Mexico, Part Two

Sandy toes

Every morning we found a set of chairs between the pool and the beach so that we could go back and forth as we pleased. I found that I much preferred swimming in the ocean; the waves were cooler while the pool was heated and more crowded. Hammocks, which were fun to swing in, were hung intermittently between the rows of lounge chairs.

Poolside reads and refreshments

Monkeys!

We went snorkeling right off the pier where there were clusters of plants, coral, and TONS of fish! Hundreds and hundreds of them hid in the shade underneath the docks. You could swim right through a school of fish, and even though they would let you touch them, they were but inches away. I'm kicking myself for not getting an underwater camera. 

Floral dress $17, feather necklace $6 - H&M; Green satchel $20 - Urban Outfitters; black sandals $7 - Payless

Paths like this wove their way all around the resort, through the beautifully curated gardens. It felt like we were living in the middle of a tropical rain forest, full of blooming flowers, birds, and the occasional iguana. As I type this I'm listening to the steady rainfall outside my window, and I'm longing for the hot sun and ocean view. 

I hope you all enjoy your weekend, rain or shine!

Mexico, Part One

As I anticipate the arrival of Hurricane Irene, I've begun to reflect on the days I spent on the sunny coast of Mexico earlier this month. I initially decided to document each day in photos, but decided against subjecting my already abused camera to a beach full of people and sand. I was also deemed the resident photographer for the trip which included tons of posed family photos, soon to be framed.

We were told to be up before the sunrise in order to get to the airport on time, a minor detail I wasn't informed of until only two days prior. And let me tell you, I'm no morning person. But I treated myself to a flavored coffee and a gratuitous number of magazines once we got to the airport. 

Java and guava, respectively, from the Guava & Java stand in Terminal A

Departures; the sunrise on the runway

We were in the air when lunch time rolled around, so I ordered a little snack box with the cutest little can of chicken salad. I'm a sucker for miniaturizations.

The lobby of the resort was open on all sides and surrounded by pools and gorgeous fountains.

Can you spot the little fish in this tide pool?

I'll never take for the granted the gorgeous turquoise of the Gulf or Caribbean Sea. The Jersey Shore is not even comparable! I'd trade an over crowed boardwalk full of tourist shops for palm trees and coral reefs any day.

Playa del Carmen

I should be paying more attention to my half-empty suitcase and less attention to my computer, considering a car will be in front of our house to drive us to the airport in less than six hours. But when do I ever get a full nights sleep? 

At least I already know what I'll be wearing; the less I have to think in the morning, the better. I'm in love with this knit motorcycle jacket I picked up in the store last week. It's just as soft and comfy as any sweatshirt (I'll call it the hoodie's cousin) and so I thought it would be great for when I inevitably doze off on the plane.

Scored this turnlock bag for less than $4 (!) at Target today. When I'm not using it as an purse for everyday it will comfortably fit my camera and a lens. I thought the coral pendant necklace I made was fitting for our tropical vacation, though people keep mistaking it for either reindeer antlers or chicken feet...

I'll have my laptop with me all weekend, and not because I'll be lost without it, only because somewhere between checking my bags and boarding my flight I have to register for fall classes. Eep! A vacation couldn't come soon enough. Perhaps you'll hear from me in Mexico!

Dress, $20; bag, $4 - Target

Sandals, $7 - Payless

Moto jacket (employee discount) - Gap 

Coral necklace - self made

White Summer Dresses

White blouse - Alice + Olivia; Linen dress - Forever 21; Pink wrap dress - Love21; White embroidered dress - Kimchi Blue

My mom had done the laundry and I found my dresses outside on the clothesline. They looked so pretty blowing in the breeze I couldn't help from snapping some photos.

The Summer Sun Shone Round Me

So far this summer...

I've had the most delicious margherita pizza at Slice in South Philly

seen Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes at World Cafe Live

chilled out in the pool and caught up with friends I've missed 

changed my nail color on a weekly basis (all of my favorite colors are in heavy rotation)

chased a puppy through the park

found the perfect pair of mid-rise jeans

and the cutest bicycle pendant (to match my bike!)

spent the afternoon people-watching by the lake

Gray Hazy Days

Another afternoon spent at the park. This time my brothers and I took my dad's dogs out for a little nature excursion.

This my baby pup, Chrissy! She's a little more than a year and half old and is the sweetest Cockapoo in the entire world. And she's not really mine, but I like to pretend. Both dogs were wiped out after less than an hour. Even though the sky was full of gray clouds, it was heated humidity made up for lack of sunlight. There was even a foggy haze over the lake.

I like to call this chambray dress my "bicycle dress" because last year it was my favorite piece to don when I took my cruiser for a ride. The full skirt and lightweight fabric made it ideal for summer temps. The only thing I don't like is that it ties in the back which keeps me from wearing  belts with it.

Chambray dress - Marshall's; $10

White sneakers - $5

Something Summery

via polyvore

via polyvore

One styling choice I've been noticing lately is color blocking with individual pieces. I like the concept of using separates rather than one piece that has a "color block" print, I feel like it allows for more creativity and is less manufactured. Lately I've been drawn to pair more solid similarly saturated pieces together. And I think saturation is an important concept to consider when dealing with color in both design and styling (look at me, applying what I learned from my color theory class). I'm also completely enamored with scalloped shorts and wooden-heeled shoes, both of which I luckily received for my birthday. And of course my love for buckled satchels is undying. 

I've decided to start off my summer with tons of DIY projects. Ideas are always coming and going, and since I'm transitioning from my strictly-scheduled college life to having nothing to do I think the best thing would be to keep myself occupied. Tomorrow I'm running to the craft store to see if I can find some cool fabric to alter some dresses I don't wear anymore, as well as some scraps to make my own floral bunting banner. But most of all, I'm excited that I have time to read again! My nose will be buried in books for weeks to come. If anyone has something exciting planned for the summer I'd love to hear about it!