the sparkly life: Essie
Showing posts with label Essie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Essie. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Hawaii Packing List

what to bring on a beach vacation

It's snowing here today, so it seems impossible, but...I've got a trip to Hawaii coming up soon! Yep, we're heading to the island of Oahu for spring break, and I couldn't be more excited! We had toyed with the idea of renting a house, but in the end, we decided to do Disney Aulani. I've heard it's amazing for families, and it has a great kids club, which as I've said before, pretty much makes or breaks a vacation. (If you're not doing so already, definitely follow me on Instagram for lots of fun pics and Stories of my kids, fruity drinks, Mickey-shaped shave ice, countless Dole Whips, and more!)

But I have to be honest that I'm super nervous about the flight right now. We are flying direct, and from the East Coast, so that means an 11-and-a-half-hour flight (!!). We are coming with iPads (DUH), lots of activity books, and a few new toys, but I'm stressed about my kids becoming bored (or hangry or worse) after just a few hours. If you have any good tips for long-haul flights with kids, please, PLEASE share them with me!

But back to the fun stuff: With an impending vacation, the last few weeks have meant lots of shopping since the kids have outgrown most of their warm-weather stuff. And of course, even though I haven't outgrown my stuff, I still did a little shopping for me. So, check out some of the fun new pieces I've bought (or will be scooping up soon ) for those essentials that I always pack on a beach vacation.

1. Cutest Romper - I saw this in the store and thought it looked amazing on the rack, but figured it would look horrible on me. (I'm not typically a romper person.) I kept walking...but kept thinking about it, so turned around and decided to give it a go. And, you guys, it is SO cute on. The shorts aren't too short at all (that was my big fear) and it's sooo comfortable (elastic waistband FTW!). Excited to wear this in Hawaii--and then at home all summer long.

2. Insta-Ready Cover-Up - I have had the same favorite cover-up for...way too long. I haven't retired it yet, but I wanted to add a new one into the rotation, too. This rainbow pom pom cover-up dress caught my eye immediately. It's just so happy and fun!

3. Superflattering Swimsuit - I bought this Kenneth Cole one-piece online (in the burgundy shade--it comes in other colors) and held my breath. (Buying swimwear online is so risky, right?) But it fit perfectly and I love it! It sucks you in and doesn't show too much, but still manages to look pretty sexy. And even though it's about $100 bucks, the quality is great; it feels much more expensive. (I also bought this one!)

4. The Best Sunscreen - I've mentioned Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 as one of my favorites before, but it deserves another plug here. It looks and feels completely (yes, totally) invisible. I'm obsessed! 

5. Pretty Little Dress - Well, this is a given, right? You need a bunch of great dresses for any warm-weather trip, and this Shoshanna dress is so feminine, breezy, and pretty, and would work for day or night.

6. Affordable Straw Clutch - I always bring one clutch on vacation with me, and always in a neutral shade so it goes with any outfit. I love this Mar Y Sol clutch, because the straw feels so beachy, and it's under $50. 

7. Coolest Sun Hat - I've wanted an Eric Javits sun hat forever. They're very high quality, they're super chic,  and they're squishable, so you can pack them in your suitcase without destroying them. Last week I actually bought this Squishee IV hat, which is the one I have wanted since I saw it on a friend. (It's hard to tell but the brim is slightly smaller than most, so you can totally wear it to walk around and not just for lounging by the pool.) And I love it! But then I saw this gorgeous straw bucket hat (which is giving me a Chanel-tweed vibe) and now I want it, too! 

8. Metallic Sandals - I don't do heels on vacation. Period. So I always bring a great pair of flat metallic sandals, and then I can wear them out to dinner at night or even during the day, as well. These Toms rose-gold sandals are really cool and different--and they're just $59!

9. Bathing-suit bag - At every vacation's end, there's always the dilemma of what to do with your wet swimsuit. Eliminate the issue by packing one of these little waterproof bags. It's slim, takes up barely any space, and keeps the rest of the stuff in your suitcase from getting soggy.

10. Best New Pedicure Shade - I always get a pedicure right before vacation in either a dark shade or a bright, tropical one. I've been rocking dark all winter long, so I am really, really ready for something happy. This new coral (Essie At the Helm) is perfect.

11. Giant Rainbow Beach Bag - I've mentioned this Las Bayadas El Palo tote  as one my my favorite things before because it's incredible. It's huge, but because it's made of a soft, thin fabric, it folds up completely tiny, taking up barely any room in your suitcase.

Are you guys going anywhere for spring break? And have you been to Aulani? (Or gone anywhere on a long flight with kids?) Please give me all the tips!







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Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Easy Like Sunday Morning (a.k.a. What I Wore To Brunch Last Weekend)

Ace & Jig dress (also LOVE it in this print. And there's a cute short version of it here!). Kate Spade sunglasses. Kooba bag (on sale! also on sale here!). Marc by Marc Jacobs sandals (on sale!). Miansai screw cuff bracelet. Apple Watch.


Nail polish: Essie Wicked. Photos by Bradford Kolsky

Wanted to share my outfit from this past weekend as it has become one of my go-tos. On Sunday I wore it to Father's Day brunch (with my parents, brothers, husband, and kids in tow), but I've worn the exact same thing shopping, to a blogger conference, even to work!

I love this uber-comfy dress because it's roomy but not schlubby. I threw it on with these flat buckle sandals (that feel a few steps up from my usual white Birks), this cool gold bracelet that I wear nearly every day now, and of course, my Apple watch! (That, truth be told, I'm still totally getting used to and trying to figure out...!)

And this bag. Oh this bag! It might as well be attached to my arm--I carry it nearly every day now. It holds a TON (umbrella, change of shoes, random papers, beauty products I'm toting to and from the office, extra diapers, and so on), and I love that it has two big outside pockets so I never have to root through it all when I need to find my Metrocard or work I.D.

What is your go-to work outfit these days? And does anyone else out there have the Apple watch? If so, what do you think? I'm still learning how to use mine.







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Tuesday, January 20, 2015

13 Cool Things To Click On Today

A fresh manicure (Essie's Wicked--one of my all-time faves); cool new products launching from Oribe in April; perusing my Alt Summit schedule--exciting!; the great, meditative view from our new offices
Hello from Salt Lake City! Yep, I'm currently on the other side of the country at Alt Summit. (Follow me on Instagram to join in on the fun!) But of course wanted to quickly pop in to share a couple of fun links. Enjoy...and have a great weekend!

• This cute dress makes it possible to basically wear a giant sweatshirt and still look totally chic. This essentially equals MY DREAM.

• A must-follow on Instagram: makeup artist Maria Malone. Forget red lips or rosy cheeks--that's child's play for this woman. Her work is INSANE. She can make a human face look like anything. Check out this seal (yes, that is actually someone's face!), this cougar, and even Robin Williams. Oh, and this Elsa totally freaks me out.

• I relate so much to this funny, poignant post: Parenting On Speed.

• Kids who look EXACTLY like their parents.

• Grain-free sweet potato gnocchi! Paleo pasta! Get in my belly!

• Anyone with kids will love this: Sleep has a marketing problem.

• Fascinating: Why mothers and daughters fight. (h/t Laura)

• 15 toys from the '80s now worth serious money. Did you own any of them?

• Moms who vacation at Target.

• Fun shirt: I find your lack of sparkle disturbing. (via Bev)

• The myth of vitamin C.

• Do you remember that song "Closing Time?" The one about leaving a bar? Turns out it's not about leaving a bar. And you won't believe what it's really about! (Note: Skip to about 3:30/3:40 in the video to get to the right part.)

And, in case you missed it, this week I...

• Shared a few pretty things currently on my wish list.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

When Jewelry and Nail Polish Collide...

Dress, Rebecca Taylor; jewelry by BaubleBar

If you have spent any time on this blog, it comes as no surprise that jewelry and nail polish are two of my favorite things. So I was super, beyond excited when BaubleBar and Essie asked me to be a part of their new collaboration.

The cool new collab (which you can check out here) let's you create an awesome, personalized gift set (either for a friend or, duh, yourself) made up of an Essie polish and coordinating bangle, and then two additional bracelets that you select yourself. The whole set costs $50 and comes in a cute bag. Pretty great, right?

For the photo shoot above, I chose the "Where's My Chauffeur" duo, which includes this beautiful robin's egg blue polish (which I, of course, finished off with pink glitter at the tips--close up below) and the matching blue-and-bling bangle. I then added a stack of other fun sparkly BaubleBar bracelets, my favorite new LBD from Rebecca Taylor (I die for the perforated leather accents!), and this insanely awesome necklace that I borrowed from BaubleBar (they've been sold out forever and I am praying they get back in stock soon!).


Essie Where's My Chauffeur nail polish with Essie A Cut Above at the tips

Big thanks to everyone involved with this project! It's such a cool, different gift idea, and I had so much fun. Plus, it was so flattering to be featured alongside some of my favorite girls including Lori, Jenn, and Grace. 

So, take a look and let me know what your favorite combo is. Are you more of a "Leading Lady" or a "Butler Please" type of girl? And how would you style your set? Tell me in the comments below!