Travel Made Perfect

I have lots of visits back home for the holidays and lots of fun family events headed my way. I am looking forward to some extra smooth travel to help me relax this holiday. The key to enjoyable travel is all about the airport outfit and the packing of the suitcase. This past weekend was our first stop of the season, home to NJ, and I gave it my best shot. 

 I decided to start and finish my travels this weekend in the most comfortable light knit top from Shop The Mint. Miami to NJ requires layers from start to finish. This top was perfect for the plane! It was both comfortable and stylish and easily paired with other comfy clothes like skinny stretch jeans and flat shoes/boots.

Shop my look below and get $10 off your first purchase at Shop The Mint, when you sign up for emails! Enter to win an additional $25 gift card on my Insta HERE and check out all my travel tips listed below. xo RCN

Tips 4 Travel

1. Wear your favorite stretchy items on the plane, like this oversized V-neck top. The stretch in leggings or a sweater may be helpful when reaching for your bag in the overhead compartment or if your chapstick goes flying underneath the seat in front of you.

2. Wear the same look 2 different ways. Swap sweaters and tops, but re-wear jeans to save on some suitcase space. Where your airport look to and from, but switch out for new shoes and a purse to give yourself a re-fresh on the way home.

3. Do wear easy slip on and off shoes to the airport. These Zara boots or Steve Madden slip on sneaks won't deter you from a speedy walk to the gate if your running a little late, and will be quite helpful for a quick trip through security.

4. When packing your suitcase, ROLL! Roll any clothing items that you can. It will alleviate any unwanted wrinkles on knits, cottons, even denim.

5. Bag it! I never go anywhere without my duster bags for shoes and handbags. They keep the soles of your shoes as far from your clean clothes as possible and your nice leather bags from getting any unwanted scratches.

6. Need an extra purse? Okay, just pack one inside the other like nesting dolls. Will help on saving space, whether you place inside a checked bag or even a carry on tote!

7. Fragile items are best tucked within layers of your most soft and fluffy clothing items inside your suitcase. It helps to add padding for the bumpy road ahead.

8. Bringing along some extra special jewelry, but you're not exactly keen on wearing it through the airport or checking it? Keep them close by your side in a seperate mini travel bag that you can tuck inside your purse. That way you don't have the worry of losing it, if it's safe and stored away on your shoulder.

9. Bag what you need for "on the plane" separately within your carry on purse or tote. Lip gloss, headphones, gum, tissues, ibuprofen, credit card, book, whatever it might be. It will be much easier to settle once on the plane if you only need to remove one item from your carry on, rather than 10 separate pieces. Your seat mate will be thankful.

10. Pack your toiletry bag within another zip bag or something that will double prevent any spillage on your other items. I've made the mistake of shampoo and nail polish remover leaks - eek!

11. And of course, if you intend on doing some shopping while you're away...leave some extra space in any of your bags ;)

 

Florida Camouflage

A romper, maxi, mini dress, pillow, or wallpaper covered in a banana leaf or palm pattern gets me giddy, always. When I found this uber affordable mini dress from rosegal.com (also on shein.com) I had to have it. It may make me blend into the background of this tropical playground, that is Miami, but I don't mind. I'll be holding onto this dress for as long as I can. Thankfully, I still have quite a few months to wear it out. And, since I am not afraid to over-do a color or dramatize an outfit, I decided I like to wear my green Celine bag along with the dress. Let's just say, I like the bag adding to my Florida camouflage look. xo RCN

 

Blue Living

There's no debate about it. Blue is the official color of this Summer. Every time I find a cute dress online or see another girl walk by in an adorable top, nine times out of ten - it's blue! And, often times its a pinstripe or seersucker or mini stripe, or something of the sort. This dress is one of my favorite warm weather pieces. I picked it up at Forever 21, along with the sandals. Both are easy to slip on, no fuss about it. No lacing up the sandals, and no bra needed for the dress! To complete the look when I'm in the sun, I pair my Aerie straw hat. The trio of ombre blue raffia pom poms is what sold me on this sun protector. Oh, and it's currently on sale for less than $10. Kid you not. Nothing beats a cute look for under $60 (bag not included!). You know how I like to splurge on my bags ;) xo RCN 

 

Coveted Cover-Ups

Half my wardrobe consists of swimsuit cover-ups. I spend almost every weekend at the Beach or pool. Let's be real, half the people shopping in the South Beach Publix grocery store are wearing beach cover-ups or bikinis. Maybe, you live somewhere less likely to frequent the beach, but pools, lakes, and the ocean are a big part of everyone's Summer. With that being said, you probably devote a good amount of your Summer time in what can be spent in a cover-up. Cover-ups are my favorite South Florida and Summer wardrobe staple (other than my accessories). Here is a compilation of some of my favorites, direct from the closet and some coveted pieces available online now. Happy "it's still" Summer, everyone! xo RCN

 

Maxis All Day

There is just something about a maxi dress that is feminine and quite relaxing to wear. Maybe, it's because there is an extra long skirt that can flip around and can be twirled so prettily, or maybe it's because the extra length simply doesn't allow for too many false moves where everyone can see your underwear - just saying! The less I want to wear pants, because of the super heat here in Florida, the more I am prone to substitute with a maxi dress. Ever since I laid eyes on this flowy, summery, palm print maxi from Urban Outfitters, I have been in love. The layered multi pieces in the skirt overlap so that it covers everything, but it also allows the dress to flow beautifully as you walk, and adds the needed breeze every so often to your bottom half. This is just one of the many maxis I will be wearing all Summer long. And if green isn't your color, it also comes in a fabulous red floral print, too! xo RCN

 

New York State Of Mind

I cleaned out my closet this past weekend, specifically to rid of things that are super old or I just am done with. I wanted to make room for a few new pieces that will have some longevity and will make a home in my closet. I parted ways with a few beloved Zara pieces I just know I won't wear without "big meetings" or frequent cold weather. When I lived in NY, Zara was my go to place to shop for trendy clothing. Now, that I no longer work down the block from a Zara, I frequent much less. However, last week as I was walking on Lincoln Road in Miami (the one stop shopping street in South Beach), I made the visit and shopped for a few summer staples. Of course, I also stumbled upon some fun surprises, like this NY Woman tee shirt. I couldn't resist. After all, I am a NY woman, it's pink, and fuzzy - so, perfect! The white denim rugged skort, that I had to have, definitely falls into the staple category. I know I will wear this piece at least once a week. No pants, no more. I love any denim that is a little worn, ripped, and looks like its been through the ringer. This skort is exactly what I needed to add to my wardrobe. After a little shopping and cleaning out my closet, I feel like a new woman. So many options to pick from and new looks to style. I paired some of the old with the new for this outfit I wore last night. My funky Sophia Websters, vintage earrings, some bright BP Nordstrom sunnies, and my classic Gucci Soho bag completed the rad vibe I was going for. Now, that it's hot and stays light out much later, an all white ensemble with a casual, cool flare, makes for a perfect dinner out with the girls. xo RCN

 

What To Wear: Wedding Series

It's that time of year! Weddings are happening left and right...and bridal showers, and rehearsal dinners and wild nights out on the town for the bachelorette party, engagement parties, so many parties! Weddings aren't just about that one special day. Weddings are basically a year long celebration of one couple, or two, or more! This past weekend, three of my friends got engaged!! Love is in the air, which is fantastical, I love weddings! Crazy exciting stuff, and now with so many people getting married in my life, I now I have weddings on the brain, even more than when I first planned this post. Basically, aside from saving for new swimsuits and a beach bag, it's really all about spending a little cash on the wedding wardrobe for the spring/summer season. If you are the BFF of the bride and looking for a great piece for the rehearsal dinner, look no further. Or, maybe you are a plus one that is meeting the bride and groom for the first time on the big day, and you just want to look pretty and turn some heads (but for all the right reasons). Here are all the dresses to make you look stunning, classy, and ready for some wedding fun. And, remember, if you aren't in the bridal party, it's always a good idea to find out the color of the bridesmaids dresses before you show up to the wedding. The last thing you need is to look like you are trying to squeeze yourself into the wedding photos ;) I am off to my next wedding at the end of this month, for my girlfriend Dani's wedding, and I am still trying to decide on my dress for the day. Which of these do you suggest?? The evening reception is at a beautiful country club and it's black tie optional. Z will be wearing his black tux and coral is not an option! xo RCN

 

Tropical Getaway

I am dying for a cold and cozy-up kind of vacation getaway this winter, but I am guessing most of you are dreaming of some sand and surf. I find myself more than ever these days searching the web for cute bathing suits and sandals because, well that is what I wear most of the time aside from running shorts or tank dresses. So, for those of you headed south to the Caribbean, Tropics, or the MIA, here is a round up of some winter get away must haves and Essie nail colors perfect for the beach. Happy shopping and don't forget the sunscreen! xo RCN

 

Patriotic In Denim

I have always been patriotic. After all, I was once a Madam President to my fifth grade and tenth grade classmates. I was known as the elementary chick that worked with our Principal to get more four square boxes painted on the playground. All kids have the right to enjoy recess and there just were not enough boxes for four square.  Anyway, when it comes to Election Day every four years, I most definitely show my love for the USA and pull out the red, white and blue. It's an important day for all Americans. How lucky are we to live in this amazing country and be free? So, cheers to voting, freedom, four square for all children, boyfriend jeans, Minnetonka moccasins, and four years of new leadership! Check out my election day outfit and get the look below.  xo RCN