I am so late in posting this look but I had to share it because it’s one of my favorite summer DIY tips… turning scarves into tops! I’ve been doing this for years and it works either way you tie it – front or back.
If you have something like this vintage scarf (similar styles linked below, this one is several years old), I think tying it in the back works best. I’ve also used scarves like this and knotted them in the front. If worn with high waisted jeans or a skirt, the extra fabric covers your stomach. Trust me – the end result is fabulous!
I’m going to challenge myself to style a scarf knotted in front for you guys on Instagram so you can see what I’m talking about. I think this is one of the easiest ways to put together a unique and one-of-a-kind casual summer look. Perfect for a beach trip or backyard cookout!
Is this something you could see yourself wearing? I have fun trying to make the most of my wardrobe, and it’s a great way to maximize that summer scarf you haven’t worn in a while.
Happy Friday! So excited to spend my first week at home after what has been quite the rollercoaster month both professionally and personally. BUT, we are on the upswing (or at least I think), so I’m just trying to stay positive and be like Oprah, envisioning my life on the upside!
Since my grandmother’s passing, I knew I wanted to do something special for my mom, sister and I to share. I’m so excited to give them each a necklace from the giving keys with the one word that comes to mind when I think of the way my Grammy lived her life – selfless. I feel I am so often the opposite of that. I know I can be really selfish with my time, and knowing that I want to be better, Christian will often call me out on it (and he’s right). SO, I’ll be wearing this necklace and remembering the legacy my grandmother left. Strong and selfless women – may we know them, be them and raise them!
In some happy and exciting news, I was doing a happy dance in my head to spot myself in the June issue of People StyleWatch‘s swimsuit section. The photo was taken actually right after I took off a wetsuit from swimming with a whale shark in Mexico, so it’s appropriate that if I’m featured in a magazine I would have my hair in a wet bun with no makeup. But I’ll take whatever I can get!!
On that note, I haven’t worn makeup in like… four days so that’s a #win in my TGIF life (I know I’m not the only one that loves being makeup-free). Do you have anything planned this weekend? I’d love to hear! I feel like we are finally back in action on CBL – I’ve been so disconnected from content just trying to keep the tech/backend afloat that I don’t feel as connected with you guys as I usually do and I miss it!
Hope you have a beautiful weekend and thanks so much for reading – XO –
If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen that I was with Christian in Vancouver for the holiday weekend! We were so excited to visit Canada because I’ve never been and it’s been on my bucket list ever since we moved to California because it is so easy to get to Vancouver from Southern California.
I’ve heard how great the city is, that it’s so lush and beautiful but was thinking I would visit Whistler during the winter. I actually learned on this trip that summers in Vancouver are pretty incredible with perfect weather, 2-3 additional hours of sun in the evenings (amazing!), and outdoor activities galore.
We had the best time, and I think my favorite thing about the city is that you can get from the top of the mountains to Downtown in 30 minutes. Unbelievable! California offers all of these things except it’s waaaayyy more spread out. In Vancouver you can experience skiing, surfing, kayaking, shopping, hiking, upscale dining, etc… all within 20 minutes of each other.
SO without further chatting, let’s get into CBL’s Guide to Vancouver –
Where We Stayed –
The Lodel Hotel | We loved this hotel because it was so quiet, had an incredible view, a giant fluffy bed and most importantly – the location is perfect. We walked to dinner every night and the hotel offered bikes you could use at no cost to bike around – which we did!
Where We Ate –
L’Abattoir | Seriously delicious brunch. I got the breakfast burger (pictured below) and Christian got a big breakfast spread. The atmosphere is so gorgeous (with… you guessed it, amazing tile I had to take a photo of!). The location is in the heart of Gastown, which is a super cute neighborhood of the city.
Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar | My oh my. This spot is a little slice of heaven. Gorgeous restaurant, charming patio, again… amazing tile and some of the best food we had on our trip. We had the chef’s tasting menu with wine pairings, and it was beyond fantastic. The menu is seafood-focused and has some West Coast touches – I would definitely recommend this restaurant for a date night!
TWG Tea Salon | We had the most beautiful tea here, and had a little lesson on the history of TWG Tea, headquartered in Singapore. They are the one of the most well-known luxury tea brands in the world, and one of my favorite things about this salon is that Christian could have a wagyu burger and fries while I enjoyed a high tea experience. There really is something for everyone here, and it’s a beautiful tea salon to take a moment to relax during a day of sightseeing.
Champagne Lounge + Mott32 | Before having dinner at Mott32, we popped in the Champagne Lounge for an inventive cocktail like I’ve never seen before. My drink was inspired by Chanel No 5, and the bartender actually spritzed a few sprays of the fragrance in the glass before pouring the cocktail, all served on a mirrored vanity tray. Christian had a more “manly” drink that was served on a wooden serving tray with a sprig of fir and edible dirt. Seriously – so fun!
We went from there to dinner next door at Mott32, an Chinese fine dining restaurant, where the staff graciously walked us through the menu and helped us order an array of dishes. This allowed us to taste and try many different things, which was really fun and a flavorful journey in Cantonese dishes. The decor was so gorgeous and definitely a sexy dinner spot. This restaurant is unique in both style and menu, and because we’ve yet to find a great Chinese spot in Orange County we were so excited to get some amazing Chinese food in Vancouver!
Tableau Bar Bistro | I had dinner here my first night in Vancouver before Christian arrived and we also had breakfast here on our last day. I sat outside on the patio, and the menu is French-inspired with West Coast influence. At night the bar is hoppin’, and I’m still thinking about that burger I had my first night!
Scroll down to the bottom of the post for my sightseeing and activity recommendations –
Deep Cove Kayaking & Paddleboarding | We went kayaking our first day with a guide (shoutout James from the UK) who not only told us the history of the mountains around us, but also shared some juicy stories that date hundreds of years back. Very entertaining! We saw tons of starfish, several seals and Christian’s favorite – a bald eagle chasing a seagull that had me holding my breath for far too long. I’m happy to report the seagull got away!
Grouse Mountain | We woke up early Sunday morning to visit Grouse Mountain and took the skyride up to the top of the mountain which started off with…
Breakfast with the Bears | Probably the part of the trip C was most excited about, as a grizzly bear is his spirit animal. We were literally just a few feet away from two grizzly bears, Grinder and Coola. It really was so cool watching them wrestle with each other, eat lettuce and waddle around. I very much wanted to climb over the fence and hug them, but I’m fairly certain they would not be into it. We had a hot breakfast in a very cool (or should I say Coola!? get it?) yurt and then walked around the mountain before taking the skyride back down. Photos are above – such an incredible view!
Capilano Suspension Bridge | This was something I really wanted to see… even considering I’m slightly afraid of heights. Go figure! This bridge was built in 1889 and is Vancouver’s oldest attraction. It’s a softly swaying bridge and is above the Capilano River. Once you cross the bridge, you can can explore the forest and ponds that are on the other side which area really beautiful. There are also a series of seven additional suspension bridges that are built high in the trees. A must-see!
Stanley Park | This is Vancouver’s largest park (it’s actually bigger than Central Park!) and we used the hotel’s bikes to bike all the way around, which was so fun! There are great views of the water, boats, skyline, beach and natural and cultural landmarks. If you have the time, a bike is a great way to see the park in an hour or so.
Thank you to all of you who messaged me or commented with your Vancouver recs as well! I WISH we could have stayed longer, there is so much to see and do! But all the more reason to return, right? I hope this Guide to Vancouver is helpful to some of you planning on making the trip to Canada soon.
If you have some favorite spots in this area, I’d love to hear. And I’m happy to report the rumors are true… Canadians are the nicest people ever, and I absolutely love them. I’ll be back! Thanks so much for reading – XO
The Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale is still happening (through 6/4!), and I can’t even believe how much great stuff is marked down. Summer staples and splurges – all up to 40% off. I even found these Ray Ban’s (I have them in another color and I wear them constantly) 50% off!
I love this cozy cardigan for summer nights and this classic white dress that can be styled so many different ways. I have a pair of shorts like these and wear them weekly, and I’ve seen these slides on so many girls and they’re so cute.
Now that I’m back in town from a lot of traveling, I am about to stock up on some pieces I’ve had my eye on… tell me – did you score some deals? Spill the deets! Thanks so much for reading and my Vancouver recommendations are coming this week! XO –
This dress reminds me of something I had in high school and loooooved. So when I saw the subtle polka dot print and the fit and flare style, I knew it had to be mine!
I don’t typically lean toward this silhouette because you guys know I’m maxi-obsessed, but I love how chic this sweater dress is. I think that it the black and white color scheme is so classic, and the cut means it’s appropriate for church, weddings, bridal showers… all those occasions in life that call for getting dolled up!
Plus it’s really stretchy and comfortable (and twirly!), which is a major bonus! Sizing info below –
There are some great sales happening over the holiday weekend that I wanted to share with you guys in case you were in the shopping mood! The biggest (and best in my opinion) one going on is the major markdown situation at Nordstrom right now. Serious discounts on the best brands like Adelyn Rae, Dolce Vita, Free People and Rebecca Minkoff.
Nordstrom | HALF-YEARLY SALE – up to 40% off through 6/4
Ann Taylor | 40% off full-price styles + extra 50% off sale items with code SUMMER through 5/30
I debated sharing this post because I was on a family beach trip, and we didn’t get out and about as often as we usually do because there were small children in tow. BUT so many of you asked about a travel guide, and since I’ve grown up coming to 30A I still feel equipped to share my favorite spots!
I had intended to share this post earlier but due to the technical difficulties I’ve been having I wanted to wait until everything was running smoothly.
Then I wrote the post on a flight, lost service and it deleted the entire post that I had written… so that was fun. BUT, thank you for your patience as I’ve gotten all this together.
Now that I’ve written it twice I feel like I could basically sing/rap my recommendations to you I know them so well!
Beach Town Breakdown of 30A (my favorite beach towns along the 28-mile stretch):
Seaside | The OG (urban dictionary definiation: original gangster) of 30A. A family-friendly, slice of heaven that is always worth a visit! Fun fact: The Truman Show was filmed here. That’s how perfect this little town is.
Watercolor | A newer development right next door to Seaside. Bigger houses to accommodate larger groups, a sweet little lake and an Inn available for smaller parties.
Seagrove | This was my first time staying here and I really loved it. It’s quiet, less busy than the more popular tourist spots and the beach access is really mellow = a dream. Seaside and Watercolor have some hoppin’ beaches which means your umbrella and chairs are sometimes on the second or third row viewing the ocean (not ideal). We had six bikes and a six-seater golf cart (rented from here), and you can easily get to all the beach towns by bike.
Watersound | I worked here one summer when I was in college! This is a gated community next door to Watercolor and it’s a great spot to rent a smaller condo and have a private beach experience without all the kiddos.
Alys Beach | A newer development and a little mini Mediterranean dream. Very mellow and quiet – it’s my parents favorite spot if you know what I mean! Fun fact: I wanted to get married here until Christian (a surprisingly opinionated groom… not ideal for my Type A self) really pushed for a traditional hometown party. When I visited earlier this month I was like… um, why did I listen to Christian? That boy know nothin’!
Rosemary Beach | A little beach town that has really developed over the past few years. Home of The Pearl and numerous adorable restaurants and shops. A great spot for families who want a more peaceful 30A trip versus the busier Seaside and Watercolor.
On this trip we stayed in this beach house. My brother selected it for the group because it had 8 bedrooms and was prepared to house all 13 of us. Several of you messaged me on social media asking for the details but to protect the privacy of my family, I wanted to share the scoop after we had left (I happily exploit myself #allday, but I try to be aware of normal people who prefer privacy). So thank you for patiently waiting!
BUT if you don’t need a house this big, we’ve stayed in numerous house rentals along 30A when we had 8-10 people, predominantly in Watercolor and Alys Beach. Some other recommendations if you’re not traveling with a large group –
Frostbites, Seaside | Snow cone central. Ask for some “sand” on top! It’s really just crushed up graham crackers, but still, so cute right?
Bud & Alleys, Seaside | A great pizza spot on the water. Plus there’s a rooftop bar.
Cowgirl Kitchen, Seagrove and Rosemary Beach | This is a place I’d heard of but never tried until this trip. We had it catered to our beach bonfire, and I’m happy to report it’s worth the hype. A great lunch spot!
Red Bar, Grayton Beach | This is the spot I always wanted to go to growing up and it remains a favorite. Crazy (as in crazy fun) decor, huge portions (split an entree with a gal pal) and the mashed potatoes you dream of. Unfortunately they don’t take reservations, so put your name on the wait list and hop into the cute shops next door.
The Wine Bar, Watercolor | Love this spot for a glass of wine. Christian and I will bike there during all the kids “power hour” and enjoy a quiet moment. What’s better than a cold glass of wine after a day in the sun?
The Donut Hole | I mean… am I dramatic if I say this place is legendary? We would visit the Destin location when it was the one and only, but now they have multiple locations so everyone can get a taste. The coconut is my ultimate jam, but those in my family with less impressive taste buds go ham over the Dutch Crumb. It’s so OG that they don’t even have a website. Like… welcome to the 90’s, Mr. Banks!
LiveWell30A | I shared in this post that we used this company for paddleboard rentals and a beach bonfire. They also offer golf carts, bike rentals and in-house chefs!
Seaside Square | Several great little shops, markets and casual eats. A place that all ages can find something to do – including a huge grassy lawn in the center for kids to run around.
The Zoo Gallery | An eccentric little shop that was a must-stop for my artist mom. I think we visited this place every summer and is worth a visit just to enjoy the creativity. Warning: if you’re a minimalist like my sister… this place could potentially give you a panic attack.
Destin Commons | Now THIS was the place I couldn’t wait to visit when I was a teen. All the cool stores – get some shopping done and finish the night with a movie or a scoop of ice cream. I’m happy to report it’s still a great place to do some shopping (or at least I thinks so!).
Silver Sands Outlet Malls | The amount of back-to-school shopping we would do here… I think I know this outlet mall like the back of my hand. A great stop on your way in or out of town!
Ok fellow Florida lovers – how did I do!? We really had the best time. I can’t believe it’s been four years since I’ve visited this dreamy little area. I have so much nostalgia with South Walton, and truthfully I’m sad this trip is already over. Until next year!
Can you guys believe Memorial Day weekend is around the corner? Christian actually has the weekend off so we have some fun plans, but it means it’s time to pick out some cute outfits for the weekend and keep your eye on some amazing sales that will be happening.
I’ve been shopping at River Island ever since I discovered the UK brand a few years ago. I love their on-trend styles, and I’ve found some of the most unique pieces there. They have you covered from classic everyday staples to sequined one-of-a-kind numbers, and I love the versatility in their selection.
SO, I have to spill the deets on a great sale they have going on right now! You can get 20% off full-price items with code Memorial20 through 5/29!
Do you have any big weekend plans? Don’t forget you can get ahead of the weekend sales by shopping 20% off all River Island with code Memorial20 through 5/29.
Thanks so much for reading, and now that my website is back in action (hallelujah!) I’ll be sharing my 30A guide this week! XO –
Not going to lie, this has been a week I’m happy to have behind me. I’ve had numerous personal and professional sagas not worth getting into, BUT it’s been a real test of my patience and attitude… and the verdict is I have a lot of improvement to make!
Thank you guys so much for your patience while I work on these technical issues. I know my blog posts haven’t been emailing out like usual this week (amongst other visual site errors), but day by day we have been working on this and here’s to hoping next week will be smoother!
I’m heading to Mexico today for a fun trip that I’ll be sharing more of soon, and I can’t even begin to tell you how much a mental reset is going to change my perspective. I really appreciate all of your patience as I work through these hiccups, and for all your love on social! I shared some #realtalk on Instagram Friday night – mostly about things not being as they appear – and the feedback was so beautiful and humbling.
In case I don’t tell you guys often enough – you. ROCK.
Thanks so much for reading – hope you guys have a beautiful weekend! XO –
I snagged this midi skirt at Nordstrom before going to Florida with the fam, and I gotta say… it’s even more fabulous in person. When I was perusing online, I immediately saw white, ruffles, lace and a midi skirt and clearly I zoned right in. Bonus points for the fit being perfection!
It proved to be a showstopper, and when I wore this ensemble for a night in Rosemary Beach I can’t even tell you how many people stopped me to ask about it! What I love about a statement skirt like this is that you can dress it up with a clean, chic crop top or style it down with a graphic tee or knotted tank. It’s stretchy and comfortable and can be as versatile as you want to make it.
Nordstrom has so many cute trendy pieces for summer right now, and with a few more travel plans ahead of me you know I’m perusing for some summer staples like this wrap dress, this cozy sweatshirt and this crisp off the shoulder top.
skirt – if you’re in between sizes I would recommend sizing down! | similar top here and here | heels, similar look for less here | similar earrings here and here | cable bracelet 1, 2, 3, 4 | lip in Tilt | similar clutch here
Thank you so much for reading!
And of course, thank you so much to everyone who followed the #LTKTakeoverTuesday on @liketoknow.it’s account on Tuesday (this look was included). Your sweet words meant so much to me, and I was so fortunate and proud of my sister and dad for helping me take so many of the photos!
Stay tuned for another post from Florida sharing the details on where we stayed, ate and some of my favorite spots.
Transitioning from working in a corporate office to working from home was definitely an adjustment. It took many, many months to find a routine that worked for me, and if you know me well, you know that I pride myself in efficiency. Crossing off things on my to-do list and then dancing around the kitchen while drinking wine and listening to the Jersey Boys soundtrack (I watched the movie recently on a flight and the soundtrack is like… way better than the musical soundtrack. Which I’ve seen twice and aggressively love.) is basically my perfect day.
SO today, I’m sharing some of my tips for staying focused during the work day – and if you have any to add I would love to hear!
1. Create a workplace that inspires you.
For the first year we lived in our townhouse, this guest room sat empty. I was still working in Newport Beach at an office everyday and we didn’t know how we wanted to use the extra space.
The more hours I was logging on the sofa with my laptop at night after my day job, I knew having a desk and distraction-free space was of a growing importance. We finally created a comfortable room where Christian and I both work everyday, and I love how it turned out!
2. Embrace an empty desk.
This is tough for me because I am a sucker for stuff, but I try to keep the desktop as clean and tidy as possible. It helps me avoid distractions and a clutter-free space equals a clutter-free mind (Oprah once said this, so you know it’s correct).
3. Multiple screens is a game changer.
I discovered this at my corporate job and now I can’t live without it. I’ll have my email on one screen constantly and work on photo editing, spreadsheets, etc. on the second screen. It allows me to me so much more efficient!
4. Start your day with a to-do list of 3-5 things you want to be sure to accomplish that day.
I’m a woman which means I love making lists. I keep a paper planner, but every day I list 3-5 things I want to get accomplished that day. It helps me prioritize what needs to get done and leaves me feeling like I’ve made a dent in the week’s tasks each day.
5. Make sure your chair is comfortable and encourages good posture. This chair is a custom creation from DwellStudio and I am in love with it. It’s roomy (enough for myself + Lula which is very important because she always wants to sit with me!), comfortable, makes me sit up straight and the armrests are the finishing touch that I didn’t have with my last desk chair and really wanted. It was so hard to select a piece because I loved so many of the pieces, and being able to customize the fabric, wood finish, etc. made the selection feel really personal and unique.
Do you have any tips that help you stay focused when you’re working? Especially to those of you working from home – it takes a little extra concentration not to get distracted when you’re in your own house!
Christian and I recently spent a weekend in San Diego at the beautiful Pendry Hotel and had the good fortune to spend an evening with the beautiful, talented (and Southern!) couple behind Pura Soul Photo.
It was Christian’s first weekend off in almost two months and we’d been planning a little getaway to SD because we hadn’t been in a few years. When I connected with Devin and Skylar the week before, it seemed like fate that our paths were so conveniently crossing. We met up for a drink and some sunset photos that take my breath away!
I love these photos because Skylar and Devin captured a much-needed weekend vacation during a really high-stress time of our lives. Christian has been interviewing for medical fellowships all over the U.S., so between our separate work travels we’ve gone weeks without seeing each other. I’m talking 20+ round-trip flights, termite fumigations (aka pack up all our valuables and being kicked out of our house for almost three days), missed family trips, many missed hours of sleep, all of his vacation days for the calendar year being used for interviews, etc.
It’s just another step of our journey together, and through all of this we’ve just reminded each other that we are always on each other’s team. I’ve always encouraged Christian to strive to meet his full potential, and it’s what has brought us to California from Mississippi and what will take us to who-knows-where next. Obviously I’m biased, but he has always been a standout for being incredibly bright (our rehearsal dinner toasts were mostly all about him being good at anything he does and me being dramatic and loving Cheetos and wine), and I’ve pushed him to get outside his comfort zone to see what he’s truly capable of. He does the same for me and it’s why I have a job I never imagined myself actually doing full-time… and I’ve never been more fulfilled in my work.
But I won’t lie, these last few months have been tough. There are frustrated conversations over the phone about not feeling supported, feeling like I’m carrying the responsibilities of both of us… and then some, feeling like I’m so often alone when I need my partner and so on. But this is not forever, it’s just a season. Christian is wrapping up his eighth (!!) year of medical training after college and still has two to go. However, the light at the end of the tunnel is finally visible and after 10 years together, we both know that as long as we stay on each other’s team we can get through any season.
Perspective is everything. Rather than compare my relationship to others, I need to focus on what makes my relationship unique. All the quirks, all the inside jokes, the moments, the vows, the commitment, the love. It’s beautiful – flaws and all.
If you are a couple in the Southern California area, I can’t recommend Skylar and Devin enough. They are kind, inspiring, upbeat and FUN, and their full hearts show in the photos they capture together. It doesn’t surprise me that they capture amazing wedding and couples photography, and you can check out some of their wedding work here.
Thanks so much for reading! And if you have any marriage advice for those high-stress times in your relationship, I’d absolutely love to hear. XO –
I’ll be back! Thanks so much for reading – XO
