carrie bradshaw lied closet

I’ve been wanting to put together a post like this for a while. I am all about some luxury pieces, while mixing in lower price points and “looks for less.”  I recently shared a post about high/low mixing here and some of my favorite investment pieces here, but this concept of mixing Target and Chanel will always be something I’m preaching.  You don’t have to spend a million bucks to look like a million bucks!

That being said… I’ve made some (self-proclaimed) excellent luxury purchases and some not as great choices. I thought I would go into further detail of WHY as to hopefully help any of you looking to make a luxury accessory investment!

luxury accessory reviewmanolo blahnik heels

Let’s get the least worn out of the way first, shall we?

 

YSL Sac De Jour

I saw this bag in a department store and immediately absolutely loved it. I love a structured bag. It maintains it’s shape so beautifully and I thought the dark gray would go with everything. When I held the empty bag, it had some weight. I didn’t think too much about it, but once I put in my wallet, knick knacks and so on… it felt like I was carrying a “sac” of bricks.  I later realized the interior was lined with suede and now they make them with a sleek leather interior which cuts the weight at least in half. I actually ended up buying one of the newer designs and love it so much more only because of the weight factor!

SO my advice: if it feels heavy at all when it’s empty? Girrrll… pass.

Gold Hoop Earrings

These hoops actually are from Macy’s and not Tiffany’s – I just keep them in that little duster case because they fit perfectly.

I wanted a pair of quality gold hoops and my mom and I picked these out in college. They’re lightweight, the perfect size and gorgeous.

BUT, because they have a clasp situation instead of a post back… one of them falls out of my ear constantly. I’ve even taken them to a jeweler to see if I could change the design to a post back and he said I couldn’t. It bums me out because otherwise I adore them! In the future I would never invest in a nice pair of earrings that has a push clasp backing (I don’t know the correct term for this!).  Le sigh.

YSL Oil-in-Stick Lipstick

These lipsticks are gorgeous.  But the go on like a chapstick and the pigment doesn’t last more than an hour. Again – they’re beautiful but if you’re actually looking for lip color… pass.

Manolo Blahniks

I got these two pairs of Manolos at the same time and while they are some of the most comfortable designer pumps I own… I rarely reach for them. When they’re on, the leopard looks more like an overall brown and the gray is this blueish-gray that when worn neither looks blue or gray. I’m sure I’m overthinking it, but it just pains me that I splurged on them and rarely wear them!

Christian Louboutin So Kate’s (not pictured – sold)

I mean… these heels are basically a five inch heel with no sole platform at all. It’s like walking on stilts. I could barely stand in them much less walk so I sold them (with a warning that they’re the most uncomfortable heel of all time). I then vowed I’d only buy Louboutins with a 100mm heel. I can’t even pretend to walk in the 120mm!

Gucci Sunglasses (not pictured – sold)

I bought a pair of Gucci sunglasses on a whim in Florida and they just didn’t work for my face shape. They were a different shape than I normally wear and ultimately I never wore them, so they went to a new home.  Now if I splurge on a luxury pair of sunglasses, I make sure I already have and like a similar shape already first!

caviar chanel jumbostuart weitzman ankle strap heelsblack gucci beltlouboutin pigallepink velvet prada bag

Now let’s dig into the most loved items!  I could have added so much more to this list but I really wanted to focus on the crème de la crème.

 

Chanel Jumbo

Christian gave me my first Jumbo bag for my birthday, and it remains my most loved bag in my collection.  It’s a caviar beige leather and such a dreamy bag I know I’ll be wearing for decades. I love it so much I ended up getting a gently used black version of the same bag (full blog post here).

I only go for caviar leather over lambskin because while they’re both beautiful, I am not delicate enough with my bags to maintain lambskin. The caviar leather is definitely more durable!

YSL Wallet on a Chain

When I got this bag from Luisa Via Roma  I had no idea how often I would wear it. You can wear it as a clutch or crossbody and I’ve gotten so much use out of it! They make this little bag in a ton of different colors and I really only have great things to say about it.

Christian Louboutin Pigalle

Now these are Louboutins that I can walk in (shoutout to the 100mm heel). I bought the nude first and then snagged the black. They are easy to keep clean and I probably wear the nude more than the black… but it’s a pretty close race!

Gucci Belt

I bought this belt as my Paris souvenir and I’ve worn it even more than I thought I would. It looks great with denim but I think it looks even more fabulous over a coat or faux fur vest!  Everyone asks me about the sizing and I don’t even know what size mine is… I tried on two and ended up buying the smaller one and added a few extra holes in it using this.  There’s a size chart online – I’d recommend using that!

Chanel Brooches

I bought the big pearl one for myself and then my mom gave me the cz one on my wedding day. If you’re looking for a a smaller sized accessory splurge, I would definitely recommend a brooch. You can put these on blazers, coats, dresses, on top of a tie waist dress.  This might serve some inspiration!

Stuart Weitzman Nudist

I have these in nude and black and you can tell… I wear them a TON. They are the most fabulous strappy sandal I’ve ever had. They look amazing with everything and have that perfect tall-but-not-too-tall stiletto heel. Can’t say enough great things about these.

Prada Cahier Bag

Ok I must confess that neither of these I paid full price for. The pink/red velvet (sadly it’s been sold out) was a Cyber Monday score and the leopard was a gently used bag I had to have!  When making a big purchase, I tend to go solid and neutral so I can get the most wear out of the piece.

I stand by the neutral investment theory, BUT… a patterned piece can be REALLY fun. I’ve been so surprised at how much these two Prada Cahier bags go with, and they definitely get way more attention than any other piece I have.  They’re a great size and I’ve enjoyed them so much more than I thought I would!

olivia culpo marledpigalle heelschanel jumbo handbag

photos by Christian Barnes

sweatshirt | denim (run TTS) | room details in this post

Was this helpful? I hope that my experience with these pieces helped provide a little insight if you’re looking to splurge on a fancy accessory. I try to put a lot of thought into big purchases, but sometimes I still miss the mark. Learn from me so you don’t waste your dollars!

If you can think of any similar topics you’d like to see on this blog, I’d love to hear. I love hearing from you guys! Thanks so much for reading and don’t forget to check out Shopbop and Bloomingdale’s MAJOR sale happening. More details here! XO –

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best of shopbop sale

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15

 

There are some amazing sales happening this week that I definitely want to share with y’all!  Above I’ve rounded up some cute picks for spring, and below are some additional selects in activewear, denim, dresses and more. This is such a great time to pick up a great pair of shorts, highwaisted jeans (I love this pair and sized up one size because they have zero stretch) or spring/summer espadrilles. I’ve been on the blazer hunt and there are so many good ones!

Bloomingdale’s Friends & Family Sale

4/6 through 4/15 | Up to 25% off + free shipping

Shopbop Sale

4/10 through 4/14 | 20% off orders under $500, 25% off orders over $500 with code EVENT18

Thank you so much for reading – and if you’ve scored any great deals I’d love to hear! XO –

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pink belt bag

I don’t know if everyone is aware of how versatile kimonos really are.  When I saw this beauty (an exclusive item to Bloomingdale’s), I thought it would be such a great piece for spring and summer!

A few ideas on how to wear a kimono:

Over a solid color (usually all black or all white).

With a belt bag to cinch your waist.

As a swimsuit coverup.

With a camisole, cutoffs and slides.

If it’s big enough wrap it totally closed and belt it as a dress!

 

Seriously, ladies. Do you have a kimono in your closet? If so, pull it out!! If not, you might need this cute yellow number.  The pattern is so fun and only available at Bloomingdale’s, as well as this dress in the same print!

yellow kimonoall inclusive cabo resortpink slingback heelbeltaine floral printed kimonozac zac posen mini eartha belt bagwhite cropped flare jeansyellow kimonohow to style a kimonohow to style white jeanspueblo bonito pacifica

photos by Valorie Darling at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica (review here)

kimono (runs big, I’d size down!), love this dress version | similar camisole (comes in 4 colors!) | similar denim here and here | heels | similar bag | earrings

 

Above are some kimono picks I really love that I think would work for so many of the styling tips mentioned above!  Do you have any kimonos in your closet you could pull out? And have you checked out all the adorable pieces 100% exclusive to Bloomies? So many great items for spring and summer!

Thanks so much for reading and sharing – XO-

Brought to you by Bloomingdale’s

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gerard darel mini saxo bag

– a pink bucket bag that is going to be my spring & summer bff –

gold chandelier earrings

– the most fabulous chandelier earrings from my friend Shallon at Tuckernuck –

new vintage handbags

– a fun surprise from my friends at New Vintage Handbags (posts here and here) –

tufted bench ottoman

– dropping a penny in my tulips vase and despite conflicting thoughts online, they’ve stood straight way longer than in times past –

patio bougainvillea

– enjoying sunshine with Miss Bailey on the patio –

Happy Friday! It’s been too long since I shared a Friday’s Five.  It feels good to share some of the weeks highlights!

There’s something so comforting about being home. March was a doozy with travel and April is looking so blissfully chill. I dig it.  I’m trying to use this time to get organized, schedule all those dentist appointments, hair appointments, etc., and also just generally enjoy the quiet.  We all get so “busy” and sometimes it can be so refreshing for our minds to shut off and enjoy the slow times.

In other news, The Real Housewives of New York is BACK, BABY! The previews have been outrageous, so yeah, I’m pretty excited about this season.  Who else is watching?

I had fun trying some new recipes this week and this Thai Peanut and Quinoa Salad was an A+.  I’m attempting making ramen tonight on my own – wish me luck!

Thanks so much for reading and have a beautiful weekend – XO –

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tabitha striped high-low midi skirt

A great white button down shirt can go with everything. I recently shared this shirt here in an outfit that I think any woman of any age or size can rock.

Now that it’s getting warmer, another way to rock a classic button down shirt is to tie it at the waist! There are shirts like this being sold online… but why buy another shirt when you can just tie up something that’s already in your closet?

You can do this with any high waisted skirt, pants, and so on. I even think it’s really cute over a swimsuit if you want some coverage without putting on a full coverup.

summer fish pursepueblo bonito pacificajulie vos braceletsblack lace up sandalsbetsy johnson fish bagprose and poetry skirtbella dahl shirtwhite bella dahl shirtprose and poetry striped skirtjules lace up sandalwhite sunglassesbloggers in cabojulie vos jewelry

photos by Valorie Darling at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica (review here)

shirt (on sale!), also love this one and this one | skirt (I would recommend sizing down), also love this one and this one | sandals | sunglasses | earrings | chainlink bracelet | bangles | “3” necklace | x ring | bag

I can’t go without acknowledging all of your incredible feedback and stories in yesterday’s post.  Y’all amaze me when you share your stories.  I learn endlessly from all of you. THANK you so much for being so supportive and encouraging. Truly means so very much to me.

I hope you’ll be inspired to recreate some looks with that button up shirt in your closet! Thank you so much for reading – XO –

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palm trees

I remember when this happened to me, over two years ago, and thinking I wanted to share this experience on CBL.  But I was still so taken aback and honestly, embarrassed, that I didn’t know how I could share it without sounding whiney or like I was fishing for validation (which I promise you I’m not!).

BUT, it has been on my mind and heart lately and I thought… let’s just go for it.  I think this is something that we can all learn from – because I know I learned from it.

What Happened

Several years ago I flew across the country to attend a college girlfriend’s wedding.  I hadn’t seen a lot of these gals in the years since I’d moved out West.  The bride had flown in for my wedding, which meant so much to me, and I wanted to return the love on her big day. Several of the college friends I would get to see had bought homes and had babies since we’d last seen each other, and I was really excited to hear about their new lives.

My bestie was also flying in for the occasion but wasn’t getting in town until the day of the wedding.  After the Friday night welcome party, I went to the hotel bar with the others there to chat some more before calling it a night. I was solo but genuinely excited to see everyone.

Before I knew it, a girl who was an acquaintance during college (at best… let’s call her Sally) but mostly just friends with the same people, sat down at the table. Within minutes, she started in.  Sally went on to tell me that “nobody likes you,” and then went on to critique my outfit and friendships, slurring, and asking her friends to chime in. They were telling her to be quiet, trying to escort her away, reel it in, apologize on her behalf, and some just silently left the table. I was in shock. All I could muster to say to her (somehow by the grace of God channeling my inner Erika Jayne, ha!) was, “you know, that’s fine. We’ve never been friends.”

Sally was escorted outside, and I was beyond humiliated, having never been spoken to like that before in my life. The more it sunk in, the more embarrassed I was.  What had I gotten myself into and what did I do to trigger her to this extreme?

Later I got an apology text from Sally and information from others that this wasn’t the first time she had verbally attacked some unsuspecting person at a wedding. So there’s that.

What I Learned

I later learned Sally had some complicated stuff going on in her own life. After a few drinks, things would spiral out of control and her behavior was TBD.  I’m not judging her drinking by any means. You know when I’m at a wedding or party, I’m going to indulge in some vino myself (cheers!). It was her behavior that was unacceptable, hurtful, uncalled for and reminded me why she and I were in fact, not friends in the first place.  In this incident the girls I knew did a great job of shutting it down, and I am really grateful and appreciative of that. They did everything they could in this unpredictable situation, and I still love and respect this group of girls.

As a whole, I’ve always been taught that you are who you surround yourself with, and Sally will most definitely not be a reflection of me or how I speak to and treat people.

When people talk about you, it says more about them than it does about you. I barely know this girl, so it was highly unlikely I’ve had that much of an impact on her life.

Looking back, I wish I would have just stood up and walked away when Sally started acting inappropriate. I was frozen, in shock, and while I responded well initially, I ended up getting choked up after the fact and excusing myself.   I didn’t even have the courage to tell Christian what had happened right away because it was so ridiculous and embarrassing.

Thankfully I was able to move past it and have a great time at the wedding. The bride was stunning and the wedding was beautiful, and I’m truly happy I went… despite this crazy story!

Today’s Thoughts

I’m not going to lie… I’ve definitely moved on but I can’t forget it.  After thinking long and hard about the experience, it really proved that when people are rude or hurtful, it almost always is a reflection of something going on in their life.  I don’t feel the need to lash out at others (besides occasionally Christian for leaving plates in the sink or my mom when she’s being high maintenance), so when negativity was so blatantly directed at me… I didn’t know how to handle it.

It also proved that while I live for Real Housewives, I am not cut out to be on TV.  One confrontation and I was shook.  Ha!

Ultimately I don’t regret going to my friend’s wedding. The bride even felt the need to apologize to me (which she didn’t need to whatsoever. She was not a part of any of this in any way), but I regret how I handled the situation. I should have walked away, no tears. Be the bigger person. Everyone is bigger than a Sally spouting off, ya feel me?  And the great news is that I hear Sally is in a much better place now, and we all agree that this incident is water under the bridge.

Has anyone ever spoken to you so out of line that it stopped you in your tracks? Did you learn from the experience? I’d love to hear what you learned.  I think there is so much knowledge when we can live and learn and share with each other.

If you made it this far… thanks so much for sticking around and reading!  You can catch more personal posts here. XO –

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levis denim jacket

I’ve been loving this denim jacket lately, and I’m so excited to share in this post how I made it my own… and how you can too!

Obviously I love the patch trend happening right now. A few weeks ago I shared in this post how I have even been sticking them on handbags. Am I taking this too far? It’s possible… but let’s get into it!

There are some seriously luxe patched-up denim happening right now, and I thought this was too easy to do at home rather than break the bank for.  After perusing online for about 10 minutes, I bought a few patches, ironed them in in less than 5 minutes and voila! My own spin on the trend that is uniquely my own.

I chose to keep it simple with two patches for now so the jacket will still easily layer with almost anything – but you could totally get creative and do whatever you felt vibes with your style!  I’m linking my patches and jacket below so that will serve some inspo if you’re looking to jazz up something in your own closet.  This is such a fun way to make something you already own feel brand new.

pueblo bonitojulie vos banglesdenim jacket with patcheswildfox round sunglassespolka dot dressblack lace up sandalzzp mini earthalevis ex boyfriend jacketjulie vos braceletspour la victoire lace up sandalscabo all inclusive resortwildfox black sunglassespolka dot dressperforated bag

photos by Valorie Darling at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica (review here)

dress, this one is almost identical and also love this one and this one | jacket, also available here (runs big/boyfriend fit) | K patch | LA patch | sandals | bag | sunglasses | earrings | index finger ring | gold bangles | chainlink bracelet | “3” necklace | x ring

I shared this dress in white and blue that I found online above, but I also linked some similar silhouettes in all kinds of cute patterns and colors.

What’s your thought on the patch trend? Would you put them on your bag or jacket? Gimme the scoop, girl!

Thank you so much for reading! XO –

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white culotte denim

I recently shared this look on Instagram here, but I don’t know what feels more fresh than crisp white denim.  However, my legs/thighs are usually not the area I look to highlight (a little more about that here), and we know white skinny jeans do this oh so well. That’s where a cropped flare pair comes in!

I love cropped denim because like skinny jeans, you can wear them with flats or heels but unlike skinny jeans, they don’t hug your leg silhouette if you’re not tryin’ to show them off, ya feel me?

pink slingback heelsdenim jacked tied around waistsheer off the shoulder topwhite cropped denimvince camuto slingback heelsspring white denimbrunette balayage hairrococo sands topbrunette lobvince camuto pink heelsvince camuto slingbackpink suede heels

photos by Christian Barnes

top (sold out), similar styles here and here | denim, also love this pair (splurge) and this pair (save) | jacket, also available here | heels | earrings | sunglasses | lipstick in Backtalk

Are you a white denim lover? Or do you have the same hesitation as me? If so, I encourage you to try this silhouette and see what you think! It’s totally changed the white denim trend for me.

Thanks so much for reading – XO –

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white tuxedo blazer

Last year a shared a tuxedo dress here, but this white tuxedo blazer might be one of the prettiest blazers in my closet (and I am blazer-addicted so I have quite a few).  I love wearing it with all black for a crisp and chic look, but I wanted to share how I paired it with a floral dress for a boss-lady yet feminine church outfit, baby shower look, work-appropriate look.

A blazer is probably my favorite way to make a spaghetti strap or strapless outfit acceptable for stricter dress codes. When I worked in a formal corporate office it was everything (examples here and here)!  It allowed me to maximize the pieces I already had in my closest versus having to spend money on “work clothes.” Girlfriend, that’s what cardigans and blazers are for. Don’t spend your hard-earned cash on work clothes if you don’t have to!

For other ways I like to style blazers check out casual looks here and here and a dressier look in this post.

chloe nile bag look for lessyumi kim midi dresswomens white blazerhow to style a tuxedo blazerchloe bag look for lesskendra scott justyne earringslayering a blazer over a dressyumi kim pretty woman dresschloe nile bag look for less

dress, also available here and love this one and this one | blazer, also love this one and this one | shoes – custom, love these and these | earrings | lipstick in Amulet | bag (a dupe!) | index finger ring

Can you see yourself rockin’ a tuxedo piece? Even if it was a mens jacket that was belted over faux leather pants… I mean, how chic!?

And let me know if these office-approved looks are helpful to you. I’ve shared a few here, here and here but am happy to share more!

Thank you so much for reading! XO –

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red dress picks

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 – and it’s reversible! | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16

 

I can’t get enough of red right now.  It’s such a hot and trendy color for this spring and summer!  I have styled red in some spring looks already here, here, here and here, but I wanted to put together a post with some of my favorite pieces online.

This dress is a dream, this swimsuit is reversible (love that for suits!) and I recently snagged this top (under $20).  I’m sharing many more red picks below.  I want to hear if you’re as into red right now as I am.

I’ve always loved a blonde in red, but my blonde friends say they feel like they’re “comin’ in hot” in a red dress. As a brunette, I totally disagree – I love it on both blondes and brunettes!

Thanks so much for reading – I’d love to hear your favorite red pieces!

And don’t forget today is the last day to enter the Louis Vuitton giveaway! XO –

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cult gaia round bag

It’s no secret I love a crop top (if you search “crop top” quite a few posts will come up), so give me a comfortable crop top set and you KNOW I’m here for it.

I think this set screams vacation, and I recently wore it in Palm Springs for a little ladies lunch.  I layered a chambray shirt over it during lunch as to not show too much skin!  You could also wear add a little straw hat for some extra summer vibes.  I’ve worn this skirt with a tee and sneakers here.  And how cute would this top be with high waisted jeans and a linen or white blazer!?

That’s what’s so great about sets – it’s always three looks in one!

red crop topred maxi skirtred crop top and skirttiare hawaii crop top and skirtred tassel earringsred crop top and skirtray ban look for lesschambray shirtcult gaia round bagtiare hawaii skirtbalayage brunette hair

photos by Michelle Preau

crop top (on sale) & skirt (sold out), love this dress version and this shorter skirt – how cute is this dress?! | sandals | bag | sunglasses | earrings | chambray shirt | cuff | index ring 1, 2

Are you loving all the sets that are hitting the scene for spring/summer?  I am all over it! I’m sharing some of my favorite ret sets below –

Thanks so much for reading, and don’t forget to enter the Louis Vuitton giveaway!  XO –

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feather coverup

Last week I traveled to Cabo San Lucas for a long weekend to celebrate Jenn’s wedding and spend some time at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica with Nikki!  Jenn asked Nikki and I to be in her wedding, and so we have had this trip scheduled for what feels like so long, so we were so excited to arrive in Mexico and sneak in some beach time before the big day.

As soon as we arrived to Pueblo Bonito Pacifica, I was thinking, “how can I extend this trip and get Christian down here?” He has been wanting to take a week of vacation in May and I felt so guilty because he would have LOVED this resort.  It is an all-inclusive property right on the water in Cabo.  There are multiple pools, tons of cabanas lined up in the sand, several restaurants and incredible suites.

We were assigned a butler named Manuel, and he was so attentive and helpful.  Turns out he also makes the best cocktails on the property (according to us) – you’ll see some of his beautiful concoctions below!

We had the most peaceful massages on Thursday (my masseuse was Melissa and she was fabulous) and there was an awesome gym in the building where we stayed (fun tidbit about me: I love a hotel gym – like, live for it), and I had the best workout Friday morning while overlooking the ocean… I mean, it doesn’t get better than that.

beach cabanasround straw beach bag

coverup | beach bag, also love this one | hat, also available here | sunglasses

blackberry martinipueblo bonito pacificavarsity letter patchbandana neckerchief

denim jacket, also available here | varsity letter patch | los angeles patch | similar jumpsuit here, here, here and here | bag | sunglasses (old), similar styles here and here | neckerchief | sandals

beach lunchretro white sunglasses

beach bag, also love this one | book (finally finished it and it’s so good!) | sunglasses | similar suit here and here

cabanaspilyq scalloped bikinijanessa leone gloria hat

hat, also available here | bikini top and bottoms | similar sarong here and here | sunglassesbeach bag, also love this one

basil mojitopueblo bonito suiteall inclusive cabo resortpueblo bonito suitepolka dot pantsyellow crop top

crop top (old), love this one, this one and this one | bag | similar pants here, here and here | earrings | bracelets | sunglasses | similar heels

retro white sunglasseslavender crop top and skirtarch of cabocabo all inclusive resort

set – old, similar sets here and here | similar sandalsbeach bag, also love this one | earrings

julie vos bracelets

bracelets

floral robes

robes here, here and here

mexico weddinghacienda dressflower maiden

dresses

All in all, I really loved my stay here. I would absolutely go back, and if you can splurge for a suite they are fabulous with plenty of space. The cabanas on the beach are around $40 a day and they are more than amazing, I would highly recommend booking one in advance for at least one day!  I literally wore my hair dirty and and barely wore makeup one night just so I could spent 30 more minutes reading in the cabana. And it was worth it.

Also, if you order room service (which is also included in your booking), the shrimp fajitas are what’s up.

Thank you so much for reading and let me know if you have questions that I didn’t answer! XO –

PS – don’t forget to enter the Louis Vuitton giveaway!

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