The Fashionable Esq

Fall Fashion Inspo with wide leg denim and plaid

2024-12-27T17:34:00.002-05:00

The Love Shack Fancy Boutique in Coconut Grove is a tiny floral enclave, packed to the gills with the line's signature dresses. This particular store also carries the mini kids' line. My friend, Gissi, was at the 3 year anniversary party. I swung by and she sketched me and my family. xx

Illustration by Gissi J
The Architect of Style

Outfit details:

Jeans: We the Free Dawn on Me Wide Leg Jeans by Free People

Top: Express

Flats: Prada

Plaid: F21

Bag: Lysellel Kiss Heart Bag

Hard Candy Glosstopia Lip Gloss

2024-11-28T08:19:00.001-05:00

Discover the Ultimate Shine with Hard Candy Glosstopia Lip Slide, a must have addition to your makeup collection.

Are you on the hunt for the perfect lip oil/gloss that gives you high shine without the stickiness? Look no further because Hard Candy Glosstopia Lip Slide is taking the beauty world by storm! Whether you’re a makeup lover, beauty guru or just someone looking to add an extra pop to your daily look, this lip gloss is it. Espresso is the color of the season, but may be hard to get your hands on. Scroll to the bottom of this post for a list of nine Hard Candy Glosstopia Lip Slide dupes.

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Melt Cosmetics x Nightmare Before Christmas Halloween Town Collection (2023)

2024-11-02T08:03:00.005-04:00

Wearing Pumpkin King Lipstick by Melt Cosmetics

Melt Cosmetics, a makeup brand with a cult following is known for pushing beauty boundaries with their electric and vibrant shades. In 2023, they debuted the Melt Cosmetics x Nightmare Before Christmas Halloween Town Collection. The set includes a makeup case with 2 ultra-matte lipsticks (Lock, Stock and Barrel and Pumpkin King), Love Never Dies Digital Dust highlight, two gel liners, an eye shadow palette and a hand held mirror. The collection itself sold out last year but items like the colorful shadow palette are still available on Sephora. The Melt website still carries the gel liners Terrible Vision and Master of Fright.

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How to Style White Sunglasses

2024-09-22T08:48:00.004-04:00

White sunglasses are more than just a summer accessory – they’re a year-round statement piece that adds a touch of effortless cool to any outfit. You may think that they are too bold for you, but trust me, these work with every outfit, complexion and style.

Whether you’re looking for chic, bold, or casual vibes, these standout shades are a must-have in your fashion arsenal. In this post, I show you how to style white sunglasses in 2024 and elevate your look. Let's dive in:

In the world of fashion, sunglasses are often the go-to accessory that completes any look. But why white? White sunglasses add a pop of brightness and contrast that black or tortoiseshell frames simply can’t compete with. They bring a modern, fresh vibe that’s both elegant and edgy, making them the perfect accessory for any occasion. Plus, they’re versatile and can be paired with almost any color, style or print. It's no wonder fashion influencers are raving about them this season.

White sunglasses are the perfect addition to any fashion-forward wardrobe. They can even help transition your summer wardrobe to Fall.

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Loewe Greenhouse, Marbella Club Hotel

2024-09-02T19:47:00.015-04:00

Tucked away through the lush gardens of the iconic Marbella Club Hotel, is the Loewe Greenhouse, a luxe, home accessories oasis which is an offshoot of the brand's popular leather goods line. The structure is a literal greenhouse, filled with botanical plants, perfumes, home fragrances, candles, lotions, and bar soaps. Two young salespersons are at the helm. They inform me that the marihuana scent is unsurprisingly the top seller. This scent, like the others, can be found in all of the products sold here. With scents like Wasabi, Tomato Leaves, Incense, and Cypress Balls, there's something for everyone. Can you guess what I picked up?

Details: Shop Rodela Mare necklace, Abercrombie blue and white floral maxi skirt (similar), Chinese Laundry Alistair block heels (comfy), sunglasses are Gucci.

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The Colony Hotel West Palm Beach & Swifty's Restaurant Review

2024-03-27T19:07:00.007-04:00

We recently stopped by the iconic Colony Hotel in West Palm Beach to have brunch at Swifty's Restaurant, their on-site eatery, which offers great fare in a chic and relaxed pool-side setting. Swifty's Palm Beach carries on in the spirit of the beloved New York, Upper East Side institution that closed in 2016.

For breakfast, I recommend the Full Vegan Colony Breakfast or The Benedicts (sauce on the side, of course!) or The Colony Breakfast (photo below). If you're hungrier, start off with some Gazpacho, or go with the Bacon Wrapped Designer Meatloaf as an entree.

After you've finished eating, stop in for some shopping at the Dolce & Gabbana boutique inside the hotel.

Sunglasses are by Diff Eyewear

Easy vacation outfit!

For brunch, I wore a cutout top from Tularosa which is a few year's old and a draped, loose sage green skirt from Zara (I found a similar one on Amazon and an almost identical one here.)

Also, I'm bringing back the turban trend from 2012! This one is from Ulta. My metallici clutch bag is the only new item featured in these photos. I've linked similar items below.

There is not one square inch of this hotel that is not covered in something chic. From the wallpaper to light fixtures, upholstery and the accent plants - they thought of it all. There's a Dolce & Gabbana boutique in the hotel lobby, monkey and flamingo wallpaper throughout. And talk to me about the beautiful pink marble interiors in the bathroom? Unique and beautiful. Also, my outfit was unintentionally retro which matched the theme.

The styling on this outfit is all about the loose pieces that drape in different ways. I also feel like a boxy, lace cut-out top, like the one I'm wearing here, is a summer staple. You can style it in so many ways, such as with high

Wallpaper inside the lobby of The Colony Hotel, West Palm Beach, FL

Swify's Menu, The Colony Hotel, West Palm Beach, FL

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Easy Vacation Outfit featuring Farm Rio & Maria La Rosa

2024-03-23T20:22:00.009-04:00

Here is an easy vacation outfit featuring the this blue and white maxi dress by Farm Rio. It's perfect, unique and great quality.

The dress has minimal give and runs true to size. This dress has cutouts throughout at the waistline and zips up the back. It's a versatile dress because it works for both day and night. I paired the dress with some Stuart Weitzman pink sandals and a new bag by Maria La Rosa - the Game Clutch in the color Cielo.

I am obsessed with how roomy this clutch is and how you can opt to use it with or without the chain strap. The inside has one tiny interior pocket which is credit card sized. It's got a ton of space, and you can easily fit your phone, camera along with all of the other essentials.

Bag: Maria La Rosa Game Clutch in color Cielo

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Holiday Outift Ideas for a Toddler

2024-01-03T07:00:00.004-05:00

Holiday Outfit ideas for a Toddler girl:

Opt for more unexpected colors, other than red. Try deep purples or forrest greens.
Tartan plaid is a classic holiday pattern but can be updated by mixing in some navy and white stripes or adding a piece that's a solid color, like heather gray.
Mary Janes paired with knee high socks are always beautiful and exude classic, little girl style. Her shoes are from Amazon, linked below. The Gap has a nice pair as well.
A Peter Pan collar is a traditional and classic style that can be spruced up for the holidays by adding some fun Christmas pins (make sure they have a safety-back). You can even try detachable collars in a plaid print.

Wet N Wild x Little Twin Stars Collab

2022-04-24T16:46:00.007-04:00

I'm such a sucker for all things Sanrio. Something about all of that brings me back to my childhood; it's very nostalgic for me. Now that I have a daughter, I like finding things for her that are Sanrio themed. We have a lot of Hello Kitty stuff in our home, and we (I), also enjoy Little Twin Stars. Way back in October of 2021, I found that Wet 'N Wild had an entire makeup collection being sold at Ulta, that was Little Twin Stars themed. I couldn't help myself and bought all of it. I've got some of the products from the box, below with some swatches.

If interested, the entire Little Twins Stars x Wet N' Wild Collection is available directly on the Wet N' Wild site and is now on sale. Amazon also has some items.

Edit: Ulta only has two items from the entire collection left in stock. The two lip products are The Star Dust Lip Mousse in the shades Candy Cloud 9 and Lost In a Cloud.

The entire collection, as shown above, includes two makeup sponges, a makeup sponge holder and cup, four lip products, a makeup bag, two lip masks, two face palettes, an eye shadow palette. makeup setting spray, four eye liners and two makeup brushes.

Fun cosmetics pouch.

Little Twin Stars x Wet N' Wild Setting Spray

Two glosses and two satin finish lipsticks. The swatches on the right are shades Lost In A Cloud and On Cloud Nine

Blush brush and shadow brush.

Closeup of the makeup brush handles. So cute.

I recommend the blush, very pigmented but super powdery. Be gentle when you dip your brush.

I will say that I did not enjoy the shadows from the palette. They were not pigmented, and had almost no staying power. A shame because the colors are unique and you could get creative with them. I get a lot of use out of the blush and highligther. I wore the glittery stars as a cheek highlight on Halloween. The most fun! The blending sponges were just OK, a little dense for my liking. Overall, this was a fun makeup set, with cut packaging and some good products that will definitely liven your mood.

Urban Decay Naked Mini 3 Palette Review

2021-07-26T07:31:00.002-04:00

I know what you're thinking, "'Not another Naked pallette?!'" I know! I knew it! But seriously speaking, I love the new Urban Decay Naked Mini 3 Eyeshadow Palette for a beautifully blended, every day look.

At first glance, you may not think there's anything special here. True, you could probably find most of these shades in other palettes or stashed away in the drawer where you keep your singles. But let me tell you why it's awesome and you need it:

1. Travel Mate

It's tiny, portable size makes it the best travel companion. Tuck it away anywhere for on-the-go makeup. It has a quality standalone mirror, and although the case is not metal, the plastic seems sturdy.

2. Quality

The shades are high quality, which for a 'mini palette' seems hard to come by lately. They're soft, blend easily and really have minimal fallout. Prime your lids and the pigment will stay put all day. I especially love that they blend easily when applied with your fingers (my favorite way of applying the shimmers).

3. Shade Range

You may think that a neutral palette is boring. It's not. See below for swatches and my go-to look

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Swatches

Glassy

Public

Laced Up

Stolen

Right Time

Spiced

Disclosure: I was not paid to write about this product; every now and then, Urban Decay shows me some love and mails me some products. This palette was received in PR. xx

BEAUTY FILE: KERASTASE RESISTANCE HAIR MASK

2020-08-20T06:29:00.003-04:00

I am floored. By a hair product. The Kerastase Resistance Masque is the stuff hair dreams are made of.

This is a hair mask, so I guess it's supposed to be reserved for those days where you're feeling indulgent but, I use it every time that I wash my hair. I have been a fan of the Kerastase line since my high school days (you don't want to know how long ago that was.). For about the last 4 years I'd used the Reflections line and mask. The Kerastase Reflection mask worked really well, made my hair soft and frizz free but was very strongly scented. I dealt with the fragrance issue because it worked so well. I thought it was my favorite Kerastase product until this gem.

The Kerastase Resistance Mask came into my life and when I first used it, it literally changed my hair texture - after one application. My hair became really soft and smooth. It works wonders, even in this Miami heat and humidity. It's a little hair miracle, without the heavy fragrance. You can get it at Ulta, Sephora but also sold at drugstores - my local CVS carries it.

Buy it.

Disclosure: I was not paid to write about this product; every now and then, Kerastase shows me some love and mails me some products. xx

WANDER BEAUTY NEW FALL COLLECTION

2019-10-26T18:29:00.001-04:00

If you've followed me for a while you know that Wander Beauty is one of my favorite makeup brands. They sent over some items from their new Fall collection so that I could test. The felt tip liner (High Line) is super precise - love! The Wanderess Rush eyeshadow palette has really creamy shades (both shimmers and mattes) that blend out well. I have it swatched below.

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BEST FACIAL IN MIAMI- CAUDALIE, BRICKELL CITY CENTRE

2019-08-18T19:40:00.002-04:00

I recently visited the Caudalie boutique at Brickell City Centre in Miami. The boutique, located on the second floor near Zara, has a quiet and zen treatment room. The spa offers facials and body treatments by trained estheticians who exclusively use Caudalie products. This is an honest review of my experience getting what I consider to be one of the best facials in Miami.

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PREGNANCY FILE: CIRCUS THEMED BABY SHOWER

2019-08-05T16:37:00.002-04:00

When I first sat down to write this post, we hadn't had our baby girl yet! We are happy to announce that Harper O was born on July 15th. Before her birth, we had no idea what her gender would be. We were actually able to keep the surprise until the day-of!

When it came time to select a baby shower theme, there were a few gender-neutral ideas I tossed around: night/stars, animals/zoo/jungle, and circus. I ended up going with the circus themed baby shower - so happy I did! With the help of Pinterest and Google, and a lot of early mornings, I planned what ended up being a really perfect day. My best friend pitched in and came through with the Nostalgia Popcorn Machine which was the ultimate finishing touch. This took a lot of work, and a lot of help from family and friends. We are so thankful to my Dad and our parents and loved ones.

Read below for circus themed baby shower inspo and a breakdown of how we made it all happen.

Circus Themed Baby Shower: Cake by Paola's Creations + Candy Station by Judy of D'vine Creations

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PREGNANCY FILE: AFFORDABLE MATERNITY DRESSES

2019-04-24T06:49:00.003-04:00

We have a lot of new things to chat about - and no time to chat about them in! I'll try to give you a quick summary. I am in my third trimester now; turned 28 weeks on Saturday. We also just moved! In case anyone was wondering, I do not recommend moving while six months pregnant. Our home is still upside down. Things are still in boxes, and I have no idea where I'm going to stash all of this makeup that I've hoarded over the years. My feet are swollen, I wake up at all hours, work stress and schedule has not lightened up...oh, and where is my concealer?! I have so many broken capillaries and angiomas from throwing up that I can't live without it.

During my pregnancy, I've been fortunate in that I've not needed to invest in many pieces. I have a really kind co-worker who handed down a few pair of her maternity jeans - I've worn them daily. I purchased a pair from a brand called Angel Maternity jeans (also try this pair, or this pair of denim leggings) I've pretty much lived in them my entire pregnancy (even arguing an motion for summary judgment in a pair - shhh). As for dresses, I've mostly managed to stick with the same dresses I owned before; anything that has stretchy fabric is a 'go' (like this basic jersey dress by Leith).

There is this option from Bumpsuit which is a maternity wear brand. It's a great Fall layering piece.

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PREGNANCY FILE: PRE-NATAL MASSAGE - THE BILTMORE

2019-03-17T17:23:00.000-04:00

I recently spent an afternoon at The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. Our best friend celebrated a surprise birthday, pool side, in a cabana. While we were on site I had my first pre-natal massage and snapped some photos of what I wore. For reference, I'm 22 weeks pregnant in these pictures.

Click through for my outfit photos. This is look can be both a maternity look and non-maternity look. It's a fun poolside or beach look that is really easy. The outfit is built around a few layers of bright colors with a pop of really bright color from the shoes. It's a bold color palette, layered over a solid yellow dress. Pretty easy and fun to wear. If you have kids and are going to be running around after them, change out the floor-length duster for something with a slightly shorter hem and keep the flats. I'm 22 weeks pregnant in these pictures.

22 weeks pregnant

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PREGNANCY FILE: PREGNANCY MIGRAINES AND NATURAL SOLUTIONS

2019-01-27T10:30:00.004-05:00

Here is what no one tells you - there is a really high possibility that being pregnant will cause a variety of unexpected ailments. Obviously, you can expect what is regularly spoken of; morning sickness and exhaustion during the first trimester - totally expected. Sensitivity to certain smells, yep that happens too, but what I didn't see coming were the migraines.

I've had migraines since high school but did not ever suffer from them to the point where I had several a week. As I got older, I began to have them less and less. Before I got pregnant, I estimate I was getting about 8 or 9 migraines a year. For a migraine sufferer, this is really not bad.

16 weeks.

Over the holidays, we shared our happy news with friends and family. I took a few days off of work. Life was good. On New Year's Eve, I started getting a terrible headache. It lingered through the night, and was gone by morning.
By January 11th, and I'd had 8 migraines since the new year. Twice they've lasted over 48 hours. I would come home from work on Friday, and the migraine would last all of Friday night, and through Saturday day and night. It would linger a bit on Sunday before subsiding. The cycle would start again knowing the stress of my job and the work week were looming.
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PREGNANCY FILE: BEST AND WORST STRETCH MARK CREAMS

2019-01-20T14:00:00.000-05:00

Surprise! I'm pregnant. It's a completely new experience for us that has us over the moon with happiness and excitement. It's the best of times and we have been lucky enough to have had this blessing during the holidays and Christmas. The best.

15 weeks; wearing Annie the Alchemist Estamos Hechos de Estrellas Tee

I just finished my first trimester and starting to show a bit. Based upon mama recs and some reviews, I ordered a few belly creams/ stretch mark creams. I've been testing some out and wanted to share what I've found with you.

Burt's Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter: $9.79 available at Amazon and Target. This is the winner for me. It comes in a pretty good sized tub. It's easy to spread, absorbs quickly, and leaves my skin really soft. As a bonus, you can also use it on your legs post-shave, and it will work to hydrate. It has a very mild, almost undetectable scent that does not linger. The Burt's Bee's Mama Bee Belly Butter is labeled as being 99% natural. It is rated a 2 by the EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database.

If you are unfamiliar with EWG and EWG Skin Deep Cosmetic Database (as I was, until fairly recently,) you will want to go online and browse the site. It's a very handy tool if you are trying to cut out toxic and hazardous chemicals that are contained in every day products. EWG ranks products according to how harmful they are; a level 1 rating being the least harmful, a level 10 being the most. EWG also ranks each individual ingredient contained in a product. It's shocking to see the garbage that's in your foundation, blush, dishwashing soap, mascara, etc. Now that baby is coming, I'm trying to be a bit more cautious. This belly butter fits the bill.

EWG Hazard Rating System

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Skin Therapy Oil: $9.69, available at Amazon. I'll admit that Palmer's was the first brand that came to mind when thinking about stretch mark creams. I feel like I grew up watching the Palmer's cocoa butter commercials. I didn't purchase that though. I opted for their Skin Therapy Oil. I like that this product contains Argan oil and vitamin E but dislike the heavy fragrance. EWG ranks this product a 3, with the most offensive ingredient being the fragrance, individually ranked as an 8. Palmer's Skin Therapy Oil contains a strong Rosehip scent. I smell it more than I do any trace of the cocoa butter scent. It also unfortunately lingers. If you are OK with fragrance, or don't mind this particular scent, you will like this product but for me this was a pass.

Palmer's Skin Therapy Oil with Rosehip (strongly fragranced).

Earth Mama Belly Oil: $15.00, available at Amazon, Target and the Earth Mama website.
Earth Mama Organics is a great, natural, plant-based product line. When you look at the ingredients contained in the Earth Mama products, you will be able to easily recognize and pronounce them all. This product is rated a 1 on the EWG website - the lowest toxic and safest designation. It contains a blend of pure organic oils as well essential oils like orange blossom. When first applied, this has an organic, earthy scent which quickly dissipates. The product is quite oily but not sticky or tacky. I apply it post-shower, before bed. It has been one of my favorites, so far.

Earth Mama Belly Oil - a favorite of mine!

Body Merry Stretch Marks and Scars Defense Oil: $18.99 at Amazon. Contains 6 pure oils, natural and organic. The oil is yellow and leaves a little bit of a yellow tint on the skin. Smells earthy but not overpowering. Does a fantastic job of moisturizing and leaving skin soft and supple. Another great product.

Body Merry Stretch Marks and Scars Organic Cocoa Butter + Shea Butter: $19.99 on Amazon. While this has very high ratings, is safe and natural, I did not like the tackiness of this. It was sticky and didn't absorb or apply smoothly. It was tough to distribute on the skin. I also did not like the fragrance. This was my least favorite belly butter that I tried.

Mustela Soothing Moisturizing Balm: $23.00 at Nordstrom. Mustela is a French based brand, best known for its line of baby creams and shampoos. This cream goes on really easy. It spreads evenly and absorbs quickly. It would be perfect were it not for the strong smell. At first, I really enjoyed the scent but as it wore, I found it lingered for hours and was ultimately too much. It is safe to use, being categorized as a 1 on EWG.

Bio Oil $23.99: this was highly recommended by many people but I figured, I had so many other options that I didn't need to try this one. Bio Oil contains chamomile, vitamins A, and E, rosemary and lavender oil. Everywhere you check, this product is consistently sold out because everyone seems to love it. People who aren't pregnant use it to fade stretch marks they've had for years. BUT, the more I read about it the more I hesitated. This is ranked as a 7 on EWG, a category which is designated as "high hazard." It contains Benzyl Salicylate which pregnant women aren't supposed to use. It contains Geraniol, which alone, has an overall EWG ranking of 7. The primary ingredient in Bio Oil is mineral oil - a liquid petroleum by-product. Some argue that the amount of these harmful ingredients in Bio Oil is minimal, for me, this was a pass.

BEAUTY FILE: KERASTASE REFLECTION COLLECTION

2018-10-15T20:09:00.000-04:00

As a blogger, I am fortunate in that I get to test a ton of beauty and haircare products. Of course, I am always open to trying out new things, but along the way, I have definitely developed some favorites. The Kerastase Reflection line is one of those newly favorited product launches.

When Kerastase reached out, I was eager to see what they recommended for my hair. A few years ago, I had a bad cellophane treatment that left my hair dry and prone to breakage. In 2017, I reluctantly dyed my hair for the first time, which resulted in my hair turning a shade too dark for my liking. In order to counteract the black shade, I got highlights. The bleach killed my hair. I've been growing it out ever since, trying to do what I can to restore it.

I have been using the Kerastase Reflection line, consistently, for over three months. My hair is stronger, and softer. It also has a lot more shine. I use the Sulfate Free Shampoo for color treated hair and the Reflection Mask. I do use a drugstore shampoo for my first shampoo, then follow it with the shampoo from the line. I leave the conditioning mask on anywhere from 5-10 minutes. I really coat my hair in the mask and use a good amount. The conditioning mask has lasted me a full three months. I still haven't gone through a full bottle of the shampoo. These are high end products which are worth the investment.

Natural hair, no product, and air dried after washing / conditioning with Kerastase Reflection Shampoo and Mask

Kerastase is having a sale on their website. You can now get the Reflection Holiday Gift Set for a special price. The line is carried at my local CVS. Sephora has also recently started carrying Kerastase!

If you have tried these products out, please leave a comment letting me know what your experience has been.

Kerastase sent me the products in the Reflection line. This post is not sponsored.

Natural hair, no product, and air dried after washing / conditioning with Kerastase Reflection Shampoo and Mask

TRAVEL DIARY: EAST HAMPTON, NEW YORK

2018-10-01T21:02:00.001-04:00

I recently traveled to East Hampton, in New York, for a weekend trip to celebrate a good friend's engagement. You can read about how we got around, in this post. Below is a roundup of what I wore, where we ate, and what we saw. Click below for my Hampton's Travel Guide.

Finishing the night off right, with a side walk shimmy outside of Lulu's Kitchen and Bar in Sag Harbor. Wearing a bustier by Laveer; one of my favorite pieces because it can be dressed up or down.

Where to Stay:
We were a large group so we opted for a 4 bedroom house through Air BNB (5 Longboat Lane) nestled deep in the hills. Every morning, little deer would graze on our front lawn. The location is remote, with spotty internet and cell phone access which allowed us to disconnect. The area was peaceful and quiet, full of wildlife and beautiful scenery. We were about a 15 minute drive to town, and Sag Harbor.

What to Do:

Sightseeing: Montauk, Sag Harbor, East Hampton are beautiful. I recommend renting a car and just exploring the surroundings. We were very fortunate to have Volkswagen sponsor our ride, and really enjoyed driving the Tiguan through the beautiful neighborhoods (full review on the VW Tiguan here). The homes are gorgeous. In town, you'll find a Soul Cycle (of course), a farmer's market, and so much good shopping.

Shopping: if you're a fashion girl you will find all of your faves located along the strip; Zimmerman, Intermix, Tory Burch, Alice Olivia, everything within arm's reach.

Surf Lessons: we also drove to Montauk and took surfing lessons on the beach. We used Corey's Wave. Really nice and patient instructors.

Wildlife: make your way to the Duck Pond. It's a peaceful spot where you can feed the wildlife, walk nature trails and find a bird sanctuary. Be on the lookout for the muskrat!

Hire a Private Chef: it's really nice to stay in from time to time, especially while on vacation! Chef Kevin Des Chenes (Food Network alum) prepared a fantastic lobster and clam bake for us, with all of the trimmings. He was a great sport, and a one-man-show who handled everything from meal prep, plating and cleaning. More pictures of the meal below.

Surfing in Montauk.

Where to Eat:
Lulu's Kitchen and Bar in Sag Harbor: beautiful restaurant with delicious food and cocktails, friendly/knowledgable staff and a great atmosphere. You know it's good when you see Eric Ripert having dinner with his family and then he graciously drops by your table to congratulate the bride.
What to Eat: have the skirt steak, mussels, roasted cauliflower, and a Spicy Paloma cocktail.

The Lobster Roll: I will admit that I had a total fangirl moment when we stopped at The Lobster Roll on our drive back from surfing. Those of you who are fans of The Affair will recognize this restaurant from the series.
What to Eat: have the puffer fish (seriously amazing - you will not believe how good), fried clams, and a lobster roll, obviously. Skip the Bloody Mary - not the best.

Lobster Roll at the Lobster Roll.

La Fondita Mexican Restaurant: located in Amagansett off of Montauk Highway, this Mexican restaurant came highly recommended but was somewhat of a letdown. Still, I wouldn't say it was bad, but the lines / wait were long and there was nothing I ate that was too memorable. Note: only outdoor seating.

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WANDER BEAUTY

2018-09-25T08:31:00.001-04:00

Wander Beauty's On The Glow Blush and Illuminator duo. A two-in-one product that's easy to travel with.
The shell is part of the Sunday Forever Witch Kit

Wander Beauty's On The Glow Blush and Illuminator duo

Wander Beauty is a new beauty and makeup line that was created by two women, model Lindsay Ellingson and business woman Divya Gugnani, who saw the need to cut down on the amount of stuff they packed when they traveled. They also needed to streamline their busy mornings. They took this concept, of multi-tasking, no fuss products, and created Wander Beauty.

Most people like to pack light when they travel; an idea that admittedly, escapes me. Still, I'm aware that many women need to travel with only the essentials. When you add a few kids into the mix, keeping things easy becomes even more important.

Most products in the Wander Beauty line are dual sided for this reason. They are 2 in 1 and easy pack or throw in your purse. Wander Beauty is cruelty free :) The line is also free of parabens, synthetic fragrance and mineral oil. They also offer a selection of gluten free products.

You guys, the line is really, really good. I've been using it for over a month and will not go back to another concealer. Read below for product reviews on my faves.

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THE 2018 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN REVIEW: THE PERFECT TRAVEL COMPANION

2018-08-26T11:33:00.004-04:00

We recently took a trip up through New York, to East Hampton, Sag Harbor and Montauk. The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan accompanied us every step of the way and made for the perfect travel companion.

The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan

Montauk

The Tiguan is VW's version of a compact, cross-over SUV; seating up to seven people when you fully utilize the the third row seating option, (although the last row of seats is much smaller in size and probably more kid friendly than adult friendly.). A variety of driving packages make it a fun car to drive. It boasts a 5-inch color touch screen that was useful on our trip as we navigated the long and windy Hamptons' roads. The Tiguan synchs to your Apple iPhone, and mirrors your phone on the dash, allowing you to select your destination from Maps and access other things like your Contacts. In addition to Apple CarPlay, it also has Android MirrorLink options. You can also opt to display your text messages or have them read to you so that you can keep your eyes safely on the road.

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CHOTTO MATTE: MIAMI

2018-08-12T11:59:00.001-04:00

Nikkei Gyoza: pork shrimp and cassava dumplings at Chotto Matte, Miami

Chotto Matte, the popular Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant with locations in Toronto and in London, has recently opened in Miami. The sleek exterior hides the entrance, tucked in the alleyway just behind the 1111 parking garage, off of 16th and Lenox.

Night time bar scene at Chotto Matte, Miami

The dining concept centers around four key areas: the sushi bar, the Robata grill, the Sautee Grill and a Tempura selection. There are also a variety of Nikkei sharing menus to choose from. The sharing menus are perfect for first timers, because they help cut through the vast menu selections. They provide you with pre-set options for starters, entrees, and desserts.

Exec Chef Jordan Sclare, has hit it out of the park with dishes like the Tentaculos de Pulpo - a perfectly grilled and tender piece of octopus served alongside a purple potato sauce. The Nikkei Gyoza are perfectly crispy on the outside with a delicious pork and shrimp blend filling. The lobster tempura is a must have, and easy to share.

The ambiance and decore at Chotto Matte Miami are sure to draw you in. Dim lighting provides for beautiful interiors. If you opt to dine in the evening, the moonlight fills the main dining area, as it comes through the beautiful and large skylight. In the winter months, the retractable roof can be opened to let in the beautiful Miami breeze.

Chotto Matte is not quiet, by any means, and between the music blaring and the vast menu, you may feel a bit overwhelmed. Still, the tropical vibe is fun; a great option for a night out when you want to disconnect and people watch.

Last, but not least, and definitely worth a mention is the amazing service. This restaurant boasts the most friendly staff. There was rarely a moment in between plates, and the staff was really welcoming and pleasant.

Tentaculos de Pulpo

Below, are some of my must-have dishes.

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MIAMI NEW TIMES BURGER FEST 2018

2018-06-14T20:34:00.001-04:00

The first annual Miami New Times Burgerfest is here! This 21+ over event will take place at Soho Studios, in Miami, on Saturday, July 7, 2018. It will feature all-you-can-eat burger samplings from Miami's best spots. Restaurants will put a creative spin on their burgers, allowing you to taste and vote on who you think makes the best burger in town. The event will feature over 20 local South Florida restaurants, and have a cash bar for beer and cocktails. The fare will not just be limited to beef burgers; guests will also be able to snack on veggie burgers, fried chicken burgers and more.

Confirmed restaurants include:

El Rey de las Fritas
Yarumaba Restaurant
Fifi's on the Beach
Salt Kitchen and Lounge
JR's Gourmet Burgers

Ticket details:

VIP Tickets: VIP admission starts at 5PM; tickets are $55 and include unlimited burger and drink samples in a VIP area.

General Admission Tickets: GA entry starts at 6PM; tickets are $30.

The event runs until 9PM.

Restrictions: must be 21 to attend this event, no infants or babies allowed.

Follow the link below to purchase your tickets and if you want a special discounted ticket rate, use my online promo code FASHIONABLE to save.

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

#BurgerFest2018

#Bommia

MALLY BEAUTY MALLYWOOD COLLECTION

2018-06-04T07:01:00.000-04:00

When I received this package from Mally with their Mallywood collection, I was really excited. Years ago, when Mally first debuted on QVC, my mom and I would watch her promote her products. She's really fun, vibrant and has so much passion that she pours into her brand. She really stands behind her products, and if any of you have ever tested items from her line, you know why.

The Mallywood spring collection is limited edition and available online at Ulta, and the Mally website. It features:

highlighting blush ($28)
smokey mama mascara ($20)
wazza wazzup ombre highlighting trio ($32)
limited edition eye shadow palette ($29)

Swatches after the cut:

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