Bright Nails!

     Nails never used to be a big part of any WASP's life.  Clean, short enough to practice one's violin, and fuss-free was the norm in Lisa Birnbach's bible.  Ever since the recession, though, prepsters have found joy in a new way to wear bright colors: Nail polish!

   

     However, I say this with a stern warning:  One must keep up her nail polish.  No chips, please.  No, your nails should not resemble talons.  No biting.  Bright, pretty nail polish looks best on short, clean nails.  Not to toot my own horn, but I have a very steady hand and like doing my own nails.

     Here's the fun part:  Colors.  Oh boy.  I like bright, bright, bright colors.  I'll use basically any high-quality brand out there, but I have an extreme love for Essie.  Read: obsessed.  Like, it's really bad.  Essie's polishes go on so smoothly and somehow leaven out to look perfect and, oh man, I could go on forever.  Not to mention, she has the best colors ever.  Here are my favorites:

1. Mob Square:  Bright true pink.  Definitely brighter than what it looks like here!  Great on toes!

2. Clambake:  Hands-down my favorite.  It's a very punchy orangey-red and I love it and it's perfect and that's it.

3. Tarte Deco:  Let's establish a well-known fact about me.  I love coral colors.  Lovelovelovelove.  This is a pretty light peachy coral that looks cute on light skin and with glitter.  Hehe.

4. Mint Candy Apple:  I don't actually own this one, but I really wish I did!  It's so pretty and is what Cupcakes and Cashmere used for her gorgeous Mermaid Nails.

Also, I have another favorite color that was a limited edition specially-made-for-J. Crew gem.  It's called Peep Show.  This picture is pretty accurate color-wise, but on nail's it's a little less corally and more bright!

     It goes without saying that I really love nail polish.  I'll leave glitter, accent nails, and the realms of crackle coats for a different post, but know this:  Nail polish is a fabulous cheap thrill that anyone can take part in.  Yay!

Love,

Ellie

P.S. French manicures are tacky

Lilly Pulitzer

I'm sure we all know the story of how Lilly Pulitzer came to be: it all started with a juice stand.   I've been obsessed with everything Lilly Pulitzer for as long as I can remember.  The company truly is a classic.  It perfectly reflects the Palm Beach lifestyle and is irresistibly fun!  In my closet, I have quite the Lilly collection: shorts, bags, shoes, and, of course, dresses.  The other accessories are definitely fun and absolutely darling, but you simply cannot beat a classic Lilly dress.  Here are my favorite dresses for this summer:

1.  Ricci Shift. A lovely updated version of Lilly Pulitzer's classic shift dress!

2. Franco Dress. I love strapless dresses... and this one is awesome with the cute little tied bow in the back!

3. Whinnie Dress.  Perfect for a Spring formal, I'd say ;)

No matter what, Lilly Pulitzer's bright, punchy prints will be a classic.  You simply cannot go wrong with a Lilly dress!

Love,

Ellie

Bean Boots

L.L. Bean's classic boots, or Bean boots, as they're lovingly called by everyone who's anyone, are wonderful.  They're the essential boot for, well, anything.  Haulin' firewood?  Yep.  Rainy day?  Uh huh.  Shovelin' snow?  You bet.  College party?  Why not.  I basically live in them and often have to remind myself that I own other (very nice) shoes.

Leon Leonwood Bean (L.L. Bean!) created the shoes when he went hunting one day and was like, "Man, my feet are wet."  So the boots are not only waterproof, but awesome.

As you can see, my family has quite the collection of Bean boots.  Mine are second from the left.  I have a pair just like the ones on the far left, but I left them at school.  Wahh.  Please notice my rug.  It's nice.  And oriental.  

You may have noticed something different about the first picture.  Yep, go look for it now.  As you can see above, my mom's shoes (on the left) are awesome and vintage.  They say "Maine Hunting Shoe" instead of "Bean Boots."  Totally jeal.  That doesn't mean I don't wear mine with pride though!

So, everyone, if you haven't already done so, go get yourself a pair of Bean boots.  You won't be sorry.  Just, please, don't get the nasty knockoffs by Sporto or Sperry.  There.  You're all set.  Wait, also, I wouldn't get them insulated or lined with any Goretex/Thinsulate/whatever else they can jam in your boots.  They're warm the way they already are and make a good excuse to wear awesome socks.  

Happy New Year!

Love,

Ellie

Hello!

This is my very first blog post ever!  I hope to make Our Kind, Dear a cute little blog about all things classy, fun, and preppy.  I know some bloggers do stuff like outfits of the day, selling things, making videos, and other nifty things.  Maybe I'll do some of those, and maybe I won't.  We'll see what happens!

See?  Preppy.  Old money.  Sailing.  Oriental rugs.  Mmm.

First, a little about myself.  My name is Ellie.  I'm a freshman in college who is currently home for Christmas break.  Amid the waves of Christmas cookies spewing out of my oven, lovely fires in my fireplace, and wishing for snow, this blog was birthed.  I have a couple of cats.  I really like tea, fine cheeses, shoes, nail polish, Ray-Bans, watercolor painting, and Lilly Pulitzer.  I have played the violin for 9 years and love theater.  I also think sparkles and plaid are snazzy. 

So, stick around for awhile and I'll write to you about things that are slightly better than other things.

Love, 

Ellie