Packing List: Beach Vacation

dress // bikini (on sale!) // sun hat // rash guard // pineapple towel // shorts // cooler bag // sandals (on sale!) // deodorant // sunglasses // straw bag // book

We're heading out for vacation soon! We'll be hitting the Delaware/Maryland beaches, then flying out to my brother in law's lakehouse in Michigan, then heading back to Delaware! It's going to be a lot of beach time, pool time, ice-cream-cone-eating time, and just hanging out and (hopefully) relaxing. It's not one of the super glamorous blogger vacations that we all drool over on Instagram, but it's basically exactly what I need right now. 

Here's a quick look at a few things I'm bringing, and a few things I'd love to bring--and just might be ordering soon.

Kate Spade Sundress - I've had my eye on this dress for months. It's a fun, more structured twist on the traditional embroidered Mexican style, and it looks like it's really flattering.

J.Crew Bikini - Seersucker for the win! (And the top is on sale!)

Eric Javits Sun Hat - I try to always wear a hat for sun protection when I'm outside, but bucket hats/fedoras aren't really big enough to provide adequate shade, and I would feel like a crazy person walking around the city with the same ginormous straw hat that I would wear by the pool. This is the perfect, happy medium! The brim is smaller than a traditional sun hat, but quite a bit wider than your basic bucket. My friend Dawn has one and I've admired it forever. Now, I'm finally going to spring for one for myself! (Bonus: It's made of a squishy, straw-like material that allows you to stuff it in your bag without destroying its shape.)

J.Crew Tropical Stripe Rash guard - I no longer go anywhere near a pool without a rash guard. It's just not worth it; the ultra-UV-sensitive skin on your shoulders and chest really needs that extra protection. And how fun is this one??

Pineapple Beach Blanket - Who wouldn't love a giant, plush, and oh-so-cheery pineapple towel? And unlike similar towels, which can run around $50, this one is under $20!

J.Crew Ruffle Chambray Shorts - Am I the only one who thinks it's really hard to find good shorts? That's why I love these: The ruffles add a cute, interesting detail, and they're not too, too short.

Ban.do "Beach Please" Cooler Bag - Cooler bags are one of those things you don't really think to bring to the beach, but once they're there, you're so glad you have them. (Cold water, juice, or--let's be honest--rosé, anyone?) This one also gets big bonus points for being adorable.

Dolce Vita sandals - When I'm going on a lazy trip like this, I leave the heels at home. (I always think heels look out of place anywhere near a beach, anyway, am I right?) Instead, if I go out to a slightly more fancy-ish dinner, I wear gold flat sandals, which can also double as a nicer shoe for day. These are really pretty, comfy, and on sale for just $62!

Schmidt's deodorant - You guys, I have tried to wean myself off antiperspirant and switch to natural deodorant for years, but I've never been able to do it. I'm probably going to do a longer post on this product soon, but let's just say, it's the only natural deo I've ever found that actually works. (And as a longtime beauty editor, I've pretty much tried them all). It's really amazing. It comes in lots of different scents, but I love this lime one. So refreshing!

Kate Spade sunglasses - I always love Kate Spade sunglasses and this shape works really well for my face. I'm never brave enough to wear crazy glasses, so I love that these look normal from the outside, but have a fun, colorful stripe-y pattern on the inside.

Permanently Poolside straw bag - So fun, and--since "permanently poolside" is what I hope to be--totally accurate.

In a Dark, Dark Wood book - My goal is to get a ton of reading done on this trip. (I mean, is there anything better than sitting next to a pool reading? NO.) I just finished a really great page turner called Behind Closed Doors (get it!), so I wanted to read something really good next. This one is supposed to be awesome, and since Reese Witherspoon just bought the rights to turn it into a movie, so you know it has to be good. (Also, if you've read any good books lately, please let me know. I am always looking for recs!)

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My June Favorites

1- dress (on sale!) // 2 - bag // 3 - book // 4 - art // 5 - mascara // 6 - blush // 7 - beauty blenders // 8 - toothbrush // 9 - pancake pan // 10 - chip & dip server // 11 - sunscreen // 12 - moon cheese // 13 - hand vac

There are so many fun things out there right now, and I've gathered a few of my favorites here. Some are on my personal wishlist; a few are things I already own and LOVE. Happy shopping!

1. Tory Burch dress (on sale!) - I've been stalking this dress for months now online. I didn't want to pay the full price ($400!) when it first came out, but now it's on major sale, so I think I might pull the trigger. It would be perfect for vacation, but also dinners out or even just running around the city on a hot summer day.

2. Kate Spade bag - I love a small, crossbody bag in the summer (who wants to lug around a ton of stuff in the heat?), and I'm just dying over the cute red ric rac trim on this one!

3. Do Not Become Alarmed book - I was looking for "best beach reads" online and this one kept coming up. It sounds awesome--and scary! (The premise: Two groups of parents lose their kids--eek!--while vacationing on a cruise ship.) It's been described as a page turner that you'll read in one day. SOLD.

4. "Three Crystals" framed print - The photographer Timothy Hogan shoots these really stunning close-up images of crystals. I really love the details and the colors on this one!

5. Tarte Gifted Smart Mascara - Always looking for a new mascara and this one sounds really great. (Plus, how cute is that packaging??)

6. Benefit Galifornia - Speaking of freaking-adorable packaging, this blush from Benefit could not be better looking. (The actual peachy-pink blush laced with gold is totally gorgeous on, too.)

7. Beauty Blender Summer Fling set - Just ask any makeup artist: Nothing's better for natural-looking foundation application than a Beauty Blender. And, because you know you need a new one (admit it--yours is looking gross, right?), this set of three featuring new summer colors (lime! orange!) is super tempting.

8. Phillips Sonicare Diamond Clean Toothbrush - I started using this toothbrush a few weeks ago, and my teeth have never felt or looked better. It gets them SO clean and smooth. Plus, it's rose gold!

9. Emoji Pancake Pan - This pan makes adorable emoji-shaped pancakes. I want it to seriously step up our weekend pancake game, and of course, for the Instas.

10. Melamine Chip & Dip Server - These melamine dishes look like something you'd find in your favorite Mexican restaurant and they're incredibly, surprisingly affordable. 

11. Supergoop Everyday Sunscreen - This is my favorite sunscreen right now. It's super light (feels like nothing going on and there's zero greasiness) and it smells, deliciously, like licorice.

12. Moon Cheese - My favorite snack! It's 100-percent freeze-dried CHEESE. Sounds kind of odd, I know, but it tastes like heaven. Trust me.

13. Bissel Pet Hair Eraser - I have a dog and a navy-colored velvet couch, and let me tell you, the two do not mix. I had resorted to covering my couch in blankets, but that just looked so stupid. I found this hand-held vacuum on Amazon and it's been a lifesaver. It sucks up the hair easily and quickly, and it's actually kind of fun and satisfying to use.

Do you guys have any of these things yet? If not, which ones are on your wish list now? Tell me below!

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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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On My Wish List: Pink & Red

dress; necklace, bath oil; top; fragrance; laptop cover; book art; wallet; flats

I'm sure it's the Valentine's Day spirit wafting through the air, but I'm totally feeling a pink-and-red thing this week. I want that comfy-cool top (dig those mesh cut-outs!) to wear with skinny jeans or leather leggings, that breezy maxi to wear once this ghastly weather clears up, and that sparkling-floral fragrance to lift my spirits in the meantime.

What's on your wish list right now?

Monday Wish List

Wrap dress; clutch; necklace; maxi dress; ruffled top; muscle tee; travel mug; earrings; sunglasses

Today New York is supposedly getting a snowstorm they're predicting to be "crippling and historic." Oy. But before I start psychologically preparing myself for being cooped up inside with two bored children (send help! and extra iPad chargers!), I'm taking a moment to dream of warmer, sunnier times. And that's making me covet this dress (it's perfect for work or even drinks), this pretty top (I'd wear it to dress up these--under $100!--jeans), and these cool, blue Marc Jacobs sunglasses (such a fun twist on the classic aviator shape).

Here's a few more things I'm looking forward to busting out once the Snowpocalypse is over. In the meantime, stay warm!
 

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The Coolest Spring Sunglasses

I love sunglasses. LOVE. (I mean, no surprise--I wear them in nearly every outfit post.) I have a huge wardrobe of them and love nothing more than scoring a new pair. So, I was thrilled when the eyewear fashion trend site Eyecessorize invited me to attend the recent Vision Expo trade show to view some of the new spring looks. I saw so much cool stuff--and sooo many shades that I'm now coveting. Here are some of the biggest trends you'll be seeing--and some of my favorite pairs...

Subtly Studded. I love me a good stud, and this season, we'll be seeing hints of tasteful studding all over eyewear. My favorite pairs? It's a tie between the two Balmain stunners below: the gorgeous blue pair (snatch them up here in brown or black) and the white ones with round studs dotted across the top (get 'em here). 

Girly Embellishments. Studs weren't the only decorative element to make an appearance. I saw everything from wood accents to lace to fur trim! But I went absolutely BANANAS for the honey-colored Ferragamo shades below with that adorable bow detail. It was very, very hard to walk out of there without them, let me tell you. (Find them here--and make me jealous!)

Cherry Red. There was a rainbow's worth of colored frames at the show, but my eyes gravitated right towards the bright scarlet ones. Though red is one of my favorite colors in general, I've actually never owned a red pair of sunnies. But I think it may be time. I loved how they looked totally modern and not at all Sally Jesse Raphael. (Is anyone reading this old enough to know that reference? Haha...) I especially loved the cat-eye Kate Spade pair below (find it here). Want. So. Bad.

Super Sparkly. I mean, how could this not be one of my favorite trends? We all know that I love a good glittery detail and shimmer was there in spades. I fell especially hard for these black Diane Von Furstenberg sunnies with their sprinkling of gold glitter (similar here), as well as the sequined tortoiseshell Bebe pair.



While I was there, I also got to play with some cool, non-shade specs. I don't wear prescription glasses  yet (but I can feel my eyes getting worse lately, so I'm probably close--oy), but when I do, at least I know now that there are some seriously cute options out there. Here's me having my Tina Fey moment with some clear frames and some ombre-colored ones.


So, tell me below: Which trend is your favorite? And, just for fun, I'd love to know: How many pairs of sunglasses do you own? 

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Eyecessorize, but all opinions are 100 percent my own.