As you guys know I am spending my week in Istanbul Turkey, so here’s what I wore while exploring the city!
When traveling, always opt for something comfortable. I wore a turtleneck top, with wide leg denim, then paired it with an oversized gingham blazer and white boots.
Shop my outfit below!
I hope you are all having a wonderful summer vacation post-Ramadan! I had the opportunity to take the most amazing trip to Cannes, France for the first time to Hotel Barriere Le Majestic with Cpasdelacom. Cannes is located right on the French Riviera right at Croisette Avenue, so naturally, the hotel rendered a refined and luxurious experience.
To help you all plan your future visit to Cannes, today, I'm sharing my top tips on things to do in Cannes based off what I did during my stay!
1. Where to Stay: I highly recommend staying on La Croisette Avenue. Hotel Barriere Le Majestic is situated right at the forefront of all the action in Cannes. I was able to see the venue where the Cannes Film Festival takes place every year right from my balcony, along with the sea-front; it was such a magical experience and so much fun spending time on the balcony each night with an espresso and fruit. This hotel location will eliminate the need for any rental car because of all the exciting things to do on this avenue and easy access via walking. You can walk to and from your hotel throughout the day whether it be for breakfast at the hotel, a swim on the beach, and more!
2. How to get around: While we rented a car for our day trip to Monaco (only 30 miles away), we mainly walked by foot all day! There are so many little shops that have bike and scooter rentals, which looked like so much fun for a longer stay. The city is super small so you can get around most places safely between the alleys and avenues. It's easy to maintain a sense of direction with the city being based on the sea-front. The concierge at Hotel Barriere Le Majestic was amazingly friendly and welcoming and offered a variety of languages, especially when a lot of locations in France unfortunately do not have very many English speaking staff. They were able to guide us all throughout the city with maps and more.
3. Where to eat: We had the best lunch EVER at B'fire by Mauro Colagreco, situated at the beach front of the Mediterannean sea. This restaurant belongs to Hotel Barriere Le Majestic, and the menu reflects everything beachy-healthy from citrus cheese salads to fresh salmon sandwiches. I am the biggest cheese lover, so naturally, the dining in France was super delicious! For dinner, I recommend heading to La Terrase du Gray. It's part of our hotel chain and is a short five minute breezy walk. We had some of the best salads and steak entrees there, as well as a delicious variety of ice cream desserts. The atmosphere is super eclectic, with a hint of luxury. Also, the staff is so friendly and welcoming, and speaks perfect english (as that can be a rare accommodation in France sometimes).
4. Where to go explore: On La Croisette, a mile-long promenade that skirts the shore, you can lookout on the sparkling Mediterranean and the hills. You can also take in all the glamorous pedestrians, which is a super fun area to people watch (and car watch all the luxurious rides). Along the board walk, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants, a mini amusement park for children with a merry-go round, bike rentals, outdoor events, and so much more! I would recommend taking part in all your exploring activities early in the morning, since many stores and locations tend to close after 7 pm.
5. Where to shop: Right at the entrance of the Hotel Barriere Le Majestic are plenty of luxury designer retailers that exude French elegance and class. The windows of these retailers will spark you with their French-inspired displays and outfit combinations. I always feel inspired after traveling and seeing all the colors and prints paired together. Also, Rue d'Antibes has some of the best designer shopping which is a short walk from Hotel Barriere Le Majestic. From Prada to Zara, you'll find so many stores to either window shop or pick out a few summer-vibe items. There are also so many perfume and pastry shops here! I ended up finding the best souvenirs at Fragonard which is a local perfume shop that manufactures everything right outside of Cannes and it was so cute for my mom, dad and even little brother!
6. Where to relax: On one of the mornings of our stay, we headed down to the Spa Diane Barriere at Hotel Barriere Le Majestic for one of their local treatments. The setting was so luxurious and calming away from the hustle and bustle of Cannes. The massages are super personalized to your preferences, and they have a chic waiting room with drinks and snacks before and after the treatment. I also recommend heading to the beach for a walk on the boardwalk. It's so breezy and a great way to experience the culture with all the locals walking around and enjoying an ice cream or drink on the shore.
7. What activities to do: I would recommend taking a ferry trip to the Lerin Islands. It was about a 20 minute boat ride on the Mediterranean sea to a historic island that now has museums and restaurants on there. It was where they based the story of the Man With the Iron Mask. It was a nice way to experience the sea and see the view of Cannes from ahead. Hotel Barriere Le Majestic kindly arranged this tour and the tickets from our concierge in the early morning! It was about a 15 minute walk to the Ferry Deck to reach the boat departure.
Ultimately, I had the most amazing and relaxing time in Cannes with Hotel Barriere Le Majestic and I can not wait to make another trip to Cannes in the future! There's so much to do in the French Riviera, and you'll be sure to feel refreshed and inspired after this magical visit. From the deep blue beach to the global fashion to the rustic French elements of the city, I couldn't have spent my summer vacation a better way. Thank you Cpasdelacom for coordinating this amazing stay, and stay tuned for future travel posts!
P.S Wael Kfoury will be in Cannes for a big live concert this summer at Majestic Beach this Sunday, August 5th, along with a contemporary dance ballet with the famous dancer Alexandra Cardinale. Be sure to plan your trip around that!
Much love,
As you may have read in my life update post, I took a quick trip to Beirut to work with @saiidkobeisyofficialon a wedding gown! With this platform, its an opportunity to share how I'd style a modest bride at this point in my life, where you all have grown with me for so long! Our wedding will take place this summer inshallah, so stay tuned for then!
While the trip was only two nights in Beirut with my sister, and let me tell you, it was SO SO worthwhile. I had not been to Beirut in over 9 years, and so this experience was just memorable and special. Suzi and I were welcomed by the lovely Four Seasons Hotel Beirut. Located just along breathtaking views of the Mediterranean sea and marina, our hotel was just steps away from so many cultural and historical experiences within the city. We were able to walk to a number of places-- Beirut Souks, Zaytuna Bay, Hamra street & more! One of my favorite things about the Middle East is how everything is in such close proximity, and it really allowed us to make the most out of our day.
Arriving into our room, I found the most gorgeous chocolate wedding gown made by the FS Beirut team! I was truly in awe at how fabulous and creative the gesture had been. The concierge team tended to us throughout the stay, whether it be recommending places to head to, surprising us with a late night afternoon tea party in room, or treating us with a one of a kind Lebanese breakfast.
Since I had been traveling from London Fashion Week and onto Milan's, you can imagine how sleep has taken a toll on us. I was so happy to take part in the Mediterranean Massage experience at the Four Season's Beirut Spa, consisting of local scents, olive oil, and all the richness of the region integrated into the full body massage experience.
While the rooftop pool was closed for the winter, a security guard was kind enough to take us up for a tour, and the view was truly spectacular. From the mountains to the marina to the city buildings, Beirut is truly a city that never sleeps, and there's always something to see, eat or experience.
Ultimately, if you are planning your 2018 travels, Beirut is a MUST visit! You'll be able to experience so many wonderful adventures, and the best Lebanese hospitality. Thank you Four Seasons' Hotel Beirut-- the stay was purely magical!
Four Seasons Hotel Beirut
Address: 1418 Prof. Wafic Sinno Avenue Beirut, Minet El Hosn, Lebanon
Phone: +961 1 761 000
Instagram: @FSBeirut
Much love,
My first time in London was absolutely AMAZING! From every taxi, to every street corner, and to every little building, it was all just so charming, and told a little bit of history about the place. I'm so happy to have stayed at the Amba Hotel Charing Cross on Strand-- it was truly an amazing location to stay for London Fashion Week!
Because it was my first time in the city, getting around was definitely going to be a struggle with me. However, I was so happy to have discovered how close and convenient the Amba Hotel Charing Cross was to the main area. I spent the entire day walking with my sister and good friend Marwa Atik, and walking is always the best way to experience the city. I was able to walk to shows, to change looks, to shoot, to meet with friends, and more! It was so easy to find my way back home after a long day of walking about, whether it be to Covent Garden for dining, or Oxford Street for shopping. There was also an underground tube stop right at the door of our hotel, meaning public transportation was easier than ever. We were so lucky to be there during good weather as well, considering it's usually quite rainy and gloomy.
Alongside the convenience, this also meant that the views were spectacular. I truly enjoyed waking up to breakfast on the hotel's terrace on the second floor, overlooking the government buildings and charming London streets across the Strand. The breakfast room itself was glamorous in the engraved walls, and chandeliers throughout, making the start to our day super refreshing. They've been able to retain all the beautiful period details of this historic Victorian hotel without sacrificing any of the modern technology and convenience of a modern hotel.
On another note, I'm SO inspired by London style. From the oversized blazers, to the lace up boots, to the military coats, I can definitely note the difference between American and British fashion. You probably noticed the change up in my outfit style while abroad as well-- I feel like the place you are in always has an effect on how you decide to dress that day, and I love it!
As you’re reading this, I’m currently back home from my extended trip across Europe and to Beirut, and back, but follow along with my adventures in Italy & beirut on Instagram and have a great day everyone!
Much love,
As you probably have seen from my Instagram, I'm traveling to London, Beirut and Milan today with my sister! I've been planning this for quite some time. I know The first thing we're all thinking-- WHAT ABOUT SCHOOL? Yep--It's definitely going to take a toll on my school (and definitely hers), but I know that that can always be made up for, and my professors are very understanding about my blog, being in the Business School. I'm graduating in May (inshallah), and I'm just making sure I'm SUPER organized about all my classes and missed days.
My main intention for the trip was to take part in London and Milan fashion week. However, a few weeks ago, I found myself communicating with the dress designer of my dreams in Lebanon, and now I'm flying there mid-trip to customize a gown with Saiid Kobeisy! The aspect I really appreciate about working with Saiid Kobeisy is the flexibility and creativity in creating a modest gown that will still be beautiful, simple and elegant for our wedding ceremony in July. While I'll only have a little less than 48 hours in Beirut, I'm looking forward to making the most out of it! The last time I traveled to Beirut, I was 13 years old, so I can't wait to see the changes, good and bad, over the years. It's always nice to get a little dosage of the Middle East, ever since we stopped visiting our home town of Syria every summer.
As for London Fashion Week, like I mentioned, this is my first time! While I'm not attending as many shows in London, I'll take this opportunity to tour the city and spend time with my favorite girls. As for Milan, I'm super excited to have all sorts of invitations throughout the day, and I've become a bit concerned about the amount of free time. Regardless, it's going to be a beautiful experience, and I can't wait to bring some modest colorful fashion to the streets of Milan with all the pieces I'm taking along with me from upcoming designers.
This definitely took a lot of planning, emails, scheduling, and overall screen time on my laptop over the past weeks-- it's not as effortless as it appears online! I'll be in London and Milan with my great friend Marwa Atik as well-- stay tuned!
I received a lot of questions last week as to why I missed out on NYFW. Honestly, I didn't want to burn myself out with planning all of the invites, accommodations, etc while balancing school a week before my next trip to Europe. I felt that I had been to NYFW quite a number of times (can you believe five!?), and wanted to save my energy and enthusiasm for Europe. I also had been a bit sick in the past week dealing with a flu, and knew that traveling to NYC would only make it worse (with all the cold weather and outdoor walking). I just took the time off to focus on different plans, and rest at home, but I loved seeing everyone's images, and I'm excited to go next season for sure!
Ultimately, never did I ever imagine I'd have the opportunity to travel internationally for fashion week, let alone design a wedding dress with a couture Lebanese designer. I'm so thankful for the opportunity you all have created with me, and I can't wait to take you along this trip!
P.S. I'm going to have so many photos to share from the little time I'm abroad! I'm planning to share all about London and Milan first in order to match live time, then skip back to my Beirut trip in order to give the images the full time I'd like. Stay posted!
This post is in partnership with Uber.
Living in Saint Louis, it's always fun to make a little weekend road trip to our nearby bigger cities. This weekend, I decided to take a quick trip to Chicago with sisters! Today, I'm sharing a city guide to Chicago, and how to spend a Saturday there while using Uber! Let me know in the comments if you've been to any of these places, and what you would add.
10 am: Breakfast at Three Arts Club Cafe
This is probably one of the most beautiful and unique breakfast spots in Chicago. Situated in the middle of a furniture store, you're surrounded by lush gardens and fountains in their open air hall. My favorite item to order is the avocado toast & eggs! You'll want to come here extra early before opening time at 10 am, that way you can be first in line for a spot! I would spend about 1.5 hours here, between eating breakfast and exploring the store.
You can use the Uber feature of "scheduling a ride" pick up at your convenience, that way you are there extra early! You can easily find this feature by opening the Uber app and selecting uberX, then "Schedule a Ride". Your request can be made anywhere between 15 minutes to 30 days in advance. Just set your pickup info, date, and 15 minute time slot to get a fare estimate.
11:45 pm: Discovering art at the Art Institute of Chicago
After breakfast, you'll probably want to move around. If you're a huge fan of art history like me, or just enjoy visually pleasing things, then this is a great place to come and learn about all types of eras and cultures. I'd spend about up to two hours here. It would be about a short 15 minute Uber ride from Three Arts Club Cafe!
1:30 pm: Visiting monuments in Millennium Park
Situated closely to the Art Institute, the park is a great place to enjoy Chicago culture. From outdoor snacks being sold, to performances in the park, its a lot of fun to sit and people watch. The Bean is one of the coolest monuments at Cloud-gate (head there for a cool photo in its distorted reflection!). Nearby is the Crown fountain, which project video images of Chicago citizens!
2:30 pm: Shopping on the Magnificent Mile
Enjoy walking in the open air & a long line of shops ranging from low to high end! If you're like me and only want to spend more time at a few select stores, then schedule an Uber ride to pick you up from the store as you're heading to check out without delay.
5:30 pm: Dinner at Giordano's
Once you're done exploring the park and shops, you'll probably want to have some dinner. Grab some friends and head on to Giordano's for some Chicago style deep dish pizza!
7 pm: City views from the Willis Tower
This skyscraper was once the tallest monument in the world. It holds the sky ledge, which allows you to step away from the building on a glass box (as if you're almost floating in the air!). 7 pm is a great time to visit and catch the night time view of the city. Be sure to purchase tickets online ahead of time.
9 pm: Dessert at Bombobar
If you love chocolate, then you HAVE to check out this popular place. Its a minimal outdoor dessert spot on Randolph St, serving donuts with shots of different flavors, like hazelnut, salted caramel and more. Its super delicious (and totally Instagrammable). Take a short Uber ride from the Willis Tower to this cutesy district on East Randolph Street, about fifteen minutes away, and enjoy a lovely night out.
Much love,
Istanbul is THE most beautiful city I have ever been to. Ever since not visiting Damascus, Syria every summer, its been hard to find a city that feels so close to home-- but Istanbul definitely filled that void for me. From the breathtaking architecture, to the rich cultural and religious history, to the kind and hospitable people, I know I'll be back again. For todays post, I thought I'd share a mini travel recap of my few days there. For anyone considering traveling to Istanbul, read through these next few bullet points, and I hope I'll inspire your next trip!
P.S. I'll be sharing a separate post about my time in Turkey at the Tizaya Refugee Camp with Onsur Syria ASAP. Stay tuned for that!
1. SAFETY.
We've all seen the news lately, and it breaks my heart. While it sometimes can be a bit of a repel towards tourism, attacks have become vulnerable to so many places in our world today so it's hard to try to play it safe. To be honest, I was a bit hesitant about visiting Turkey at first, just because of the overload of news, but once you're there, its like a whole different, peaceful world. With over 35 million people in Turkey functioning in their everyday lives, its hard to count the statistics from a likely attack in terms of the bigger population. The amount of security and metal detectors at every location was unimaginable. From entering the Grand bazaar to any of the mosques, to even standing in a crowded parade, there was security monitors, detectors and baggage screening. Even though it may or may not do much, it was an effort and display of authority. In terms of other safety, Turks are one of the nicest and helpful people you will come across. Whether out late at night or in a less crowded place, I always felt comfortable. I would be sure to avoid large crowds and public transportation like buses if still feeling uncertain-- by foot is always better!
2. WHERE TO STAY.
For my stay, I chose a boutique hotel that was meters away from the historical Sultanahmet square district. It was perfect. Super quiet at night and in the morning, and amazing walking distance from all the major tourist sites, restaurants, little shops and metro. While at first the location can be a bit confusing because of all the winding roads, you get the hang of it after the second day. The best thing about boutique hotels in Turkey, is that they all make an effort to have included breakfast on their rooftop, that way you always have a beautiful view of the city every morning. Turks take pride in their city, and they love sharing it with their guests. Some of the footage above was taken on a hotel rooftop near the mosque. The views are just unreal!
3. HOW MUCH TO BRING.
Coming from the USA, activities in Istanbul are definitely less expensive than our average prices. From $2 sandwiches to $5 cab rides to $10 museum tickets, to $75/night 5 star hotels with breakfast, its safe to say that $100 a day on activities will cover plenty (considering pre-paid hotel). Souvenirs can be expensive if purchased in the tourist area, so be sure to ask about the local markets when making bigger purchases! It's almost 3x more for the same present in the tourist bazars! Most places will accept credit cards and US cash, but I changed $200 to Turkish liras at the airport to not run into any trouble with cabs.
3. WHERE TO SEE.
I was lucky enough to be visiting a city and having cousins who live there! They took me to SO many amazing places in Istanbul in my short stay. We began the day by heading to the main Sultanahmet Square. As featured in my first images above, its a large park with beautiful flowers and fountains, accompanied across by the two large structures- Hagia Sophia Museum and Blue Mosque. We went into both and it felt like you were walking into ancient history of where the Ottomans battled it out with their enemies (despite all the tourists everywhere).
Next, we walked into the city to catch a ride on a ferry in the Bosphorous river. Personally, I wouldn't recommend this as a first day activity because I fell asleep most of the way with alllll the jet lag and gorgeous Turkish breeze hitting against me on the boat. But, it was amazing to see all parts of the city in both the Asian and European side. Fun fact: The European side is the antique, classic, tourist area. The Asian side is the modern city with tall buildings and business districts.
Afterwards, we took a stroll through the Grand Bazaar and all its accompanying bazars. Its an amazing place to buy cheap souvenirs like candies, toys, scarves and more. I saw so many items that reminded me of Damascus (like the evil eye beaded blue bracelets, and halal cotton candy sticks), so I had to grab a few for my family!
We went to a Turkish restaurant outside the Grand Bazar and watched a whirling dervish perform (it was quite dizzying) but super relaxing.
On another day, we took a cab to the Istiklal Street area, which is where the famous images of the street trolley up the hill surrounded by stores is pictured. The trolley was currently taken down for repairs, but hopefully it'll be back soon!
Near Istiklal street is the Galata tower, which holds a gorgeous view of ALL of Istanbul. Every single corner from the seaside front to the hilled apartments to the two main museums/mosques.
There was so much more to see, but that's all the time I had!
4. WHAT TO EAT.
So, Istanbul is absolutely known for its street foods. I had so many delicious, amazing foods (and unfortunately I also got food poisoning one day from eating a falafel breakfast). Here's what I loved!
5. WHAT I MISSED.
So, as I mentioned earlier, my time was super short in Istanbul, and I would've loved to visit the Topkapi Palace, Taksim Square, Istanbul Modern Art Museum, the all womens beach resorts, a Turkish bath experience, the entire Asian side of Istanbul and more! But, its always nice to leave room to come back again.
Planning on visiting Istanbul? Leave a comment below with your questions or comments, and safe travels!
Much love,
I received a call from Super Charge Agency about a month ago. They told me about an amazing opportunity to travel to Cuba in the beginning of June along with their team and a group of bloggers. My instant reaction was an unfortunate decline, as it would be Ramadan and I’d be fasting. The organizers completely understood. A few weeks later, they kindly followed up to ask if I changed my mind at all and had reconsidered coming out while fasting. At that point, I felt like I could use a little bit of adventure in my life and so I said what could possibly go wrong with fasting in Cuba? I took the amazing offer and flew out to Havana with the team, and really, without having read much beforehand.
I absolutely love to learn about new cities, cultures & customs, and I always come back from a destination reading more about the country I had visited (and realizing I should've done my research beforehand so that I could've appreciated it even more in the moment!). I had read about Cuba before flying out, there was still so much more that I had learned from being there.
So today I'm going to share a few experiences on things to expect when traveling to Cuba so that you come fully prepared, find a lot of enjoyments, and don't have many disappointments!
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HOW TO GO: The number one thing I've been asked is how to travel there. For US citizens, all you must do is go up to the counter of the airline you are traveling with and purchase a visa in the airport before your flight to Havana. In addition when filling out your information at the kiosk to receive your boarding passes you'll just be asked a few more questions about your trip such as where you will be staying and any sicknesses you may have had in the past. Because tourism is still not allowed to Cuba by US citizens formally, be sure to choose the “educational purposes” option and under that category the “people to people” option. If you were to be ask any questions in the way back, you can say something along the lines of learning Spanish while in Cuba, or completing a research project. Immigration on the way back was super easy for me thankfully.
FOOD SITUATION: The number one thing that surprised me and Cuba was the lack of food. I don't mean just grocery options— I'm talking about the minimal street food, snacks, and the variety of cuisine in general. A lot of the restaurants there are run by the state and so they all serve a similar menu consisting of ham and cheese sandwiches, lightly seasoned seafood, few protein options of beans, rice and meat, and fruit mixed with salad. This is really due to government policies in the past, ranging from the US embargo, to the lack of ability to expand agriculture in the city and so on. A majority of their food is imported from Venezuela. Recently, there have been even more food shortages because of the influx of tourists coming on cruise ships and so this really leaves local restaurants and markets unable to provide many options for both their people and tourist.
On the other hand, because the island is so rich in growing fruit, their juices are to die for— especially mango! You often see way more drink options over food options in menus. The situation was really easy, thankfully, because I was fasting— so most of my day was spent not seeing much food! My recommendation would be to bring a lot of snacks with you and anything you might be craving throughout the day, because you will not be able to easily find it. Knowing me, I brought loads of granola bars, a big bag of Chex mix & hot Cheetos, and a little bag of dates for breaking my fast.
BUYING STUFF: Another surprise was the lack of ability to use US currency. There aren't many things to purchase, but for the few souvenirs I wanted to bring back home, I had to switch money with one of the group members since I had not exchanged my US money to euros in United States. From there I could come to Cuba and switch my euros to CUCs. There is not much Cuban money in the United States and there is not much US money in Cuba.
PACKING: Pack everything you may possibly need on the trip. Whether it be bug spray, shampoo & conditioner, sunscreen, or even feminine hygiene products, it will be difficult to find it immediately in Havana. Be sure to bring extra clothing because you'll find yourself getting very sweaty and hot throughout the day and changing clothes in order to keep cool. I found myself taking about 2 showers a day just cool down from the heat.
SAFETY: One thing to note is that Havana is super safe to walk in at night. The team and I found ourselves walking through the streets at one in the morning and very be huge crowds everywhere chatting and drinking. Now this doesn't mean to not take any precautions as you should be careful everywhere you go but I definitely felt safer in Havana at night then I would ever in downtown East St. Louis at midnight!
WIFI: I was told that the Wi-Fi signal would be bad but I didn't expect it to be as hard as it was once we arrived. There is no public Wi-Fi in Cuba— instead you must bring your passport with you to a communications shop that sells Wi-Fi cards for purchase by the hour. After purchasing, you take the Wi-Fi card with you to a hotspot, which could be at a hotel or a park. From there you try to connect to the signal by signing in with a username and password. It's often hard to get a signal because there are a lot of people in the same area. You'll spend time refreshing your Wi-Fi up to 100 times almost in one setting in order to get a connection. If you are scrolling on your screen for about 30 seconds and don't refresh the Wi-Fi signal you'll lose it and so you always have to be sure to do something that requires loading. Also, Snapchat is one of the apps that does not work in the country. I learned to do without the social media, the emails, the updates for five days— and it was amazing!
One thing I did find to really appreciate about the country is because there is such a lack of Wi-Fi signal, a lot of people are always communicating. I sat and had a conversation with one of the souvenir shop owners and ended up spending an hour talking about random things in life with her using my broken Spanish. We had so much in common. It really felt like I went through a time warp similar to my childhood visits to Syria every summer. Even though I had just met the group at the trip we all instantly became friends and I felt like I had known everybody for years.
The most amazing site was to see the old mixed with new. We would be walking through the city and see a brand-new BMW driving side-by-side with a horse and buggy picking up the garbage from businesses and homes. You’ll often find homes that look brand-new along side homes that are crumbling and partially renovated. There’s payphone, multiple libraries on one street, book and magazine sellers, and pretty much anything tangible since Google is not always an option for wanting to know things. Everything is just so stunning.
There were so many more sites and destinations within Havana I wished we could have visited, but it's totally great because it leaves room to return with my fiancé and parents! The #1 thing I could recommend for this trip is to bring people who really love to spend time with since you will be with them 24 hours a day and not communicating with anyone else.
If you find yourself having any more questions (since I know I did not answer a lot but just shared a few experiences), then please feel free to comment below or send me a message through Instagram. I’d absolutely love to help guide your next trip!
Much love,
I'm back from gorgeous, sunny L.A and I managed to film a mini look book while there! If you didn't catch the video on Instagram, here's the link!
Look #1:
Jacket: Bedouin Studios / Pants: Banana Republic / Sneakers: EXPRESS / Sunnies: Miu Miu via Rue La La / Scarf: Forever 21 / Bag: Prada via Rue La La
Look #2:
Blazer: H&M / Top: NAMSHI / Pants: Missguided / shoes: Dior / Sunnies: Miu Miu / Scarf: Austere Attire / Bag: Prada
Look #3:
Coat: Rue 21/ pants: Uniqlo / Tee: Mango / Sunnies: Mango / Shoes: Gucci / Bag: Furla / Scarf: Austere Attire
Shop below!
P.S. Insider tip for buying designer items***
Almost all of my designer items are from Rue La La! I've been browsing this site for ages. It's basically a site where designers host pop-up shops for 48 hours, placing all their items on major discounts. All you have to do is make a free account-- and you're in!
Much love,
Today I'm sharing all about my first ever desert safari experience in Dubai! I was recommended to try Platinum Heritage by a friend, so we decided to book with them. Here's what I learned about on the trip!
First of all, t's a guided tour experience. This means that instead of crazy riding in the sand dunes, you're taking a smooth car ride in 1960s Land Rovers throughout the conservation lands and learning about Bedouin rituals, environment and history. I honestly came back learning so much more than I had expected, such as how the falcons inhabit the UAE for only a few months a year and are trained as hunters by Bedouins.
We all received scarves to wear throughout the trip as a souvenir, whether to cover your eyes from the sand, or tie on your head from the heat. I already wear a head scarf so I tied it on top to keep my scarf from flying in the car ride!
After the guided car tour, we spent some times in the dunes, then made our way to the carpeted area for a falcon presentation. We were greeted with sparkling date juice, bottled iced water and dates. It was such a beautiful sunset experience, and fascinating to watch the falcon dive for its meal!
Lastly, we headed out in our Land Rovers in the late dark night to our Bedouin inspired camp, where we would take part in UNLIMITED camel rides, drink a variety of local drinks like arabic coffee, karak and even camel milk, take part in an amazing arabian feast with all your favorite appetizers, rice and meat (and desert!). They ended the night with performances from a male group of Emiratis, then the female "hair dance". Afterwards, all the lights were shut off to gaze at the natural starlight.
I found this outfit last minute in Dubai before our trip! I had not packed lightly for the extreme heat (105 degrees F) and luckily, this outfit really came in handy for preventing excessive over heating. It's a two piece tank and pant look, paired with a long lightweight cardigan, black sandals, and a red scarf to top it off! I found myself matching quite well with the camels on site-- totally unintentional. Overall, I'd definitely recommend booking with Platinum Heritage next time you're planning a desert experience for you and your family!
annndddd....
You can shop this exact look below!
Much love,
*Photography by Luccia Photos
I was in Florida two weeks ago, and I'm still dreaming about the serene beach and beautiful landscapes in Key Biscayne! For those of you who have never been, Key Biscayne is located just a short 15 minute drive from Downtown Miami. I had the opportunity to stay in the hustle & bustle of the city for the first few days, then take time off to relax on the quieter, beachy-er side of Miami at the gorgeous Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne Resort.
For any of you planning a trip down south this year, you'll want to be sure to consider Key Biscayne as your next destination. Here are my top five things to do in Key Biscayne at The Ritz Carlton!
1. RELAX! The best part about the resort is that you don't have to leave throughout the day to enjoy activities around town. When traveling to busy cities, I'm usually waking up early to go and explore everyday. This time it was so much different-- I could stay at the resort all day and have the whole day to plan as I like with all the things to do on site.
2. Bike Tour. Take a break from driving and head out in one of the available bikes on site for a self tour around the property. Key Biscayne is like a cute little beach side village, and the best way to take it all in is via biking with your partner!
3. Dine beach side. From tacos to burgers to modern coastal fare, there are a number of beach front restaurants to choose from at the Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne (and most don't know that they're actually open to the public!). I tried Lightkeepers and would highly recommend it to anyone wanting a relaxing weekend night!
4. Wellness. Whether it be enjoying a tennis lesson, playing a game of frisbee in the fields, exercising at the gym, or visiting the tropical oasis luxury Spa on site, you'll be sure to leave feeling healthy and high spirited.
5. WATER. You must visit the beach if you're staying here. With easy access right outside your hotel room, its so necessary to spend a day in the sand then wash right up with the convenience of your room nearby. There's paddle boarding, sailing and kayaking all available at the Biscayne Bay front of the resort. If you're not into sports, then lay back in the available lawn chairs on site and enjoy a good book.
If you ever find yourself heading to the Miami area, you'll want to be sure to consider The Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne for you and your family. It'll be an unforgettable relaxing experience (and #RCMemory)! Feel free to reach out if you'd like more tips about the area! :)
Lastly, feel free to browse links to both looks below!
Much love,
Its weeks later and I'm back and recovered from my GCC trip (and a few more after!). So, I'm happy to be sharing about my full day spent in Abu Dhabi last month with Tryano Store in shooting some of their new accessory and beauty products together! As you may have seen on social media, Tryano Store is the premier luxury department store in Abu Dhabi, located at Yas Mall on Yas Island. It's concept differs from most department stores, in its unique and colorful displays of all things accessories and beauty. Compared to most U.S department stores, this location was so beautifully aesthetic- it really makes the shopper feel relaxed.
I began my tour of Abu Dhabi with visiting Tryano Store and touring the mall. Afterwards, we were on our way to the riverside, where the weather was just beautiful at this time of year. I'm wearing a red bag designed by Sandraj Handbags. In the latter photos, I'm carrying Tory Burch's new fresh splash fragrance being sold at Tryano Store.
Next, we visited the Abu Dhabi Heritage Center, which was super cool to see. While in the UAE, you don't feel that Dubai is very culturally vibrant, so it was exciting to see the market goods and historical displays at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Center. I'm wearing a turquoise handbag by Hana Al Matrooshi, an amazing Emirati based designer!
Afterwards, we visited the Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque, which was simply stunning. Although to be honest, the building did not feel much like a holy place, I truly did appreciate the beauty it displayed for its tourists coming from all over the world. From the white marble interiors, to the gold intricate engravings, its a site not to be missed when visiting town.
A lot of the pieces I'm wearing in the shoot are made by UAE designers. What I especially love is that the regional designers are inspired by the beauty around them, whether it be the inspiration for gold detailing or palm tree engravings.
Overall, thank you Tryano Store for the wonderful tour of Abu Dhabi! I can't wait to be back soon!
Much love,
I arrived to NYC directly from the Caribbean on a cold, snowy day (weather shock!). However, I was super excited to be staying at the Lotte New York Palace for NYFW.
Located in Midtown of Manhattan on Madison Avenue, the Lotte New York Palace is truly a gem to in this legendary part of town. The interior decors are very luxurious, while also very modern and chic. During my visit, I stayed in the junior suite, located in the Towers of the New York Palace (on the 40th floor). Compared to many NYC hotels, this room was extremely comfortable in size. From an open entry way, to a roomy bathroom, the suite was definitely big enough for one person, let alone four!
My favorite thing about the room was the ready made built in closet. I immediately went ahead and organized my outfits and unpacked. It made life so much easier for switching outfits for shoots and events the next morning. Of course, all that wardrobe came from two more suitcases (along with my Caribbean wardrobe stored away!).
My next favorite thing about the room was the black & white bathroom. The decor was just so chic and and trendy, especially with the chandeliers! It made getting ready in the morning so relaxing and exciting. I loved how the hotel includes beauty products from Molton Brown. I didn't have to unpack a majority of my beauty and cleansing products, since it was all ready available to my taste. Additionally, the hotel is very open minded in regards to international guests and their cleansing routines, so the bathrooms included a duvet!
My ultimate favorite thing was the NYC skyline views from the room. From busy pedestrians to yellow cabs to tall building views, the city views never ended. Day or night, I loved sitting by the window and holding a little part of the Big Apple in me.
Lastly, the PR of the hotel was so thoughtful to send chocolates and treats from their patisserie downstairs. I loved grabbing espressos from their every morning (lots of caffeine to keep me going!). I had to bring a majority of the chocolates back home, otherwise I might have gotten a cavity from the amount of sweets. It was truly bliss.
Here, I'm featured wearing an ELLA Dubai fur sleeved top, paired with a frill top underneath to give it structure and length. I paired both layers over a midi skirt from H&M, and topped it off with an Inayah gray coat (because it was COLD). In addition, I'm wearing a bunch of black accessories, ranging from tights to glossy boots, to leather gloves, to Miu Miu black sunnies and a bag from Gucci. I kept most of the accessories simple, that way the gold tones of the accessories and fur were most prominent. I definitely felt very "5th Avenue" like in this look!
Overall, thank you to the Lotte New York Palace for hosting me during NYFW! Until next time NYC. <3
Much love,
Image credits: LEILA MEDIA
For the second part of my trip in Dubai, I decided to get away from the bustle of the downtown to really explore the beach side of the Arabian sea. From the glass blown Chihuly sculpture in the center of the lobby, to the magnificent views of the Dubai skyline, its safe to say that the Atlantis Hotel Palm Dubai has an unparalleled level of leisure and luxury while also being a family resort. And the best part is, you can visit and enjoy much of the attractions and restaurants without being a guest!
Upon arriving to Atlantis the Palm Hotel, you're welcomed by the grandeur architecture of the hotel in and out. We were staying in the Executive Club Suite, which was EXTREMELY roomy compared to most metropolitan city hotels (ex. NYC). I had several photoshoots during my stay at the hotel, so the room was amazingly convenient for outfit changes, and having visitors in and out. The closet space was enormous, as was the bathroom, which is honestly more essential than the room itself for most girls (do you hear me!?).
Here are some of my top things to do at Atlantis Palm Hotel Dubai!
"Ayamna" Restaurant | Images via Trip Advisor
Breakfast: "Kaleidoscope": This is the most amazing buffet with unlimited options from all around the world. My favorite item is the zaatar and cheese manaeesh (flatbreads).
Lunch: "Ayamna": Authentic Lebanese Cuisine in a dreamy arabesque seating area. My favorite was the kibbeh.
Dining: "Ossiano Seafood Restaurant": Such a stunning luxury experience while by the aquariums. Read about the award winning restaurant here.
Shu Qi Spa: The most relaxing thing I did throughout my stay in Dubai. Their ladies lounge is perfect after a treatment (it includes a jacuzzi inside).
Aquaventure Waterpark: The weather was a bit chilly on the days we were there, otherwise the waterparks looked SO exciting! Next time for sure!
The weather in Dubai this time around was a-m-a-z-i-n-g, which is why I'm in an orange knit sweater & pleated skirt. This took place at the Atlantis's beach side restaurant area. You can shop a similar look below:
Honestly, the Atlantis Palm Hotel Dubai is one of the most extravagant family resorts I've been to. My mother and I absolutely loved spending time at the resort, and even after a few days, we were not able to finish nearly half of the things to do. If you are considering visiting Dubai sometime soon whether with friends, as a couple, or with your family, this is definitely a treasure of the city that is not to be missed.
I remember the first time I came to Dubai in 2014, I felt so claustrophobic in the middle of the cities enormous skyscrapers and highway systems. After this visit (which was much longer than the previous 48 hour trip I took), I'm really glad to have seen a completely different side of what the city has to offer, and I definitely appreciate all the facets of Dubai in its metropolitan, desert and coastal features.
Much love,
It's a new year and I'm back in DUBAI. The last time I visited the city was in 2014-- for a whole 48 hours... so this time, I had to have a longer stay.
We arrived to the city late at night, after multiple delayed flights, and our driver took us in a matter of minutes to our hotel, the Shangri La Dubai. It's located near Sheikh Zayed Road, which is the hustling & bustling center of the city. For the first two days of my trips, I spent them between meetings upon meetings, so the location of the hotel was PERFECT to make time to come back and forth between the city. It's also conveniently located next to the Dubai Metro, as well as a number of dining options around and on-site.
Upon waking up, the hotel offers an amazing buffet with a range of international cuisines, ranging from a DIY juice buffet, to foul moudamas bowls and various spices and vegetable toppings. For anyone who knows me, I'm THE expert on making different breakfast foods, so its safe to say that my breakfast food cravings were content at the Shangri La Dubai.
After breakfast, we decided to tour the hotel, and stumbled upon the hotel's rooftop at 40th floor views of the Burj Khalifa. Night or day, the skyline was just dazzling, and it was honestly so amusing to watch the view of the miniature sized cars on the highways and people walk around, from our distant perspective. If you've ever played frogger as a child, you can imagine the view from above of crossing the street amongst all the vehicles in Dubai's 8 lane roads.
If you're ever in Dubai for business or leisure, the Shangri La Dubai Hotel will not disappoint!
Much love,
When I'm not traveling, I love being able to explore the city I call home. Last weekend, I had the opportunity to join 4101 Laclede on a guided tour of the Central West End Area. Central West End is a bustling, vibrant and historic neighborhood in Saint Louis, featuring a number of unique dining, shopping and residential areas. It was named a top ten neighborhood in the USA by the American Planning Association!
I'm happy to announce that 4101 Laclede will begin construction THIS December! It will be a 54 residential unit, luxury condominium complex, ranging from one bedrooms to penthouses. I especially love how each residential unit will have access to outdoor space, whether it be a balcony or full terrace. Living in STL with 4 different seasons, it is an amazing opportunity to indulge in the outdoor living space while also having a beautiful, modern home. From walk-in closets to custom-bathrooms, 4101 Laclede is going to be one of the most innovative projects happening in my city!
Ashley Kuenstler Photography
We began our tour with a group brunch at Retreat Gastropub. The breakfast was AMAZING. All this time, I've lived in this city and have not had a chance to experience this brunch spot. Living in 4101 Laclede next door, you would definitely be able to dine here often.
Next, we continued on our tour in super cute golf carts around the CWE neighboorhood area! The weather was quite perfect that morning for an outdoor ride. We stopped at the World Chess Hall of Fame, a famous museum in the city of STL, home to numerous antiques (I'm a huge history lover!).
Afterwards, we stopped by Kit & Ace to browse their newest cashmere collection (and to play some Mario Cart during their happy hour shopping times!).
Later, we visited Centro, a super chic furniture destination, featuring unique and modern collectable pieces. We played a mini-scavenger hunt. It's such an inspiring place to be in.
Overall, I'm very excited to see the 4101 Laclede project in development, as I believe it'll be a great asset to the city of Saint Louis. While it's amazing to travel, I love being able to come back to the city I call home and be a tourist in my own hometown.
Are you planning on traveling to St. Louis anytime soon? Let me know in the comments and I'd love to provide more tips for touring the city and Central West End Area!
Much love,
The moment I walked into the room, I saw my Marc Jacob's bag on the desk. I thought to myself "did they unpack my bags!? How is my purse here?". As I got closer, it turned out to be a life-size strawberry cream cake of my favorite Marc Jacobs bag! I was in awe of how accurate the chef was with the details of the bag (I guess I wear it quite often on Instagram!). Such a wonderful welcome!
Situated in Downtown Clayton, I had the opportunity to stay at The Ritz Carlton - Saint Louis with my fiancé last month. I had never had a stay-cation in Saint Louis before this, so getting to know the city around me as a guest was such a memorable experience! I really enjoyed being able to checkout of everyday life and take some time to catch up on emails and blog work (with some amazing coffee).
My favorite thing about the hotel was in the small details. The lobby always had fresh roses in various colors. There were complimentarily colorful bikes outside to take to Forest Park (side note, the largest park in the USA!). Each room and floor level had Parisian-like balconies that overlooked different parts of Saint Louis. From the attentive staff to the white marble bathrooms to the spectacular view of Saint Louis outside my suite, The Ritz Carlton- Saint Louis was such a unique experience in the city I call home.
In addition, The Ritz-Carlton-Saint Louis is home to a spectacular spa (that I highly recommend to anyone wanting to have a luxury Spa experience in STL!). Feel free to browse their menu here! As for dining options, I was told that The Restaurant was the #1 breakfast spot in Saint Louis (which I in fact confirmed after a delicious breakfast buffet). Best part, The Restaurant is open to the public (I will definitely be back with my family)!
Since we were conveniently located by Forest Park, my fiancé and I took the colorful bikes down to Art Hill for a picnic. We were handed a delicious picnic basket, custom packed with cold shrimp, cheese & cracker assortments, watermelon, Mediterranean salads and more all by The Ritz Carlton's kitchen chef herself! I highly encourage asking the front desk about the Forest Park Picnic service next time you are in the area!
Often times, people seek to travel out of their hometowns for summer vacation, but in reality, it's quite nice to explore your own city as a guest. So Saint Louis folk, next time you are seeking to checkout of everyday life, try experiencing a stay-cation and you might just make some wonderful memories in your own hometown. Thank you Ritz-Carlton Saint Louis for the amazing #RCMemories!
Much love,
Arriving to the hotel to a gorgeous delivery from Give Landeau.
Shooting in the studio!
ALL DONE.
Seriously, SOHO is my fave <3.
TY-LR Australia blazer, H&M skinnies & block heels.
I am so happy to have spent 24 hours in beautiful NYC with L'Oreal Paris shooting a fun brand campaign! I met such amazing people on set and can't wait to share the final results this Fall. Meanwhile, I had about 50 minutes after finishing a day in the studio to walk around. The first time I went to NYFW, I remember feeling alone and overwhelmed by the big city. This being the third visit to NYC that year, I feel so much more connected and overjoyed by the bustling atmosphere of the big apple. Til next time NYC!
Much love,
