In a New York Minute.

      To preface, these are certainly not the best pictures to ever hit my blog, nor is this the best outfit that I've ever styled (in fact, I first wore this dress on the blog during my freshman year of college in this post!). But how could I resist blogging this outfit when these pictures were taken in NEW YORK CITY?! Stay tuned for the full story:

Dress: Lilly Pulitzer {My first Lilly dress ever :-) } || Cardigan: LOFT || Purse: Michael Kors ||
 Earrings: Burlington Coat Factory || Necklace: H&M || Bracelets: Alex & Ani || Ring: {Gift, Similar here} || Nails: {Acrylic nails done for my sorority formal!}

     Since this past Tuesday night my dad and I have been road-tripping North (in my very over-packed car!) to move me back home for the summer. We had already had some very fun rest stops, including getting to see my Virginia based photographer friend Meredith of Meredith Sledge Photography for a fun little photoshoot on Wednesday (see a preview of the shoot on Meredith's blog now!). 

     My dad is originally from Long Island, NY. When I was growing up, right through my high school years, we used to come to Long Island and/or NYC every year or every other year at least to visit his family that still resides there. Plus it is just a really fun place to visit! I have been to NYC from Maine in every mode of transportation possible: plane, train, bus, car, even rental car, haha! Anyways, once I left for college in NC in 2012 though the trips to NYC didn't happen often anymore. The last time that I was in the city was January 2013 (minus driving through the outskirts each year on our drives to and from school). 

     On this road trip, my dad wanted to stop in Brooklyn to visit his uncle (my great-uncle). This plans were all set to do that- until my uncle called us the day of the visit and casually mentioned that he was getting recognized that evening at the New York City Hall (right in the center of Manhattan, near the new World Trade Center) for an award for being a World War II veteran. My great uncle actually got to work for the US army in the concentration camps at the end of the war, and has amazing stories to tell from his time there! It literally just so happened that we would be passing through the NY area on the night of his awards ceremony, so of course my dad and I wanted to try and attend! 

     ...But the slight issue was getting to NYC. My car is currently stuffed at about 500% capacity (we only have visibility out of the side mirrors). Highway driving for the 16 hours between Charlotte to Maine is already pushing it... but driving in New York City? No thanks! So somehow my dad managed to execute an amazing plan. The plan entailed: 

• Getting hotel just outside the Newark, NJ airport. 
• Catching shuttle to the airport (which was great for me because this is weirdly the airport that I have a layover at next week on the way to my internship in Kentucky!).
• Walk through airport ticketing and baggage claim areas to find bus.
• Board bus that would take us all through the city of Newark, until we reached Newark's Penn Station, their main bus and train station.
• Get off bus and board train bound for NYC.
• Ride train and get off at the brand new train station at the new World Trade Center.
• *Look at dad and exchange sight of relief that the crazy plan to get to NYC on time actually WORKED!*

The new World Trade Center building.

     The ceremony that we got to see my great uncle get honored at was incredible! So many amazing veterans were honored for their service. Hearing all of the speakers and seeing all of the veterans made me really take the time to be grateful for all of the freedoms in the US. I know that there was definitely a reason that God made it possible for my dad and I to attend that event! 

My great uncle is in the middle!

     Anyways, sorry to get off-topic from my outfit but I just had to share what I was doing in the city in the first place. :-) Now as far as this outfit- my dad and I were delayed in getting to our hotel in Newark because of some highway construction so we had literally half an hour to get ready!! About 98% of my wardrobe is currently packed away in my car right now, but I'm so happy that I had thrown this favorite Lilly dress of mine in my duffel bag for the road! I literally wear this dress all the time. It turned out to be perfect to wear for a ceremony such as this. 

     But since we were going into NYC, I jazzed up the dress a little bit with this fun H&M necklace that I bought last week. I am obsessed with this necklace! I think that it looks way more expensive than the $17.95 that I paid for it. When I get home I can't wait to find more ways to wear it!

     So that is the story of my very quick trip into the city! After a very busy last week in Charlotte of saying goodbye to friends, exams, moving out, then this busy road trip, I am very ready for a relaxing weekend at home in Maine before I leave for my next adventure on Tuesday!

     xoxo Miss ALK