Backstreet's Back Alright!

Back in June I went to see the Backstreet Boys in Las Vegas. I saw BSB in concert years and years ago and this concert did not disappoint! It was completely sold out and everyone there was a huge fan-it was a blast!

This is the dress I got on my last work trip in Kauai

Wooden fish!

This bikini top continues to be a favorite of mine from the Shopbop sale a few years ago

I LIVE in this Splendid romper. I bought a second one I love it so much 

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Palm Springs bachelorette weekend

This past weekend was my friend A's bachelorette weekend in Palm Springs. We rented a house for the 12 of us and I don't think it could have gone better! We spent our days in the pool, laughing, dancing, eating, and drinking. I think the highlight was all of the pool floats we had. We also had a GoPro and that provided a lot of entertainment (especially with people trying to get on/off of floats-the unicorn was tricky!).

Delicious drinks by the pool when we arrived Friday 

Pretty pink drinks + friends = the best 

FLOATS! 

Definitely my favorite float

My friend Brooke ordered these for our drinks to float in in the pool-I highly recommend them! I think we only had one tip over (oops)

The whole group out to dinner Saturday night. We went to Matchbox (one of my favorite DC restaurants that has just one location on the west coast)

Photobooth fun

With the bride to be!

Bride tribe flash tattoos 

(x-rated) Piñata time! This was after I showered/before we were going out for dinner, hence the pjs  

Sun Valley trip recap

Long over due post alert! I went to Sun Valley, Idaho for the first time in four years for the 4th of July. I hadn't realized just how much I missed it! My family goes every year but I couldn't always get the days off to join them when I was working full time. It was relaxing and so nice to get fresh mountain air! The only bad part was when my flight home was canceled. Thankfully a nanny friend was able to cover for me at work since I couldn't get home until Friday (instead of Wednesday). But there are certainly worse places to get stuck! ;)

You just can't beat the view!

Spotted lots of bunnies

My nephews enjoying the same activity I loved as a kid-exploring the streams and making sticks, boats, etc. float through 

Everywhere you look there's a beautiful view

4th of July dinner

Exploring after dinner

After dinner walk on my last night

Pretty flowers

Mountains!

More climbing and exploring

4th of July attempt at photoshoot with my sister (a bit bright out! HA!)

My outfit for our 4th of July BBQ

Horses! I love to stop and pet them when I'm walking to/from town

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Garnet Hill Summer Gems

Back in May I heard from Garnet Hill about doing a product review focusing on summer inspiration. I would say this has been a summer of travel (and family). I told Garnet Hill about all of my upcoming trips (Las Vegas, Charleston, Idaho, and the trip I am heading on this week). I was excited to see what product I would get to review. I have put the pure cashmere wrap to good use with all of my trips!

Mine is navy and I LOVE it! Usually when I travel I bring a hoodie. But I don't put it on over my head since (1) it's tricky getting it back off without elbowing the person next to you and (2) the temperature can change quickly on the plane. HA! So it doesn't work very well to keep me warm.

Well no more traveling in hoodies for me! I wore the wrap around my upper half/over my shoulders on my way to Sun Valley and then just over my lap like a blanket on my way home. The cashmere is not itchy (I am picky about my cashmere sweaters). Garnet Hill uses only the best cashmere and Oeko-Tex-certified eco-friendly dyes with fewer chemicals.

The best photo I got from my phone on my flight. This was when I was using it as a lap blanket. 

I just feel 10x chicer (is that a word?) using my wrap instead of a sweatshirt. Almost as chic as this model showing off hers ;)

Unfortunately I am having issues uploading photos from my real camera (looks like the cord may have been misplaced in my move) but I've ordered a new cord so hopefully I can upload the real photos soon!

I love the color that is currently available. It's perfect for transitioning into fall (don't worry-summer is not over yet!!!). Use it at the beach on those cool nights, take it to outdoor movies at the park, wear it to a wedding whatever you have planned for summer!

** Please note: I was provided this product for free to review. All opinions are my own **

Charleston trip recap

This past weekend my sister finished her residency in emergency medicine (!!!). I am so proud of her! We went back to Charleston to celebrate. We got in just in time Thursday night to have dinner downtown with my sister and her boyfriend. We stayed at Charleston Place, which is in the perfect location-walking distance to shops, restaurants, and the water.

There were SO many kids and dogs swimming/playing in al the fountains. It was packed!

Friday we slept in really late (7 AM flight the day before + time change meant we were exhausted) and ordered room service for breakfast. My sister had to work at the hospital all day so I went with my parents to the Gibbes Museum and then lunch at Magnolias. This was the hottest day Charleston had had all year. It was brutal! I forgot what 90%+ humidity is like! We walked around, relaxed at the hotel (it started to rain/storm), and shopped on King Street (I bought the Lilly Pulitzer Tala Romper I'm wearing below). My other sister (JHS) flew in late Friday afternoon. We had our fancy dinner at the restaurant in our hotel (The Charleston Grill). The photos from dinner are on my mom's phone, but I wore the sailboat dress from Anthropologie that I posted about here.

Porgy and Bess exhibit at the museum 

The Lilly for Target shorts are still my favorite for super hot weather. I wish I had been able to find another pair (or 3 ;)

Saturday morning we ate breakfast together in our hotel and then headed out to shop on King Street and walk around. Doctor sister and her boyfriend met us for lunch and then they headed back to my sister's house to get ready for the ceremony. JHS and I walked all around downtown and down to the water. It got super windy but it cooled down to the 80s so it wasn't as hot walking around. My sister did a little photoshoot for me in my new romper. I would have worn it Sunday too but unfortunately I spilled chocolate ice cream on it :(

I am definitely on board with the romper trend! This one is Lilly Pulitzer, Tala Romper

I love this photo my sister took on her run! I didn't take enough photos, mostly because my iPhone battery drains really fast these days (getting a new phone this week!)

After our long walk we relaxed at the hotel. My parents went to the ceremony/dinner for doctor sister so it was just me and JHS for dinner. We did a little more shopping (I think I converted my sister into a Lilly lover!) and then went to dinner at Indaco. The pizza was delicious! We also got ice cream after at Jeni's (that I then spilled all over myself). I guess we have a Jeni's here in LA-I've never been to it.

Sunday morning I packed up and said goodbye (and happy father's day to my dad). The rest of my family stayed until Monday, but I had to get back for work Monday morning.

I have loved visiting my sister in Charleston, but I am so excited for her next adventure in Colorado!

Memorial in Vegas

This Memorial Day Weekend 30 members of my family and extended family headed to Las Vegas to celebrate the life of my uncle who passed away in March. It was absolutely bittersweet. I saw some family members that I hadn't seen in four years (our last reunion was summer 2012 in Missouri). There was a lot of sitting around and sharing memories of my Uncle Tom. We brought all of his favorite snacks and watched an amazing tribute video that my cousin made. Lots and lots of tears over the weekend but I am so grateful that we were all able to be together again.

View from our hotel room. Doesn't really feel like Las Vegas!

My cousin took this photo of me. I would say it's a new favorite. Despite the sad circumstances, being with family felt so special.

Flower carousel in the lobby of the Wynn hotel

Had to get some pool time in. In the morning it was just me and both my sisters down by the pool, hadn't seen my doctor sister since our Dallas trip in January. I bought new sunglasses since I left mine at home, and I could definitely use a spare pair! I am pretty sure almost every blogger has this Marysia bikini top. HA! But I have to say it is flattering and comfortable (in my opinion) so I get the hype!

I love the back of my coverup. I can't resist bows! (It's a few years old from Sperry)

The front

On Friday while we were waiting for everyone to arrive, my sister, mom, and I went across the street to the mall to do some shopping. My local mall here in LA is under construction so I have been browsing online and ordering (and returning things by mail which is pain). I still prefer trying on clothes in person if I can. Splendid was having a big sale so I tried on (and fell in love with) this romper (waterfall print romper, $158). I ended up wearing it to the casual get together we had Friday night.

Sisters' weekend in Dallas

At the end of January I had a sisters' weekend in Dallas with both of my sisters. JPH, my sister in Charleston, requested a location that required only one direct flight (unfortunately she almost always has to connect to get to more western spots).  None of us had been to Dallas before, and we liked the idea of checking out somewhere new.  I flew Friday morning with my sister that lives here (JHS).  This is the first time the three of us have traveled without our parents/other family members.  I have taken several trips with JPH but JHS wasn't able to join (now that her boys are older I think we will try to do an annual trip).  We arrived in Dallas in the afternoon and met up with JPH at our hotel downtown. The hotel is brand new (opened in the last month) and definitely had some kinks it will be working out in the next few months. BUT we were upgraded to a bigger room and everyone was friendly and helpful.

In the lobby of the Joule hotel

We wanted to walk to dinner since JHS and I were not thrilled about getting back into a car after our bumpy flight and drive from the airport. We had dinner at Americano in the Joule Hotel. We explored the hotel first, looked at the stores, and checked out the lobby.  Dinner was delicious! Really good drinks (they even have cocktails on tap!) and food.

Saturday morning we slept in and then went to explore, shop, and eat. We had brunch at Rise.

My chocolate soufflé

We did a lot of shopping and walking on Saturday afternoon. We had dinner at Mi Cocina. All of my Dallas friends go there and we wanted to check out Highland Park. It was so fun to be sitting having chips and guac and margaritas with both of my sisters :)

Sunday morning we ate breakfast at CBD Provisions.  I had French toast with pecan "nutella." YUM! After breakfast we went to the Sixth Floor Museum. This is a must-see in my opinion. I thought the audio tour was great. It's hard to believe that I was standing where everything went down that day.

After the museum we headed to the Knox Henderson neighborhood. The smaller boutique stores were closed but we found a great toy store (something lacking here in LA) and did some window shopping. JHS headed back to LA Sunday afternoon unfortunately, but JPH and I stayed on. We had lunch at Remedy and it did not disappoint! My grilled cheese was perfect. After lunch we headed back downtown to go to the Nasher Sculpture Center. A new exhibit, Ann Veronica Janssens' Red, Blue, and Yellow, opened up the day before we arrived and it is so cool! When you go inside the room/box you can't see a thing except colored fog. Yours eyes adjust and you can see your own hands and maybe the wall if you get close but that's about it.

As the sun hits each color, the fog inside changes colors

Took this by the door (the only place you could really "see" since some fog would escape when it would open )

We also checked out the Alex Israel exhibit inside. My mom actually saw him speak at an event here in LA just two days later. Small world!

Looks like a photo but actually that's a painting of LA!

We checked out Klyde Warren Park and then headed to the Reunion Tower to catch the sunset.

For dinner we wanted to go somewhere we could watch the football game and get some good bar food. We headed to Bryan Street Tavern. The soft pretzel was one of the best I have ever had!

We left Dallas early the next morning.  I wish I had taken more photos (I don't know how I didn't get one of the three of us!) but what a fun trip!