Can you believe the summer is almost over? While I hate the end of this glorious season is approaching, I have to admit I’m pretty pumped fall is around the corner. Besides the excitement of football season, cooler weather, and the leaves changing, the start of fall means the start of a new wardrobe. While I may send my favorite espadrilles and beach bags to storage, so many of my favorite summer staples can easily transition into fall.
One color I couldn’t get enough of this season was blush, and I don’t plan on saying goodbye to this hue anytime soon. I wore this blush Keepsake wrap dress with mules and a monogrammed blush bag for a summer dinner look. I can easily transition this dress into fall by pairing it with a great pair of booties and adding a leather belt. Mixing and matching accessories is such a fun and easy look to revamp your favorite dresses for a new season!
I’ve rounded up 12 blush dresses that are perfect for transitioning from summer to fall. Check out my picks below and keep scrolling to see the rest of my look! Xo
As three Southern sisters, we learned the importance of setting a table at a young age. With our mom’s china closet packed with different collections for any occasion and enough silver to be passed along among the three of us, setting a table was not only about practicality - but rather a step that’s just as important as what’s being served for dinner.
While this method continues forward in our lives today, we love to add a modern twist to a traditional table setting. Whether it’s switching the Waterford glasses for simple wine glasses, a classic china pattern with a rimless plate, or using metallic chargers in place of a white tablecloth, we’ve learned a table setting can easily switch between chic or traditional for any occasion with a few easy changes.
While most people tend to have numerous china collections, varying sets of chargers, and endless wine glasses, we’ve noticed most people (including ourselves until recently) only have two flatware collections: everyday and silver. Having excess of anything really isn’t necessary, but just like having lots of shoes, we like having lots of kitchen essentials to spice up a table.
Lately we’ve fallen in love with all of the new flatware trends, and with so many retailers offering styles for affordable prices, it’s easy to enhance your collection! We’re sharing our four favorite new flatware trends below, so keep reading to learn how you can easily dress up your next dinner party with these fun styles!
ROSE GOLD
Are we really surprised by this one? Rose gold has been such an influence in decor for quite sometime now, and we love how this feminine style can really soften a table setting.
I’ve always preferred gold to silver, which is why I chose a simple gold-rimmed design for my first china pattern. While gold is such a classic flatware style, we’re seeing it pop up in some of our favorite stores making it easily accessible for any occasion.
I can go ahead and say black isn’t for everyone, but I LOVE how bold it looks with a simple white setting. It’s unexpected and edgy, but really makes an impact!
A final trend I want to share today is the mixed-metal flatware style. We’ve seen it mixed with gold, silver, black, marble - you name it. While we may get tired of this for everyday use, it really is fun for the occassional get-together!
If you’re anything like us, our vacations are always fast paced, packed with activities, and while fun, a little exhausting. We decided this year we needed to slow down and enjoy a vacation of R&R, which is exactly what we got while visiting the Hotel Kia Ora Rangiroa in French Polynesia!
French Polynesia is made up of many islands, the most popular ones being Bora Bora and Moorea. While we considered these islands, we were very intrigued with Rangiroa, which is known for having some of the best diving and snorkeling in the world (fun fact: did you know we have 3 scuba licenses?). Rangiroa is the second largest atoll in the world, meaning there is water surrounding you from all directions – it’s the bluest and clearest water we have ever seen. Though it’s super far from Texas, it’s absolutely worth the distance! We stayed at Hotel Kia Ora Rangiroa, which is the most luxurious hotel on the island. This hotel was nothing short of perfection. From the moment we checked in, the service was perfect and the locals couldn’t have been any nicer.
THE ACCOMMODATIONS
We stayed a few nights in a pool villa, which consisted of a house with a living room, huge bedroom, waterfall shower, an outdoor bathtub, and private swimming pool. The house was surrounded by a wall, so we had complete privacy – but the blinds allowed us to have an incredible view of the ocean.
To experience all that Kia Ora offered, we switched rooms half way and spent a few nights in an overwater bungalow – which I feel like everyone must do when visiting French Polynesia! It way exceeded my expectations and completely blew me away! This hut was very modern and large, and our patio was pure heaven. I completely underestimated how awesome it would be to wake up above the ocean, and it was so fun spending the mornings on our patio jumping into the water to snorkel and feeding all of the fish. Speaking of fish, the hotel provides bread everyday for guests to feed the fish. The fish were of all sizes and colors and looked like an aquarium at our feet.
WHAT TO DO:
The Blue Lagoon Excursion was our highlight! I can’t believe the blue lagoon actually exists – it looks like a spot from the movies. The hotel organized this full-day excursion, which leaves from the hotel dock and is about 8 hours long. The boat ride is about 1 hour to the blue lagoon, and once we arrived we spent the day on a tiny island enjoying authentic BBQ and listening to live music. We had so much fun snorkeling around the island in the Tiffany Blue water – you really have to experience it to understand how clear it was!
The final highlight of our Blue Lagoon Excursion Day was visiting “Shark City” on our way back to the hotel. I’m still shocked we jumped in the water with these Black Fin and Lemon sharks, but it is something we will always remember! Our Tahitian boat drivers swore there had never been a shark attack on Rangiora, so we took their word for it and highly recommend it for anyone visiting the island.
As I mentioned earlier, this trip was all about R&R so we didn’t overbook ourselves with activities. We rented bikes one day and explored the tiny island, which is about 4 miles long and a quarter mile wide. We stopped along the way for a bite to eat, saw the local church, and found our favorite sunset spot at Les Relais de Josephine dock. We learned during our delicious and casual lunch at Chez Lili that the locals don’t speak much English (French is the main language) and credit cards work occasionally.
One evening we went to the Rangiroa Winery, which is the only winery in all of French Polynesia, and fortunately it was only 10 minutes from our hotel! We learned all about the wine making on a tropical island and got to taste all the wines, as well as a local Rum. Cheers.
We spent most of our time at the resort and the food was great. The breakfast was included in our hotel stay and it was a great mix of French and Asian influence. I’m pretty sure my husband had tuna sashimi for breakfast daily, and he was happy as ever! The fish was very fresh and the food options were great, even if you’re a picky eater like myself. Two evenings a week the hotel puts on a Tahitian Luau and buffet. They like to get hotel guests to participate, so Peter got picked and we had a good laugh!
As I mentioned earlier, the island is known for scuba diving and snorkeling, so we loved seeing everything from colorful fish, black tip sharks, eels, manta rays, and a sea turtle!
HOW TO GET THERE:
We flew Southwest to LAX. We then switched airlines to Air Tahiti Nui which flew direct to Papeete, the capital of Tahiti. Air Tahiti Nui doesn’t have online check-in, so the earlier you are in line the better your chances are for a preferred seat. We were lucky enough to get an exit aisle both ways, which was definitely needed on an 8 hour flight. Once arriving in Papeete we switched airlines again to Air Tahiti and flew 1.5 hours to Rangiroa. This felt like a bus in the sky, but was all we needed! The Rangiroa airport is a tiny open-air hut with views of the ocean on either side and about a 5 minute drive to the hotel. The hotel bus was waiting on us with flower lei’s and fresh juice.
WHAT TO PACK:
**The island of Rangiroa is very remote and there isn’t tons of shopping options, so planning ahead is needed.
– Water shoes (the beaches have lots of coral fragments and little rocks/shells, these are a must have)
– GoPro or Underwater Camera
– LOTS of sunscreen
– Breezy Maxi Dresses
– Swimsuits and coverups – I spent everyday in a bikini and coverup. The resort is super casual in the day, so pack lots of beachwear!
It’s safe to say the Hotel Kia Ora Rangiroa was absolutely stunning, so we took SO many photos during our vacation. Keep scrolling to see more snaps of our getaway!
While this post was in partnership with Hotel Kia Ora, the opinions expressed are my own.
Products, products, and more products. Our drawers are always slammed with cleansers, serums, and SPFs, so it’s easy to get overwhelmed or confused by this plethora of products. You may wonder if all of these are necessary – and to be honest, we think they are!
As a twenty-something female, I believe NOW is the time to be proactive about my skin to prevent aging and sun damage. It’s also beneficial for those days where I have too much Diet Coke to stay awake or one too many glasses of vino on Girls Night Out – hydration is ultra-important for your complexion. No matter how much you spend on a fancy foundation or how much time you spend getting that perfect contour, if you aren’t giving enough TLC to your bare face, you aren’t going to see your best results.
So now, let’s break it down. How do you order all of these products? Which products should you use? I’m sharing my morning skincare routine below to help you learn how to layer your own products for the best results!
Step 1: Eye Makeup Remover
I’m one of those people that feels naked without eyeliner, so waking up with raccoon eyes is pretty common. My first step every morning is a quick swipe of eye makeup remover. My favorite is Garnier Micellar Water, and I simply pour a bit on a cotton pad to wipe off any mascara or eyeliner. It’s affordable and available at every drugstore – plus it has so many other uses, such as a makeup brush cleanser! (Read more about Garnier Micellar Water here)
Step 2: Cleanser
I prefer to use my morning facial cleanser in the shower, since I’m already wet and I don’t have to worry about tossing water all over the vanity (#clumsy). There are honestly so many great cleansers on the market, so I love trying new products and switching up my routine. Right now I’m using the Kate Sommerville Daily Detox Cleanser and I love it. Another one I love is the Colleen Rothschild Gel Cleanser. For a drugstore brand, I always choose CeraVe or Cetaphil.
For those of you that wash your face over the sink everyday, check out the Tassi Hair Band – Blair swears by them!
Step 3: Toner
I first incorporated a toner into my skincare routine in 6th grade when my mom bought all of us the Clinique 3-Step skincare routine (which is still a great routine!). What I love most about a toner is that it helps shrink your pores and removes excess dirt and oil. Using a toner is super fast and easy, so you should definitely add one into the mix if you haven’t already! I’ve been using the Clarins Toner for a couple of years now, and I love it! Simply pour a bit onto a cotton pad and gently rub it all over your face for a revitalized feeling.
Step 4: Serum
Out of all of the products available, serums are my absolute favorite. Though they’re generally the most expensive product in my skincare routine, serums are essential. The lightweight and silky smooth formula of a serum penetrates deep into your skin to deliver active ingredients, which helps firm your skin, shrink pores, and provide ultimate hydration to your skin. Plus if you’re trying to fight off wrinkles (like me), serums are the best! If you’re looking for a new serum, I love Erno Laszlo Transphuse Day Serum, KORRES Golden Krocus Ageless Saffron Elixir Serum, and Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Serum.Also, if you have oily skin – serums are a great alternative to a moisturizer
Step 5: Face Moisturizer
While I swear by every step on this list, the one step YOU should never skip is moisturizing. It helps keep your skin bright and glowing everyday, allows your makeup to look smooth and flawless, plus it’s incredibly important for anti-aging. The two products I highly recommend are the Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream and the La Mer Creme de la Mer – both products work wonders on my skin and are always top-rated! (Click to read my posts about La Mer Creme de La Mer and Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream)
Step 6: Eye Cream
The skin around your eyes is thinner and more fragile than the rest of your face, which is why you’re more likely to have puffy eyes, dark circles, and the first steps of aging. Using an eye cream can help reduce these effects, so I always dab a pea-sized amount of eye cream around my eyes. Tip: Since the skin around your eyes is thinner, gently pat the cream around your eyes instead of rubbing! I’m currently using the Murad Eye Lift Firming Treatment, and I love it.
Step 7: SPF
You know how important melanoma awareness is to us, so of course an everyday sunscreen is essential to our routine. Sun damage not only raises your risk of melanoma, but it also causes damage and premature aging to your skin. Whether you plan on spending the day outside or simply catch a bit of fresh air, adding an SPF into your everyday beauty routine is easy and highly recommended. I love all products by Supergoop, as well as this one by Kiehls and this one by Julep (read my Julep review here).
Step 8: Primer
By this point you’re probably wondering how I have this much time in the morning, but trust me all of these steps are super quick and easy! The last step of my morning skincare routine before applying makeup is my primer. It feels a lot like a moisturizer, but it helps my makeup stay on all day and gives a smoother finish. For an everyday primer, I love the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer. Since a highlighted and glowing complexion is all the rage right now, I love the Dior Glow Maximizer and Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow Primer.
Do you have any skincare favorites we should try? If so, let us know in the comments below!
Growing up, I was definitely a “girly girl” - I always had a pink room, sports with balls never meshed well with me, and I would wear heels over sneakers any day. As the years have gone by, I’ve incorporated more blacks into my wardrobe, fallen in love with chic sneakers, and have limited the amount of froufrou accessories in my home. While my style has changed a bit over the years, the one thing that will never change is my love of the color pink.
For my first college apartment, I bought a HUGE magenta abstract painting from Z Gallerie - that still hangs in my house to this day. While it radiates color, pairing it with neutral furniture and simple accessories adds just the right amount of impact. Though my college roommates gave me a hard time about decorating with magenta (seriously, who doesn’t love pink?!), the hue can be just as sophisticated as any other jewel tone.
I shared my love for blush home decor earlier this year, but one of my favorite home decor trends is pink rugs. From subdued pastels to rich magentas, pink rugs can transform any room into a chic space. To avoid going overboard on the “girly” spectrum, let the rug be your main color pop. I love the way a pink rug looks paired with lucite, greys, and mid-century pieces!
I’ve rounded up some of my favorite pink oriental rugs below for you to shop, and for more home inspo, be sure to keep scrolling to see more of my favorite rooms below:
