As parents, our roles are inherently full of stress and disarray, but to parent through a pandemic surmounts to an unprecedented level of pressure that we all collectively feel. For some families who live in urban spaces with limited access to the safe outdoor play, it’s especially harder with cooped up children.
In a quick, stealing glance, I trace his profile from his brow to his chin and I catch the soulful glimmer in his iris and I melt at the thought of our kids getting his nose. In an instance, I remember longingly daydreaming for my prince charming, in and out of past relationships and all the stages of growing from my teens to my 20s, and then I snap to my surreal presence of living out my fairytale with Kyle. It’s a beautiful fairytale, where the imperfections of reality meet fantastical bliss, where our marriage ebbs and flows to the tide of our maturing adulthood, but it’s perfect in the intangible, ungraspable love and commitment that brings an ease to happiness and fortitude to growing pains. Our first year of marriage was gone too quick through bouts of adventure, happiness, quandaries, and tons of chatter of babies or puppies or both. But there’s a whole lifetime to look forward to with my perfect partner.
After shades of pink and orange ruled the sunset sky, nighttime quietly swathed the island with a blanket of stars and the roaring sound of the ocean breaking the shore. The ambient melody pulled me to the beach one late evening and I laid myself down on the cool sand to view the stars. The palm trees grew into towering behemoths gently swaying in the twilight breeze. Thoughts are drowned under the rhythmic ocean break. Traces of civilization vanished from my scope and it was just me, the land, sea, and sky.
This Spring 2017, I partnered with SOREL for the first ever DestinationSOREL journey, to visit 4 incredible destinations around the U.S. with my friend and blogger Courtney Halverson of Pretty Little Fawn. We ate, explored, danced, and shopped our way through Seattle, Austin, Charleston, and Los Angeles in looks we styled with our Spring SOREL footwear. Check out Part 1 here.
This Spring 2017, I partnered with SOREL for the first ever DestinationSOREL journey, visiting 4 incredible destinations around the U.S. with my friend and blogger Courtney Halverson of Pretty Little Fawn. We ate, explored, danced, and shopped our way through Seattle, Austin, Charleston, and Los Angeles in looks we styled with our Spring SOREL footwear.
Over the summer, Kyle and I ventured to Venice, Italy with DFS, the leading luxury travel retailer,
for an unforgettable, romantic adventure around the city in telling how we #GiveJoy for the holiday season.
Highlights
1. Getting lost in the streets: taking a detour at any turn can lead to unexpected, picturesque, serene scenes that no travel guide can show you. Discover deserted squares, tucked-away wine bars, and locals chatting through their open windows. This is the real magic of Venice!
2. Experiencing art restoration: art preservation and restoration is a committed craft in Venice and we were lucky to learn a tidbit on how to restore centuries-old parchments and sculptures at an art restoration school.
3. Sipping espresso overlooking the Grand Canal: It was nearing dusk and we went to the rooftop terrace of Hotel Danieli, where views of the Grand Canal were unobstructed and magnificent.
4. Making our way through Venice on a chic speedboat: Forget the gondola, take a water taxi tour through the waterways of Venice and, like the NYC subway system but better, get dropped off at an unfamiliar borough and make your way back home by foot.
5. Taking in the views of Venice on the rooftop of DFS: The new DFS store couldn’t be in a more perfect, central location by the famous Rialto Bridge, but the rooftop terrace is not to miss. Offering panoramic views of all of Venice, the terrace is a romantic, special place to watch the sunset over the expansive, stunning horizon of Venice’s red and golden rooftops.
The most exciting moment of our summer was the quickest trip we've ever taken overseas - a whirlwind 72 hour jaunt through the renaissance city of Venice, Italy.
The vibrancy of Mexico City, or also known as Distrito Federal, is flaunted through masterful murals scattered through the city, contemporary structures that house worldly art and cuisine, and the vivacious citizens that go above and beyond hospitality. Packing could go both ways, to either enhance the colorful palette of the destination with a vivid wardrobe of prints and bold hues or admire it with a complimentary ensemble of primary neutrals with a pop of Mexico City-pink. Clean lines like an A-line skirt or the half moon crossbody pay homage to the minimalist architectural landscape of famous architect Luis Barragán, while polished acrylic pendant earrings are worthy of Frida Kahlo's vanity.
Follow along at #stephskipstown for our adventure in Mexico City for my fiancé's birthday!
Kyle and I are packing to jet off to Venice, Italy this weekend and I'm highlighting lightweight, easy-to-wear pieces that can take you through hot days and warm nights on the canals. Textures like organza, crepe, and even corduroy add an intriguing dimension to a minimal palette. I combed the incredible designer sale at MatchesFashion.com to bring you the best Spring/Summer pieces that are worth the investment, without paying full price.
