I posted about this midi skirt last week but I’m absolutely in love with it. This is what I wore on Easter Sunday to a family brunch and pranced around iconic Bayshore Boulevard for a bit after (the longest continuous sidewalk in the world by the way!).
I’d have to put this look in the Hosting category – it’s comfortable and perfect for any hostess to run around (perhaps you could throw on some flats when running around).
I had so much fun shooting these photos this past weekend. I’ve never played “tourist” in my hometown before and to say I enjoyed it, is an understatement. We started off in my backyard in historic Hyde Park and then headed downtown.
(If you followed along behind the scenes on Snapchat (bannc), you already know that!)
This is a super special post as it’s my first official Tampa, Florida shoot since moving back down here. It was also my first time shooting with the lovely Alexis and I’m sharing more photos than usual because she’s pretty amazing.
I’m BAC(k)!
With my new Hosting or Toasting fashion series launching on H&T, this dress (with its open back) fits in with the Toasting lifestyle – especially down here in Florida where it already feels like summer.
It’s quite fitting for tropical vacations too and any place that a cool cocktail in hand is appropriate (which I say is pretty much everywhere).
I mentioned that there would be some new things coming to H&T soon. Aside from entertaining posts, I have noticed that my fashion and travel ones are becoming more popular these days so I promise you more of them and a fun new spin on it.
This is what I call the “Hosting or Toasting” outfit series (or both, of course!).
I teased this outfit on instagram a few times over the weekend. It’s perfect for the first days of Spring, especially here in Florida – frizzy hair and all.
The verdict on this look? Most appropriate for Toasting (daytime cocktails and travels encouraged). You could, however, also wear this ensemble while Hosting a casual bridal shower or brunch as well but then again, I’d expect you’d also be Toasting at that too 😉
Shop this look below with a few of my other favorites too!
I wore this little two-piece set in Texas last week and teased it on snapchat (bannc) the week before – it’s one of my new faves & it’s scuba material so no wrinkles and perfect for traveling. I also think it would be adorable at a Spring or Summer wedding!
It seems like just yesterday I was buried in the blizzard up in DC and now I write to you from sunny Florida where I have headed back home for 2016.
I am so excited to be back and share with you all about my #snowcation to the Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, Virginia (just an hour outside of DC). I was lucky enough to get a hard hat tour of this amazing 5 start resort a few years back for my old job but I was beyond blown away with my stay last month and it was the perfect way to relax and recharge before I headed back South for my big move after 11 years away!
This luxury resort is set on 340 acres in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and perfectly positioned in Virginia’s famed horse country and beautiful vineyards. They boast a spa, cooking studio, billards room, wine bar and an array of other dining and outdoor acitivites. It was also named in the top 10 best resorts in the South by Condé NastTraveler (and yours truly).
Of course, it would not be a trip without my traveling partner in crime & fellow Floridian, Cori Sue of Bitches Who Brunch. We dug ourselves out of the snow, packed all the essential winter gear we owned (hey! I wasn’t going to get to wear this for awhile) and hopped in a car (read: uber) out to the Virginia countryside to escape our cabin fever and enjoy one last girls trip before I would be a plane ride away vs. an uber away. If you followed along on snapchat (bannc) and instagram (@bannc), you know we had too much fun and share our moments along the way.
We checked into our rooms, which were nothing short of perfection – equestrian details, personalized welcome notes on each tv screen, a bathtub I wanted to take home (more on that later) and of course, a lovely bottle of vino awaiting each of us. No detail was left unnoticed and if you know me, you know this is what matters most. You really feel like you’re inside an old Virginia home and the staff could not be more friendly or accommodating too.
After we settled into our rooms, we hopped downstairs to enjoy lunch at Gold Cup. Two hungry girls quickly filled up on burrata, salads and the delicious garlic fries plus plenty of sparkling water and diet coke (for yours truly). We also had the loveliest view of the winter wonderland that took over the resort and then Cori Sue got to work (#workcation for her) and I headed to the Spa for the first time (naturally) for an express facial. I don’t think my skin has ever looked better than those 24 hours.
Before heading to dinner that evening, we were spoiled at Boxwood Winery. The Salamander has several partnership with local vineyards and wineries in the area and can accommodate your travels to them as well. Boxwood set up a private after-hours tasting for Cori Sue and I with Rachel. They specialize in reds (perfect for the cold weather) but also have a lovely rosé and the most beautiful bottle labels I’ve ever seen.
After trotting through the snow and a lovely happy hour of wine + tour, we left with two bottles and headed to dinner back at Gold Cup Bar but this time, for sushi (and yes, more wine).
