Tropical Vacation Dreams with Honiara Vintage

Finally!  It is finally time for a beachside vacation and I was so thrilled to collaborate with Honiara Vintage on their Retro Summer Collection!  Look at this beautiful sunrise.  I love this time of day on the beach most because it's the only time we are totally alone here to just enjoy the sound of the waves.  We packed up and drove down the ocean to spend a few days relaxing on the beach and enjoying the surf and sunshine.  And how very relaxing it was.  

After such a long, long winter, I needed all the sunshine and vitamin D I could get!  So, we pitched a small beach tent next to the water, brought a picnic in a cooler, a couple of good books, and some sunscreen and it was just swim, read, nap, swim, read, nap for two whole days.  This is how every vacation should be.

When evening rolled around, we packed everything up and returned to our air-bnb.   we rented a room and bath in the home of a lovely woman who made us coffee and fresh muffins every morning.  

The house was surrounded by a narrow brackish river and situated on its own little island giving the feel of serenity and seclusion and the tree frogs sang up a lullaby each night. 

Inside and out the house was richly furnished with such attention to all the details that one evening we just wandered around the grounds exploring.  After all day at the beach, we decided to skip fighting the crowds and long waits for a table at a restaurant.  We called in our orders early for carry out and took our dinner back to the screened-in veranda attached to our second storey room.  

It was all so lovely and so comfortable.  That's all I'm looking for from my vacations--beauty and comfort.

That's also what I look for from my footwear, beauty and comfort, but all too often it's one or the other.  Not so with Honiara Vintage shoes.  I took along my vintage style tropical wear for our trip and these Gizo Heels from Honiara Vintage were so amazingly comfortable without compromising style! 

I love the authentic vintage look of Honiara's heels, but the fact that they came in biodegradable packaging and when I put them on it was like walking on air is what has made me a loyal fan of Honiara Vintage and I can't wait to spend the summer strolling the markets and lanes in these gorgeous heels.  

If you're unfamiliar with Honiara Vintage, take a moment to get to know them.  I pulled this excerpt from their website:  From the mind behind Charlie Stone comes a passion project dedicated to living an eternal summer dream through tropical designs inspired by our family's heritage.  Supporting a family business and living in an a vintage style eternal summer, this brand is checking all my boxes!

I hope I've brought a little summer relaxation home with me, because I don't want this feeling to end.  I'm hoping for a nice quiet break from the stress and busy schedule of the rest of the year.  If June, July, and August look are half as good as the end of May, I foresee this being an excellent summer, the kind where life long memories are made.  Happy start of summer, everyone.  Let's make it a great one!

Shopping Info:  Gizo Heels in Red from HoniaraVintage.com, Halter top by Belle Poque, Tiki Tropical Skirt from Collectif

Travel Dresstination: Paradise

A few years ago I lived on a tiny island that remained in a year round state of winter.  After two years without sunshine or sundress weather, I decided to plan a little winter get-away to a tropical island.  What a difference a little sunshine can make! 

Ever since then, I try to take a winter vacation as often as possible, just to keep my mood (and vitamin D levels) up during the dreariest part of the year.  But, during the years when a mid-winter holiday just isn't possible, I fill my home and my wardrobe with sunshiny colors instead, and a whimsical print goes a long way toward putting a smile on my face. 

You know how much I love novelty prints, and what could be better for your Travel Dresstination than the beautiful teal and turquoise Margaret Dress in Birds of Paradise from KarinaDresses.com Resort Collection.  I accented this dress with a multi strand turquoise bead necklace, handmade yellow dahlia earrings, yellow headband and yellow heels.  Hello, Sunshine!

The Margaret Dress is a longtime favorite style of mine.  It features a V-neckline, tie waist, and a longer hemline.  Like all KarinaDresses it is figure flattering on any shape and features that breezy, wrinkle free fabric that I love because it can be tightly packed into a suitcase and come out looking crisp and ready to wear.  Not to mention how great these styles look dressed up with heels or more casual with sandal, sneakers, or flats.  I think I'm ready for my winter holiday now.  Check out more great vacation dresses with Karina's Resort Collection 2020.

Shopping Info: Margaret Dress in Birds of Paradise from KarinaDresses.com, Claire's Wide Jersey Twisted Headwrap - Yellow from: Claire's, Necklace from Pioneer Woman's Store

Ruby in Santropez

KarinaDresses.com has just released their 2019 Resort Collection.  These slinky dresses with their bright prints and classic styles always makes me want to pack a bag, grab my floppy sunhat and sunglasses, and hop on a plane to the Caribbean.  I spent a few winter weeks there and it truly was the very best cure for the winter blues.  I don't know when or if I'll make it back to the Caribbean, but this dress helps me keep dreaming and it never hurts to be prepared.

Shopping Info:  Ruby Dress in Santropez from KarinaDresses.com