Two weeks from today we’ll be somewhere warm, hopefully with a drink in hand. I always use our spring travel as a way to jumpstart my wardrobe with a few new pieces that I can break in on the trip but then continue to wear in the season ahead. This year is no different and I have my online carts full of things that I think will be fun to wear while we’re away but still prove versatile throughout spring and summer. Below – the (mostly) neutrals I’ve got my eye on. Spoiler: a colorful edition is still to come!
I am trying to play it cool but I’m very excited to be heading out of town next weekend. Pre-pandemic (doesn’t that feel eons ago?) we had fallen into the habit of heading somewhere warm every year around this time and it really saved me from the winter doldrums that set in without fail by about mid-February. Our last trip was March 5, 2020 and I was so grateful we somehow snuck that in, but two long years later and I am absolutely in need of vitamin D, a pool and temperatures in the 80s.
Naturally I couldn’t resist picking up a few things for the occasion. While they’re technically for the trip, I know that I’ll be wearing all of these often this spring/summer. I’m especially excited about this swingy eyelet shirt dress that I’ll re-wear at the office with flats, this lace-up sweater that will be so cute with cut-offs on summer nights at the lake and these suede sandals in a walkable heel height that will go with virtually everything. And – in an effort to show restraint – just one of the books that will inevitably make it into my carry-on next weekend.
I know I always say this but I really can’t believe it’s almost May. Isn’t it still 2020? Time is funny these pandemic days. I have a lot to look forward to this month – my second vaccine shot, my birthday, warmer weather, a couple of days off work, a weekend at the lake. All in all it feels like high time I dusted off my ‘real wardrobe’ and added a few new pieces, to be mixed and matched from now through August. Below, what’s caught my eye.
Over the course of the past 6+ weeks (how has it been that long?!) of working from home I’ve developed a simple formula that gets me ready for Zoom meetings in less than 5 minutes flat. Most of the time I spend the days in a simple pair of jeans and t-shirt anyway – but when I know I need to be camera ready for a conference call I throw on a great blazer and add one distinct accessory. A pretty scarf, headband that helps to hide my incessantly growing roots or a layered necklace. That’s it, and I instantly feel put together and presentable. I highly suggest it the next time your boss suddenly wants to Facetime.
SHOP BLAZERS:
SHOP T-SHIRTS:
SHOP ACCESSORIES:
*All blazers picture above gifted from my friends at Talbots. They’re my go to for a great quality blazer at a good price. Striped and linen are from past seasons, gingham and chambray are current season.
I had been dreaming of this trip for a long time. The first time I went to Paris was 11 years ago. I was just 20 years only and followed my study abroad tour group with big eyes and a stomach hungry for crepes. It was an amazing few days but honestly most of it passed in a blur. As the years ticked by I would think about Paris often and how grand the city felt, thinking – just hoping someday I’d get the chance to go back.
A year ago I made a list of places I’d like to travel in 2019 and Paris sat firmly in the Spring. For 6 months I thought about it wistfully but it seemed unattainable. But then I realized – everything is unattainable until you make a plan. And so I did. Adam and I decided not to get each other Christmas presents, I took 3 whole months off from shopping and I packed my lunch every single work day so far this year. We slowly set aside our pennies instead. I combed AirBnB to find a cheap option in the neighborhood we were dying to stay in. I tracked flights religiously to find the best deal. We researched how to take the train from the airport to save on costly taxi rides. In short – we found a way to make the dream a reality.
I wanted to share all of this before I dove in to sharing the “pretty pictures” because I think blogs/Instagram often gloss over all of the realities. I see a lot of people take these extravagant trips and share this gorgeous “content” – and say nothing of what it might have taken to get there. Sure, maybe some of them are just lavishly wealthy, but I’d guess a lot of them are likely cutting the same corners as we do and have to carefully save their money too. But not a lot of people mention that. So it comes off looking/feeling like everyone but you is leading a glamorous life.
I don’t want you to feel that way when you look at our pictures from this trip. Instead I hope you feel inspired to set a big goal for yourself and then make a plan to get there. Paris lived up to every single memory and wish I had for it – and then some. And it was even sweeter knowing that we had worked hard to get there. As opposed to my last trip, I know I’ll be remembering this one in crisp detail for many years to come.
Stay tuned for the full travel guide + lots more outfits of the outfits I wore there that are perfect for spring/summer!
