Instagram Round up

It is no secret, I love Instagram! I was never big on Facebook, I loved looking at photos, so when my friend Jen introduced me to Instagram I was instantly obsessed! Thanks Jenny!

I have recently started an account for the blog, I have been posting #OOTD posts as regularly as I can but this snowy weather is killing me! Ugh is it spring yet? It was 60 degrees in DC this weekend, I was so sad when I saw that. I would have loved to browse Eastern Market, take a Sunday stroll on the Mall, and sip my morning coffee from the outdoor patio of a cafe, but we are New Englanders now, and most of the time I am over the moon about it.

Just a side note, Oliver proof reads my posts and he always comments that I write like I talk- lots of tangential thoughts which almost always get me off track from my original point. Which is exactly what happened when discussing the weather. I have since become acutely aware I do this, but it is me so I plan on keeping true to that :) 

Enough about snowmagedon, back to my point. Check out @passthebubblyblog on Instagram and follow along on my outfit posts that don't always make it up on the blog!

 

NYE Style guides: Pants & Jumpsuits

I think when people traditionally think of NYE attire or cocktail attire they immediately think of dresses, however these options will show you that you can go all out without wearing a dress!

Stitch Fix Delivery

I was anxiously awaiting my first Stitch Fix shipment & the day finally came! Just a quick little rundown on the Stitch Fix concept. You fill out a profile of what your style is with sizing, and suggestions of what you're looking for. You can also link up social media, I linked up the blog as well as my Pinterest for extra inspiration. At intervals you choose you receive a personalized box containing five items, you can purchase all five and get a discount or none at all. The cost is only $20/shipment which is subtracted from your total if you choose to keep anything.

It is a great concept, and I made sure to give ample examples of what I was looking for. My stylist Alissa did a fantastic job, I loved her personalized note and that she mentioned she used my blog posts for inspiration :)

Here is what I got in my first fix! 

 

I absolutely love this Polka dot shirt- it will be perfect for a holiday party on a night out- definite keeper! The pants I did love, I am not sure you can tell from the photos but they have a great texture. My two big issues with them are the fit & price. They were more than I would normally spend on a pair of pants, however I would have splurged if the fit were better. The faux fur vest is amazing, I loved it. However I did find out I love recently so I decided to send this one back. As for the cardigan- I totally get where the style idea came from but the execution just was not there. It looked horrible on me- I thought about not even posting the picture, but I wanted to fairly represent what I got so here it is! Lastly, the necklace I loved it in the box and would probably love it on anyone else but I did not like the way it fell on my chest. 

 Overall I am super happy with the shipment- I think my stylist gave me great options. I have since updated my profile and sizing so next time I will get an even better match! I highly recommend anyone to check out Stitch Fix! I've included the link so you can sign up before the wait list gets too long! :) 

Stitch Fix Referral

Personal stylists- no longer just for celebs with Stichfix!

Have you ever been trying to get ready for an event and commented on how you have "nothing to wear?" Or have gone shopping looking for something specific (i.e. my search for the perfect faux fur vest) and not found exactly what you wanted? Personally I find myself in both of those situtations pretty regularly. I often think, how nice would it be to give someone your measurements and what you're looking for and let them do the sourcing, essentially a personal stylist. Then I remember that is not attainable for my current lifestyle.

Then I came across the perfect solution, Stitch Fix! Basically how it works is that you create a style profile with your measurements, what styles you gravitate towards & what you hope to receive in your "fix".

In a time frame you choose you will receive a box of five items chosen by your personal stylist. If you choose to keep any of these items the $20 styling fee is credited towards your purchases!

You can personalize everything about your box to what you would like to see more of (jewelery, dresses, pants) to how much you want to spend on each item. Whenever you return the box with items you did not like you are asked to provide feedback as to why you did not choose those items so the next fix will be a better fit to your style!

My first Stitch Fix is coming November 12th- I've decided to see what the first box is like before I sign up for a scheduled delivery. I absolutely can't wait to receive my first fix! I hope you all check out the site. Keep an eye out for my follow up post when the box arrives.. 33 days & counting! :)

If you're interested in joining the Stitch Fix movement click here & find out more details! Stitch Fix

I am a firm believer in maintaining "girls nights" on my calendar. Getting dolled up & going for a night out with your girlfriends is good for the soul! My ladies nights usually entail dinner, drinks, dancing & lots of girl talk.

When I have a night out coming up I find myself scanning my closet for the perfect outfit, which is some variation of a skirt or dress and always heels!  I can't tell you how many stories I have heard about my insistence to dress up as a child, there are countless photos of me with my Mother's shoulder bags, heels and jewelery on. Many years later absolutely nothing has changed, and luckily those heels of hers are actually my size now! :)

For this look I went with an ultra feminine tulle skirt, this one is from The Loft (last season) however check out this Lauren Conrad version, and RED Valentino find! To give it a bit more edge I went with a faux leather sleeved shirt and black leather booties. I am wearing a statement Crystal Necklace currently available on J Crew Factory! The earrings are a staple in my wardrobe, I often find myself wearing them to work! - Overkill I know. They are Nancy Studs from Stella and Dot

I would love to hear what your favorite look is for a girls night out- leave a comment below to share!

Old Navy hit the mark this fall!

If you read yesterday's post I was heading out last night to shop for dresses for two weddings I have coming up, one a more relaxed look and the other a more formal event. I was unsuccessful in finding a dress for either which was totally disappointing however I hit Old Navy before heading home and found some amazing pieces!

I think Old Navy totally stepped it up this season with some awesome sweaters, dresses and super cute button downs! I tried on several pieces, one of a which is a really versatile quilted vest which comes in four colors, I gravitated toward the cream with gold zippers, no surprise there! I also loved the hunter green color.

This boyfriend chambray is perfection, slightly heavier material, loose enough to create a relaxed look however not a sack which is a tough balance. I also love plaid button downs under a vest or sweater all of which Old Navy has this season, and for a bargain price!

I also found a few really cute dresses which are perfect for the fall but can also transition easily into the colder months!

I hope you get the chance to scope out Old Navy's fall style & come back soon to check out the blog! Don't forget you can subscribe to get updates of new posts! :)

Style guides: Dressing for a wedding

The perfect day for a perfect couple!

It is safe to say we have had a fair few weddings this summer, seven to be exact. Three of which my attire was already chosen for me as I had the honor of standing by some of my closest friends & new sister as they married some fabulous guys.

I have included two of the three bridesmaid dresses as we already had the professional pictures back, can't wait to see my friend Jen's pictures, she was a stunning bride!

Oliver & I at  C&K's wedding!

However the other five have proven to be pretty stressful as to what to wear. I think with the practice from this Summer's events have given me a good guideline of what attire works for various settings.

In September we had a wedding downtown in Boston which was "formal" attire. It was at a really beautiful hotel where I went for a more classic look, a black lace Maggy London dress, my favorite L.K. Bennett Sledge pumps and a red lip! Given the weather that weekend, unmarked humidity in the city for this time of year, I went for a low bun with lots of volume, low maintenance & chic!

As the wedding season winds down we have one coming up this weekend in Maine, which I am so excited about!  Maine is beautiful all year, but especially in October.  I can't wait for the scenic ride up there and of course the festivities!

The weather for this weekend is proving to be a bit of a challenge based on what is already in my closet, so I am headed out today to find a dress that will work for the weather as well as being stylish and venue appropriate! I will also be shopping for another wedding we have coming up in a few weeks that is closing out the season!

Here are a few looks I love and will be keeping in mind while shopping. Make sure to keep an eye out for some Instagram shots of the weekend :)

My "Fall Musts"

As I have mentioned before there are countless things I love about the Fall, first lets start with the attire. Every year I try to cultivate the perfect fall wardrobe, there is a fine balance as style changes year- to - year as well as the financial implications. In order to get around this I stick to "staple" pieces to add that won't change year to year. For example, the perfect boot. I kid you not when I tell you I was on a search for the "perfect boots" for much of 2010. When I found them; knee high in the perfect chocolate brown shade with a gold zipper up the back, the search was well worth it!

As last fall rolled in a new hunt began- the perfect faux fur vest. Let me tell you- the search continues! I have found a few close contenders; however the color is never "just right" its always a little to long, a little too short, too loose or too tight- not to mention the inevitable too pricey!

The things I think are a staple in any fall wardrobe are the obvious contenders, a knee high flat boot, heeled booties, colored skinny jeans or texture pant (think brown/oxblood/hunter green/reds) oversized sweaters, patterned scarves, and the perfect faux fur vest!

Here are a few things I have my eye on! :)

My very first blogpost!

 

      I have been wanting to start this blog for quite some time now, however there was always something holding me back. Would anyone read it? Would it be something I could maintain with a job, family and other life demands? I had so many reservations however the desire to start never wavered, so here I am writing my first post. I've decided to embark on this with no expectations for what it will be- just enjoy the ride and see where it takes me. This is something that will be a personal challenge as I tend to have incredibly high expectations for just about everything!

      A little bit about me: I was born and raised in the burbs of Boston with an enormous Italian family, everyone lives here, no one leaves, and Sunday's are sacred family days. I loved every minute of growing up with more cousins than I can count on both my hands and feet. There was always someone to play with and adventure to be had. Despite having an amazing childhood I looked to challenge myself and decided to head out of state for college. I studied to become a nurse, and graduated in 2010, but during all that studying I still found time to meet a guy who definitely was not from Boston! After college I traveled, got married, and moved to DC.  Our first two years of marriage there were amazing! We have recently moved back to Boston, and expanded our little family with the cutest Barbet puppy named Clovis! :)

      This blog is about all of the things I love about life; family, entertaining, fashion, decorating, and love...oh and of course my favorite beverage of all time, Bubbly!

I hope you enjoy reading about all of our adventures!

Kate
XO