If you were to ask me about my favorite hobby, I would admit it’s hotel-hopping. I love discovering new hotels, soaking in the vibes, enjoying breakfast in bed in hotel robes, and nestling into a home-away-from-home as often as possible! Every hotel has its own story, and I love getting to experience each one.
This past weekend Scott and I flew out to San Diego for a California getaway. Though I’ve been to the state plenty of times in the past, this was my first time to San Diego – and let’s just say I fell in love. What makes San Diego so unique is that when you touch down in the city, it feels like any other major city – skyscrapers, stadium, bars, restaurants, etc. However, the city is surrounded by the bay filled with yachts and sailboats, and you can escape to quiet little beach towns in a matter of minutes. It really has everything you could possibly need – so who’s ready to move there with me?
During our trip, we decided to stay at one of the city’s newest boutique hotels, The PendrySan Diego. The hotel is located in an area called Gaslamp, which has an Austin-ish vibe with shops, bars, and entertainment all within walking distance. It’s a perfect location for exploring San Diego.
Since The Pendry San Diego is one of the newest boutique hotels in the city, the decor, amenities, and service were absolutely top notch. The Pendry’s decor was one of my favorite aspects of the hotel. It was modern, yet cozy. The deep wooden accents and leather furniture mixed with feminine blue wallpapers and marble bathrooms combined both masculine and feminine touches into a perfectly inviting decor scheme. Plus the glass walk-in shower made the room feel so large and open when the curtain is pulled aside!
Aside from the rooms, The Pendry had pretty much anything we could need – including SIX restaurants and bars to enjoy. Our favorite was brunch at Provisional, not only because of the gorgeous decor, but also because it’s one of those special places that serves pizza AND eggs benedict on the same menu! We also loved grabbing drinks at the Oxford Social Club, and enjoying an afternoon pool party on Sunday at the rooftop pool.
While there are so many hotels to check out in San Diego, I would highly recommend staying at The Pendry San Diego. I can confidently say we will be coming back!
Check out some of my photos below to see more of our stay:
While this post was in partnership with Pendry Hotels, the opinions expressed are my own.
One of our favorite parts about living in Dallas is the glamorous social scene. There’s always a fabulous event to attend, which also means the perfect excuse to get dolled up for a festive night out. This weekend we’re attend the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Gala and After Party at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. It’s one of the best events of the year in Dallas, so we’re very excited to attend – especially since this year’s performance is by Yo-Yo Ma! Following the concert, we’ll have an evening of dancing at the after party. (Hint: We’re giving away two tickets to the event this year on Instagram, so be sure to enter to win. We’d love to celebrate with you!)
Generally, dressing for events is simple – either black tie or cocktail. Every so often though, we’ll find a dress code that’s a bit more confusing – such as beach formal, picnic casual, or the trickiest of all, SMU Rush’s “Snappy Casual” (which to this day, I still can’t interpret). However, one dress code that always raises a question: Black Tie Optional. While it’s pretty clear this means you can either wear a cocktail dress or a formal gown, how do you know which one is most appropriate? Today we’re sharing tips on how to find the perfect dress for the occasion!
Evening gowns AND cocktail dresses are both appropriate
When it comes to black tie optional, I always choose an evening gown. I honestly feel it’s best to be overdressed than underdressed – plus I love an excuse to dive into our “formal gown closet”. However, if cocktail dresses are more your style, you can definitely choose to wear this! Unlike a traditional cocktail party dress, you want to make sure your Black Tie Optional cocktail dress is a bit more formal.
If you choose to wear a cocktail dress:
Choose a dress with a longer hemline – If half the party is in a floor-length gown, you want to make sure you’re not showing TOO much leg. A black tie optional event is generally more conservative than a traditional cocktail party, so we recommend choosing a modest dress. Not sure what to wear? A black midi-dress is always a great choice!
Choose a more formal dress – While I have plenty of dresses than can transition from day to night for a cocktail affair, you want to make sure your dress is on the formal side for Black Tie Optional. Lace, silk, or embellished dresses are always great a choice.
Choose a dress that will mesh well in a photo if you’re between an evening gown and a tuxedo – Ok I know most people don’t consider Instagram when getting dressed, but most weddings or galas have event photographers. If you’re standing in a group of people all in black tie, make sure you choose a dress that blends in.
Is your date torn on what to wear? We suggest either a tuxedo or a dark suit and dark tie.
I absolutely adore this Elie Tahari Dressand it’s the perfect cocktail dress for Black Tie Optional! Click here to shop my dress, and check out some of our other favorite picks for the perfect Black Tie Optional Dress:
Growing up with the last name “Flowers”, it’s no surprise we’ve always shared a love of fresh blooms. Whether we’re entertaining or simply dolling up our homes, we love keeping bouquets of fresh flowers all around our space. Not only does a bouquet dress up any accent table, they also make our homes feel and smell absolutely delightful!
I recently had the pleasure of meeting Debi Lilly for a one-on-one floral workshop to celebrate the launch of the new debi lilly design™ Wedding Pairings Collection exclusively available at Albertsons, Tom Thumb and Market Street. I learned so many fun floral tips and trends making my own custom floral arrangement with Debi Lilly, and now you can create your own custom floral arrangement at your local Tom Thumb, Albertsons, and Market Street store using florals from the debi lilly design Wedding Pairings Collection!
While hydrangeas have become my go-to for home bouquets, I recently switched up my home florals with the help of Debi Lilly during the launch of the new debi lilly design collection at Albertsons stores. Voted as one of Oprah’s “Favorite Pros”, Debi Lilly is an expert in party planning, floral arrangements, and all aspects of celebrating. She’s a celebrity favorite and has worked with Oprah, Martha Stewart, and Lady Gaga to name a few.
Just like fashion, floral trends can come and go. While you may have a favorite you always choose, following floral trends is fun and exciting – plus it gives you an excuse to switch up your arrangements and try something new! The Wedding Pairings Collection is base arrangement/bouquet that can be customized with pairing florals! Check out how the debi lilly design Wedding Pairings Collection fits in with the top 4 floral trends for fall below:
1. Pantone of the year: Greenery Collection
One of my favorite floral trends of the moment is greenery. Since we love succulents and indoor plants, we love channeling the same style in our floral arrangements. The Foliage Collection is so chic, and I love how the simple color scheme matches all rooms of our house.
2. Mixing And Matching – Wildflower Collection
Another fun trend we discovered is mixing and matching warm hues, as seen in the Wildflower Collection. With vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, this collection is perfect for brightening up a space – plus the color scheme transitions so well into Fall!
3. Scandinavian Trend – White Collection
One of my favorite floral trends for weddings is all-white arrangements, so I’m excited to see this trend is still going strong. There’s something so elegant and feminine about a table arrangement covered in white florals – you just can’t go wrong!
4. Dusty Rose – Lavender Collection
One of the newest trends we are seeing is the new Lavender Collection, which is a mix of soft purple and dusty rose florals. Mauve and blush have been such an influence in fashion and home decor trends, so it’s fun to see it make an influence in florals as well!
Want to incorporate these floral trends into your home or on display at your next event? Stop by Tom Thumb, Albertsons, and Market Street where you can find every day décor items and the new wedding collection from debi lilly design You can now shop all of the top floral trends, as well as find so many fun vases and accents for a personal touch – all in one place!
I can find debi lilly design floral and products at my local Albertsons, Market Street or Tom Thumb, and you can find yours at all Albertsons Companies family of stores, including Safeway, ACME Markets, Jewel-Osco, Vons, Pavilions, Randalls, Shaw’s, Star Market, United Supermarkets, Albertsons Market and Carrs/Safeway.
For more information about debi lilly design collections vist: Albertsons, Tom Thumb and Market Street
While this post was sponsored by Albertsons, Market Street and Tom Thumb the opinions expressed are my own.
Before I started travel blogging, the idea of going on vacation alone seemed a bit... odd. Why would I ever want to travel across the world alone? Wouldn’t I get bored? While I’ll dive into why you should travel alone another day, I will say exploring a new place by yourself is actually incredibly cool. It gives you a chance to learn more about yourself, discover new interests, meet new friends, and challenge yourself in a unique way you wouldn’t otherwise experience.
While you should always keep your guard up when traveling, being overly cautious is extremely necessary when traveling alone as a female - especially abroad. Being alone in a new place can make you incredibly vulnerable, so it’s important to do your research, be proactive, and pay attention to your surroundings to guarantee a smooth trip. Remember, safety always comes first.
ATHENS, GREECE
SAFETY TIPS FOR FEMALES TRAVELING ALONE:
1. Research Everything Before You Go And Create A Detailed Itinerary
I’m not talking about a list of hotels and sights to see, but really plan and organize a detailed schedule from breakfast to the end of the day. Be sure to include hotel addresses, transportation details, flight numbers, important contacts, etc. While it may seem tedious, it will really make the journey much easier when you arrive.
2. Give An Itinerary To A Friend Or Relative At Home And Check In Everyday
While you don’t need to update your relatives every step of the way, check in everyday with a quick email to let someone know you’re ok. It’s nice to have someone accountable for your whereabouts, especially in the rare case of an emergency.
3. Look Confident And Never Lost
You know the expression, “fake it til you make it”, well this works when traveling alone as well. Walking around lost, holding a map in the air, or giving the impression you have no idea what you’re doing is basically like waving a target over your head saying “take advantage of me”. To avoid cab drivers taking you the long/wrong way, street vendors overcharging you, or in worst case scenarios getting led into a sketchy situation, always give the impression you know exactly where you’re going and what you’re doing.
4. Become A Morning Person And Don’t Stay Out Late
Take advantage of the daylight and try to start your day as early as possible. Wake up around 5:30 or 6:00 AM and be home by 10:00 PM. Not only will you have more freedom to roam solo safely, you’ll also feel more accomplished having a productive morning. As my parents always said, nothing good happens after midnight. Save the late nights with friends at home.
5. Limit The Alcohol And Don’t Make It A Party Trip
While it may be fun to let loose with girlfriends and go dancing at a local disco, signing up for a big night out while traveling alone is never a good idea. I’m not simply referring to your former Spring Break party style, but even sipping wine at a local bistro. If you’re teetering between ordering another and calling it a night, decide to call it a night. My best advice, avoid alcohol altogether.
SANTORINI
6. Splurge On Transportation
Sometimes it can seem lazy to order a taxi when your destination is considered walking distance, but if the sun is setting or the route doesn’t feel particularly comfortable, order a taxi or uber to guarantee a safe ride home. Also, follow GPS on your phone to make sure your driver isn’t leading you off the correct path.
7. Don’t Publish Your Location On Social Media
Since I document my life on social media, this one is super important to remember. No matter how cute your morning selfie is in your luxury suite OR how badly you want to announce to your friends you’re living it up in London, wait until you’ve checked out to publish your location.
8. Don’t Announce You’re Traveling Alone
Whether you’re casually chatting with your cab driver, hotel concierge, a new friend, etc, never admit you’re traveling alone. Casually mentioning your friend is waiting on you at the hotel, referring to yourself as “we”, and leading on that someone nearby is accountable for you can prevent uncomfortable situations.
9. Dress For Your Surroundings
Avoid calling attention to yourself and try to dress like a local. Is this a very conservative city? Does your outfit scream American? Try to dress modestly, stick to neutral colors, leave the valuable jewelry at home, and carry a non-designer bag with a zipper closure. It may sound extreme, but if you’re traveling alone, who are you trying to impress? Best of all, traveling with simple neutrals allows you to mix and match your outfits, while packing lighter - big bonus since you’re the one stuck carrying a heavy bag throughout the city!
EPHESUS, TURKEY
10. Learn Some Of The Language Before You Travel
While being fluent would be ideal (and out of reach for this girl), learning a few basic phrases will really help you out - especially if you’re lost and trying to make your way back to the hotel. Spanish, in particular, is one of the most widely spoken languages in popular travel destinations across Europe and Latin America, so exploring the best methods to learn Spanish via the web can give you a practical advantage when navigating these regions and interacting with locals.
11. Be Friendly, But Not TOO Friendly
While we always believe in being polite to everyone, it’s ok to be rude sometimes if you’re flying solo in a foreign place. Don’t trust drinks from strangers, don’t accept invites from the cute locals, and don’t be afraid to walk away from a situation abruptly if someone is giving you the creeps. Sometimes it’s ok to be a b*tch.
12. Get An International Phone Plan And Always Carry A Phone Charger
Not going to lie, I’m one of those people who loves turning my phone off when traveling for a technology breather, but you should ALWAYS have your phone on hand when you’re traveling alone. Even if you’re not in an emergency situation, it’s good to have in case you need to contact your hotel, use GPS to find your way, check your bank account, call an Uber, etc. Always keep your phone and a portable charger on hand.
13. Wear A (Fake) Wedding Ring
Ok you may think this one sounds a little crazy, but there’s nothing more annoying than trying to dine alone and having an unknown gentleman walk up to offer you a drink. While it may be a flattering gesture, traveling alone is not the time to put yourself in these sorts of situations. Wearing a simple ring on your left hand not only cuts back on these events, but it also allows you to be alone - which IS one of the reasons why you decided to travel alone, am I right? (NOTE: if you ARE married, consider leaving your wedding ring at home and wearing a faux diamond or something less flashy)
14. Always Carry Cash
While I never carry cash in Dallas, I always have cash on hand when traveling abroad. A lot of taxis don’t accept credit cards and can be quite angry when they realize you don’t have cash. Keep spare currency on hand for any situation - including the occasional bathroom break that requires a couple Euros to enter.
15. Have A Backup Plan
While a smooth vacation is the expectation, things happen so it’s always best to be prepared. Snap a photo of your passport and credit card and store it on your Dropbox in case you lose your wallet. Have a backup hotel in mind in case you hate your first one or your reservation is lost. Keep your phone on you for an Uber if you miss the last train home. Leave extra cash in your suitcase in case you lose your purse. Always be prepared for the unexpected.
Before you freak yourself out and think you're solo vacation will turn into the next dramatic Lifetime movie, remember that all of these are simply precautions to guarantee and a safe and smooth trip. There's nothing more exhilarating than exploring a new destination, and learning that you can have these amazing experiences on your own is such a rewarding feeling!
So next time you have a feeling of wanderlust, book the ticket and go. You won't regret it!
Happy Fall Y’all! While sipping rose poolside is my essential summer activity, I’m more than excited my favorite season has finally arrived: fall. As the leaves start turning, the temperature starts to drop, and that familiar scent in the air instantly reintroduces some of my favorite memories, my mood instantly improves – as well as my wardrobe!
Living in the South means my wardobe is seriously limited in the summer months. I’m always seeing photos of girls in California or New York looking oh-so-chic in jeans during the summer, but from spring to fall I swear off denim to save myself from the Texas heat overload. As we say goodbye to summer, I’m excited to reintroduce some of my favorite wardrobe staples, such as booties, jeans, light jackets, and more.
Rather than completely boxing up my summer clothing, I like to find ways to transition some of my favorite pieces from season to season. This IRO white dress was one of my favorite finds this summer (now on sale!), so I plan to continue rocking it all season long. The No White After Labor Day rule is a thing of the past, so today I’ll be sharing a few tips on how to transition your favorite white dresses from summer to fall!
5 Ways To Transition Your White Dresses From Summer To Fall
1. Cinch It With A Leather Belt
I personally believe you can never go wrong with cinching a dress with a belt. Not only is it incredibly flattering, but it also gives a new element to every look. I loved how flowy this IRO dress was for summer, but adding a wide leather belt to the look gives a warmer look to the dress and adds structure. If wide belts aren’t your cup of tea, a Western belt is a perfect contrast with the feminine lace detail!
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2. Add A Denim Or Leather Jacket
Fall is the season of layering, so mix up a favorite LWD with a leather or denim jacket. Not only will it transition your look, but it will also keep you warm!
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3. Rock A Pair Of Booties
Whether you’re dressing for a tailgate or date night, booties go with everything in the fall. Switch up your summer look by pairing your dress with a pair of booties. Choose a simple suede pair for a classic look, or give your dress some edge with a pair of studded leather booties. Get creative and add some personality to your outfit with your shoe choice!
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4. Toss A Chunky Knit Sweater Over It
Want to look effortlessly chic? Toss a chunky knit sweater over your LWD for a cozy and feminine style. You can reinvent so many of your dresses as skirts simply by tossing a sweater over it – talk about doubling your wardrobe!
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5. Darken Your Accessories
Last but not least, switch up your accessories. Leave the bright statement earrings or colorful clutches at home, and pair your white dress with accessories in deeper tones like emerald, maroon, navy, and browns.
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