Well, 2014 has certainly been a whirlwind year – can’t believe it’s already over! It was by far the best one yet for Team Apartment 34. So many things happened it’s a little hard to keep it all straight. We were able to grow and take on epic new projects. We traveled from sea to sea and saw unbelievable sites along the way. We teamed up with so many talented people and inspiring brands for some of our most memorable collaborations yet. And I personally made some big life changes and steps towards – holy crap – being a full fledged grownup! We’re so ready for what 2015 has in store, but we couldn’t say goodbye to 2014 without reliving our absolute favorite moments of the year.

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First, we travelled far and wide. We packed up two weeks in a tote bag {it can be done!} and headed to Mykonos, Greece. Bianca also jet set to Bali and Thailand, landed in Singapore and had fun in D.C.,  while I explored Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, experienced great taste in Colonial Williamsburg and then Bianca lived the dream in Hawaii. We can only hope to keep up our jetsetting ways in 2015!

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We also attempted to do a lot more home cooking. We found out that going gluten free wasn’t so bad after all! We baked some delicious gluten free treats like these Chocolate Pistachio and Coconut Tarts. And we didn’t stop there! We flexed our wanna-be chef muscles and proved to be heavyweights with this Spatchcock Roasted Chicken and this delicious, gluten-free, Lemon Ricotta Almond Cake.

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So naturally, we got pretty confident with our skills and decided to throw an epic dinner party in San Francisco for 12 influencers who continually inspire us, just for funsies! We teamed up with San Francisco based restaurants Trick Dog and Central Kitchen, as well as florists Twigss Florals, event planner Erin Taylor of Bustle Events, photographer Katie Newburn and so many others to throw an over the top dinner-party to remember! That  table….le sigh.

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After that, we really could have used a drink. Throwing a party is no joke. Hell, we could have used a drink all year long, and drink we did! Our cocktail series continues to be one of our faves and this girly Grapefruit Margarita made its rounds! Who says you can’t drink tequila on New Year’s Eve?!

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With all of the fun we were having, we wondered, is it possible to have everything? Fun, family, a career? Inspired by kick-ass women like Ali Webb, founder of DryBar, and Alissa Carroll, Editor-in-Chief of San Francisco Cottages & Gardens, who really do have it all, we started an awesome, entrepreneurial-based series called Girl Crush to explore the idea. I also started a more personal, reflective series, with blogger friend Jeanne Chan, of Shop Sweet Things, that focuses on real life issues we all face as women called The Kind of Woman. We’re hoping to keep the discussion going in 2015 – we hope you’ll join in!

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Confident that we really could have it all if we worked for it, we brought on three summer interns which meant we needed a better space to work in. So we completely made over the team office! We added a big team desk for everyone to work around, designated a seating area for client meetings {and magazine reading!} and created an inspiration board to compile all of our ideas. The end result was everything we wanted! More here.

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With a bigger team, we were able to do more cool shizz like, whatever the hell we wanted! One of our most beautiful collaborations was with the calligraphy studio Bright Room Studio, and local SF roasters, Wrecking Ball Coffee. We dreamed up the ultimate Saturday morning project with calligraphy and coffee in hand!

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We even were able to send our photographer to cool places, like this one! We came across some amazing interiors all year long, but The Apartment in NYC, designed by The Line, takes – the – cake! Designed to be 100% shoppable {yep, you can buy that art right off the wall!}, this space is EVERYTHING we ever wanted in an interior!

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Inspired by such beautiful design, I realized the space in the loft just wasn’t cutting it anymore. So, we went out and bought a freakin’ house!! It’s beautiful on the outside don’t you think? But the inside? Oh, it’s crazy uggggly in the inside. Seriously crazy {proof here}. Buying a 140 year fixer-upper has been the ultimate test in patience and a serious learning experience in hardcore design my friends. I’ve now learned the language of elevations, lighting plans and costs per square foot. Tons more detail on all this to come in the new year, but with renovations finally about to get underway, we couldn’t be more excited to move in. In six to eight more months…You ready to go on this adventure with me?!

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And put a nice little cherry on top of it all, oh yay, we’re having a baby! The scariest best moment of 2014 was finding out that we were going to be parents and that we would be bringing home our own bundle of joy come March! I can’t believe how fast time is flying and that in just a few months we’ll be meeting this lil’ baby. Holy mother-f’er things are about to get really real around here. Again, you ready to go on this adventure with me too because I’m sure I’m going to need all the help I can get!!

Of course this is only a teeny tiny snippet of what was one of the craziest years I can ever remember. Here are a few other highlights you may have missed…

Other Memorable Moments:

– Learning how to dress the bump!

– Being featured on Apartment Therapy, not once with the updated loft, but twice with our Editorial Director’s glam apartment!

– Unearthing tons of blogs we love!

– Doing pretty cool DIY’s like this Gold Speckled Rug!

Finding fabulous small shops from coast to coast.

– Discovering new San Francisco gems!

– Banking tons of design ideas to steal

Pinning our little hearts out {with SO much new house inspiration to come very soon!}

‘Gramming all along the wall

And with that, we couldn’t be more thrilled to bring in this new year, sure to be packed with sweet smiles, more love and tons of fun!

If you don’t want to miss a thing be sure to follow us on Bloglovin“. It’s a super easy way to get your Apartment 34 updates all in one place!

I decided to save the best part of my Mykonos recap for last….what I wore! I’m one of those fashion freaks who loves planning outfits for trips, but I understand that packing can be very stressful. I’m here to assure you, with the right mix of science and art, it can be mastered.

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I’ve developed a standard routine for major trip preparation. Step one is to layout all the clothes/outfits I want to bring. Step two: cut everything in half. And then maybe take away one or two more pieces! Overpacking for vacation is just not necessary. If a beach is involved you will end up wearing pretty much the same thing everyday. However, if, like me, you’re a bit clothes obsessed having a few options on hand is still a must. To ensure my inner fashionista’s needs are met, I’ve established a few packing rules of thumb. This is my standard packing checklist:

> One pair of jeans/pants – white for Greece of course! {your second pair you’ll wear on the plane}

> One pair of shorts {you really don’t need more than that!}

> One short dress and one long dress

> One pair of heels, 1-2 pairs of sneakers, 1-2 pairs of flat sandals

> One sweater or sweatshirt

> 1-2 long-sleeved shirts

> 2-3 bathing suits

And then there are my favorite secret weapons: accessories! You’d be amazed how fresh an outfit feels when you add a scarf, throw on a necklace or swap out your sunglasses {I’m very into statement-making sunnies these days – The Dreslyn is my go-to for hot options}. And those little touches take up much less room in your suitcase! So stick to wardrobe basics but splurge on your accoutrements. As you also may have noticed from the pics above, I’m a huge fan of the vacation hat. It means you don’t have to touch a hair dryer for a whole week. Hello, bliss. I usually just pick up a cheap one upon arrival. I’ve never found a good way to pack a hat – have you??

To stock up for this trip, I headed to a few of my favorite spots…

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Ella Moss supplied me with the entire foundation of my wardrobe including my new favorite travel companion: a great jumper that I could style a zillion ways. I also snagged a stand-out top and a cute swimsuit coverup. Your footwear is also quite important. When I travel I feel strongly about not standing out as obviously American. And wearing running shoes is a dead giveaway. I loved my chic and sleek mesh Keds for Kate Spade. I was able to walk through the cobbled streets of Mykonos Town comfortably but didn’t feel like I stuck out. I also made sure my tech was a little spruced up for the trip with a cheeky case that charged my phone!

Despite all my pre-planning, I did make a few missteps on this trip. Unseasonably cool weather and high winds left me wishing for one more warm option so a cardigan was purchased. I also forgot to carry on socks for the plane – a major must for any long haul flights! But overall I was really happy with my packing plan. Everything I brought got worn at least once and I still had room in my suitcase to bring home 1-2 souvenirs!

I consider my Mykonos style mission accomplished. But what about you?? Do you have any packing secrets you rely on? I’d love to know!

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Shop My Mykonos Must-Haves:

> Ella Moss Jumpsuit
> Kate Spade Idiom Bangle
> Taylor Frends Headphones
> Kate Spade Dot Scarf 
> Illesteva Leonard II Sunglasses
> Tracie Martyn Enzyme Exfoliant
> Ella Moss Jaquared Top 
> Kate Spade Power Trip iPhone Charger
> Keds for Kate Spade Fisher Sneakers 
> Kate Spade Gold Notebook
> Ella Moss Swimsuit Cover Up 

This post is in partnership with Ella Moss and Kate Spade. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting posts that keep Apartment 34’s doors open!

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Since school is out and we’re officially in the heart of travel season, I thought today would be the perfect time for my second installment of our Mykonos, Greece recap! Who doesn’t love a little wanderlust on a Monday?!

The Greek islands, particularly Mykonos, are plenty famous for their spectacular landscapes. As you may have spied while I was instagramming the trip, the island certainly did not disappoint. Many of you requested that I share my favorite finds, so as we explored the island I made sure to take copious notes about our discoveries!

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Obviously, I can’t recommend staying at the San Giorgio enough, but there’s a number of things I highly recommend you check out!

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DO 

Rent a car and drive all around the island. You can get from one end to the other in 30 minutes! We decided on a car over a scooter both because of strong winds and the fear for our lives. Zipping around by Vespa would certainly be fun, but Mykonos roads are small, windy and often taken up by a giant bus or truck! It wasn’t worth the risk in my book. Renting a car was inexpensive and easy – the San Giorgio simply had it delivered directly to us at the hotel!

Weather permitting, you can also take water taxis to get from beach to beach! I wish we could have seen the island from that vantage point but sadly high winds made it impossible. If you have better luck, definitely check that option out!

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SEE

When in Mykonos, life’s a beach! Driving from beach to beach is probably the easiest thing to do but there are buses that take you most places as well. Again, many beaches are only 10 minutes apart!

> Psarou Beach

> Agios Sostis Beach

> Panormos Beach

> Paradise Beach

> Super Paradise Beach

> Ornos Beach

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SHOP

When visiting Mykonos I wouldn’t necessarily prioritize shopping. Mostly targeted to the cruise ship crowd, you’re probably going to overpay for things that you can find pretty much everywhere in the world. There are a few high end boutiques in Mykonos Town that are fun to window shop and of course I did pick up a hat {see below!}! I did love the looks of the home goods store Chora and the clothing boutiques like Oskeln and Jory. Simply take a few hours to wander around the narrow alleyways, grab a bite to eat in Little Venice, maybe a enjoy drink by the harbor and keep your eyes peeled for Pelicos, the resident pelican!

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EAT

Tasos – Located on Paranga beach only steps from the San Giorgio, this local taverna has the best Greek salad and super friendly service.

Nikolaus Taverna – Tucked away, on a small beach about a 10 minutes walk from the San Giorgio Nikolaus was the one restaurant we returned to more than once. Family owned and operated with simple delicious dishes, fabulously fresh seafood and generous pours of wine made me a very happy girl! I’m still dreaming of their

Kiki’s – this little taverna tucked away on the north end of the island doesn’t have any electricity so everything is made to order on the outdoor grill. The best octopus I’ve ever had!

Restaurant Mamlouka – the beautiful open air restaurant in Mykonos Town serves classic Grecian fare in a lovely setting.

Kuzina – a very posh beach side restaurant on Ornos beach

Jackie O Beach Bar – a place to see and be scene – would be a fantastic place to enjoy a fancy drink (or three!)

> Oregano Taverna – Super local and super delish. Just outside of Mykonos Town at the top of the hill from the bus depot, you’ll likely miss it if you don’t know what you’re looking for. But if you ask around, you’ll soon find out it’s where everyone else goes when they get off work. And it’s cheap. And awesome. If you’re into good food without any fluff, this is your spot.

But really, the best thing you can do in Mykonos is slow down, relax and enjoy every moment, because no matter what you do, you’re in Greece!

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What I’m wearing: Hat bought in Mykonos // lemlem top // RayBan sunglasses // CurrentElliot jeans // Tory Burch slip-ons // Clare Vivier Tote

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all pics by me {eek}

I’ve finally made it through the deluge of photos from our trip to Mykonos! I don’t know how I managed to amass so many in six short days. The fact that every single place you go is totally picturesque probably has a lot to do with it.

It’s also suprising that there’s so much to share from an island that’s so small {you can drive from one end to the other in 30 minutes!}. There’s so much good stuff that I actually had to break this recap into three parts! But I figured I start with the star of the show: our Instagram-worthy accomodations, the San Giorgio Hotel.

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We were invited to join 30 bloggers from around the world {so cool!} to experience a week at the recently renovated hotel. The San Giorgio aims for understated luxury – and they pass with flying colors! Granted May is still considered the slow season so the island’s famous clubs and all night parties had yet to pick up steam. {But I didn’t mind one bit. I guess I really am an old maid at heart}. I loved the empty beaches, the quiet afternoons sitting on the nearly deserted pool deck and generally feeling like we owned the place. Even though the the boutique hotel is owned by Thomas Heyne and Mario Hertel, of world renowned Paradise Club-fame, the San Giorgio has only 33 rooms so you’re never going to feel like you’re at a massive resort. And that was exactly Thomas and Mario’s goal. They wanted to change the definition of luxury with San Giorgio. Rather than focus on souveniers typically hauled home in a suitcase, they wanted you to be able to sit back and enjoy an experience you’ll remember for years to come.

There are almost too many amazing things about the San Giorgio I know I won’t be forgetting anytime soon. Pool-side bar whipping up ah-mazing cocktails {like rosemary mojitos!}? Check! Delicious breakfasts made with locally sourced organic ingredients and the best frappe I’ve ever had? Check and check! Rooms with your own private veranda complete with hammock? You betcha. There are also no TVs and yes, you can request wifi, but how lovely does a week without it sound?!

But of course what I really really loved most of all was the decor {duh}.

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The owners partnered with interior designer Michael Scklinger to create a perfectly curated collection of pieces that appear like they’ve always been right where they are. The rooms are comfortable, certainly, but in an organic and natural way. No over accessorizing or styling required. The focal point in each is the built-in canopied bed – that I had to drag myself out of everyday. I’m officially obsessed with mosquito netting. Hello romantic. The accessory furnishings were mostly vintage – many sourced on Mykonos or neighboring islands. Locally made metal lanterns and woven pendants light each room. Simple textiles cover cushions for pops of color and basic grass mats serve as rugs. Many of the tables around the pool were constructed from salvaged timber. And it’s all lovely.

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But what really got me hooked was the how the hotel felt. There’s zero formality or stuffiness about this place. Only relaxed elegance, subtle, not pushy attention to detail and a laid back kind of friendly that was completely sincere, not jaded. It included things like hand-drawn maps about how to circumnavigate the island, being taken to where the locals eat – best grilled chicken of my life! – and truly being treated like not simply hotel guests, but friends. In fact, I’m now Facebook friends with many of the staff!! It truly was a special experience.

Thanks again to the San Giorgio Hotel and their amazing staff for having us. We’re already plotting our return. Next up for you – a recap of the rest of my favorite Mykonos discoveries and then what to wear!

photography by me {eek!}

Guys, my departure for Mykonos is in less than a week! Ahhhh! I’m only a tad over the moon about it. I’m also slightly unprepared! Don’t get me wrong, I love planning for trips, almost as much as I love going on them! I’ve always been the “itinerary girl.” You know, the person everyone in the group looks to for what’s going on, what we should do/see/try/eat. I can most definitely obsess about unearthing all the must-see hidden gems, the off the grid shops and best locals-only restaurants. It’s a bit of a sickness really.

But these days, spending endless hours digging up the very best insider tips just isn’t realistic. With everything going on around here, I have to be disciplined about sitting down and finding the best info I can in a finite amount of time. So I recently allowed myself one afternoon in the Loft to sit down and dig into all things Mykonos {Bailey & Chloe were happy to keep me company!}.

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I had all my tried and true tools at my disposal. My fave travel mags {back issues of VogueLiving, Conde Nast Traveler and T Magazine are my most frequent go-to’s}, and my trusty notebook of course. I’m still a sucker for handwritten notes. You never know when your phone might die when you’re traveling {I’m currently coveting this one, and this whole travel notes kit is pretty dang cute, btw!}. But this go round, I also added a new resource to my roster: Bing. Pulled up on my iPad and at the ready, it was the perfect way to dig into details when I read a mention of something interesting in a magazine article or guide book.

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Fun to use, I found that Bing delivers search results in really helpful ways. Typing Mykonos into the search bar immediately offered up maps, videos and restaurants as easily clickable menu options. I loved that it cut out the clutter right away. My initial search also delivered more than 20 results on the first page helping me discover great websites, blogs and even the most recent Huffington Post article really quickly! No clicking through page after page after page of useless results. To put it simply, {and in less nerdy user experience-related speak that I can quickly fall victim to} I tried Bing, and I liked it!

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Bing is also giving you another reason to give ’em a go: a Rewards Program! You can actually earn gift cards for using Bing. You rack up credits just by searching that you can then redeem for gift cards to popular stores such as Amazon, Starbucks and Sephora. Not a bad bonus for doing something you need to do anyway!

Despite for my first day of great research, I haven’t completely narrowed down our Mykonos itinerary. I’m going to give myself one more evening of digging before I set the final list. I can’t wait to share everything – what I pack, what I try out and all the new discoveries that I make with you!

And how about you? What trip would you love to plan at the moment?? Oh, and anyone out there have their own Mykonos tips to share?! While I love my online searches, you can never really beat a word of mouth recommendation!

 

original photography for apartment 34 by Aubrie Pick // art direction + styling by Apartment 34 

I’m required to disclose a sponsored partnership with Bing. I have been compensated in exchange for this post in the form of payment, product, or experiences. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting posts that keep Apartment 34’s doors open!

The title of this post already gave it away- today I’m taking you to I now believe must be the most magical place on earth {besides Disneyland!}: the greek island of Mykonos! {Warning: these images of turquoise waters, classic whitewashed buildings and what seems like an endless sky may cause you to spontaneously book a ticket today!}.

Even though Mykonos is an obvious bucket list destination, it wasn’t until I came across these Mykonos suites at the San Giorgio Hotel that it suddenly soared to the top of my wanderlust list! After a week spent in New York’s freezing temps, there’s nothing I’d love more than touching down in this little slice of heaven.

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First, let’s talk about the San Giorgio’s dreamy lobby. Once you get past the rather cute desk clerk, do you spy the wall of beat-up old shutters behind the check-in desk? Such a refreshing, thoughtful design detail! And can we talk about being greeted by a circle of swinging rattan chairs? They instantly set the mood for a fun and relaxing vacay and are far from your typical ugly corporate hotel look!

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And while I love a good lobby, the most important piece of great hotel design is your room  – duh! These pictures obviously speak for themselves. It’s hands down some of the most beautiful styling and perfectly understated hotel decor that I’ve seen. Luxuirous, canopy covered bed? Check! Rustic chic accessories? Check! Beautiful tile-work? Check, check, check!

Theses suites are totally swoon worthy with their soothing bohemian flair. They’re so good in fact, I’m afraid I’d just stay in my room all day, french doors open, sea salted air billowing in. Never thought I’d say I pick the hotel over the beach, but these suites are just too beautiful not to enjoy to the max!

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I just can’t decide which detail is my favorite. The branch curtain rods, the collection of mis-matched rugs or ladder towel racks?? Thankfully, you don’t have to choose! I fell so in love with the design aesthetic of this gorgeous Mykonos gem, I spent way too many hours planning an fake itinerary for our dream getaway just in case we ever do make it to this gorgeous part of the world! What? It’s best to be prepared, right? I figured I might as well share my research should any of you be heading to Greece soon.

If you’ve been before, please feel free to finish the list of must-sees, eats and shops- we’re taking notes!

Must-See Mykonos:

Matoyianni Street: exactly what you think of when you think of Mykonos. Labyrinths of uphill cobble stone streets, lined with white buildings with cobalt blue trim and quaint shops. We usually like to stay away from tourist traps, but this one is so picturesque.

~ Avli Tou Thodori: looking over the Aegean Sea, you can enjoy grilled octopus, lamb risotto and fresh fish right on the beach. Mouth watering good view and food from what we can tell. Calamari? Count us in.

Psarou Beach: a calm beach where partying is frowned upon. Beaches are a plenty on this island, but this one looks perfect: crystal clear waters, scuba diving, umbrellas for rent and tranquility!

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If we haven’t convinced you hightail it to Mykonos right now we’re slightly worried about you. This popular destination seems like a little slice of heaven on earth and although we love snail mail, a postcard just won’t do! Who’s coming with us??

images via San Giorgio