Well, maybe not…
I had this fabulous idea. I was going to have Nigel capture moments of Marsha in the Wild! But, Nigel had other plans. He decided the chair outside Nordstrom looked much more comfortable than following me around the mall. So, I only have a few photos of me in the wild. Note the shoes were changed as I like my feet to be comfortable when shopping. As this wasn’t going to be a marathon shopping trip, these sandals from Rieker fit the bill. Mine are probably four years old and still going strong. Here is a link to the same sandals just a different color. https://www.zappos.com/p/rieker-608b9-regina-b9-jeans/product/7912030/color/2494 I changed into wedges by Clarks when we got home.
My shopping trip
Hey! There’s something new! I don’t think I’ve ever had a purse on the blog before. I have a large collection of Brahmin handbags. I keep them stored in an armoire in the front room. I didn’t mean to do that. When we moved here, I had packed the bags in the armoire. Nigel thought I should just keep them there. So, I did! This bag is from a couple of years ago. These little bags were one of Nigel’s go-to gifts for a few years. I have this bag in a few different colors, but this one is my favorite. When I say little, I mean little. I can just fit my wallet, my phone and a few little bits and bobs in it. I don’t usually use the shoulder strap because it doesn’t seem as balanced as a real shoulder strap would be. (I took my mask off only for as long as these photos took.)
I had purchased some bras during Soma’s bra event a couple of weeks ago. Holy moly! I thought I had big bosoms before! I bought the balconette bras; the girls were up there and jiggling! Not a look I particularly like. I returned those but didn’t even look around the store for replacements. Anyone else overwhelmed by the number and styles of bras available these days? I almost yearn for the days of the Playtex 18 hour bra in a box! Of course, no trip to the Fashion Mall (I think that name is so meh for an upscale-ish mall) would be complete if I didn’t drop into J Jill. I did a quick meander around the store and tried a few things. I did purchase one item, but you’ll have to wait to see what it was!
And, back home
It’s amazing how lighting can change the look of a dress. Today (Monday) was overcast and raining off and on. With that diffused lighting, the colors of this dress really pop. My daughter actually bought this dress first. When I tried it on, it was love at second sight! She had found a Lilly Pulitzer Signature store, woman owned and run, in Michigan. I placed an order and received the dress in a few days! The store is Postcards from Paradise in Holland, Michigan. You can follow her on Instagram @postcardsfromparadise. I try to order from this cute young woman whenever possible.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the design team at Lilly Pulitzer would put together designs in fall colors? Can you imagine how glorious those prints would be? They always have such fun names for their prints. I realize Lilly Pulitzer is a bit of a niche market, but I still think fall colors would be lots of fun!
Just a little bit of movement in the skirt…it’s a little swooshy if I try! 
My caladium are looking sad. I’ve got to plant them somewhere else next year. 
This is a tea cup elephant ear. It gathers the rain which then drips off when it gets full. 
Those pillows really don’t go with the fall vibe, do they? 
The calendar says it’s fall.
I know it’s October (believe me, I know, it’s my birthday month), but I wanted to wear something a little more colorful today. It has been a little drizzly and grey here the last few days. This dress will go a lot further into the fall. If I add navy tights and boots, I think I can pull it off! But, who am I kidding? I have lots of fall type clothes to wear! Fall is my favorite time of year for dressing. I love the saturated colors and the textures of fall clothing. I also like that hygge feeling you get when it’s a little cooler outside and you’re snuggled up inside.
When I told Nigel I wanted him to take pictures today, he wistfully asked, “Are we going to be doing fall clothes?” That shocked me as he’s a tee shirt and jeans kinda guy. I’m not 100% sure he even notices the changes I make for the seasons! He has gotten much more observant since we’ve both retired. That doesn’t always work in my favor, though!
The Lewk
I don’t consider myself Lilly Pulitzer’s target audience. But, that doesn’t mean I don’t buy Lilly clothing. I usually shop the sales (which are ridiculous), but sometimes, I do spring for the full retail price. I only do that when I know it’s an item I’ll wear over and over. This dress, for example, is on probably its fifteenth outing. Cost per wear is important to consider, but so is the feeling a dress creates in you! The pieces of my jewelry are all gifts from Nigel. I think I was probably influenced by the YouTube video I had just been watching. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNvk0AfnFvU I pulled out this David Yurman enhancer as well as the matching bracelet. These are old anniversary and Christmas gifts. The cuff and earrings are fairly new gifts. Nigel is a very generous gift giver. He usually asks for suggestions so I give him lots and lots at varying price points.
LAGOS EARRINGS: https://www.vonmaur.com/Product.aspx?ID=131347&pos=7&pg=1
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I have to admit it still feels a bit weird to go to the mall. For most of 2020, I didn’t step foot in an actual store. I remember going to the Fashion Mall (aka Keystone) the first time after our vaccinations. It was surreal. A lot of stores were still closed. Of the ones open, the shelves were woefully empty. Nordstrom actually looked like it was in the process of selling out and closing up. I know many retailers suffered and continue to suffer. What does shopping look like for you today? Did you embrace online shopping as so many did (I was already a hardcore online shopper)? What do store shelves look like in your world? As always, I’m so glad to read and reply to comments. Please feel free to tell me what you think of today’s look. Or, tell me about those special gifts you receive from your SO. If you’d like to subscribe to my blog, I would love that, too! One last note…when I post links, please know these are not affiliate links. I do not receive any commissions for them. They are just for your convenience (or, if you’re like me, you want to check out the prices!).
Oh that would be interesting to see Lily Pulitzer in fall colors. To be honest, I did not know they had anything but sleeveless and short sleeves, obviously I don’t know much. Love your accessories.
Alison, I wouldn’t have known about this dress if my daughter hadn’t bought it. She is a bad influence! I would so love to see Lilly in fall colors. I wonder if they’ve ever done it. I’m guessing not.
Thanks for coming by!
Good Morning – Great post as always. Question in regards to the pretty Lily dress…may I ask how tall you are? I am between 5’5- 5’6. When I look at the length of Lily dresses they all seem to fall a tad above my knee which is not the look I want anymore. This pretty one you are wearing looks longer ?
Totally agree with you on fall shopping. Last time I was at Keystone…Nordstroms was SO low in terms of inventory….even the clothing they put on the mannequins looked sad and depressing …I think those are to inspire shoppers…they def. did not! Your description of the store looking like they were closing is right on. Its never been a big store but now….not really worth the time unless you are looking for basic cosmetics. Crate and Barrel seemed “normal” as did Anthropologie but most other stores (my trip to this mall was in early August) were not normal in terms of inventory;. I don’t really go to our local mall as its all teenage stores and Macys which I choose not to shop in. I plan to go to one of the Chicago malls in mid Oct. Feeling a bit concerned about the availability of items for holiday shopping so will prob buy much earlier than usual thi year.
Hi, Nancy! I am only 5’1″. It’s strange you don’t find any Lilly signature stores in Indiana so you could try one for size. You could always order from Nordstrom with free shipping (I think their returns are also free). It sounds like you might live close to Fort Wayne? I lived about 20 miles west of Fort Wayne for almost my entire life. I think malls, in general, are becoming more and more teen and specialty stores. I know the ones around Indianapolis are. I hadn’t thought about Anthropologie…it still seems stocked quite well. Nordstrom is recovering, but I wonder if this is just going to be the new normal. I love to shop in Chicago…window shop that is! I don’t know why, but I rarely buy anything there!
I am worried about shopping for Christmas this year. Many stores have shortened their return windows so I hate to buy something now and have it not work out. And, none of my bunch really likes gift cards!
Thanks, Nancy, for coming by!
I picked up 3 bras at Soma last year but don’t really love them. Even though I got fitted I feel like I come out of them when I tighten the strap but if i loosen the straps then the straps don’t stay up. I picked up 2 bras on Amazon that are not underwire and I have been loving those (only 11 bucks!). This is a beautiful print. I am not much into Lily Pulitzer but they do have some gorgeous prints. We don’t have a mall close by so I typically shop at Target, TjMaxx and such.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
I was going to try to make them work, but they were just so uncomfortable. The straps seemed so wide…not in the straps themselves, but in where they were on my body…like almost at the edge of my shoulders. And, they looked like old lady bras, too! I will stick with what I have right now…just bought earlier this year. I fell prey to the whole FOMO thing! But, it was an easy return. TjMaxx overwhelms me…isn’t that dumb! I love Target, but ours is always so picked over that I rarely find anything. Old Navy is a favorite of mine, too.
Thanks for coming by, Mireille!
I feel the same way about Soma bras. Yet so many women seem to love them. I guess it goes to show that everyone is so different.
OXOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Yep I thought I was missing out. But, everyone’s bodies (and boobs) are different!
I love seeing more color in these months, Marsha. I feel like I’m a rebel by wearing color all year long.
And I feel so sorry for the malls and brick and mortar stores. It’s been so hard on them, and so many are having a hard time surviving.
OXOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I wear color most of the year, but I do find myself gravitating toward…grey!!!! Can you believe it, Jodie? I have to stop myself from buying more grey sweaters, but something about the color in the winter really appeals to me! I almost always wear a colorful scarf, though!
I do hope the brick and mortar stores survive, but closed malls (as opposed to open air malls) have been on the downturn around here for years. I think part of it is the open air malls pull the “better” stores. It also doesn’t help the malls when the anchor stores close down. The mall where I used to shop so much (years ago) had an LS Ayres and a Hudsons. Hudsons became Marshall Fields. Both LS Ayres and Marshall Fields were bought by Macy’s. So, the Marshall Fields store closed. That particular mall has really struggled with filling that particular space. It is a shame because I’d rather shop in a closed mall than an open air mall most days.
Thanks, Jodie, for coming by!
Love the print and colors of this dress! It is a little weird shopping again. I really hope stores start making a comeback!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
I hope the stores and restaurants are able to bounce back. It’s been such a surreal time, hasn’t it? I hope we turn the corner on this soon.
As soon as my daughter came over to my house wearing that dress, I knew I wanted it! I made her take it off so I could try hers on! It’s such a fun and happy print!
Thanks, Kathrine, for coming by!
I adore this dress, Marsha! The colors really do pop. And you look fabulous in it. As for shopping, I prefer shopping online. I have never been a fan of the crowds encountered in malls, pre-pandemic. Introvert here!
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Thanks, Michelle! You can see why I had to get it, right? And, it has sleeves! I’ve always enjoyed malls, but I guess I’m thinking of the way malls used to be…anchor stores with nice stores in between. The malls around me now have one, maybe two anchor stores and are filled with little niche stores…niches I don’t fit! I sure do get the introvert thing as I’m introverted, too. But, I used to really enjoy the trying on and finding little surprises in stores. I’m talking Macy’s type stores (in the mall I shopped for decades, it was LS Ayres which was a family-owned business bought out by the May company bought out by Macy’s). Now, sizing is so erratic, I only shop online if the shipping is free and there’s a b/m store where I can return.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
I so seldom go to the mall – it doesn’t feel right! Love your pretty dress and drooling over your accessories. I swear by Wacoal’s bras – their “retro” one contains my boobs nicely (they are liquid-y and I can’t wear those balconette styles either!) – they are pricey but last forever.
Yep, Wacoal big bosom bras are our friends! It’s funny how I’m not part of the Lilly Pulitzer niche clientele, but every once in a while something comes along that speaks my name! And, aren’t those blue topaz pieces gorgeous? Nigel started buying me David Yurman at VonMaur (rather regional type of upscale-ish department store), but they stopped carrying Yurman for one reason or another. He switched to Lagos and John Hardy. We have made friends with the lady at the counter!! I love that enhancer…I yearned for it for so long. He surprised me with it for some milestone anniversary (don’t tell anyone…I’m old…I’ve been married for 45 years…eeek!). I don’t think my kids realize just how valuable my jewelry is because they know how much I bought off of eBay!!