Blue & White on the Beach

Top (exact sold out, similar here and here) - LOFT / Shorts - J.Crew Factory / Bag - Clare V / Scarf (similar here) - Vera Bradley / Earrings (also available here) - BaubleBar / Sandals (similar here and here) - Old Navy

These pictures are really making me want to take another trip to the beach - anyone else? 

I love going to the beach in Chicago, but it's so nice to go and stay right on the beach sometimes - it means you can visit all throughout the day. My favorite part of our trip to Florida was the morning Jeff and I got up early (okay, 7am ;) and headed out to take a walk down by the water. We basically had the whole beach to ourselves! 

Whenever I take a beach trip, I basically pack all blue and white clothing. It's partially because all of my favorite clothes for summer are blue and white, and partially because it just makes packing that much easier - you just know that everything can mix and match! 

I'm loving this top but this exact one is sold out. Here are a few similar blue and white options in case you have any beach trips coming up - or are just as in love with blue and white in the summer as me ;) 

Top (exact sold out, similar here and here) - LOFT / Shorts - J.Crew Factory / Bag - Clare V / Scarf (similar here) - Vera Bradley / Earrings (also available here) - BaubleBar / Sandals (similar here and here) - Old Navy

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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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Tassels for the Beach

Beach dress - c/o SheIn / Bag - Hayden Reis / Sandals - Old Navy

So I fell in love with all of the fun tasseled cover-ups that hit the internet last summer, but at over a hundy stick a pop they were not something that would ever enter my closet. Between how few days I spend at the beach or a pool every year and my limited clothing budget, dropping that much money on a coverup wasn't quite in the cards for me. That didn't stop me from drooling though ;) So when SheIn offered me this cute but much cheaper option I had to say yes! I can't wait to give it a spin - hopefully soon at the beach in Chicago, or definitely out in Las Vegas in a few weeks! Our rental Tahoe doesn't start until Sunday afternoon, so we decided to tag on two nights in Vegas to the start of the trip. And, because my husband is the most amazing human being ever, we decided as an anniversary present to each other to get tickets to see Britney Spears! Life goal (almost) accomplished. I'm not a huge Britney fan, but all of her music is so fun (plus it's Vegas) that I know it's going to be amazing.

But anyway, back to the coverup! Aren't the tassels fun? The original version was super over-sized, but I love that the sizing on this is a little more fitted - I'm not so into over-sized on me. I also love that it has longer sleeves. I'm super pale (in case you couldn't tell) so at the beach I'm always ducking to find cover under an umbrella - with these sleeves I can stay in the sun longer.

Oh and I have to throw in a note about my beach bag - it actually was from a blog giveaway way back in the day! I had just started reading blogs and thought why not enter, and lo and behold I won. I love this bag, partially because it's made of sailcloth so it can get wet but the inside stays dry, and partially because there are tons of pockets lining the inside of the bag - perfect for keeping all of your beach stuff organized. The bag is from Hayden Reis, and while they no longer have my bag in stock there are a ton of cute options, including this striped flamingo number.

I'll see you at the beach!

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Style Me Wednesday, Confident Twosday, Style Sessions.

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