Style Files Vol 12 | My Dad's Modeling Debut :)

Today I talked my Dad into modeling with me for my post.   I usually use Matt for my men's posts but I thought my Dad needed a feature since June is his birthday month and Father's Day.  I can't say enough great things about my Dad.  He is hard working, loving, funny, compassionate and most of all an amazing Dad- and model:)  and did I mention he knows how to build and fix anything??  I always put him to work at my house when he visits.  The older I get the more I appreciate and realize all that he does for us and I truly love spending time with he and my mom.  

Dad's Outfit |  Linen Blend blouse | Jeans | Loafers | Watch

My Outfit | Dress | Sandals

If you are looking for gift or just a new style button up for the guys I really love this one my Dad is wearing.  My mom gave him this as a gift last year for his Birthday and it is still a favorite.  It is a linen blend so it is lightweight,  great for the Summer months and into Fall.

Dad is wearing the white color but it also comes in 3 different pale blue options.

I also really like this indigo version.

The shirt runs pretty true to size my Dad is in the XX-large, he is pretty tall guy at 6'6 so that is his standard size. 

Jeans  | Loafers

Love this big guy so much!  He makes a pretty handsome model I must say. 

and my favorite picture,  the thinker pose- haha! 

The Nordstrom Men's Designer Collection has some really great options for pre-fall.  I like that these are pieces you can wear now and into Fall.   

Button up | Driving Shoes | Tee | Jacket
Shorts | Bowtie | Card Holder | Wallet 
Stripe Tie | Check Tie | Polo | Shorts

I also wanted to mention my dress, it is the same dress I packed and wore while in St Maarten.  For fit it runs TTS, I am wearing a size small.  It is fully lined and what I really love about it is the tiered bottom and pattern.  It makes for a fun and easy dress.  It has been on repeat lately as it is perfect to toss on with flip flops and run errands and also dress up at night.
DVF Dress

You can shop our looks and my other men's favorites below!  As always Nordstrom offers free shipping, free returns and will price match!  Don't forget the Anniversary Sale aka my favorite sale of the year starts early for card holders on the July 14th.  If you are not a card holder you can sign up here and gain early access to the sale a week before everyone else.

Big thanks to my Dad for modeling and Nordstrom for partnering on this post!

July 4th Food and Drink Ideas + OOTD + Gigi New York Summer Sale

We are headed to the beach Friday for our annual beach trip with my entire family.  I can't wait for snuggles with my 3 nephews and to watch the cousins have so much fun together.  Since we will be there over July 4th I am already planning ideas of what I want to cook and serve.  I always love entertaining on a holiday weekend.  The kids are excited about sparklers and I am excited about the food:)  I rounded up a few fun food and drink ideas for the 4th.

OREOS

I definitely want to make these for the kids.  They look fairly easy to make and so cute!

KABOBS

This is super cute for the kids too.  My kids have been loving watermelon lately so I know they would gobble these up!

RICE KRISPY TREATS

MASON JAR DRINKS

Something the adults would love:) I love the idea of the mason jars.  I was thinking it would be cute to do vodka sodas or margaritas with some blueberries and strawberries floating since I don't like blue or flavored  drinks.

WATERMELON JALAPENO SALAD

One of my favorite watermelon salads, it would be perfect as a side for a BBQ.

TEQUILA SOAKED WATERMELON

I made this a few years ago and it was very good.

ANTIPASTO SKEWERS

These have quickly become my go to app.  They look gorgeous and taste just as good.

SPICY CUCUMBER MARGARITA

These look so tasty to me.  We may just have to recreate them at the beach!

OOTD

I ordered this dress before I left for St Maarten and it was here when I got home.  It would be perfect for July 4th!!  I like that it is not too short or fitted.  I am wearing a size small.

The sandals I am wearing are also something I am loving lately.  They are under $60 and I love the fact that go with everything and are comfy.  I do recommend sizing up 1/2 a size they run on the smaller side.

Heart dress | Sandals | Candyshop Vintage necklace wrapped as bracelet

The Gigi New York Summer Sale Starts today with certain styles marked 30% off.  You can shop all the sale colors HERE.

This Claire Clutch has been my favorite.  I love the pop of blue and the size is perfect.

I carried it all weekend when I was in Dallas. 

Oh and my stripe dress is now 40% off:) also here!  

I am wearing a size XS, it ran slightly on the large side.  I was kind of right between a small and XS.

Have a great Wednesday!  My car AC is broke so hopefully that will get fixed today it has been a hot few days with no AC!

St Maarten Recap | Favorite Spots + What I Wore

We are back from another amazing trip to St.  Maarten.  I had several requests to share where we stayed and what we did.  As many of you know we went to St Maarten around this same time last year.  We liked it so much and where we stayed we decided to go back.   We researched several other options but we liked that this was a direct flight (Mama hates to fly) and just loved St Maarten's vibe.  The people there are just so nice and welcoming.  Plus the island is not crazy expensive as far as food and drinks go. 

Last year we stayed 5 days and this year we decided to do 7.  I have to say I missed my kids like crazy, I had never been away from them for a whole week but it was nice to have the extra days.  Somedays we just felt like reading and sitting by the pool and so we didn't feel stressed out to do excursions everyday.  We had plenty of time to relax and to explore.  

The island of St Maarten is fairly small only 37 miles but is divided into several different areas including a Dutch and French side.  Where we stayed was technically the Dutch side but right on the French border in an area called Oyster Bay.  My parents travel here every year and stay at Oyster Bay too so that is how we originally found the location.

Oyster Bay houses many time shares and some privately owned condos as well which is what we rent.  We like the fact that we have 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, a living area and a kitchen.    We don't really cook there but we do make cheese toast for breakfast and use the fridge to store snacks and drinks. 

This is the view from the back of our condo, right on the harbor.  The condos on the other side face the ocean.

There is an infinity pool right off our deck which is one of our favorite parts.  The pool is technically shared with 4 condos in this private area we stay in but since we go in the off season we are always the only people there so it feels like our own pool.  There is also a huge infinity pool that over looks the ocean that anyone at Oyster Bay can use. 

We ordered these drink floats before we left and they were a huge hit!  Perfect for the pool!

We could not stop laughing about the guys doing hand stands.

I can't say enough great things about my hat either, it was the only hat I packed and I swear I wore it almost everyday!  It is lightweight and not bulky at all.  The older I get the less I like getting a ton of sun on my face.

There are several restaurants within Oyster Bay you can walk to, which is really nice.  Many nights we were lazy and this made meals super easy.

Thank you to everyone who recommended Big Fish-  I heard a rumor it was Oprah's favorite restaurant on the island and we loved it too.  The inside was really cool.    Great decor. 

I had a salad and a sushi roll that was mango, crab and avocado- and both were awesome.

This restaurant was called Infinity and we often ate breakfast here.  It is located right by the main infinity pool.  We also loved a place called Mr. Busby's but I have no pictures of it.

Their club sandwich was a favorite all week.

As far has parts of the island we visited and loved we had two favorites:

Orient Beach + Pinel Island

We went to Orient Beach two days we liked the vibe so much.  The water was gorgeous and there are small shops and restaurants all along the water.  

We loved Palm Beach Restaurant.  It came highly recommended by my parents and their friends.  We chilled for a long time on the couches and then moved to table for lunch.

Cover-Up + Sunglasses

Another view of my cover-up, currently on sale.

The view from the tables at Palm Beach. I just could not get enough of the turquoise water.

My lunch was my favorite all week- a burrata and serrano ham salad and beautifully plated I might add.

After our meal they served us an infused rum with ginger that was so good.  Many places on the island did this as an after dinner drink but with different kinds of infused rums.

We also love Kontiki bar just a short walk from Palm Beach.  The cutest ikea chandelier.

They had swings around the bar which clearly we had to try out. 

Our crew for the week:)  We always have such a fun time together.  Erin and I have been friends since high school and feel so lucky that our husbands love each other too.  

Our other favorite spot was Pinel Island.  We went there last year on a snorkeling trip and knew we wanted to go back.   You can only get there by boat or kayak.  This year we took a taxi ride and then a short 5 minute boat ride over.  The view from our boat ride, that is Pinel in the background.

There are chairs on the beach and then a bar/restaurant called Yellow beach.  I am not a huge fan of mixed drinks but I really liked this lemon ice drink.  It basically tasted like Italian Ice but with vodka:)

The water is just so stunning everywhere.

Cover-Up 

See that in the background?  Those are tables in the water!  They will wait on you in the water, although we were never lucky enough to score a coveted water table.

Bathing Suit (on sale in same style different color) also HERE|  Sunglasses

Another beach we visited was Galion beach.  This is right beside Orient beach.  It was the calmest water we had ever seen.   No waves and crystal clear.   It is the perfect spot if you bring kids with you.  There were several families here with small kids and the kids could swim out so deep because the water was so shallow.

Cover-up + Hat + Sunglasses

See what I mean?? Crystal clear.  Matt really liked this spot because you could rent surf boards here and then take a boat right around the corner to surf.  He is always looking for surf spots.

Bathing Suit + Hat

This was Juan, our driver for the week.  He works with his dad and brother and we became fast friends with him!  We used them last year too and they are the best, such nice guys.  

One last sunset view from our balcony.

A few other outfits I wore on vacation.

Off Shoulder Dress + Necklace

 Dress + Necklace

Swing Dress (on sale) 

Off Shoulder Dress

Cover-Up + Sunglasses 

and my trusty kindle:)  I read The Nest, The Weekenders and got halfway through The Nightingale and loved them all!

Cover Up Dress (on sale)  + Hat + Sunglasses

Thanks to the girls at Everything but Water for sending me this white suit from their white capsule, it was a trip favorite!  I had never heard of Karla Colletto before but now I am a huge fan, her swimwear is pricey but fits really well.

We are already planning a trip back next year!