A Design Lover’s Dream on the Island of Rhodes

Gotta Getaway

When you’re wanting to get away from it all, there’s really no better place then an island. When you’re on an island you feel luxuriously cut off from civilization, as if the little corner of the world on which you sit is the only thing that exists in that moment. And isn’t that what anyone wants from a vacation destination?! So it’s no surprise that I immediately fell in love with Casa Cook, a gorgeous boutique hotel nested into the beautifully rustic terrain of the Greek island of Rhodes.

It also helps that this meticulously designed hotel was designed and styled by Michael Schickinger and Annabell Kutucu, who also designed the San Giorgio hotel on Mykonos – where I had the pleasure of staying a few years ago! If you missed that trip you’ve got to check out here. The San Giorgio might be the best hotel I’ve ever stayed in. Design-focused spots like these burn themselves onto your brain (and truthfully taint you for future trips because little lives up).

Casa Cook is a 90 room escape aimed to attract us design lovers with meticulously appointed rooms, delicious food and soul enriching activities like yoga retreats and immersive experiences on the island. At Casa Cook you can swim up to virtually every room in their expansive pool. Hammocks dot nearly every corner, tempting to take an impromptu siesta.

While the use of natural materials, stone and warm wood tones give off a vacation vibe, the use of black in many places adds a bit of an urban edge. The final result certainly appeals to a city-loving girl such as myself. You feel like you could be in restaurant in the heart of New York, except for the amazing open-air breezes passing through.

While making a sojourn to Greece is no easy feat – especially from the west coast, traveling to far flung locations is so good for your soul. And when they’re this easy on the eyes, I think the trek would definitely be worth it. Casa Cook is officially going on the bucket list.

I’m curious, what’s on yours??

For our archive of travel inspiration, CLICK HERE.

photography by Georg Roske for casa cook

Wanderlust Wednesday: Take Me to Kauai

Gotta Getaway

It’s back. The season to pack your bags and hit the road or… watch wistfully while everyone else seems to be going somewhere fabulous. I had an entirely different post ready to officially kick off wanderlust season today, but this is where the blog still collides with my day to day life. After packing our Memorial Day weekend with a whole lot of domesticity, but watching the never-ending stream of everyone else’s amazing travels, I can’t take it anymore. We must go. We must go now. We haven’t taken a vacation in nearly 8 months, so I think it’s about time. And it’s time to go to Kauai. I’ve spent the last 48 hours completely obsessed.

While we had an amazing time during our first real family vacation on Maui last year, I just feel compelled to make a sojourn to Kauai. I’ve stayed before…in 1992 – ha! But there’s something about the lush jungle, the even slower pace, the unbeaten paths and stunning beaches that is calling me back. Kauai seems like the perfect place to truly escape – and is anyone else feeling like they wish they were in a different world right now? Yeah, me too.

So I’ve started my standard travel planning – obsessive amounts of research and relentless “perfect place to stay” searching. I consider myself the queen of finding that one hidden gem. But I didn’t have to search too hard to find a what might be the best spot I’ve seen on Kauai thus far. Meet The Palmwood.

This stunning retreat is a small, secluded bed and breakfast tucked into Kauai’s Moloa’a valley. There is no kitsch to be found. Only thoughtful vintage furnishings, crazy pretty views and gourmet food thanks so the owner’s son – who happens to be a professionally trained chef. The vibes are cool, a touch bohemian and decidely laid back. Exactly what I’m craving right now.

While this chic spot isn’t family friendly per say, I’m already dreaming of a mini-escape for the husband and I, regardless of what our final Kauai destination turns out to be. I mean, did you catch a glimpse of that pool?? It’s calling my name.

And while I’m going to continue to devour every online Kauai travel guide I can find, I would love your help friends. Are you a Kauai aficionado? Have you visited recently? Do you have a few favorite places you’d be willing to share? I would be SO grateful. It was 55 degrees and foggy as all get out in San Francisco today. This mama needs some Aloha stat.

To check out last year’s wanderlust-worthy destinations, CLICK HERE

photography via bryce johnson, cult collective , cult collective, in bed with, in bed with, the drifter, cult collective, elanaloo, erin kunkel for sunset magazine, in bed with, elanaloo

Wine Wednesday: A Hot Spot for the Cool Crowd

Food + Travel

If you live in the Bay Area, are under 35 and have ever worn a boho hat or sport a beard, then you’ve probably already heard of Scribe Winery. But there’s a reason all the cool kids go there and why Scribe is my current Wine Wednesday obsession. It’s just too dang pretty! We actually featured Scribe and their gorgeous property a few years back. But they’ve taken the cool factor to a whole new level with their recently renovated Hacienda.

One of the oldest buildings in Sonoma, the hacienda sat abandoned for more than 20 years. Even after Scribe opened it remained untouched. It was used for impromptu parties (and even I may have snuck into it for a photo shoot!), but after nearly two years the Hacienda has been reborn. It now features beautiful sitting rooms, a commercial kitchen and I hear three guest rooms that will house visiting chefs and possibly a writer in residence. Did I mention the coolness oooozes out of this place?? What I love most is that the renovation kept the original patina intact. From walls whose peeling paint revealed period wallpaper beneath to restoring original glass, built-ins, and fixtures, if you didn’t know better you might think the space hadn’t actually been renovated!

The day I visited, the property was abloom because Louesa Roebuck and Sara Londsdale were on hand to celebrate their new flower-focused tome, Foraged Flora. So gorgeous right?

You can now book wine tastings at the Hacienda that include a beautifully prepared lunch straight from that stunning kitchen. You’ll enjoy farm fresh salads (like fresh off their farm on the property), cheese boards, sandwiches – whatever the resident chef invents for that day. Food is served in bowls designed by artist and Scribe friend Jess Hirsch and you’ll dine on tables made of redwood trees that fell on the property a few years back. Again, does it get cooler? I think not. But as beautiful as the place is, the wines are also quite good too. Run by brothers Andrew and Adam Mariani, who are fourth-generation California farmers, the brothers decided it was time to breathe new life into not only into the property’s structures, but most importantly into the land for their sustainable winemaking.

Scribe is located on one of the older vineyards in Sonoma. It was shut down during prohibition, then turned into an orchard and at one time a turkey farm. But it is certainly back to life now. The brothers planted Reisling and Sylvaner (a german varietal) as that’s what had grown on the property since the turn of the last century. Scribe also produces Chardonnay, Rosés, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignons with grapes sourced from throughout the valley. Scribe uses old world, natural wine making processes like skin-fermentation and really focus on infusing the uniqueness of place into all of their wines. Having tasted at Scribe for a number of years now I think it’s fair to say that the wines vary a bit from year to year, but what they’re pouring now is particularly strong. The Rosés are exceptionally light and crisp; perfect for really hot days. The Pinot has a bit more body and structure than past years. It’s a lovely wine to sip on its own or enjoy with food. But I’m actually particularly loving their Cab right now. At over $70 a bottle, it’s certainly a special occasion wine but I’m finding it pretty special.

So the next time you’re planning a visit to wine country, make sure a visit to Scribe is on your list. Just make a point to call and book ahead. This place is cool remember, so of course, it’s nearly impossible to get in!

For more Wine Wednesday posts, CLICK HERE

For my favorite getaways, CLICK HERE

FluFOMO: Traveling Off the Beaten Path

Gotta Getaway

It’s so easy to get stuck in our daily routines. Whether we’re chained to a desk literally or figuratively, it’s rare to break out of the norm – the ebb and flow of day to day life tends to sweep you away. You frequent the standard coffee shop on the daily or head to your weekly brunch spot without blinking an eye. As we rely on old standbys, time seems to blur, days blending into weeks, weeks slumping into months. But what if, every once in awhile, you were free to to kick the standbys to the curb?

When Clorox asked me to share some FluFOMO – what you might be missing out on if you’re unfortunate enough to catch the flu this season – I decided it was high time to break out of my routine. Since I’ve done my best to keep the flu at bay this season (you can see how I kept from catching the stomach flu from my kid right here). Sure there are thousands of trendy spots in and around San Francisco that would check every hipster box you can think of, but I wondered what might be out there if I looked a little past the usual.

I recently took the opportunity to enjoy a crisp January day ditching my routine entirely and instead, hitting the road excited to discover what Hwy 1 might bring my way – no set itinerary, no set agenda, no Instagram stalking beforehand. Just a sense of adventure.

Upon snaking up the coast, I stumbled upon the charming little town of Bolinas a little less than an hour north of San Francisco. Nestled against the Pacific and beloved by surfers who hate crowds, the one-street hamlet, pop. 2,000, feels like a throwback to a bygone era. You can belly up to the bar at Smiley’s Saloon, the oldest bar in California, or lunch on oysters plucked only miles from Coast Cafe, the town diner. But what I love most about places like Bolinas are the people. Also quick to smile, happy to share a kind word and eager to tell an interesting story, it’s a wonderful reminder of the power of human connection. At Smiley’s, I was regaled of the celebrities that often come through Bolinas as they explore Marin – often unsure of what to make of town residents who really couldn’t give two sh***!

an artist community still thrives in bolinas

a quiet stroll on the beach soothes the soul

When the world seems to spin a bit out of control, a little time spent breaking free of the usual is the perfect way to reflect on what matters most. You never know what you might be missing out on until you simply get out there and explore.

Have you missed out on some adventure this winter due to the flu? Click here to share your story and be entered to win a Clorox prize pack!

For more getaway ideas, CLICK HERE

original photography for apt34 by emily scott

This post is in partnership with Clorox. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. Thanks for supporting collaborations that I’m excited about and that have kept apartment 34’s doors open

New Series: Wine Wednesday

Entertaining

As we begin a new year, I’ve been thinking about my passions. What do I truly love? What do I truly enjoy? It’s those things that I feel I can bring to you with the most enthusiasm and authenticity. Upon examining the world of my favorite things, one quickly bubbled to the top: wine.

I love my wine. It’s my probably my biggest indulgence. And not just because I’m now a mom. My passion for wine has developed over many years. A semester in Italy sparked my initial interest, living in Santa Barbara and taking wine classes in college (perks of going to UCSB) only helped it grow. And my love of wine and fascination with the entire wine making process has only intensified since moving a stone’s throw from California wine country. I visit Napa and Sonoma as often as I can, have joined more wine clubs than I’d like to admit and drink wine…pretty much every day of the week. True story. It’s good for you thought right?

In all seriousness, I’ve blogged about wine in the past (like here, here, here and here), but I thought it might be fun to start a series dedicated to what I’m drinking right now. Because I know one of the hardest things about wine is figuring out what the heck to try in the first place. Everyone wants to drink “good wine,” but what does that even mean?

Some wines are daily drinkers. Some are best savored on very special occasions. And then there are those that fall somewhere in the middle. I’m hoping to bring you options across the entire spectrum, but I’m kicking off this Wine Wednesday series with a newly discovered wine and the winery that goes with it. It always helps when I love the winery as much as I love the wine.

Turnbull Wine Cellars is just one such place.

Turnball Winery is tucked in the heart of Napa, but if you blink while driving up Hwy 29, you might miss it. Surrounded by some pretty ostentatious neighbors, Turnbull is an unassuming space that maintains a welcoming, old-school winery feel. Family owned and operated, everything happens at the original barn-like structure built in 1979. And while it may appear understated, the property actually comes with quite the design pedigree. The winery was designed by famed architect William Turnbull, Jr., whose architectural style can be spotted throughout California, the Sea Ranch community on the Northern California coast being one of his most famous. When the O’Dell family bought the winery in 1993, they kept the name Turnbull in William’s honor.

Today, Turnbull is run by daughter Zoe Johns. A former retail buyer and director of merchandising, Zoe has a great eye. She brought a cool, modern perspective to the entire Turnbull environment. I shouldn’t be surprised – you can sneak a peek at Zoe’s own San Francisco home on D*S from a few years back – it’s dang good.

Today, Turnbull’s private tasting room is modeled after Zoe’s childhood living room, the tasting gallery holds the country’s largest private collection of Ansel Adams photography and the outdoor space features beautiful gardens, a wood-fired pizza oven, bocce court and an edible pairing garden with a fire pit. It really is a beautiful place to drink away an afternoon.

But let’s get down to the important stuff – the wine! Turnbull is well known for incredibly fine wines. In fact, two wines have garnered a perfect 100 points and 14 wines have been rated at 95 points or more by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. But again, what does that actually mean? On our visit to Turnbull we sampled a bit everything, but what caught my attention is their 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is smooth, silky and complex. If you read its description you’ll see phrases like bright Rainier cherries, fall spice and grain tea tannins. But again, what does that actually mean? Really it means very little. You don’t have to know esoteric descriptions to decide if you like a wine. You know if you relish every sip. You know if you intentionally take your time to enjoy your glass. I find the harder time I have describing a wine, the more I like it. Because it’s not straightforward. It’s not one note. It brought brings you back wanting more.

Now the Turnbull 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon isn’t one of those wines you bust open on any random Tuesday. This is definitely one of the bottles you want to invest in and take your time to enjoy. But it is definitely well worth it.

I hope you enjoyed our first Wine Wednesday post. If there are any wines you’re currently loving, please share in the comments! I’m always looking to add to my collection.

images kassie borreson & taylor brown

How to Enjoy San Francisco during the Holidays

Fashion

One of my favorite things about San Francisco is how this city celebrates the holidays. This town goes all out. Nearly every street glows with twinkle lights. Christmas trees shine in row house windows. And when you get downtown it’s like a holiday wonderland. Skyscrapers are all outlined in red and green. There are giant Christmas trees on nearly every corner and shop windows are decorated to the nines. You can’t help but get in the holiday spirit.

But the getting downtown part can be a real problem. A couple of years ago, we actually tried to do a day of Christmas shopping, but after sitting in gridlock motionless for 45 solid minutes, we simply turned around and headed home. This year however, I was determined to soak in the holiday atmosphere. Online shopping just doesn’t quite do it. Thankfully, I could turn to Uber to make the experience much less painful!

Rather than worry about traffic, circle endlessly for parking, I simply hopped in an Uber. I love UberX – it’s super affordable and there’s usually one available with very little wait. The busy holiday roads were no big deal since I could blissfully do email while someone else worried about the road ahead.

I headed to Ghiradelli Square first. What was once a total tourist trap has been revitalized with locals in mind. There’s some great food including a spot by celeb chef Jonathan Waxman and wine tasting rooms including one of my favorites, Bluxome Street Wines. And of course you can still pick up tons of Ghiradelli chocolate for all your stocking stuffer needs.

what I’m wearing: isabel marant jacket / levis redone jeans / freda salvador boots / jumbo scarf / celine box bag

When I was done I just used my Uber app to grab a car to my next destination – Maiden Lane off of Union Square in the heart of downtown San Francisco. I love that I didn’t have to hunt for parking or worry about leaving gifts in my car.

Maiden Lane is a hidden gem right off Union Square. A pedestrian-only, tree lined lane allows you to escape the crowds of downtown San Francisco’s main shopping arterials. Filled mall boutiques and specialty shops and cute cafe seating it’s the perfect place to find something special.

An afternoon of soaking up the festive sights and sounds of city makes it impossible to deny the magic of the holidays. I’m so excited to impart that feeling to my little kiddo this season. He’s just old enough to really begin to understand it all. And there’s really nothing better than the holidays then through the eyes of a child. I’m just thankful I could experience it stress free thanks to Uber.

photography by ashley batz

this post is in partnership with uber. all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. thanks for supporting collaborations we’re excited about and have kept apartment 34’s doors open.

10 Tips for Traveling with Kids

Gotta Getaway

Tis the height of the holiday travel season, when over the river and through the woods you’ll be going, tiny people in tow. After our epic adventure in Hawaii (if you missed it – I partnered with American Express Platinum to go on the ultimate family vacation – our first with our little guy. You can read all about it here), I’d be remiss not to share what I learned from that first-hand traveling-with-a-toddler experience. There are probably 1,000 pieces of advice I could offer, but I’ve whittled it down to my top 10 tips. Check them out below!

TOP 10 TIPS FOR TRAVELING WITH YOUR TODDLER

1 Kid Friendly Schedules. Your children’s sleep is your best friend. If you can, try to plan your travel days around nap schedules. It may not work out in your favor (our 19-month-old did not sleep one wink on each our six-hour flights to Maui), but at least you can say you tried.

2 Have a Secret Toy. I cannot take credit for this tip. Another mom-friend passed it along to me. Find something little. Something fun. Something with a bell or whistle or two that will attract and hold attention in your most desperate moment. That is when you bust out the Secret Toy. It will get used. It will save the day. You will be thankful.

3 Contingency Plans. Even with the perfectly coordinated schedules, secret toys aplenty and a perfect child you will get thrown a curve ball. Like when our flight to Hawaii was delayed 8 hours! You really cannot craft a backup plan for that. Thankfully, American Express has your back. Platinum Card Members have access to lounges at airports across the world, including The Centurion Lounges across the U.S. The Centurion Lounge at San Francisco International Airport is a haven. The food comes from Michelin-starred chef, Daniel Patterson (I got to taste test the menu as I shared here. It’s amazeballs). There’s a lounge area, conference tables, and most importantly, a well-stocked wine bar as you can see below. It’s the perfect place to while away the hours and keep your sanity.

4 Zero Expectations. This goes back to the previous tip, but the best-laid plans are likely to get blown up. Sleep schedules won’t comply. Weather takes a turn. Or they just want to do the exact opposite of what you planned. If you don’t have hard and fast expectations already in mind, you will be much less frustrated for it.

5 Feed Often. Tons of stimulation, new activities and unknown environments make littles way hungrier than you’d ever expect. So pack snacks where ever you go and feed at the slightest sign of crankiness.

6 Revel in Repetition. If you’re typically an adventurer, you might need to redefine the term. There’s actually something soothing about settling into a routine and it can definitely help your littles adjust to new places, new time zones and the unexpected.

7 Pack Less than You Think Need. You really do not need that much for kids. Outfits can be repeated. In an ideal world, you might have laundry where you’re staying. Pack for you kids and then cut the amount of stuff in half. Thankfully Amazon and Target are around to save the day in case of emergencies.

8 Divide and Conquer. When it comes to traveling with your kiddos, your partner is your best friend. Or really anyone who is willing to lend a hand. Grandparents. Siblings. The random stranger on the airplane who will hold your baby while you pee. Take advantage of all the help you can get. Trade off bedtime duties or meal times so someone can get a break. Even on vacation child rearing is exhausting so you want to make sure you build in some ways you can relax too.

9 If at First You Don’t Succeed, Drink Wine. And if does start getting a little overwhelming, take a walk, take a mini meditation session, take a deep breath. And then order more wine.

10 Enjoy Every Minute. All the cliches are true. It goes so quickly. They grow so fast. The days are long but the years are short. Soak it up people. The good, the bad and the ugly. Because ultimately, in the end, all of it is actually good. In fact, it’s great.

For the recap of our Hawaiian vacation, CLICK HERE.

For more about my travel adventures with American Express Platinum this year, CLICK HERE.

How to Have the Best Family Vacation Ever

Gotta Getaway

So I’m back from our escape to Hawaii and at the moment desperately trying to keep the soothing sounds of the crashing waves top of mind (serenity now). As you may have caught in this post or on Instagram – we took a much needed and overdue extended family vacation to the Hawaiian island of Maui. While my typical travel MO is adventure-filled, action packed and cultural experience driven trips, sometimes you just want to get the heck out of dodge.

After years of house renovations (yes, it’s been years now), raising tiny people, jobs, illness, politics, stress – Mai Tais sounded like the perfect solution. Thankfully, I could turn to American Express Platinum and all the travel services and Card Member benefits to make my dream trip a reality. I’ve been partnering with American Express Platinum all year and this was the perfect finale.

loved this gourmet take on a mai thai

When you’re taking a long trip with children, where you stay is key. Rather than drown myself in hours of internet research I turned to American Express Platinum. You can speak directly with a concierge that helps you find accommodations, book airline tickets, get rental cars. Everything. In one phone call. Boom done. Mama SO happy.

American Express also helped me discover our home away from home on Maui, the Wailea Beach Villas – the perfect place for a family to stay. The condo-like property features mini-apartments with full kitchens, in-unit laundry, tons of space and amazing views.

Some units even have private plunge pools. The property is only steps from an incredibly child-friendly beach. At said beach, you can relax on lounge chairs shaded by umbrellas. Sea turtles swim by you as you jump the waves. Really it was the perfect place for the entire family to relax and unwind. It was also the perfect place to introduce my son to the ocean. It was the perfect place to reconnect with my spouse. And the perfect place to just chill out. We could all use some chilling out don’t you think?

an acai bowl – a Hawaiian requirement

Using American Express to plan our vacation wasn’t just helpful. It was also smart because American Express offers so many different travel rewards, discounts and benefits packages. When booking a property in The Hotel Collection for example, such as the Wailea Beach Villas, Card Members can enjoy a room upgrade when available and a $75 hotel credit to spend on qualifying dining, spa and resort activities. They have also just extended a new benefit to Platinum Card Members where you can get 5X Membership Rewards points on all airline travel regardless whether you book it through Amex Travel or directly through your favorite airline. I’m all about Rewards points. But I digress.

bounty at Mana Foods in Paia

jawz taco truck outside Makenna – aka Big Beach

Back to the most perfect vacation of all time. Because I didn’t just luxuriate under my beach umbrella the entire trip. My constitution just isn’t built for that. I had to get out and explore at least a little. We did do some fun adventuring. We walked the Wailea coastline daily. Stunning. We went paddle boarding early in the morning. We took a sail at sunset and attended a luau. And of course, we enjoyed some good food (and drinks!) around the island. Again, I turned to the Platinum Card Member benefit – Concierge services to arrange all of activities and dinner reservations. A short email with my preferred dates and times allowed me to enjoy the beach and let American Express worry about the logistics. It’s genius.

I’ve included my top 10 favorite things about to do, see, eat, try on Maui below. And don’t worry. I learned so much on this family vacation that next week I’m going to share my top tips for traveling with a toddler.

1. Wailea – the beaches are beautiful, the waves gentle, the ocean warm and clear. Sea Turtles are everywhere, the snorkeling is great and the sand golden and soft. You can stay here and not get in your car if you don’t want to. Yes, it’s chocker block full of resorts and the tourists staying in them, but there’s a reason why.

2. Makena (Big Beach). If you love golden sand that glows, big crashing waves and crystal clear waters you have to visit big beach. It’s not super little kid friendly – the waves are BIG, but it is stunning.

3. The Farmers Market in Kihei. Kihei is a local’s paradise on Maui but it’s a great resource for visitors too. The list of things to try in Kihei can get long quickly but if you’re staying for a while and cooking at home definitely hit the local farm stand on the north end. It carries all the fresh local island produce you could ever want.

4. Kihei Cafe – the ultimate locals breakfast spot. It’s a must visit – especially if you love french toast.

5. Paia. Often a drive through on the way to Maui’s road to Hana, Paia is a sweet local town that still has the best community grocery store, cute boutiques and great restaurants.

6. Paddle Boarding. You can now book private paddle boarding tours that bring you to great snorkel spots while giving you an amazing workout. Warning, this isn’t the easiest activity – you’re going to be tired afterwards, but it is so fun. We booked a tour right off the beach in front of Wailea Beach Villas.

7. Mama’s Fish House. A Maui institution on the North Shore, the views along are worth the trek. We made a lunch reservation but even then expect to pay a tourist premium, but the food and drinks are worth it. Mama’s feels a bit like a Maui tradition. It’s certainly not local food but it’s a fun experience none the less.

8 Maalaea Sunset Cruise. Hop on an awesome catamaran to get out on the water and enjoy the ocean. This was a perfect date night experience.

9. Ka’ana Restaurant at the Andaz Hotel. This cool, chic spot looks out at the ocean from up in the Andaz hotel. It serves inventive modern takes on location cuisine and using only local ingredients and its awesome. The Andaz Hotel is also one of The Hotel Collection properties. Bonus!

10. Ferraro’s Restaurant at the Four Seasons. It feels a little odd to eat Italian food on Maui but this spot, right on the path in Wailea is lovely, delicious and offers great sunset views.

To catch up on the rest of my #YearofErin adventures with American Express including my trip to the Aspen Food & Wine Festival and my Lady Boss Day Off, CLICK HERE.

How to Pack for a Tropical Getaway

Fashion

I know this time of year is typically for funnel neck sweaters and boots. Everyone is running around thinking about their next pumpkin spice latte and Halloween decorations. But I have nothing but tropical escapes on the brain. That’s because I’m about to embark on my #YearofErin finale – our first official family vacation since having le bebe! I’ve been partnering with American Express Platinum to plan the ultimate family escape and thankfully the American Express Platinum concierge has come this mama’s over-extended rescue to help me plan a perfect Maui adventure (thanks to everyone’s tips you left on this post btw). I’ve talked about why Hawaii is so special to me and I’m so excited to finally be going back.

Now that our departure is almost here, I’m turning to my (frantic!) packing list. But I want to take a different tact with this trip. Rather than plan a zillion outfits, I want to hone in on the absolute minimum amount of stuff I can get away with. I’ve started pulling together a packing list of the bare essentials necessary to enjoy island life.

I’m feeling inspired by the looks from the Tanya Taylor Spring 2017 presentation during NYFW.

San Francisco was so gray and cold all summer. I feel like I finally have my opportunity to enjoy the season I missed, even if it’s only for a short time. I’m always feeling all things white. I think I’m finally going to try my hand at something off the shoulder. And wide leg pants are never a bad idea. A flirty dress could be fun for an evening out. And do you think I could rock a gold bathing suit like the one above from Cynthia Rowely?!

It’s been a little tough finding cute things to pull together a beach vacation look this time of year but I’m managed to unearth some goodies.

SHOP THE LOOK sun hat / one piece / carry one bag / sandals / top / sunnies / cutoffs / romper / straw beach bag / bikini top / mondrian espadrilles

I’m a firm believer that I don’t need to sacrifice style, even with a restrained wardrobe. My friend Caroline recently reminded me of that. A few choice pieces are all you need to get you from the hotel to the beach to happy hour – and really what else do you need to think about on vacation?!

One-piece bathing suits are my new mama-reality so I’ve been hunting down good ones. It’s a bit of a needle in a haystack kind of search. But I’m loving this one and this one.

One cute sandal and a comfy flat for chasing a toddler is all the footwear you need.

A sun hat and cool peach sunnies will carry me through hours by the pool.

I am fully committed to getting two weeks’ worth of looks into my carry-on! Be sure to check back on Instagram and Snapcaht later this week to see if I succeed.

GET THE LOOK

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