You guys, I finally did it. I dipped my toes into the “mom jeans” trend, and now there’s no turning back. Am I late to the game? Yes, but it’s not for lack of trying. Over the last couple of seasons I’ve tried ALL of the popular pairs. I tried ’em, and I promptly returned ’em. After years and years of high rise, stretchy skinny jeans, I just couldn’t get used to the idea of non-stretch denim again. They felt like torture devices, and I found myself wondering how I’d sit in them. Sounds a little dramatic, but I swear it’s true. I also never found a pair that I felt was as flattering as my good old skinnies.
That’s until I found this pair recently from Daze Denim. It’s a new (or new-to-me at least) denim brand that I really can’t find much about on the interwebs besides the fact that they’re eco-friendly. So that’s a win, right? The real win for me though is the fit and feel of these jeans. The denim is insanely soft, and when we’re talking non-stretch denim, I think softness is important. They’ve got a really good high rise, easy distressing, and a hem that hits me in the perfect spot.
Size-wise, I’d say they’re pretty true. For skinny jeans, I’m normally a 27/28 depending on the brand, and I bought these in a size 28. (They’re a smidge on the loose side, but I’m into it.) I’ve worn the heck out of these jeans in the last couple of weeks – with sweaters, tees, sneakers, and sandals. I’m hoping to hear so much more from this brand in the coming months, but in the meantime, thinking I need to also grab this pair or this one…or maybe this new little cropped jacket. For the price point, you really can’t go wrong.
As I’m scrolling around on social media or different websites, you know what clickbait just gets me every single time? The Amazon roundups. Seriously, I’ll click on just about any “Amazon favorites” list I can find because they just have some of the best, and usually affordable, finds. I actually recently went back and read my last two Amazon posts (see them here and here), and I still 100% stand by everything I linked.
This beyond cozy cardigan that comes in 8 colors (above) – I’ve got a whole slew of black, grey, and other random cardigans, but a couple of months ago I went on the hunt for a great camel-ish / tan one for now and into spring. After ordering, trying, and returning quite a few, I finally decided to (DUH) search around on Amazon. I ordered the one above in medium and large and ended up keeping the medium. I love the super soft fabric, slightly oversized fit, and big pockets. Plus, it’s pretty much the exact shade of camel I was looking for. (Now I’m thinking I probably need the oatmeal color, right?)
A daily SPF that Eric and I both love – A couple of years ago, I finally got Eric into a daily SPF habit. He ends up spending a lot of time on the road in his car for work, so I thought it was important for him to be in a daily sunscreen routine instead of only applying before the beach or outdoor activities. We’ve used up a ton of tubes from a few different brands, and this one tends to be a favorite because it rubs in easily with no greasy or white residue. (We also both love this one from The Treatment.)
This flowy maxi that is just begging for spring weather – OK, I JUST got this dress in this week in the navy color and loved it so much that I already ordered a second color. It’s super lightweight and comfy, has such an easy fit, and couldn’t be more fun for spring. It hits me right at my ankle, so it’s perfect for pairing with flat sandals, wedges, low booties, or sneakers. I’ve got a wine-tasting girls’ weekend in March that this dress was made for – stay tuned, I’ll be styling it on the blog soon.
Grip socks to keep that New Year’s resolution going – I’ve been doing Pilates for years (currently loving the megaformer machines and classes at Seafit Studio) and am probably a year or two late in upgrading and generally restocking the ol’ grip socks. (Where DO they all go, anyway?) These from Ro & Arrows are super comfy, provide a ton of grip, and are made of breathable, moisture-wicking fabric. Plus, they’re pretty cute (with more prints coming soon) – perfect reason to stock up, right?
A muscle recovery soak for post-workout soreness – And after the workout comes the old lady, all-over sore muscles, am I right? (No? Just me?) While a hot bath is always a favorite of mine, a hot bath with this muscle recovery soak is even better. The Epsom salt is super relaxing for sore muscles, and the smell of this one with menthol and eucalyptus is also so great for battling a little winter sickness.
The cherry pepper spread I use in (and on) EVERYTHING – I’m a fan of Jersey Mike’s subs and ordered this thinking it would be similar to their red pepper spread. It’s similar, seriously delicious, and (in my opinion) goes in and on ALL of the things. It’s obviously great on sandwiches, but I also add it to my Safe Catch tuna (instead of another relish) and usually throw a dollop into tossed salads and quinoa bowls. It adds a slightly spicy, vinegar-y kick that I love.
The bathtub caddy that I’m STILL obsessed with – Admittedly I’ve had this thing for about a year and have shared it on the blog before, but I really just love this bathtub caddy. The sides of our bathtub slant inward a bit, so balancing products, magazines, or the occasional glass of wine is out of the question. I’m happy to have this little caddy every time I take a bath and feel like it’s really well-made for the price – ours still looks pretty new.
Happy Monday, friends! Admittedly it’s been a REAL slow Monday around here, finally making my way back into the real world after the best spontaneous weekend in Big Sur. Yep, we had no plans of going anywhere this weekend, but when we found out that one of our favorite bands was playing two shows up in Big Sur, we decided to buy tickets and take the trip. And we are SO glad that we did. The Saturday night show was awesome, but the adventure and general joy of being back in Big Sur were maybe even better. (Seriously, if you ever get the chance to go to Big Sur, even if just for a night, you GO.)
And so today I’m kicking off the week with easy staples – band tees, a new pair of jeans, the under $20 duster cardigan that feels so luxe, and the under $100 booties that always get compliments. I feel like graphic tees and band tees are always an easy go-to, and this Rolling Stones one above is a current favorite. And below I’m rounding up a few more because, well, can you ever have too many? I’m thinking not.
While the skinny jeans in my closet are definitely my most worn and loved, I’ve also got a real thing for a great pair of flares. I spotted these at the Free People store in Palm Springs (with my size still in stock, naturally) and figured I’d try them on “just to see”. Fast forward ten minutes later to me skipping out of the store with my new denim purchase.
They’ve got stretch but not too much stretch – so they’re comfortable and hug curves without sagging – and a super high rise. I’d say they’re pretty true to size. I normally take a 27 in Madewell’s super stretch denim, but I grabbed these in a 28 because they just felt more comfortable. They come in 16 different washes (seriously, 16), and some of those washes are available in short, regular, and tall sizing. And the best part? They’re under $100.
I feel like styling flares can be a little intimidating, so today I’m sharing a couple of ways I’d wear these, now and into spring. (Although for the spring look below, I’d probably switch up the long sleeved tee to this easy tank.) I love keeping them long and pairing with a super high wedge to seriously elongate legs, and personally, I like them with a kimono or long cardigan to keep the lines long. (But for shorter friends, I’ve seen a simple tucked or front-tucked tee work best.)
It can take a little trial and error, but once you figure out what works best for you, I think you’ll love these. What do you think – are flares for you?
While lots of other areas around the country are currently layering, bundling, and cozying up, Southern California is still showing off some warm and sunny shorts weather. (During the day at least.) The nights have been chilly enough for sweaters and the occasional fire in the fireplace, but during the day, I’m living for dresses, fall skirts, and my trusty leather shorts.
I’ve loved leather shorts for years and recently snagged this pretty camel pair on Amazon for under $30. (Size up in these.) I love them paired with an easy thermal and cardigan and will be wearing them with this cozy little ivory sweater for an upcoming holiday event. The Amazon fashion finds have been SO good lately, and I’m working on a new Amazon finds post that will go up this week.
It’s the MOST wonderful tiiiiime… It may be a little early for some, but for me, holiday season and my favorite time of year kick off as soon as November rolls around. It’s my birthday month, the weather is finally getting cooler around here, it’s sweatpants season (here’s looking at you, Thanksgiving), and it’s time to start thinking about all those upcoming holiday parties.
Our little Wilma girl is currently on the mend from spay surgery, so I’ve had plenty of time over the last couple of days to catch up on some overdue work online shopping. (Birthday month – treat yo’self, right?) Fast forward to me spending WAY too much time scrolling around the brand new holiday collection from Scoop at Walmart.
Remember this little Scoop dress and this cozy sweater? I’ve been a fan of the brand since they reemerged a month or two ago, but this holiday collection is seriously on another level. I snagged a couple of knit leopard pieces (here and here), this fun little dress, this cozy boyfriend cardigan, and this adorable loungewear sweatshirt and jogger duo that I think is perfect for holiday travel. I also had almost every single sequin piece in my cart until I remembered that my life in general isn’t very dressy and neither are the holiday parties we attend. But the dressy pieces are just SO good!
Rounding up some additional favorites below, and if you fancy any, I’d recommend grabbing them as sizes tend to sell out fast. (As I haven’t received my order yet, I can’t really speak to the sizing, but when in doubt, I order two sizes because returns are easy and free.) Hoping you guys find some things you love!
Well it’s officially fall, y’all, and you know what that means. Jogger season, of course. I’m constantly on the hunt for the best joggers each season, and this year I think I’ve found them already. This pair is so soft, fits like a glove, and is under $35. (They do run a smidge big, so if you’re between, order down. I’m in a medium for reference.) I love a good pair of joggers for everyday, but they’re the real MVP during travel days. And right on cue, Eric reminded me that Thanksgiving is just about a month away. Can anyone believe that?
So I’ve decided that this will be my fall slash holiday travel uniform – joggers, sneakers, easy tee (or this thermal), and the super soft cardigan that I just found fully in stock for over 40% off. The handbag is admittedly a total splurge, but I love this clean and simple look for less. Add a few airplane snacks and some overpacked luggage, and we’re off to Louisiana for Thanksgiving. Is it too soon to pack?
If you’ve been following along here for a while, you’ve probably seen and heard me swooning over all things Barefoot Dreams season after season. They’re seriously just the softest, yummiest knits around, and once you feel the material, you’ll probably understand the hype. I finally snagged a Barefoot Dreams cardigan (below) during this year’s Nordstrom sale, and now that the weather has finally cooled down around here, I’ve been reaching for it nonstop. It’s just so easy and cozy over jeans, joggers, and (admittedly) my PJ’s every single morning.
Next up on my Barefoot Dreams wishlist was definitely one of their ultra-soft throw blankets, but I just couldn’t quite pull the trigger. Well, last night I stumbled upon a bunch of their blankets over 50% off – some of the best prices I’ve even seen for Barefoot Dreams. My short sleeve cardigan (last seen here) is also included in the sale goodness at over 40% off.
So if you’ve been dying to get your hands on something Barefoot Dreams, scroll below for some sweet sale finds. I ordered a blanket for our home and a couple more as holiday gifts. (Because believe it or not, the holidays are seriously RIGHT around the corner.) Which pieces will you be snagging?
It’s one of my favorite (FAVORITE) sites to shop, and it’s one of my favorite sales of the year. Shopbop is having one of their Buy More, Save More sales with 20% off orders under $500 and 25% off orders over $500, and it’s the perfect time to stock up on so much fall goodness. (If you think about it, that’s a similar percentage that lots of sites give on Black Friday, but this sale is just in time to kick off the new fall season.) Use code STOCKUP19 site-wide on full-price and sale items.
Happy Tuesday, friends! If you’ve been following along on Instagram, then you probably saw a few snaps from a recent vacation and road trip that Eric and I took through Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. All in all it was a great trip, the longest one we’ve taken together actually. Can you believe I got Eric out of the office for two whole weeks? That’s never happened before, but it sure was great spending lots of time on the road with my best bud.
We kicked off the trip in Sandpoint, Idaho with a whole bunch of family members from Eric’s side – 18 of us, including a couple of kiddos and one all-star 5-month-old traveler. We stayed in this Airbnb which was really great for a large group – plenty of bedrooms and bathrooms, spacious living spaces to hang out together, its own dock on the lake, and a great neighborhood for our morning walks.
We mostly just hung out, took it easy, spent some time puzzling, caught up on a little reading, ate 1,000 Doritos, spent a beautiful day on a pontoon boat, made s’mores with the littles, and watched one hell of a lightening storm one night. In the town of Sandpoint, here were a few of our favorite spots.
Lunch at Matchwood Brewing Company – One day a big group of us roamed around downtown Sandpoint for a little shopping, sipping, and general tourist-ing. We ended up at Matchwood Brewing Company for a late lunch and flights of beer. We loved that we could mix and match and choose the beers included in our flights, and the food was really good. If in doubt, get the soft pretzel because the stoneground mustard and spicy maple syrup that accompany it are the real stars of the show.
Dinner and Drinks at Forty-One South at The Lodge at Sandpoint – There were lots of restaurants to try in Sandpoint, but somehow we found ourselves at Forty-One South at The Lodge at Sandpoint for three different dinners. And for good reason. The view is beautiful, the outdoor deck seating is so ideal, and the food was delicious. Everything we tried – House-Smoked Trout Plate, Crab Lettuce Wraps, Crab Bisque (OMG!), Goat Cheese Salad, the Smoked Filet – was something I would absolutely order again.
Wine Tasting at Pend d’Oreille Winery – This is a cute little wine spot right in the heart of downtown that’s definitely worth a stop if you’re a wine-lover. Flights and tastings are really affordable, and I actually tasted and purchased a couple of bottles that changed my (previously prejudiced) California mind about Washington wines. The Bistro Rouge, Pinot Gris, and Red Dessert Wine were group favorites.
Shops at Cedar St. Bridge – Cedar St. Bridge is home to a public marketplace right in the middle of downtown Sandpoint offering touristy tees and souvenirs as well as some really great local shops. We loved all of the flavored oils, vinegars and sea salts at Gethsemane; the spicy, sweet pecans from Panhandle Nut House; and ALL the pickled things at The Pickled Kitchen.
We had gotten several suggestions for Bozeman, Montana, so we figured we’d check it out. While trying to “loosely plan” the trip ahead of time, I had searched and searched for Bozeman hotels that would fit our vibe, but my searches kept coming up short. This is probably because we were both last minute and traveling smack in the middle of summer when all the families with kids are traveling. By the end of our first day of driving though, we found the perfect spot.
Gallatin River Lodge – I had seen Gallatin River Lodge coming up in my searches for boutique hotels in Bozeman, but I never really considered it because, full disclosure, it was pretty pricey. When we were an hour outside of Bozeman with no other appealing options, I decided to give them a call anyway, and it turns out, if you call around 8:00 pm (when it’s still plenty sunny out in Montana in the summertime), you can get a really significant discount.
After separating from Eric’s entire family earlier in the day and driving 6+ hours, this place could not have been more perfect for our first night on the road. It’s actually about 20 minutes outside of Downtown Bozeman, in a pretty remote area, on a beautiful piece of property. It’s crazy quiet with huge rooms and a restaurant that served up one of the best steaks I’ve ever had. They also offer guided fly fishing trips, but we just enjoyed a couple of meals, caught up on sleep, and hit the road again the next day. The one (and only) thing we might have changed about Gallatin River Lodge would have been some comfy rockers, hammocks, or chairs outside to enjoy the beautiful views by the pond. Other than that, we would 100% recommend this cozy spot.
Gallatin River LodgeGallatin River LodgeShorts; Tee; Cardigan; Slides; Handbag; SunglassesOver the river and through the woods and several lookout points later, we found ourselves in Big Sky around lunchtime. The whole Gallatin area was so pretty and made for such an easy drive. We first made our way up to Big Sky Resort (which we quickly decided wasn’t really our jam) but lucked out and stopped at Lone Mountain Ranch on our way back down.
Lunch at Lone Mountain Ranch – This ranch resort was like something out of a movie – the prettiest grounds dotted with a bunch of idyllic cabins, outdoor firepits, horseback riding, trailrides, and one seriously yummy restaurant. The cabins were completely booked (I’m guessing months out and for a pretty penny), but we stayed for lunch on the deck of Horn & Cantle which was 100% worth it.
320 Guest Ranch in Big Sky, Montana – Someone at Lone Mountain Ranch told us that we should check out 320 Guest Ranch, so we called from lunch and booked it, site unseen. And it didn’t disappoint. Check-in was a bit of an unorganized mess (remote location technology problems), but once we got to our riverfront cabin, we were thrilled. The cabin was spacious, updated, and cozy, with a wood-burning fireplace and the cutest porch looking out on the river. The ranch itself offers tons of land to explore, a variety of horseback riding options, and great casual dining at the on-property restaurant. We loved our stay and would definitely recommend it if you’re in the area.
320 Guest Ranch320 Guest RanchOn day number three on the road, Eric woke me up at 5:30 (IN THE AM) and we booked it to Yellowstone National Park. The entrance to the park was less than an hour from 320 Ranch, but Eric insisted that we had to get there early to beat the crowds and see the park at dawn. (Also, he’s a morning person. I am…NOT. But it was his vacation too, so I somehow made it into the car before he left without me.)
Yellowstone was awesome. It’s as beautiful as I was hoping it would be, a place that’s seriously worth seeing, and as much as I hate to admit it, it was really beautiful seeing it first thing in the morning. (Don’t tell Eric.) We hadn’t really planned on staying in the park, but once we were there, we figured we should try. We stopped at one of the lodges and asked if there were any cancellations for the night. (Lodges in national parks can be notoriously hard to book last minute, but Eric and I have had some great luck with cancellations in the past.) The lodges had nada, not a single room available in the park. I had seen something about Lake Yellowstone Hotel online the day before, so we headed that way thinking maybe we’d get lucky.
Lake Yellowstone Hotel– As soon as we turned a corner and saw this beautiful yellow hotel facing the most gorgeous blue lake, we had our fingers and toes crossed for an available room. It’s the oldest hotel inside of a national park, and it’s just plain cool. Keeping our string of luck going, we totally scored on a lake-facing suite (and a same-day discount to boot).
The room was updated and beautiful, with a comfy bed, spacious living room, and a black and white bathroom that I’d expect to find on Pinterest. The restaurant was SO good, good enough that we ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner there. (Pro tip – if you can only get a 10:00 pm reservation for dinner, show up at 5:00 and get on the waitlist. It moves quickly.) The lobby area is HUGE with tons of oversized, comfy leather chairs and couches looking out of giant windows onto Lake Yellowstone. Eric and I finished up dinner, grabbed a glass of wine, and hung out in the lobby with a book (for me) and a newspaper (for him). Staying here and waking up to the glass-like lake was a total experience that I won’t forget.
One thing to note: Lake Yellowstone Hotel does NOT have WIFI, and cell service is pretty minimal. It’s great if you’re looking to unplug, but if you need access to email or are looking to work a bit while you travel, you may want to look into one of the other lodges that does offer WIFI. There was a plug-in internet connection in the room, but it was very limited.
After one last meal overlooking the lake, we headed out of Yellowstone and onto the last leg of our trip, and if you know us, then you won’t be surprised to hear that we spent it in Jackson Hole. We’ve visited a few times in the past and really just always love going back.
The Rustic Inn at Jackson Hole – This time we stayed at The Rustic Inn, and it might be my new favorite place to stay in Jackson. The property is beyond beautiful, the location is great, and the creekside cabins were really nice, perfect for lazy front porch hangs. Dinner at the restaurant was really good, and the included breakfast every day was delicious. (Eric and I are still trying to figure out how they get the bacon so perfect and crispy.) The spa was small but nice, and we enjoyed getting to hang by the pool for a few hours one day. The one (pretty big) downside to The Rustic was the customer service. It was almost comically bad. Everything from scheduling a shuttle to luggage delivery to even getting acknowledged when standing right in front of a check-in/checkout desk was met with so much resistance. I would probably still stay here again, but for a resort this nice (with a price tag to match), they really need to get it together on the service side.
Dinner at King Sushi – We’ve had LOTS of great food in Jackson over the years, and King Sushi is now at the top of that list for me. Holy moly, this place is so good. The fish was all super fresh, and the ramen was a serious day-maker. I’m not even a big ramen fan, but inspired by someone sitting by us at the sushi bar, I had to try it. And it was delicious. I could live off of that broth, and I’m still thinking about the tempura fried soft boiled egg. As we were finishing up our meal, I looked over and saw Ina Garten and her husband Jeffrey sitting down to a patio table. I mean, it’s gotta be good if it’s approved by the Barefoot Contessa herself, right?
Sandwiches and Sloshies from Creekside Market & Deli – My love for a good sandwich runs DEEP, and Creekside Market makes one hell of a sandwich. We discovered “Sloshies” at Creekside during our trip last summer but had no idea we were missing out on some seriously killer sandwiches. Now that we know, we’ll definitely be back. The fact that this place is literally right next door to The Rustic Inn meant that we were popping in and out of here like a couple of regulars.
Dinner at Snake River Grill (again) – I’ve chatted about this place before, but it really is a must for us anytime we’re in Jackson. Eric has to get his fix of the Steak Tartare Pizza, and this time we added on the Fried Duck Spring Rolls, Truffle Fries, and Crispy Pork Shank which were all delicious. If you’re looking to try SRG, I’d probably recommend reservations.
Burgers and beers at The Bird – I’ve also chatted about The Bird here before, but it really is one of our favorite spots for brunch or lunch. As soon as we made it to Jackson this time, we made plans to hit The Bird before heading to the airport to go home. What better way to fly than with a belly full of English muffin burgers and some sort of yummy craft beer? No better way to end the trip either.
Daze Denim; Target sweater; Steve Madden sneakers; Saint Laurent handbag; Amazon bracelets; Quay sunglasses
Daze denim; Carve Designs blouse; Barefoot Dreams cardigan; Louis Vuitton handbag; Steve Madden sandals (similar look for less here); Julie Vos necklace and bracelets; Quay sunglasses
1. 
If you’ve been following along here for a while, you’ve probably seen and heard me swooning over 
Beer flights at 
Dinner at 
View from 
After hitting the road from Sandpoint, we really didn’t have a plan or any reservations for the rest of the trip. We knew that we had to eventually end up in Jackson, Wyoming because we had booked flights home from the Jackson airport, but we wanted to keep our options open and play it by ear for all of the nights in between.
Over the river and through the woods and several lookout points later, we found ourselves in Big Sky around lunchtime. The whole Gallatin area was so pretty and made for such an easy drive. We first made our way up to Big Sky Resort (which we quickly decided wasn’t really our jam) but lucked out and stopped at Lone Mountain Ranch on our way back down.
On day number three on the road, Eric woke me up at 5:30 (IN THE AM) and we booked it to Yellowstone National Park. The entrance to the park was less than an hour from 320 Ranch, but Eric insisted that we had to get there early to beat the crowds and see the park at dawn. (Also, he’s a morning person. I am…NOT. But it was his vacation too, so I somehow made it into the car before he left without me.)
Bison in Yellowstone National Park
The view outside 
Pool area at 