Olive Dresses + Linkup

dress (size xs) // espadrilles // purse (restocked in brown!) // aviators

You know you're a dress girl for life when your mom never lives down that one time we couldn't leave the store until she bought me that white puffy dress. For the record, I wore that dress ever chance I got-weddings, family portraits, church, every holiday. I guess that explains my repeat obsession too. You can say that the second I saw this olive dress in all it's simplicity and stunning-ness (that's a word guys), I wasn't leaving without it. Nope. Had to have it. This time no tears were involved, but somethings never change-my love for dresses is forever and ever. 

Now, if you've been reading for the last year, you would see that this saddle bag has been made a few dozen appearances. Another case for being an obsessive repeater. Aaand it sold out so fast last year. But it's back in the brown color (finally) and I can tell you first hand Sole Society doesn't restock items very often. For all you bloggers, it freakin fits a DSLR! When you pull that baby out, people will think you've just preformed some real-life magic trick. Besides that, you can't beat the price for the close enough leather look.

Let's flashback to last year's look. Definitely more boho, but clearly I have had a big espadrille obsession. Those sandals are still a favorite and get worn all the time! 

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Spring's It Bag

Let's talk staples! Maybe I'm a little late figuring out Spring must haves. But if there's a style that has been huge it's the saddle bag and I've actually had this bag since last year. Technically, I'm ahead of the game.  Only I've come to realize that I love this style SO much I might want to invest in a leather one like this one. From the slick, clean lines, saddle bags go with just about everything. It's the perfect size to keep the essentials and a few extras like a notepad or book (I'm old school like that). Aannnd this saddle bag (under $50) fits a DSLR camera for all you bloggers and it's finally back in the cognac color! I've rounded up all my favorites from budget to investment options:

Trusty Neutrals + Linkup

moto jacket (old, love) // stripe tee (size small) // jeans (size 2) // espadrilles (true to size) // hat

Never would I think my closet would be consumed by basics and neutrals like it has been. Maybe it's just something that comes with age? But last Saturday I decided very last minute to attend Simply Stylist's workshop on photography. My trusty neutrals saved the day! Although, I should have looked at the weather. It was 83 degrees and I was melting in this jacket. Sure, I could have taken it off, but then my outfit would be incomplete. Oh, I know you understand. Later, I had a blogger date with Jessica, who kindly took these pictures.

Let's flashback to last year's wedding guest look. I honestly forgot about this dress. Maybe it's because I haven't had any special occasions to wear it to or it's the lack of wearing prints.

Thank you so much for linking up with us each and every week!

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Travel Tips I Wish I Knew

There's so much excited after you click that confirm button and next thing you know you have tickets booked. Sure booking a hotel, figuring out where you want to go, and getting around are obvious. It's those little things that really go unnoticed that can make such a b i g difference. Let's just say this less than seasoned traveler learned a thing or two the hard way after my trip to Costa Rica. Hopefully, this saves you some of the lessons I learned.

1. Carry on luggage weight limits: Oh, yesss! If you are doing an international flight, double check that they don't have any weight limits for your carry on. I suffer from serious separation anxiety when it comes to my luggage. My solution was to only pack a carry on so I wouldn't have to check anything in. You take that airlines, I'm going to outsmart you.  I was then told at the airport to weight it and guess what it's over the limit by 6 whole pounds. Know the limits and save yourself any surprises and save your valuables (even if it's just all your new shoes).  

2. Get on that probiotic: Listen, my stomach is a champ at excessive food consumption. I'm talking eat a whole pizza and later has room for ice cream. But without getting too TMI let's just say you don't know how your stomach responds to foreign food. I had a lot of stomach problems my entire trip. Once I came home, I took a probiotic and it was like m a g i c! Take a probiotic before you leave and bring some just in case.

3. Bring more than one credit card: I'm going to take it you know to call your bank and credit cards to let them know about your trip, so no need to mention that. But you want to make sure you have more than one credit card. While all my cards worked, the boyfriend had issues at some places with his card. Luckily I like him a lot and could back him up. But it's possible that the card you are relying on might not work. Don't put yourself in that situation if you don't have to. 

4. Turn your data off: This applies to those traveling internationally and you don't add an international plan to your cell phone. I really think you don't need to when you have wifi now. Thankfully, I was saved early on about this! But make sure you turn off your cellular data so you don't come back to a huge roaming bill. 

5. Plastic bags: Bring them! This is a more the merrier deal. We didn't realize how much dirty clothes we would have and were scrambling for plastic bags. Maybe this is more significant for those going to beach destinations or anywhere you might be getting wet, but we didn't always have time to let our swimsuits and clothes dry because we were on to the next place. Case in point you don't want to put damp, wet items with the rest of your dirty things.

Hope these tips help! If you have any questions about international travel or Costa Rica, let me know!

Into The Trench + Linkup

trench coat // sweater (old) // jeans // booties (old, similar) // saddle bag (similar under $35) // aviators

Let's talk about this trench. Maybe it's a wanna-be trench, but either way I'm a fan. Actually, I'm a fan now that I've figured out how to wear it. Not going to lie, but it took me a few weeks to finally wear it out. It felt too serious some days and then there was the fact that it arrived wrinkled. This girl rarely irons. Okay, I really didn't wear it mostly because I had to iron it. If only the clothes you bought online came wrinkle-free....

Now let's flashback to last year's look here. That floral top will have to wait to be worn again when it warms up. But those boyfriend jeans were worn today. Clearly, staples are something that I should continue to buy. But you guys why am I standing in a puddle when I took these?!

Thank you for linking up last week! We hope you'll join in this week's linkup!

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Beach Style

swimsuit // shorts // hat // aviators

All in all I would say I'm a beach girl, but Costa Rica brings it out even more. The soft, powdery sand. The warm blue water. The tropical landscape. It's still my best experience of fully enjoying what a day at the beach is about. At home in LA, I go to recharge, but that doesn't include going in the water or even putting on a bathing suit that often. So you can say it was a treat! Since we only had a 5 day stay, our friend's suggested staying at the closest beach near the city, Playa Blanca in Punta Leona. If you can find an apartment to rent there, it's a great place to cook your meals and beach it all day. Basically, what we did.

Now, let's talk beachwear. While I had planned on working out more consistently before I left, that didn't happen. For a little while, I did beat myself up about it because it's really easy to, but that wasn't going to change the fact that I was going to the beach in Costa Rica very soon. That alone is lucky enough and did a lot of shifting perspectives. Sure, it would have been awesome to wear a bikini with my glorious abs. Truth is I am never comfortable in bikini's. So wear a bathing suit that feels you! And once I was on that beach women of all shapes and sizes wore what they wore and no one cared. They were there in pure bliss and it was a great sight. 

Chambray Dress + Linkup

jean dress // saddle bag (similar) // espadrilles // straw hat (similar) // aviators

Annnnd I'm back from Costa Rica! They were the most amazing days on white sandy beaches with warm water and other days exploring the rain forest. But like I said I was visiting my Costa Rican friend for the first time and locals don't live at the beach or in the rain forest. They live in the city. Our first day was spent in the city of San Jose and Escazu. No, this is not your typical idea of what vacationing in Costa Rica is and truly would say skip the city unless you like city life. But we wanted to see her life at home. There really are some gems like a restaurant name Saul Bistro in Escazu, where we took these pictures. It honestly felt like you were transported to nature with the open, airy setting. I'm a bad blogger because I didn't get any pictures inside and the food was really good! And food in Costa Rica takes a lot of influence from America, so you can get many things you would at home including Starbucks (not that I did).  

Now, let's flashback to last year look here. You really can't go wrong with a good pair of jeans! These are one of my favorites and while I've stepped back from prints, I do love a good coral around the warmer months. 

Thank you for joining last week! Hope you'll linkup this week!

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