Big Sur, California

The first day in Monterey was spent exploring Big Sur. It was so unbelievably beautiful, and sadly photos can't really do it justice. We spent most of the day driving up the coast and exploring the area, and it was all so breathtaking and serene. This was my fourth time in California, and every time I fall in love with it all over again.

I have traveled to other countries, and seen so many places, but you sometimes forget that even trips on your own land can be just as exquisite, and interesting. I kept taking deep breaths of the air as we drove up the mountain, because let's face it, nothing is more refreshing than crisp mountain air. 

Although NorCal has its temperature changes daily, I liked being able to explore without feeling too hot most of the day. The weather, as abnormal as it seemed, followed a weird schedule that we eventually got used to. We made our way from the Big Sur Bakery, to the Bixby bridge, with some tiny stops in between. 

It's hard to photograph such a beautiful place because everything in view is so picturesque. I did my best to capture the beauty surrounding us, but as I've been told in the past, one can't simply embrace the beauty of a place without actually setting foot on it first. 

Exploring Big Sur

Hey guys! Finally made it to Monterey, and it's so beautiful here I don't think we're ever going to leave! Although the weather isn't as sunny as I would like, the sights are beautiful enough that you pretty much forget the chilliness. Yesterday we explored Big Sur, and did the 17 mile drive. I'll be sharing more photos next week once I return from my trip, but wanted to update as much as I could. This outfit kept me comfortable all day- without the sweater it would have been a little cold- but adding it was just right.

We pretty much drove all day exploring and looking at everything. We got to see the Bixby bridge, a little bit of Carmel, and we took the 17 mile drive (which is pretty much a drive through a neighborhood of million dollar estates).

Today we're adventuring through Carmel, and possibly some other spots along the way. Tomorrow Ryan starts his race so we will probably spend most of our morning at the track. If you guys have any tips on things to do/places to see (or even food recommendations!) please share, we're open to anything and everything! 

Hope you guys are having a great week! Can't wait to share the rest of my photos of the trip! xoxo

Details: Mustard Sweater (on sale) // Gladiator Sandals // Romper // Retro Style Sunnies // Elliott Lucca Bucket Bag

Packing For TXSC -- My Essentials

Packing is probably my least favorite activity. I'm sure you can all agree with me when I say it's pretty awful.  What's worse than actually packing you ask? UNPACKING! I planned to post this before I left for TXSC this past weekend but with the anxiety of flying coupled with my lack of time I didn't get a chance to. Here are some of my favorite things that I packed on my trip. Above you'll see a photo of all the goodies I acquired over the weekend, and some of the fun pins we got for attending different sessions throughout the camp. Also want to give a huge thank you to Marshalls for helping me pack the perfect items for my trip!

I tend to be one of those people who puts everything into little bags. Even if it doesn't need a bag, I find a way to put things into organized bunches. I found the leopard ticket & ID holder at Marshalls and it was perfect for me to keep myself organized while going through security and the checkpoints at the airport. These cute matching KC bags (also from Marshalls) carried my makeup and all of my toiletries. I try to pack as light as possible, but that usually goes awry.

Picking a smaller piece of luggage usually forces me to pack lightly. I definitely wasn't prepared for all of the rain that was happening in Texas, but my rain boots & umbrella were truly the best items I packed this year! Although I switched outfits as much as I could, my hats and light jackets because my best friends because A. Sweaty/Rainy Camp Hair ain't cute, and B. It was chilly!

It's also not a true camping experience without my Minnetonkas.  I wore these pretty much the whole trip! My only regret is not bringing enough warmer attire for Sunday. Sunday was so beautiful and warm, and of course that was my last full day in Texas! I have a lot more to talk about in the upcoming week, but I am going to leave you with this packing post for now! I had such a blast at camp, learned a lot about myself and where I want to take my blog in the next year. I am excited for the motivation it gave me, and I truly feel recharged to take my blog in a new direction!

This post is sponsored by Marshalls & Project Fab. 

Creme & Fur

I wore this outfit while braving the cold temperatures of NYC last weekend for Lulus Style Studio. I met up with long time pal , Lauren and had a blast of course. I've attended this event three years in a row and always have a great time so I am so glad I went! The cold weather definitely put a slight damper on the travel but overall it wasn't too bad. Between trains, uber and taxis we made it there and back safe & sound. This fur vest and cozy jacket kept me pretty warm throughout my travels, and although I don't have any photos of the event, I am glad I didn't lug my huge camera around because that thing is HEAVY.

When I first started blogging I brought a lot more things with me to events. I also got more dressed up when I first started but nowadays, I keep it simple with a cozy outfit and comfortable heels! Dressing up is fun too, don't get me wrong but sometimes(especially when travel is concerned) comfort comes first!

Details: J Brand Jeans Midrise Skinny // Louis Vuitton Speedy 25 // Penn State Cream Coat via Lulus c/o (on sale!) similar (in petite too!), similar // Cut Out Neck Shirt (under $15!) // Vest via Nordstrom similar , similar // Sunnies via Karen Walker // Bolo Freebird Booties via Zappos c/o // Evil Eye Earrings // Rings // Black Onyx,Vintage & Perry Rhodes

LULUS STYLE STUDIO NYFW EVENT

This year I was lucky enough to attend the Lulus style studio during NYFW at 404 in New York City. I met up with my pal Kristen and we got to walk around the studio together, meet the vendors and take some awesome samples of some of their products. I always have a blast at the Lulus events, and I love attending because it's nice to see people you haven't seen in a while, plus you always get to hear about different companies and vendors that you otherwise would have never heard about, so it's a win-win situation!

Here are some pictures I took and some from Kristen's camera (thank you Kristen!) Did you guys attend any fashion week events? And what did you think? 

 

I wish I took more pictures to show you guys everything but when I go to these events I get so caught up in what's going on that sometimes I forget to take enough photos. It was such a blast, and I already can't wait till next year!

Outfit details : Pants (similar) / Boots / Purse / Necklace / Sweater // Courtesy of Lulus

A Night With Marshalls At The #FABFOUND Loft

You know when you walk into a place and instantly you feel compelled to take photos of everything? That's the experience I get every time I walk into the Marshalls Fab Found loft. The bloggers working with Marshalls this season for Project Fab were invited into New York City for a happy hour of sorts to celebrate their curated fall fashion collection. You guys might remember me writing about another event at the loft a little over a month ago.  It was a nice intimate setting where we all got a chance to know each other better. I really love smaller gatherings like this because it gives you a chance to really get to know people, and have a chance to learn more about what they do, and how they live their lives. We obviously all had a lot to talk about, and the night ended with us sipping cocktails at the dinner table and eating the tastiest hors d'oeuvres.

The great thing about the Fab Found loft is that it's actually someone's home so the way it's decorated makes you feel like you're at a friends house catching up. Every single inch was filled with goodies from Marshalls, and clothing racks of their fall staples, which made me want to go shopping immediately! It also gave me some serious inspiration when thinking about decorating my place, and how you can get so many versatile pieces from Marshalls (and for less than half the price, might I add). 

Being a huge *FALL* fan makes a place like the Fab Found loft a dream come true. Some of the trends I noticed this fall are definitely the darker shades of our primary colors. There were tons of reds, blues, yellows and greens throughout their collection of clothing at the loft. I also noticed a ton of detailing through studs, mixed media pieces (leather paneling & suede pieces) , and of course, animal print! We had a ton of fun trying things on and talking about the shopping experiences we all have in the Marshalls that are closest to us. 

One of my favorite parts about the whole night, was being able to talk to a group of women who share a lot of the same interests that I do. It's nice being around other people who understand what you do, and why you do it. It's also awesome that no one will judge you when you take your camera out a million times to photograph the tiny burgers & mousse.

Marshalls Fab Found Loft -- Editor PR Event

Two days ago I was lucky enough to be in New York City attending the Marshalls Fab Found Loft event kicking off the fall season in style. This was an event thrown by the Marshalls PR team, and it was a chance for everyone to really get a feel of what Marshall's has to offer this season in a variety of departments throughout their store. 

As I walked into the loft the first thing I noticed were all of the colors. It was set up to look like the perfect loft apartment in the heart of nyc. Marshalls provided all of the items in the loft so it was everything from home decor, kitchen necessities, men & women's clothes, bathroom toiletries, and of course furniture.

As the ladies walked me around the loft showing me the styles they put up I couldn't help but notice all of the mixed media pieces in every collection. I  love mixing patterns and textures, and this fall that's going to be a huge trendy closet staple. What I loved the most were the coats that had leather pieces and adornments on the sleeves and collar. There were also a few gorgeous dresses that had leather leather finishes. Some of the colors that really stood out were the dark olive greens, and deep reds. 

When the ladies from Marshalls took a poll from women today about what they want to wear this fall, most women talked about their love for colorful accessories, mixed media pieces (leather patches, combining textures), tall riding boots, and versatile pieces that can be intermingled with any outfit throughout the season. I found this to be true for myself as well. I want to find good pieces that will last me through the seasons, but also stay on trend with colors & textures. 

I had a great time, and I got to meet some very nice people from the Marshall's team. Not only was the company and the atmosphere awesome, but the food was delicious! We're talking mini apple pies, tiny chocolate chip cookies, hors d'oeuvres and drinks galore. Can't really go wrong when you mix that with fashion, right?

Hope you enjoyed my recap! xo