my jamaica recap

Jamaica was honestly one the best trips I've taken. Prior to this trip, my mom, sister, and I had been once before for a family friend's funeral but that was 11 years ago (and I still don't know who the funeral was for). So basically, this trip was my first time (that I'll actually remember). 

my dress - Urban Outfitters

I felt like we were a traveling circus as we were packing and unpacking every few days around different parts of the island (but that actually made the trip so much more adventurous).  So here's the breakdown. We were in Jamaica for 9 days, 8 nights. The first two nights we were in Ocho Rios where most of the reunion took place. On our first full day my dad, sister, and I climbed Dunn's River Falls which was a total workout but incredibly fun. The hour long climb in cold water was terrifying at some points as I was sure I was going to fall all the way down, but after reaching the top and looking back at what we accomplished, it was so rewarding. 

the view from our hotel window

Ocho Rios

Dunn's River Falls

On Sunday, we packed up and caravan-ed for Ensom City in Spanish Town, which is about 30 minutes from the capital Kingston. The 2 hour trip from Ocho Rios to Spanish Town was filled with windy roads through the hills, which I was honestly so scared our bus was going to get stuck going up and up the hills. 

We spent the majority of our visit in Ensom City as we stayed 4 nights in a house across the street from my grandmother's cousin. We took many mini trips including visiting my mother's old family home and traveling to Kingston to tour the capital city. Needless to say we definitely had our share of adventures. Being with family always leads to fun surprises and lots of laughs. 

overlooking New Kingston 

We finished up our trip in Montego Bay just the 4 of us. The hotel we stayed at was well-deserved after many days with family around and so much going on everyday. We were so sad that our trip was coming to an end, but we maximized our time at the resort as much as we could. We spent our last full day on the beach, in the pool, and taking in the amazing scenery. For our final night, we got all dolled up for a sunset dinner!   

me and my sister 

 dress and her romper - Lilly Putlizer, bag - Rebecca Minkoff Mini-M.A.C

best appetizer EVER 

Ever since we returned home, the 4 of us have been in post-Jamaica blues. We wish we were back every moment of the day. The memories we made on that trip were AMAZING. I keep looking back at our pictures from our week in paradise and can't help but smile from ear to ear!

 

cover-ups - Lilly Pulitzer

Till next time, can't wait to be reunited with the motherland next summer!

Cheers! 

xoxo, gab 

packing preparations + wednesday #ootd

Happy Hump Day! 

It's so hard to believe that in just a few days we will be heading to JAMAICA. Packing preparations are fully underway and needless to say my bed is overrun with outfit options (for the last few nights, I've been sleeping in the guest room down the hall, it's THAT bad). 


the beginning of my carry-on entertainment

some of my jewelery collection for the trip

I think it really hit us that were actually getting on a plane and flying to Jamaica when our family reunion t-shirts arrived yesterday afternoon. It was crazy to think that all this planning was actually going to come to fruition. 

My mom was responsible for designing and ordering t-shirts. My sister and I helped her put this together from the templates on the website. Custom Ink is literally so amazing when it comes to customer service and helping you along the way. We wouldn't have been able to do it without them.

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Here's my Wednesday #ootd!

errands outfit details: romper - Merona at Target (old) , shoes- Birkenstocks, purse - Kate Spade, sunglasses - Ray-Ban, makeup pouch - Target, and jewelry - Kate Spade earrings, David Yurman ring, monogrammed necklace from Loli and the Bean, bracelets from local boutiques, Alex and Ani - KKG bracelet and spiked bracelet. 

(notebook from Home Goods)

Cheers!

xoxo, gab

summer workwear chic

Happy Monday! 

It's no surprise that I love J. Crew (like LOVE). Anyway, for many of us summer is all about reconnecting with old friends, spending countless hours on the beach, and visiting new destinations. With one year of college under my belt, its time to start figuring out what I want to do with my life (woah, that's scary). My summer is all about relaxing and exploring what I'm passionate about. 

I'm interning with a public relations group in Tallahassee, which allows me to be home after a  year at Emory and also get work experience under my belt (and also begin to build up my professional wardrobe). So as I started my internship in May, I was eager start shopping for new looks (typical). 

So below are some of my favorite summer work selections for the office. I'm lucky enough to be in an office where I'm surrounded by such fabulous ladies and feel comfortable sporting my summer brights in a professional way. 

One of the best and trickiest things about summer office attire is how to wear clothes for the heat. You want to be season appropriate without looking like you just came off the beach. Below are some fabulous selections for how to wear bright summer looks that still look great for the office with these silhouettes which are tasteful yet youthful. 

While these looks may not be appropriate for all office spaces (maybe you need to be more professional or more casual), this guide is a great idea generator to help construct a fabulous office wardrobe. So enjoy these looks from my favorite store!

  

Matelasse Sheath Dress

Cotton Pique Lace Dress 

Arrow Print Shift Dress

Paneled Flare Dress

Embroidered Scallop Dress 

Gemstone Floral Silk Dress

friday #ootd + weekend plans

casual work outfit details: top - Lilly Pulitzer, jeans - J. Crew, blazer - J. Crew, sandals - Lilly Pulitzer, purse - Kate Spade, sunglasses - Ray-Ban, and jewelry - Michael Kors watch, Kate Spade earrings, and David Yurman ring

(notebook from Home Goods)

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Hey everyone! So it's my last weekend home before our big family reunion in Jamaica, and I'm extremely excited. Honestly my weekend plans probably won't be that exciting as I'll probably spend most of my time obsessing over my packing list and outfit selections. It's a family "tradition" that before we go out of town, we try to leave our house looking spotless so that when we return home it's clean and relaxing. So my weekend = packing+ cleaning + relaxing and netflix-ing. 

Ocho Rios, Jamaica 

(photo from Pinterest)

Can't wait to be reunited with my parents' birthplace! 

Cheers!

xoxo, gab

turquoise + teal

  

Kendra Scott 'Rayne' Stone Necklace - Turquoise


Danielle of Shop Dandy Boutique/Just Dandy has a brilliant blog post about the Rayne necklace craze. Check it out! 
(http://www.justdandy.org/2014/06/trending-kendra-scott-rayne.html)



Lilly Pulitzer Dusk Strappy Silk Maxi Dress

Rachel Stone Frontal Necklace

 

Birkenstock 'Arizona' Sandal - Billiard 

(photo taken by me for instagram - @gabrielalauren6)

Ray-Ban Mirror Sunglasses - Green Flash + Lilly Pulitzer Hartley Tank Top - Spa Blue Get Crackin

Triangl Chloe Neoprene Bikini - Miami Mint 



Mara Hoffman 'Cosmic Fountain' Rashguard 

Kendra Scott 'Danielle' Earring - Teal 


(*all other photos found on Pinterest)



Cheers!
xoxo, gab

summer sunnies: mirrored edition

Bloomingdale's Sun Shop highlights one of biggest summer trends, mirrored sunglasses. This look has been seen all over the "blogosphere," and I've jumped on the bandwagon. (I mean almost every blogger I keep up with has some version of the Ray-Ban aviators.) Literally, this mirrored look is so much fun and such a simple way to add summery, bold brights to neutral, cool looks. I want one in every color! 



Ray Ban Velvet Round Keyhold - Red Velvet




Ray-Ban Mirror Aviator Sunglasses - Matte Gold/Red

Ray-Ban Mirror Aviator Sunglasses - Green Flash

(*I recently purchased these in this color and I'm in love)



Prada Round Mirrored Oversized 

Ray Ban Mirrored Clubmaster - Havana/Blue 

WILDFOX Classic Fox Deluxe Mirror



Ray-Ban Velvet Square Keyhole - Flock Grey



Cheers!
xoxo, gab

"women" crush wednesday

These ladies are my life and fashion inspirations. Their effortless elegance and amazing likability makes Lupita Nyong'o, Blake Lively, First Lady Michelle Obama, SJP, the Duchess of Cambridge, and Beyonce, my Women Crush Wednesday! No matter your race or political affiliation, you cannot recognize these ladies as anything less than special. 




















Cheers!
xoxo, gab