No Shoes, No Internet, No Problem

August 28, 2013

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Well, all the rumors are true: Cabo is AMAZING. Not only did we luck out with perfect, steamy 90-degree weather the entire time, but the food and accommodations were absolutely phenomenal. And trust me, I don’t use the word “phenomenal” lightly. (You’ll see what I mean when you see the pictures!) 

Although there's an abundance of exciting activities offered in Cabo, what I appreciated most was actually all that it did NOT offer: no Internet, no television, no telephone, no alarm clock and no sense of time… just the sound of waves crashing against the smooth sandy shore to lull me to sleep at night.  It’s the simplicity that I savored the most, realizing I need quite a bit more of it in my everyday life.  It’s amazing how much more you experience, how much of the organic world you absorb, without a cellphone attached to your hand.

I spent most of my vacation laying out on the beach, snorkeling in the ocean with Finding Nemo-esque fish, reading good books, eating great food, cooling off after a dip in the salt water pool, drinking frozen cocktails and Coronitas, playing late night card games, and taking naps in a hammock.  It was heavenly.

Now if only I could stop daydreaming about Cabo and get back to work, the trip would be a total success! (hence this late post)

This dress from Ruche is perfect for any warm getaway, especially my recent Mexican vacation.  It’s dressy enough for an elegant dinner and casual enough to wear on a sunset walk on the beach.  

Dress: Ruche(Similar) 

Bracelets: American Eagle

Sandals & earrings: Forever21

Nails: Essie "Rock the Boat" 

Some of more of my favorites from Cabo

Adios amigos! 

Bon Voyage!

August 19, 2013

Los Angeles, CA

It's likely that by the time you read this, I will be off on a journey to a land far far away, filled with adventure, mermaids, treasure, sunshine and sand!  Ok so before you think I’m headed to Dead Man’s Island Skull Kingdom (I googled that name. It may or may not be real) or some other obscure island in the Caribbean inhabited by pirates, I should let you know that where I’m actually headed is Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.  While this resort-filled getaway may not quite be the dastardly, daring, dangerous hideout on the high seas that I imagine conquering with Johnny Depp in my dreams, in reality it’s exactly the type of getaway I’m looking for.  All I need to do is remember not to drink the water!

Only a hop skip and a jump away from Los Angeles, Cabo is all kinds of wonderful… or so I hear.  To be honest, this is the first tropical vacation I’ve been on since my heyday of yearly family trips pre-college.  Since then, I’ve used almost all of my vacation time to fly back east.  So you see, I wasn’t really exaggerating too much before.  This tropical trip will be one of exploring a whole new place – a modern-day adventure to be sure!

The look I’m sporting is inspired by travel and comfort.  I love these floral shorts that I found at H&M while waiting in the check-out line the other day, and how great are the backpacks from Forever21 right now?  I love being able to throw things in a backpack while on the go, and they have so many adorable options at the moment.  It's loco! (check out the use of my Spanish lingo there).   I’m telling you guys, take advantage of their back-to-school bags… who cares if you’re not a student anymore.  Oh and the silver bracelet I have on is my medical alert bracelet.  I forgot to take it off for the photos but hey Mum at least you have proof that I’m wearing it!

Kelly’s Under $100 Look:

Shorts: H&M $19.95

T-shirt: Forever21 (Similar) $3.80

Backpack: Forever21 $25.00

Bracelet: American Eagle $2.80 (on sale- they have an amazing 60% off deal on select items right now) 

Gladiator sandals: Fairfax flea market a couple years ago $15.00

ENTIRE LOOK: $66.55

Adios for now! 

Backyard Bungalow

August 13, 2013

West Hollywood, CA

With the help of a lovely little website called, airbnb.com, an adventurous friend of mine, has been house/apartment hopping all over town this summer.  Though I personally have not used the site before, the concept behind it is pretty simple: it’s a place where you can rent out your home to perfect strangers while you are out of town (and vice versa).  Now if you’re thinking, “Well, that sounds pretty sketchy”- I have to admit, I was right there with you, but after seeing some of the places that she has been able to call home this summer, I’m a changed woman! 

From a three story Venice beach house, to an artistic loft downtown, she is now settled in this adorable townhome in West Hollywood.  Complete with a quaint backyard garden, fire pit, and enough room to entertain guests on a warm summer night, what more could you really ask for? A washer and dryer maybe? Well, you’re in luck because it has that too! Needless to say, my friend is a genius.  While she’s been living in affordable and exciting new spots, stockpiled with amenities, the rest of us Los Angelinos have been schlepping our dirty laundry to the laundry mat every month and looking for street parking at night. (Well, maybe that’s just me).

Regardless of your current laundry situation, it’s probably pretty easy to imagine why my girlfriends and I have quickly decided to make the most of my pal’s amazing casa of the month.  Impromptu backyard hangouts and “garden parties” as we like to call them, have become the norm.  It’s peaceful, beautiful, and it’s honestly the biggest backyard I’ve had access to (in LA) in quite some time.

So there you have it, adventure pays off yet again.  Now the only thing left to do is figure out how to convince the owners to never come back;)

This light blue dress by Tulle with an adorable scalloped neckline, is perfectly classic for all things summer- especially backyard garden parties.  It's both sophisticated and casual and I absolutely love the pockets (I can never get enough of a sundress with pockets).  Best of all, it is completely fitting for backyard gatherings at my pal's current "home of the month".

Dress: Tulle

Necklace: Ruche 

Heels: Aldo (Similar) 

Photos today by Jennifer Biswas.