Travel Style: Camo + Sailor Stripes

...plus a 90s throw back: Spice Girls buns!  When I travel I like to keep my hair out of my face (one less thing to worry about if I'm not fiddling with my hair!); so I usually stick to buns or braids--chic and easy.  Especially when I'm driving long distance, like I did this weekend, I hate it when my hair gets in my face (I have long, crazy hair with a mind of it's own).

Just a side note, I'm not pregnant, my shirt is just baggy, lol.

Can I just say I love my car (it's a 2015 Chevy Equinox...in champagne!); it's perfect for road trips!  It's super spacious, with lots of room for luggage (and I always travel with a lot of it; I haven't quite gotten acquainted with "packing lightly", haha) and friends...and more luggage (because a girl needs options!)!

This Vera Bradley duffle is an oldie, but a goodie.  I got it as a Christmas gift a few years ago while I was still in college.  It's perfect on short trips and I can fit a TON of stuff in it (the zipper is basically magic, because no matter how much I stuff in there, it always seems to be able to close!)!.

And this palm print Old Navy tote (sadly, sold out, but I did post some similarly inspired bags down at the bottom!)?  I use it for everything!  Trips to the beach, my gym bag, and when I go on trips it holds my toiletries and shoes (I like to have lots of options, lol).

My favorite travel outfits are loose, but still have some structure to them; this makes them both comfortable and stylish.  This nautical striped top and joggers are perfect; the patterns provide interest, and everything looks put together but isn't stuffy and uncomfortable (the worst things that your outfit could be when traveling--especially on a long car ride).

Upstate New York is ridiculously gorgeous!  Nature is everywhere and it's all beautiful.  Leaving Long Island and heading upstate for a couple of days is just the refreshing getaway that I needed (I've been feeling tired and in a slump for a couple of weeks now).

#selfie.  I snuck this one in while Richie was still out of the car, before we left for our hike...  No matter what anyone says, you can never have too many selfies!  Plus, I love these aviators (another Old Navy find!), which I think are the perfect sunnies for any adventure!  And check out my ombré; on point!  ;)

Yes, I make Richie take selfies with me (and there are a million more of just me when he refuses to get in the picture, lol).  I took a really cool, little video selfie, but it was one second short of the three second minimum to post it to Insta (not cool, Instagram, not cool; insert sad, teary emoji face here).  But this one is just as cute.  :)

I'm not gonna lie, the hike was much harder than I thought.  I was sweaty and achy...and cranky.  I have a weird love/hate relationship with heights: I'm totally okay with them and love them when I'm strapped into something, but the trail wasn't a typical, well-wen dirt path, there was lots on climbing, and narrow pathways, and drops off the sides; in short, I was a giant weenie during most of it.  I wish I would've just taken a deep breath and enjoyed it more, because it was truly beautiful; but I was so worried of slipping, and falling off the path and breaking something, that I let my anxiety take over, and it sort of ruined some of the adventure.  Luckily, Richie was a really good sport about it all.

When we finally got to the waterfall, it was all definitely worth it.  Pictures don't do this place justice.

I had to stick my hands under the waterfall.  It was just so, so hot on Saturday; especially since this was the end of the hike, and then you had to turn back to hike back down (so, I guess it was really the middle of the hike, haha).

When my sister (and blogger photographer), Rachel, isn't around, that means it's up to Richie to snap some shots for me--whether he likes it or not...and he doesn't, lol.  During our hike I wanted to get in a quick outfit pic, with this amazing backdrop.  His response, "Not everything is a fashion show!".  

He's lucky he's cute.

After the long hike, Richie took me to a nearby watering hole that people go to after a long hike.

Jumping off this ledge into the watering hole was so much fun (and my goodness, so refreshing too!)!  Even though I love adventure, and crazy roller coasters, heights anywhere else, kind of freak me out (like I said, love/hate relationship); it was a little scary to stand on that ledge, getting ready to jump into waters that I didn't know how deep they went, but I'm super glad I did!  Richie and I were the only people jumping from the highest ledge, and it gave me a pretty good confidence boost (and it totally cooled me off from our hike!)!

*Check out one of my other upstate adventures, here, where Richie and I went underground at Howe Caverns! *

The next day, we just took it easy: sleeping in late and then, hitting the Crossgates Mall for some date night fun (they have everything there!)!

Ever since I went to Dave and Busters a couple of months ago, I've been hooked (is that dorky? lol #sorrynotsorry)!  So Sunday night  we went for date night; it's easy, fun and has everything in one place (food, drinks, and entertainment)!  Plus, I'm super competitive (with pretty much anything, especially Monopoly...), and I love winning tickets; I don't know what it is, and Richie finds it hysterical that I get so amped when I win (hitting jackpot is the best feeling in the world, haha).

As you can see, I'm super sad that Dave and Busters went electronic with their tickets. One of my favorite parts is when all the tickets comes shooting out of the game (especially when you hit jackpot!!!).

 I hope ya'll had a fun weekend like I did!

What's your favorite way to travel in style? :)

Shop my look (and similar pieces!) here:

Four Day Weekend: Recap

Who doesn't love a four day weekend?  This past weekend I did a solo road trip upstate (New York).  On Saturday I had an engagement party for one of my sorority sisters (and old college housemate/bestie), so I decided to make a long weekend of it since Richie also lived upstate. 

A quick how-to for "tucking" a shirt or sweater into a jumpsuit.

Either a belt or drawstring:  Tuck part of the bottom of the shirt into the belt/bow of the drawstring. If you're tucking into a drawstring, tie it once, tuck the shirt in, then tighten the drawstring before you tie the bow. 

 Easy-peasey!  Just adjust the shirt a bit so that it falls right, and then, voila, you're ready to go!

Shop my road trip look here!

On Saturday, Richie and I dressed in our best and went to the engagement party!

This scallop dress from J. Crew scallop dress (on sale right meow!!!  And it's under $50!) is the perfect dress for an engagement party (or really any occasion)!

I'm convinced that navy blue is pretty much perfect for any occasion.  It's simple and sophisticated.  It can be casual or fancy-schmancy.  By now if you couldn't tell, I'm #teamnavy all the way.

The pearls say classy girl, and the leopard wedges say "let's have some fun!".  Both are super easy to pack and travel with and really add some extra oomph to a solid outfit. 

Brittany and I have been friends for quite a while now.  We're basically the same person.  Back in college we spent our Friday afternoons, after classes (and sometimes Friday nights too), munching on junk food and having Bride Day marathons (so we're basically wedding planners now).

I can't wait for all of the wedding celebrations to begin!

I think we clean up quite nicely!  ;)

Shop my engagement party look here!

Sunday was a lazy day, spent relaxing and watching movies snuggled under covers while it poured outside.

Monday was adventure time and I was super excited to go explore Howe Caverns!  Upstate NY is a great place to go on an adventure if you love the outdoors.  

I'm still not sure as to why this dress was displayed before the tour, but it was so darling that I had to snap a quick shot of it anyways!

...that's right!  There's a room down in the caverns where cheese is stored an aged.  Our guide told us that because of the constant temperatures down in the caverns (a cool fifty-two degrees all year 'round), it's the perfect place to age cheese!

This stalactite (...or stalagmite?  I can't remember!), is called the Chinese Pagoda.  It was huge (I think it was around nine feet)!

Being down in the caverns (the equivalent of fifteen stories underground), was so amazing!  The whole time we were down there I kept telling Richie that it was so unreal that it felt like I was on the set of the movie because this couldn't possible that this was all naturally occurring!

It's said that if you're of marrying age, and you step on the stone, it's supposed to be good luck, and that you'll be engaged within the year!

Our guide told us that people even get married down there!

#cavernselfies, kinda hard to achieve, but darn it I was going to make it happen!  I think Richie was relieved that it was a little too hard to get a good selfie down there, lol (he's not much of a picture taker).

These dyed geodes from the souvenir shop were so pretty!  I didn't buy any because I have no idea what the heck I'd do with them, but they were definitely so cool to look at that I seriously debated buying a set (damn my tourist-like nature!).

Shop my cavern adventures outfit here!

This four day weekend of fun and relaxation was just what I needed! :)

Weekend Blues

This weekend was filled with lots of laughter...and food; a.k.a. the perfect way to get better quicker (because I'm still sick)!

Saturday was adventure time; my parents and I went out to Brooklyn to check out a local flea market.  And let's just say that it didn't turn out as we thought.  When I think flea market I think crazy amazing vintage treasures and farmer's market type of a place. What we walked into was a modge podge of...well, junk.  But getting out of the house, going for a scenic drive and hanging out with my parents was still a blast!

I love this combo of: graphic tee+boyfriend tees+comfy cardi+metallic shoes=casual cool.  I was sooooo comfortable in this outfit, I might as well have been in my PJs!  It was so beautiful and sunny out, but there was a bit of a breeze, so jeans and a cardi was the perfect way to go.

This pineapple print backpack was something I bought last summer for a trip Richie and I took with friends down to Maryland.  I love this backpack; it cute and functional (and it fits so much stuff in it!).

On our way back we took the long way home and drove along the water and then stopped for a late lunch at a cute little clam shack right on a marina dock. 

I used to hate seafood; I wanted nothing to do with it, and couldn't even stand the smell of it.  But since last summer I've slowly started to enjoy eating it!  Especially baked clams (my fave seafood) and crab cakes...probably because they're covered in breadcrumbs and cheese.  Plus those onion rings?  Super tasty!

Any meal by the water makes the meal one hundred times better (especially when it's a beautiful day out, like it was on Saturday).  It the epitome of relaxation. One day I hope to live on the water (fingers crossed!).

Anchor rings and pearl bracelets are perfect for a seafood lunch.  This was actually a happy fashion coincidence (even though my dad asked me if I did this on purpose, despite the fact that we didn't even know we were going to this restaurant until like ten minutes before we sat down to eat, lol).

Sunday was BBQ day!  I decided to keep it comfy and casual since it was low-key. 

The weather lately has been so up in the air lately; sometimes its a little chilly, sometimes it's a little too warm.  A cute, light cardigan over this jumpsuit is the perfect solution.  It goes along with my sandals without being too match-matchy.

I could seriously sleep in this jumpsuit--it's that comfortable!  My favorite pieces to buy, are the ones that I can just throw on and go, but doesn't actually look like I  threw everything together.  Basically, I try to put together all my outfits around comfort, without having to give up looking fashionable. 

I'm obsessed with my heart sunnies that I found at a local vintage store.  They're so much fun and I love the white frames for summer (which will look great once I finally achieve my tan!)!

Tassels?  Yes please!  I'm obsessed.  They're definitely going to be an accessory that I'll be gravitating towards this summer. Tassels are super fun, and pack a punch when they dress up a plain outfit. 

My sister takes pretty much all of my pictures for my blog and Insta now, and for a while we've been trying to figure out the whole "jumping for joy" pose.  I think we're both finally starting to get the hang of these photo shoots; definitely much, much better than when we first started doing photos!  :)

And these Old Navy sandals, just like the jumpsuit is also super comfortable!  They're totally a cool summer shoe.  And I love the way my pedicure (Essie "Lapiz of Luxury")!

Shop my weekend looks here!

I hope y'all had awesome weekends full of yummy food and lots of laugh!  :)

Weekend Recap

This weekend was a weirdly paced one.  It wasn't too busy since I'm still sick.  However, I did manage to have a little bit of fun when I wasn't feeling so terrible and wasn't either in bed or on the couch.

1.  My favorite outfit I wore was my palm frond graphic skirt with a crisp white tunic for an easy, fun look to celebrate the fact that it's finally warm enough to sport bare legs now!  I love the tropical feel of this outfit (I'm ready to have a cocktail at a tiki bar on the beach in this outfit!)

Old Navy tunic top | $24

Forever 21 skirt | old purchase | similar here, here & here

Target pointed flats | $30

Michael Kors Selma satchel | gift from Richie

2.  Lunch Date with Richie by the water.  Being stuck in bed, when I haven't been at work, I had to get out of the house and get some fresh air!  I wasn't able to be out and about very long, but it was definitely worth it.

We stopped by a little burrito bar called, Salsa Salsa which was cute little place down towards the water.  Richie and I both got the giant, filling burritos and sodas in glass bottles (I'm a sucker for glass bottle sodas!).

We took a short walk down by the water.  It was so beautiful out, but surprisingly hot!  Plus being so sick, I've been getting tired very easily.  But I'm a firm believer that some fresh air (especially some salty sea air) does the body good!

It was so peaceful watching the sailboats go by.  If we would have picked up some ice cream, I could've stayed on the docks and watched the boats all day!

Going down port always feels like a mini stay-cation to me.  There's a bunch of little shops and restaurants around, and the hustle and bustle of the ferry makes it feel much more like a destination.

3.  A mani-pedi (a cup of hot tea) is one of the best ways to relax and unwind when you're sick.  Whenever I get a mani my go-to polish is usually Essie; they have a crazy amount of colors, and they all look gorgeous on your nails!

I'm really into lavender polish for spring, so for my fingers I went with the 'Go Ginza', and for my toes, 'Lapiz of Luxury'.  The colors are perfect and the names are so fun.  (Who can I talk to about becoming a nail polish namer?)

How was your weekend?  :)

NYC Recap

Valentine's Day was celebrated by exploring the city this year with Richie.  It was super cold (...and we also missed our train, so we had to hang out at the station for an extra hour), but it was most definitely worth the trip!

Our first stop was a little touristy--Madame Tussaud's--but how fun is it to take selfies with celebrities?  Even if they are wax figures, it's still loads of fun!  Plus, there's so many great photo ops that make some pretty funny pictures (you can even get on a bike and snap a photo with E.T., just like in the movie)!

I'm a little sad I didn't get to take a picture with Kate Middleton and Prince William (they must've been at a different location), but Richie and I still got some pretty fun shots nonetheless!

Then we braved the icy cold and headed downtown for dinner.

For a while now, we have wanted to try the Sugar Factory (the NY location happened to be in the Meat Packing District).  While the name would make it seem like it's only a candy shop, it is so much more.  It's a bar and restaurant, with a little candy shop at the front (so if you don't get enough sugar during your meal, you can get some sweets to go).  You can get breakfast, lunch or dinner; or even just go for drinks which are certainly the main event!  There are a wide variety of candy inspired drinks, and even more popular, are the goblet drinks (60 oz!!), which I definitely recommend sharing with a friend, lol.

We tried the Energy Bear goblet, and oh my goodness it was delicious!  Between the watermelon vodka and the big gummy bears at the bottom it tasted exactly like a Jolly Rancher (plus, the Red Bull will keep you going for the rest of the night!).

Confession: I love bruschetta.  Fresh tomato, grated parmesan, balsamic vinaigrette and garlic; you just can't beat it!

Hands down, my favorite thing we ate were the fried macaroni and cheese pops.  Macaroni and cheese is great on it's own, but, fry it and pair it with a creamy tomato basil dipping sauce, and takes it to another level.  To me it was homey, it reminded me of grilled cheese and tomato soup, just like when I was a kid!

For the main course, we both got burgers (Richie got the house special, and I got the bleu cheese bacon).  You definitely won't leave this place hungry.  The burgers were humongous and delicious (plus, the mound of crispy fries will certainly hit the spot).

We got downtown early, so we did a bit of exploring before our dinner reservation. And to my excitement we actually stumbled across one of Warby Parker's locations!  I've done their in-home try-ons a few times, but I've never before been in one of their stores. I just had to go inside and try some frames on. The staff there were super nice. Even though I wasn't buying frames that day, they were still incredibly helpful (I actually have an in home try on on the way, so one guy explained how the whole ordering process worked).

As soon as we walked in I got excited.  I really need new glasses since my prescription got stronger, which means new frames are in order.  

Don't mind the faces--I was trying to discreetly take selfies in just about every frame I tried on, lol.

Laurel in Tea Rose Fade

Nash in Crystal

Hardy in Striped Pacific

Marshall in Rum Cherry

These Burke frames in Tennessee Whiskey are classically cool with the half tortoise, half clear frames.

These Daisy frames, in Aurelia Tortoise, are my top choice!

I've got my eye on the Daisy frames.  I'm in love with the Aurelia Tortoise color!  It's bold, but doesn't go overboard; plus, the colored tortoise reminds me of warmer weather, and it's uniqueness is fresh and fun!  :)

Richie was a good sport and modeled some glasses too! 

If you're ever in the area, definitely check out these places.  Sometimes touristy isn't bad, it's exciting to relax and just act like a kid.  And trying out new places is always an adventure (for me it feels like I'm crossing something off my bucket list when I try something new)!

What are some great spots in NYC that you've stumbled across?  :)