Category Archives: Travel

What To Pack: Labor Day Weekend

Can you believe it’s already the last week of summer? I am so sad that my fave season is already coming to an end. BUT I am so excited because later this week I am headed on a girls roadtrip (courtesy of General Motors) for Labor Day with fellow blogger BFF, Cori Sue, of Bitches Who Brunch!

We have some exciting posts coming your way to recap our trip – and today marks the first one in this fun series. Hopefully you will find this post quite useful when packing for your end of summer travel plans and beyond!

First & foremost, I am absolutely in love with my new weekender bag from Sweet Tea Monograms. With adjustable straps, compartments inside and leather handles – this is my ideal weekender. It is functional and pleasing to the preppy eye for an end of summer road trip too, of course. I had the pleasure of breaking it in this past weekend on my Austin trip and it was the perfect carry-on bag for the plane too.

So what’s inside? Deets below! (Please excuse my mess, when I pack – I lay everything out and this post was no different….)

Essentials: Sweet Tea Monograms Weekender Bag c/o // Kendra Scott Jet Set Jewelry Case c/o (4 removable jewel cases and you can buy more to zip in) //Dixieland Monograms Cosmetic Case c/o (perfect for beauty products)

Beauty Products: Drybar Triple Sec c/o + Drybar VIP Pack c/o //  M-61 Power Glow Peel c/o  // M-61 Power Cleanse Travel Size Bottle c/o // Jo Malone Wild BlueBell Perfume // YouSmell Wipes c/o //  Trust Fund Nail Polish in Pre-Nup c/o // Jamberry Top Coat c/o // Mini Tooth Brush + Paste // Enzo Milano Hair Wand // ghd Paddle Brush c/o

Can’t Forget My: Ipad + Lilly Pulitzer Case // Karen Walker Sunnies // Urbanears Headphones c/o // SkinnyGirl Bars c/o // Hair Ties (made by my sister!) // Lululemon Headband // Vanessa Ray Travel Iphone Case c/o // Gigi New York Mini Wallet + Phone Case c/o // A Good Book!

What are your packing essentials for a long weekend trip?

Be sure to follow CSM and I along on instagram this weekend to see more of our trip’s details. Oh, to find out where we’re going – stay tuned for full recap posts – there will no doubt be some outfit posts and brunching involved!

DIY: Rise & Shine Bachelorette Kits

TGIF! I know no one wants to talk about hangovers (or Irish flus as I call them) on a Friday but I promise this post takes a different spin on them.

Today, I’m excited to share with you another DIY guest post from my lovely sister, MEC. (If you missed her last one on bridesmaids, be sure to check it out.)

A growing trend with many bachelorette weekends has become the “hangover kit” or “survival kit” (i.e. cute little basket you put together for all the girls with goodies that will help them nurse the previous night’s decisions goodbye). Well, I just love MEC’s spin on this kit trend that she put together for her BFF’s bachelorette weekend earlier this summer.

Before we get into her deets, you must first know that MEC is the more relaxed/go-with the-flow sister and I take on the more high-strung/Type A role in our relationship. It’s a nice little balance (fire & water – aries and pisces) and she’s truly a role model of mine.  After you read below you’ll probably see why she’s taken on the nickname “yogi” or “the zen sister” by yours truly.

Rise and Shine Kit (aka a healthy hangover kit)

This is an all natural way to recover after a night of drinking on a bach weekend! I chose a small pail since the bachelorette weekend had a South Beach theme, but choose whatever you’d like! Burlap bags, gift boxes or bags, beach or tote bags, and the list goes on.. these are all great choices!

Kit Items:

  • Lara Bar: for energy and to cure hunger (made from a few, all natural ingredients)
  • Whitening Gum: to spruce up your pearly whites and cure that bad breath, the mint also helps with stomach issues/acid
  • Ginger Tea: I chose green but can be any kind, the ginger is good for your stomach and tea is great for detoxing
  • Instant Starbucks: although coffee dehydrates you, it would be fine to drink it in a small amount for a caffeine kick
  • La Croix or other Sparkling Water: this will hydrate you, and the carbonation will cure that soda craving that often hits the next morning
  • A Fun Straw: for cuteness/use for the beverages with an inspirational, ” get out of bed and fix yourself” saying. I chose- Rise and Shine!, Rejuvenate! and Refresh!
  • A Fun Napkin: for clean up
  • A Hangover Yoga Sequence: I chose a 5 min video called Hangover Recovery by Tara Stiles (my fave!). Choose something that can be easily accessed from YouTube on an iPhone. And something shorter is always best on a morning like this!

Other suggested items (for larger kits):

  • Coconut Water: for hydration and to replace lost electrolytes
  • Pain Reliever: preferably a more natural type
  • Other snacks: crackers or nutritional bars
  • Makeup Remover Wipes
  • Stomach Settling Chewables: TUMS!

I don’t know about you but I kinda wish I had one of these handy for all post-toasting activities.  Hopefully this inspires you if you’re in the midst of planning a bachelorette weekend yourself or just in need of a new & healthy hungover harriett cure!

Be sure to check back soon for another MEC DIY guest post!

(I’ll give you a hint: see that cute little itinerary above?!)

AND for all the latest on H&T, follow along on InstagramFacebookTwitter & Pinterest!

make.my.monday: travel comforts

Happy Thanksgiving Week!

I hope everyone is gearing up for a wonderful holiday with family and friends.

If you’re traveling this year (unlike myself for once!), I thought what better time than to share my “travel comforts”.  To me, “comforts” are just items that I always take along on a trip; essentials, things that make me feels “at home” and that are part of my daily routine.

 Truth be told, I have always been dubbed the friend or that girl  with the most bags or clothes (I call them “options”: see below) no matter how long the stay. I’ve been made fun of since I was little for my overpacking abilities and on countless bachelorette weekends, vacations and even, work trips.  Alas, that’s when “comforts” were formally given their name. My co-worker, Hannah, asked what I was packing and I answered and added “oh, and the usual comforts”.  Even if you don’t overpack, you most likely still have your own “comforts”.

 I will be spending Thanksgiving in DC this year, however, I will most certainly pack the “comforts” below for Christmas in Florida in just a few short weeks.

*Hotel robes, no matter how big or comfty, don’t replace mine. It’s waffle weave and super light – perfect for withstanding blowouts.
*This is seriously the most amazing hair wand for all types of curls and styles. Never. Leave. Without.
Pearl Earrings* (J.Crew Studs + J.Crew Gems)  // Ipad + Case
*I feel naked sans earrings so having a pair of these on hand for early morning trips is comforting.
Travel-Sized Products*  // Options*** (PumpsSlippersDriving MocsShift DressParty Dress)
*This seems rather straightforward, but even if my favorite products don’t come in “travel-size”, I make sure to stock up on these Container Store bottles so any product can come along for the journey and make it through TSA.
**This goes hand in hand with my overpacking problems but a girls needs “options” to chose from. I never travel with just enough outfits or shoes – who knows how you’ll feel that day!

What “comforts” can you not leave home without? Share below!

southern blog society fall meetup

This past weekend, I spent my Saturday with the Virginia + DC ladies of the Southern Blog Society. We headed out to Middleburg, Virginia via Reston Limo and were hosted by the fabulous staff at Greenhill Winery & Vineyards.

{Julie of Julie Leah}

We sipped on wine around a fire and snapped more than enough photos despite our windblown locks. I guess that’s what happens when you put a bunch of fashion and lifestyle bloggers on a limo bus and ship them out of the city – instagrams for days. Overall, we enjoyed a windy, yet lovely fall afternoon in the country.

 

{Cathy of Poor Little It Girl}

Southern Blog Society meet ups are always a delight and it’s so nice to see blogger friends and meet new faces. Special thank you to Julie and Cathy for organizing the afternoon.

Shirt: J.CREW (similar here) // Vest: J.CREW // Belt: Target // Jeans: J.Brand // Boots: Nine West // Sunnies: Anthropologie // Arm Party: J.CREWStella & Dot & Alex and Ani // Ring: c/o Blee Inara // Necklaces: DKM & J.CREW (similar here) //  Fall Paws: OPI – Just a Little Rosti

SBS recently featured H&T on their site and it was such an honor! I am so happy to be a part of this great community and if you have your own blog (and live in the South), I strongly encourage you to join!

Cheers!

Wedding Gifts: for the home & for the bride

In true fashion, it’s that time of year where fall weddings and corresponding activities are upon us. In fact, this weekend I am headed home to sunny Florida for one of my good friend’s weddings. I cannot wait to be reunited with all my high school friends and celebrate!

With that being said, I’ve gathered a few gift suggestions for bridal showers & the big day. Especially if you’re late to the game and all that’s left on the registry is silverware and drying racks.

Monograms are strongly encouraged. 

For the home:

For the bride:

I also recommend the Pottery Barn’s wedding & monogram shop, any piece on Design Darling, Kate Spade’s bridal collection  or a wine club membership for the happy couple.

Are you in the midst of wedding season too?