Hippie hippie shake

Confession: I've been one lazy girl. For months, I've been meaning to sort through my closet and redecorate my bedroom with some proper "spring" cleaning, but spring is long gone, summer is slipping away, and I've done close to nothing. My excuse? Starting a new full-time job in April. Truth: I just don't feel motivated. What's the point in keeping a tidy room when you only use it for sleep? Right? But I have been meaning to give my wardrobe a thorough evaluation and make room for my summer finds... out with the old, in with the new. As I fill up bags of garments to donate or consign, there are always those items that I'm on the fence about. This maxi skirt is one of them:

Ahhh. My hippie skirt. Supersoft cotton, crocheted detailing, a frou-frou tulle hem?!? This skirt has it all. It's the first thing I ever purchased from Urban Outfitters. It was priced something ridiculous, like in the $100 range, and I couldn't justify a three-digit price tag for such a whimsical piece. I mean, it's fun, but not exactly a long-term investment. Then I watched it drop to $75. Then $49.99. I think that's when I snapped it up, then cringed over the coming weeks as it went to $29.99, then $14.99... and, of course, my size was still in stock. I guess not everyone fell for it as hard as I did!

And five or six years later... we're still together. A summer fling that turned into lasting love, if you will. This skirt has been everywhere with me. It even served as a pretty awesome Halloween costume one year; I was "Halfway Cinderella," and my ballgown was on its way back to tatters. I thought this skirt, with its color, woho-chic style and, of course, tulle, had that very "riches to rags" peasant-princess look I was going for.

So the skirt might not have been the most pragmatic purchase ever, and it certainly doesn't go with everything in my wardrobe, but I just can't let go. In the summer, I live in maxi dresses and skirts. Not that trends matter so much, but I'm happy to see longer lengths come back into fashion. I heard a designer describe this fall's major look as "seventies-chic lady" (or, as Free People dubbed it, "seventies groupie") and I'd like to think that sums up my aesthetic. At least, for today. Or maybe it's just "Stevie Nicks decided to introduce pastels into her wardrobe for once." That could work, too.

And oh, yes, I wore this very outfit to the office (but added a cardigan for modesty and warmth!). Most people in my office wear jeans. I like to shake things up.

Behold, "Seventies Groupie"! I so can't wait to copy this Free People look in the fall:

How do you feel about the maxi-length's return? Was it long-awaited for you, or are you ready for it to just go away?

June is bustin' out all over!

Because it's June! June, June, June... remember the song from Carousel? I'm an old movie/musical theater buff, so I hope you know what I'm talking about! Well, I'm super-stoked here on the Cape because this summer, June is indeed busting out all over (unlike last year, *cough cough*). Last year we didn't have summer until August, and it was over way too fast. So this year I plan to revel in the summery-summerness of it all. I'm talking about beach days, road trips, carnvial rides, cotton candy, iced tea-lemonade... the works!

Summer is especially gorgeous here on the coast (which is why all the tourists flock here, of course). Lazy days at the beach are a given, along with strolls along the waterfront, stopping for a lime rickey refreshment, locally-made ice cream (you can actually "meet" the cows! And trust me, they really are happy cows) or hot, fresh fries (I say "no" to the fried clams and lobster ice cream, but if fish is your thing then be my guest! You would be in the right place). But my favorite summertime fixture is the weekly farmer's market. You'll find simply the best warm weather produce New England has to offer: corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, summer squash, scallions, beets, and my perennial fruit favorite, blueberries! The best part of a coastal farmer's market? Literally shopping for your groceries... on the coast. As in the ocean is your backdrop. It's nice. :)

It often strikes me as odd, how I would up living in a place where most people want to vacation, whereas I always wind up vacationing in the place where most people (myself included!) want to live: Manhattan! So while many of you are gearing up to pack your beach totes, I'm stuffing my duffel bag with my city essentials: maxi dresses, flat sandals, sunglasses... ok, so maybe our travel picks would be similar! Anyway, I plan to spend as many weekends city-bound as possible this summer. Am I nuts for wanting to leave my little oceanside haven behind? Or is there something better awaiting me in the urban jungle? Maybe a few months of pounding the pavement will have me craving the beach bum lifestyle...

So what's cooking at Ip & Audrey this summer? Lots! I have two planned giveaways, from our friends at L.A. Vintage and CSN Stores, so check back in the next week and enter away! I've been adjusting to my new work schedule lately, so that means blog posts will need to be scheduled, too... or else they'll never happen! Expect some new content over the next few weeks, including a redesign courtesy of a very talented artist friend. :) It's my first collaboration on this blog, and I'm excited to see how it turns out and how you like it! I love having Audrey Hepburn as my header picture (as this blog is named for her), but let's face it: the FTC is cracking down on blogging guidelines, and image copyright is a pretty big deal. And besides, I've wanted to create something original for a while now, but I don't have much design experience. I can draw and edit photos, sure, but web design is a whole 'nother story! I'm learning little by little, but I'll leave the techie stuff to the experts. :)

So... how are you spending your summer?