Mothers make our lives possible and blissful, and any day of the year is a great opportunity to celebrate the shared memories that bound us together. Here’s an idea for a retro-inspired gift box that you can put together for her in minutes.
You will need
A box to store various small items and gifts
Shredded wood excelsior, which we’ll use as a gift box filler
Inkjet sticker paper to print the labels. Alternatively, you could glue regular cardstock onto each object.
Fresh flowers. Make sure you have different colors and leaves (in addition to flowers) to work with.
Assorted artisanal sweets like nougats and cinnamon rolls
Chocolate bars. I went for Toblerone, a classic Swiss chocolate bar with the advantage of having a box with three flat surfaces. Because we will decorate each of these items, having flat areas will make adding labels much easier.
A small scented candle of your choice. I chose a hand poured french vanilla and coconut candle.
Tea bags
A perfume or scent of your choice to spray the gift box filler.
Small wine or champagne bottles. I used Sutter Home’s White Zinfandel 4-Pack
Stamps, stickers, or confetti to decorate the box (optional)
Steps
Print out customized labels for:
The chocolate bar
The personal wine bottle
The candle
A tag to seal the box
Cut the labels and paste them onto each object.
I like to spray some perfume or home scent spray on the gift box filler (wood excelsior, in this case) to add a special aroma when the recipient opens the box. This is not necessary but adds a unique touch to the experience of opening your gift box.
Assemble the box as follows:
Wood filler
Larger objects like the candle, wine bottle, and cinnamon roll. Adding these first will help you identify spaces for the rest of the tiny objects more easily.
Smaller items like tea bags, chocolate bars, and nougats
So, you can’t wait to land in Cartagena and sip a luscious mojito while peeking at the ocean from an ancient stone bastion. (Wait, you didn’t know that was possible? It is!). You’re daydreaming about peaceful strolls down narrow streets full of boutiques and unknown flavors. The island life. A dreamy boutique hotel. I get it. But there’s something we’ll need to fix first: your suitcase. What should you pack for your next trip to Cartagena? This article has got you covered.
What to Wear in Cartagena
What you’ll find below are my recommendations as far as what to wear on your next trip to Cartagena and how to style each piece to have the most comfortable, exciting, and (why not!) fashion-forward stay possible. Because of its tropical climate, Cartagena is similar to other Caribbean cities like Tulum, so you may also want to check out this outfit guide for the Riviera Maya.
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Shorts & Other Bottoms
Like I’ve suggested before, avoid thick denim because it just adds to the heat you’ll experience anywhere in the Caribbean. Go for thinner fabrics and looser fits. I find that light denim also helps create a fresher look when you visit sunny cities like Cartagena. Because they are closer to white, these types of pants and shorts also make the colored elements around them seem much more vibrant. For this particular trip, I wore light American Eagle shorts with subtle crochet appliques on the sides.
Color-wise, I was slightly more adventurous this time around. I discovered a contemporary folk brand called Santa Marguerite that collaborates with artisans in small villages throughout Central and South America to add a modern twist to traditional weaving techniques and folk patterns. This particular San Vicente top felt like it was made for the city, with the bright teal, orange, and magenta accents. I swear if you took all of Cartagena’s walls and created a color palette, it would look a lot like the folk pattern on that shirt.
Swimming Suits and Cover-Ups
I have always found that hand-woven crochet reflects what is still right about the fashion industry. Not because materials or garments themselves are particularly expensive, but because of the time and dedication invested in each piece. Because they are made by hand, crochet accents are reminiscent of fashion as a craft, which is an idea that I strongly identify with. For Cartagena, I went with a colorful 2-piece bikini by one of my favorite brands: Agua Bendita. You’ve read my thoughts on it before, and how I admire their revival of retro swimwear trends. Gobio, in particular, is a model inspired by a freshwater fish by the same name.
Blouses, Dresses, and Tunics
Let’s talk about blouses for a second. Off-shoulder lace blouses to be more specific. I have developed a strong preference for these pieces over time. They take breeze, water, and sand extremely well and that just qualifies them as the quintessential beachwear staple. In my opinion, the right off-shoulder lace blouse can make you feel colonial and island surroundings a bit more deeply. They just come with an air of romanticism that feels serene, simple, and carefree.
Accessories for Cartagena
But how can you create that whole beach-to-city look without carrying an entire new outfit in your bag? Accessories are the answer. Headpieces like bandanas and jewelry can get you there in 5 minutes. Let’s look at a few ways to do this.
Statement earrings that can get wet
I brought all four earrings in the Nostalgiosity Tulum Collection and enjoyed alternating them during the entire trip. Since they are made of gold-plated bronze, they’ll take a significant amount of humidity and sand without losing shine. You can always take them off while diving into the water and put them back on for some effortless beach glam.
Headbands
Nothing like a wired headband to control wild beach hair. One of my favorite brands (and yes, it will live on) is American Apparel, and they offer some of the most durable, high-quality hair accessories you will find. While not available at this time, their Twist Scarf is one of the best buys I’ve ever made — and yes, I got one in every color while I could. You saw me wearing the black one on the off-shoulder blouse photo above. The brand is expected to return this summer with an online flagship store.
Sunglasses
Bring one pair that works with blacks, one that works with browns, and something that doesn’t really go well with anything but is an outfit in and of itself. A classic pair of Ray Bans will do the trick, but this unique pair of yellow aviators by Mango is a showstopper on its own.
Ideal Shoes for Cartagena (and any other beach trip, really)
Wedges and espadrilles with natural fibers will go a long way in this sandy city. Bring a pair of plastic sandals that can take even more water for beach and pool events. I’ve used and recommend Melissa, a brand that has completely reinvented the idea of a plastic shoe.
As I’ve explained before, our best makeup choice during a beach trip is called H2O. Drink lots and lots and lots of water. Aside from that, and only if you want to wear some light makeup, here are my picks.
A compact eyeshadow palette that works for day and night looks. Tarte’s Tease Tartelette is a great one to bring.
Two lipsticks: one hydrating, everyday tone and one intense, dark shade
Your skincare products, including something to exfoliate with, a toner, soap, and a moisturizer. Bring face wipes and carry them with you.
Any other tips of your own?
Feel free to share any other tips or questions in the comments section below.
Boyfriend jeans are relaxed, comfortable, and — based on what I’ve been seeing in stores — definitely having a moment! Brands are adding feminine details like embroidery and embellishments to turn a traditionally masculine garment into a woman’s best friend when putting together a casual outfit. Here is an idea of how to dress them up and down, a couple of inspiration pics, and three inexpensive boyfriend jeans (all under $60!) that you’ll absolutely love.
Every girl needs a flower crown! These vintage headpieces remind us of simpler times, romantic flower fields, weddings, and floral scents. I’ve collected 8 of my favorite flower crown DIY projects so you can create one on your own.
42 rooms, 2 restaurants, one rooftop pool lounge, and a complete romantic dream from start to finish. That is my best description of the Tcherassi Hotel + Spa.
Fashion Designer Silvia Tcherassi’s Hotel
Silvia Tcherassi is a Colombian fashion designer that has artfully combined tropical prints, loose fabrics, and resort luxury in collections that go from bridal wear to casual espadrilles. Without a doubt, Tcherassi is one of the most versatile Latin American designers in the global fashion stage. Back in 2009, Silvia had launched Tcherassi Mansion: an exclusive boutique hotel with seven rooms, four pools, and a lush spa. With this second property, she is effectively transitioning from fashion to lifestyle brand. 42 new rooms join what is now a majestic duo: one of the largest hotels in Cartagena’s Walled City, and the largest boutique hotel in town.
Details You’ll Love
Tcherassi Hotel & Spa feels very much like the headquarters of Silvia’s impeccable aesthetic, sense of comfort, and passion for details. That passion shows in everything from the linens to the carefully styled balconies that feel extracted from a Gabriel García Márquez novel. Wildlife and fabrics coexist in suites, pool areas, and dining spaces. Here are some of the details that I fell in love with:
Mansión Tcherassi’s jungalow-inspired pool on the first floor
The grand mirror gallery wall in the lobby
Romantic, pristine white balconies
Boho industrial decor details in Tuc Tuc, one of the hotel’s dining areas
Carefully-curated appetizers featuring fusions between Latin American and other cuisines
The breathtaking view from the rooftop lounge
Gorgeous vertical (floating) garden with over 3,000 tropical plants
Delicate amenities featuring natural scents and ingredients
Ideal Shoes for Cartagena (and any other beach trip, really)
