Colorful California
What a joy it was on my birthday to not only be in California but to be able to travel to Santa Monica Pier and take in all the smells of salt and the Pacific ocean (something I thought I'd personally never see). I got to see all the wonders of LA too and it's an incredible piece of art. The art scene over on the west coast is a lot more accepting of things like graffiti and murals. New York officials would have half of what I saw painted over by now with nothing original to replace it.
This wall featuring Frieda Kahlo was right across the street from our hotel, our second day in I knew I had to get a picture with it.
My crop top is a favorite of mine. If you've been following the blog you'll know I've got a love affair with Fashion to Figure and own many of their clothing. This crop top I got at a sample sale they had on 5th ave a long time ago. The jeans are my favorite high waisted pair from GAP. I knew we'd be walking a lot this day so I opted for my slip-on shoes from Forever 21.
Packing for a summer trip always sounds easy—until you're staring at an open suitcase, wondering how you'll fit seven outfits, three pairs of shoes, and all your skincare into one bag.
Over the years, I've learned that packing efficiently doesn't mean sacrificing style. In fact, some of my favorite travel outfits have come from carefully editing what I bring, rather than overpacking "just-in-case" pieces that never leave the suitcase.
Whether you're heading to the beach, exploring a new city, or planning a weekend getaway, here's how to pack smarter while still feeling like yourself throughout your trip.