For the last three years, my girl friends and I have managed to escape to Napa in May for a mid-week, two-day getaway. This time around, our trip offered up loads of 90-degree sunshineand opportunities to bust out our newest warm weather silhouettes! Take, for instance, my recently purchased dress, above, which garnered rave reviews. Also winners: this statement suit, this blouse, these feather-trimmed sandals and this strapless dress. Lucky for me, I have a few more summer getaways on my calendar and would love to take along some more standout pieces such as this floral maxi, this bandeau bikini, this one-shoulder blouse, this crochet tunic, this tassel-trimmed dress, and these blingy sandals. Read on for more details about my trip!
Of course, Napa excels in great wine, but also in the eye-candy department: verdant rolling hills, cloudless blue skies, ample bougainvillea and, yes, even lush dinner place settings. My good (and very talented) friend hand painted the menu cards for an extra personal touch. And how about those floral arrangements?!
Our annual game of croquet at Meadowood calls for head-to-toe whites, Pimm's Cup, and fierce competition. Unfortunately, my team was not victorious, but we did win the consolation bracket!
Dinnertime ushers in golden sunlight and festive frocks! Here I am in a tiered and ruffly (that I decided to wear backwards!)
There is nothing hard about St. Barth's--except getting there from Los Angeles. One red-eye, a connecting four-hour flight and a (harrowing) prop plane later, I landed mid-afternoon, rumpled and tired. Despite my fatigue, I made a quick presto change-o and met up with friends, who were well into a wine-steeped lunch at Shellona, a gorgeous restaurant perched above the idyllic Shell Beach (pictured below). The meal instantly perked me up and got me into the island's happy groove! The sun-soaked days that followed served up all of my favorite activities: yoga, swimming, shopping, sailing, and long decadent lunches. Check out the glorious highlights below.
Apologies for the lack of posts this past week, but I've been on island time! I spent an extended spring break in the Caribbean, specifically St. Barth's and Anguilla, sailing, swimming, sunning, and sipping rose! (More pics to come soon!) Now that I'm back on terra firma, I'm determined to perpetuate St. Barth's chicness in my Southern California life, which means I need things like this plunging dress, this sexy one-piece swimsuit (I bought it in red), this wraparound maxi dress, these sleek jelly sandals, this ruffled top (similar to my top, above), and this beach-to-street mini.
Last week I was whisked away by some friends on a last minute trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico--and, thankfully, totally prepared wardrobe-wise due to my diligent spring shopping! A new billowy floral dress, above, came in handy for a late lunch at Palmilla, while a lavishly embroidered top made a serious statement back at the villa, below. Read on for more deets!
My husband and I escaped to Cabo San Lucas last week for sun and fun--and then some! The extra (and much needed) solar energy sparked our inner explorers, as we canvassed deserted coastline at dusk, searched for whales on the horizon and scoped out off-the-beaten-track restaurants like Acre (pictured above--it's fantastic!). The trip also afforded me the best new dress-bathing suit-and-caftan-wearing escapades! (I'm sporting a just-out dress, above!) Here are some highlights.
Now that my summer vacation's glow is fading away into back-to-work reality, I thought I'd share the highlights from my mid-August girls' trip to Venice and Croatia. There were nine of us in all, first exploring the canals of Venice, touring the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and bellini-ing at Harry's. Then we boarded a boat to Croatia, an archipelago consisting of over a thousand islands. On our three-day odyssey, we cruised through teal-blue waters and anchored in scenic harbors and historic towns, such as Losinj and Trojir. The picture, above, was taken at Carpe Diem, a beach club restaurant on the island of Hvar. I'm wearing a by LA-based swimwear line Marysia (which, ahem, is currently featuring me on its website--see it !) We capped off our holiday in the bustling city of Split, all with the best memories and amazing snaps. Scroll down to see a few of my favorites! (You can also check out more pics on Instagram )
An overnight girls' trip to Napa this week provided me with some much needed meditation time, communing with nature, and pajama partying. I also reaped some amazing fashion inspo, thanks to my friends who trotted out their newest spring dresses, fresh-pedicure revealing sandals and sun-shielding hats and sunglasses. All of the finery got me excited for my own warm weather wardrobe --along with key season pieces I now know I need more than ever. They include these , this , this margarita-ready , these spot-on , these elegant dinner-worthy , and this .
Last month I traveled to Tulum, Mexico, for my brother-in-law's milestone birthday. He and my twin sister have the had to fortune to spend many vacations in Tulum over the last few years, and it's now their go-to happy place. During my visit, I had the pleasure of sight-seeing, shopping, and restaurant-hopping with what felt like locals guiding me. Of course, I also wandered off my own... straight to the beach chaises. Here, the highlights. (Among them: wearing the flowy dress, above, which was just right for the breezy, tropical weather.)
St. Barths has long been on my bucket list for several reasons: it's a place where lounging on the beach, swimming in the turquoise ocean, drinking rosé at lunch, eating dinner late, shopping, and dancing on tables are pretty much everyday routine--and all up my alley! It's also a trop chic playground, where things happen a little slower, the food tastes a lot better and life feels carefree. A few weeks ago, my husband and I spent some time with some frequent-St. Barths-visitor friends on this French-speaking 9.7 square-mile isle for some bon temps. We all stayed at , a tranquil, minimalist-chic resort designed by Christian Liaigre, situated on the beach, above. The hotel has a mellow, intimate vibe, as if you're staying at a friend's perfectly-appointed, elegantly laid-back estate. This works for me.
I just spent a few sun-soaked, sand-coated, wine-steeped days in St. Barths--full highlights and snaps to come!--and thought I'd share what I packed, figuring it's spring break time of year, and you, too, may be flying south soon. Of course, St. Barths is home of the statement kaftan, so I packed as many as I could into my suitcase, and yet, I still bought more, including a crochet lovely that looked like as well as a that I threw over bikinis (and will wear with jeans, back home). I found that the best cover-ups were the ones that went seamlessly from seaside to shopping to sunset cocktails, such as these by , , , , , and . Next time I go (to any tropical locale, for that matter), I will definitely bring more of these with me! For the four-day trip, I brought six bathing suits, a different one for each day, plus options. My favorites of the bunch: this , this , this (on sale!) and the polka dot , above, (which is 25% off today only!). As far as footwear went, I kept it simple and packed 3 super versatile, beach-to-street flat sandals, like this lace-up gladiator, this fringed , and this ankle strap . I also brought a pair of Alexandre Birman open-toe sandals for a fancy night out, and I this of it. Evenings called for both short and long dresses. If I could do it all over again, I would bring these beauties from (which could go from lunch at Nikki Beach to dinner at Tamarin), , and . A chic and roomy is, of course, a must along with a good beach read. I brought this . Last but not least: a single go-with-everything clutch like is key; it saved me a little room in my suitcase to bring home some much-loved souvenirs!
After my scrumptious first meal on the island of salad nicoise, burrata, grilled zucchini, and homemade french fries (possibly the finest I've ever tasted!), I swam off a few calories in the Caribbean Sea, then made a beeline for the chaise lounges. That's when the rose wine started flowing and basically didn't stop till I departed!
The next day kicked off with swimming at the secluded Colombier Beach, followed by--you guessed it--another yummy lunch and shopping at the super chic pink and white-accented Cheval Blanc, above, where I snapped up the insane lace caftan, below.
Shopping in St. Barth's was my sport. I boutique hopped in Gustavia (my faves included Vanita Rosa, Lolita Jaca, Poupette, Gisele, and MC2 St. Barth's) and St. Jean (Terra, Cabane, Filles des Iles).
Another must-stop was Le Guanahani Hotel, above, where the view of the reef-protected lagoon and turquoise blue water is postcard perfect and the fried calamari rocks.
St. Barth's fashion mandate: swimsuits that make a splash! I went for it with this embellished, ikat print Asos.
And with this Asos crochet top, which stayed put while paddleboarding, snorkeling and jumping off the sailboat.
Right now, this St. Barth's pina colada is calling my name and I'm already plotting to go back and drink it one day soon!
The stone wall behind me in the entry of the villa we rented is actually a waterfall. (Read: cool picture backdrop!) I'm wearing a black bikini I bought ages ago and wear all the time, because black, duh, is always flattering. Other good ones can be found here, here and here.
Of course, no trip is complete without a little shopping. We scoured the around San Jose del Cabo's old main sqaure, all rife with cute pom pom-trimmed basket bags, straw hats (like the one hanging around my neck), embroidered dresses and tunics, silver jewelry, etc. I sported a gauzey gingham Veronica Beard dress over my bathing suit to stay cool while strolling around.
At Chileno Bay Resort's taco bar, above, the pork al pastor is a must-have, but the rattlesnake tequila? No gracias. My Gucci sunglasses are on major sale here!
In a new lushly embroidered top I bought, I blend in with the scenery! My smocked Tory Burch bikini can be found here. Hasta luego, amigas!
The view from our hotel balcony featured whale spouts, flying mobula rays, and electric sunsets. The lush bougainvillea was eye-popping gorgeous, too.
Another holiday activity: basking in the warm, golden sunlight in my new Tory Burch bikini. It can also be found here.
The ultimate place to read (this) and relax. Beach beds might just be the greatest thing ever invented.
One way to look less touristy: blend in with the scenery! This Rhode Resort dress pulls off the trick nicely. My basket bag is available here.
Swings instead of bar stools? Why not? I'd sidle up to this seaside bar in a margarita-ready dress like this, this, this or this.
My Valentino dress blending in with the stunning Venetian tilework. A quintessential #ihavethisthingwithfloors moment!
A Calder mobile hangs in the entrance of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. There was also art by Picasso, Miro, Jackson Pollack, Kadinsky, and Cezanne.
I think I ate about a pound of burrata while lunching at Compagnia della Vela Asd--the best caprese I've ever had in my life!
The color of the ocean looked almost like malachite--so clear and gorgeous.
Dressed in Marysia on deck!
Climbing up the 14th century Karmalengo fortress in Trojir, where I was hoping to bump into Jonathan Snow. Game of Thrones has filmed scenes here.
Lunching under grapevine ceilings, drinking the yummiest Croatian wine.
The perfect swimming spot in Hvar.
Our last seaside supper at Dvor in Split.
Sunning and siestas were made easy, thanks to the chaise lounges and palapas that lined the beach in front of our hotel, La Zebra.
The lush grounds at La Zebra are postcard perfect--except late at night, when the lights are turned off. Electricity (and internet access for that matter) is limited and supplied by generators. Next time I will be bringing a flashlight!
One afternoon's meanderings deposited me at Posada Margherita, a fantastically chic boutique hotel and restaurant that's totally solar and wind-powered. The menu specializes in Italian cuisine, with the best homemade bread (focaccia!) and pasta. The fresh-caught fish, marinated in sea water, is also insane.
One of the best things about a tropical vacation is being able to wear shorts to dinner. Yes, I am wearing a short pair underneath my cute Tory Burch tunic. The outfit served me well at Hartwood, a jungle-abutting, hipster-teeming restaurant owned by New York expats, where all the cooking is done by open fire in a wood burning oven. The family style meal, which featured delectable roasted beets, candied sweet potatoes, and smoked trout, was hands-down the best of the trip.
Speaking of list topping, this mojito won the gold medal in Mexico's national championship of bartenders. No joke. I can personally vouch for it!
As you can see, by the end of the trip, I got into Tulum's eco-friendly, tree-hugging spirit, sporting an embroidered top I picked up at a local boutique and a floral Tory Burch bikini.
Le Sereno's entrance, above, featured some seriously chic symmetry. I especially love the lipstick red doors.
Open-air lobbies are usually a sign that you have deplaned in the right latitude.
A quick trip to our room yielded outfit change No.1! St. Barths' dress code centers around a striking bathing suit and a head-turning cover-up--my favorite kind of outfit! Here, I'm wearing a past-season dress by Thakoon, Chanel sandals, a Lisa Marie Fernandez bathing suit and an H&M hat. If only I had these standout cover-ups by Loup Charmant, Tory Burch and Melissa Obadash in my suitcase!
And here is the above-mentioned room. It was airy and serene--well suited for our early morning idleness and late afternoon naps.
I easily tore through my book on our balcony's well-positioned chaise lounges. On windier days, kite-surfers reign on this bay, known as the Grand Cul-de-Sac.
Breakfast was my favorite meal of the day, mostly because of where it was served: in an open-air, thatched-roof dining room, steps from the sea. I also think the perfectly crusty croissants may have had something to do with it!
Lunch at Nikki Beach, the island's most famous club-like seaside restaurant, kicked off with a ginormous magnum of rosé wine. In fact, the bottle was so big and heavy, the waiter had to rest it on his shoulder to pour the wine into our glasses. As you might expect, our lively lunch was capped off with dancing on the tables. It turns out at least some of us must dance pretty well, as one of my (male) friends was asked more than once if he was a paid dancer.
To cool off, I proceeded to take a glorious dip in the ocean. My bikini is by Kiinis. It's super awesome--girls kept stopping me to find out what it was.
Rosé in the afternoon can be hard work--and requires rest. I will never get tired of this view though.
One day we chartered a boat to circumnavigate the island and snorkel. We anchored near the former Rockefeller House, just off Colombier Beach. The triangular structure in the distance is the estate's guesthouse studio, designed by Nelson Aldrich. I am just about to jump in to swim with the technicolor fish.
After another sumptuous lunch, I shopped at Poupette, by far the island's best boutique, and bought the crochet dress, above.
As the sun set, we would gather for drinks and/or dinner each night at the hotel bar, above, before heading into the night. There are all sorts of dining options on the island, some low key and some that end up with your drinking several cocktails called "Don't Feed the Models," outfit changing into a Laker cheerleader uniform, and then, yes, dancing on tables. No pictures of that shall appear on this website, however.
I actually took this photo on the flight in, but I think it works well as a parting shot, too. St. Barths is awesome. Go there!
