09.05.14

Labor Day Weekend Recap: Vineyard Attire

Two new posts today on H&T as part of my Labor Day travel series (catch up on the other one here)! If you read my sailing adventure post, you know that I mentioned there was some wine tasting involved with 12 Meter Charters.

Well, we were graciously given a Sip & Sail Package which included a wine tasting and tour at Newport Vineyards in Middletown, Rhode Island – any day of the weekend. So what did we do on a cloudy afternoon? Headed to the vineyard!

There was live music, beautiful grounds and friendly staff to meet and educate us about all their wines. They are the largest grower of wine grapes in all of New England. Cheers!

That particular day was overcast and cooler than the others so I was so happy to have my new Kayce Hughes dress from their fall collection. It’s the perfect little transitional shift dress to take you from summer to fall paired with a sun hat and sandals. Plus, it has pockets! If you plan on doing any wine tasting this season, it’s also fitting for that too.

Dress: Kayce Hughes c/o // Hat: J.Crew (similar here) // Sunnies: Karen Walker // Sandals: Steven Salario (similar Jack Rogers here) // Bracelets: J.Crew // Rings: Kendra Scott c/o // Earrings: Sweet & Spark c/o // Lips: All Fired Up by MAC

I promise I will stop talking about my Labor Day trip soon – few more posts left – with new outfits to share next week!

For all the latest on H&T, be sure to follow along on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest.

Happy Weekend!

09.05.14

Labor Day Weekend Recap: Rise & Shine with OceanCliff

I have been alluding all week in my Labor Day trip recaps about our fabulous stay up in Newport. Well, we were lucky to be hosted by the amazing staff at the OceanCliff Hotel and Resort on the famed Ocean Drive (and yes, it’s actually on a cliff).

What felt more like a large castle or mansion was where we called home for the weekend. Large gates lined the driveway and the Gatehouse and greenery welcomed us with open arms. We were spoiled in a luxury room with an ocean view and multiple windows that also let in the morning sunshine.

From the moment we arrived at OceanCliff, we felt like we were part of the family. Dean, the young, adorable bellman + catch-all man greeted us in the circle driveway where he so kindly insisted on carrying all 10 of our luggage pieces (yes, 10) up three flights of stairs to our room. He even double checked to make sure our room was ready and chatted blogging with us. I swear there was 2 of him that weekend, because every time we turned around he was there to help with anything we might need. Dana, the hotel’s manager, was just as sweet at check-in and throughout our stay with any request that came up.

As Cori Sue said “this is the most responsive hotel ever”, and I couldn’t put it better myself. The event planner in me couldn’t help but check out their event space and I must say, it is no wonder there are so many weddings at this gorgeous venue. We also enjoyed a lovely dinner al fresco at The Safari Room where we sipped on Cakebread wine and consumed lobster in all our main dishes. More photos of the gorgeous hotel grounds to come next week!

The whole weekend was one big slumber party with Sleepy Jones PJs (aka the most comfortable jammies ever) and eye masks included. Sadly, I changed out of them before enjoying my coffee on the deck each morning (in an adirondack chair, of course).

As important to note, when traveling with girlfriends you do get to know everyone’s routines and quirks and this trip was no different. For example, I do not enjoy driving and CSM does not enjoy early mornings. While I do not consider myself to be necessarily a morning person, compared to Cori Sue, I was a little ray of sunshine getting up early, tip-toeing around, prepping coffee and curling my hair all before she would rise each morning. So I thought it was quite fitting that I brought along these Moon & Lola coffee mugs to enjoy in our room. I think the photos say it all and express our morning attitudes quite perfectly. (Plus, she can’t be too mad at me for awaking her with black coffee in hand, right?)

On ME: PJ Button Down: Sleepy Jones c/o // PJ Pants: Sleepy Jones c/o // Coffee Mug: Moon & Lola c/o 

On CSM: PJ Button Down: Sleepy Jones c/o // PJ Shorts: Sleepy Jones c/o // Coffee Mug: Moon & Lola c/o 

Stay tuned later today for more on our wine tasting adventures at Newport Vineyards! Yes, TWO posts today – TGIF!

09.04.14

Labor Day Weekend Recap: Brunch Attire

Today marks the third in my Labor Day weekend recap post series (see what I packed here & our sailing adventures here) from our girls trip to Newport (#BACxCSMTravels). While we were in Rhode Island this past Sunday, on what felt like the windiest day on earth, we woke up early and picked up local lattes. We then shopped around and headed to Castle Hill Inn for brunch, of course (I mean I was traveling with a BWB, duh).

I threw on a white midi skirt (shocker), tucked in a little seahorse top from Love, Lilly, threw on my heels and headed over for the perfect mid-morning date with the girls.

I will leave the brunch review to Miss Cori Sue but I will tell you that my raspberry bellini and ocean view from a white adirondack chair was quite lovely even with a little wait and a little (okay, a lot of) wind in my hair.

Top: Love, Lilly c/o (shop similar here) // Skirt: Zara (similar here) // Shoes: Off Broadway c/o // Clutch: Gigi New York c/o // Sunnies: Karen Walker // Earrings: Kendra Scott c/o // Bracelet: Kendra Scott c/o// Rings: Kendra Scott c/o // Phone Case: Fornash c/o // Necklace: Gorjana c/o // Lips: All Fired Up by MAC

Shop my post below!

Stay tuned tomorrow for more about our stay & wine tasting adventures!

09.03.14

Labor Day Weekend Recap: Sailing Attire

This past weekend, I took an end of summer road trip to Newport, Rhode Island (courtesy of GM) with my good friends, Cori Sue and Brie – and if you followed along on instagram, you know we certainly did some overgramming under #BACxCSMTravels. The trip was quite amazing full of sunshine, seafood at every meal and of course, toasting with good company.

However, apologies now as I excuse H&T from regular programming for a series of Labor Day recap posts this week and next. While I have always been a “no white after Labor Day” kinda gal – these posts certainly break that rule. I won’t say I will give in and wear it again this year but I sure soaked up every opportunity to this past weekend and well, never say never – right?

First up? Sailing, of course! We arrived in Newport after a long drive (fueled by SkinnyGirl bars and sparkling waters but luckily missing most of the holiday traffic) and quickly dropped our bags to change out of car clothes into sailing attire via L.L.Bean.

12 Meter Charters hosted us for an early evening sail (complete with a vineyard tasting – more on that later) aboard the Columbia, the 1958 America’s Cup winner. The crew and captain could not have been more accommodating and charming. They let us help and also sit back and relax while enjoying the gorgeous views (watch their video here). They are a full service yacht charter company and sail America’s Cup 12 Meter yachts as well as wide variety of traditional and classic motor yachts. If you are ever in Newport, they are highly recommended by yours truly.

 It was chilly on the water and the L.L.Bean jackets were necessary. We also made great use of our new Barrington Gifts St. Charles Yacht totes that we packed full with bottles of Whispering Angel rosé, pink cups, fresh lobster rolls (that I had to save while tacking), Smathers & Branson hats and Turkish-T towels from Hattan Home. If you don’t have one of these towels, I cannot tell you how handy they came in over the weekend. We used them not only for sailing but I used mine as a shawl one night at dinner outside and an umbrella as we got caught in a summer storm after vino (whoops!).

The only downside to the first evening? Trying to beat the sunset to get in some more photos on the dock!

Jacket: L.L.Bean c/o // Top: L.L.Bean c/o (also wore this pullover) // Tote: Barrington Gifts c/o // Towel: Hattan Home c/o // Jeans: Ann Taylor Loft (similar here) Shoes: Sperry Top-sider & Jack Rogers // Hat: Smathers & Branson c/o // Sunnies: Karen Walker //  Necklace: T.Audrey c/o //  Bracelet: Kendra Scott c/o // Lips: All Fired Up by MAC

Shop my look below!

Check back tomorrow for another outfit post and more about our stay and hotel!

08.28.14

Austin,Texas: Last Call for Summer Dresses

I’ve been teasing this floral maxi all week and this past weekend on instagram from my trip down to Austin. In fact, I’ve worn it to dinner parties, birthdays and out in DC since it arrived on my doorstep a few weeks ago.

With 100+ temperatures during my Texas visit, this light and summery dress from The Mint Julep Boutique provided for the perfect little number to send off the season in style. Oh and I can’t go without draping myself in Austin-based jewelry designer, Kendra Scott – I met the team and toured the design studio on my visit too (more to come on that soon!)

Special thank you to my sweet Texas friends for snapping these photos before my last night!

Dress: Mint Julep Boutique c/o // Sandals: Off Broadway c/o // Necklaces: Kendra Scott c/o + Kendra Scott + // Earrings: Kendra Scott c/o // Bracelets: J.Crew // Sunnies: Karen Walker //  Rings: Kendra Scott  c/o + Kendra Scott // Clutch: H&M (similar here) // Lips: All Fired Up by MAC 

For more adorable summer dresses & fall staples, visit The Mint Julep Boutique online and check our their new arrivals. Sign up for their email list HERE & you’ll automatically receive a $10 coupon just for signing up!  

Oh and don’t forget to follow along on instagram this Labor Day weekend as Cori Sue and I head up to Newport, Rhode Island for a girls weekend full of sunshine, seafood and sailing!

Happy End of Summer!