with purple treats! She thinks of everything. Unfortunately we were all so caught up in the day we forgot photos of the dinner buffet! GAH!


Update: The caterer posted photos of the buffet! YAY! And a few close-ups of the appetizers.





A family friend generously offered to make the cake for us so my Mom would have one less thing to do. We wanted a super simple cake (chocolate with white frosting) and decided to be cheeky and put our Wall-E and Eve figures on the top instead of a bride and groom. What can I say, we're weird.  I did indulge our guests with the traditional cutting of the cake. Note my excitement in the photos below, haha.



Photos by me, my Dad, a couple other relatives and Lydia!