Looking for a simple Father’s Day card to surprise your loved ones? Here’s a 1960’s-inspired card you can print out and customize. Glue a personal photo and include a handwritten note inside to congratulate your favorite Father this year. Download the full-sized printable here.
Ever wondered why pink flamingos are so popular in fashion, interior design, and art? Known as the hot pink queen of kitsch, the plastic flamingo was created by a sculptor back in 1957. His name was Don Featherstone, and he ended up winning an Ig Nobel Art Prize for his creation of what was originally meant to be a three-dimensional lawn ornament. Reportedly, Featherstone based his design flamingo photos he saw in National Geographic. Somehow this sculptor had captured the visual style of an era: the pink flamingo soon became a symbol of Americana. The quintessential yard décor piece that went from eccentric and kitschy to being recognized as a nostalgic piece of art.
I´ve always felt drawn to the playful, retro look that flamingos add to any type of design piece, and that’s why this one-piece by Bikinima called my attention. Check out the caption below the image for details about the rest of the pieces I am wearing.
Sunglasses: Dior, Headband: American Apparel, Swimsuit: Bikinima
Is someone you love having a baby soon? There’s no better way to welcome the new member of the family than with a gift box that shows how much you care. Boxes are easy to put together and don’t have to carry expensive items to wow your recipient. A thoughtful collection of small trinkets and useful, inexpensive objects can go a long way! Here’s an idea for an easy box you can put together for a relative or friend who is having a baby soon. This particular baby was number two for this family, so the gift included items for the (now) older sister.
Here’s an idea for an easy box you can put together for a relative or friend who is having a baby soon. Play around and replace any of the objects below with products that are accessible to you, or that you feel would suit the family best. This particular baby was number two for this family, so the gift included items for the (now) big sister.
Once you’ve collected the objects, assemble the shipping boxes and organize items classifying them by recipient. Label the boxes with each person’s name. Ship them or deliver them personally.
A chic, photogenic property in the middle of it all. Hotel Croydon is a recently renovated boutique hotel with fun art deco details, a premium location, and unique free perks. For a rate that starts at ~ $130 you get a complimentary shuttle service to the airport, access to a gym, and free drinks between 7-8pm at The Tavern — Croydon’s onsite bar. 
This was my third time staying at a South Beach Group hotel in Miami, with the first two being at Riviera . This independent hotel group has more than 10 properties in the area, ranging from hostels to 4-star hotels. Two features that immediately stand out are their famous complimentary happy hours for guests (from 7-8pm) and their unique approach to interior design.
Hotel Croydon is full of subtle mid-century design details that are not only photogenic but inspiring if you’re in Miami for a combination of work and play, as is usually my case. As a unique bonus, you can also borrow specialized design books at the lobby. There’s a balanced combination of monochrome details, interesting textures, and stunning palms everywhere you look.
What makes these Sputnik chandeliers so special is that they are iconic interior design pieces from an era known as the Atomic Age. This period in design history spans from 1940 to 1960, and gets its name from society’s concerns about a nuclear war. Architecture, industrial design, advertising, interior design, and fine arts were all influenced by atomic science. Sputnik was the world’s first artificial satellite, and it was launched by the Soviet Union in 1957.
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Figuring out what to wear during Summer months can be a struggle. Too much and you’ll melt inside the garment, and too little and you might feel overexposed. You also want to reveal your personal style and personality without going overboard, but did I mention the heat? Living in tropical areas for years has taught me a lesson or two about styling expressive outfits that are still fresh and wearable. Throughout this post, I’ll share four looks that are both vintage-inspired and incredibly comfortable.
White and pastels are an infallible color combination that keeps things simple but elegant. Wear your favorite white shorts with an open-back pastel top like this lilac lace halter from Tobi.
Bohemian Luxe
Artisanal garments remind us of the fascinating little handmade shops we run into when we travel. I paired high-rise denim shorts with this stunning black crochet crop top. Since the crochet allows for air to flow, you’ll never find a fresher piece to stroll around the city!
Handmade Wanderlust
I am of the opinion that women in the 1950s were the first to make swimming truly fashionable. To create that 50s girl vibe, I chose this serenity blue monokini with strong geometric accents and interesting diagonals. I paired it with oversized plastic round sunglasses by Polette to seal the retro look.
50s Pool Gal
I’ll admit it: I am a hopeless romantic. I can’t tell when it started for sure, but I know every time I visit a colonial city like Cartagena (pictured) this damsel-in-distress persona immediately pops out. This impeccable bell sleeve top makes you feel well-dressed and laid back at the same time. I combined it with khaki scrunchy shorts and my Palm earrings from the Nostalgiosity Tulum Collection.
Modern Colonial Romance
This post was sponsored by Tobi. Thoughts and opinions are my own.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You can get them here:
1. Boyfriend Low Ripped Jeans – $39.99 at H&M
2. Boyfriend Jeans – $88 at Abercrombie & Fitch
3. Lucky Brand Women’s Sienna Slim Boyfriend – $84.99 at Amazon
(Bloggers featured above: Macarena Gea, Aimee Song & Anabelle Fleur)
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.
Here are the links:
1. DIY Flower Crown by Bleu Bird Vintage
2. DIY Flower Crown by Glammandie
3. DIY Spring Flower Crown by Green Wedding Shoes
4. DIY Floral Crown by Daphnebenosa
5. DIY Flower Crown by Kelli Murray
6. DIY Flower Crown by Calico Skies
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.
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.
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:
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