Leaving On A Jet Plane

I am going on vacation, what do I pack? A lot of people struggle with this question, they don’t know what to pack or what to leave behind, and have no clue how to fold, stack and organize and ultimately forget important items at home.

I will admit I once traveled to Amsterdam without a single pair of underwear, I didn't forget to pack make up, hair products and more than enough outfits, yet somehow my panties were left behind.

These days I record and organize everything I pack in an Excel spreadsheet, and no, you don’t necessarily HAVE to be that thorough, but it wouldn't hurt to be.

Friday I am heading to Dominican Republic for bestie’s destination wedding! I am all packed and ready to go after weeks of considering which clothing and accessories would make the cut.

In the spirit of packing for an amazing vaca I would like to share with you a few items I believe are staples for any vacation. All items available on Shopbop 

 1. A large tote: Personally, I don’t think it’s appropriate to board a plane with a designer hand bag, unless maybe you’re sitting in first class and have oodles of space to place your precious belongings chances are your purse will be shoved under the seat in front of you or thrown in the overhead compartment. Also, practicality should be taken into account, you will be carrying your wallet, passport, Ipad, magazine, maybe a novel, snacks, one of those inflatable head rests (its you’re nerdy and you’re me) etc, so space is a necessity.

THIS isn't just a large tote, it’s the new Rachel Roy Limited Edition FEED India tote . I have last year’s Tory Burch for FEED bag and it is easily one of most favorite totes. It’s the perfect travel bag. And um, its charitable, its a no brianer. 

The limited-edition FEED India Bag was designed to raise awareness and funds to help fight hunger in the country that is home to one-quarter of the world's hungry people. I know I will be grabbing my own soon as I can get my hands on one.

 2.Comfy yet fashionable shoes: Unless you’re Victoria Beckham I highly doubt you will be wearing your 5 inch Louboutin’s on a plane. I prefer a simple slip on when travelling. I choose flat espadrilles over running shoes because they are much lighter, you can skip socks (ewww socks) and they're easy to kick off if you are one of those people who enjoy changing into slippers on the plane. 

I usually opt for TOMS, but if you're looking for something a little different and a bit more fancy you can try out a cute lace pair of espadrilles like these ones. 

3. An easy to wear dress: A simple, affordable dress that can be folded without  getting totally wrinkled. And may I add  that a floral print would be ideal. Why? Because a bright floral print is really versatile and will look great in pictures. 

 This one from Splendid would be perfect! I am a huge fan of Splendid and have packed their dresses on many a vacation. 

 4. A jumpsuit: yes I said a jumpsuit. I have become obsessed lately with these easy to wear shirt + pants combo’s, who doesn't love getting dressed in 2.5 seconds? You don’t have to find a shirt to match your pants, you don’t have to work to tuck in your blouse, and you don’t need to plan an outfit, you just slip into a jumpsuit and go! Its brilliant, and so is this jumper from Juicy
 

On vacation that is a luxury you want to have, you’re too busy sun tanning and stuffing your face at all you can eat buffets to stress about your fashion choices. I love combining shorts with long sleeves (only if its light weight fabric, please don't be one of those people who wear shorts with a turtle neck or a sweatshirt, they are just confused) 

5. A Jean Jacket: I take my jean jacket with me every single time I board a plane. No matter where you are traveling you can bet the plane will not be perfectly climate controlled, and your lil denim jacket will come in very handy here. When you reach your destination if its scorching hot you can then fold that jacket easily and stash it away. Mine has visited Dubai, Italy, Miami, New York and Costa Rica; what a lil globetrotting jacket it is.

This one is light and perfect for summer, or any warm destination trust me if you invest just a lil in a quality jacket you will wear it and wash it over an over.

To Buy Or Not To Buy?

Today I would like to discuss a moral fashion dilemma some of us have from time to time, whether or not we should drop $700 on a pair of pumps simply because they are crafted by a genius designer and made of fine fabrics? I will admit I may have phrased that in a way that would persuade you to side with going ahead with the purchase, but I just couldn't help myself. 

Please feast your eyes on Exhibit A

These are the Manolo Blahnik BB Fabric Watercolor Pumps. I am not sure what BB stands for but I can only assume "Bloody Brilliant" (if you're British), "Bogus n Bitchin (if you're hip and cool), or perhaps "Bold & Beautiful" (not the soap opera).

I truly believe a pair of silk watercolor pumps are the perfect addition to any wardrobe. The only issue is the price tag, at $645 before tax and shipping these babies are an investment piece no doubt. 

Now take a look at Exhibit B

These are the Alice + Olivia Dina Watercolor Pumps. Available via Shopbop and at a fraction of the price they are also super cute, no? They can produce the exact same look we were going for with the Manolo's and also look slightly more comfortable. Coming in at $295 they are an average priced pump and a great addition to any summer wardrobe. 

So what do you think? Its the age old question, splurge or steal? Let me know what you think, and also if you like my cheapo + expensiveo (yes a word I just made up) comparison and want me to make it a regular on my blog. 

Happy shopping!

I Got It From My Mama

“Mom”; it’s the hardest job description to define, but any mom would tell you that being one is a joy, and in fact not a job at all. While a dictionary search will tell us that a mom is simply a female parent, we all know there is much more to this full time career than that definition lets on.

This is actually a difficult post to write, mainly because my mom is my best friend, but also because I recently moved out and I miss seeing her on a day to day basis. And also because I am an emotional sap, I’m not going to lie to you, I’m not emotionally stable enough to watch The Notebook let alone discuss my mommy in a blog post to the general public. 

But my mom truly deserves a shout out on Mother’s Day, in fact all moms’ do, so I figure my way around having an emotional break down while typing is to discuss her fashionable influence on me over the years. Although I should say the fact that I write this blog is attributed to her respect and love for literature. She taught me to always be reading SOMETHING, she got me my first magazine subscription, took me on coffee dates to book stores and always encouraged me to read rather than sit around and watch television. 

The only reason I started this blog is because of my passion for reading and creative writing, so thank you mom.

I’m getting mushy so I feel like I should move on…. Obviously your mother would give you the clothes off her back if need-be; mine just lets me take them straight out of her closet.
While we joke that I am a jewelry, scarf and purse thief my mother has always trusted me with her most valuable possessions, diamond stud earrings that I wore on my wedding day, her precious canvas Fendi purse, a set of pearl earrings I haven’t taken off in 7 years (they were a gift from my father before they got married), and her irreplaceable vintage Wayne Clark dress.

I love borrowing (stealing) from my mom's closet.

Over the years it became a habit because I was a starving university student for 7 straight years, and being a fashion loving adult there was nothing better and cheaper than sneaking into my mom’s closet when I wanted a “new purse”.

But my mother’s influence on my fashion tastes dates back much further than just my early 20’s. Over the years we experienced together shopping in Milan, a brave venture out to the fashion outlet in the middle of the desert in Vegas, a trip over the boarder to Buffalo for deals and many, many, MANY last minute visits to the mall because I “ didn't have anything to wear” to whatever event I was attending that night.

Don’t get me wrong, she is often the first person to remind me that I don’t need another pair of shoes (can you really even have TOO many pairs of shoes mom? Really?) But she still remains tolerant of my fashion obsession through years regardless of the fact that my closet in her house is still over flowing, even close to 1 year after I moving out.  What can I say? .…I have clothes in different area codes ;) 

But one of the most influential things my mother has always done is speak her mind when it comes to fashion. Actually, if you know my mom,or me for that matter, then you are aware that we speak our mind about EVERYTHING!

So I wanted to share with you a few of my mother’s most noted fashion tips/tricks and general pet peeves.

1.      White shoes should be banned. This is a sweeping general statement, and it is precisely as it reads, all white shoes should be gathered up and burned. The end.

2.      White pantyhose also should be banned. Same explanation as above.

3.      If you’re pants are too short you are waiting for the flood, proceed immediately to a tailor and have your hem lowered.

4.      If your thong is showing whether you bend over slightly or bend over completely you are in trouble.

5.      PINK, is not a color, it’s a nightmare (now you see where I get it from)

6.      Short skirts are reserved for those under the age of 40.

7.      Don’t you dare leave the house with a visible wrinkle on your clothing. Go back inside, take off that top and teach yourself how to iron darling.

8.      Shoulder pads should have never been invented. I fully agree mom!!! (I have broad shoulders, they make me look like a football player)

9.      The 80’s and everything fashion related should stay in the past.

10.  NEVER perm your hair! This is valuable advice people, take it from someone who premed her hair over the course of 3 decades.

I hope you can relate, and if you have your own set of fashion rules inherited from your mother then please do share below in the comments. I sure know my mom will be commenting the second she reads this post….

To all the moms out there, keep doing what you’re doing and don’t under estimate the influence you have on your lil girl, because who knows;she may blog about you one day and you wouldn't want to be called out for wearing white pantyhose with white sandals!

I love you mom, happy mother’s day!
xo

pics by Laura May Photography * 

The Round Up: May 10, 2013

Happy Friday everyone. Today's round up is what we call Jenny's dream manicure edition. I recently discovered some new fun tidbits on www.sephora.com and have been contemplating whether or not to try them out. 

Two of the three new polish effects below seem pretty simple even  a moron like me could pull them off. Check them out and let me know if you have already tried any of them and how they worked out. If i try them for myself of course I will fill you all in on the outcome :) 

1. Ciate Chalkboard Manicure: What Sephora says." A kit to turn your nails into chalkboard-style fashion statements"

How COOL is this? I really hate calling something "cool", but honestly, THIS is COOL! Simple explanation, this is the most wicked idea ever. It looks simple enough, my only issue would be drawing on my left hand (I'm left handed and cant even hold a pen in my right hand) and also I'm not too artistic so a smiley face would be the only design i could pull off. Still, if i borrowed a talented friend of mine and got help this could potentially turn out to be really cute. I think I may try it.....

2.  IllamasquaPranormal Nail Varnish:  What Sephora says. "A nail lacquer that glows under UV black light." 

If i was still big on clubbing and night life this would be a pretty awesome polish to try out. Although I don't think I will ever come into contact with a black light for the rest of my life this is still worthy of a mention. So for all you cool kids who are still out there partying, enjoy. 

3.Julep Neon Nail Dips: What Sephora says. " Accent your manicure with a pop of color and wollop of texture" I really like that word, WOLLOP. Word of the week: Wollop, try using that in a sentence over the weekend and let me know on Monday how that went ok? 

I'm not sure what a nail dip is, but it sounds like something THIS girl will not be able to handle. Although I do like super bright nails. And I have to say Julep makes a mean nail polish, I almost trust that this will be a decent product. 

SPF Required

Jut so you know, I am leaving for somewhere very warm and sunny in 7 days from now. I am looking forward to one week of swimming in the ocean, lounging pool side (swim up bar!) but more importantly, bestie's WEDDING! 

More on that later, I promise I will post a destination wedding fashion guide before I depart :) 

Today we are talking about what to pack for a week lounging pool side, while you sip sugary drinks and pose for hundreds of pictures with your friends. You want to look your best don't you? 

My favorite part of any beach outfit are the accessories, not because I am uncomfortable in a bikini but because its me, duh, I am an accessory hoarder! Usually I spot a cute bikini and wonder what cover-up would match it, which sandals would compliment it, and I am constantly debating weather or not I should adopt the beach jewelry thing accessory?? On that note: I believe there is a time and a place for beach jewelry and over accessorizing. Are you playing beach volleyball at a lake? Or on a banana boat ride in Cancun? If you answered yes to the above then NO, the answer is no, you shall not wear beach jewelry. 

Below you will find one perfect example of when its OK to wear some jewels poolside, check it out for yourself along with two other beachy outfits. 

1. I call this my Monaco look, because well, if I were to visit Monaco during the summer this is what I would wear on my private Yacht. Jay Z would dock beside me and B would totally be into my stunning silk Etro kaftan. Let me break this look down for you, the bikini is Versace, and I believe there are rules to abide by when you're wearing Versace. Mainly, you cant possibly pair this bikini with anything less then a spectacular cover-up, and a frikin hand bag that I will be dreaming about for months now, sigh. Lastly, do i really need to mention that nobody in their right mind would wear flip flops with this outfit! Valentino studded sandals are much more appropriate. 

super cute straw hat, stunning silk Etro kaftan, silver and quartz wrap bracelets, Valentino stud sandals,YSL polish, Versace bikini,canvas and bamboo box tote, watersnake trim sunnies

 

2. This next outfit is perfect for any vaca down south. The bikini is swim friendly, its not just one of those fancy ones you cant get wet. A SWIM SUIT that cant get wet....I never got that.  I love Marc by Marc nylon bags because you can stuff them with anything, throw it around, fold it up when you don't need it any more, and finally wash it after a week of abuse on vacation. 

Rayban Wayfarer , crochet tank, Steve Madden studded gladiators,nylon tote, Julep nail polish ,printed bikini

 

3. Are you planning on spending a weekend at a cottage on a lake this summer? You do know that packing your most expensive clothing would be a very foolish move, instead I recommend picking up some cheapy bikini's and outfits, cause of course you still want to look cute while roasting marshmallows. These swim suits are under $30 and those sunnies are under $10. Can you say perfect cottage/glamping gear? Yes that's right, I used the word "glam-ping". 

knotted floral head wrap, sunnies, Zara bikini, Zara studded sandals, Straw beach bag, heart print one-piece, joe fresh eyelet cover-up, Sephora nail polish