Today's Everyday Fashion: Summer of Gingham

Word on the street is that gingham is the top trend for summer. I'm already a big fan (here and here, for example), so no need to twist my arm! I spotted this romper for $25 online and while it's too early to call it - it's already in the running for best find of the summer! I ordered the S Tall size (I'm only 5'7" but long in the torso), and I think the S would be plenty long, too. And no your eyes do not deceive you - the romper and my earrings are navy, while my shoes, purse and hat are black. (I think they blend seamlessly, but it would be a deal breaker for some.) Gingham for summer: thumbs up or thumbs down?

Romper: American Eagle, $25
Shoes: Call It Spring, $40 (similar, similar, similar)
Hat: JCPenney c/o, $13 (similar, similar, similar)
Purse: Stella & Dot (similar, similar, similar)
Earrings: My Stella & Dot with part of another earring attached
Sunglasses: Francesca's, $12 (similar, similar, similar)
Approx. dates: Shoes are 3 years ago. Purse and sunglasses are 1 year ago. Hat is recent. Romper is new.

LOFT  /  Bloomingdale's  /  LOFT  /  ASOS
ASOS  /  Kohl's  /  Shoptiques  /  Charlotte Russe
ASOS  /  LOFT  /  New York & Co.
ASOS  /  Ann Taylor  /  Banana Republic  /  Bloomingdale's

Today's Everyday Fashion: Bow Sweater

My jaw dropped when I spotted this sweater online. Blush pink AND a bow?! Stop it right now. And while it would look cute with just about anything - blue jeans, white jeans, dress pants, a full skirt - I loved the idea of pairing it with the light purple print on these shorts from last year. (I wore last  year's outfit with these shorts to a baby shower on Saturday!) So much girlie detail in one look: would you wear it?

Sweater: J.Crew, $7 (with $20 coupon)
Shorts: Saks Off Fifth, $60 (similar below)
Shoes: JCPenney c/o, $30 (in blush)
Purse: Aldo c/o Amazon, $40 (similar, similar) 
Earrings: Kate Spade outlet, $15 (same)
Sunglasses: Foster Grant, $15 (similar, similar, similar)
Approx. dates: Shorts and purse are 1 year ago. Shoes are recent. Sweater is new.

J.Crew /  6pm.com  /  Shoptiques 
Ann Taylor  /  Nordstrom  /  Saks Off 5th  
Dillard's  /  Dillard's  /  Shoptiques  
Yook  /  Nordstrom  /  Dillard's

Today's Everyday Fashion: Ode to Short Shorts

Ode to my short shorts:
Dear short shorts, you were my trusty sidekick in college. You came from Abercrombie and had an inseam of seemingly negative five. As a young adult in the land of Florida, you freed my legs from oppressive heat, and helped me not to die in 100% humidity. Today, you sit in my drawer. As my body matures in years, I brush you aside as too young, too playful for me. And yet, you call out to me on lazy days of 98 degree weather to "throw you on" while I run to the store. You tell me to overlook your tiny nature, and your pockets that are longer than the actual shorts themselves. You draw me in with your beautiful blue color that matches perfectly with the cute shirt I would like to wear for Cinco de Mayo, and I surrender. Oh short shorts, I can't quit you. No, not just yet. It is futile to resist.

I've been sick in bed with bronchitis for the past seven days so cough medicine may have played a part in this outfit. Seemed like a good idea at the time, but I may have fallen into a common style trap: old things we continue leave in our closet, and grab when we are feeling lazy, or forget why we normally avoid them in the first place. Cooler heads have prevailed and I'll be wearing something like this outfit or this outfit to dinner tonight. Happy Cinco de Mayo! 

Top: boutique c/o, old
Shorts: Ross, $10 (similar, similar)
Purse: My Stella & Dot
Earrings: My Stella & Dot
Approx. dates: Shorts are 5 years ago. Top is 3 years ago. Purse and earrings are 1 year ago. 

Amazon  /  ASOS  /  Nordstrom  /  Macy's
TJ Maxx  /  Nordstrom  /  ASOS  /  World Market
Shopbop  /  Macy's  /  Bloomingdale's  /  Forever 21

Today's Everyday Fashion: When You Love Your Job

Today's pictures have kind of a funny backstory. This outfit was one of my favorite things I packed for Europe. We planned to spend the day at the Vatican Museum and St. Peter's in Rome, so I put it on, and off we go. Then things started to unravel... the line was hours long, so we had to do a "skip the line" tour. The cold I had suddenly took a bad turn and I was running a fever, walking around like a zombie at the Vatican. It was too dark for photos inside, our guide was rushing, and when the tour ended we stepped outside and it began raining buckets. Officially throwing in the towel, we hopped in a cab and I spent the the night in sweatpants, with exactly zero outfit photos to show for it.

The next day we were leaving Rome, and I was feeling super bummed not to have photos of this outfit in Europe. So I put it all back on, and we staged a photo shoot right there in our hotel. Which sounds, I don't know, maybe a little nuts? Who goes to those kinds of lengths to photograph an outfit, right? You're in Rome, don't worry about blogging and enjoy yourself! On our flight to Paris, I read Tribes by Seth Godin and this practically jumped off the page:

So I’m sitting in the lobby of a hotel in Jamaica, checking my e-mail. A couple walks by, obviously on their way to bed, having pushed the idea of vacation a little too hard. The woman looks over me and, in a harsh whisper a little quieter than a yell, says to her friend, “Isn’t that sad? That guy comes here on vacation and he’s stuck checking his e-email. He can’t even enjoy his two weeks off.” I think the real question - the one they probably wouldn’t want to answer - was, “Isn’t it sad that we have a job where we spend two weeks avoiding the stuff we have to do fifty weeks a year?” 

His wording is a bit harsh (it's a business book about stepping out in leadership), and in this scenario I'm both characters. I felt kind of silly doing the photo shoot, but then again I love my job so much, the lines between "fun" and "working" are incredibly blurred. Getting creative and coming up with concepts, outfits, the whole thing, is like, literally my heart and joy. Blogging is not something we take vacations from because it's what we love. (We do, however, unplug regularly, which is very different. There is not an enjoyable activity in the world that you don't eventually need a break from. I pretty much always skip blogging completely on weekends, for example.) I've never been a huge fan of the quote: Build a life you don't need a vacation from. Because, hey, let's not go overboard here - I really like to travel and everyone needs time off occasionally. But the sentiment is true. I genuinely love what I do, so don't be surprised one bit if you see me sneaking in moments of "working," even in a beautiful city like Rome. :-)

Dress: Limited, $65 (similar below)
Blazer: White House Black Market, $90 (similar, similar, similar)
Purse: Vince Camuto c/o Off 5th, $70 (similar, similar, similar)
Shoes: Dolce Vita, old (similar) 
Earrings: Kendra Scott c/o Amazon, $36
Sunglasses: Foster Grant, $15 (similar, similar, similar)
Approx. dates: Shoes are 4 years ago. Dress, purse, blazer and earrings are 1 year ago.

Nordstrom  /  Shopbop  /  Nordstrom  /  Nordstrom
ASOS  /  ModCloth  /  ASOS  /  ASOS
ASOS  /  ASOS  /  ASOS  /  ASOS

Today's Everyday Fashion: Amalfi Coast Travel Tips

When planning our trip to Italy, the Amalfi Coast was at the very top of our list. So many of our friends rave about it, and we wanted to see what the fuss is all about! We traveled there from Cinque Terre, and Amalfi Coast feels and looks similar, although it's huge by comparison - both the size of the individual towns and the distance between them. Amalfi definitely has more going on, with a slight Hollywood vibe, compared to the slower, small town feel you get in Cinque Terre. 

We immediately wanted to know: where should we stay and for how long? Positano came highly recommended, and we were told to stay four nights so that's exactly what we did. I concur with this advice. Although I certainly would've been happy to have another night or two, you'll get to see quite a bit in that timespan, and Positano would be my top pick for lodging. No matter where you stay, you're going to want to do lots of exploring! Let's take a look at a few places you should visit. 

Positano (more pictures)

We stayed in Positano for four nights, and absolutely loved our bed and breakfast (if you go please tell Manuela we say hello!). Like anywhere in the Amalfi Coast, there were a brutal amount of stairs. Almost 400 of them to be exact, to get down to the beach or take a ferry, so we only made that trek once per day. Even if you don't stay here, you'll want to visit! Positano is the beach town with the largest sandy area, abuzz with action, great shops and restaurants. We both enjoyed our favorite meal of the trip in Positano. We also spent an entire day just lounging around - we did our laundry, went to the barber, relaxed on the beach. Its' pretty rocky terrain so I went straight for the beach chairs, which are rented out for a daily fee. Be sure to grab one of the far left (when you are facing the water), because the mountain casts a shadow on the beach in early afternoon. There are tons of cute restaurants, shops, paddle boats and paddle boards right there on the beach! 

Capri (more pictures)

Without a doubt, the star attraction of the Amalfi Coast is the island of Capri. In Positano we saw companies advertising ferries and excursions to Capri more than anything else. The natural beauty of Capri is completely unmatched. I've been to 15 Caribbean islands but Capri totally knocked my socks off. That said, Capri is also overcrowded, expensive, and takes forever to get around. (My theory is that to really enjoy Capri you need to be loaded. With a private yacht and a limo to whisk you away from the crowded marina, then Capri would be heaven. Otherwise, it's not without challenges.)

The ferry tickets to Capri were pricey (our day trips were averaging about 12€ per person, but this was more like 40€ per person). If you want to see the famous blue grotto, you'll need to get on the very first ferry in the morning (buy your tickets the night before). The minute you arrive in Capri, buy your island excursion (do the 2-hour entire island tour). Then that boat will immediately head to the blue grotto. When we arrived, first thing in the morning, there was already a huge line, and we were just in time to get in. Some people we met later arrived five minutes after us and didn't get to go. (The line becomes hours long, so your tour boat won't wait.) Your large catamaran will idle while you climb, four people at at time into small row boats. That row boat takes you over to another row boat to pay, in cash, to enter the blue grotto, 14€ per person. Then your guide squeezes you through the tiny hole (everyone has to lay down completely flat in the rowboat!) and you stay in the cave for about 2 minutes. A total cattle drive, but guys, seriously, I cried. Tears down my face, it was breathtaking. The next hour you'll glide around the island of Capri and see more beauty (and possibly even dolphins like we did!). The water around Capri is magnificent and it glows that crazy blue color all by itself. You'll likely wish that you were on a private yacht instead because people are pushing, kicking and shoving you (no joke) to get the best pictures. 

Once our boat trip was over, our local contact recommended we take the bus to Annacapri rather than the railcar, which often has a couple hour wait. (There's not much to do or see in the marina at Capri, you gotta travel to see something.) Buses are inexpensive and the sign said they come every 10 minutes. An hour and something later... the bus finally arrives. Then you'll experience the most terrifying ride of your life where your bus is literally dangling off a cliff (everyone on the bus was gasping). Once you've arrived at Annacapri, you'll enjoy an adorable area with shops and restaurants. Another bus ride back down and that's your day. Capri is both awesome and challenging.

Amalfi (more pictures)

Amalfi (the town) is a quick ferry ride from Positano, and I highly recommend spending a leisurely day there as well. Not only is it the namesake of this area, it's also completely adorable and easy to navigate. The marina area has a great beach, restaurants and shops, and the cathedral is breathtaking. 

Another major area to visit is Sorrento. From there, you can spend the day exploring, or even take a quick train ride to the Pompeii ruins. And beyond that, there are tons of other little towns to explore in this area, see the Amalfi Coast website for ideas.

At the marina in salerno

One last thing... how in the world do you get to Positano and the Amalfi Coast? We wondered the same thing. Because ItaliaRail doesn't go that far, it actually ends in Naples which is hours away. After lots of research and traveling there and back (we did #3 and #2), here's what we discovered:

1. The first option is to hire a private car from Naples. You'll see tons of advertisements for this and people recommending it. I'm sure it's amazing, but it also costs 120-150€, so it's not cheap.
2. Next option includes using the ferry system. If you take ItaliaRail to Salerno, from there you can take an easy ferry over to Positano. (It's also a super easy, flat walk between the train station and the marina.) This is the "medium" option because it's the medium price and also the medium amount of hassle. You may only want to leave Positano this way though, and not arrive via route, because ferry schedules are not always posted online. It could be a little risky to train it to Salerno and then not know what time the boat is leaving or if you will be able to buy a ticket. We used this route to leave, though, and absolutely loved it. (Especially compared to #3...)
3. The third option is the Circumvesuviana - a totally separate train system in Italy that only goes between Naples and Sorrento. If you are researching online you will see all sorts of horrible things about it. People getting mugged, people packed in like sardines, no air conditioning. And it's pretty much true. It's not great, but it also costs something like 2€. Since it only takes you as far as Sorrento, you will exit the station and find the SITA bus located right outside. That's another inexpensive fare, and one, crazy nauseating ride around hairpin turns and mountain views for about 30 minutes until you get to Positano. It's by far the cheapest route, but a bit of a pain.   

At the end of our trip we'll be sharing an "Italy Travel Guide" with general tips for things like etiquette, traveling between cities, etc. These are our Amalfi-specific recommendations. Do you have any tips for the Amalfi Coast that we missed?

Today's Everyday Fashion: Capri

Oh Capri. Such a tiny little dot on the map, but the world makes a giant fuss about you. And rightly so - this little gem off the Amalfi coast in Italy has some of the bluest water you've ever seen in your life, yachts for days, and a palpable Hollywood vibe. This maxi dress was a last minute addition to my suitcase and I'm so glad I packed it because it fit the mood of the day perfectly. Normally I'd wear this maxi for "dressy" occasions only, but my old rule (something I used to say on the blog years ago) - "wear the good china" - came bubbling up and reminded me not to save things you love, but give them lots of wear that they deserve. If they get dirty, that's what soap is for! A little more worn looking? That's an honorable life for a piece of clothing! (For the record, after hours on a boat and lots of walking around Annacapri, my dress did not appear to be either worn or dirty... so there's that.) More on this part of Italy in tomorrow's post!

Dress: Lauren Conrad/Kohl's c/o (similar below)
Jacket: J.Crew Factory, $51 (similar, similar) 
Purse: Rebecca Minkoff c/o Stein Mart, $149 (same, same)
Shoes: Dolce Vita, old (similar) 
Earrings: Kendra Scott c/o Amazon, $36
Sunglasses: Foster Grant, $15 (similar, similar, similar)
Approx. dates: Shoes are 4 years ago. Jacket is 1 year ago. Purse is 6 months ago. Dress is recent.

Macy's  /  Nordstrom  /  ASOS  /  Lauren Conrad  /  Zappos
Amazon  /  Shoptiques  /  Macy's  /  Charlotte Russe  /  Nordstrom

Today's Everyday Fashion: Amalfi

During our recent stay in Positano, we took a day trip to Amalfi. It was an easy 20 minute ferry ride, and then we headed straight for lunch at a restaurant on the beach. (It wound up being one of our favorite meals of the entire trip, it's the bright blue and white structure in the pic below.) Our next stop was the Amalfi Cathedral, or Duomo di Sant'Andrea. Unlike most churches in Italy, there was a small entry fee, but it was only 3€ per person, and totally worth it. The "crypt" where Saint Andrew's remains are buried is truly breathtaking, and while the cathedral isn't huge, it makes up for it in grandeur.  Almost everything I packed to wear was not new, but this jumpsuit I had purchased expressly for this trip. I only wanted to bring things that would be flexible with changing weather (can be worn both with or without a jacket), and of course it needed to work with practical shoes. Overall though, jumpsuits are just so comfy I hardly ever take a trip without one in my suitcase! 

Jacket: Wilson's Leather, $150
Jumpsuit: TJ Maxx, $25 (similar, similar, similar, similar, similar)
Shoes: Coach c/o Amazon, $60
Purse: My Stella & Dot
Hat: JCPenney c/o, $13 (back in stock)
Necklace: My Stella & Dot
Earrings: My Stella & Dot
Approx. dates: Jacket, shoes and purse are 6 months ago. Jumpsuit and hat are recent.

VIP Event with JCPenney

Top  (sold out) /  Jeans  /  Purse  /  Shoes  /  Earrings

Top (sold out) /  Jeans  /  Purse  /  Shoes  /  Earrings

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – JCPenney is killing it with their spring style lately! I partnered with them today to share some of my favorites. Plus during the VIP Event, use code BUYNOW13 to get an extra 30% off $100 or more on select apparel, shoes, accessories, fine jewelry, home, furniture & mattresses (restrictions may apply, valid through 4/30/17).

Whether it’s the perfect pair of white jeans (found ‘em, above!), a striking maxi with coordinating bright blue earrings (below), or the one pair of shoes that go with literally everything (both outfits), there’s a treasure trove of amazing styles just waiting to be discovered.

Which outfit or new arrival is your favorite?

Dress  /  Shoes  /  Earrings (sold out)

Dress  /  Shoes  /  Earrings (sold out)

Top  /  Dress  /  Dress  /  Shoes
Dress  /  Dress  /  Dress  /  Dress
Top  /  Top  /  Hat  /  Pants

Today’s post is brought to you by JCPenney and ShopStyle. All images, editorial decisions, and opinions are solely my own.

Mother's Day with Nordstrom

Dress  /  Purse  /  Watch  /  Earrings

Dress  /  Purse  /  Watch  /  Shoes

Dress  /  Purse  /  Watch  /  Earrings

Mother’s Day is all about taking a moment to honor the great mothers in our lives. For our family, that usually means sharing a meal with my mother-in-law, who lives nearby and we feel so lucky to have. If gift giving is a part of your tradition, check out the under $100 ideas from Nordstrom I put together below. And if a dressy brunch is a part of your celebration, I’m sharing an outfit idea from Nordstrom in the pictures above. The floral motif watch, pastel purse and rose gold earrings would also make great gifts, and how cute is this white dress?!

Mother’s Day is right around the corner – Sunday, May 14 – but there’s still plenty of time for gifts and outfits alike. If you place your Nordstrom order by 11pm EST on May 5, you will receive free delivery by Mother’s Day.

How do you plan to celebrate Mother’s Day this year?

Earrings  /  Recipe holder  /  Sneakers  /  Tote
Pajamas  /  Activity tracker  /  Candles  /  Robe  /  Water bottle
Recipe tin  /  Sweater  /  Mug  /  Necklace

Today’s post is brought to you by Nordstrom and ShopStyle. All images, editorial decisions, and opinions are solely my own.

Today's Everyday Fashion: Positano

The third stop on our trip was the Amalfi Coast in Italy. We stayed at a bed and breakfast in Positano for four nights. On our last day there, we hung out around town, did laundry at a local lavanderia and relaxed on the beach. We snapped all but one of the photos above in the few minutes the wash cycle was going - there is that much beauty and inspiration within one block, it's so pretty! This maxi dress is one of my favorites of all time; purchased it last year for a great deal (about 70% off). Because of the type of material, it also doubles as a swim cover up (below), and the rainbow colors pair well with any pretty blue door you may happen to pass (lol). It was a fun outfit for a fun day!

Dress: Mara Hoffman/6pm, $98 (similar below)
Jacket: J.Crew Factory, $51 (similar, similar, similar) 
Shoes: Dolce Vita, old (similar) 
Purse: Rebecca Minkoff c/o Stein Mart, $149 (same, same)
Earrings: JCPenney c/o, $6
Sunglasses: Foster Grant, $15 (similar, similar, similar)
Approx. dates: Shoes are 4 years ago. Dress is 1 year ago. Jacket and purse are 6 months ago.

Shopbop  /  Amazon  /  Trend Boutique  /  Forward
6pm.com  /  Revolve  /  6pm.com  /  Amazon

Today's Everyday Fashion: The Printed Cardigan

Inspiration: Style Du Monde via Bloglovin' Edit

It's uncanny how much the colors in this outfit turned out like the inspiration photo! Mine is definitely more of an office look, with a preppy printed cardigan and cognac pumps in place of the brogues and varsity jacket. I just love the idea of making work attire more enjoyable, though. If you're going to do trousers, a cardigan and collard shirt, why not make it a bold color palette with fun prints?! 

Cardigan: Limited, $30 (similar below)
Top: Banana Republic, $30 (similar, similar, similar)
Pants: LOFT, $42
Shoes: Nine West, old (similar, similar, similar)
Purse: Michael Kors/Macy's, $220 (similar)
Earrings: Kate Spade outlet, $15 (same)
Approx. dates: Cardigan and shoes are 4 years ago. Top is 3 years ago. Purse is 2 years ago.

ModCloth  /  J.Crew Factory  /  ModCloth  /  Macy's
Ann Taylor  /  Brooks Brothers  /  Ann Taylor  /  J.Crew Factory

Today's Everyday Fashion: Summer Boho

It's been a whirlwind week! All the traveling finally caught up to us - we both came down with colds, spent a long weekend visiting my family in France, followed by more travel. We aren't back in the states yet, but wanted to share this look we photographed before we left. Some days, I have such an urge to dress boho and this is how I plan to wear it this summer! I am a big fan of AE's midi fit short (they are trendy but also a nice 4-5 inch inseam), and this faded black denim looks great paired with the '90s wrap top (I ordered them together). I'll be feeling successfully boho, even in the brutal summer heat! 

Top: American Eagle, $19
Shorts: American Eagle, $38
Purse: JCPenney c/o, $29 (similar, similar)
Shoes: Franco Sarto c/o DSW, $49 (similar, similar)
Hat: boutique c/o, $7 (similar)
Sunglasses: Jessica Simpson c/o Ross, $10 (similar)
Necklaces: My Stella & Dot One, Two
Earrings: My Stella & Dot
Approx. dates: Shoes are 3 years ago. Purse is 1 year ago. Hat is 6 months ago. Top and shorts are new.

Today's Everyday Fashion: Cinque Terre Travel Tips

If you only take away one tip from today's post let it be this: get yourself to Cinque Terre! It is, without a doubt, one of our favorite places we've ever visited. We added it to our itinerary on recommendation from friends who visited on their honeymoon, and I'm so glad we took their advice because it was paradise! Everyone's travel style is different but we found the small-town, authentic vibe hard to beat. It's easy to get around, gorgeous at every turn, peaceful and yet vibrant. Of all the places we traveled to in Italy (Venice, Cinque Terre, Amalfi Coast/Capri, Rome), this was by far our favorite.

Cinque Terre is located on the west coast of Italy, and is comprised of and translates to "five towns" or "the five lands." Each town is easily accessible by train and only takes a couple of minutes to get between each stop. Some of the towns have walking paths between them, but those take 1-2 hours and are considered "hiking" so the train or the ferry (more on that later) is definitely the way to go. (Note: "Lover's Lane" and several other walking paths are currently closed due to landslides.) You technically only need a couple of days to see all of Cinque Terre, but honestly, stay a week if you can! We stayed four nights and never wanted to leave. Here's an overview of the five towns:

Riomaggiore

Starting south and working our way up, you'll find Riomaggiore. This town is probably my favorite, for two reasons. It's the most colorful and vibrant, and you can easily climb down into the marina and sit on the rocks or swim, etc. I could stay there and soak it in for days, it's so beautiful!

Manarola

Next up is Manarola. It may as well be twin towns with Riomaggiore it looks so similar at first glance! (So naturally, it's my second favorite.) If you only have time for one town, go here, because there's a ramp up the next hill that gives you a killer view for photos, see below.

Corniglia

This town is quite different from the others. It's the only one of the five that the train doesn't drop you off right near the center of town and/or waterfront. In fact, it's a hike if you want to see it! Try to hop on the bus if you can (free if you purchase an all-day rail pass) otherwise it's quite the walk. And not nearly as many photo ops in this town because of the way it's situated on the hill.

Vernazza

Vernazza stands out thanks to the wide open marina and little beach area. And unlike the other towns so far, this one is pretty flat and easy to navigate. It's also ridiculously gorgeous with plenty of photo ops.

Monterosso

Monterosso is considerably larger than the other towns. The train station puts you right on the beach, in the "new" section of town. Old Monterosso is a bit of a walk south - the main attraction here is definitely the beach. This is also where we stayed, in an apartment in the new part of town. Partly why we loved Cinque Terre so much, is how fun it was staying off the beaten path in a local area!

Another attraction close by is Portovendere, which is not accessible by train, but is an easy 1.5 hour ferry ride from Monterosso. (See our photos from Portovendere here.) The ferry stops at all 5 towns, as well, so that's another way to get around within this region. If you're sticking with the train, consider buying an all-day pass (it's even better deal if you buy a couple days at a time). With it, you also get free Wifi at stations and free bus rides. 

As for food, Cinque Terre is known for it's pesto, anchovies, lemon farms and local wine so there's plenty of delicacies to add your bucket list. Miky’s in Monterosso is the top rated restaurant and everyone raves about it. We ate there one night, but my favorite meal was actually from the focaccia place (a counter you order at and "take away") located immediately next to the train stop. Sounds legit, I know, but unlike the big cities, in Cinque Terre you don't have to worry about getting foiled by less authentic food because absolutely everything is delicious! 

At the end of our trip we'll be sharing an "Italy Travel Guide" with general tips for things like etiquette, traveling between cities, etc. These are our Cinque Terre-specific recommendations. Do you have any tips for Cinque Terre that we missed?

Today's Everyday Fashion: Manarola, Riomaggiore

It's only been a couple of weeks and I'm already wearing this kimono again! Of course, the first time it was dressed up for an event, and this time I'm wearing it casually. I didn't have this outfit planned before I packed it in my suitcase. I knew I'd pair the kimono and ivory sweater, but from there I let weather dictate whether it was with shorts or jeans, sandals or boots. If I appear to be completely loving life in these photos it's because where these photos were shot - Cinque Terre - is one of my absolute favorite places I've ever traveled to. Tune in tomorrow for more pictures and our travel tips for this area of Italy!

Kimono: Sole Society, $17 (similar, similar, similar, similar) (back in stock)
Top: TJ Maxx, $12 (similar, similar)
Jeans: American Eagle, $40
Boots: Steve Madden c/o Shoebuy (same)
Purse: JCPenney c/o, $29 (similar, similar, similar)
Earrings: My Stella & Dot
Sunglasses: Jessica Simpson c/o Ross, $10 (similar)
Approx. dates: Purse is 1 year ago. Boots are 6 months ago. Kimono, sweater, jeans are recent.

Today's Everyday Fashion: Portovenere

During our second stop in Italy, we took a day trip to Portovenere. It's an area that's not accessible by train, so we jumped at the chance to take an easy ferry ride from where we were staying (Monterosso) and arrived in just over an hour. It was a sparkling, sunny day and we had lunch alfresco in the colorful marina, toured the Gothic-style San Pietro church with dazzling ocean views, and walked the village streets. This pink shirtdress from my closet, admittedly, does not get much wear at home (it's old) but for this trip it felt like the perfect balance between whimsy and practicality. It would've been an amazing day in any outfit but wearing a fun dress made it (and the photos we'll have forever) just a tiny bit more special. I shared some similar budget-friendly options below!

Dress: Ann Taylor, $45 (similar below)
Cardigan: H&M, $20 (similar, similar, similar)
Purse: Rebecca Minkoff c/o Stein Mart, $149 (same, same)
Hat: JCPenney c/o, $13
Sunglasses: Foster Grant, $15 (similar, similar, similar)
Shoes: Dolce Vita, old (similar) 
Earrings: Kate Spade outlet, $15 (same)
Approx. dates: Cardigan and shoes are 5 years ago. Dress is 3 years ago. Hat and purse are recent.

Neiman Marcus  /  JCPenney  /  Banana Republic
Amazon  /  Banana Republic  /  Lord & Taylor  /  Macy's
Amazon  /  Macy's  /  JCPenney

Today's Everyday Fashion: Venice Travel Tips

Venice was the first stop on our trip. Walking out of the train terminal, I audibly gasped at the beauty in front of me. To be honest, I had heard mixed reviews about Venice. Some friends consider it their favorite city in Italy, while others are not a big fan. True, it is very crowded and feels like a "big city" (it reminded me a lot of the North End in Boston, where I used to live), but it also has so many positive traits. The unique, winding streets, watching gondolas float by, and the ridiculously gorgeous Saint Marks Basilica, to name a few. My favorite part, though? Taking a day trip to Burano which is only about an hour away via ferry. (Burano is my version of a rainbow-colored heaven, check out our pictures here.)

While we didn't stay long, we wanted to compile a few tips for traveling to Venice. Please share anything we may have missed in the comment section!

• Our initial question was "how long should we stay in Venice?" We settled on two nights, but I wish we had stayed three. You only need one day to see Venice, and then I'd recommend another full day to take the Vaporetto (ferry) to Burano and surrounding areas.
• The Vaporetto leaves from the same train station you likely arrived at, Venezia S. Lucia. There is luggage storage located near Platform 1 where you can pay to store your luggage. Your ticket gets you on-and-off access all day long, for stops throughout Venice, as well as Burano (my favorite) and Murano (aka "Glass Island"). The Cimitero (cemetery) island looked like a really intriguing stop, too. If you're headed to Burano, go earlier in the day if possible, or give yourself plenty of time. When we were leaving there was a line of a couple hundred (!) people trying to get on a boat to Burano (from Murano, where you have to connect).
• Another big question was "where should we stay?" We wound up booking an AirBnb apartment that was close to the train station, which was perfect. I would recommend staying as close to the train as possible so you can skip the water taxi and walk to your lodging. The streets are super bumpy and full of stairs/bridges, though, so you may want to consider hiring one of the porters that hang out in front of the train station to take your luggage. (I wish we had!)
• The two main points of interest in Venice are the Rialto Bridge and Saint Marks Basilica (Piazza San Marco) which are located only a few minutes apart. Saint Marks is free to get inside, but you cannot take bags. They have a luggage office, but they won't take cameras or valuables. This presented a problem, because JJ's backpack is specifically for his camera, so he was stuck. We wound up taking turns walking through the church while the other sat outside with the backpack.
• Weather the first week of April was pretty chilly the first day, and pretty warm the next. (A range of somewhere in the neighborhood of 55-70 degrees F.) You may notice that in every picture my hands are in my pockets, which is because they were cold! (And I'm looking to the side because it was crowded, so I had someone staring me down trying to move in so they could take a picture, no matter where we went. Consider it my awkward "hurry up and take the photo face." ;-) ) Besides my hands being cold, I was very comfortable in this outfit. Most people were dressed very casually, in jeans, hoodies and sneakers.

Jacket: Wilson's Leather, $150
Top: J.Crew, $60 (identical)
Jeans: Hudson/Nordstrom Rack, $79 (similar, similar)
Belt: Limited, $15 (similar, similar)
Shoes: Coach c/o Amazon, $60
Purse: My Stella & Dot
Sunglasses: Jessica Simpson c/o Ross, $10 (similar)
Necklace: My Stella & Dot
Earrings: My Stella & Dot
Approx. dates: Top and belt are 1 year ago. Jacket, jeans, shoes, purse are 6 months ago.

At the end of our trip we'll be sharing an "Italy Travel Guide" with general tips for things like etiquette, traveling between cities, etc. These are our Venice-specific recommendations. Do you have any tips for Venice that we missed?

Today's Everyday Fashion: Burano, Italy

Burano is my version of heaven. The dazzling rainbow colors. The still, quiet streets. The salty sea air, the sun shining brightly. We visited the island - about an hour's boat ride from Venice - on our second day in Italy and I'm pretty sure I was walking on a cloud the entire time we were there.

This being the very beginning of our trip, I had my pick of all the outfits in my suitcase. The day before was quite cold, so layering a turtleneck sweater and jacket seemed necessary, and being without an iron (our travel steamer fried within one second of plugging it in) meant this particular look won because it didn't need to be pressed. By midday, it was quite warm so I removed the jacket, threw on a black sleeveless crop top and tied my turtleneck around my shoulders. (See how I wore it that way on the train, below. And see the same crop top and skirt together last year here.)

If you're ever in Venice, be sure to visit Burano, too. My only regret is that we didn't have more time to spend there. Although I am in the process of convincing JJ to move there with me. Kidding... kind of. It really is as surreal and picturesque as it looks!

Jacket: H&M, $25 (similar, similar)
Sweater: J.Crew Factory, $36
Crop top: H&M, $10 (similar, similar, similar)
Skirt: old boutique c/o, $20 (identical)
Shoes: Nine West c/o Amazon, $70
Purse: Rebecca Minkoff c/o Stein Mart, $149 (same, same)
Hat: JCPenney c/o, $13
Sunglasses: Francesca's, $12 (similar, similar)
Earrings: Kate Spade outlet, $15 (same)
Approx. dates: Skirt is 2 years ago. Crop top is 1 year ago. Jacket, sweater are 6 months ago. Shoes are new.

Today's Everyday Fashion: Out of Season Shopping

Inspiration: Banana Republic

Today's look is for a holiday party... but it's only April. I wore this sequin skirt for Christmas Eve with a red sweater and flats, and have been wanting to figure out more ways to wear it ever since. I got the idea of a wrap bodysuit into my head so when I spotted the exact style I was imagining I went ahead and ordered it even though the holidays are months away. The only downside to shopping this far in advance? It can be a little risky because you don't always wind up wearing something if you don't wear it immediately. I took some photos of how I plan on wearing it to help me decide, and the jury is still out! 

Bodysuit: Macy's, $48 (similar below)
Skirt:  J.Crew Factory, $38 (similar below)
Shoes: Wet Seal c/o, $9 (similar)
Coat: boutique c/o (similar below)
Earrings: Stella & Dot (similar, similar)
Approx. dates: Shoes are 4 years ago. Coat is 2 years ago. Skirt and earrings are 1 year ago. Bodysuit is new.

ASOS  /  NM Last Call  /  6pm.com  / Boohoo
Express  /  ASOS  /  Jessica Simpson  /  J.Crew Factory
New York & Co  /  French Connection  /  Eloquii  /  New York & Co

Today's Everyday Fashion: Two Fundraisers

Inspiration: Sole Society

Two Thursdays ago I had the honor of MCing a runway show for one of my favorite fair trade brands, Deux Mains, and this is what I wore! As you may recall, I traveled to Haiti in 2015 and visited their workshop. Since that visit, they've added a line of leather accessories and jewelry, which are SO cute and what I planned my outfit around. I wanted Deux Mains to be the star, so a white jumpsuit was a great starting point, while a kimono cardigan captured the essence of the brand and made the jumpsuit more event-appropriate. The fundraiser was a huge success and I had so much fun playing a small part!

Kimono cardigan: Sole Society, $17 (sold out, similar below) (back in stock)
Jumpsuit: Amazon c/o, $64 (similar, similar)
Shoes: Charlotte Russe, $11 (similar, similar, similar)
Purse: Deux Mains, $65
Bracelet (worn as necklace): Deux Mains, $25
Earrings: Deux Mains, $20
Approx. dates: Shoes are last year. Jumpsuit and kimono are new. Deux Mains items are borrowed.

Sole Society  /  Forever 21  /  Sole Society  /  Forever 21  /  Sole Society
Forever 21  /  Forever 21  /  Bloomingdale's  /  Lucky Brand
 

High Tea & Hats 2016

Another (upcoming) fundraiser I'm honored to be a part of - High Tea and Hats benefitting Seniors First! This is their 10th annual event, and my fourth year as a hat judge. It's such a fun time, with huge prizes including a raffle for a 7-day cruise, so be sure to check it out if you're local - tickets are available here. 

Jewelry That Lasts a Lifetime With Rogers & Hollands

Earrings  /  Ring  /  Necklace

Earrings  /   Necklace

Ring 

Earrings  /  Ring  /  Necklace

My shopping goals have changed quite a bit in the last few years. As much as I love a fun trendy item, I’ve also become increasingly interested in investment pieces that will last a lifetime. Maybe it’s a natural progression as you get older? Because high quality jewelry that can be worn again and again is definitely on my wish list!

Today’s post with Rogers & Hollands is a great resource for finding just that. They stock both classic and trendy styles, containing real gemstones. The three items I’m wearing in today’s post consist of diamonds, white sapphire, black onyx, sterling silver, and 14 carat gold. All three pieces are under $150, too, as are about half the items I featured below. Plus take 20% off your purchase (up to a $100 savings) with code EVERYDAY through 6/30/17!

What are your favorite fine jewelry pieces in your wardribe? Which Rogers & Hollands item is your favorite?

Ring  /  Earrings  /  Ring  /  Necklace
Necklace  /  Earrings  /  Ring  /  Earrings  /  Bracelet  /  Necklace
Watch  /  Cuff links  /  Necklace  /  Necklace  /  Necklace
Ring  /  Ring  /  Ring  /  Ring

Today’s post is brought to you by Rogers & Hollands. All opinions, images and editorial decisions are my own.