Today's Everyday Fashion: The Rainbow Connection

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Was it growing up in an era of Lisa Frank, Care Bears, or perhaps Reading Rainbow? There's got to be a reason I'm drawn to rainbows so much. It's not just the color of this dress (or the mural behind it!) though - it's the fit. I love the versatility of a dress this shape. With a blazer it's office appropriate thanks to the length, and without a jacket the low cut back is perfect for a date or event. It comes in tons of colors (see below) and all of them make great blank slates for any other colors you want to add - via shoes, earrings, a necklace or purse. The rainbow of possibilities is endless!

Dress: Bloomingdale's, $45 (more colors below!)
Shoes: Charlotte Russe, $23 (similar, similar)
Earrings: Amazon c/o, $38 (similar, similar, similar)
Sunglasses: Amazon c/o, $10
Purse: My Stella & Dot
Approx. dates: Shoes, earrings are 1 year ago. Purse is 6 months ago. Dress is new.

One  /  Two  /  Three  /  Four
Five  /  Six  /  Seven

Dance The Night Away With AirPufs

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We are proud to partner with AirPufs for today’s post. Sponsors are carefully selected in conjunction with our mission statement to bring you style content we think you’ll love! All opinions and editorial decisions are solely my own.

 
 

I love a good pair of high heels and I'm hardly ever without a pair on my feet! But something I'm totally unwilling to deal with is a pair of shoes that are uncomfortable. Shoes need to be easy to wear first and foremost, which is exactly where AirPufs comes in! 

These cute insoles (they come in more than 20 adorable prints) are about to change your shoe game forever. The secret material in AirPufs is a hypoallergenic foam originally only used for injury and recovery that is twenty times more shock absorbent than other brands. They ship worldwide for a flat fee of $7, and work for any type of shoe - not only high heels, but also flats. Wear them to a wedding to dance the night away, for those long work days on your feet, or to run errands. The adhesive backing comes off easily and stays well, but you can also peel them off and re-adjust if needed. 

And here's a special offer just for you guys - the first 50 customers: buy 3 pairs and receive free shipping! 

Plus did I mention how cute they are? Check out some more colorful insoles I put in my shoes below, and head over to AirPufs to browse and see which pair would be an adorable - and comfortable - addition to your heels at home!

Which pair is your favorite? 

 

One  /  Two
Three  /  Four

 

Today's Everyday Fashion: Red, White & Blue

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Raise your hand if you can't believe that July 4th is already here. I mean... has summer even started yet? Since when is it June, let alone July?! I wasn't thinking of Independence Day when I ordered this new top, but it sure is the perfect match for the red striped shorts I've worn for the past four years in a row. A navy polka dot scarf provides the "stars" to my stripes and will be perfect to wear for fireworks next week!

Top: Ann Taylor, $47
Necklace: Ann Taylor, $32 (similar below)
Shorts: J.Crew Factory, $24 (similar below)
Shoes: Macy's, $40 (similar, similar, similar)
Purse: Forever 21, $30 (similar, similar, similar)
Scarf: H&M, $5 (similar, similar, similar, similar)
Approx. dates: Shorts are 4 years ago. Shoes are 1 year ago. Purse is recent. Top and necklace are new.

Kendra Scott  /  Kohl's  /  Talbots  /  Amazon
Boohoo  /  Nordstrom Rack  /  Boohoo (plus)
Nordstrom Rack  /  Shopbop  /  Nordstrom

Today's Everyday Fashion: Traveling Back In Time

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One of the best - or perhaps most poetic - things about fashion is that it affords the wearer the perceived ability to travel back in time. I can't get enough of 1950s and 1960s styles lately, and coupled with the 1920s architecture of our photo location, it really does appear like I'm in another era. (Swoon!) I instantly liked the retro vibe of these pink pants, although it took me awhile to find the perfect shirt to go with them. I struck out with both shirts below (you may have better luck than I did), and this top was the lucky third try. Do you enjoy this era of clothing? How would you wear these pants?

[photo location: Boca Raton Resort & Club]

Top: Neiman Marcus Last Call, $35
Pants: Stein Mart, $40
Shoes: JCPenney, $18
Purse: Forever 21, $25 (similar, similar, similar, similar) 
Hat: Nine West/Stein Mart, $25
Earrings: Jane c/o, $5 (similar)
Approx. dates: Purse is 1 year ago. Shoes are recent. Top, hat, and pants are new.

One (also here and here)  /  Two

That Time I Co-Hosted A Morning Show

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Well that was fun! For the last five-and-a-half years I've been doing monthly segments on Daytime, a nationally syndicated morning show that shoots at WFLA in Tampa. But last week was a first - I subbed in for co-host Jerry Penacoli while he's away on his honeymoon! It aired nationally on Monday and you can watch most of the clips right here in this blog post.

First up is my look-for-less style segment. Using celebrities Meghan Markle, Natalie Portman and Madeline Brewer as inspiration, I found similar looks at Bloomingdale's for under $150!! You can watch the segment and shop the exact items below. (ps. I totally bought the Meghan Markle-inspired purse!)

 
 

Outfit One - inspired by Natalie Portman in Miu Miu
Dress  /  Clutch

Outfit Two - inspired by Meghan Markle in Givenchy
Dress  /  Purse

Outfit Three - inspired by Madeline Brewer in Missoni
Dress  /   Purse

The next clip is Double Dare, which is coming back to Nickelodeon this summer. Daytime co-host Cyndi Edwards and I interviewed Marc Summers, then competed in our own mini-version of Double Dare with teams. You'll have to watch to see who won!

And last but not least... Fashion Wrap. This is the segment that I do most often on Daytime. It's similar to"Fashion Police," in that we discuss celebrity looks. There were so many cute outfits this week! Hope you enjoy these clips and a little behind-the-scenes!

Today's Everyday Fashion: Bird Print Jumpsuit

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I'm just over the moon about jumpsuits you guys. How can anything look this polished but be so comfortable? And you don't have to look far to see how much I love palm prints (here, here, here) as well as bird patterns (here). So combining three of my favorite things - jumpsuits, palm print and bird prints - in an outfit for our recent trip to Boca? That's just a no-brainer! 

[photo location: Boca Raton Resort & Club]

Jumpsuit: Stein Mart, $35
Clutch: Jane c/o, $29 (similar, similar, similar)
Sunglasses: Amazon c/o, $10
Earrings: Jane c/o, $5
Shoes: JCPenney, $18
Approx. dates: Shoes, purse, earrings are recent. Jumpsuit is new.

Nordstrom Rack  /  boohoo  /  River Island  /  boohoo  /  boohoo
Asos  /  Macy's  /  boohoo  /  boohoo  /  6pm.com (plus)

Boutique Styles For Less With Jane.com

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We are proud to partner with Jane.com for today’s post. Sponsors are carefully selected in conjunction with our mission statement to bring you style content we think you’ll love! All opinions and editorial decisions are solely my own.

 

Jane top, $24.99
Jane earrings, $4.99
Jane clutch, $28.99

Jane dress, $23.99
Jane bag, $29.99

Jane pants, $23.99
Jane earrings, $6.99
Jane clutch, $28.99

 

Jane top, $24.99
Jane clutch, $28.99
Jane sandals, $21.99

 
 

Jane kimono, $15.99 (similar)
Jane earrings, $6.99
Jane clutch, $28.99

We traveled to Vero Beach last weekend, and the outfits in today’s Jane.com post were everything I needed in my suitcase! A straw bag and kimono for the beach, a clutch and striped pants for dinner, the comfiest maxi dress with pockets for travel, and some colorful earrings and sandals to top it all off. The best part is that each item was under $30! I love wearing and shopping boutique styles and I love that Jane.com has them for so much less.

If you haven’t heard of Jane.com com, it’s a flash sale site with tons of different boutiques. They post 300 new deals each day that only last 72 hours. Some sell out within minutes, so to be the first in line browse “sneak peeks” of what’s coming next and use the “favorites” (heart) feature to keep track. Ultimately you wind up with the cutest clothing, accessories and home décor at the best prices – up to 80% off!

Head to my personal page on Jane.com to shop the same deals that I got + similar. Create your free Jane account and/or download the app to start shopping, keeping track of your favorites and scoring those amazing deals!

Let me know if you want more details on any of the items - I'm happy to help!
And tell me - which Jane look or item is your favorite?

 

Jane sandals, $23.99

Jane dress, $23.99
Jane bag, $29.99
Jane earrings, $4.99

Jane pants, $23.99
Jane earrings, $6.99
Jane clutch, $28.99

Jane clutch, $28.99
Jane sandals, $21.99

 

Today's Everyday Fashion: The Office Rainbow

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Now this is an office look that I can get behind! Probably because I've never met a rainbow I didn't like, including rainbows featuring only one part of the color wheel (in this case, the spectrum between yellow and red). It also occurs to me that not one thing in this outfit is neutral, it's literally ALL bright colors. It's almost as if so many of them grouped together has created the appearance of being neutral? (Or is it just me?) Maybe it's a bit much, but I dare you not to smile while wearing it. Betcha can't! And that, my friends, makes it totally worth it!

Top: Limited c/o thredUP, $12 (similar below)
Pants: LOFT, $42 (similar, similar, similar, similar, similar)
Shoes: JCPenney, $18
Purse: Vince Camuto/Saks Off 5th, $70 (similar, similar, similar)
Earrings: Amazon c/o, $10
Approx. dates: Purse is 3 years ago. Pants are 1 year ago. Shoes and earrings are recent. Top is newly thrifted. 

Revolve  /  Zappos  /  Boohoo  /  Asos
Boohoo  /  And Other Stories  /  JCPenney  /  Boden
Boohoo  /  Boohoo  /  Asos  /  Boohoo

Today's Everyday Fashion: Pink Castles

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"Somebody pinch me," is precisely what was going through my head while we were shooting these photos. Such a beautiful place, right?! It's like a pink castle with endless fountains, and lucky for us it was close to where we were staying with family recently. We swung by to shoot three outfits (with permission) - I can't wait to share the rest next week. I've had this navy dress for going on three years, but a reader recently tracked down that it's still in stock in every size - yay!! I've repeated it a lot over the years, and it's without a doubt one of my favorite things in my closet. There are so many ways you could accessorize it, and if you're in need of a fabulous hat, check out some great options below.

[photo location: Boca Raton Resort & Club]

Dress: Modcloth, $110 (same, similar, similar, similar, similar)
Shoes: JCPenney, $18
Hat: Mud Pie, $30 (similar below)
Purse: Mud Pie c/o, $13
Earrings: Amazon c/o, $10
Approx. dates: Dress is 3 years ago. Hat is 2 years ago, purse is 1 year ago. Shoes are recent.

One  /  Two  /  Three
Four  /  Five  /  Six  
Seven  /  Eight  /  Nine
Ten  /  Eleven  /  Twelve

Today's Everyday Fashion: My Office Style Secret

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When it comes to spending my clothing budget I don't mind shopping for casual/weekends. I get excited for special occasions, and I love accessories. But I don't love spending money on office-type outfits. So I've developed a preference for buying those items secondhand. It's cheaper, it's good for the environment, and I've actually found some super-cute stuff. Like this floral pencil skirt which is lightweight and so perfect for summer! I rounded up some similar options below.

Top: JCPenney, $15 (similar, plus, similar)
Skirt: Cynthia Rowley c/o thredUP, $14 (similar below)
Shoes: JCPenney, $30 (similar, similar, similar)
Purse: Aldo/Amazon, $40 (similar, similar, similar)
Earrings: Jane.com, $5 (similar)
Approx. dates: Top and purse are 3 years ago. Shoes are 1 year ago. Skirt is newly thrifted.

Today's Everyday Fashion: Kelly's Ice Cream

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Fashion inspiration comes from so many places. And this time it just happens to be a literal place! We've been frequenting Kelly's Ice Cream since it opened a couple years ago and I was dying to take some photos there. (Lucky for us they said "yes!") I was so inspired by their pink aesthetic that I wound up looking a bit like a Kelly's Ice Cream mascot, and I am totally okay with that. This is one of my favorite outfits of all time, and adding a little ice cream to the mix only makes it that much more fun!

[photo shoot location: Kelly's Ice Cream]

Top: Nordstrom, $41 (similar below)
Skirt: Zulily, $22 (similar below)
Shoes: Charlotte Russe, $23 (similar, similar)
Purse: Mud Pie c/o, $13
Earrings: Amazon c/o, $8
Approx. dates: Skirt is 2 years ago. Shoes, top, purse are 1 year ago.

Nordstrom  /  Madewell  /  J.Crew  /  Madewell
Nordstrom  /  Saks  /  Century 21  /  Nordstrom Rack
Zappos  /  Nordstrom  /  Zappos (plus)  /  Nordstrom

Today's Everyday Fashion: Heron Kay At Sunset

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We love exploring new places together, and our recent trip to historic Mount Dora was no exception. As we drove past this particular bed & breakfast I asked Joshua to pull over. I knocked on the door and asked if we could take some photos there because it was breathtakingly gorgeous! The sun was just starting to set and the light was perfect; my hair was a mess from the wind so I pulled it back with the scarf. And we had the best dinner date at a cute little place (as seen in my IG story) before we headed home. It was such a dreamy night! 

[photo location: Heron Kay Bed & Breakfast in Mount Dora, FL]

Dress: Ever Pretty c/o, $33 (use code jseverydayfashion for 30% off)
Shoes: JCPenney, $18
Purse: Jane.com, $30 (similar, similar)
Scarf: J.Crew Factory, $7 (similar)
Sunglasses: Francesca's, $10 (similar)
Approx. dates: Shoes, bag, scarf are this year. Dress is new.

 
 

Lord & Taylor Premium Brands Shop on Walmart.com

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We are proud to partner with Walmart.com and ShopStyle for today’s post. Sponsors are carefully selected in conjunction with our mission statement to bring you style content we think you’ll love! All opinions and editorial decisions are solely my own.

 

Dress  /  Bag  /  Shoes

Dress  /  Shoes

Dress  /  Shoes

Dress  /  Bag

 

When two brands like Lord & Taylor and Walmart combine forces you know it’s going to be good. And that’s exactly the case with the new Lord & Taylor Premium Brands Shop on Walmart.com! It’s precisely what it sounds like – you can now shop premium brands from Lord & Taylor – right there on Walmart.com.

It launched less than two weeks ago, and I was able to give it a try and place an order right away. The process was seamless, the items are very clearly organized and marked as “premium brands” within Walmart.com and the best part – free shipping and returns!! I’ve always loved Lord & Taylor but I am so much more inclined to shop with free 2-day shipping on select orders  $35+ and free returns on Walmart.com.

Perhaps the biggest motivation to shop though: I luh-ved the items I found. The dreamy pink floral dress is by Wish, my adorable shoes are Jessica Simpson, the convertible purse (you can wear it on your shoulder OR on your belt) is by Lord & Taylor, and my stripe top is UK brand Miss Selfridge.

Check out the Lord & Taylor Premium Brands Shop on Walmart.com and tell me what you think!!

(Also – I cannot stress this enough but we did not vandalize this fountain and put bubbles in it for our photo shoot. I might be extra but not that extra. 😆 )

Which look is your favorite?

 

Top  /  Belt bag

Top  /  Belt bag

Top  /  Belt bag

 

One  /  Two  /  Three  /  Four
One  /  Two  /  Three  /  Four  /  Five
One  /  Two  /  Three  /  Four  /  Five

Today's Everyday Fashion: Lemon Print Forever

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If two of my favorite old things in my closet had a baby, it'd be this lemon print dress. I've had and loved these things (below) for 4-7 years, so it felt like a safe bet that me + today's lemon dress = for-ever. Our little day trip to Mount Dora, FL seemed like the perfect place to wear it for the first time. And when your dress goes perfectly with one of the prettiest historic homes in the city, it's hard not to feel like it's just simply budget-friendly dress fate! 

Photo shoot location: Mount Dora, FL

Dress: Chetta B, $35 (similar below)
Shoes: Forever 21, $28 (similar, similar)
Hat: Nine West/Stein Mart, $15
Purse: Forever 21, $25 (similar, similar, similar, similar) 
Earrings: Amazon c/o, $8
Sunglasses: Francesca's, $10 (similar)
Approx. dates: Purse is 1 year ago. Shoes and hat are recent. Dress is new.

 

Original Posts One  /  Two

Chetta B  /  1901  /  Chetta B  /  Catherine Malandrino
Donna Morgan  /  1901  /  Tahari  /  1901

 

Today's Everyday Fashion: From Desk to Dinner

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It's like a magic trick - remove the straw bag and add a blazer, and you totally change the occasion for this outfit. With a blazer, it's the perfect fun yet professional outfit for work. Lose the blazer and add a straw tote and you're ready for the weekend or just totally dominating the scene on your lunch break. What favorite weekend looks could you make work for work and vice versa?!

Top: LOFT, $23 (also a dress)
Blazer: C. Wonder, $90 (similar, similar, similar)
Pants: Banana Republic, $58 (similar below)
Shoes: Saks Off 5th, $70 (similar, similar, similar, similar)
Bag: Mud Pie c/o, $45
Earrings: LOFT, $20 (similar, similar, similar, similar)
Approx. dates: Blazer is 4 years ago. Pants and shoes are 3 years ago. Top and bag are recent. 

Neiman Marcus  /  Macy's  /  Nordstrom  /  Asos  /  Macy's
Macy's  /  JCPenney  /  Nordstrom  /  Anthropologie  /  Amazon

Your Complete Havana, Cuba Travel Guide

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Goes to Cuba for one week: posts pictures for a month. Guilty!! If you couldn't already tell, we loved our trip to Havana. Like, really really loved it. It was easily one of our favorite trips of all time!  

Before we get into travel recs, it must be said that travel to Cuba for U.S. residents is complicated. U.S. residents were not able to travel to Cuba for 56 years when Obama opened the doors in 2014. And in late 2017, Trump repealed this decision, closing tourism for U.S. residents again.

So how did we go?! Well, this was not a vacation for us, it was a work trip. Technically it was booked before the restrictions (our original travel date was August 2017) but also, there are 12 categories of visas currently open, and the type of visa we had booked - journalism - is one of them. If you're thinking of traveling to Cuba right now, the easiest way is to take a cruise. This type of travel utilizes the "support of the Cuban people" visa. There are guidelines for this, which the cruise line takes care for you. If you want to try that visa on your own, check out this article for some tips. 

Why are there so many hoops to jump through? Some serious stuff went down between our countries back in the day, and essentially our government disagrees with the way the Cuban government treats their citizens. As a result, when you travel to Cuba, the U.S. government does not allow you to spend any money with the Cuban government. That eliminates most hotels, and you need to seek out independently-owned restaurants. The U.S. government can audit you for up to 6 years after your trip with hefty potential punishments, so keep detailed records of every dollar (aka CUC) that you spend.

If all this sounds complicated, it is. But also, Cuba was SO beautiful. We struggled to put our finger on what exactly it is about Havana that is so special. (Beyond just that hit song lol.) There are so many things, but overall it's an interesting combo of a big, booming city plus the flavor and color of a Caribbean island. I've been to more than 20 Caribbean islands (and the hubs grew up in Haiti), but there's just no where else like it in the world! The food was amazing!! And the people couldn't be nicer.

 
 

Where to stay:

Head to Airbnb.com to book your room in advance, or find a casa particular available for rent when you arrive. They are marked with this blue and white sign. Not everyone has internet access, so there's more variety if you do it in person.  

We booked our first casa particular a week before, and it was in the heart of Old Havana. It was open-air, loud, no air conditioning, shared bathrooms, lots of locals coming in and out. Our host was a social butterfly and seemed to know everyone. We loved her. It was an adjustment at first, but it wound up being for the best because she was a wonderful guide and helped us find our bearings.

After spending three nights right in the heart of Old Havana, we moved to a casa particular in Vedado for four nights. It's a 10-minute taxi from Old Havana, and more of a suburban residential area. There's not quite as much tourism although there is still plenty to do and see! We loved switching it up and checking out a new neighborhood, and this casa particular was super modern and had total privacy.

Which neighborhood you pick is totally up to you! We really enjoyed both as well as splitting our time.

    Where to eat:

    The hubs and I had the best food of our lives on this trip. It was Caribbean-style food (think: fresh red snapper and grilled veggies) so that was a win. The woman we stayed with had the best recommendations. And an entire feast for two cost the equivalent of $30, so that didn't hurt! 

    When you eat at a restaurant, give yourself plenty of time. They move at a very slow pace compared to American way of eating. It's such a nice change to savor the moment and the delicious food slowly though. Also, restaurants can be tough to find. Many look nothing like a restaurant from the outside and you'll have to make sure you are in the right place at first. And all of them are small - because independently owned restaurants in Cuba are required to have less than 40 seats. Also - many casa particulars provide breakfast with your stay or for a small fee which is so nice. Our host was a great cook! 

    You can't go wrong with these restaurants. Cafe Laurent was my favorite, Joshua liked La Terrazza and O'Reily 304 is probably the most popular.

    • O'Reilly 304 - the place to be for foodies
    • El Dandy - order the Platico El Dandy and thank me later
    • La Terrazza - on the third floor of Oviedo 
    • La Familia - super authentic Cuban food
    • Cafe Laurent (Vedado neighborhood) - so good we ate there twice, worth the trip from Old Havana
    • Biky (Vedado neighborhood) - our go-to breakfast place in Vedado
    • Cafe Nana (Vedado neighborhood) - for a "quick" authentic bite
     
     

    What to do:

    • Rent a convertible (like the pink one pictured above!). They are technically taxis, but they also do guided tours. Enjoy a sunset along the Malecon like we did in this video. It's so romantic!
    • Wander through Old Havana. It's not super huge but we could've done this for days. It's a colorful, lively, never-sleeps maze of people, cars and architecture.
    • Take a bus tour. It costs approx. $10 each, and you can hop on and off all day. It covers a good amount of ground and goes all the way to the Miramar area and back, about two hours round-trip. Catch the bus in the main square in Parque Central. 
    • Hit the beach. You can easily do a day trip to the Santa Maria area from Havana. It's about 30 minutes away and $30-40 round trip. We hung out near the Ranchon de Pepe restaurant.

    General travel tips:

    • Check into travel restrictions and purchase your visa. If you fly Southwest, they will send you detailed instructions via email after you book your flights. 
    • Download Maps.me - GPS that works without internet. Street signs can be difficult to locate, and the actual building itself can be almost impossible to locate (no signage outside) so GPS is key.
    • Download Google Translate - it also works offline. And/or practice some key phrases in Spanish, you will need it!
    • Bring toilet paper. Carry it with you wherever you go.
    • Go with an open mind. Chances are, Cuba is not the same as your own country, and that's okay! Being open to new experiences and new ways of doing things (even if, at times, they can feel inconvenient), is one of the best parts about travel.
    • Credit cards are not accepted in Cuba, so bring enough cash. We recommend exchanging money before you go to get a better rate. Exchange US dollars to Euros in advance. Then when you arrive at the airport in Cuba, exchange Euros to local currency, which is CUC (pronounced "couk"). 
    • Don't plan on having internet access. You can buy one-hour cards at the Plaza Hotel in Parque Central for $1. But even those don't always work. Sometimes the internet is just down. And then sometimes it restricts you from certain sites. The last 3 days we could only use apps, not websites.
    • Negotiate your taxi fare before getting into the taxi. (Good practice anywhere you go!)
    • Bring all the toiletries and snacks you'll need. Don't expect to grocery shop or go to a drug store. The only ones we saw were open at random times, and appeared to only take ration books. 
    • Bring immodium tablets, and drink bottled water.
    • Read up on history. It will help you understand the sentiment towards Americans by locals, and in general the relationship between our countries. Perhaps one of the reasons we liked this trip so much was because we took the time to understand the bigger picture of what we were seeing.

    We would go back in a heartbeat. We loved it.
    We hope you get a chance to experience this beautiful city someday, too!  

     
     

    How You Can Help Prevent Suicide: Remembering Kate Spade

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    After I heard the news, I spent most of the day in a hazy cloud, filled with tears and frustration that one of the best creative minds of our time - Kate Spade - had succumbed to suicide. I wish I could've done something, anything. Should I have reached out on social media and told her she was one of my heroes? I never did. Would it have mattered?  

    Kate Spade's death was high-profile, but there are so many more that go unnoticed, swept under a rug by friends and family who (understandably) want to avoid the negative comments and stigma that comes with it. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in America. There are 123 suicides everyday, and for every death there are another 25 attempts. (Source.) So what can we do?

    While I am certainly not a doctor or licensed therapist, I've shared some tips below that I think can make an impact on this epidemic. If we can chip away at the dangerous stigma attached to suicide, we can save lives. Our words matter. And while I know it's a difficult topic to empathize with, and to know the right things to say on social media, here's some food for thought to get you started:

    ((Please note: this discussion is specific to softening public responses via social media and reducing the stigma of suicide on a societal level. If you know someone who is struggling personally, please seek professional advice and help on how to address your loved ones. This article is a good place to start, and the Suicide Prevention Hotline is also a resource for you - it's not just for those with suicidal thoughts.))

    1. Understand that suicide is not a choice, it's a disease. We don't look at someone with Alzheimer's and question how they could be so selfish and cause their family pain by, for example, sneaking out and wandering the neighborhood at night. We recognize that their brain has been captured by a disease, and yet, with suicide we typically blame the person. While suicide may not be an actual "disease" (at least, it's not recognized by science as such), for a person who is suicidal their brain has absolutely been taken captive and there's a break in reality. Recognizing this key difference and treating them as if it's not "their fault" but rather a result of a hijacking of the mind in the truest sense, is perhaps the most impactful thing you can do.

    2. Recognize that no one is exempt. Not the rich, the successful, the beautiful. Saying "she had it all" is missing the point - a person with "everything" still gets a cold, they can still get cancer, they can still get mental illness, and they can absolutely succumb to suicidal thoughts.

    3. Acknowledge the pain. Imagine being in so much pain that you would be willing to do anything to make it stop. That's someone who is suicidal. They are not simply "not happy" or just "down in the dumps" they are in extreme, extreme, extreme amounts of pain. To the point that they would do anything to put an end to it. Understand that and you're halfway there.

    4. Hold back on offering flippant advice. Please don't say that people need to just "take a walk, call a friend, or have more hope." Unless you genuinely believe those things are going to heal someone from a deadly disease, you are trivializing what suicidal people are going through. In tough times it can be great to get some fresh air and having faith certainly helps in difficult situations. But don't solely address the symptoms, and not offer support and solutions for the root cause. Try offering these types of supportive comments instead: "If you are ever in this much pain, please know that I am a safe space and we can get through this together," or "Reach out to me and I am happy to help you find the relief you are seeking," or "You are not alone."

    5. Recognize that reaching out is the biggest obstacle. For a person with suicidal thoughts one of the biggest lies their brain is telling them (beyond just "you need to end this" and "your family and friends will be relieved you are gone") is that they cannot and should not reach out for help. This is the cunning, manipulative cruel nature of this "disease." Often, reaching out or telling a friend feels like they are being a burden, and shame keeps them from asking. So just throwing out the number to a hotline is tough. There are insurmountable objections in their brain to overcome before they can even pick up that phone. Stressing that they will be loved and accepted, and that we (as a society, even) will never give up on them can have a much greater impact.

    6. Be open-minded and willing to not understand. If you don't understand suicide, if it seems illogical to you, or crazy, that's okay. It's shouldn't make sense! It doesn't make sense! Perhaps you don't understand it, but you need to be okay with NOT understanding. Be willing to offer grace, love, support and empathy even though you can't comprehend it. A little love and encouragement goes such a long way. 

     
     

    If you have stories, tips, resources, or other ideas for helping reduce the stigma surrounding suicide please weigh in below (or email me). I would love to hear from you.

    And last but not least, if you are hurting please know: You are not alone. You will not be rejected or judged if you reach out for help. Your mind is playing tricks on you, and it's not your fault. There are so many loving people like me who will understand, accept you, show compassion, and get you the help and relief you need. We are here for you!

    Today's Everyday Fashion: Budget Badge of Honor

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    A designer version of this dress will run you $475, and this brand typically sells in the $200-300 range. So how'd I get it for only $29?! By shopping it secondhand, thankyouverymuch. This dress is pretty fab on its own, but knowing it was a great deal makes it even more fun to wear!! I'm also naming these my "it" shoes for the summer. They seem to go with everything (like here, here, here and here) and I can be on my feet in them for hours they are that comfy. Highly recommend!

    Dress: Eva Franco/thredUP, $29 (similar below)
    Purse: Forever 21, $30 (similar, similar, similar)
    Earrings: Francesca's, $14 (similar, similar, similar, similar)
    Shoes: JCPenney, $14
    Sunglasses: Francesca's, $10 (similar)
    Approx. dates: Purse, shoes, earrings are this year. Dress is new (to me).

     

    Inspiration: Mara Hoffman and Naf Naf 

     

    And Other Stories  /  Nordstrom  /  Asos  /  Nordstrom Rack
    Asos  /  Asos  /  Macy's  /  Saks off 5th
    Bloomies  /  Macy's  /  Bloomies  /  Kohl's  /  Nordstrom

    Today's Everyday Fashion: Yellow Dress at Lake Eola

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    If you put the words "yellow" and "dress" together in the same sentence, chances are you're going to have my attention. It's not so much that I own many (or any) yellow dresses, but rather, that I've tried on what feels like hundreds of them over the past couple years and have yet to find one. Thankfully, this is one yellow dress that is a total win in the casual category. It feels a lot like a maxi but with a cool midi length, I love the unique twisted neckline - and did I mention that it's the perfect shade of yellow?! If this one is not your speed, check out more yellow dresses below.

    Dress: H&M, $35 (with this slip underneath)
    Jacket: J.Crew Factory, $51 (similar, similar)
    Bag: Jane.com, $30
    Earrings: Amazon c/o, $10
    Shoes: Marc Fisher/Amazon, $89 (similar, similar, similar)
    Bag charm: Francesca's, $14 (similar, similar,  similar, similar)
    Approx. dates: Jacket is 2 years ago. Shoes, bag charms are 1 year ago. Bag is recent. Dress and earrings are new. 

    Everlane (fair trade)  /  Express  /  Asos  /  Nordstrom
    Asos  /  Nordstrom  /  Everlane (fair trade)  /  Express  /  Macy's
    Nordstrom  /  H&M  /  Nordstrom  /  Urban Outfitters

    Today's Everyday Fashion: Gas Station Gingham

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    It all started when I overheard Guy Fieri talking about Danny's All-American Diner on the Food Network. It looked like a great spot for photos + delicious burgers so we made plans to stop there on our next trip to Tampa. Long story short: we had lunch, food was good, snapped a couple pics, but then a mural at a nearby gas station wound up being an even better spot for photos. (And that's how your dress earns the nickname gas station gingham! 😜) But really, the retro vibe of this dress is SO CUTE that I've already worn it twice. And I love how the long length balances the cut-out details on top. (The top also converts for more coverage.) I rounded up more gingham dresses in case you dig this vibe but prefer something work-friendly or in a different shape, check it out below!

    Dress: Lord & Taylor, $69 (same, same)
    Shoes: Saks Off 5th, $70 (similar, similar, similar, similar)
    Purse: Stella & Dot, old (similar, similar, similar, similar)
    Hat: Mud Pie, $19 (similar)
    Earrings: Amazon c/o, $8
    Sunglasses: Francesca's, $10 (similar)
    Red straw: Amazon
    Approx. dates: Shoes, purse, hat are 2 years ago. Dress is new.

     
     

    The top of my dress is convertible!
    The middle part unties, and then you can simply tuck the strings behind the panel for a new look.

    Macy's (or here) /  Macy's  /  Ann Taylor   /  Macy's (or here)  /  Revolve
    Nordstrom  /  Hautelook  /  Nordstrom (plus)  /  Superdry  /  Nordstrom Rack
    Express  /  Zappos  /  Boohoo  /  Nordstrom (plus) /  TJ Maxx