Big Sur

It has taken me a little while to get through all the photos from our August California Trip and even longer to get final post put together. Today I wanted to share some of my favorite snaps from our time in Big Sur. We rented a convertible towards the start of our trip and drove to Napa & Sonoma from San Francisco (as you saw in my posts here, here and here). Afterwards we headed off to Big Sur and Lake Almanor to finish our trip.

Fourth of July - Outfit Ideas

The 4th of July is right around the corner and the upcoming weekend has me thinking about what I am going to wear this year for the celebration of America. While there are tons of red, white and blue items you can pick up at just about any store, I prefer to wear subtle blues, whites and pops of red. Being just left of preppy, I gravitate towards more feminine touches and a slight nod to America for the 4th of July. White, blue and red are a classic combination and any of these items are guaranteed to come back for a repeat appearance this summer.

I put together two looks to provide some 4th of July inspiration that will fulfill your party's dress code while not compromising your personal sense of style. Let me know if you like them in the comments below!

Outfit Details - Surfside 
If you are spending the weekend at the beach or lakeside, keep it casual with a classic striped shirt and denim shorts, two items most of us probably already have in our closets. Some bold shades and a patterned bag add some personality to the simple top and shorts. A swipe of red lipstick brings in red for the holiday and enhances a suntan. 

DB Sunglasses - Valley Eyewear
Striped Top - J.Crew (similar alternative option)
Boyfriend Jeans - Current Elliot
Naguisa Fusa Espadrilles - Anthropologie

Ruby Woo Lipstick - MAC

Cross-Body Bag - Topshop

Outfit Details - Turfside
If you'll be residing in the city this year, wear your red, white and blue in a less obvious and more sophisticated way. A easy-fitting blue striped dress and red jacquard scarf are comfortable while still looking festive. I love the texture of these pom-pom sandals and how the clean white bag balances out the patterns in the other items.

Striped One Shoulder Dress - Madewell
Jacquard Scarf - Madewell (currently 30% off, get an additional 20% off with code META20)

Sunglasses - Ray-Ban

Fruit Loom Pom Sandals - ASOS (a steal at $26)

Cross-Body Bag - Michael Kors (currently 60% off)

Shopping For : Swimsuits

1 - Marysia Scalloped Bandeau

2 -Kiini Crochet Trim Bikini

3 - Mara Hoffman Reversible Printed Cutout Bikini 

4 - L*Space Chloe Top

5 - Marysia Printed Bandeau

6 - Same Swim The Babe Bandeau

Being at the beach this past week for Memorial Day has me thinking about attire and accessories for the summer months ahead. Whether heading to a pool, beach or boat, a whole different set of items is needed in your closet for summer water occasions. 

While swimwear can be found at a range of qualities and prices, I prefer to stick to nicer options and view them as investment pieces. If I am going to be essentially naked in broad daylight...in front of a bunch of people, I want to feel confident in what I am wearing. With a nicer quality swimsuit I feel more secure and confident in the quality holding up to the elements, whether that means not becoming sheer or stretching out when wet. If you take care of your bathing suits they really can last for years. You can find affordable options but these tend to stretch out, fade and fall apart faster. By the time you buy a new one every year you might as well have bought a higher quality suit to begin with. Suddenly a $200 swimsuit that you can wear over 3 years and it doesn't seem so bad!

When it comes to style of swimsuits, I usually opt for bikinis, often strapless. However, this season I found a bunch of strap versions that I really like. I particularly like the wrap-around tops, like this option from L*Space. I've also seen the super-sweet scalloped edge styles popping up a lot this year. Marysia has a ton of adorable options, like one or this one. While they aren't cheap, they are simple and classic - wearable for seasons to come.

Once you have your suit, you need a great cover-up to bring it all together. I say invest in a nicer option that, once again, will last you a few seasons. But also consider a cover-up that doubles as a dress for hot summer nights. A piece that can play double-duty makes a higher price point easier to swallow. If being able to wear your cover-up beyond the pool is important to you, make sure you pick one that is not totally sheer or will work with a lightweight camisole dress underneath. 

For beach bags, I love a stiff option that holds it shape. Being able to easily reach in for a book or sunscreen means less digging around and less sand inside the bag. I love the Mar y Sol bags, like this one, or this one. I also still love the classic L.L. Bean totes - they come in every color under the sun and can be monogrammed with your name or initials. A little preppy but sure to be classic chic years down the road.

Check out some of my top picks below for warm weather clothing and accessories!

Venice Beach

We spent two nights in Venice to start off our long weekend in California. I had only been to Venice once before and it was just for the day, so I was excited to spend a little more time in the neighborhood. It also is close enough to Santa Monica that we could spend some time there as well.

Being in California, the first thing I noticed that was different than New York City were all the blooming flowers around. Since the warm weather has not been around too long in NYC we haven't had too much green pop up yet. But Venice was full of color and amazing floral smells wafting through the air just walking down the street. I especially loved how the bright red flowers in the image above popped against the white wall and wooden door. 

After a long hiatus during 2014…

It's been a long time since I posted on my blog here, and now I'm back! I've spent the past 17 months in business school classes, making new friends and exploring life in a new city, Washington, D.C. 

I've realized I missed the creative outlet my blog provided and have decided to return to posting. While business school has been busy the past year, it has also allowed me more free time to travel. Here is a visual diary of some of my travels from the past year.