Laura Jean Denim's 13th Annual Denim Sale

Now is the best time to shop at Rhode Island's only destination for premium denim 

If you need to do some denim wardrobe building, stop by Laura Jean Denim in Newport, Rhode Island for the store's annual denim sale. Find an array of styles by hot denim brands AG Adriano Goldschmied, Frame or Hudson priced at $50, $75 and $100.

There's more to shop besides the denim stacks—select Frye boots are 40% off and tops that are already marked-down are "buy one, get one free."

If you're not able to make it to Newport, be sure browse the sale on the website and call the store for any additional suggestions based on your preferences! 

It's important to note that this is the last annual denim sale before Laura Jean Denim changes ownership. The official announcement broke last month and it's still hard to wrap my head around it... 

Winner Winner

The ultimate comfort food joint in Newport

Just like its sister restaurant Mission—which is known for having the best burger on Aquidneck Island or, more arguably, the best burger anywhere—Winner Winner elevates your favorite comfort food favorites to a new level.

In the same spirit as Mission revolutionized the burger, Winner Winner serves up fried chicken that will make you rethink the average cooked bird. In addition to enjoying the fried chicken sandwich, it was well worth ordering biscuits and mac & cheese to-go for later. 

As much as we all miss the farm-to-table Thames Street Kitchen, Newport was in need of another neighborhood spot like Winner Winner that was more accessible to anyone looking for good food without breaking the bank. I used to live around the corner from TSK—if I still lived in the apartment now, being in close proximity to Winner Winner would throw out any hope of maintaining a reasonable health regimen. 

Winner Winner

677 Thames Street

Newport, RI 02840

Christmas at The Ocean House

A few snapshots of Christmas cheer in Watch Hill

I've always heard that the Ocean House is beautiful year-round—especially in the summer—but it was such a surreal experience enjoying the hotel and beautiful beach views with the family for Christmas. 

My cousin and her family hosted Christmas day in the Narragansett Suite. Only Taylor Swift's house nearby could rival the views from the balcony...

Merry Christmas!

A Gilded Weekend in Newport

I pulled out all of the stops for Salve Regina University's 40th Annual Governor's Ball

Staying in style

Since I have never needed to stay at a hotel in Newport before, I wanted to pick the perfect place.

Earlier this fall, Jess Kirby of Prosecco & Plaid wrote a blog post on her trip to Camden, Maine and she mentioned how she stayed at the Whitehall Inn. I remembered that she had tagged Lark Hotels on one of her Instagram photos from the trip. A few link clicks later, I found out that the hotel group has properties in New England and California, including Gilded in Newport.

A stylish boutique hotel style steps away from Bellevue Avenue fit exactly what I had in mind—it didn't take me long to book my hotel room.

The room I stayed in was located on the first floor by the front desk. I was concerned that I might hear everything and everyone, but it was great—I loved how the smell of freshly baked pastries woke me up in the morning.

Quick Change

I decided to buy different shoes and accessories to go with my dress because I was afraid of being underdressed. I went back to Wish Consignment and bought heels, earrings and a necklace, all of which fortuitously happen to be J. Crew.

Do it up

I ran to Apothecary Newport for a much-needed brow design before making my way to JF3 Salon for my updo. The jewelry I bought at Wish made me second-guess myself about whether I should 1) wear both the necklace and the earrings and 2) style my hair all the way up or half up, half down...

So this is the end result.

Party time

The evening kicked off with a special reception for alumni, parents and friends in McAuley Hall. Everyone enjoyed drinks and hors d'oeuvres sponsored by local restaurants and vendors before Ochre Court opened for the ball.  When we arrived, I didn't realize that alumni were seated on the second floor of Ochre Court overlooking the Great Hall—it was a glamorous perch for sipping champagne and people watching.

I'm slightly surprised that I didn't take any photos throughout the night, but I'm happier to have spent a distraction-free evening chatting with friends and alumni. Governor's Ball is now my new holiday tradition that I hope to share with everyone who wants to spend a wonderful winter weekend in Newport.

Until then...

Find of the Week | 44

I've been treating the fashion and beauty preparation for my alma mater's winter gala like my term papers—elegantly presented, but barely finished in time for the deadline.

I had three specific goals in mind while shopping—I needed to find a white dress, wanted to buy locally in Newport as much as possible and somehow stay within a reasonable budget.

By nothing short of a miracle, I was able to find most of my outfit. 

I found a full-length, champagne J.Crew formal gown at Wish Consignment, gilded gold earrings at Kristina Richards and a gold Haarstick ring at Chateau & Bungalow. This is definitely one of my more glorious shopping moments—not only did I spend less than $100 on the outfit, but it also took less than an hour to shop.

With less than two weeks until Salve Regina University's 40th Annual Governor's Ball, I am officially ready to go!

Pasta Beach Newport

Take a bite of an Italian summer at Pasta Beach, year-round

If you've ever visited Newport during the cold weather months, you know that the cold, ocean wind can sometimes settle so uncomfortably—yet so easily—underneath your skin.

There are a few practical solutions to fend off this bone-chilling cold during daylight hours—either enjoy a slew of hot beverages throughout the day or find something warm and fresh to eat over a long lunch.

If you choose the latter, I'd recommend taking a table with friends at Pasta Beach.

Pasta Beach has three locations—in addition to Memorial Boulevard in Newport, RI and Rowe's Wharf in Boston, MA, the owners have opened a new restaurant in Wayland Square in Providence, RI as of August 2016.

I kept my lunch basic ordering the spaghetti aglio olio e peperoncino, but if I felt more adventurous, it would be more difficult to choose from the menu.

As a former/pseudo-Newport resident, I'm embarrassed to admit that it's only the second time I've eaten there. I have no idea why. It's a warm, light atmosphere with fresh flowers and deliciously simple pasta. The location is in the Bellevue Avenue shopping district and has easy parking at the rear of the building and along Memorial Boulevard.

I'll be looking forward to coming back there during Salve Regina University's Governor's Ball weekend...

Baby, Pull Me Closer

A personal photoshoot inspired by The Chainsmokers' hit, Closer

If you haven't been able to tell from past blog posts, I don't focus on my personal style and outfitting.

Why?

Because I don't have a dream budget to hire a team or a live-in photographer boyfriend with a DSLR to take all sorts of stylish pictures necessary for running a proper style blog.

Most of my blog content relies on a set of core topics, more compelling copy and basic flat-lays or travel pictures, edited so perfectly with my iPhone 6 plus—but it is finally time to embrace the occasional photoshoot for the blog.

Inspired by the pop anthem of 2016, these photos are part-fashion diary, part-love letter and part-portfolio update (in that order).

I had the pleasure of working with Maaike Bernstrom for this shoot in Newport, Rhode Island—we've worked together on projects for Laura Jean and The Newport Blast and I couldn't trust anyone else to help bring this vision to life. After Maaike and I booked the date, I made sure to schedule my hair salon at JF3 Salon for earlier the same day.

So yes. This is it. This is me. Trying to be casual. Yet also trying not to be too casual.

But definitely trying to have nice pictures for my inevitable blog revamp.

Please be kind. I know I'm not a model. I'm barely five feet tall, sell clothing as my day job and write as my passion and side-hustle...

Closer by The Chainsmokers feat. Halsey

Hey

I was doing just fine before I met you

I drink too much and that's an issue
But I'm okay

Hey
You tell your friends it was nice to meet them
But I hope I never see them again

I know it breaks your heart
Moved to the city in a broke-down car

And four years, no calls

Now you're looking pretty in a hotel bar

And I can't stop

No I can't stop

So, baby, pull me closer

In the back seat of your Rover

That I know you can't afford

Bite that tattoo on your shoulder

Pull the sheets right off the corner

Of that mattress that you stole

From your roommate back in Boulder

We ain't ever getting older

We ain't ever getting older

We ain't ever getting older

You look as good as the day I met you

I forget just why I left you,
I was insane

Stay 

And play that Blink-182 song
That we beat to death in Tucson,
Okay

I know it breaks your heart
Moved to the city in a broke-down car

And four years, no call
Now I'm looking pretty in a hotel bar

And I can't stop
No, I can't stop

So, baby, pull me closer

In the back seat of your Rover
That I know you can't afford

Bite that tattoo on your shoulder

Pull the sheets right off the corner

Of that mattress that you stole

From your roommate back in Boulder

We ain't ever getting older

We ain't ever getting older

No, we ain't ever getting older

Photography: Maaike Bernstrom

Hair: JF3 Salon

Location: Newport, Rhode Island

Plaid Shirt Outfit: Top, Jach's Girlfriend (available at Crosswynds Traders); Jeans, FRAME Le High Rise Skinny; Shoes, Frye Sacha Moto Shootie in Cognac

Black Shirt Outfit: Top, Theory; Jeans, AG Jeans Tomboy

Silk Cami Outfit: Top, Free People Intimates; Sweater, Theory Open Cardigan