Day 304 -- Take Me Out to the Ball Game

When: Sunday, June 30th, 2013

Where: Fenway Park!

When we arrived back in Boston at Alex's parents house, his mom, Jamie, had a whole outfit picked out for me for the game. She handed me this hat and dress and said, "I figured you wouldn't want to wear a baseball hat." So sweet! Since we decided to go to a baseball game once we got to Boston at the beginning of the week, I hadn't packed a baseball game outfit. Jamie to the rescue! This outfit was perfect, so comfortable, and perfectly my style. I'm definitely going to like being in this family! Thanks, Jamie!!

Hat and Dress: Gap | Belt: Industry of All Nations | Shoes: Aldo | Necklace: Maya Brenner

Day 303 -- Farewell, Maine

When: Saturday, June 28th, 2013

Where: Portland, road back to Boston

For our last morning in Maine, I decided to wear the most nautical stripes possible. I also knew I wanted to wear something ultra soft for the drive back down to Boston. 

Our vacation in Maine was incredible, and I'm so thankful for the time I had with my family. We always have tons of laughs when we get together, and I can't wait to see them all again soon! Thanks for a wonderful week, family!

Dress: Gap | Sweater: BDG via Urban Outfitters | Shoes: Topshop

Day 302 -- Dog Days Are Over

When: Friday, June 28th, 2013

Where: Rockland

On our last full day in Maine, the whole family went into Thomaston to shop at the Prison Shop. It was the coolest place ever! It was full of wood furniture, toys, kitchen equipment, and other amazing handmade items that are crafted in the local prison woodshop. My mom was nice enough to treat me to a trivet. Thanks, Mom!

We also stopped in a couple antique stores. My reworked vintage blouse fit in perfectly! When I bought this shirt years ago, I really loved the doggie print, but I never wore it because the fit was so terrible and outdated. I decided to update it by removing the sleeves, fitting the bodice and creating a peplum out of the excess fabric. I felt terrible ripping this piece apart, because it was beautifully handmade. I hope I did it justice in the end!

Blouse: Vintage, reworked | Jeans: BDG via Urban Outfitters

Shoes: Restricted via TJ Maxx | Sweater: Pas Un Ange

Day 301 -- Salty Sea Dog

When: Thursday, June 27th, 2013

Where: Little Rental House

The chilly weather forced me into a pair of pants... Luckily I brought cute ones! We stayed inside most of the day. Dear friends, Chuck and Evelyn came in from Boston and I prepared a huge breakfast with Alex. 

After we ate, we combed the beach for treasures, made up silly games on the couch, worked on puzzles, and laughed a lot. 

We went into down to pick up a second round of lobsters at Jess's Market, and they even had a blue lobster! It was so cool. But, not for sale. By the time we got back, it was time to start cooking again. We brought in sea water to boil to lobster in and the result was incredible! Yummy, salty, buttery lobster meat always hits the spot!

I didn't pack very many warm outfits because I was secretly willing the sun to come out by way of my suitcase, but this sweater jeans combo worked just fine. This outfit definitely leans on the preppy side for me, but it kind of brought the New Englander out in me. And I didn't mind.

Jeans: Rich and Skinny via TJ Maxx | Blouse: Forever 21 | Sweater: Gap

Shoes: Keds | Necklace: Alexis Bittar

Day 300 -- Set Sail

When: Wednesday, June 26th, 2013

Where: Vinalhaven

What an amazing day! We took the ferry out to Vinalhaven, a small about an hour off the coast. This tiny island had the smallest of small town feels, with tons of charm, history, and incredible views. In true Benitz form, as soon as we got off the ferry, we headed straight for lunch. Of course, I had more seafood!

We wandered around the island, up and down main street, and up a hill to the history museum. As we were coming back down the other side of the hill, we came upon this pile of lobster pots. To me, this is the most iconic thing about Maine we kept coming across. I love their bright colors and graphic nature, but it's amazing to think that these we're stacked up here for looks! Fishermen actually use these very pots to make their living. It was fun for me to see something on the side of the road that, if it we're in LA, would have a massive price tag on it, and people would use to decorate their lofts with.

In honor of our ferry trip, I wore my most nautical outfit. We think of stripes as sea-worthy thanks to 17th century France. Mid-century stripes were introduced to the naval uniform for all the sailors in Brittany. The fashion stuck when local workers adopted discarded uniforms due to their ease of wear.

I paired my stripey dress with a yellow sweater with a rope print, and an actual rope belt. Don't I look like I'm ready to set sail?

 Dress: Trollied Dollies | Sweater: Forever 21 | Shoes: Keds | Belt: Self Made | Earrings: Alexis Bittar

Day 299 -- Lobster Lover

When: Tuesday, June 25th, 2013

Where: Camden, Moose Point

What could be more Maine than a lobster shirt? This men's shirt popped up on my instagram feed about a week ago, and I knew I had to have it for my trip. There was only one small problem. Luckily, I have an extremely generous fiance who treated me to a mini shopping spree. It was such a thrill to go shopping that when I was trying pieces on, I burst out of the dressing room door dancing and lip syncing to the muzak. It cracked Alex up!

Originally, I picked out a pair of gingham shorts at Old Navy to go with this shirt, but after seeing this outfit, I knew that shorts were out of the picture. I didn't have a full, swingy skirt in my wardrobe that would work, so I whipped up this little baby with what I already had in my closet. BAM! New outfit!

I so enjoyed wearing my new duds even though my outfit was wildly inappropriate for a hike along the beach. My sisters definitely had more appropriate attire!

Shirt: Old Navy | Skirt: Self Made | Shoes: Restricted via TJ Maxx | Necklace: Second Time Around

Day 298 -- Americana

When: Monday, June 24th, 2013

Where: Our Little House in Cushing

Even though we stayed home all day, it wasn't a relaxing one. My parents friends come to visit and brought along two of their granddaughters. It was amazing how a 5- and an 8-year-old can wear out 12 adults! 

I spent most of the afternoon in a bathing suit romping around in the water and making piles of seaweed with the girls, but when I came time to cook, I slipped on this easy romper and flats. This house reflects Americana so perfectly in my mind, that I can't help but want to wear patriotic colors and wear my hair in vintage waves.

Romper: Forever 21 | Tank: Urban Outfitters | Shoes: Topshop | Earrings and Necklace: Alexis Bittar

Day 297 -- To The Lighthouse

When: Sunday, June 23rd, 2013

Where: Port Clyde, etc.

On our first full day in Maine, we did everything quintessentially Maine. We drove out to Port Clyde and had a seafood lunch on the pier overlooking the harbor. It was fun to see the boats that had caught our food while we were eating it! We strolled down to the lighthouse and pulled tiny crabs out of the tide pools and collected sea glass.

We also picked up a few -- okay, sixteen -- lobsters for dinner. The whole point of this trip is to celebrate my parents' 40th wedding anniversary, so what better way to do that than with lobsters, cake and gifts!

Since it was slightly overcast and looked like rain, I opted against the shorts I had planned to wear with this dog shirt, in favor of these jeans. I planned every outfit before I left, but threw in these jeans for "safety" and it's a good thing I did!

Shirt: Anthropologie | Jeans: Rich and Skinny via Marshall's | Belt: Gap

Shoes: Restricted via TJ Maxx | Earrings: Alexis Bittar

Necklace: Gift from Mom | Watch: MARC by Marc Jacobs

Day 296 -- Midcoast Maine

When: Saturday, June 22nd, 2013

Where: Rockland, Maine

After landing in Boston late last night, we crashed so we could get up bright and early. We hing out with Alex's parents in the morning before my sister, Maija, and her boyfriend, Gordie came to pick us up and drive up the coast. Four hours of early 90s pop hits later, we arrived in Cushing, ME!

With the whole family finally together, we unpacked our bags and drove into the nearest down. There was a summer solstice celebration on Maine Street in Rockland to welcome us to Maine! We enjoyed lobster rolls, a good view, and took in the sea air. I couldn't stop thinking about how good it smelled! It was so nice to be away from the LA smog! 

Dress: Target | Sweater: Forever 21 | Shoes: Keds | Bag: Coach | Watch: MARC by Marc Jacobs

Day 295 -- And We're Off!

When: Friday, June 21st, 2012

Where: LAX --> BOS

And we're off! I may look like a sleepy mess, but believe me, I'm excited to go on vacation! I busted my butt over the last few months to earn this time off and I'm going to really enjoy it. When I travel, I usually like to wear a jersey dress, flats, and layers.

I don't think I've every worn this dress on the blog before, because it was so awkward! The neckline was too high, the waistline undefined, the hem to short, and the spread too narrow.

I worked a little magic on it and converted it to what you see above. Check out the before and after photo below. I adjusted the neckline by making it lower and adding a pleat. This made for a more flattering and slimming scoop as well as a subtle curve at the waist. I also added a slit -- which is so on trend right now -- to take care of the weird hem length and make this dress easy to walk in. Now I can take a full stride!

Dress: Forever 21, reworked | Sweater: Forever 21 | Shoes: Topshop | Bag: Coach

Day 294 -- New Do

When:  Thursday, June 20th, 2013

Where: Studio

--> It was a mad dash to get packed and ready to go, but somehow I found time to cut and dye my hair. Myself! I've gotta admit, I'm pretty impressed with my handiwork. Can you see that red ombre? Ya dig?

--> In honor of my bright, new, fun hair, I wore a bright, (not that) new, fun outfit! I don't think I've ever worn this dress on the blog. I usually reserve it for cleaning the house and painting my nails. That's not to say it's not cute, but that it is cheap. I would never scrub floors in Chanel! I would also never scrub floors, period. That's what Alex is for.

-->

Sweater: Ambiance SF | Dress: Target | Belt: Alice and Olivia | Shoes: Keds for Gap

Day 293 -- Memories

When: Wednesday, June 19th, 2013

 Where: Studio

Goodness, I've been wearing pants a lot lately! I don't know what's gotten into me! I do know that I'm really feeling the brights in this outfit! These pants are really fun because the can read chartreuse, but really, they are a yellow and lime green micro stripe weave. Perfect for pattern mixing!

Clothing holds deep memories for me and when I look at a piece, I can always remember big moments that happened when I wore them. I was wearing this shirt when I came back to my college apartment and found that it has been broken in to. It was my first time wearing this shirts, and I was so disturbed by this, I didn't wear it for years after! I think the bad luck has long been washed away, but I still cringe a little thinking about that day. Ick.

Shirt: Anthropologie | Jeans: BDG via Urban Outfitters | Shoes: Aldo | Sunglasses: Raybans