Spring Break: Caribbean Cruising!

We are on the road and on our way to tropical temps and scenery in the Caribbean! Derek (my husband) and I have never been on a cruise and decided it was time...yay :) We chose the Royal Caribbean International ship Liberty of the Seas heading to Belize City, Belize and Cozumel, Mexico   In tow we have all 4 of our kids (ages 12, 10, 7 & 2 yrs) and our nanny (my sweet 16 y/o 2nd cousin who watches the kiddos for us in the summer) - that is 7 of us total!!  

We are also meeting up with my mother in law and father in law at the port so this will be an amazing family trip that we are all so looking forward to. 

In part because of all the people that will be in our suite on the ship (we had to go with a suite just to accommodate us with the kids and nanny!). A suite sounds nice, but on a cruise ship that is still a tiny room for this many people. I decided to take great care in my packing to hopefully help off set the lack of room in the car and on the ship. This is an area that I usually suffer greatly in and I ALWAYS over pack. This time I was determined to get everything I would wear for our 11 day adventure into 1 suitcase.....I mean everything - shoes, hand bags, jewelry, clothing. It was a big undertaking for me, but I managed. 

I took pics of many of the things I packed - I didn't include the gym clothes (as I am sure you all don't really care about those), bathing suit cover ups, or my lounge and bed clothes. But I am hoping that maybe this will give someone else an idea of how they could pack if they suffer from constantly over packing like I usually do. 

Gap Sateen fit and flare stripe dress / Sole Society "Brocket" sandals / Merona white cardigan via Target / Layered necklace via Stella & Dot / Starfish bracelet via boutique in Clearwater Beach, FL

 Joe Fresh light weight sweater (old) / Athleta Napali Linen Pants / Taupe tank via TJ Maxx (old) / Tory Burch flip flops (old and DIRTY but I love these and wear them with everything! ;) / Sole Society sandals / same jewelry as above

Same as above, but switching out the Athleta linen pants for Victoria's Secret linen drawstring shorts

 Fiesta dress via TJ Maxx / Necklace from local boutique / Soybu tank dress (built in bra top and super flattering fit makes this a total winner!)

Maxi dress via TJ Maxx / Old Navy denim jacket (old) / Merona sandals / Scarf via TJ Maxx

Old Navy denim Jacket (old) / Patterned Maxi dress via Marshall's (old) / Merona sandals / Bracelet from boutique

Kenneth Cole black ruffle bikini (old) / Coco Reef brown patterned bikini via Dillard's (old)

Athleta Twister bikini (LOVE the fit of this - available in may different color and pattern combos to mix and match) /  Anne Klien one piece suit via TJ Maxx

 Collection of bottoms (not pictured are my white Lucky Brand crops that I decided I had to have the last minute!)
Champion moisture wicking drawstring capris (for the Mayan ruins hike!) / Old Navy denim capris (old) / Gray and White drawstring shorts (so old I don't remember where they are from!) / Victoria's Secret white linen shorts
*All of these can be mixed and matched easily with the collection of tops and tanks that I brought

Victoria's Secret bra top breezy tank in Sea Breeze  /  Victoria's Secret Drapey Vintage tank in Maui Mango

*I did not picture all the basic tanks I packed (coral, turq, blue stripe, white and black in color)

Athleta Santana bra top dress (old - no loner available in short length but they do offer it in a maxi version here) /  Sam Edelman chain detail sandals / Shell and pearl necklace (old) / Merona grey cardigan via Target / yellow and grey infinity scarf via local boutique 

Selection of shoes (not pictured are my gym shoes and a pair of fun woven wedge sandals and Michael Kors thong sandals. I realize that I do pack a lot of shoes, but like many women I have a thing for shoes and love to have options. I was able to fit them all so I just went with it! :)

Forgot that I had actually pictured some my tanks with the hats - basics with some fun color and easy to mix and match with every bottom :) Hats are a must for me since I don't sun my face at all - these two will go with everything. 

Both fedora and floppy hat from TJ Maxx & all Tanks via Target

Okay, I realize that was a picture heavy post, but hopefully that will give others some ideas or tips on what can be mixed and matched to keep the travel packing to a minimum - at least as minimum as i was able to get it to.

All of the jewelry and accessories I packed (not all of it is pictured) can be easily mixed and matched with any of my outfits. That seems to be something I usually have a hard time also taking the minimum of - feeling better about it this time around. I also plan to pick up a custom made local piece in Mexico or Belize if possible so I needed to leave room for those.  

That is all I have until the "post cruise" post where I will hopefully be able to update with the above actually on and picked against some gorgeous back drops and fun times with my family! 

If you are traveling or staying home for this Spring Break season I hope that yours is sun filled and fun!

Bon Voyage!

XO 

Jessy 

Where is Spring?!

Well, I know it's not this way everywhere in the country, but in Cincinnati it is still cold - not just chilly, but really cold! We even had snow flurries yesterday and today.It has made enjoying "Spring" difficult since it is still very wintry and drab and cloudy most days. I have been refusing to wear a winter coat any longer and have switched over to vests only regardless of how cold it gets.

I am posting 2 outfits on this post from this past week. One is from a casual day that I spent running errands and packing for our spring break trip (yay - warm weather in my very near future!) and the other was from a day at the office this week. 

My next post will hopefully be my Caribbean cruise vacation packing :)

(Sorry about the bathroom pics! I had clothes and suitcases draped all over my bedroom where I normally would snap this pic so I had to duck into the bathroom for them this time around! :)

 Jeans via Express / Vest (old) / Boots via Marshall's / Scarf via local boutique / Sweatshirt/sweater via Target

 Hiding under my scarf is this necklace - custom order from Etsy shop - love the anchor and it is so perfect for my upcoming cruise vacation!

 I switched over later to a different scarf for the evening. It was actually getting colder so I went for the warmer scarf :) This one is from GAP. 

 Nice and simple for the office this week: 

New York & Co. pants / Express Portofino shirt / Easy Spirit Pumps via TJ Maxx (seriously comfortable pumps worthy of work and all the time spent on my feet in them!) / Bubble necklace via boutique (old) 

*I did add a MK gold watch before I walked out the door, but otherwise kept all my other accessories very simple since I went with the bubble necklace

 

Have a wonderful rest of your week!
XO

Jessy 

Product Review: Best Matte Pressed Powder

Hi All! 

I just have a few minutes, but I really wanted to get this product review up, because you need this right now :)

Seriously, this is the best matte finish pressed powder I have ever used. It literally stays matte ALL day.  I typically get dressed and make-up on and out the door around 7-8am and I don't stop running until close to 12 hours later on a typical day. I have yet to find a powder that I could set my look with and it stay put and stay working to keep the "shiny" at bay for that period of time until now. I just don't typically have time to be re-applying and worrying about if I need to touch up or not. Well, now with Rimmel's Stay Matte pressed powder I don't even have to worry about it. 

The icing on the cake? It costs around $4 - seriously, four dollars! I buy mine at Walgreen's, but I know that many other drugstores sell it and I assume it's about the same price everywhere. 

 

Rimmel London Stay Matte pressed powder via Walgreens (ON SALE right now via their websiteHERE for UNDER $3!) 

I wear "creamy natural", but may change that to "buff beige" in the summer months. I do not tan my face at all so I usually have to use a combo of powder and bronzer to achieve the right "summer face" ;)

Speaking of bronzer, I also happen to love Rimmel's Natural bronzer in "sunshine" (and it's WATERPROOF - perfect for my upcoming cruise to the Caribbean! :). I have pictured it as well in case you want to check that out. 

I hope that this is helpful and that you all love it as much as me! 

XO 

Jessy 

Work Wear

Happy Monday, All!  

I hope everyone is fairing okay if your area participates in the time change and had to "Spring forward" this weekend. Losing an hour is rough, but having daylight for an hour later each evening is a nice touch :)

Personally this morning was pretty rough for me.....I get up through the week at 4:15am so that was quite brutal this morning considering my brain and body still knew it was actually 3:15am!

Okay, enough about that....on to today's post.  When I go into the office I can be really pretty casual so these work wear ideas may not be suitable for everyone reading (one outfit has leggings - gulp! ;) so likes to be a little more "buttoned up" in the office. In my position as a women's counselor I also try not to dress intimidating if that makes sense. I want to look put together and professional, but I also want my clients to feel comfortable when we are in a session together. I need to be able to relate....okay so on to the pics!  

 Gianni Bini blazer via Dillard's (old - similar here) /  7th Avenue Tall black pants via New York & Co. (here) / Cut-out Strappy Pumps via Target (very old!) / Animal Print peplum top via Target (old - similar here) / Mixed beads, pearls and rhinestone necklace via Dillard's (old) / Renegade bracelet via Stella & Dot

 Michael Kors blazer (old) / Express Sexy Stretch legging (BEST ever! Here) / Embroidered tunic (old) / Steve Madden boots (old) / Pearl, beads & rhinestone necklace via Dillard's

Sweater via Ann Taylor LOFT (old) / GAP essential tank (here) / New York & Co. 7th Avenue tall pinstripe pants (here) / Michael Kors gold tone watch (old) / Beaded, pearl & rhinestone necklace via Dillards / Tory Burch black leather Horsebit Jaden handbag / Easy Spirit pumps via TJ Maxx (these are SO comfortable AND cute! :) / Evo Vorro long open front blazer (purchased at boutique in La Jolla, CA)

You may have noticed a re-occurring theme with each outfit....my necklace!  Okay, I do wear it a lot, but I did choose specifically to show the pics were I am wearing that accessory. I LOVE a great necklace and this one is definitely a fav and one that always draws plenty of compliments. It is so pretty in person and is really eye catching. 

Have a similar piece? Start rocking yours today!!  

XO

Jessy 

Casual Winter Wear.....

So I have not posted since my Holiday post!  I really can't believe it's been that long....I guess things have really been as busy as any time I can ever remember. Having a very busy two year old has definitely added to that!

I have been collecting outfit pics every now and then for the time I am able to finally do an updated post so here is some of that collection. I will hopefully NOT be blogging much more in winter attire....SO ready for Spring here :)

Nasty Gal Leopard Sweater (old) / Purple scarf from local boutique (old) / Franco Sarto Riding boots via DSW (old - Similar style here) / Michael Kors gold tone watch (old) / INC skinnies (old)

Leggings and Scarf via Express  - these are the BEST leggings ever!(Scarf and Leggings here) / Riding Boots via Zara (old) /  ING stripe tunic via Dilliard's / Winter white puffer vest (old)

INC skinneis (old) / America Eagle Boyfriend Cardi (here) / American Eagle scarf (no longer available) / Zara Riding boots (old)

Michael Kors Cardigan via TJ Maxx / Express Leopard Scarf (here) / Express Stella Slim Leg Flare jeans (here) / Michael Kors watch via Macy's (old) / Zebra print ballet flats via Target (old)

Gap 1969 Flare Jeans (old) / Rip Curl Cardigan via Surf shop in Clearwater Beach / Coral tee via Target (old) / Rocket Dog booties via DSW (old) / Scarf via Gap (old)

Thank you!

XO 

Jessy