I always loved the idea of “seasonless dressing”! To me, combining pieces that are unmistakably summer with heavier staples from fall/winter like coats and boots, yields a very modern, richly-layered look and feel! Enter my outfit for the Etro show. I absolutely adore the way this delicate lace dress from Etro’s SS18 Collection pairs with this season’s must-have: trench coat. For this particular look, I opted for knee-high white boots, but it also works paired with embellished sneakers for day, or a slightly more feminine, dressier option for night – high-heeled mules, for example. Finishing touches – an embellished cross-body bag & cool-looking sunnies!

Collection Highlights Day 3:

In both essence and color, Blumarine’s collections are never far from their namesake. Continuing the early ‘80’s vibe set to characterize this season, Blumarine’s fluidity and subtle shades of powder blues and turquoises are paired with high-necked frilled gowns, vibrant flowing sundresses, snakeskin boots and coats edged with luxurious furs that wouldn’t look amiss on Joan Collins during her Dynasty days.

Day 3 also saw Etro showcased a sumptuous yet balanced color palette with its collection of Native-American inspired textiles. Etro’s historical emphasis on textiles and leather is here intertwined with the embodiment of late ‘70s / early ‘80s shift in awareness of minority voices. Embroidered brocades, flowing tasseled dresses paired with patent knee-high boots, shawls, fur-lined jackets, thick belts and bohemian necklaces make Etro’s collection truly a feast for the eyes.

Vionnet’s unmistakably gentle approach to feminine fashion design is interwoven here with the fun and vibrancy of the ‘80’s woman. Pairing classic feminine softness with bold animal prints, waterfall suit jackets in sheer green-gold satin and large block colors of royal blues and clean whites with sharp cutting silhouettes, this is a thoroughly Vionnet take on contemporary late 20th century style: nothing is overstated but everything makes a statement.

Etro Sleeveless Embroidered Dress | Embroidered Shoulder Bag | Pearl Hoop Earrings | A.W.A.K.E. Cape Effect Cotton Blend Trench Coat (similar here and here) | Gianvito Rossi Laura 85 Leather Knee Boots (similar here and here)

The Tommy Hilfiger show was a standout from day 5 of Milan. Hilfiger’s specialty of preppy sportswear took on a new meaning the show that is being lauded as ‘Fast & Furious takes the runway’, with the runway set out to look like a race track and real Formula 1 cars stationed around the set.

For my look, I went with an oversized sweater dress, a matching beanie and a fun little cross-body bag, which ended up being a favorite thanks to it’s standout shape, a rather striking guitar strap in red, white and blue, and a cute little bag charm! Cozy and comfortable, I love the casual appeal of this look and the versatility of the pieces I am wearing. Great together and on their own, I could easily see myself wearing this dress with jeans and flat ankle boots for day, or dressed up with a midi skirt and knee-high boots for night! Love that!

Primary colors, cycling shorts, blazers, asymmetric cropped sweaters, black and white checked details and oversized shirts combined with yankee-inspired accessories. With plenty of stars and stripes and a playful nod to the on-trend 80’s vibe in the form of sporty visors and shades.

Gaia Trussardi offered a warm and earthy palette of natural, muted tones, echoing the deep Trussardi routes to Italian 20th century culture. Highlights of the collection included: a military-style coat with pockets and hood made from olive wool; an asymmetric blue and black mesh jacket; patch pockets and patent leather accessories.

Trend highlights from Milan Fashion Week include:

80s-inspired power dressing: shoulder, vivid color palettes, metallics, knee-high boots, sharp silhouettes, bold magentas and turquoises combines with deep blacks, sparkling accessories and sequins

Divine textures: mixing and matching textures such as fringes, tassels, patent, latex, metallics, gauze brocades and embroidery for a fun and contemporary amalgamation of late 20th century fashion

70s tones: warm natural tones that mirror the shift from teenage ‘60s psychedelia to the earth conscious adult of the next decade: tasseled jackets, ochres, mid length bohemian sun dresses, mustard polos and brown ankle boots

Never not a fan of a big dress moment, it was love at first sight the second I saw this Missoni dress. From the vibrant emerald color, to the silhouette and fit, everything about this dress is just pure perfection. Since it was rather chilly in Milan ( translation: it was cold, very, very cold… ), for this particular look, I opted to layer it over a stretch knit top in a beautiful turquoise shade. Aside from the fact that I am more than a bit partial to this color pairing, this combination yields for a slightly less dressy look and feel but also, and this is one of the things I love about Missoni separates in general, makes for a more dramatic play on colors and textures.

Collection Highlights Day 4:

Missoni is renowned for its brightly colored knitwear, and it didn’t disappoint this season. From huge shawls to fringed jackets; knitted scarves to delicately-patterned tam hats – every creation bears the mark of Missoni’s unmistakable vibrant yarns and flawlessly offbeat color coordination. An echo of the de-marginalization and radical fashion of New York in the ‘70s and ‘80s, this is a thoroughly Missonian creation borne of the contemporary love affair with the era.

Ermanno Scervino creations this season are a re-working of both classic and modern favorites: think camel coats, grunge-inspired tartan juxtaposed with elegant chiffon dresses, lace gowns, oversized sweaters and patent scarpins. Thoroughly wearable and utterly timeless.

I always had a bit of a weak spot for military inspired jackets, but this particular one from Ermanno Scervino I got to wear to the show was definitely a favorite! Love the bold combination of navy, olive green and cream and the way pairing it with understated, flat, over-the-knee boots keeps all the focus on this dramatic piece! 

Lorenzo Serafini’s own ‘80’s-inspired collection, titled ‘Philosophy’ is a sumptuous feast of fur-fringed coats, rich ochres, double denim and strong silhouettes – especially in the shoulder department. Clean-lined and absolutely wearable, Serafini effortlessly blends classic tailoring with retro touches for a sensual take on feminine fashion.

We shot this look on a particularly magical morning at one of my favorite places in Paris: Le Café Marly. Though I definitely have a few favorite cafes in Paris, I must admit that Le Café Marly is particularly special because it offers the most amazing views of the Pyramid and the Cour Napaléon. So whenever I find myself in Paris, I always try to carve out some time to spend an hour or two enjoying a cup of coffee and a croissant on its shady terrace, though Cafe Marly’s Napoleon 3rd dining rooms are equally impressive.

Fact that my outfit seems to match the decor perfectly is rather incidental, although this gorgeous Akris coat I wore to the show somehow never felt out of place. Always a fan of the classic black and white color palette ( similar option here & here ), what I love about this particular one is the slightly oversized fit perfect for pairing with cropped denim, or in this case, lace-up leather pants and embellished mules.

These embellished Manolo Blahnik mules ( similar here, here & here ) are a fairly recent find but definitely one of my favorite pairs at the moment. Love the way I can wear them with distressed denim, sleek leather or pretty cocktail dresses. Love the crystal embellishment on the front, because as you well know when it comes to shoes, I live for those special little details! Love how surprisingly comfortable they are! Wore them all day long and my feet were perfectly happy! Basically love absolutely everything about them!

They’re comfortable, practical and stylish and if I learned anything from Milan and Paris fashion weeks, it is that 2018 is going to be a big year for sneakers. The casual sports shoe was featured across dozens of catwalk shows this season from the snakeskin-effect sneakers by Junya Watanabe to Balenciaga’s mountaineer-inspired pieces. Personally, I can’t get enough of this year’s up-and-coming sneaker trends! Want to refresh your footwear collection? Here are the sneaker trends you need to know about for the coming year.

Exaggerated Soles: One of the most daring sneaker trends of the season, the bold exaggerated sole is becoming one of biggest movements of current sports fashion. The LV Archlight sneaker from Louis Vuitton is a bold statement footwear that embodies the provocative futurism that we’ve seen is one of the main trends to emerge from Paris and Milan. This daring sneaker balances futuristic lines with an elegantly soft feminine shape for comfort and compatibility with your look – sporty or otherwise.

Muted Tones: As we slink into spring, the seasonally muted colors are charming fashionistas once again – and this time the classic subtle hues are making waves in the sneaker pool. Personally, I can’t get enough of these subtle, muted tunes and soft pastel colors!

Retro Metallics: We’re all about the retro feels this season. From Grace Jones-esque power dressing to Sloane Ranger chic, the 80s is back in full force and with it comes the glorious gleam of retro metallics. Think matte golds, shimmering mermaid blues, shiny silvers, sequins and anything that reminds you even remotely of a disco ball. 

90s Nostalgia: 90s and 00s-inspired nostalgia is still charming the fashion sneaker scene the world over. We’re talking clunky heels, off-whites with neon detail, stretch jersey overlaying faux leather; consciously UNcool is the new cool.

Never not a fan of sneakers, I think what I find particularly exciting is the variety of trends, options, colors and fabrics to choose from! What about you guys, are you as excited about the sneaker trend as I am?

Of all the trends coming in for Spring/Summer 18, I’d say the candy-colored, pastel palette is what I am excited to wear the most! Soft, pretty and feminine, I love pastels because they make everything feel a little more summery and fresh, but also,  because they are so easy to incorporate into your existing wardrobe!

You can make a statement by opting to wear a single pastel-colored piece paired with neutrals, or combine several candy-colored pieces ( fave combo is lavender, blue and yellow ) if you feel like going for a slightly more playful look, or, if you’re not quite ready to commit to the head-to-toe color, wear it with classic black to dress a pastel shade down a bit. Take this pretty pink Zuhair Murad Coat I wore  during Paris Fashion Week for example. Though I definitely could have combined it with light/bright colors or pretty pastel shades, I am rather partial to the way it looks with all black. The black gives it a slightly more polished and pulled together look and also makes this summery shade just a tad more season appropriate.

The beautiful thing about pastel shades is though, is that there is literally no wrong way of wearing them! Together or separately, they never fail to make a fun, playful statement, and make every outfit feel just a bit more special!

Zuhair Murad Coat (similar here and here) | Fendi Imitation Pearl Calfskin Bucket Bag and Leather & Imitation Pearl Guitar Style Strap | Manolo Blahnik 105mm Diazhigri Silk Satin Ankle Boots (similar here) | Ruslan Baginskiy Leather Baker Boy Cap | Dita Daytripper Butterfly Sunglasses

Suits are all the rage this season and personally, I couldn’t be happier! Wear them together or separately, a great suit will take you from a day at the office to cocktail hour and everything in between.

This particular set from Tibi I wore during Paris Fashion Week is a hands-down favorite at the moment! Aside from color, and my general appreciation of all things Tibi , ( can we please take a moment to talk about this dress… although the lavender version is equally stunning… ) I love the slightly oversized, longer cut of the blazer and of course the side cutouts, but also the pull-on jogger style cut of the pants, which gives this otherwise fairly dressy pant a slightly casual, sporty vibe. Love them together, love them separately ( living in these jogger pants, cropped sweatshirts and Golden Goose sneakers at the moment ), basically, love the versatility of this suit and the way it pairs with pretty much everything I have in my closet in the most effortless way!

How about you guys, are you feeling the suit trend this season? If yes, what’s your favorite way of wearing a suit: together or separately?

Tibi Pleated Blazer (similar here and here) and Pull On Joggers (similar here and here) | The Kooples Official Bag (similar here and here) | Off White White For Walking 115 Pumps (similar here and here) | Ruslan Baginskiy Leather Baker Boy Cap (similar here and here)

Of all our favorite Paris hangouts, cafe Le Nemours has to be the place we love the most. Located right by the entrance to the Louvre and les Jardins du Palais-Royal, we discovered it a few years back and it’s been one of those special places for us since. Great coffee and croissants, great atmosphere, I swear we could sit there for hours just taking it all in, people watching, and admiring the chic Parisian crowd.

How about you guys, do you have any favorite places in Paris? We’re planning another trip in May and I would love your recommendations!

Tibi Pleated Blazer (similar here and here) | Mother Denim Rascal Snippet Jeans (similar here and here) | Malone Souliers Maureen 100mm Mules (similar here and here) | Urban Zen Blouse (similar here and here) | Roger Vivier Small Viv’ Cabas Bag in Leather (similar here and here) | Dior Denim Cap With Veil (similar here and here)

What’s your favorite trend this season? Mine, other than the candy-colored pastels of course, would have to be the floral print! Though I fully admit, I wasn’t always the biggest fan of print in general, something about florals has me really excited this season. Soft and feminine, I think one of the biggest reasons I am very much on board with this trend at the moment is the abundance of different types of floral prints ( soft and bold, small and large: this year, it’s pretty much anything goes ) but also the fact that this trend is not confined to clothing alone. We’re seeing the floral motif in accessories, like shoes and bags, jewelry and beauty, which is the reason why it is easier than ever to incorporate it into your wardrobe.

If you’re not entirely comfortable wearing floral print when it comes to clothing ( though personally I think a cute floral-print dress is a bit of a summer staple, like this one for example ), why not opt for a floral-print accessory? Personally, I love pairing an all-white outfit with a pair of cute floral print sandals or pumps! Always elegant and understated, it’s a simple way of wearing this trend without committing yourself to a head-to-toe floral print outfit.

Yet another way to incorporate floral trend into your outfits is via jewelry! With the abundance of the prettiest statement earrings ( completely obsessed with this particular pair ), bracelets and rings out there, it’s so easy to freshen up your spring/summer wardrobe with a bit of florals!

Rochas Top, Skirt, and Bag ( similar here, here, and here )

What are your Summer staples? As I was cleaning my closet the other day, making room for summery faves, that was exactly what I was thinking about. It’s true that every season brings new trends, colors and silhouettes, and I always make sure to update my wardrobe with a few of-the-moment pieces, yet there are certain things I’ve had for years that remain classic, timeless and look just as relevant today as they did the day that I got them! This of course got me thinking about what it is exactly that gives longevity to these particular items, and I think that the answer is the fact that summer staples, like a woven accessory or a bold maxi dress will always be in style.

Wear Anywhere Bold Maxi Dress – love it because you can wear this type of a dress anywhere! Great for a casual day at the beach paired with cute flats and a straw bag, yet can be easily dressed up with heels for a night out!

Statement Earrings – love them because a great pair of earrings makes an outfit! Obviously fabulous for a night out, personally, I love wearing them with casual staples like jeans and simple silk tops for day to add a bit of polish and sophistication to my more casual looks.

Woven Accents – a straw bag adds a casual and playful touch to your summer looks. Great with jeans and t-shirts, yet makes for a perfect option to wear to casual cocktails as well!

Hemant and Nandita Aesha Tunic (similar here and here) and Frontier Dress (similar here) | Oscar De La Renta Earrings (similar here, here, and here) | Bag (similar here, here, and here)

I’m sure by now, you already know just how important versatility is to me and of course what I wear to the Festival is no exception. Personally, I hate buying something I can only wear once and so, when it comes to my festival outfits I always look for pieces I can style and restyle to wear all summer long.

The pretty Lovers + Friends number I am wearing in today’s post is my newest acquisition and latest obsession! Perfect festival dress, it’s made from light-weight, breathable cotton ideal for hot weather ( i.e. dancing all day long under the desert sun ). I love it, because it’s a perfect combination of comfort and style. For today’s festival-inspired look, I paired it with my Chloé boots and Dior studded bag, but it works just as well paired with strappy gladiator sandals and a cute tote for a day at the beach, or embellished mules and a clutch for cocktail hour! Love that!

Lovers + Friends Jeanette Dress (similar here, here, and here) | Elizabeth and James Fray Sunglasses | Chloe Rylee Cutout Leather Ankle Boots | Dior Lady Dior Bag

Since festival season is upon us once again, I thought it might be fun to do a quick roundup of my can’t survive festival season without beauty must-haves. Quick and easy, these products will keep you looking great through the party weekend yet will not require much effort on your part!

Deep conditioner – a deep conditioner is a must in a desert heat. I love how rich and moisturizing the Kiehl’s Damage Repairing & Rehydrating Conditioner is. I try to keep it in my hair as long as I can to replenish the moisture and bring shine back to my hair.

Dry Shampoo – I think it’s a must to bring one with you anywhere, especially to the desert. With the heat, sweating is inevitable and your hair is going to need a “pick me up” much sooner rather than later. I also like to spray a bit of it throughout my hair to give it a little volume. IGK and DryBar are my favorites.

SPF lip balm – I think this one speaks for itself; lips are so sensitive so moisture and SPF constantly need to be re-applied. I absolutely love this Sugar Lip Treatment by Fresh – it does the job and comes in a few different tints if you also wanted to add a little bit of color.

Waterproof mascara – I don’t know about you guys, but my mascara always runs on a hot day and I end up with black flecks on my undereye area. The easiest solution to that is wearing a waterproof mascara. I like High Impact Waterproof Mascara by Clinique—it lengthens my lashes and is very easy to take off with makeup remover at the end of the day.

BB cream – I am not a huge fan of foundations on regular basis let alone on a desert getaway. It gets too cakey and looks awful within the first hour of being out so I always opt for something lighter and more natural like this Tarte BB cream. It gives just enough coverage while still looking fresh.

Face mist – can’t say enough about how much I like a good face mist on a hot and dry desert day. It’s a perfect boost of hydration while not packing on too much product on top over and over. I like to keep one in my bag and just spritz throughout the day. I recently tried the Rose Hibiscus Coconut Water by Herbivore, and I’m definitely taking it with me to the festival, it’s so refreshing!

Eye cream – undereye area, much like your lips, is super sensitive so it definitely needs extra love and attention especially if you’re in a dry climate. I always make sure to pack a super hydrating undereye cream when heading to the festival weekend and apply a generous amount before going to bed. I find that it really helps with my make up creasing less the following day. My go-to cream is the Moisturizing Eye Bomb by Belif.

Face moisturizer – for the desert, I definitely go with something richer and make sure it has SPF because it is so dry out there. The Argan Daily Moisturizer by Josie Maran has been a long time favorite for those extra hot and dry days. It lays down a perfect base for my BB cream and lets me have that healthy glowing skin all day.

Face mask – a moisturizing face mask is perfect for the extra boost of hydration at the end of the day. This Rose Face Mask by Fresh is another old time favorite. I love how light yet very moisturizing it is. It can be used daily so it’s definitely part of my daily ritual during the festival weekend.

Body Shimmer – you guys know I love a good body glow and specifically for the desert, I like something oil based for extra moisture. This MoroccanOil Shimmering Body Oil gives a subtle sparkle and tons of moisture. It’s very lightweight and not greasy which is my favorite part about it.

Body moisturizer – a rich body moisturizer to apply at night after a day out in the heat is an absolute must for me. I love the Coconut Melt by Kopari—it’s natural, extremely moisturizing, and alcohol free so it’s truly non drying. Plus this product is a multitasker and can be used as a hair mask, lip balm, and even makeup remover.

Free People Drive You Mad Blouse | One Teaspoon Blue Buoy Bandit Shorts | Elizabeth and James Fray Sunglasses | Chloe Rylee Cutout Leather Ankle Boots | Erdem Earrings (similar here and here) | Herbivore Botanicals Rose Hibiscus Hydrating Face Mist | IGK First Class Charcoal Detox Dry Shampoo | Drybar Detox Scented Dry Shampoo | Kiehl’s Damage Repairing & Rehydrating Conditioner | Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15 and Rose Face Mask | Clinique High Impact Waterproof Mascara | Tarte Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 |    Moroccan Oil Instant Radiance Shimmering Body Oil | Kopari Organic Coconut Melt | Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 47 | Belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb

When it comes to vacation wardrobe, for me versatility and comfort are key, so I’m always looking for pieces I can wear on and off the beach! Something casual and comfortable I can easily throw over a bikini, yet pretty enough to wear to dinner later!

I came across the Margherita dress from Sundress I am wearing in today’s post as I was getting ready for my Tulum trip, and knew right away I found exactly what I was looking for. Easy, breezy, light-weight cotton fabric is perfect for a day at the beach, yet the fit, and the pretty tassel detailing in the back make it special enough to wear off the sand as well!

My strategy for styling cover-ups for day vs night is rather simple: accessories set the tone of the outfit. For day, I usually opt for a cute hat, roomy beach tote and comfy slides. But at night, a pair of statement earrings, metallic sandals, a cute clutch and bright lip color help to instantly dress up a casual piece like a beach cover-up and make it a bit more cocktail hour appropriate.

Sundress Margherita Dress (similar here and here) | Hat Attack Panama Continental Hat | Cocobelle Delfina Sandals | Similar bag here and here | Same Swim The Catch Bikini

Though I’ve always been a fan of white accents, this year in particular, stark white finishing touches feel even more fresh and bright! From sunglasses, shoes, bags and even jewelry, adding a white accessory is a simple way to brighten your spring/summer looks, but also add a touch of sophistication to some of your more casual outfits.

My current obsession is white sunglasses because of the way they instantly brighten the face, but also because they add such a sophisticated, polished touch to a look. The pair I am wearing in today’s post from Elizabeth and James is definitely the one I’ve been wearing the most! Love the shape and the dark lenses, I have also yet to discover an outfit they don’t work with. Basically, they are that magical pair that works well with just about everything, from dressy to casual and everything in between! Love that!

Never not happy to be in Palm Springs, Festival season has to be my absolute favorite reason to spend a few days in the desert! A perfect combination of style, music, great weather, seeing all my friends and relaxed, chilled atmosphere, I wait for it every year and somehow it always seems to go by way to fast!

Though normally, I opt for denim and comfy tops when it comes to Festival dressing, this year I went with a slightly different vibe just to change things up a bit, and flowy, twirl-worthy dresses seemed to be obsession du jour! Pretty and comfortable, they were a nice break from my usual festival uniform. The Charo Ruiz off-the-shoulder number and Etro top, which I ended up wearing as a dress, were hands down my absolute favorite!

L’Agence Zoe Perfect Fit Shorts | Agolde Parker Vintage Loose Fit Cutoff Shorts | Charo Ruiz Vaiana Off Shoulder Dress (similar here and here), Greta Skirt, Dana Top, Tirsa Top | Levi’s Altered Zip Trucker and 501 Shorts | BlankNYC Great White Short | Etro V Neck Wrap Front Top and Embroidered Should Bag | Balenciaga Cutout Glossed Leather Ankle Boots | Lovers + Friends Emma Top | Farrah + Sloane Mila Short Fringe Bag in Black | Dior Lady Dior Bag in Off-White Studded Calfskin | Chloe Rylee Cutout Leather Ankle Boots

Is there anything better than shopping for the new season? Personally, I get very excited about wardrobe updates in general, but shopping for spring/summer staples is something I always look forward to the most! Why staples you may ask? Well, because to me, staples are the core of your wardrobe and so you want to have a good selection of those. Once you have those staples down, it’s easy to add a few trendy, off-the-moment pieces to make sure your wardrobe is next season ready!

What are some of my spring/summer wardrobe staples? For the most part, I tend to go for clothes that I will feel most comfortable in and most myself. Basically the kind of pieces that will be on constant rotation for the next few months and Saks Contemporary section is always my go-to shopping destination for these pieces.

Cute Denim Jacket by Rails – comfortable and stylish, I think what I love about denim jackets the most is how versatile they are. Great for day paired with casual bottoms and sneakers, they can be easily dressed up for night with accessories. Favorite night-time look is a denim jacket paired with a flowy silk dress, cute heels and a clutch. Another favorite is by 7 For All Mankind.

Wear Anywhere Mini by Rag & Bone (other favorites by 3.1 Phillip Lim and MSGM) – never not a fan of minis, when it comes to mini skirts I look for something with interesting details like studs and embellishment, or bright colors. Once again, a closet staple because it works so well with casual shoe styles and simple t-shirts for day, yet never fails to deliver for night when paired with dressier shoe and top options. This season, my mini staple find came via Saks. Love at first sight, I knew I found exactly what I was looking for the moment I spotted this tweed Rag & Bone skirt. Love the fabric, the color combination, and the texture, which works so well paired with cotton and silk tops alike. Love that!

White T by MSGM- can’t imagine my spring/summer wardrobe without one! Wear with jeans or casual skirts for day, personally I love pairing t-shirts with dressier bottoms like high-waisted pants or silk midi skirts to help dress those items down a bit and make them more day-time appropriate (another favorite by Cinq à Sept).

Special Sneakers by Rag & Bone (also love these from Saks Contemporary section) – the shoe style I tend to wear the most, come summer time, I practically live in my sneakers. Never a fan of plain shoes, shopping for sneakers is not an exception. A always look for interesting details or embellishment that add a bit of drama or interest to sneakers. The sneaker-mules I am wearing in today’s post are also a recent Saks find and my obsession du jour! Love the blue/white color combo, love the easy to wear slip on style, love how comfortable they are! Basically, LOVE!

Rag & Bone Otis Tweed Mini Skirt (similar here and here) and RB1 Leather Sneakers (similar here) | Rails Knox Denim Jacket (similar here) | MSGM Cotton Logo Tee (similar here) | Cult Gaia Acrylic Lilleth Bag (similar here)

Special thank you to Saks Fifth Avenue and ShopStyle for sponsoring this post.

I’d say that the biggest problem I faced was the dryness. I mean, at some point in time, I simply accepted the fact that I will forever have an oily t-zone, and wouldn’t be able to find products I could use on the dry areas of my skin. Products designed to address dry skin issues always felt too heavy; and made me breakout, while oil-free options, simply didn’t do much for my skin at all.

Yet another reoccurring problem I was faced with was of course the sun-spots ( the issue I’ve talked quite a bit about on this blog ). I love the beach, and the sun, and although I am very diligent about using sun-block now, for years I went without it, and so, my sun-worshiping ways left me with a few rather prominent sun-spots on the left side of my face. I tried many, many things to get rid of them. I even went as far as to consult with several dermatologists and always received the same reply: You can’t spot treat sun-spots, so a deep, chemical peel ( and probably a few of those to be honest ), is what I would have had to do to say goodbye to them. Somehow deep peels always scared me, because it is such a drastic, invasive measure, not to mention a week-long down time, something that I simply couldn’t afford to take. And so, I covered them up with consular, or my hair, yet somehow they always ended up showing, which always made me feel very self-conscious. This issue remained a constant, nagging thing that I wished I could take care of.

Last, but certainly not least is travel. A fairly recent change in my life, for the past 3 years, I’ve been living out of my suit case, often going from cold, dry climates, to hot and humid ones all within a span of a week. Don’t get me wrong — I love to travel, see the world, and discover new places, and I am always grateful for the amazing whirl wind ride that is my reality right now, yet this kind of drastic change of climates took a further toll on my skin. Now it is rather obvious, yet somehow it never occurred to me that my skin-care routine should be very different in cold, rainy Paris during Fashion Week from let’s say when I am back at home in hot and dry LA, or vacation in hot and humid Tulum. This realization came as a result of a single meeting with the founders of Pour Moi Skincare, which took place a little over 5 months ago and forever changed the way I think about skin care.

I think one of the most important things that I took away from this meeting was the importance of using the right products for the climate you are in. When I lived in Toronto, which has a fairly humid climate, dryness was never really much of a problem, but in dry LA, moisture is key, and using the right-kind of moisturizer is a priority numero uno! During this meeting, I received the Face of Los Angeles ritual but also a few additional Réponse du Climat Day Creams appropriate to the places and climates I was set to visit in the next few months.

Not entirely sure what I was expecting, but I was hoping for a change and change is what I got, because I can tell you that right now, I am living my best skin moment. In fact, my skin changed for the better so much, that I’ve stopped wearing foundation completely and use only a light-weight tinted moisturizer or powder.

Right now, my skin-care routine is pretty simple and consists of 3 easy steps. When in LA, after washing my face with a gentle cleanser, I prep my skin with The Hydrating Balancer, which is a God send because it helps to restore the skin’s balance after cleansing and especially hard water ( a rather big problem in LA ). Normally, my skin feels very tight right after cleansing, but The Hydrating Balancer helps make it feel very soft and smooth.

Next, I apply a small drop of The White Serum all over my face to restore, hydrate and brighten my skin. I love this serum because it is designed specifically for the combination and oily skin, so it feels very light weight going on, doesn’t clog my pores or makes my skin feel oily.

Last step in my skin-care routine is the Day Cream. In Los Angeles, I use the Desert Day Cream to hydrate, protect my skin from environmental aggressors and prevent premature signs of aging. Honestly, one of my favorite products in the entire ritual, the day cream makes my skin feel velvety smooth yet once again, never oily or shiny!

I follow this ritual twice daily, the only thing that I change are the Day Creams when I travel. On my recent trip to Tulum, I used the Tropical Day Cream which helps to draw and trap moisture in humid atmosphere, but during Milan and Paris fashion weeks it was the Temperate Day Cream that kept my skin looking great despite my insane schedule with a complete and total lack of sleep.

Overall, my skin now feels very soft and smooth to the touch, but also, the dry patches I used to have around my forehead and cheeks are gone completely. The sun spots I have on the left side of my face started to fade ( some of them gone completely ) but others are now very light and barely noticeable, which I must admit has been a great confidence booster since I am so self-conscious about them! I think with time, even the most stubborn ones will be gone completely, and of course I will keep you guys updated on my progress!

P.S. As always, if you have any questions about products or how to use them, just ask in the comment section below! I’ll be happy to answer!

Special thank you to Pour Moi Skincare for partnering with me on this post.

The Face of Pour Moi Los Angeles, Hydrating Balancer, White Serum, Desert Day Cream, Tropical Day Cream, Temperature Day Cream

When it comes to vacation style, my recipe is pretty simple: wear anywhere cover up dress, cute hat & comfy flats. Yet because I am never a fan of anything plain, I always look for bright colors, interesting textures or special details to add just a bit of oomph to these vacation staples. Take my recent trip to Tulum for example, one of my favorite finds was this pretty, turquoise blue, embellished off the shoulder dress from Juliet Dunn. Price point aside ( it’s just over $200 ), it was the color and the off-the-shoulder neckline that drew my attention at first, but what really made it a favorite, was how comfortable it was and how easily it paired with just about everything.

Another way I like to spice up my vacation style is with accessories. Though I am a big fan of Cult Gaia bags in general, this white bamboo number was definitely the one I wore the most. Aside from the fact that white bags look great with absolutely everything, this particular one adds that perfect touch of drama to any vacation look! Great on and off the beach, I also feel that it actually works pretty well with my city spring looks now that I am back in LA! Naturally, I love that!

Juliet Dunn Off the Shoulder Mini Dress (similar here, here, and here) | Elizabeth Cole Pearson Earrings | Hat Attack Summit Sunhat | Tory Burch Patos Disk Sandals | Mystique Pearl Two Strap Sandal

Of all the beauty trends coming in for spring/summer 18, I’d say that glowing, luminous skin is one of my favorites by far. A go-to summer beauty look, love the way it works with a bold lip or strong eye and nude pout. Basically, a perfect starting point to achieve any make up look, this year, I am taking a bit of a break from my usual golden shades and trying something new: i.e. an obsession du jour – rose gold highlight! Pretty and feminine, what I love about rose gold is how soft it looks but also, the fact that it adds a beautiful warm glow to the face, and makes skin look as if it was illuminated from within.

A bit of a beauty addict, I love trying new products and the ones below are my go-to faves at the moment:

MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Beaming Blush – the prettiest peachy-pink shade, this one really lasts, and adds the most incredible soft glow to your cheekbones and brow bone!

Laura Mercier Face Illuminator – Great for face and body ( I often use it to highlight my décolletage and shoulders ), depending on the type of brush you use, you can achieve either a very subtle glow or use it to create a dramatic, targeted highlight on your cheekbones and brow bone.

Diorskin Nude Air Luminizer Powder – always a big fan of Dior make up in general, I love the soft, iridescent glow this creates! My go-to everyday highlighter, love how versatile this product is. Great during the day because it creates a very soft glow, it’s also very buildable, so for night, I simple add more for a dramatic, lit from within look.

Bobbi Brown Brightening Finishing Powder in Bronze Glow – love this all-over powder and the healthy, luminous glow it creates! Nothing saves tired-looking, lackluster skin quite like this little miracle does! My constant travel communion, normally I use it all over my face to add the prettiest, golden glow!

Hourglass Vanish Flash Highlighting Stick in Pink Flash – though I haven’t always been a fan of cream highlighters mainly because I have oily skin and most of them tend to disappear on me pretty quickly, this particular one actually stays on, feels completely weightless and creates the softest, prettiest pink glow. Love using it in the inner corners of my eyes, cupid’s bow and cheekbones!

Guerlain Météorites Pearls – my cult favorite, I’ve used this beautiful finishing powder for years!  Not only does it add the most beautiful glow to your face, it also helps to even out complexion and set make up! Basically, best, best in every possible way!

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter for a Superstar Youth Glow – A fairly recent find, I’ll be the first to admit that I haven’t always believed in primers but this product changed my mind! Aside from the fact that it can be used as a primer, on it’s own to add a subtle glow to the face, or even as a highlighter, normally I use it under my foundation to even-out skin tone, add radiance to the face, and to create that just-after-vacation dewy glow!

P.S. Scroll to the bottom of this post to find more contour & highlight favorites!

Special thank you to Nordstrom for partnering with me on this post!

Mac Extra Dimension Skinfinish | Dior Diorskin Nude Air Luminizer Powder | Hourglass Vanish Flash Highlighting Stick | Laura Mercier Face Illuminator and Candleglow Concealer & Highlighter | Bobbi Brown Brightening Finishing Powder and Opal Glow Highlighting Powder | Benefit Cosmetics High Beam Satiny Pink Liquid Highlighter | Guerlain Meteorites Pearls | Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter | RMS Beauty Magic Luminizer | Stila Kitten Allover Shimmer Powder | Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Contour Foundation | Lancome Dual Finish Highlighter | Burberry Beauty Fresh Glow Highlighter | Estee Lauder Double Wear Highlighting Cushion Stick | Tom Ford Soleil Sheer Highlighting Duo | Baublebar Gabriela Fringe Earrings | J.O.A. Asymmetrical Peplum Top

Never not a fan of a floral print, I am so happy to see this pretty, happy trend making it’s way back for spring/summer 2018. Though there are so many different versions of florals to choose from this this season, from bold and bright, to subtle and understated, personally, I simply cannot get enough of bright red prints at the moment!

So very pretty and versatile, love this print because it looks great no matter how you style it or where you choose to wear it! Great for day time paired with casual shoe options like boots or sneakers, yet equally stunning for cocktail hour dressed up with heels and bold jewels, ( Wore this dress for dinner with my hubby the other day with these gorgeous bright orange heeled sandals, and I just can’t get enough of this combo).

Yet another trend I am embracing this season are bold earrings! Though jewelry is always a big must for me, up until recently it was all about bracelets and rings for me, but now, I simply can’t seem to style an outfit without a pair of bigger than life earrings! Definitely a statement making jewelry choice, I love the way bold earrings add a bit of oomph to a casual look and pull together an evening outfit like nothing else!

Dodo Bar Or Tiered Floral Print Crepe Dress (similar here, here, and here) | Sezane Jack Sneaker | Baublebar Granita Beaded Tassel Earrings, Contessa Tassel Earrings | Topshop Beaded Tassel Earrings, Wood Circle Tassel Earrings | Cult Gaia Lilleth Acrylic Handbag in Tortoise (similar here)

P.S. Scroll down to see more bold earring options & pretty floral numbers!