Weekend Getaway

 

 

"So....how big is my suitcase?" 

 

"Just a few favorites...these will fit, right?"

 

 

"Of course I need tanks...tees...heels...hats...scarves..."







 

"And jewelry...and bikinis...and denim..."

 

"Options...plenty of options..."

 





"Break for a Selfie!"

 

"Ok, down to business. I narrowed down the choices."

 







"Voila! Everything I need and all packed perfectly!"

 



I'm off on a weekend getaway!

No, not to some fancy resort or a gorgeous beach. Not off to Vegas or a wine tasting in Napa Valley. I'm off to North Carolina to visit my family and to celebrate two occasions: my parents' anniversary and my niece (and Goddaughter's) baptism.

It will be short, but a nice visit. As long as the weather permits, I will also be hanging around a pool. So I know I will have to pack my bikini. And maybe a dress for dinner. And sunnies. And jean shorts. And some heels...sandals...flip flops...more heels...and I may be off track a little.

Okay. Where was I? Oh yes. Packing!

I'm a list girl. I write everything down. This way I know I have everything I need. And even though my days are never fully planned out, I go through and write down what I know I will be doing. For example, my sister's neighborhood has a pool. I know I need a bikini. I will attend dinner for my parents' anniversary. Something fashionable and fun. And I need another dress for the baptism, again, fashionable yet appropriate for church.

Next, I fill in the open space. Between the pool and dinner and the baptism, I'll need a tee shirt and a tank or two. Some jean shorts and did I mention a cover up for the pool, yet? Obviously, accessories like my shoes (this could take a while), some jewelry and a hat or two. And of course, my sunnies (aviators...cat eyes...who knows? Maybe I'll bring a few)!

Packing for a trip is easy. Evaluate your plans as best you can. Realistically pack. Give yourself a couple options, but do not go overboard. Pack items that you can mix and match. When you use some logic when packing, it will make it much easier to get dressed once you are at your destination.

And let's be honest. Who wants to waste so much time going through their suitcase trying to piece together a great look when they can be using that time for something much better like heading off to the pool or celebrating milestones with your family?

Liz

Casual, Chic and Cool

 

 

 

 

 

Panama Hat: Gap; Bar Necklace: Old Navy; Chain: LC Lauren Conrad; Dress: Kenneth Cole New York; Bangle: Vintage Coco Chanel; Lace Cuff: Stella & Dot; Sandals: Nine West

Ah, summertime. It's beautiful. Days are long. It brings everyone out of the winter blues...but it's hot. Really hot. Hot - Hot - Hot. Who wants to think about denim on days like this? Or anything too tight or form fitting? Not many, I can assure you.

I believe it was pushing 90 degrees when I took these photos the other day. Ugh. I knew I needed to shoot some blog pics, but many of the looks I had in mind for future photos would not have worked in that heat. I opened my closet with determination, hoping and praying I would find something casual and chic and, most importantly, cool.

Turns out, I did! This Kenneth Cole New York dress screamed to me (have you noticed an ongoing theme with me in regard to clothing screaming out to me? I guess clothes just love me, what can I say)? The fabric is light, the fit is loose and it's such a pretty dress and was PERFECT for the day of the shoot.

I was also going for simple accessories (I couldn't imagine a statement necklace or even rings on a day that humid) so I pulled out my trusty bar necklace and paired it with my LC Lauren Conrad chain for a light and layered look. My arms felt bare, however; so I went with my vintage Coco Chanel bangle and my new Stella & Dot lace cuff (one of my FAVORITE pieces of jewelry now!!!) and knew I was all set.

And need we even talk about the war between hair and humidity, people? I have extremely thick long blonde hair that when left alone is naturally wavy (and not necessarily always a "pretty" wavy, either) and let's not forget my new bangs! Yes, that meant it was time to break out the panama hat.

Take THAT humidity!

We all know that I am shoe obsessed - I LOVE my heels but also can rock a flat if I feel like it, but, again, it was close to 90 degrees. So I grabbed my Nine West sandals and was ready to take on the heat.

So the next time you face an unbearably hot summer day, remember these key things:
~ Go loose with the fit
~ Add simple jewelry
~ Hats are always a helpful accessory
~ Grab a chic sandal

...and don't forget the sunscreen, too!

Liz

Find the Happy

 



Sunglasses: nicole by Nicole Miller; Earrings: Simply Vera Vera Wang; Necklace: Ann Taylor; Dress: Vince Camuto; Handbag: Lauren Ralph Lauren; Pumps: Nine West

It's easy to find the stressors in life. We all have them, in different forms of course, but no one's life is perfection. HOWEVER, I choose to find the happy in life. Trust me, it makes it easier.

And before you go thinking I'm talking about the larger things in life, just know that I am talking about the little things. Sure, winning the lottery or being famous or living the "good life" with luxuries surrounding me would be great, but I'm just as happy focusing on the smaller things in life.

What makes me happy? Here's a few things that come to mind: My family and friends. My boyfriend whom I'm hopelessly in love with. Sunny days. Bright colors. Anything dealing with New York City. My bright blue nail polish. Jokes and sarcasm. Belting out Broadway hits (yes, I can carry a tune)! My shoe and handbag collection. Comedies like The Big Bang Theory, Mom, Modern Family and reruns of Golden Girls and Friends. Getting all dolled up. Going out to a movie and buying nachos with extra cheese. Curling up with a great book. Ice cream. Make up. Anything to do with animals. Watching sunsets and thunderstorms.

I could go on and on.

So my advice, dear Blog readers, is this: Find the Happy.

It will make your life so much easier and more relaxed and most of all...more fun and enjoyable.

Liz

Self(ie)-ish

 

 

 

 Aviators: Kenneth Cole Reaction; Earrings, Necklace and Espadrille Flats: Simply Vera Vera Wang; Tee: Gap; Jeans: DKNY Jeans



This week I decided to turn the camera on myself. I told my boyfriend (photographer) to take a break and I devoted this week's blog to selfies.

I'm still trying to master the art of taking a great selfie. My niece has this down to a science. My boyfriend's nieces as well. At first I thought that unless I was a teenager, there was no hope for me, but I am happy to say that I was wrong.

Back in the day, I was known for taking my friends' cameras (and my own) and always shooting photos of myself making funny faces. It was so easy with a camera to hold it out and shoot the pic, but with my I-phone, I seem to struggle. Is it too small? Too fragile? Am I too klutzy and would drop it while holding it at a certain angle? And why does a little voice in the back of my head keep shouting out, "YES!?!?!?!?!"

But I digress.

This photo shoot was fun. I was able to experiment with different lighting and angles (thank you mother nature for the GORGEOUS day!) and expressions (I'm a silly girl at heart!) and I truly had a blast. I wanted my outfit to be simple and light. I distressed these DKNY jeans for a whole new look and paired it with a simple striped Gap tee shirt. I am IN LOVE with my new Simply Vera Vera Wang espadrille flats. They have the cutest lil bow near the toe and did you notice the embellishments?

Now don't get me wrong. I won't be firing my photographer anytime soon (love you, babe!), but maybe time and time again it wouldn't hurt for me to be a little selfish.

Strike that. Self(ie)-ish.

Liz