Fashion: My L.L.Bean Outfit Plans

I’m thrilled to be working with L.L.Bean again this month. After my I’m-such-a-happy-customer, and my-wellies-are-working-out-great experience with L.L.Bean a couple of months ago, we have decided to work together again.

Now, let me be honest with you. L.L.Bean has been a go-to spot for luggage (I own this,  love it, and have traveled with it a lot) and luggage accessories (packers like these have come in very handy over many years), but I haven’t spent too much time looking beyond their luggage section. I was under the impression that the merchandise was too outdoorsy or rugged or preppy for me, if that makes any sense. I don’t canoe. I don’t snowshoe. I don’t live in Maine. You know what I mean?

But, when I was preparing my wellie review posts (here and here), I dove deeper into the website, and I realized that L.L.Bean does have quite a bit to offer a young*, hip**, fashion-conscious, non-canoeing gal such as myself. As I did more research (I’m all about doing a lot of research), I learned, from random face-to-face discussions to online Twitter conversations to fellow bloggers’ posts, that L.L.Bean has quite the following, and people really do seem to value the brand and the quality of its products. As such, I was happy to hit the drawing board to put together some more L.L.Bean outfits that would suit my lifestyle.

Outfit 1: Weekend Errands

This first black and white look is comfortable for running errands and polished enough to join a friend for lunch. The tailored jogger pants (if there is such a thing) are still on trend, and the watch and customizable tote are classic L.L.Bean.

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jacket, boots, watch, pants, top, cardigan, tote

Outfit 2: Activity Time

I love every piece that I used in this black and white outfit. This will take you to and from the gym with maybe a pop-in to the grocery store in between. The puffy coat is not too puffy, and I’ve been a long-time fan of Superga sneakers, so it’s nice to see them offered at L.L.Bean. The sweatshirt is perfect for long winter walks.LLbean-White-Cabana-style-3

sweatshirt, backpack, coat, gloves, sunglasses, travel mug, pants, sneakers

Outfit 3: Casual Luxury Friday

While casual luxury may be seen as a contradiction, it perfectly describes this third black and white outfit. While at first glance, this look is casual because of the jeans, it is also luxurious. The sweater is cashmere, the gloves are leather, and the booties are from Corso Como. The outfit could easily take you (or take me!) from the office to dinner on a casual Friday.

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coat, sweater, jeans, gloves, belt, clutch, boots

What do you think of the outfits? Are you surprised these pieces are from L.L.Bean, or is this what you have come to expect from the brand?

Finally, to end this post on a super (super, super, super) sweet note, let’s have a look at my sweet (sweet, sweet, sweet) nephew up on the massive Bean boot at the L.L.Bean headquarters in Maine a few years ago.

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While I haven’t been to the L.L.Bean HQ in Freeport, Maine, my sister and her family have. My nephews have seen the giant boot before me! While they don’t quite fit the rugged outdoorsy mold (we are part of the same family, remember?), they’re definitely an L.L.Bean family, and they’re the people who got me hooked on the luggage in the first place many years ago! Also, they own a canoe. Go figure.

* Of course I’m young! I’d rather not think any other way.
**
Of course I’m hip, too. I’m not sure my university students would agree with me though.

The Friday Five: Hearts, Hearts, Hearts

I can’t help it. I need to showcase more hearts. I thought I had corralled enough hearts for this Valentine’s Day gift guide, but I hadn’t. I have five more heart-filled items to share with you to end this week.

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love struck round floor bin, $19.97 (on sale), Land of Nod

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black sequin heart pillow cover, $19.97 (on sale), Land of Nod

i-love-you-heart-dishes

I Love You heart dishes, $19.95, Crate & Barrel

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For Heart’s Sake stationery, Minted

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heart tote bag, $22, Sweet Escape Creative

Have a lovely weekend, dear readers!

Marketplace: In the Kitchen with Kate Spade

In the fall, I brought you news from High Point Market of Kate Spade’s new line of furniture and home accessories. While I don’t particularly love the furniture as much as a lot of other people do, there are a select few items that I do really like (e.g., pom pom throw, Afton coffee table, many rugs), but, overall, it’s too much “bow” for me to commit to.

Its kitchen collection, however, is right up my black and white alley. In keeping with true Kate Spade style, it’s peppy and pretty and polka dotted! Oh, and of course there are plenty of bows thrown into the mix, too. Obviously. This is Kate Spade after all!

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deco dot tea kettle, $50

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3 piece ice cream set, $40

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cookie cutter and storage tin set, $25

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bow trivet, $15

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Eat Cake for Breakfast cake plate, $35

 

 

 

 

Uptown: Working with Pink in my Basement

I didn’t intend to inject my basement with shades of pink, but some things were just meant to be. I couldn’t fight it. I didn’t want to fight it.

After I wrote about Minted’s collection of large-scale art, I was just about certain I was going to get a black and white piece for over my day bed. Instead, I was mesmerized by this piece, and I couldn’t say no. Minted generously sent over the gorgeous abstract art, and it hung vertically above my day bed for many months as I made progress on my fireplace redo.

*** Warning: Pink is about to make a brief appearance on White Cabana. ***

Holly-Katie-Craig-MintedHolly by Katie Craig

Once my fireplace makeover was complete, I turned my attention back to the daybed area of my space. I opted to rehang Katie Craig’s print horizontally, and I think it works much better in my space.

White-Cabana-Katie-Craig-Minted-artI adore the large-scale version of Katie Craig’s print. It’s bright and dramatic and bring a whole lot of interest to my space. As you can see, the room is still very much dominated by black and white even though there’s colourful art on the main wall. The addition of  fuchsia brings me joy, so I think I’ll keep it.

Here’s what (most) of the room looks like now:

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I painted the Fjellse bed frame (made from two twins that came with my house) high gloss blackWhite-Cabana-home-1

(I’m still on the lookout for two side tables of the same height)

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(featuring my most recent Alessi addition – Karim Rashid’s Hellraiser tray for Alessi)

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see how I transformed my old 80s fireplace into this beauty

I have recently published this makeover on Domino. If you click here, you’ll see a couple of before photos.

Many thanks to Minted for sponsoring this post.

Sources: art – c/o Minted; day bed (two Fjellse singles joined and painted high gloss black) – Ikea; wall paint – c/o CIL; white tray – Style at Home; black side cart – Market Road Antiques in St. Jacobs; chevron pillow cases – Target; bicycle pillow case – Urban Barn; coffee and side tables – Kijiji; shag rug, lamps – vintage; silver tray – Alessi; fireplace mantle – vintage; bamboo ladder painted high gloss black – garage sale; ceiling light – Ikea; art on fireplace – Janet Hill Studio, Chapters Indigo (tea towel); hex fireplace tiles – Twin City Tile