Tuesday, June 28, 2016

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.
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.

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.
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.
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.

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




Monday, June 27, 2016

Mara Hoffman Mega Summer Sale Starts Today + Back to Reality

Happy Monday Friends!  We are back in Charleston and trying to get back in the swing of things this week after a wonderful week in St Maarten.  I will share all my photos and recommendations tomorrow but today I am trying to focus on unpacking and laundry!   Sterling started nature camp today and how amazing is this view??  I wanted to stay and explore with the kids!   Charleston has some really cool Summer camps:)


I did want to share that the Mara Hoffman Summer Sale started today.  Many items are up to 70% off.  I ordered a few more things to add to my collection, I can't ever resist Mara.  Sizes are going fast so shop early for the best selection!

Here are a few items I own and love that are now on sale.  I packed several of these last week for our trip.


This is one of my favorite Mara styles.  Such a great casual dress.  I am wearing an XS.


I am wearing a medium.  I feel like her suits run on the small side.  This also comes in a lighter color option as well.


I am wearing a size small.

I am wearing a size small in this style.  I love the bright colors.

Actually borrowed this one from my mom for our vacation.   I own a few dresses in this same style though but different patterns.  My mom and I are both big fans of this style.  I am wearing size XS.

I wore this dress to a wedding recently.  This print is a favorite of mine.  I am wearing a size 4.

This tie back dress is only $80, making it 70% off.  I am wearing a size 4 for reference.
The Swing style dress in the same print is also 70% off.

Scroll through to see some other favorites all on sale.






Friday, June 24, 2016

Style Files Vol 11 | The Off Shoulder Dress x 2

Happy Friday!  This is our last full day in St Maarten.  We have had such a wonderful time and I can't wait to share some of our pictures and favorite spots we visited next week when I can upload them!  I feel like this week has both flown by and gone by slowly because I am missing Sterling and Frances Moon like crazy.  This is the longest I have been away from them.  I know once I get back home and in the grind of things I will be missing the island life but for now I am missing them and their sweet faces!

My Off Shoulder Obsession continues.  I wanted to share 2 outfits I wore this week, both off shoulder of course:)

I showed this dress a few weeks ago and most sizes were sold out but it is now restocked.  I am wearing a size small for reference.  I love how lightweight this dress is, easy to pack and I didn't have to iron it (always a plus).  It also comes in a really pretty red color.

Here is another way I styled the dress a few weeks ago.

I am a sucker for a white dress in the Summer.  I wore this one recently for dinner with my parents and knew the white would be perfect at the beach.  I found the dress on sale on several sites.
Neiman Marcus has the best price right now because today
 you can take an additional 25% off the sale price, making the dress $168 almost 60% off the original price (original price $375).  There are only a few sizes left though.  

I also found the dress on sale at Saks for $225 in all sizes.  
I am wearing a 2 for sizing reference.
Another view of the dress from a few weeks ago.  I paired it with the same necklaces.  I love these Twine and Twig colored ones for layering.
Also don't forget today is the last day to take advantage of the Shopbop sale.  Use code 25EXTRA to take an additional 25% off sale prices. 
This Equipment Dress is hands down one of the most versatile dresses I own.  I can't tell you how often I wear it!  It comes to almost 50% with the sale.  I am wearing a size small.
I just ordered this snakeskin dress, fingers crossed it fits!

Have a great weekend friends!





Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Shopbop Sale!

Happy Wednesday!  Today starts the Shopbop sale on sale!  Use code 25EXTRA to take an additional 25% off all sale items.  Sizes and items tend to go fast so definitely shop early!  The sale runs through Friday the 24th,

I have this blouse and love it.  The colors are so pretty.


It also comes in a long sleeve version that would be great paired with skinny jeans or cut-offs.


A few other fabulous items on major sale! Scroll through to see my favorite picks!





Monday, June 20, 2016

Hello From Paradise + 3 Mara Hoffman Favorites on Major Sale

Greetings from St Maarten!  We are here for the week and it truly is paradise.   I am not going to lie we are 2 days in and I am already missing my kids (I have mom issues), thank goodness for FaceTime and pictures from my parents!  This is the view from one side of the resort we are staying in- so gorgeous!

I wanted to share 3 Mara Hoffman favorites that I have worn while we were here.  They are all on major sale!  

Mara Stars Dress 50% off | also HERE
I actually borrowed this dress from my mom but I love it so much I may order it for myself!  I wore this for our plane flight.  It is a great travel dress because it is so comfortable and not too short.
Sizing wise I find this style runs on the large side, I am wearing a XS.   The dress also comes in a lighter print as well.
And how cute is my sweet nephew Rutledge?  I was so happy to get time to snuggle with him before we left!




This is such a fun style dress.  It ties in the back, which is super cute.   I have this in another print as well from last year but I especially love these bright colors for Summer!  I am wearing a size 4.  It also comes the same print but darker colors.



I bought this right before our trip and I am loving it.  You know I love anything off shoulder!   It is not see through at all so you could actually wear this as a dress too.  I am wearing the XS/S.  You can knot the front and back too, if you want it shorter.


Have a great Monday! 



Friday, June 17, 2016

St Maarten | What's In My Suitcase + What I will be Reading



On Saturday we fly out to St Maarten.  I can't believe our trip is here already!  I feel like the time has flown by since we booked our trip.  We are going with our same friends we went with last year, Erin and Jason.  Erin and I have been best friends since high school.  We no longer live in the same city so I really treasure the time I get to spend with her.  Our kids love each other too but this will be fun to have an adult only vacation.   

I finally bought myself some luggage.  Would you believe in the past I have just borrowed suitcases from my parents?  I decided it was time to own some of my own luggage.   I really liked that the luggage was hard (easy to clean) and that it was a color (so it will be easy to spot).  I actually lucked out and found my set at TJMaxx but they have the same set on Amazon in several color options.  The smaller suitcase not pictured is the perfect carry on size.



I will be the first to admit I always over pack.   I like to have options.  I know during the day I will mostly be in bathing suits and cover-ups but at night we do like to get dressed up a bit for dinners out.
I am sure more items will be added to my suitcase before I am done but these pieces are definitely coming with me.



Can't forget accessories!  A woman can never have too many accessories, something Frances Moon has clearly learned from her Momma:)

Of course I did a little pre vacation shopping and picked up this off shoulder dress from JCrew.  I love the fun print, perfect for Summer.  Sizing wise it runs TTS, I am wearing a 4.  Sterling came back to try on a few things for him too.  Would you believe he is wearing a size 8 now!!


And how amazing is this twin suit??
I am wearing an XS in the top and 4 in the shorts.
Use code SHOP40 to save 40% on both!!

I am so excited to have some downtime to actually read.  Lately I have been too tired at night to read more than a few pages, so I am looking forward to laying by the beach and reading.  So many of my favorite authors are releasing new books this Summer that I can't wait to read.  Of course I won't be reading all these books next week, but they will be read this Summer!

Book List



Have a great weekend!!