6.04.2014


Summer is less than a month away which means one thing to me...beach time! We try to live at the beach because Summers are so unbearably hot here. The California coast is much more pleasant then staying inland (and much prettier as well). I guess you can think of  it as going to the Hamptons versus staying in the city! To beat the heat, you can bet that these key products will remain in my bag all Summer long.


1) A stylish beach bag is the foundation for looking cute whether at the beach or pool. Mine was purchased last year from Target, but I found more affordable options here, here, and here! As long as it's roomy enough to fit magazines and a towel, I'm good to go. Sequins are a plus ;)

2) I always, always wear sunscreen. I'd honestly rather resemble a ghost these days then risk getting damaged by the sun. I'll be 30 in September if that gives you an idea why. However, I also need a sunscreen that won't clog my pores or make me look like a grease ball. I've been using Coppertone Oil Free Sunscreen for years and it's never disappointed. Even hubby likes it and I used to struggle to get him to protect his fair skin. What's great about it is that it's gentle enough to put everywhere, including your face. I often see sunscreens formulated for face or body, but I've never understood why people don't use one product that does it all. This is a holy grail Summer staple for sure.

3) My godfather introduced me to Maui Babe Browning Lotion when I was a teenager visiting him in Hawaii. Now I don't condone skipping the sunscreen in lieu of using a tanning product. Not a good idea. But, I love this applied after sunscreen. That defeats the purpose but I honestly just love the scent! Summer in a bottle. It smells like a combination of brown sugar and coconut. Who wouldn't wanna smell like that? It's also very moisturizing and makes my skin feel as soft as a baby's bum. I always have it in my bag, even if I don't use it for its intended purpose.

4) Revlon Lip Butter in Juicy Papaya. Because it's pretty, shiny, and the perfect Summer shade without being fussy. You don't even need a mirror to apply it.

5) Then there are accessories. I like a hat to protect my hair and scalp. It's also great for shielding your face. I favor a fedora or Panama style, but I also adore the glamorous old Hollywood style too! And of course, sunglasses are vital. Mine are from Target, but my dream pair is made by Tom Ford. Swoon.

What are your beach bag essentials? Share in the comments!

Linking up with Tara!

6.02.2014











The golden hour is my favorite time of the day. With the warm glittering sun shining all around, everything looks ethereal. We decided to take a stroll before meeting my mom for dinner on Friday evening. As always, I opted for a twirly skirt, metallic pumps, and my chambray shirt. I loved the combination, although now that I look at these photos, I'm wondering why I didn't notice how bunched up my shirt was around my waist! I'm telling you that blogging has made me realize how careless I can be when getting dressed and running out the door. No matter, I still felt fabulous that evening. I put my phone away, stopped thinking so much, and enjoyed the last breath of sun with my love.

Hope you had a great weekend!

5.29.2014



Target heels, love these and these
Banana Republic clutch, obsessed with this one



Hey ladies, these are just a couple quick snaps that hubby took of me while we were heading out to dinner last Friday. We often joke that every night is date night because we don't have kids yet. Sometimes we'll hit up a familiar spot, and sometimes we will venture out of town to try something new (especially along the coast. Any excuse to be by the ocean). On this night, I paired leopard and stripes which is one of my favorite combinations. I also can't get over how beautiful and sparkly these Baublebar x Anthropologie earrings are! Easily my favorite piece of jewelry - at the moment.