Weekend Snaps - Memorial Day Weekend

There’s nothing, and I do mean nothing, like a 3-day weekend. (Well, except maybe a 7 day weekend! HA!)

On Friday, I flew down to Orlando to visit some of our best friends who moved there last year. It’s funny - we’ve visited them twice in the last 6 months but didn’t manage to visit once during the 4 years they lived in Nebraska lololol!

Airport style // wearing Lucky Brand jeans and ADIDAS sneakers

After a three hour delay (not getting me into Orlando until about 9 PM), I was more than ready for a few drinks. We headed downtown to Artisans Table for dinner then over to Tap and Grind (also best name ever) for some beers and people watching. LET ME TELL YOU - the people watching on Friday night in Orlando is like no other, friends.

Saturday we quickly got ready and headed to Daytona beach. I’ve been waiting to wear my new favorite Triangl bikini since it arrived in March and the bright color seemed like the perfect fit for the Daytona atmosphere.

I don’t always go into the ocean, but the temperature was too good to miss out on. So we played monkey in the middle (as a an upper twenty-something does) in the water until our arms got sore. Then we  ate all the guacamole and chips and soaked up every last bit of sun. But not before the tastiest ice cream from a local shop. 

I joked on Instagram that before a trip, I’m all green smoothies, brown rice and cooked veggies. But once I’m on vacation, all my willpower disappears and I end up eating everything in sight. Except I wasn’t joking and I actually did eat ALL THE THINGS.

Genuine Glow collection, exclusively at Blue Mercury // Ditto sunglasses (use code ITSJULIEN for a free month!) // Angela Roi bag

Before going out that evening, I tried out the new Estee Lauder “Genuine Glow” collection that just launched at Blue Mercury. YOU GUYS - these pieces just took me summer makeup routine to a new level. My favorite of them all is a blush and lip creme in “Peachy Keen” which you’ll be seeing my wearing non-stop until Fall arrives.

Sunday we went to Waikiva Island, the most fun little “island” that had corn hole, kayaking and live music. We rented a few canoes (and even spotted an alligator in the water!) and raced down the stream to a natural spring…luckily, it was netted off to keep all the crocs away. We swam and relaxed there (with about a trillion other people) until we got hungry and canoed back. 

Wearing Cocosand Swimwear bikini

We took it easy that evening and started planning our trip to Yosemite coming up at the end of this month! I can’t wait to share all the fun things we have planned for it!

Wearing Cuyana slip dress and saddle bag

Monday we enjoyed a pool day and we made a new puppy friend. We went out to a nicer lunch so I got to wear my new Cuyana slip dress! It’s absolutely stunning. You’ll definitely be seeing more of it around these parts.

Tell me - how was your MDW?!

LWD

It’s come down to the last vacation post! Say goodbye to palm trees and hello to bare trees. But I’ll take the bare trees over snowy ones ANY DAY.

This little number was worn multiple times on our trip. I wore it to a cooler dinner one night here, down to the beach and even to pick up goodies from the farmer’s market. 

With a blank slate, I had such a fun time piling on the brightly colored accessories. The blue necklace from Starletta Designs was handmade in Canada and reminds me of the one in Titanic. But it's way better since it didn't fall into the ocean at the end. Use code JULIEN20 for 20% off your entire order!

The compass necklace was a gift from my hubby on one of his business trips to Maine and a nod to my love for all-things-nautical. I couldn’t stop wearing this necklace and tassel bracelet were from Capwell + Co because they added such a fun statement to every outfit I wore. 

Although I’m sad to be posting my last warm weather shoot, I’m thrilled that the weather is finally starting to cooperate. I MEAN, yesterday was like 70 degrees. Can we please have weather like that every day?

On Julien: Dress, The Mint Julep Boutique c/o. Blazer, Nordstrom (old, similar.) Clutch, K.Slademade (sold out, more clutches here!) Clutch tassel, Tassels by Sarah in Sangria c/o. Blue necklace, Starletta c/o. Gold compass, Lovell Designs. Long necklace and tassel bracelet, Capwell + Co c/o. Pave bangle and clover bracelet, Hanuel c/o. Blue bracelet, House of Harlow via Rocksbox. Rings, Hanuel c/o (here, here and here.) Sunnies, Kate Spade (similar.) 

The Dock

Whenever we go on vacations, our days are typically centered around eating. Wake up - what’s for breakfast? At the beach - we should head up for lunch soon. Evening - Where do we want to head for dinner? I don’t want to just head anywhere for dinner…I want great food and a great atmosphere. And oh ya, there needs to be a viable vegetarian option. I know I sound like the world’s pickiest eater (which is why I desperately need this bag) but the heart wants what the heart wants.

While in Naples, my grandfather took us to this cute bayside restaurant called The Dock. On a Tuesday night the place was packed. While we waited for our table, we snapped a few photos while the sun was setting. I wore this adorable white lace dress about a thousand different ways in the few days we visited and I’m not even sorry. It’s just too darn cute. And while I’ve shifted my closet color palette to neutrals lately, I couldn’t help but add some fun colorful jewelry and this scarf to compliment the dress. With the beautiful weather and a little tan, it all felt so right.

On Julien: Dress, The Mint Julep Boutique c/o. Sweater, J.Crew (old.) Scarf, unknown. Ring and earrings, Capwell + Co c/o. Blue bracelet, House of Harlow via Rocksbox. Gold bracelet, Hanuel c/o. Shoes, handmade in Positano. Bag, Mimi’s the Look. Sunnies, Kate Spade (similar.)

Vacation Snaps

I'm baaacckkk! After 5 relaxing days in the sunshine date, I was "welcomed" back home to a snowstorm. Just what I was hoping for...said no one who just got back from the beach ever. 

We made our annual trip to the Ft. Myers area last Friday to visit my Papou. As he gets older (can't believe he's 94!), I appreciate these trips more and more. While most of my past trips consisted of trips to Costco, Cracker Barrel, and Winn Dixie, this one was spent soaking in the sun, eating out and relaxing on the porch with my kindle in hand. Needless to say, it was just what the doctor ordered. Take a peek into my week with a few snaps from vacation below and stay tuned for a few palm-tree-filled outfit posts next week!