When it comes to casual European chic, I can’t think of anyone who could do it better than Lynne Hiriak. A globetrotter extraordinaire, Lynne racks up more frequent flier miles in a year than I’ve accumulated in a lifetime. She’s also the creator of CARDIGAN New York, quite possibly my very favorite place for all things striped and cozy. As it turns out, she’s also an expert when it comes to shopping (and eating) her way through Florence, and her dream day is packed with hidden shops and locals-only restaurants I can’t wait to add to my to-do list. Lead on, Lynne!
Anyone who knows me will tell you my taste in music is…well, eclectic would be a kind word. Partly stalled in the ’90s (I get way too excited when I hear Sarah McLachlan is touring), partly influenced by whatever I hear on Ellen or wafting through random hipster coffee shops, with a few showtunes and arias thrown in for good measure, let’s just say that hitting “shuffle” on my iTunes collection is definitely a conversation-starter.
Luckily, when I need a good playlist, I know enough to turn to an expert, which is where my friends Bobbie and Shannon at BB Gun Press come in. They rep some of the hippest bands in the biz, from Fitz & The Tantrums and Brandi Carlile to Metallica and Green Day. When I asked if they’d put together a travel playlist to kick off my very long flight, they were sweet enough to come up with this amazingness, which I’ve been listening to all week. I don’t care how hip you are, I guarantee you there are songs (and bands) on this list you’ve never heard of.
Break out your headphones (I’m obsessed with these Bluetooth BackBeats at present), sit back, and prepare for takeoff…even if you’re heading absolutely nowhere, you’ll enjoy your afternoon so much more with this as your soundtrack!
It’s here, friends! The big fat European vacation I’ve had on my bucket list for…oh, eight years and change…is finally on the horizon, and I am positively giddy. Two glorious weeks (and change) in Florence and Paris. It’s a good thing I have this face waiting for me at home, or I might expatriate while no one’s looking.
While I’m away, you won’t be lonely – I have some extremely stylish guests stopping by to share their idea of a dream day in Europe, and I’ll be popping in with envy-inducing travel snaps (if you’re not already following me on Instagram, now’s the time!).
But before I go, I thought I’d share the holy grail of packing lists, better known as “How to pack for a two-week trip without busting your baggage allowance”. I’ve honed and tested this list for weeks, and I’ll give you a report when I’m back on how well I fared, but I’ll admit – I kind of think I’ve nailed it. Read on
Friends, I’ve been so excited to put this list together for you! The truth is, London is one of my very favorite cities in the world – I’ve visited a few times, and was lucky enough to live there once upon a time. It just never loses its luster. So, when I give you a list of my very favorite things to do in London, I know of what I speak. Read on
Friends, I have so much to tell you about the wonderful time I had in London last week! But first things first – I know you want the scoop on my retail adventures, and goodness knows there’s plenty to tell. In four days, I managed to hit Portobello Road, Liberty of London, Harrods, Topshop, Selfridges, the V&A Museum shop, Cath Kidson, and of course Boots. To say nothing of the sightseeing, eating, theatre and my afternoon at the Four Seasons. Exhausted? Yep. Worth it? Totally.
While I catch my breath, I thought I’d show you a few of my favorite finds from London. Don’t fret – after some very careful sleuthing, I’ve found spots you can nab each and every one of these goodies right here in these United States. Read on
Is there anything more blissful than one of those picture-perfect fall weekends? The air is crisp, the leaves are changing, and all you want is a day at a pumpkin patch and a hot spiced cider. It’s positively idyllic. And yet…I found a way to improve on it.
If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know I spent a weekend in Half Moon Bay recently – specifically at the Ritz-Carlton property there, which was (predictably) amazing. Friends, all I can tell you is that if you’re looking for that idyllic fall weekend, this is exactly where you want to be. It turns out that fall is peak season in Half Moon Bay. Summer’s fog (and the tourist traffic) has cleared out, and there are pumpkin patches as far as the eye can see. (Did you have any idea that HMB was the pumpkin capital of the world? Me neither.)
Sure, you could stay at any of the perfectly nice hotels along Highway 1 as you head into town. But really, if you’re going for idyllic, why on earth would you stay anywhere besides the Ritz? I’m a ridiculously lucky girl, so this isn’t the first time I’ve stayed at a Ritz-Carlton property. And every time, the service is other-worldly, the food is exceptional, and the rooms are stunning. But this particular Ritz might be my favorite of all. Read on
