Ruffles in Monaco

 Dress: Chelsea28 Ruffle Crepe Dress / Shoes: Steve Madden Sassey Fringe Sandal  (on sale!)Bag: Rebecca Minkoff Chevron Quilted Crossbody / Bracelets: Alex + Ani (on sale!)

Of all the places I've travelled to, I'd say Europe is my favorite. The sheer ease in ease in traveling from country to county and the amount of time as quick as traveling from one state to the next in the States. My friends and I entertained the idea of traveling to Monaco once we got to Nice and decided to play by ear depending on plans. Once we saw how close our AirBnb was to the train station we knew must make this mini trip happen! Especially considering the city was only a quick 15 min train ride away! The trains are double deck and cost about 7 Euros to travel round trip. I recommend giving yourself a few extra minutes when arriving at train station to purchase your ticket. The train station is extremely large and provide other services so it’s a bit confusing where exactly to purchase tickets. I’ve rode a number of municipal railways and it took the help of me and 5 other people to figure out how to purchase a ticket from the kiosk! The crazy part is, I liked the challenge it tested my 4 weeks of French skills :-)

There’s no color I enjoy wearing more than white when I’m in a coastal city. And because it was my best friends birthday we all decided to wear white for dinner in Monte Carlo! There’s a gorgeous restaurant we found and the views were just incredible. It was quite the experience being in such a beautiful country with my closest friends enjoying great food and drinks together. If you ever make the trip to Nice, visiting Monaco is a must! Happy traveling!

xoxo

On the Seine

 

Dress: Zara Sheer Dress (similar here) / Jacket: Trouve / Booties: Treasure & Bond Winsor Boot

Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff Quilted Love Crossbody / Lips: Stila Color Balm Lipstick (Terr. Rose)

Question. When you go out of town do you ever kick up your wardrobe a notch? Not just putting together more stylish looks but looks that are a little more daring and risqué? Well I am so guilty of doing just this! Items that I purchase but afraid to wear either because it's too revealing, maybe not for the right occasion or just don't feel completely comfortable, all those concerns go out the window when traveling. Matter of fact, these are the first items I end up packing! And one of those items being this little sheer number I wore on a dinner cruise on the Seine River.

I love that the style is a long midi-dress with long sleeves. I can choose to wear a short or long slip with both offering a completely different look. Because walking in Paris is no joke, I ditched the ankle strapped heels, which would have been my preference, for booties. Who would've thought how popular this style is now, I never see anyone wearing the same style yet there are tons out there! Here are some of my faves!

Rosy Red

Dress: Misguided Strappy Deep Plunge Floral Maxi (on sale!) / Sunnies: J.Crew Betty Sunglasses
Hat: J.Crew Panama Hat / Lips: Stila Stay All Day Lipstick (Beso)

One of the best things about summer are fun summer dresses. I've never been a huge maxi dress wearer, not that I don't think they're cute but the weather doesn't usually call for one living in the Bay. So the moment a vacation comes my way I'm in search of a great one!

There are a handful of stores I turn to for really interesting and fun pieces. In this case, ASOS was the winner final contender! I love super deep cut in the front, it's got a subtle sexiness to it. The wide flowy and pleated dress balances it out giving a super chic look. I'm totally going to rock this one with a black turtleneck come Fall!

Jumping Stripes

Jumper: Zara Paris (similar here) / Jacket: Trouve leather jacket / Shoes: Nike Free Flyknit

Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac (on sale!) / Lips: Stila Beso / Fitbit: HR Tracker

Hiya! Today's blog post is I'm sharing the not so bright side of traveling abroad. Now that I'm home safe and sound I can share without completely breaking down! Shortly after these pictures were taken I began taking pictures of a girlfriend with the marvelous Lourve in the background. In the midst of taking pictures a group of gypsies bum rushed me and my girlfriend shoving clipboards and papers in our faces asking us to sign. I thought being direct and matching their aggression would get them to back off. Instead, it was all a ploy to distract us. While we were telling them, no screaming at them, NO, GO AWAY, their hands were going through our bike baskets and they were able to steal my things. As soon as I realized the only thing left in my basket was my scarf, I knew what happened. My first instinct was to jump on my bike and go after them! But they moved so fast...so second instinct, locate them on Find My Phone and go gettem! I was successfully able to track their location but my friends refused to let me go. And understandably, I was not thinking straight and considering what could go wrong failed to cross my mind. So instead I went to the police station. 2 or 3 hours after attempting to communicate with the police officers I left with a police report and no effort to go after the thieves. I was able to track them and showed the officers, their reason for not pursuing...I have no way to prove they are my things. Such a frustrating and infuriating process! I cannot begin to tell you how down I was after these events. It literally took me going on 3 days to get over it. I didn't want to talk, laugh or enjoy this beautiful city. And in hindsight I wish I was able to just: Let. Go.

I have a few tips for you fellow travel bugs. I'd hate for anyone to have an experience while traveling abroad. Especially if traveling alone. It's important to know that there are professional thieves abroad, even locally, that target visitors. And when across the pond, it's usually easy to identify an American.

For ladies:

• Keep your purse zipped at all times and if possible try not to care purses without a closure
• Never keep your phone visible when not in use, i.e.. in back pocket or on table while dining
• Do not keep your purse in a chair or hanging over chair while dining or seated
• Always put your cash in wallet and secure in bag after a transaction before walking away

For guys:

• Keep your wallet in your front pocket. Most guys have room in back pocket that makes it easy for pick pocketers to grab and run
• Never carry all of your cash in your wallet. Portion cash by day and keep just that when traveling
• Keep phone secure in a place with no visibility 

A dear friend of mine shared a very helpful link with tips on outsmarting pickpocketers. Please review, it only takes a few minutes to read. Just knowing of all the risks will keep your risks at a minimum!

Hope this will be helpful for future travel! 

Since I neglected to finesse your fashion appetite I'll leave you with some cute rompers since the one I'm wearing is not available online.

XOXO

Blue Lagooning

Swimsuit: MasiMiele Lace-up Swimsuit (Splurge) / / Eyewear: J.Crew Betty Sunglasses
 Headscarf: Target  / Lips: Stila Beso

Hi Dolls! Today has been such a wonderful delight! As soon as we landed we headed straight to our first destination, the Blue Lagoon! I've heard tons about the place and it's as amazing as everyone says. When you first walk onto the establishment all you see is a volcanic rock pathway leading to The Blue Lagoon! We first checked in our luggage and continued down a narrow path to the facility to get our electronic wristbands. I recommend purchasing ahead of time to secure a good time. If you plan on staying to dine I would get the package that comes with a Lava Restaurant reservation and a glass of bubbly! Once me and the girls got suited up we opened the doors and were immediately blown away by the site! Ice blue steamy water spilling into different bridges and paths of volcanic rock.  You can't help but feel at peace with the calm and tranquility of the landscape. 

What I didn't expect to receive was a skin makeover! I learned the water containing many minerals and scillia has many self healing and rejuvenating elements. We kicked it up a notch by going to the mud mask station and dousing ourselves of the pure white mud. I kid you not, my face and skin felt soft and clear for at least a week! What's even better, the mask is available for purchase online!

Shades and Grey

Top: BR Popcorn stitch sweater (similar here and here) / Bottoms: Joe's Rolled Skinny Jeans
Shoes: Corso Como Patent Leather Pump

Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC / Sunnies: Ray Ban Aviator / Lips: NARS

So much for sunny skies in San Francisco! I do have no clue what it feels like to have true 'seasons' as we have one range of weather here all year round. With that, my fall/winter clothing stays hanging front and center right where I can see it! I actually enjoy wearing chunky sweaters and loose fitting jeans. I'm most comfortable wearing this but I try to keep my casual look more on the chic side by wearing heels...in this case, patent leather pumps!

Blazed Camel

Photo by: Lisa of Haute Ashbury

Top: BR Honeycomb Blouse / Blazer: BR Blazer, similar J.Crew Regent Blazer (on sale!)
Bottoms: Paige Jeans / Shoes: Kate Spade Licorice / Handbag: H&M / Necklace: J.Crew Bubble Necklace / Watch: Michael Kors Runway Watch / Lips: Stila Beso

I am most definitely a go-to jeans kind of gal and most times I like dress my denim up. Dressing up denim almost streamlines your events of the day by wearing one outfit! You can go from desk to dinner, meetings with clients to meetings up with friends or day date with mom to date night with your beau. One of the easiest ways I like to dress up a pair of jeans is with a blazer and a statement necklace! For this time of year, wool is best because of its thickness and warmth. And I find that wool blazers are incredibly easy to find! Step out of the norm and go for a pop of color or a neutral color over the traditional black blazer! The camel blazer I'm wearing effortlessly compliments the black and white combo!

Now if you frequent The Embellished Closet (thanks!! J) you may have noticed the Banana Republic Honeycomb blouse. I’m a huge advocator for mix and matching styles and pieces! The first time I wore was during the summer with a pair of boyfriend shorts and flat sneaks. If you missed, check it out! Finding simple pieces in forgiving materials allow for greater variety! I’m sure I’ll wear this top in a completely different look soon enough so stay tuned!

Now, back to the blazers. I found in a bunch of unique styles and colors I just had to share, which is your favorite??

xoxo

Pop-Up Dinner: LWD

Dress: Anthropologie Georgia Eyelet Dress / Shoes: NW (old, similar steal and splurge)
Necklace: Jill Schwartz Tiered Tassel  / Watch: Michael Kors Runway Chronograph Watch
Lips: Stila Beso / Clutch: NW (old, similar here)

There was one dress code requirement to the Handmade Events Pop-up dinner. Everyone must wear all white! I had no problem doing that. I rarely wear white, I've got to change that, so I was excited to find an adorable LWD! Searching for the perfect white frock is easy especially when Anthro is having a super sale! Unfortunately, online is all out but I noticed plenty in store! Just jot down the item number and give your local store a ring! That's one thing I'm notorious for...if I see something I must have, I will relentlessly search the entire country until I find it!! Ohhh, the victorious feeling once I get my hands on a limited piece! The good thing is, it's LWD season and there are tons out there to choose from. Below are a few that I love and with different silhouettes they'll flatter all body types! Which do you love??

Thanks for stopping by!!
Ciao!

Embroidered Red

Top: J.Crew Chambray Embroidered Tunic (Size 2, 4)  / Bottoms: J.Brand 485 Jeans

Bag: J.Crew (old) / Shoes: NW (old, similar here) / Earrings: J.Crew Bug / Lips: Stila

Well, we are at it again...it's Monday! This week is going to be a very productive week for me, more so than usual since next week I'm finally taking an extended vacay! That means I've got to get tons done at work so I'm not completely buried by the time I return. Hope you all have a productive week as well!

One of my favorite kind of tops to wear when traveling to a warm destination is a tunic. It's loose, it has good coverage for sun protection and most of all, they're super cute! This J.Crew Chambray Embroidered tunic especially. It's marked down half off in stores, if you can find, but I was able to locate a few on eBay! And in Tall online. It's not your ordinary tunic, the deep V neck adds a little sass which I love! Since we're in the thick of summer it's the perfect season for travel, tunics are the way to go! Here are a few I've spotted that I'm swooning over!

Which is your fav?!