Summer is here and that means a little less accessories for me. For these warmer months I tend to find everyday pieces and stick to those – only changing out earrings with my looks. With the heat here in Houston, it’s all about the shorts, flowy cotton dresses and oversized sunnies. With that said, I still love to make a statement, even if it is subtle. That’s why I fell for this elegant petite script ring from James Avery. It is one of those simple pieces you can wear everyday, but adds such a special touch to your look! This ring is offered in a wide range of sizes, even small enough to wear as a midi ring! I went with my initial, and chose it for my pinky. I have always wanted a pinky ring with my initial but I didn’t want it to look manly so, when I found this piece on the James Avery website it went right into the cart. For size reference I ordered a 3.5.
This outfit is pretty much my summer weekend wardrobe. High waisted shorts and a flowy cotton top. I went for a classic black and white palette to tie this look together with silver accessories including my double buckle belt. This shows how truly versatile a ring like this can be! I wore it with something extremely casual and it still looks as perfect as it would with an evening dress. James Avery has some more the most beautiful sterling silver pieces, all so unique and perfect for gift giving, or treating yourself. Head to their site by June 4th and if you purchase 2 charms you get a charm bracelet or necklace chain for free! See their site for more details!
What’s the weather like? Will you be walking? Transition from day to night looks? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered for all things Malaga!
Continuing with my carry-on only packing, Jhonathan and I traveled to Malaga, Spain this past December and each only brought a carry-on. For the weather in December, we were looking at 40-60 degree weather with possibility of rain, clouds and temps fluctuating to the 70’s. This might sound odd but when you are from Houston, you are used to sporadic weather changes so I know how to pack for pretty much any weather and make it work!
So Here’s What I Brought
I needed to pack clothing that was comfortable, but also wearable no matter where we went dresscode wise. This can be tricky, but I have learned it’s all about the color palette and materials.
Packing dark wash denim is always a must. You can dress them up or down and as long as they are comfortable, can be worn all day! I paired mine with a chunky knit chevron sweater in blush and maroon. The over the knee boots completes this all day appropriate look for shopping in the city and hitting local restaurants and museums. Below I have added a few pairs of my favorite denim. They are a bit of a splurge but the quality totally makes them worth it! You will have them forever!
A Fun Print Workout Look & Something For Layering
So if you are going to Malaga, you must visit El Caminito Del Rey. And for this hike I highly recommend a comfortable activewear set and with the temps fluctuating; layer! We bought a jacket, and a backpack so that once the temps raised we were able to place our jackets in our backpacks and feel much more comfortable. I am wearing a printed set with a lightweight cotton zip up cardigan. This was perfect for the hike, accompanied by my running shoes.
A Dark Colored Sweater Dress
This was a must for any trip! A sweater dress was actually ideal for the Malaga December weather. This one from Lulus was perfect with a belt bag and my over the knee boots. The reason I recommend a dark color is because they give off a more dressier vibe and can be worn from morning brunch to a show in the evening.
And lastly, you will want to have a transitional coat with you…preferably with a hood! I actually had to purchase this one while in Malaga because the temps dropped on us the first day and started raining! This coat not only kept me warm, but also ended up being my most favorite purchase which I wear all of the time now! I purchased it in a color that went with the palette I packed so that everything could seamlessly be paired together and looked complete. That is really the key to packing light. Make sure everything compliments each other so that you can mix and match pieces and above all look great while being comfortable! – Because the last thing you should be doing is worrying about your uncomfortable outfit! Vacationing is all about enjoying the sights and culture around you!
Femme Luxe reached out to me to try a few of their pieces and I of course had to say YES! I have been looking to try out their brand, as they cater to a curvy figure so was super excited to give their brand a review! I went for 2 completely different styles, but with the same color scheme; shades of pink and white!
Lookin Sporty
First for the sporty look, we have this 2-piece jogger set. The material is stretchy and warm and love that the top is cropped with a hood. This is such a great quality set for the price! It is super flattering and looks adorable on! I normally don’t feel comfortable in cropped pieces, but this one lays just right! The elastic band at the waist is just the right thickness and the top is not too tight.
City Femme
My more feminine selection was this adorable sweater dress with oversized sleeves! The shade of pink this is offered in is so perfect, as is the chunky knit. The material is heavy enough to wear alone, no need for a slip or spanx! I paired it with my favorite white sock booties, which complemented this dress so well! Also it comes in a few other colors so you are definitely going to want to snatch it up in all shades!
Check out Femme Luxe for some super cute affordable co-ords and dresses! No matter your style, they will have something cute for you!
Jewelry tells a story. It holds memories, represents milestones, and helps to establish ones style.
Since I was young, James Avery has always been a familiar jewelry brand to me. When it comes to mind, the first thoughts I have are; charm bracelets, sterling silver, and impeccable quality. The pieces I have received over the years are still in tip-top condition, and have yet to go out of style! James Avery artisans craft their pieces to last, and with such beautiful detail and care!
For this holiday collaboration, I selected 2 pieces to add to my collection. Those pieces each represent something special in my life, which I am going to share with you now!
The first piece I selected was the Eiffel Tower Charm. I selected it in sterling silver and decided to wear it as a pendant necklace versus adding it to my charm bracelet. At this point in my life, a necklace fits in more with my lifestyle and I love that their pieces are versatile enough to accommodate! I chose this charm because this year for my birthday, Jhonathan and I traveled to Paris for the first time. This has been a travel destination for me for as long as I can remember, and to have the opportunity to visit the “city of lights” was such an incredible blessing! I wear this necklace as a reminder of our adventure, memory of our trip and my birthday, as it was a cornerstone one!
Next up is this incredibly detailed Compass ring. I absolutely love this piece and selected it because of my desire to travel, and explore the world. There is so much out there to see and appreciate, I wear this ring to remind me of where I’ve been and to represent all of the places I’ll go! I suffer from anxiety which, for a short period of time, greatly depleted my ability to live a normal life -much even think about traveling. I promised myself that if I got better I would not let my fears keep me from experiencing all of the things I wanted to with my life and that’s exactly what I have been doing! This ring serves as such an important reminder to me, to not give up, and honestly makes me so proud for all of the things I have accomplished.
Although many people may have the same piece of jewelry, the memories attached, and stories the pieces tell, are as unique and special as the person they belong to, and I love that! So consider picking out a piece for that special someone in your life this season, and if you are in the Houston area, there is a new location off of Post Oak and Westheimer, perfectly located near the Galleria!
Since we were in Boston, I wanted to look the part with one of my ensembles to pay tribute and landed on this blue hued look. Please note since it was quite cold this ensemble is very layered.
I have on a velvet pageboy hat, shimmering earrings from Sugarfix, with a navy turtle neck under a space dyed mixed knot sweater. My jeans are my most favorite and flattering pair from Mott&Bow and this adorable coat – which really completes this look is a find from JustFab! The buttons and cuff trimming are what make this such a stunning piece along with the incredible fit! I wore this in the city and on our excursion to Plymouth. JustFab has such a great variety of on-trend apparel as well as shoes! If you haven’t checked them out in a while I highly suggest it! the pieces are excellent quality and totally worth the monthly fee!
Hope you liked my take on a modern patriot look! All of the pieces are super affordable and comfy plus so easy to pack – because no one wants that wrinkled just out of the suitcase look!
So the last time I wore this skirt I received so many compliments on it and since its such an affordable piece on Amazon I just had to style it again for you guys! Here I layered it with black tights, and my favorite red ankle booties, along with a red chunky knit sweater. This outfit is super warm and cozy perfect for the chilly northern air and for a coat, I wore a long faux fur cream colored coat I snagged on sale last year from express, but will try to find similar options for you all!
This look ended up perfect for our recent trip to Boston. I went ahead and wore tights for a little extra warmth, which was the best idea! I adore the color red and try to style it as often as possible, especially in the winter and just loved how this look turned out with this white and black tie skirt. The pieces on their own are quite casual, but together really make a statement!
I absolutely love red and tweed for the holiday season! Something about the two together just completely puts me in the spirit! – And oddly enough makes me want to start wrapping gifts! This adorable top and skirt are from the cutest boutique Morning Lavender, which offers some of the most beautiful feminine lace and tulle pieces that you just have to get your hands on for this season! Whether for gifting, or wearing yourself at your holiday gatherings, their skirts are all must-haves! Pricing is on-point, for the quality and fit of the product and their team is the sweetest.
So for this look I styled their Ellie Burgundy Lace Crop Top in a size M with their Kira Ivory Plaid Skirt in size L. I selected these sizes based on how I wanted the pieces to fit. Their sizing guide and customer review sections are super helpful when it comes to size selection. The top has a full back zip closure which I prefer on lace tops, along with a partial lining. There is slight give to the material and it lays beautifully. And for the skirt; it is perfect for winter! It’s thick enough and my favorite part, it is not at all see through as it is lined so you don’t have to worry with spanx or a slip – it is not see through even though its white – woohoo!
I think this is the cutest holiday look and would look fabulous day to night! I have added my OTK boots in black and a classic bag to complete the ensemble, without overdoing it. And for makeup, I kept it pretty neutral with my newest lippie obsession by Charlotte Tilbury.
Kimmy’s is a Dallas based boutique that reached out to me to style a few looks and give their brand a review! The first thing I noticed about the company is the passion and personal touch the owner brings to the table, which I absolutely love. One of the first things I noticed about her assortment was that it was super affordable, so if you like to shop on a budget but want unique boutique clothing this is the store for you! Kimmy’s offers the perfect array of weekend to work wear. From camo sweater dresses to staple tees, this is the place to shop! Okay enough from me, it’s time to check out the looks!
Also! Keep in mind this is a boutique so there are limited quantities of everything and pieces will sell out fast, so if you like something, get it asap! 🙂
Warmest and most cozy pullover! I ordered in a M so it would fit big on me and it fits just how I wanted! I wore this on the plane to Paris and now want to travel everywhere with it!
This pink silky top is so versatile and looks great with jeans and skirts! I love the cold shoulder details and all of the ruffles. It’s so pretty and can be worn so many different ways. A wordrobe must!
Sorry yall, this dress is already sold out! The camo and tie waist are what really make this dress stand out. – Plus its crazy comfortable!
Jumpsuit || Turtleneck || Bag || Shoes
Lastly this jumpsuit dress look. The plaid print immediately got my attention and I knew I needed this piece. It looks adorable with white lace tops as well as black turtlenecks as styled here and pairs perfectly with Kimmy’s Go to Suede heels.
Hope you enjoyed these looks, and love Kimmy’s Boutique as much as I do! <3
Red Dress boutique sent me a few pieces to style from their online assortment and I couldn’t have been more thrilled! First of all, everything they sell is super cute so it was really hard for me to make a selection, but landed on the items you will see styled in this post! A huge thank you to Red Dress for partnering with me – and can’t wait to show you guys these looks!
So in this first outfit, the Red Dress piece is this sweater. I also styled it in the featured image with jeans and booties, but wanted to try it out with a skirt too and voila! I decided to mix prints with this look pairing cheetah and plaid to really tie in with this cowl neck piece. The sweater is oversized with extra long sleeves- which is perfect for me and a high-low hem so it is ideal for tucking in.
This next look is a gorgeous flowing fall floral maxi dress with long sheer sleeves and a sash tie waist. I just style this is a twist top woven bag and ankle booties to keep the look casual but what really tie sit together is the dark lip! I love a dark burgundy lip for fall and this one is perfect! This dress would be perfect to style up with sparkling earrings and heels – its just such a great piece to tie florals if you love them like I do, but want to still be season appropriate!
And lastly this dainty eyelet lace babydoll dress! Again, this burgundy shade is perfect for fall and looks great paired with prints – like leopard, this seasons hottest trend! I have added a printed belt and shoes to complete this look and styled it with the woven twist top bag.
My experience with Red Dress was nothing but the best! Their sizing is true, and the quality if the clothing is really great for the value! I also love that they stay ahead of the trends so you can be set to go with all of the top fashionistas!
If you have been following my travel blogs, then you know I always travel with only a carryon. From Rome to Fashion Week in NY always a carryon. So when it came to our most recent trip to Paris, I had to be very strategic with my packing. Everyday was filled with events so I had to stay comfortable, warm and stylish. Here’s how I did it!
So I packed clothing for 5 full days and 1 evening look along with a travel ensemble, so that brings my total to 7 outfits and 2 coats. I’ll show you each and how I did it now!
#1 Plan out your outfits based on the activities you have scheduled in advance
The very most important thing when traveling – if you want to be efficient and see as much as possible – is to have a schedule. Once you know what you will be doing, it is easier to decide what attire is appropriate. For example, if you know you are going to Disney and will be walking around outside all day you are going to want to be prepared for the elements, along with comfortable shoes. – I’m sure you get my drift.
For our first day we were going to ride the subway to the Eiffel Tower and spend some time sightseeing for the first few hours. Since I knew we would be outside and would not be going anywhere fancy I chose a layered-look with a bright mustard sweater and jeans.
#2 Bring one heavy duty coat that will go with multiple looks
Its best to have a neutral coat that will look great with everything, but will also keep you warm! I did not pack this item in my carryon, but carried it over my arm.
#3 Pack an evening, or lightweight coat
This is important because you want to have a separate option for outerwear in case it rains or the temps warm up. I packed this fluffy piece because in a space saver bag it compresses down to nothing! But also because it is warm and such a statement piece!
#3 Layer, Layer, Layer
This is SO important! I packed a turtleneck and a button down that easily layered under my sweater and jumpsuit. This makes lightweight clothing items season appropriate and yet, still fashionable.
Only pack 2 pair of shoes…wear the third, but that’s IT!
This is so hard but you HAVE to stick to this. Shoes take up so much space and 9 times out of 10, you won’t even end up wearing all that you pack! It’s best to plan out your ensembles with shoes you know you will be comfortable in the entire time, but bring that one really fun pair too because… YOLO – lol.
Limit your accessories
Accessories are a space stealer so the more you can limit, the better. Try to bring pieces that will go with multiple looks. I brought: 2 berets, 1 necklace, 3 pair of earrings, 2 scarves, 1 pair of sunglasses, 1 clutch, 1 crossbody and 2 belts – again nothing extra here, everything was planned out to go with the outfits I created.
And most of all: Get space saver bags!
This is my saving grace for all trips! I am able to pack everything I need to with space still left over for souvenirs! Seriously, I can’t travel without them!
So those are my tips for packing stylishly but also compactly. It can be tricky only taking a carryon, but that never means you have to compromise on your style!