German Blondy

Visiting Iguazu Falls and Buenos Aires

2022-05-09T10:00:00.001-07:00

Visiting Iguazu Falls

Hey Fashionistas,

We are continuing the journey through South America. If you haven’t read my last blog post, you can click here to read more about what to do in Bogota, Colombia.

Due to a slight mess up, we couldn’t fly to Buenos Aires, Argentina, on the day we planned to fly, so we had to push our departure to the next day.

We departed from Colombia to Buenos Aires. The international airport in Buenos Aires is outside of the city, so it was a bit challenging to get a ride to the city center at 1 AM. You can use Uber in Argentina, but I recommend the app Cabify. It’s cheaper and better than Uber (our Uber ride canceled the ride after he had accepted it).

We arrived at our hotel, Palermo Suites in Palermo. Palermo is an area in Buenos Aires known for its nightlife, bars, and restaurants.

After we arrived at our hotel, we took a quick nap since our tour to the Iguazu Falls started super early.

Iguazu Falls are located on the border between Brazil and Argentina, so we had to go back to the airport to fly to Iguazu. Our flight left at around 7 AM and took two hours.

We decided to book a private tour that takes us to the waterfalls and shows us around. Iguazu Falls consist of 100+ waterfalls.

The falls are located in the rainforest, and due to the rainy season, the water was flowing aggressively! We got super lucky on the day we visited because there was zero chance of rain and sunny blue skies.

The tour took us to various viewing points to admire the falls. The national park also offers a 4x4 jungle ride in an open-air van and a boat ride to the falls. Of course, we opted in for both of those activities.

The van takes you through the jungle to the boat dock. You are handed a plastic bag for all your belongings at the boat dock since you will get wet! The boat takes you to the bottom of the falls. Well, let me rephrase that the boat will take you into the waterfalls, leaving you soaking wet. I strongly recommend this once-in-a-lifetime tour.

After the tour, our guide took us to the top viewing platform to see La Garganta del Diablo, or Devils throat. This is the start of the falls, and it looks magnificent.

We spent roughly six hours in the park before heading back to Buenos Aires. Since our time was limited in the city, we quickly changed and explored the city at night.

We started the evening with a steak dinner at Calden del Soho. We ordered a few appetizers like empanadas, chorizo (Argentinien sausage), and queso Padilla (cheese from the grill).

Our main course consisted of rib-eye steak bigger than both of my hands put together and roasted veggies.

I don’t have words to describe how phenomenal the meal was.

The city feels much safer, and people of all ages walk around at night. It felt like being in Europe, strolling the streets at night.

Here are a few monuments that can easily be visited at night and are prettier than during the daytime:

Plaza de Mayo

Teatro Colon - a beautifully lit Opera House.

Catedral Metropolitana de Buenos Aires

Avenida 9 De Julio - The biggest street in the world with nine lines facing each direction.

Plaza del Congreso - This building looks great at night and during the day.

Things to do during the day:

Eating breakfast at Cafe Tortoni. The cafe is pretty popular amongst visitors. The cafe opens at 8 AM but fills up entirely within 30 minutes. By the time we left the cafe at 9 AM, there was a huge line outside trying to get in. The cafe has a charming French vibe with yummy bites.

Visiting La Boca Caminito - there are plenty of colorful houses, souvenir shops, and restaurants.

San Telmo - an area of Buenos Aires filled with antique shops, cafes and restaurants. Great for strolling during the day.

Thanks for stopping by!

Must-do in Bogota, Colombia

2022-05-02T10:00:00.001-07:00

One Day in Bogota, Colombia

Hey Fashionistas,

It has been a while since we last talked, but it’s time to catch up on everything in the past few months.

We just returned from our trip to South America that we took for my hubby’s birthday. Our first stop was Bogota, Colombia. We spend a day in the city, and I can say that a day is enough to see everything.

We started our day early in the morning to have breakfast at “La Puerta Falsa,” which is located close to the Plaza Bolivar.

This small restaurant offers breakfast and lunch items. We decided to get the chocolate with cheese - a must-have breakfast drink. You’re supposed to drink the chocolate by cutting the cheese into the hot chocolate.

We also got a tamale and breakfast egg skillet. Colombian tamales are wrapped in banana leaves and consist of chickpeas and mashed rice.

We continued the day by visiting the Botero museum, which is free by the way. The artist Botero is known to “supersize” his paintings. He is also known for painting The Mona Lisa, so there is no need to go to Paris (sorry, Leonardo da Vinci).

The museum also has paintings from Picasso and other well knows artists.

Within walking distance is the Santuario Nuestra Señora del Carmen, a church that’s painted in red and white.

After that, we visited the church San Fransisco which I do not recommend. It’s not worth seeing. I did not even take a photo. That's how not worth it, it is.

One of the attractions that is worth seeing is the Monserrat. You can either hike up the mountain or take the funicular. We decided to take the funicular since it’s much faster. I recommend coming early, so you are not stuck in a huge line of people. We arrived mid-day and were standing in line for some time.

The view on top of the mountain is great! You can see the entire city beneath it.

There are a few typically things you have to try when visiting Bogota:

Homnigas Ormigas:

Also known as big butted ants. If you are up for it, try them like we did. Let’s say these ants will not be my next favorite snack.

Arepas:

You’ve probably heard about arepas before. You can find them in restaurants or at street vendors. We ate arepas and another typical Colombian dish (Plato de baisa) at El Etranero. The Plato de baisa is not for me. It’s basically a meat plater with more meat.

Obleas:

Now that's a street vendor snack that is absolutely delicious. Two wafers are filled with a choice of yummy spreads. We chose dulce de leche (sweet, almost caramel-like spread) and blackberry sauce.

Aromaticas:

Another street vendor drink. Each vendor prepares them differently, but these teas are herbal teas with fruit. We had one at the Monserat, and our hotel also prepared these.

Word of caution:

While Bogota has a few things to see and can be fun, I would strongly advise you to either get a guide or take a taxi to get around.

Bogota is known for snatching purses or pickpocketing. The locals wear their backpacks in the front or hold on very tight to their handbags.

La Candelaria has the most attractions and museums, but it’s one of the more dangerous areas, and I speak from experience. Don’t go out at night, don't walk on side streets, and stay away from empty streets.

Thanks for stopping by!

Kerasal Foot Treatment Must-Haves

2021-10-07T11:37:00.000-07:00

This post is sponsored by Kerasal

Hi Fashionistas,

Fall has arrived and that means my skin needs additional pampering due to the cold weather. So it’s time for an at-home spa day for my feet!

Nothing is more relaxing than sitting on the couch reading a book, lighting up a fall candle, sipping on a cup of tea while your feet are soaking in an intensive repair foot masks. My feet are in desperate need of a pampering session especially on days where I play tennis, jump onto my surfboard, run two miles on the treadmill or do a crazy HIIT workout. All of these activities can take a crazy toll on my feet. Also, not to mention the long days at the office wearing those damn heels! Who else can relate?

My spa session at home starts by washing and drying off my feet. The pampering session continues with the Kerasal Intensive Repair Foot Mask, which is infused with natural tea tree oil to soften cracked heels and dry skin. The mask is designed to deeply moisturize, and gently exfoliate cracked and dry heels to make a visible difference.

The Kerasal intensive repair foot mask pouch contains two premium foot masks that gently slip onto each foot for an at-home spa experience. After slipping into the foot masks it is time to sit back and relax and let the intensive repair foot masks do their magic for about 20 minutes.

After taking off the masks, I massage and rub in any residual cream into my skin for added benefits. The intensive foot mask contains tea tree oil, shea butter, chamomile, aloe for an extra amount of TLC!

The intensive repair foot masks is super easy to use because the masks feel like spa slippers. Just slip into the premium foot masks, wait for 20 minutes, and sip on a hot cup of tea. No messy liquids or plastic bags are needed to tie around your ankle, that's how I like my at-home spa experience.

If you are in need of an intensive repair foot mask that deeply moisturizes, softens cracked heels and dry skin I urge you to try the intensive repair foot mask from Kerasal. You can purchase the foot mask on Amazon. You can check out the product here to see and feel the Kerasal difference.

On days where my feet are dry to the max due I use my go-to intensive foot repair cream from Kerasal. The results are visible in one day! That’s crazy but it’s true!

The intensive foot repair cream is made for dry cracked feet to soften severely cracked heels and dry skin. The intensive foot repair cream has a unique combination of exfoliating, softening, and moisturizing ingredients, including salicylic acid, urea, and soft white petrolatum. The cream is highly concentrated and paraben-free.

The foot mask loosens hard, dry skin to exfoliate and deeply moisturize your feet. Having a foot cream like this one is especially helpful when running around all day, stressing out your feet.

Before Treatment

After treatment

What I love about the intensive foot repair cream is that it does not just moisturize dry skin but it repairs your feet. Kerasal is more than just a basic cream because it removes dry, unhealthy skin and then moisturizes deeply to help restore healthy skin. Kerasal has been clinically shown to repair dry skin on the feet so of course, this foot mask is a must-have on my bathroom shelf.

If my feet are in desperate need of some pampering I like to use the foot cream as an overnight treatment for best results. In order to use the intensive foot repair cream as an overnight treatment, you would have to apply a nickel-sized amount of foot cream onto the feet and put on a pair of cotton socks. The foot cream will work its magic overnight so you will wake up with deeply moisturized feet the next morning.

Keep in mind a little goes a long way, so there is no need to apply too much foot cream. A nickel-sized amount or less is recommended if you are using the intensive foot repair cream.

If you are in need of an intensive foot repair cream that deeply moisturizes, cracked heels, you need to try the intensive foot repair mask from Kerasal. You can purchase the foot cream on Amazon. You can check out the product here to see and feel the Kerasal difference.

Kerasal is a leading and rapidly growing brand in foot care. Whether you are looking for an at-home pedicure solution for dry, cracked feet or looking to tackle tough toenail problems caused by a variety of issues, Kerasal has you covered. See a Visible Difference with Kerasal.

Thanks for stopping by!

How to style a mini skirt

2021-06-09T10:08:00.000-07:00

Spring Time Outfit

Hey Fashionistas,

Can’t believe we are already halfway through this year! I’m ready for summer and warmer temperatures.

During spring I like to combine oversized sweaters with mini skirts. I like how simple the combo is yet you look great every time.

When I wear muted colors, I always add a dash of color to elevate the look. In this case, I decided to wear my red purse.

What I like about spring you can take strolls through the neighborhood and everything is blooming. Speaking of blooming almost every weekend my husband and I are picnicking in the Rosegarden.

Thanks for stopping by!

How to style high-waisted Jogging pants

2021-05-28T09:37:00.000-07:00

Jogging pants and oversized jacket

Hi Fashionistas,

Things are opening up here in Los Angeles and business slowly returns back to where it used to be. For the past year, jogging pants were my go-to. Slipping in a pair of skinny jeans feels a dash uncomfortable and wanting me to wear my joggers all day long.

Most jogging pants are either too tight or too short, letting you look like you rolled out of bed and forgot to change your sleeping pants.

I found those high-waisted jogging pants which are super cool. I paired this look with a cropped shirt to create space between the pants and the shirt. This helps to avoid looking sloppy. I am also wearing a pair of boots for some edginess.

The oversized jacket rounds up the outfit and adds to the street style.

Thanks for stopping by!

Hiking to Murray Canyon

2021-05-04T09:37:00.000-07:00

An Oasis in Palm Springs

Hey Fashionistas,

We have been visiting Palm Springs multiple times in the past. At this point, I lost count, to be honest with you. So when my husband‘s birthday rolled around, we decided to visit Palm Springs, but we wanted to do something we haven’t done before. So I sat down and did my proper research. I came across a park that we haven’t seen before.

I’m talking about the Indian Canyon. Indian Canyon is an area in Palm Springs which offers multiple hiking trails and beautiful nature. The entrance fee is around nine dollars per person and no pets are allowed.

We had two hikes planned for the day. One was a four-hour hike to Murray Canyon, and the other one was an hour hike to Andreas Canyon.

Palm Springs is located in the desert, and the landscape consists of cactus, the occasional palm tree, and a lot of rocks and sand. But this particular area has a river flowing through the park, which allows luscious green places full of palm trees. It’s like a beautiful oasis in the middle of the desert.

We started the two-hour hike (one-way) to Murray Canyon. On our way, we stopped at the river to dip our feet in the cold refreshing water. The walk led through the desert into some magnificent viewing points. We’ve also seen a rattlesnake crossing our paths. This was the first time we saw a rattlesnake while hiking.

We also discovered a waterfall that was hidden in the cave. You have to climb over slippery rocks to reach the small waterfall, but it was worth it. Inside the cave, we encounter a frog. We continued hiking to the end of the trail, which passed the river stream a few times.

Overall the hike is beautiful, and the elevation is not too bad, so I would say this hike is for all hiking skills.

After we returned, we decided to hike the one-hour Andreas Canyon hike. It’s a loop trail starting from the parking lot and ending in the same parking lot. Half of the hike is out in the open desert, where you can see cactuses and other native plants. The second part of the trail crosses the river stream and follows along the river, offering endless photo opportunities and picnic places.

I think there’s much more to explore in the park, and we will definitely be back. Keep in mind the park has opening hours, so you have to leave the park by 5 PM.

Thanks for stopping by!

Nina

How to style a tulle skirt

2021-04-27T08:32:00.000-07:00

Midi Tulle Skirt

Hey Fashionistas,

Tulle skirts are not only for Carry Bradshaw from Sex and the City but for everyone. I love wearing tulle skirts because anything is possible when wearing these skirts. The pairing combinations are endless. You can pair them with a crop top like myself, a graphic tee, or a sweater.

The tutu skirt is worn by bloggers, it-girls, fashionistas, and editors. All eyes are on you when you hit the streets with your favorite tulle skirt.

Tulle skirts are flirty, feminine, and bold fashion statements. It does not matter whether you are wearing a mini, midi, or maxi skirt the style options can range from super glam to super edgy. I took the more edgy approach with heeled boots, aviator glasses, and a cropped jeans jacket. For this look, I also opted-in for staged rings and lots of jewelry.

Your outfit will look edgier if you pair your tutu skirt with a leather jacket, biker boots, tank top or a knitted sweater. The more delicate approach would be to pair your skirt with a graphic tee, heels, or a more form-fitted top.

Thanks for stopping by!

How to upgrade jean shorts

2021-04-12T11:52:00.001-07:00

White Shirt and Jean Shorts

Hey Fashionistas,

It's already April and this means it's my hubby's birthday! We are planning a day trip to Plam Springs and take out dinner from PF Changs. We haven't been to Palm Springs in a while, and I can't find to visit again. It's one of my favorite places in SoCal for a little getaway.

Besides a planned day trip my quarantine life still looks the same. The majority of our time is spent at home or at the tennis court. I actually got a sunburn on my arms from placing my home office in the backyard.

While I enjoy Spring, I can't wait for summer to roll around. But one of my favorite looks to wear during Spring is this jeans shit and white shirt combo. I love the lightness of the withe cotton shirt and street style vibes from the sneakers. A pair of unique sneakers, instantly elevate an outfit.

Adding a belt with metal details, a purse and a few accessories help to upgrade a more casual outfit like this one. I recently got a few new necklaces and earrings from Marlyn Schiff. For this outfit, I layered two necklaces. One with a lock on a gold chain and a necklace with different charm elements. I love wearing multiple necklaces for a more boho-chick approach.

Thanks for stopping by!

How to style a long blazer

2021-03-01T09:38:00.002-08:00

Hi Fashionistas,

Just like myself, the majority of us are still working from home. The WFH attire consists of comfy sweatpants and an oversized tee unless there is a zoom meeting scheduled. In this case, the attire consists of comfy sweatpants and a button-down shirt.

For the past few weeks, I started to go back to the office for weekly meetings. So once a week, I get to dress up. Hubby is doing all the grocery shopping while I work. So once a week I leave my four walls and ask myself “what should I wear?” Out of a sudden, there are so many things in my closet that want to be worn and sometimes that is a tough decision to make.

Blazers are a staple in my closet and they work great to jazz up a casual outfit and always make you look well-dressed. I wouldn’t wear this outfit to the office, I think cropped shirts with the midriff exposed are against company policy, but I sure would wear this outfit to any other occasion.

Rolled up sleeves on a blazer let the outfit appear more casual and stylish. Plus, rolling up those sleeves gives your arm candy a better way to shine.

This long suede blazer is the perfect pair for jeans. I added a few accessories like a watch, necklace, and a red purse. I like pairing natural colors with a pop of color in this instance a red bag. I got these fun sunglasses a while ago, and love wearing them because they look so edgy.

Thanks for stopping by!

How To Style a Jeans Jacket

2021-02-08T12:39:00.001-08:00

Hey Fashionistas,

I am a summer child through and through, and my least favorite seasons are fall and winter. The only thing I like about colder temperatures is the possibility to layer up. Speaking of layering, my favorite piece during fall is a jeans jacket. A Jeans jacket is the perfect cover-up to transition from warmer to colder days. I prefer an oversized cut because it looks more effortless, plus it allows you to layer clothes more easily. But how to style a jeans jacket without looking too basic?

These high waist pants with a wide leg are my faves to wear to the office and a great alternative to jeans. They always look super chic and give the impression of longer legs. I paired these pants with a pink shirt and my jeans jacket. Practically you can wear this look to the office or to Sunday brunch. It's casual enough to run errands but sophisticated enough to meet clients at the office.

I always recommend wearing high heels with these types of pants. I paired my nude heels with the look.

My necklaces and earrings are from Marlyn Schiff. The quality and price are fantastic, plus they often launch new pieces! One of my favorite ways to necklaces is to layer them, especially if the design is simple yet elegant to pair it with any outfit. The set that I am wearing contains three necklaces, I added the hooked ring necklace to the mix, and what's great about this set is that they only have one lock to close the chain. So no annoying detangling when you store them. My earrings are perfect for the season. I love these cute golden leaf earrings.

Thanks for stopping by!

Nina

Day Trip Lake Arrowhead

2021-02-03T10:36:00.001-08:00

It's a snow day

Hi Fashionistas,

On Sunday, we decided to take a spontaneous trip to Lake Arrowhead since I was in desperate need of a scenery change. Since it had rained so much, the mountains were covered in snow. That sounds like fun! While I emphasize my dislike of snow, I don't mind spending a few hours in a winter wonderland. Lake Arrowhead is about a 1 ½ hour drive from Los Angeles, so perfect for a day trip.

We got stuck in traffic for a bit because the road leading up to Lake Arrowhead is a one-lane. Mid-way, the temperature started to drop, and snow began to become visible. I had low expectations because one day it snows, the next day it's gone, but I was lucky; there was so much snow.

At the mountain top, trees and houses were covered in snow. Cars completely disappeared.

We were looking for a less crowded spot to enjoy the scenery. It was quite challenging to find parking on a Sunday afternoon, especially when everyone had the same idea to visit Lake Arrowhead. After a while, we found parking.

We started hiking, and I began to hear the soothing sound of snow. There is nothing more relaxing than the sound of snow when you start walking. But we quickly realized we were knee-deep in snow.

Lake Arrowhead is stunning year-round, but my favorite seasons up here are and winter. During winter, pine trees are partially covered in snow, offering the perfect backdrop for a photoshoot. The main roads were clear, yet it was advised to take snow chains with you.

Overall, this was a fun day trip, but I am glad to back in a snow-free area. That's the reason I love living here. Snowy mountains, sandy deserts, and the ocean are all close by and always standby to provide fun during a day trip.

How to style a corduroy jacket

2021-01-25T09:52:00.002-08:00

Point Vicente Lighthouse

Hey Fashionistas,

Did you know there is a picturesque lighthouse in Ranchos Palos Verdes called Point Vicente Lighthouse? The perfect place to visit on a Sunday afternoon. You can’t actually go inside the lighthouse but the area around is pretty. The lighthouse is located on a cliff overlooking the ocean. On a clear day, you can Catalina Island and the Channel Islands. There is a hiking trail following along the coastline.

We came on the weekend to spend some time outside considering the fact I’m home all day, every day. There is plenty of parking space available and a little park where you can enjoy a picnic.

It just stopped raining and the clouds were slowly moving away which gave the sun a chance to breakthrough.

During winter, outfits like these are my go-to. I like to stick with earth tones and add a few accessories to my look.

I always tuck in my sweater and roll up part of my sleeves for an effortless look. To complete my look I decided to wear a wool scarf.

There are multiple ways to wear a scarf, depending on how cold it is. On days with a little wind, I like to casually hang the scarf around my neck. On chilly days I wrap the scarf around my neck. Utilizing a scarf in your outfit always adds a bit of sophistication.

Thanks for stopping by.

Visiting Miami

2021-01-18T12:23:00.000-08:00

Visiting Miami

Hi Fashionistas,

A few months ago, we visited Miami, and we checked out the Cuban district and the arts district. While I expected more from the so-called Cuban district, it was still fun to see some parts of Miami that are not the beach. I still prefer the arts district in Los Angeles because the graffiti looks better (sorry, but not sorry) and the restaurants located in LA’s art district. If you decide to visit either the Cuban district or the arts district, consider getting dropped off and picked up. The parking situation is ridiculous. Most of the time, you are stuck in one-way streets and meter parking.

Luckily, we found meter parking, so we took a quick look and snapped some photos. While the internet suggests visiting the Cuban district, I think it is not a must-see. The smell of cigars is in the air, and everything is crowded.

Before our trip, I purchased these high waisted leather pants. Leather shorts are stylish, and you can combine them with almost anything. I paired my shorts with a black oversized Iron Maiden shirt. The oversized fit allows me to tie the shirt for a more stylish look. I added a pink denim jacket to my outfit to add some color.

Thanks for stopping by!

Snorkeling John Pennekamp State Park

2021-01-15T11:56:00.002-08:00

Snorkeling John Pennekamp State Park

Hi Fashionistas,

Our Florida vacation is over and we are back in LA. I miss laying on the beach all-day and tan. Instead of swimming in turquoise water, I spent most of my day in my office in front of the computer. But I still want to share with you what we did on our last day in the keys...

On our last day in the keys were debating on what we should be doing. First, we eat breakfast in the hotel, and similar to the hotel in Miami, there are many restrictions during the pandemic. So the breakfast was not the greatest.

After checking out, we decided to drive to Key Largo, which is about an hour drive from Key West. Key Largo is known for its John Pennekamp State Park, where you can go snorkeling. If the weather allows, you can even book a tour that takes you to a sunken Jesus statue.

The idea was to book a tour that takes us to that statue, but unfortunately, wave conditions did not allow us to see it. So instead, the snorkeling tour took us to a gorgeous reef. The reef was absolutely stunning. We've seen so many reefs in the past, but it looks totally different every time you visit one. We’ve seen a lot of barracudas and other colorful fish hiding in the corals. They were also an abundance of huge shells. We spent almost 2 hours in the water discovering the underwater world. The number of people on the board was relatively small, and I felt safe during the pandemic.

After our snorkeling trip, we thought we would check out the beaches at John Pennekamp State Park, but we quickly decided to call it a day. The beaches are not bordering the ocean but instead are located next to the mangroves. Due to the heavy rainfalls, the water looked mucky and had a strong odor. The beach area is small and therefore too crowded to have a relaxed day.

If you plan to visit John Pennekamp State Park, opt-in for a water activity that takes you to the ocean. You won’t be able to swim in the ocean unless you book a snorkeling trip. You can also go kayaking in the mangroves, but you won’t be able to kayak all the way to the ocean.

Thanks for stopping by!

How to take great bathing suit pictures

2021-01-03T14:24:00.000-08:00

Looking good in a bathing suit

Hi Fashionistas,

Beach days are my favorite! I love the smell of the salty ocean water and walking on white sandy beaches.

After we returned from Dry Tortugas Island - I wrote about it in my previous post. We caught a cute little area with an abundance of palm trees, this offered the perfect opportunity to take pictures.

Here are my top five bathing suite shots so your Instagram feed will look lit!

The Matchy Shot

Your bathing suit matches your backdrop and you know it! Your images will look straight out of a magazine and your followers going to love it!

The Glamour Shot

You might not jump into the ocean with heels and accessories but load up on them. Add jewelry such as earrings, necklace and bracelets to your bathing suit outfit. Try taking images while standing and sitting.

The Beach Shot

Beach shots are my favorite. Use the umbrella, sunglasses, cooler or towel as props. Find a pose that is flattering and reveals only the best part of your outfit. Maybe even lay in sand.

The Travel Shot

If you want to take your image at a destination take the image from further away to capture the entire scene. Don’t look straight at the camera but instead pretend to wander.

The Palm Tree Shot

If you are somewhere tropical with palm trees use them in your shot. Stand in front of them or have the trees on the side of your image. Lean against them with one-pointed toe in front of the other for a casual post.

Thanks for stopping by!

What to do on Dry Tortuga Island

2020-12-28T12:20:00.000-08:00

Day Trip to Dry Tortuga Island

Hey Fashionistas,

We woke up early because we planned to visit Dry Tortugas. Visiting Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the must-do items when visiting Florida. The beaches are gorgeous, and the water is turquoise blue - it is well worth the visit.

The morning started raining. It was actually pouring so much, water was sitting on the streets. We parked our car and went to the port where the tour started. Even though it was raining, we boarded the catamaran. There is only one tour operator who can take visitors to the island unless you charter a plane. The tour cost around $200 per person, and the boat has a capacity of about 300 passengers.

Eric and I decided to sit on the top deck; within minutes, I was soaking wet, but the crew said that the sun would come out shortly. Sure enough, as soon as we left the port, the sky cleared up, and the sun came out. The boat ride took almost 3 hours to reach Dry Tortugas. It was a smooth ride with a whole of nothing to see. Breakfast was provided in little bags according to covid standards.

Dry Tortugas is a fort located 70 miles offshore from Key West. On this island, you can go snorkeling, walk around the fort and even camp out here. We decided to join a 30-minute tour to learn more about the fort. The tour we booked included the catamaran ride, the tour as well as breakfast and lunch. Snorkeling gear was also available.

After the tour, we decided to walk around the fort on our own and take some pictures. The views are breathtaking. The island is surrounded by crystal clear turquoise water. After taking pictures and roaming around, we decided to hit the beach and go snorkeling. Much needed tropical island vacation after an entire year of working inside my four walls. The water was clear and warm. Tortuga island has designated snorkeling spots where you can see different fish and shells.

In the afternoon, the catamaran took everyone back to Key West, and once again, we enjoyed the beautiful sunset close to the beach at a hotel.

Thanks for stopping by.

Where to see the best sunset in Key West

2020-12-15T13:37:00.010-08:00

Sunsets in Key west

Hey Fashionistas,

One thing was clear to me when visiting Miami, we have to go to the keys for a few days. We decided to spent a few days in Key West. The drive takes about 3 ½ hours from Miami. The drive was beautiful since you pass a lot of bridges and drive through the keys. During the drive you get rewarded with views of the turquoise ocean and lots of iguanas.

Our first stop was at the southernmost point. We also took some other picture in front of some colorful houses we found. We stayed at the Hampton Inn with a beautiful room including a balcony that faces the ocean.

When we arrived at the hotel we had a few hours left in the day before the sun went down so we decided to go to the beach to see it. Smathers Beach was only a 2-minute drive from our hotel. Almost no one else was at the beach. Even though the sun was setting, the air and water temperature was warm enough.

We enjoyed the evening at the hotel pool and had some free drinks at the tiki bar.

Thanks for stopping by!

What to do in Miami

2020-12-06T13:20:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Miami!

Hey Fashionistas,

We arrived in Miami and staying at the RUI located at Miami Beach. The hotel included a breakfast buffet which looked a whole lot different due to the pandemic. Our temperature was measured each morning before entering the breakfast area. Most of the food was wrapped in foil, tea and coffee were only served by waiters. The breakfast area included an outdoor patio that faced the beach which hundreds of palm trees.
We spent our first day at the beach. Since I thought it was located oceanfront it only took us a minute to reach the sand. We collected shells and jumped into the ocean. The water temperature was nice and warm compared to the cold water here in Los Angeles. . We got so lucky was the tropical storm because we spent the first few days driving across Florida we basically escaped the storm. By the time we returned back to Miami the rain had stopped and only a few clouds were left in the sky. Occasionally it started to drizzle during the evening time

Of course, we couldn’t visit Miami and not visit the Everglades. So we decided to book a typical airboat tour and a walking tour. Our day started with the walking tour. Due to the pandemic, we decided to book a one and a half-hour private tour that took us through the Everglades by foot. Since the storm had just passed and it rained heavily the past few weeks, we were hip-deep in water. The water was really clean and we could even see the ground. The guide explained the plans and ecosystem which was super interesting. Did you know that the Everglades is the slowest moving river in the world?! Me neither but that’s what we have learned during our walking tour.

The airboat tour we initially booked was canceled due to strong winds so we decided to drive around and stop at airboat tours along the road to see if they still offer tours. We got lucky and found a place that still offered tours for the day. Plus this tour was much cheaper than the first one we booked! The boat tour took around 30 minutes and drove through grassland and mangroves. We saw alligators and other wildlife. The airboat tour was followed by an alligator encounter.

After an eventful day, we drove back to our hotel and ordered Cuban food. During our stay in Miami, we indulged in Cuban food almost every day. Since we didn’t want to eat at restaurants we just ordered the food and ate in our hotel room.

After enjoying our time in Miami we drove to the Keys which I’ll be covering in my next post.

Thanks for stopping by

Swimming with Manatees and Snorkeling in the Devil's Den

2020-12-03T10:07:00.000-08:00

Bucket list item: Swimming with Manatees

Hi Fashionistas,

I was able to cross off another item from my bucket list - swimming with manatees! After we visited the Blue Spring State Park we drove for about 3 hours to the Crystal River which is located in western Florida. We stayed at a motel because we booked a 6 AM tour to swim with manatees.

We entered the boat that is going to take us to the manatees. Manatee season starts in mid-November when these animals return from the ocean to the springs to enjoy warmer water temperatures. Manatees are mammals and since they only have a thin layer of fat to protect them from the cold water they return to the springs where you are able to swim with them.

The tour also took us to different springs such as Hutner Springs and Jurassic Spring to snorkel. I swam in all kinds of rivers, lakes, and oceans but the water in the springs was so clear and blue, it was mesmerizing. I’ve never seen water that clear and blue before.

After swimming with the manatees we drove to snorkel in the Devil’s Den. The Devil’s Den is about a 45-minute drive from Crystal River. Devil’s Den is a natural sinkhole much like a Cenote. Due to Covid-19, you have to make a reservation to go snorkeling or diving. Swimming is permitted in this privately owned sinkhole. Devil’s Den is an underground river so you have to walk down a staircase to reach the water. The overall sinkhole is pretty dark so if you plan on diving you have to bring a light. The water temperature in the underground river is at a contact 72 degrees.

We ended up bringing our snorkeling equipment but you can also rent equipment to go snorkeling. Devil’s Den also charged an entrance fee of around $15. Devil’s Den also has showers and changing room facilities. The office is also able to take care of your car keys while you are snorkeling.

After our snorkeling excursion, we drove back to Miami for about five hours.

Thanks for stopping by!

Visiting the Blue Spring State Park

2020-11-24T12:12:00.000-08:00

Day trip to the Blue Spring State Park

Hi Fashionistas,

We just got back from Florida and since we did so much I am going to separate my blog post into segments each featuring a different topic.

Traveling during a pandemic is definitely different. I thought wearing a mask on a five-hour flight would have been tough but it wasn’t so bad after all. My bag was filled with hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes which came in handy when we jumped on the plane and in the rental car.

Typically November is a great month to travel to Florida because the Hurricane season is over and sunshine waits for you at the airport. But this is 2020 everything is different. Hurricane ETA decided to hit the coast of Florida bringing rainstorms and strong winds. Our trip to the Bahamas was canceled so instead we drove to the Blue Spring State Park.

The morning started rainy and windy but we drove about 2 ½ hours towards Orlando to visit the State Park. The sky cleared up and the sun came out. The entrance fee to the park was $6 per vehicle, and you can spend all day there.

We decided to go hiking through the park all the way to the spring. The short hike takes you through a canopy walk with beautiful views and many picture opportunities. We also spotted a gator laying on a branch soaking in the sun.

Later that day, we decided to jump into the crystal clear water of the river to go snorkeling. At a constant 73 degrees, the water was warm enough to jump right into it.

Besides snorkeling, you can also go diving and kayaking at the Blue Spring State Park. During the month of November through April, you will find manatees here. These mammals return back to the springs to stay in the warmer waters.

If you are in the Miami or Orlando area be sure to stop by the Blue Spring State Park - it's a must!

Thanks for stopping by!

Kelso Dunes at Sunset

2020-10-29T09:52:00.000-07:00

Hey Fashionistas,

This is my last post of our day trip to Mojave Desert Preserve. We wanted to see the joshua trees but also catch the sunset at the Kelso Dunes.

The Kelso dunes, also known as the Kelso Dune Field, is the largest sand deposit field in the Mojave Desert. They are about 650 feet tall. The kelso dunes are a bit over a 30-minute drive from joshua trees which are near the entrance of the park. So once again it was a run against time. Our idea was to climb the kelso dunes to enjoy the sunset.

We started driving on a paved road, just the last 30 minutes stretch is on an unpaved road with numerous potholes. The sun slowly started to set but our idea was to catch the sunset from the top of the dunes but unfortunately the unpaved road slowed us down. The kelso dunes have a small parking lot area with a restroom. It’s a three miles round trip from the parking lot to the dunes.

When we arrived at the parking lot it was clear to us that there is no way we would be able to climb the dunes, they are huge! What starts out as a trail, dissolved the further you go. The wind and sand constantly reshape the surrounding and cover up footprints, which prevents the formation of a permanent trail. So, it’s up to you to find a way to the summit.

Since the sun starts setting, we decided to run to make it as close as possible to the Kelso dunes. Even though we run, the dunes didn’t seem to come closer. Sooner or later we spotted a place to watch the sun go down and the stars come up.

We walked a bit further but returned back to the parking lot when the sun disappeared behind the dunes. The night sky started to appear and stars were visible. The Kelso dune area is one of the darkest places in the Mojave Desert Preserve to see the stars. Walking back to the car, we realized how far we had run. On our way back we admired stars and bats flying around.

If you decide to climb the kelso dunes be sure to bring time. It takes around 3 hours to climb the dunes. Even though we did not climb the dunes the view was still absolutely stunning.

Thanks for stopping by!

Day Trip to Mojave Desert Preserve

2020-10-19T12:05:00.002-07:00

Visiting Mojave Desert Preserve

Hi Fashionistas,

Part three of our road trip in one day is the Mojave Desert Preserve. This is a hidden gem located about 3 1/2 hour drive from Los Angeles. The entrance is free and you can spend an entire day in this park, hiking, photographing nature, or catching the sunset.

We drove almost four hours from the Trona Pinnacles to the Mojave Desert Preserve. Our goal was to see the Joshua trees and catch the sunset at the Kelso Dunes. So it was a run against the time. We made a quick stop at McDonald's to get something in our bellies and went straight back to the road.

We made it to the Mojave Desert Preserve just on time to visit the Joshua Trees. We have visited Joshua National Park before to admire the Joshua trees but the density of trees in the Mojave Desert Preserve is crazy. The Mojave Desert Preserve has the highest density of Joshua Tree. Unfortunately, a good chunk of the trees has been burned but there are still areas where the trees flourish.

If you are looking for a free alternative to see Joshua Trees, you should visit the Mojave Desert Preserve. It is a less-known park, and therefore less crowded. We visited on a Monday and almost no one was at the park.

After hiking for a bit and photographing the scenery, we jumped back into our car and made our way to the Kelso Dunes to see the sunset. I will cover our hike to the dunes in my next post!

Thanks for stopping by!

Day Trip to Trona Pinnacles

2020-10-14T11:57:00.000-07:00

Day Trip to Trona Pinnacles Part 2

This is part two of our road trip stops. A few days ago I started the road trip series with our trip to the Fossil Falls. You might be interested in reading more about the Fossil Falls.

Click here: Day trip to Fossil Falls

Our next stop was the Trona Pinnacles. You might have heard about them or seen them in movies such as Star Trek, music videos, or TV commercials. The Trona Pinnacles are not an underrated hidden gem, unlike our first stop, but instead are a beautiful area that was covered in countless times on TV.

We drove about 1 ½ hour from the Fossil Falls to the Trona Pinnacles. The last 2 miles are drive on a dirt road with some large potholes and loose gravel. After a shaky ride, you’ll reach the parking lot. The parking lot is large which indicates that probably a lot of visitors are coming here. We visited on a Monday and were the only ones there.

I’ve never been to another planet but I could imagine that Mars would look something like the Trona Pinnacles. You can hike in between the spires and admire the landscape. There are over 500 spires, some are as high as 140 feet rising from the ground. The pinnacles vary in size and shape which create a unique landscape. According to the bureau of land management, the pinnacles were formed underwater, at one point the entire area was 640 feet underwater. The Pinnacles are located in the desert which can get very hot during summer. Make sure to bring water on your hike.

The pinnacles are worth the visit. I’ve been too many national parks, seen a lot of canyons and rock formations but this one is super unique. It’s a fun day trip from Los Angeles.

Thanks for stopping by!

Day Trip to Fossil Falls Part 1

2020-10-05T09:37:00.007-07:00

Day Trip to Fossil Falls Part 1

I’ve been working from home since April and since then we only went to the beach, tennis court, or the occasional grocery store visit. So when our office was closed the past Monday, we decided to do a one-day road trip to places we haven’t seen before in Southern California. Let me tell you this coming from someone who has seen pretty much everything here in SoCal. In this three-blog post series, I’ll share with you my three underrated day trips you can visit in Southern California. Let’s start with our first stop the Fossil Falls.

I love traveling and since I grew up there was never a year where I didn’t go anywhere. I thought my life will continue like this but then 2020 came around and totally put our plans upside down. People adjusted more or less to the restrictions and going on wasn’t as intimidating anymore, so the past Monday we decided to drive four hours towards the Nevada border to see the Fossil Falls. The entire trip included stops at the Fossil Falls, Trona Pinnacles, and the Mojave Desert Preserve. Covering all stops in one blog post would be too much so I decided to split it up in a three-part series, starting with the Fossil Falls.

Details:

3 ½ hour drive from Los Angeles
Half a mile hike to the Fossil Falls
Flat easy hike
Free to visit

The Fossil Falls can be reached after a short and easy hike from the parking lot. The parking lot is relatively small but since we came on a Monday no one else was there. Before entering the parking lot you will drive for about 10 minutes on a dirt road. There is also a restroom, small map, and a picnic bench located at the parking lot. We visited during the end of September but temperatures on this day were in the high 90s.

The hike to the Falls takes around 15 minutes. Don’t be fooled the Fossil Falls don’t actually contain water but instead are dried out falls and river beds. The Fossil Falls were created by volcanic activity thousands of years ago. Meltwater from the glacier in the Sierra Nevada played a big role in creating these unique looking falls.

You will hike along large lava rocks surrounded by a desert landscape. During summer temperatures can exceed 100 degrees, so be sure to take water with you. The hike is flat and there is a trail that will lead you to the Fossil Falls. As soon as you reached the Fossil Falls the stone landscape changed from lava rocks to solid canyon. You are on top of the Falls and will see a 60 feet drop, so be careful when walking on the edge. There are also loose stones and gravel.

Since you have reached the end of the trail and your destination you can start exploring. We took a few pictures from on top of the Fossil Falls and then decided to climb down the rocks. If you decide to climb down the rocks you have to be careful not to slip. Climbing down the falls is at your own risk. Hubby and I are thrill-seekers and so we partially climbed down the falls and standing inside the canyon will make you realize how impressive the Fossil Falls look. Sooner or later we reached a point where it is impossible to continue to climb since there is a drop of about 20 feet.

Overall, I am surprised that there are little to no information about this gorgeous place. This is a fun day trip from Los Angeles or San Diego, while you are in the area you should also visit the Trona Pinnacles which I will be covering next time.

Thanks for stopping by!

How to style an oversized sweater to the office

2020-09-11T12:19:00.000-07:00

Hey Fashionistas,

Happy Friday! I haven’t gone to the office in over three months and instead work from my home office. This also means my wardrobe changed instead of heels and slacks, I wear sweats and slides. Despite the fact most of us still work at home, I want to show you how to use an oversized sweater and make it office appropriate.

I love oversized sweaters because they look effortless when paired with jeans and sporty when paired with thighs. But have you ever thought about pairing your oversized sweater with a skirt and wear it to the office? A sweater with a comic print is no one’s first choice when thinking about office attire.

I styled my oversized Garflied sweater with a short leather skirt and a long pink coat. Choose an oversized graphic sweater in muted colors because you will have more possibilities to pair it with other office-appropriate garments.

When you wear an oversized top be sure to pair it with skinny bottoms. It’s important to find the right balance between oversized and skinny to avoid looking bulky. The leather skirt adds another material to the outfit which adds dimension. I tuck part of the sweater into the skirt to avoid looking sloppy.

In order to make the outfit office-appropriate, I recommend pairing it with a blazer or coat. I decided to pair it with a long blazer in pink and my studded heels.

Thanks for stopping by!