Outfits of the Month

 For the last 6 months, I've shared my outfits of the week featuring what I wore to work each day. This month, I'm mixing things up and doing a round-up of my favorite looks from May - including everything from the office to errands, workout clothes to date night, and anything in between.

neutrals

{striped button down - old navy // wide-leg jeans - zara (last worn here) // sandals - steve madden // cane woven bag - t.j. maxx}

50 shades of denim

{chambray button down - cloth & stone // ombre jeans - gap // woven sandals - target // red bag - tory burch}

beach walk in Cabo

{tropical print two-piece set - ron jon top + shorts // linen hat - madewell // sunglasses - amazon}

linen & leather

{linen button down - ron jon (last worn here) // olive faux leather skirt - t.j. maxx (worn here too) // suede block heels - target // snakeskin bag - rebecca minkoff}

casual & comfy

{knit kimono - vici // sweater tank - roxy // jeans - madewell // colorblock bag - coach // cork sandals - nordstrom}

summer night out for drinks + live music

{muscle tank - t.j. maxx // lace bralette - nasty gal // denim shorts - levi's // block sandals - target}

Memorial Day at the beach

{LA hat - amazon // white bikini - ron jon top + bottom // white button down - missguided // denim shorts - levi's}

Fave Podcasts

Back in 2021, I shared a roundup of my favorite podcasts (check those out here!) Most of which I still listen to, but I've added some new voices to my weekly rotation. I typically go for a mix of health and wellness, motherhood, and love a good re-watch podcast of a nostalgic show. Below are some of the ones I tune into frequently.

Den

The den is one of my favorite rooms in our home - it's cozy, filled with greenery and drenched in natural sunlight. I love to curl up here with a good book & Zoey snuggled on my lap, or roll out my yoga mat, light incense and enjoy a peaceful flow.

When we first moved in to our house, we had our former dining table in this room since it is positioned right off the kitchen and is laid out on the floorplan as the dining room. But it never felt right - too tight to comfortably move throughout the room if we were seated around the table, and Thanksgiving dinner with extended family felt cramped. The daybed was in the now-dining room with the bookshelves but it felt too big and vast for the intimate environment I was going for. So...I swapped the rooms! Now I'm obsessed with each respective space (check out our dining room makeover). 

The den has a true mix of old and new - the papasan chair is from my bedroom in my childhood home. We just traded in a new cushion to match the neutral color palette. The daybed was from my parent's house as well. It's a great spot for an afternoon nap, and provides an additional bed when we have more overnight visitors than the guest room will accommodate. Plus tons of pillows to up the relaxation level with a combo of stripes, prints and textures. 

To complete the room, we added boho and coastal touches, which creates a seamless transition to the neighboring dining room. A woven light fixture with a dimmer, a round rattan mirror to reflect the sunshine streaming through the window, and a terrazzo side table for a place to put a cup of coffee - all of which bring the room together for both function and aesthetics.

I love the hanging baskets with plants to add some extra dimension and life to the room. The wooden ladder showcases the Mexican blanket I bought in Cabo on my girls trip last year, and the Florida Keys map was my 30th birthday gift from Greg. My family has been vacationing in the Keys for as long as I can remember, and Greg and I have made many trips there over the years (2021, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011) including our wedding in Key West! I like finding ways to incorporate pieces in our home that tell our story - from treasures we have found traveling to framed family photos, and a map dotted with places holding special memories we have made together.

Cabo Recap

{Cinco de Mayo in Cabo}

 Less than a year after my girls trip to Cabo, I went back to Mexico for a long weekend to celebrate the wedding of my closest friend from college. Liz and I were not only roommates at Florida State, but also sorority big & little sisters, and all-around partners in crime from football tailgates to nights out dancing.

The wedding festivities took place at the Hilton in Los Cabos, and Greg and I stayed at the resort for 3 nights. It was absolutely beautiful - stunning views, amazing food and drinks, clean rooms, friendly staff with excellent service, multiple pools, a swimmable beach, and everything else we could dream of.

We arrived mid-day on Friday (which happened to be Cinco de Mayo!) and since our room was ready early, we each changed into a bathing suit and headed straight to the Enclave Beach Club. Vacation had officially begun when I was swinging at the bar with a margarita in hand! Greg and I ordered lunch on the beach (tacos + ceviche from Lena) while we enjoyed overlooking the Sea of Cortez and soaking up the sunshine.

There was a welcome party for all of the wedding guests on Friday night up on the whale watching terrace of the resort. It was a perfect time to meet all of the couple's friends and family - all of whom were absolutely delightful! 

{spicy skinny margarita}

{green crochet bikini - revolve // crochet sarong - forever 21 // straw hat - lack of color // sunglasses - amazon // jute striped bag - h&m // woven sandals - target}

{ceviche}

{beachside}

{Big and Little reunited!}

{pink dress - hello molly // black straw bag - target // black heels - hello molly // beaded earrings - etsy}

{welcome party}

On Saturday, Greg and I enjoyed breakfast at one of the resort restaurants, Talavera, which had deliciously strong coffee and an enormous buffet of everything imaginable - from a smoothie bar to an omelet station, and an overflowing assortment of pastries. After breakfast, we adventured down to walk on the beach. We found beautiful shells and coral to bring home to Jack. The scenery was breathtaking - rocks, cliffs, alcoves and the sound of the waves crashing on the shore.

We rented a cabana by the pool for the day and thoroughly enjoyed lounging in the shade while reading and sipping cocktails. For lunch, we jumped in the pool and grabbed a spot at the swim-up-bar for sushi from Mio. A guitarist was playing music nearby and it really set the vibe.

The wedding ceremony was that evening, so we got dressed up and headed down to Mio Beach. The pampas grass altar with the waves in the background was gorgeous, and the bride looked absolutely stunning in her wedding gown. Cocktail hour was filled with apps, margaritas, hugs, photos and the most spectacular sunset rainbow! 

We moved over to the reception venue, decorated perfectly with shades of blush and cream florals and twinkly string lights above. With entertaining speeches sprinkled throughout the dinner courses, we ended with the most delicious cheesecake and moved right into the party. The dance floor was packed for 3 straight hours! We had the best night!

{beach walk}

{bikini - ron jon // fringe cover-up - amazon}

{exploring}

{the Buckman bungalow}

{soaking up the views}

{sushi at the swim-up-bar}

{reading and relaxing}

{the beautiful bride}

{unreal sunset rainbow}

{blue gown - hello molly // straw clutch - amazon // cork sandals - chinese laundry // earrings - etsy}

We made plans to venture outside the resort on Sunday. First up: Brunch at Bagatelle in the marina of Cabo San Lucas. The restaurant had an Alice in Wonderland theme for brunch and it was decorated as if we had fallen down the rabbit hole. We ordered a truffle pizza and the most delicious guacamole I've ever had (hot tip: basil instead of cilantro!)

After brunch, we went back to the Hilton to meet up with the newlyweds. They rented all of the cabanas at the adults-only pool so we had a semi-private area for all the guests to enjoy some R&R. It was so nice to reminisce on the night with everyone, and take a dip in the infinity pool overlooking the beach. 

{Wonderland Brunch at Bagatelle}

{loving the mad hatter decor}

{guacamole + truffle pizza}

{tassel bikini top - beach riot // black linen skirt - lulu's // straw clutch - amazon // sunglasses - target // cork sandals - chinese laundry}

{poolside for the afternoon}

{my hot hubby}

{straw hat - lack of color // sunglasses - amazon // violet bikini - kulani kinis}

{heaven on earth}

When I went to Cabo last year with my two best girlfriends, we tried to get reservations at Sunset Monalisa but they were closed for an event. The restaurant was ranked in the "Top 5 Coolest Restaurants in the World" in 2014 (NYT) and was at the top of my list this trip. Since they only take reservations exactly 30 days in advance, I set a calendar reminder in my phone so I could try to get us in for dinner on our last night. 

We were able to snag a 6:15pm table for two, and had the best view of the entire golden hour, with The Arch of Land's End as the backdrop. At 7:40pm, right as the sun set, the staff began signaling the moment, ringing a gong and blowing conch shells. Everyone stopped to watch the magnificent descent. It seemed as though the sun sank slowly the entire night, as the sky did not go completely dark until after 9pm, when the waiters brought Mexican blankets out to the guests to bundle up in the cool breeze.

Our meal at Sunset Monalisa was truly the most memorable dining experience we have ever had. The flavor combinations were unique, the service was next level, and we could not stop soaking in the view. We chose the three-course a la carte dining menu. For our first course, Greg ordered the octopus and bluefin tartare. I went with the seared scallops that literally melted in your mouth. Our second course was caramelized duck pasta for Greg, and the totoaba for me, which is a fish native to the Sea of Cortez. Dessert was heavenly - I only shared a tiny bite with my husband! I had the peanut delight, consisting of a peanut praline, mazapan ice cream, and salty peanut mousse. I'm salivating just thinking about it. Greg had the honeycomb with meregue, gorgonzola mousse, chamomile ice cream & chocolate crumble.

The restaurant had a professional photographer who offered to take some shots of us before our meal. He presented us the collection of edited photos after dessert and we immediately bought the package as a keepsake of our all-time best meal, and unforgettable trip. I cannot wait to frame one for our home. 

{one of the shots from the professional photographer}

{wine with a view}

{epic sunset}

{best meal}

{bundled up}

{black & white dress - vici}

{LOVE}

On Monday morning, we had just enough time for one last walk on the beach, and as we were making our way down the steps to the sand, we saw a whale jumping! Such an incredible moment! We enjoyed a nice, big breakfast, packed up and grabbed our ride to the airport. Not quite ready to leave, but our hearts were very full of amazing memories, and our arms could not wait to hug Jack. Our room number was 2028, and we made a deal that we have to come back to Mexico that year!

{last morning in paradise}

{adventuring for treasures & shells}

{farewell from a whale}