Lilac Bijoux top / Zara jeans (similar) / J.Crew factory heels (similar) / Candy Shop Vintage Oversize Croissant Necklace / Banana Republic Artisan Cocktail Ring / Prada 54mm Cat Eye Sunglasses / Gucci Soho Shoulder Bag
One of the things I love about Annapolis are the really great local boutiques. Don't get me wrong, I love a good chain store, but there's something so special about locally owned shops. There's a sense of community and it fosters a great connection between the shopper and shop owner. There's an obvious shared sense of style and they carry pieces that you just wouldn't find at a chain store. Granted, you could probably find it online, but wouldn't it be so much nicer to stroll downtown by the water and pop into a locally owned shop to get it? And maybe get some ice cream afterwards? Yup, I definitely would!

I went in to Lilac Bijoux the other day because: 1) the store has fabulous on-trend, affordable pieces (I always leave with something!), and 2) because I just love Fern, the shop owner. Anytime I go in there, it's always a treat for me because I inevitably find something I love. Remember that fun off-shoulder number I wore in Naples? Yup, got it at Lilac Bijoux. Well, when I went in the other day, I of course had to snap up this perfectly balloon-y sleeved top. The fabric is so luxe, the color so versatile, and the sleeves so on-trend. It was, what I always seem to say, a no-brainer.

If I lived in Charleston, South Carolina, I would say the exact same thing because they have some amazing locally owned shops and one in particular I am lucky enough to call one of the shop owners a friend. I'm of course talking about Candy Shop Vintage and Deirdre who is the vintage goddess proprietoress who owns it's fabulously chic doors. Deirdre is one of those women who just innately has style beaming out of her fingertips. She's not only creative (she designs her own line of beautiful jewelry), but she also is a savvy business woman. A total girl boss. We met at The Southern C Summit a few years ago (thank you Caitlin!) and we became instant friends just from our shared love of vintage jewelry. Then we learned that we both have daughters the same age (both have curly hair!), and have the same sensibilities with other aspects of life as well. I'm hoping that I get to Charleston before the year is out so I can actually shop at her brick-and-mortar shop. It looks like my vintage dreams come to life and I highly recommend checking out her site and visiting her store if you can. She's an absolute sweetheart and I am so thankful to call her a friend.

Okay, getting back to today's outfit. I've styled it here with some distressed skinny jeans (because let's be honest, that's all I pretty much live in during the cooler months), and my ridiculously comfy suede heels. I got these heels from a J.Crew factory outlet in Leesburg a few years ago, but I've linked to some very similar options below. Add a stunning necklace (more on this necklace from my friend Deirdre who owns Candy Shop Vintage in the next post!), a chic bag, and some cat-eye sunnies and I'm good to go!











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