Blue

outfit details // Wide Leg Navy Linen Pant ( I also love this Topshop option and this option), Crewneck Navy sweater

accessory details // Z eroUV sunnies, Hermes "H" bangle, Croghan's Jewel Box Crest Ring, Dana Rebecca Lauren Joy necklace, Ellie Jay 5 Row diamond

photos shot by Molly Miller

What a weekend! For those who don’t follow my Instagram I was in New Orleans with the husband for a quick anniversary trip. I was a bit hesitant to go as I only new the “Mardi Gras” version of Nola. In college a group of us all drove down to Nola on what was the worst ice storm Dallas had seen in years and had one hell of a time. In fact, we had such a great time I vowed to be done with New Orleans after that trip. However, when the hubs said we were going for the weekend I packed my bags and off we went. I ended up having another “hell of a time,’ albeit a bit more tamed than the previous time. New Orleans is so charming with lots to eat, see, and do (my 72 hours in Nola coming to the blog soon). I ended up leaving saying, “I’d be back soon.”

That leads me to this post. New Orleans took it out of me. I need about a week to recover so thinking about what to type for this monochromatic look makes my brain hurt. Since it is Monday, and who wants to over complicate a Monday, I thought I would leave you with little words and lots of pics of this simple and easy look!

outfit details // Wide Leg Navy Linen Pant ( I also love this Topshop option and this option), Crewneck Navy sweater

accessory details // Z eroUV sunnies, Hermes “H” bangle, Croghan’s Jewel Box Crest Ring, Dana Rebecca Lauren Joy necklace, Ellie Jay 5 Row diamond

The Luxe Life on a Budget

For more information visit The Wayfarer and Generator

all images from their websites

I must admit, embarrassingly so, I have never stayed in a hostel. I have been told they are not “that bad” but I have always budgeted my money to stay in a nice hotel. It is part of my travel bliss. However, every time I see a movie from the 70’s there are these groups of people all hanging out, learning from each other and connecting on a deeper level, I always get a bit jealous I don’t have experiences like that. It gives me this yearn to try something new and be pushed outside of my comfort zone.

Nice hotels have always been one of my travel splurges but with the new wave of affordable luxury (I am talking $27 a night) my mind is quickly changing. Perhaps I will get my “something new” sooner than I thought. The young and hip are starting to flock to Generator, a European based Hostel company, for their unique designs, new spaces, young nightlife, and clean rooms. I am particularly fond of their terraces, decor, and eye for detail. The Generator has both shared rooms and single rooms available in cities such as Paris, London, Rome, Venice, Barcelona, Berlin, and many others. And if that didn’t suffice your travel appetite they also have some pretty badass displays around each hotel. From the Generator – “Each property takes influence from their unique surroundings. Sip your cocktail under the hanging lanterns of Generator Barcelona and experience exclusive art installations from some of the finest local artists at Generator Berlin Mitte. Generator Hamburg has its own piece of history, having once been used as a Beatles recording studio, and then there’s Venice, a converted grain house sitting on the waterfront of Giudecca with grand ceilings and authentic 16th century Palladio craftsmanship.” I don’t know about you, but hostel or not, I just want to be a part of the atmosphere and energy of likeminded, young, wanderlust, movers-and-shakers.

And don’t think European travelers are the only lucky ones. Thanks to The Wayfarer travelers to Santa Barbara California can now cash in on inexpensive luxury. Enjoy a yummy cocktail laying out by their beautiful pool area or join in on great conversation around the spanish style kitchen. Everywhere you look their is beauty and design but at a fraction of the price you would pay elsewhere!

Gone are the days of the grimy hostels you were scared to even hear about. Here are the days of the young, adventurous, and money conscious traveler with the world at their fingertips (and bank account). Bon Voyage!

below are images from the Generators Hostels around Europe and various shots of The Wayfarer

Date Night

outfit details // MASON BY MICHELLE MASON Wrap-effect washed-silk georgette midi dress, Adinkra Expo clutch c/o, Black Strap heel

accessory details // Croghan's Jewel Box Crest Ring, Dana Rebecca Lauren Joy necklace, Ellie Jay 5 Row diamond

Marriage = a lifetime together. A lifetime together = the need to keep things spicy. The hubs and I make it a priority to have date night every week. A time where there are no phones, a great glass of wine, and time to disconnect and reconnect. I look forward to our date night every week. When we are together there is no where in the world I would rather be. He really is my best friend! Being that we make the effort to have this date night it is always on my mind what to wear. Since I am normally in jeans and a t-shirt I try to make this night a little sexier. So when I came across this Mason by Michelle Mason dress I almost died. It is everything I have ever wanted.

When I was younger I still remember seeing Britney Spears wearing a Dolce and Gabbana black lace dress (very similar to this one) and I have never forgotten how much I loved it. Done right, lace is such a chic way to make an outfit a bit more seductive. What I love most about this dress is the modest and almost secretive sexiness about it. To be honest, what I find sexy is a tight turtleneck dress that hits below the knee or a button-up which shows just enough to keep them curious. It is all about keeping a little mystery which is why I find the panel of lace on the side of this dress everything! I love the way it moves when you walk and the little leg it shows when you sit. I can’t wait to show it off this weekend for our little getaway to celebrate our two year anniversary! Fingers crossed he loves it as much as I do!