| WELCOME, SUMMER? |

i don't want to brag to my friends in the mid-west, or east coast-- especially my new englander's who are just bombarded with snow but this week is like summer here in san diego.  it's been 80 degrees on the coast so i busted out some summer-like fashion and plan on going to the beach later this week.  i hope you are all having a great week so far. xx

maternity shorts | oversized tunic not maternity: sized up so i can grow with it | tote similar, sharper price point | sunnies | sandals 

| WHAT I PLAN ON PACKING FOR HAWAII: |

we go to hawaii in a month.  i don't know what the heck is going to be going on with my bod come next month but here is what i'm thinking will be perfect for my maui packing list.  aloha! xx

comfort meets style.  i am liking neutral colors, simple pieces and loads of flowy actions //

dresses: 1 / 2 | tank tops | maternity shorts | straw hat | bathing suit | sunnies: 1 / 2 | baseball hat | tunics: 1 / 2 | tote | maxi dress | denim dress |

| A WOVEN OBSESSION: |

i swear the bump looks way bigger in these pics than it actually is (insert emoji laugh/cry face).  that plaid sure does a number on a blooming bump. ;-)

the woven and jeans are a recent purchase from old navy--- the jeans are maternity and i really like the fit, the top is not.  hope you are all having a good tuesday. xx

| woven this is the same one i have on but in a different color | denim | necklace similar; i received mine as a holiday gift and it's no longer available | shoes | handbag | sunnies | watch | nail color | cocktail ring; no longer available

| LUXE FOR LESS: |

where the heck did the week go? holy moly!  time flies when you're having fun.  today is a rainy day in new england so i'm not sure what we're up to but yesterday we went on an awesome walk through morses pond then shopped.  holy cow!  we went into TJX in Framingham and they had an amazing runway section.  i could of done some damage in there except the whole no room in the suitcase thing.

todays luxe for less is something that killlllls me.  i've been eyeing this burberry coat since we lived on the east coast.  in person, it is so beautifully made, cozy & warm, tailored nicely and so chic but for whatever reason i never pulled the trigger- maybe it's the $1,000 price point, maybe i needed something a bit weather proof...i don't know.  what i do know; i still love this coat.  when i saw that forever 21 made one similar to the the burberry coat i about died: obviously the quality won't be burberry but if it's something that won't be a staple in my closet-who cares? 

hope you all having a fantastic week! xx

luxe: burberry brit "findsale" coat, $995 // the less: forever 21 classic duffle coat.

| LUXE FOR LESS: |

the lux: the newbury boot by rag and bone ($525 and up) has been my favorite boot for years now.  every stylish celeb, blogger and fashionista puts these at the top of her bootie list.

photo source: 1 / 2

for less: so many brands have tried to bring a newbury-esque bootie to their lines- if you are in the market for multiple different colors at a sharp price point both aldo ($130) and forever 21 ($37.90) got your back.

| LUXE FOR LESS: |

i often times get requests from readers and totally stylish friends asking me to do a series on awesome pieces that are designer inspired.  my cousin, courtney, was my final straw, we both have a soft spot for couture but don't want to pay thousands of dollars for this seasons "it" shoe because when we're still paying off our amex there is a new "it" shoe already showing.  you get my drift, ya? 

welcome to the luxe for less series! (thanks, court for the name suggestion!) i hope all my fashionistas love these posts as much as i do finding the buys. hope you are all having a great week!  -- thank me later for these finds. xx

the luxe: the valentino rock stud is still at the top of bloggers, celebrities and fashionista's list: this edgy classic pump can be dressed up or worn casual--

photo source: sincerely jules // love is blind

for less: lulu*s // bcbg

| FALL FEVER: |

rag & bone, jeans // j.crew, last season, similar flannel  // gap (little boys), vest // llbean, bean boots // michael kors, crossbody // super, sunnies // ring -- from italy, similar 1, 2 // marc by marc jacobs, watch // zoya, polish "hunter"

| WHAT I'M LOVING RIGHT NOW: |

happy monday!  i love wool hats for fall and winter; they're so chic and they also play a great role for a bad hair day.  Todays two looks i chose a hat from rag & bone and another from h & m both are similar with one big difference: price point.  you can find wool hats at wear now stores like forever 21 or if you live in san diego you can grab one at the new topshop at fashion valley.  you can also splurge if you think you'll wear the heck out of it.. hope you all have a great week.

the looks:
rag & bone, wool hat // madewell, flannel // h&m, sweater [wear over the flannel or around your waist] // rag & bone, skinny jeans // frye, boots // madewell, clutch // warby parker, eyeglasses

h&m, wool hat // j.crew, cotton blend terry sweatshirt // current elliott, boyfriend jeans // sam edelman, suede booties // forever 21, tribal necklace  // sole society, handbag // marc by marc jacobs, sunglasses

| ALL BLACK EVERYTHING: |

happy wednesday!  i love how sharp all black looks.  it will never go out of style and to me, will always be classic.  i've been on the hunt for a faux leather pant; I wanted them to look like leather and have a somewhat sharp price point.  i found them the other day at H&M.  

In general, I was really impressed with H&M's fall line: their pieces look expensive, sharp and right on trend.  I dragged my sister there--so fun; haven't gotten used to calling her in as a road-dog for a quick shopping date!  hope you are having a great week! xx 

{ shop the look: } H&M, faux leather legging (if h&m doesn't fit you right: similar styles here and here) // H&M, oversized sweater // Gap, camisole // Rag & bone, boots (similar, sharper price point here and here) // Madewell, satchel // Charming Charlie, necklace // Ring one of a kind from italy (similar styles here and here) // Nordstrom, sunnies (no longer available, similar here)

| day trip: bevanga & montefalco, italy |

having a car during our stay in spello gave us the opportunity to explore small towns (tip: learn street signs- some of these small towns have tons of residential parking and not a lot of public and if you don't speak italian it gets challenging trying to figure it all out).  one of my favorite day trips was to bevanga and montefalco.  both of these towns were unbelievable.   we enjoyed a delicious lunch in bevanga at La Bottega di Assu.   This owner operated restaurant really makes you feel like you belong in the italian culture; i felt like we were lunching at her home, my meal was unreal and so was the wine.  i ordered the truffle pasta: i've only had truffle oil in the states (come to find out that's not really a thing *GASP!* it's just olive oil and well, chemicals. ew.)  truffles taste like a crunchy, almost dirt like mushroom- that might sound weird but i really enjoyed it, LOL.  our lunch ran right into siesta hours-  this town is known for their cashmere and we weren't able to even check it out.  plan your day accordingly; we were bummed we didn't get to explore some of the local shops.  we moved up the mountain to nearby montefalco- we became obsessed with their wine. mmmm...i wish i could get some to the states!  the drive is gorgeous and the views were even better.  We just drove around the square until we were ready for our own siesta.  enjoy bevanga and montefalco. xo

{ shop the look: } free people, dress (no longer available) similar 1, 2, 3 // gap, denim chambray // dolce vita, fabia sandal on sale now! // louis vuitton, handbag (chain vintage, not louis) // ray ban, sunnies

| more, roma |

I'm a bit behind on my travel diary: while in venice our internet connection was s....l.....o......w.  like, I couldn't upload photos.  SO, I'm back.  We just got to our villa in Tuscany, Italy.  It will be our home for the week and it is seriously AMAZING.  It sits on a hill in Spello / Umbria and it's a nice change of pace from the hustle and bustle of all the stops along the way.  It's hard to believe we've been gone for nearly 20 days.  I'm excited to enjoy this time in the hills of italy: there aren't many english speakers so....bring on the italiano!!!!!!

 

{ shop the look: } gap, printed shorts, also worn here // madewell, tee // jcrew, belt (similar) // dolce vita, sandals // michael kors, crossbody