THE MALL

SHOES JIMMY CHOO ROMY 100 // BAR CART // BOOK 
When we went to Venice, we went into the Gucci store and I wanted one so bad but they didn't have the color in stock and said that the Florence store would have many more options. Fun fact--Gucci's flagship store is in Florence which makes total sense because Florence is known for their leather. While my husband and I were in Italy we celebrated our four year wedding anniversary and on the morning of our anniversary my husband surprised me by taking me to "The Mall". So this place is what dreams are made of and I couldn't believe that I didn't know about it. They have TONS of designer brands at major discounted prices. Prada, Gucci, Burberry, YSL, Jimmy Choo, and Valentino just to name a few. Sadly they didn't have anything in the Gucci store that I wanted and I didn't want to just buy something and not really want it. But I was able to find these Jimmy Choo shoes. They were about 300 euro ($325-ish US) with tax. Regular retail US price is $525. They also give you a ticket that you can take and get the tax back at The Mall which was about another 20 euro. In order to do this there, we needed our passports, but didn't have them with us so we would have to wait and do it at the airport. The Mall was like a candy land. I only have one high end designer item and I have never really been into these designer stores before, so just being there was a treat for me. I came so close to buying a Burberry trench coat (50% off) which if you have never tried one on, you have no idea what your missing. They are so beautiful and so well made. Next time your near one, just try one on. So, if your are planning a trip tp the Tuscany/Florence area make sure you go to The Mall. Get there early because it's a pretty popular place and they literally bus people in.
Ready to hear the funny story about the shoe box? I would like to start out by saying that I have anxiety. And when I don't feel well, in many different ways, I get anxious. Our last morning in Tuscany we had pesto crapes. They were delicious, but I was hesitant to eat too much of it because pesto can give me indigestion, but I didn't want to not eat pesto, in Italy from a professional chef...didn't seem like an option. We hopped in the car on our way to Cinque Terre. While we were driving I just started to feel weird and had some tummy issues and indigestion. I convinced myself it was from the pesto, which I think it was. So we made it to Cinque Terre, but couldn't check into our next air bnb until two and it was 10:45. Another thing I should mention is that when I get anxious, I have to pee, a lot.  So I have to go sooo bad and it is so hard to find a restroom in Italy! Finally I see a McDonald's. I was so excited. I jump out of the car only to see that it doesn't open until 11. AHHH. I jump back into the car and try to calm myself and hold it for 15 min. Well I couldn't, luckily my shoes from The Mall were still in the car, so I had to pee in the bag my shoes came in. Strike one. I start to at least feel a better because I don't have to pee, so we drive around trying to find a place to park. Then all the sudden I have to pee, AGAIN. Same problem, no restrooms! So I went back in the car and peed in my Jimmy Choo box. Strike two. It wasn't my finest hour, but it was either that or public urination. So that is the reason I didn't get to keep my Jimmy Choo box...because I had to use it as a toilet. Good times.

I'll post some more affordable shoes below.

--SHOP THE POST--

BLACK & WHITE MIDI

DRESS // SANDALS // SUNNIES

I tried to get this post up yesterday, but I must be honest, I went to bed at about 6:30 and slept the whole night through! It was a pretty busty weekend for me. I had family gatherings and I did makeup for two weddings. But busy is good and I love being a makeup artist. Here is a link to my makeup website if your interested. Anyway, So we took some pictures after church on Sunday at my in-laws house and I didn't realize it was going to be such a windy day! But I can't complain too much because at least it helped keep things on the cooler side. Sad story, My in-laws had a party at their house Saturday and Tom left his car there over light so after church we went to go pick it up. He had left the windows cracked to keep his car cooler and when he got in to leave....there was a dead bird on the floor of the passenger seat :( I felt so bad for the little guy. Hope you enjoy this look! I thought the neck detail was really cute. Use code beach30 for 30%. That makes it only $27!             --SHOP THE POST--  

BBQ ATTIRE

DRESS // SHOES // SUNNIES (green/gold) // BAG (LV neverfull)
We are all going to be going to a BBQ at some point this summer and this is what I wore to one this past weekend. I feel like BBQs and red, white and blue go together. Again with these white sneakers I know but they just are the best. And I feel like a get so many mosquito bites on my feet in the summer so this helps prevent that. The dress fits loose and has some embroidery details in it. It's like $30 too. AND it's 30% off!  It would be a great dress for the 4th too. I'll link some other cute summer dresses/rompers below. Hope you have a wonderful weekend and stay cool! It's going to be a hot one!

PADUA

DRESS (k-lab) // BAG // SCARF // SUNNIES // SNEAKERS

We were only in Padua for about an hour and only saw this main square, but it It was significant to us because it was the first time seeing some real Italian history on our trip. We walked around, harassed a few pigeons and enjoyed the views. I really like this dress, but it is sadly already out of stock. Ill link a few in the widget below hat are similar. The brand is really cute though. They have some really fun stuff. These sneakers are really coming in handy. They look so cute with summer dresses and are only about $40....and they are very comfortable but I do suggest wearing some think no show socks with them. Oh and I thought this scarf was real cute. It dresses up your bags or you could wear it around your neck or as a headband.  It's almost Friday!! I have one wedding tomorrow and one on Saturday. Gonna be a busy and hot weekend. Hope you have some fun weekend plans coming up!
PS my widgets are messed up from my previous posts...I hope to get it fixed soon :(

EMBROIDERY DETAILS

SHOES // DRESS // SUNNIES (blue fade) // PURSE // LIPS (pure hollywood)
Ice cream breaks are a summer essential for anyone. This place was a little more special because their flavors were very unique. Some of the flavors have alcohol and some are just funky and different. I love trying new flavors, but I'm always a vanilla or butter pecan girl. My sister got a sampler thing that came with 5 scoops, one of which had ash in it, but I actually really liked the turmeric flavored one. Never would have thought to put it in ice cream, but hey, why not. This dress is only $28 and I really liked the embroidery detailing. I just got these shoes because I love the style with the thinner heel, but they are not comfortable. I seriously have 5 pair with the thinner heel, but they kill my feet. I love the way they look though. #girl problems. This thicker heel made a world of difference and they were also inexpensive and I know I'll wear them a bunch.

Oh and check out Clementine's if you near Lafayette Square! 

 

CINQUE TERRE

DRESS //SUNNIES // BAG // FLIP FLOPS
Cinque Terre, which translates to "Five Lands" was our last major stop on the trip. The five lands are Manarola, Monterosso al Mare, Corniglia, Vernazza and Riomaggiore. They are right off the Mediteranian Sea so if you like us and love water then this is going to need to go on your to do list. We stayed at in Air Bnb in La Spezia which was really close to the train. A neat thing to do is buy a day train pass for Cinque Terre for 18 euro. You can use it to go to all five lands and it takes about two minutes to get to each of then by train, which is great if you only have one day to spend there. The day pass also gets you wifi, trail access and bathroom privileges. (pretty important in my book) Another thing you can do if you're feeling up for it, is hike from land to land. When we went a few of the paths were closed, so we couldn't do all five, but we still wanted to hike part of it, so we woke up really early one morning to beat the heat and hiked from Corniglia to Vernazza. Since we weren't able to hike the others I don't have much advice, but I can say that this one was pretty doable. Once we got to the halfway mark everything was downhill, literally. So with that being said if you were to go the opposite direction it had to have been harder because it was all up hill. We worked up a bit of an appetite so we went to Il Pirata delle 5 Terre for breakfast. I read great reviews about this place and it did not disappoint. If you go, and you should, you have to get the ricotta filled croissant, quiche and fresh squeezed orange juice....delicious! Tom is still talking about that ricotta filled croissant.  The views Our second favorite was Monterosso al Mare because of the beach and the fact that there were lemons EVERYWHERE. Massive lemons too.  These photos were taken in Manarola. The views here were our favorite. Something about water takes a view to another level.  I wish we would have been able to spend more time here, it was our favorite of the five. We didn't know this until it was too late, but you could jump off cliffs here too (I don't know if I could have actually jumped, but it's fun to think about) We got to Manarola just in time to watch the sunset. There were tons of professional photographers lined up just waiting for that perfect moment when the light hit the town so we knew it was going to be good. Also, make sure you eat seafood, pesto and focaccia in Cinque Terre. We ate at Il Porticciolo and it was really delicious too. Highly recommend the mussel pasta. We asked for it with square spaghetti just because it sounded fun. We made a good decision.  I hope these Italy posts have been helpful. Later, I am going to do a "Tips" post. If you plan on traveling to Italy, I think it will be really helpful. :)

DENIM JUMPSUIT

JUMPSUIT // TOP // SANDALS // BAG // SUNNIES

This past weekend I had a wedding (I am also a makeup artist) in the city and then we went out for an early dinner for my sisters birthday to Olive and Oak in Webster Groves. It is such a popular place that we had to eat dinner at 4:45, but it was whatever the birthday girl wanted. 

I had just picked up this jumpsuit and thought it would be perfect for the evening. The bad idea was taking pictures after we ate. I was so full! I really think the is such a cute romper though, but it is was right where I would want it to be with length - no shorter.  If you are shorter than 5'8'' then you are good to go. It is only $45 and great quality. I put this cute top with it but it could totally be worn without a top. Are you sick of this bag and sunnies yet? I know they have been on constant repeat, but they go with everything and were so inexpensive. 

Hope you have a great weekend!