Summer Simple

LACAUSA Shift Dress - $64 at Lady Pickwick's

I love simple. I've always had something of a ramrod frame, so the body-con trend was never going to work out for me. LACAUSA has designed the perfect summer dress- unbelievable soft, beautiful clean lines, and made in the United States. It is the absolute epitome of lazy (yet chic) comfort.

Best Summer Stacks Ever: $39 at Bobbles & Lace

The simplicity of the dress begs a little bit of fun when it comes to other elements, so I picked up some adorable subtly-heeled sandals from one of my favorite shops, Bobbles & Lace, located right on Congress Street in Portsmouth. Everything in there is so cute and well-priced that it can be dangerous to visit. I literally walked out in these shoes! Paired with this dress, they are my favorite purchase of the summer!

Earrings from Ganesh on Market Street!
Best summer accessories!

The light always seems to have such glorious nuance in the summer in Portsmouth. All of that red brick lending its rusty kiss to the golden hour- it is so dreamy. I cannot help but lean out the door of the shop when the light is this way and be thankful, thankful, thankful.

WILL Deerskin Bag: $550 at Pickwick's at the Banke

 I have been excited to showcase this WILL deerskin leather bag from the moment it arrived. We lifted it from the box like some mythic holy grail among purses. I only wish that the pictures could show you how supple and beautiful this bag looks and feels in person. The only way to truly understand its incredible allure is to hold it in your hands. WILL produces only the most beautiful of quality. My own day-to-day bag is WILL and soon, my wallet will be as well. I can't get enough of their addiction to quality, lifetime guarantee, and unique pieces.

One of the fun things about this dress are the low sides. If you're more fearless than I (by which I mean, if your wardrobe actually contains colors), Any shade in this dress (sage, ballet pink, slate, or white) could be spiced up with a funky bandeau. I love the flexibility of a neutral tone pairing. It means I can wear this to shop around downtown or to grab a meal at Martingale on the Wharf.

It's been a summer full of goodness- great shows in the park (did you see Houndmouth? Amazing, I left a little musical Easter egg below) , good food, a plentiful Farmer's Market, storms and sun. Portsmouth is a city of simple pleasures. I like it when my style reflects that.

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Can't come in? 

 Send me an e-mail at thistlejones@gmail.com

and we will make sure your goodies come to your doorstep!

Skirts and Straw First Day of Summer

Breezy in the breeze

Welcome to summer, lovelies! This is the season of sunhats, harbor gazing, and humid, person-packed nights in Prescott Park. In fitting homage to this most enjoyable of times in our lovely port city, we styled the stunning GeGe, who proved a picture in lace-detailed floral and straw.

Umgee Dress: $64 at Pickwick's Mercantile

A loose-fitting dress has a relaxed and youthful air about it. We celebrate those clothing pieces that not only compliment how we look, but how we feel. I don't know how one could feel anything but languid and lovely in this little Umgee number. The playful belled sleeves drift lazy at the elbows and the splashes of color are neutral without being boring. 

Flying away...

Sunhats will never go out of style; of this, I am absolutely convinced. Originally designed for functionality, they have become an enduring symbol of effortless summer style- worn by women with the power to make things grow as well as the power to turn heads.

La Vie Parisienne Bracelet: $75 at Lady Pickwick's
Be You Fashion Hat: $30 at Lady Pickwick's

Locket: $48 at Lady Pickwick's

Everyone knows that the French have corner on the lifestyle market- their discerning noses have shaped the perfume industry for centuries and Chanel chic remains the most immortal of looks. With that in mind, it is no wonder that La Vie Parisienne jewelry bears all of the class and understated elegance that has come to define the look of the arrondissements. One of the things I love about these pieces are the fact that they can be worn by folks of fifteen or fifty with the same enduring sweetness.

Thank you so much to GeGe for a lovely morning in the park and for risking it all by walking on that little fountain rim. And to our readers, may the summer bring blooms and sunshine your way- in the form of shaking out those floral frocks or simply in walking about. The crowd strolling past the store front at 9:45 yesterday evening tell me that Prescott Park has officially kicked off the season. Portsmouth is humming. I don't know about all of you, but I think it's going to be one hot, busy, wonderful summer.

Spot the Pickwick's sign!
This picture is a cross-over from this photoshoot
with a sneakpeek at next week's!

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Can't come in? 

 Send me an e-mail at thistlejones@gmail.com

and we will make sure your goodies come to your doorstep!

The Darling Buds of May

Just in time, it feels like summer. The bricks have begun the simmering oven cycle that will continue until the ides of September and, as evidenced by the swarms of people out and about, I know I am not alone in my relief. It seemed that it was just about time to bust out something chic and fun, to match the spirit of release that comes with long awaited sunshine.

Thursday Island cotton dress - $80 at Lady Pickwick's
Gold heart necklace - $80 at Lady Pickwick's
Beaten gold heart bracelet - $75 at Lady Pickwick's

I am besotted with this cute baby doll style dress from Thursday Island. It is 100% cotton, top and lining, so it feels beautiful against the skin and looks beautiful where it hits the open air. Cotton is the go-to for the humid summer months in a port city. It is most beloved among materials for a reason.

Hailing fictional cabs

I'm 6'4" in these heels.
Just sayin'.

I am loving this socks and heels trend- it's adorable and a little ironic. Use a patterned sock to separate yourself from the lace and frills twee movement. I love these new Davco socks. They are unbelievably soft and the patterns vary from classic to edgy. Not to mention, they're $6. That blows my mind.

Bumper Kitty-Cat Wedge Heels
$30 at Lady Pickwick's (I kid you not)

Annabel Ingall Cross-body in Saddle

$265 at Lady Pickwick's

The Pickwick's love affair with Annabel Ingall pieces continues. These crossbody bags are perfect for weightless strolling. This piece has three isolated compartments that you can attach or detach by snapping them on and off. Supple leather clutch or supple leather bag- your choice! I am a New England girl by birth and nature, so it's hard for me to let go of good neutrals. The honeyed tones in the saddle toned bag keep me from getting too beige and navy.

Lady Pickwick's is officially open, as you can see, and we have the sign to prove it! It's even more darling inside than this outfit and you have to come by. I look forward to seeing your sunburnt faces in person. Enjoy your long weekend! And an enormous, everlasting thank you to those who have sacrificed (and continue to sacrifice) so that our Memorial Day (and everyday) can be so free of worry and care.

Vin-tea-ge

Hair ribbons never go out of style

You may have noticed that I am in love with anything that has a little bit of the old-timey clinging to it. The vintage movement is an exciting thing because it reveals universal trends, things that stand up to the test of time. Some things stick culturally because whatever it is that makes them special has an appeal that transcends trend. Some things come back around because they were never really gone. So now that you know that's how I feel, imagine how excited I was when my dress came in from Bitter Root Vintage and it was absolutely perfect! Bitter Root was wonderful- the dress was exactly as I hoped it would be and came in record time. Once it arrived with its sweet little note from the proprietress, I began scheming over what I could pair it with from the store.

Mustard English Kit-bag - $95 at Pickwick's Mercantile
Hunter scene scarf - $24 at Pickwick's Mercantile
English Wool Cardigan - $60 at Edgehill's Common Threads!
and, of course,
Box Hem Dress - $28 at Bitter Root Vintage

Lucky Feather rabbit necklace - $13 (!!) at Pickwick's Mercantile

 One of the things that I really love about autumn is dressing in all of the gorgeous, rich tones that the season inspires. When you live in New England, it's not uncommon to wish you were as brilliant as the fall foliage. Merlots and mustards, deep grays and dusky blues are all such wonderful choices that I couldn't choose, so I tossed them all in. I was surprised at how beautifully the mustard and cranberry shade went together. I will definitely be repeating the pairing in the future.

Lucky Feather Bracelet - $6 + $5 charm at Pickwick's Mercantile

Forever in brogues

I am in love with this box hem and this bag.

I recently purchased the Downton Abbey Cookbook (recipe review coming this week!) for my mother's birthday and will confess, that it was a little bit for myself as well. I made the Apple Charlotte recipe and it was an absolute treat, perfect with a cup of tea. As for tea, my cousin Chelsea enjoyed the Chocolate Mint tea from Harvest Thyme so much that she sent me in with some pocket change to buy her own packet!

English leather kit-bag - $95 at Pickwick's Mercantile
Emma Bridgewater mugs - $36 at Pickwick's Mercantile
Apple Charlotte - free at Thistle's kitchen!

The whole family agrees-  it's a keeper!

Hunter Scene scarf (LOVE!) - $24 at Pickwick's Mercantile
Emma Bridgewater Love mug - $36
Emma Bridgewater "A Useful Mug" - $28
Lucky Feather Bracelet and Charm - $11/set
Lucky Feather rabbit necklace - $13
Vintage Tea Party Year - $ ___
Chocolate Mint tea - $2.50 (includes 6 bags, made in Dublin, NH!)

I am very lucky to live in such a beautiful state. The best accessory you can ever hope to have are your surroundings and the people you love. It was a beautiful morning full of sweet, little things and I was so glad to have it. Which reminds me- are you keeping up with our ThxThxThx project on instagram?

Thank you, Chris of Chris D'Amore Photography!
(and congratulations on 3,000 tumblr notes!)

I recommend that you check out Bitter Root Vintage to stock up on new clothing pieces for the season and then swing by Pickwick's and accessorize! What am I recommending at Bitter Root? Well, it changes all of the time, but for now, I'm in love with:

Tumble and Twirl Dress

Tiny Steps Dress

Charm School Dress

Happy styling!

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Love something in the post, but can't come in and pick it up? That's okay! Contact me at thistlejones@gmail.com and we'll make sure your treasure makes it to your doorstep!