Blue and White in Charleston

Top - Tobi (freaking can't believe this top from last spring is back in stock!) / Shorts - J.Crew Factory (these have been my favorites for years so I'm super excited they're back in stock!!) / Bag - Clare V / Sandals (similar here and here) - Sole Society / Earrings - BaubleBar

I think the thing I liked most about Charleston was that there was just so much to explore! Not only was every street beautiful, but every alleyway and every little space between buildings too. I couldn't believe that these spaces were usually full of plants and flowers and trees too. I mean, here in Chicago, our alleys are mostly just full of trash cans. 

This top was a favorite last spring and summer, so I was really excited to pull it out again in Charleston for a morning of wandering. This outfit didn't last long though, because after enjoying brunch at Husk we wandered into The Impeccable Pig (basically my spirit animal in a store) and I ended up wearing a new dress out. I'm not sure I've ever actually worn something out of the store before, but when you find the cutest little off the shoulder dress you basically have to. Just a note on sizing in this store - I could wear a large in anything made out stretchy fabric / anything without a zipper. Dresses/skirts are definitely on the shorter size, so just don't plan on buying anything for work or church ;) 

I'll be coming back at you later this week with more of what we loved in Charleston, so stay tuned! 

Top - Tobi (freaking can't believe this top from last spring is back in stock!) / Shorts - J.Crew Factory (these have been my favorites for years so I'm super excited they're back in stock!!) / Bag - Clare V / Sandals (similar here and here) - Sole Society / Earrings - BaubleBar

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Labor Day Weekend Packing List

Do you have plans for the long weekend?

Last year we took the year off, but previously we've rented lake houses with a bunch of friends, and this year we're going again! Our house is on a lake in southern Michigan, and I'm super excited for a few days of boat rides, swimming, obnoxious pool floats, bonfires, too much wine, and lots of fun. We're roadtripping out on Friday afternoon, and I cannot wait!

On previous trips I tried to plan cute outfits for the weekend, but now I know I want to spend time in the easiest clothes possible - leggings and sweatshirts for the evenings, shorts and tees for daytime, and of course a bathing suit for every time in between. I don't want to bring anything fussy or complicated - only the simplest of jewelry, sandals that can slip on, and clothing I don't have to worry about ruining are making it into my weekender bag. Oh, and speaking of weekenders, I've had this one for a few years now and still love it. It's the perfect size for a long weekend, and the faux leather is really beautiful in person - I get compliments everywhere I go!

I shared my packing list for Labor Day Weekend a couple of years ago and it's consistently been one of my most popular posts, so I thought I'd share a little update based on what's in my closet now. This cute new hat definitely made the cut, as well as my new favorite sweatshirt and leggings. Since we won't be doing anything remotely dressy, I'm only bringing sandals for the beach and sneakers in case we decide to leave the house.

Of course, with even the best laid plans, I'm sure I'll still manage to overpack - wish me luck!

watch / necklace / lace-up sweater / gray sweatshirt / swimsuit / leggings / sandals / sneakers / white tee / hat / shorts / striped sweatshirt / weekender bag

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Packing List: Asia

OTS dress / Similar Lilly dress

You guys, we leave for Asia tonight! Insert all of the excited squeals here. I feel like we've been planning this trip for forever (mainly because we have been - it first came up over two years ago!) so I can't believe this day is finally here. We're flying into Hong Kong tomorrow, and then heading on to meet my brother and his wife in Thailand from there, followed by Cambodia and Vietnam.

Gingham striped tee / OTS top / Striped one-shoulder top

Similar tote

For our Tour d'Asia, I'm trying so hard not to overpack. Who knows what's going to fly into the suitcase at the last minute today though ;) When we went to Italy two years ago, I brought the largest suitcase known to man, and since I had the space I decided to fill it. I'm pretty sure Jeff almost died trying to lift it onto a luggage rack on the train though, so I'm going to try not to go that route again. Instead I'm embracing the "less is more" approach and bringing some Woolite and a travel clothesline with so I can do some washing and rewearing as we go. To help, I'm bringing a whole lot of white and blue so I can mix and match as I go.

Hat / Similar shorts / Similar swimsuit

Pom pom earrings / Striped tassel earrings / Beaded tassel earrings / Similar tassel necklace

We're going to be gone for two weeks, but don't you worry, I scheduled a few posts for while I'm gone. Plus, you can follow along on Instagram/Instastories (@kristinadoes). I won't be on Snapchat though - my phone ran out of memory so I had to delete it! Now it's just fifteen short hours to get to Hong Kong - see you soon!!

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What to Pack for a Beach Vacation

Are you going on a trip any time soon? If yes, please tell me that we're in the same boat, and that planning for a trip makes you feel like you need to buy all new things. I don't know what the deal is, but every time I start planning a trip I start thinking that I obviously need a whole new wardrobe to bring with me. Right now we're planning a trip to Southeast Asia at the end of March, and I've basically been shopping non-stop. And, because this particular trip is going to involve a lot of beaches and pools, a lot of the shopping has been for bright and fun pieces - because if you can't wear neon pom-poms at the beach, then when can you wear them?!

Swimsuit / Beach Tote / Panama Hat / Sandals / Beach Towel / Earrings / Dress / Heels / Clutch

I've already added a couple of items to my closet, including this off-the-shoulder dress, these pom-pom earrings, this tote, and the white Lily Pulitzer dress I snagged during the after party sale. I'm hoping to snag a few more things to bring with me though, including some new sandals (because I usually can't handle even looking at my sandals from the year before - gross!) and a few tops with some fun details. But because I'm bad at sticking to the plan of shopping only what I *need* I'll also probably add another new dress or two too - there are just so many cute options out there right now!!

Here are a few things on my current dream beach vacation wishlist:

So, February budget, you'd better watch out. I'm coming for ya ;)

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Travel Style

Oh hey there! Today I'm headed to Kansas City, and by the time you read this I'll probably already be on the ground and heading out to explore. Whenever I travel early in the morning, I try to pick an outfit that will be comfy for the plane (and make getting up so early not seem quite so gross), but will also work once I land. This weekend, that means leggings, a comfy sweater, and cute but easy accessories.

Sweater (similar) - Banana Republic / Tee - J. Crew Factory / Earrings - BaubleBar / Necklace (similar) - Girly / Leggings - Zella / Bag and Booties - Sole Society

Have a great weekend!

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Labor Day Packing List

Can you believe this weekend is Labor Day already? Byeeeeee summer!!

Last year we rented a house with a bunch of friends up in Wisconsin and had so much fun we decided to do it again. We're heading to Wisconsin Dells (I've never been - any tips?) for a weekend of boating, swimming, bonfires, and lots of wine. It'll be a pretty chill weekend so I don't need to bring anything fancy (bye statement necklaces!), but I still want to look cute, because duhhh. I'm also trying to pack light, because last year I maybe brought way too much and then maybe had to sit through a four hour car ride with stuff crammed on all sides of me and a dog on my lap. Here's what I hope to have in my suitcase:

Some of these are items actually in my closet, and some are close approximations. Except the hat. I want that hat. I've linked similar items for those already in my closet: 

The color scheme helps to make sure I'm always matching, and pieces like the chambray shirt can double as a swim coverup. The jewelry definitely isn't coming anywhere our water activities but will be nice to have the rest of the weekend. I'm going to try to fit everything I need into this oversized weekender - I've had it for a while now and get compliments on it everywhere I go!

Do you have any end-of-summer plans for Labor Day weekend?

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Polka Dots in Firenze

Dress (similar) - LOFT / Bag (similar) and Heels (similar) - Sole Society / Necklace - BaubleBar / Bracelet - Michael Kors

I think these are the only other outfit photos we managed to take in Italy. Whenever I travel I have these grandiose plans to take photos all over the place, and then it turns out while I'm on vacation I don't really feel like working (yep, blogging is definitely work!).

These photos were taken on a sidestreet around the corner from our hotel in Florence before dinner one night (we stayed right by the Duomo). Word on the street was we had to try a Bistecca Fiorentina, or in English, a freaking gigantic steak. If we were going to eat eighteen pounds of cow we wanted to do it up right, and decided to try walking in to La Giostra after we couldn't get a reservation. We got there right when it opened, and I'm pretty sure we were the only walk-ins they had space for. After some freaking amazing pear ravioli, a steak the size of our heads, and a whole lot of wine, we walked out very happy campers.

When packing for Italy, I mostly stuck with flat sandals or sneakers, but wanted to toss in one pair of fancier shoes for dinners out. I chose to bring these block heels, and was so glad they were the pair I decided to go with. We saw lots of tourists with their stilettos wobbling around on the cobblestone roads, but I was good to go in these babies! Packing win.

Previously on KDTI - Polka Dots:

 

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White Eyelet

Dress - Ann Taylor / Bag (similar here and here) - Coach Factory / Bracelet and Sandals (similar) - Michael Kors / Earrings - JCrew Factory

This may be a twirl? Unsure. Totally normal.

So. This dress. It was supposed to be returned. I bought it last month and thought, "Nah," and put it in a bag to bring back to the store. And then, you know, the week of my wedding hit, and I didn't get an opportunity to take it back. And then I was packing for Italy, and the dress was just begging to go in my suitcase, so here we are. You win this time, shirt dress.

Seriously though, this felt like the perfect touristing outfit. I am not one for shorts and sneakers unless we're hiking or climbing 500 stairs to the top of a church or something. A light, breezy dress plus some super cushioned sandals (seriously, not sure I can ever wear a pair from Target again #spoiled) and I was good to go for a day wandering the streets of Rome.

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Previously on Kristina does the Internets - White Dresses:

 

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Hot Pink & The Sea

Dress (similar) - Old Navy / Necklace - Amrita Singh / Belt (similar) - Gap / Sandals - Sole Society / Bracelet - Michael Kors

I still owe you a little recap of our honeymoon, but I came down with a nasty bug this week (at least I didn't get sick during our trip!) and have been home sick from work the past couple of days, so a little outfit post is the best I can do. Hopefully next week things will be back to normal and I can share a few more pictures from Italy!

This outfit is from our first dinner in Positano, which is seriously one of the most beautiful and picturesque places I've ever been. We took these pictures on the balcony of our hotel, which had not just one or two little chairs, but three separate seating areas. I wanted to line up all of the chairs, a la Knocked Up.

Something about being near the beach always makes me want to wear all of the brightest colors together at once, hence the hot pink/turquoise/gold combo. It seems a little bright here in Chicago, but at the beach it's just right ;)

Have a great weekend!

Two more ways to wear a turquoise statement necklace:

 

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Touristing

Tee - Loft / Scarf (similar) - Target / Vest - Old Navy / Jeans - Gap / Sneakers (similar) - Nike / Bag (similar) - Coach Factory / Watch - Kate Spade

I wore this for our flight and first day in DC. I usually go for comfier outfits when I travel, but I knew we were going to be heading out sightseeing as soon as we go to the city, so I wanted to be ready to go. The vest and scarf (yes, I picked up that scarf) were great for staying cozy on the plane, as well as for the hot in the sun, cold in the shade weather DC was having. The sneakers weren't supposed to be a part of this outfit, but when I went to put on my favorite riding boots, the zipper broke off. I was so sad because I've worn them four or five times a week for the past years. On the bright side, I guess that means it's definitely time to pick up a new pair now! And sneakers ended up being a good choice for the day, between walking through the airport, taking public transit, and walking the length of the mall.

What do you wear when you travel?

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