Category Archives: fashion

Best Traveled Dress

I travel a lot. And I’m often asked about travel essentials and how and what I choose to pack. There are few staples depending upon the climate but there is one standout dress that seems to accompany me almost everywhere for the last five years and is still going strong!

rodress     Photo 1-16     Photo 2-16    lola_blackpink

The Calypso Classic Ro Dress. Calypso St. Barth is a favorite store of mine found in some lucky locales throughout the USA and, of course, the original in St. Barth. I’ve visited a few but the Boston store is where I do the most damage. Five years ago or so I bought my first Ro dress and knew instantly what a great staple dress this was but since have truly learned it’s value. (The classic Ro dress retails at $195)

I have worn it as going out nighttime dress, a touring day dress, a beach cover up or just something to quickly throw on. This is a dress that keeps you cool and comfortable. It’s a dress that consistently gets complimented. It is a dress that’s forgiving – I think it would look good on anyone. Best of all, you can machine wash it or, in times of necessity, hand wash it in a sink. It looks great with a casual denim jacket or cardigan. It can be worn with leggings and boots. Mine has gone on fancy dinner dates, out dancing at clubs or just chilling at beach bars. Plus, obviously, it travels well in your bag. It is my go-to everything dress!

This dress has literally traveled the globe with me. It’s been to Miami virtually every time I go. Hello cover up or a dress to throw on for lunch. Same idea for Hawaii and Palm Springs. And, seen here on the beach in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

romex

In St. Martin and St. Barth it’s been a going out dress. Also in London, Bali and seen here in Istanbul.

roturk

This dress traveled with me for my 10,000 mile drive from the United Kingdom to Mongolia. It is that diverse and essential. In Cambodia it was a touring dress of the Phnom Penh Night Market.

rocambo

In Thailand it saw the grandeur of the Grand Palace in Bangkok.

photo 1-14

And as a day dress it met children in an orphanage in Bangalore India.

photo 2-12

Calypso St. Barth has grown from a modest resort-wear boutique to a luxury lifestyle brand with a passionate international following. Inspired by travel, culture & the arts, the brand reveals unique & feminine pieces that can be mixed and matched for effortless elegance, which women of every age have come to love.

Calypso St. Barth’s namesake collection is displayed alongside carefully curated pieces from international designers for an eclectic assortment with wide appeal. To me, entering Calypso St. Barth is like taking a mini-vacation to somewhere exotic. And each of my Calypso pieces are very unique and special to me.

18 Comments

Filed under boston, cabo san lucas, cambodia, caribbean, fashion, miami, mongol rally, phnom penh, st. barts, travel, turkey

Travel Fashion Emergency – Mongol Rally

Soooo, yeah, I’m doing a crazy adventurous road race this coming July called the Mongol Rally. Don’t know what that is? Take a peek at this quick video.

I will definitely have plenty more to say about this EPIC adventure but, for now, one of my big concerns, outside of visas, is what the heck to pack so that I can look fashionable. (Hello, I AM Lola!) Seeing that this is not your normal adventure and with Mongol Rally only being 60ish days away, I need to get into packing mode. It kicks off in London and our route takes us through some pretty cosmopolitan places before entering into the more rugged part of our journey. I mean, just because I’ll be roughing it doesn’t mean I have to look rough around the edges, right?! Can one be an adventurer and still look cute? That’s my ultimate challenge.

So, there’s really only one thing to do. Enlist the help of my pals The Lazy Travelers who are quite stylish themselves but also have a Style Spotter series that I’m kinda obsessed with. Oh, and last year they helped a fellow travelista, Brit from Stars on the Ceiling, with her Mongol Rally packing. Realllllly cute, right?!

 mongol-rally-001

A few things that my lovely Lazy Travelers need to bear in mind… props will be added to outfits. Clashing isn’t cool. Think Barbie/Wonder Woman/Viking with the occasional mustache thrown in, of course! And perhaps a splash of sass.

MR

My darling Lazy Travelers,

I know this is a BIG ask but, as two very fashionable gals, I feel you are up for the challenge. As you recall from Brit’s planning, I’ll be in a car A LOT driving around 10,000 miles roughly or 1/3 of the Earth’s surface. There will be several temperature variables and changes in the terrain. I’ll be camping out, driving through deserts & mountains and possibly pushing our car out of rivers and potholes. But I’ll also find myself in hip cities like London, Prague, Budapest & Istanbul.

Do you think you can find a way to make some things festive AND versatile so as to work with my collection of props as well as be practical? Is it possible for Lola to look good for some big nights out and still only pack in a backpack? I’ve been charged with packing light!

It’s a toughy but I’ll love you FOREVER if you can help me out. Wait. Who am I kidding?! I already will love you forever but anyway…

XO, Lola

7 Comments

Filed under fashion, mongol rally, travel

5 Gifts for your Travelin’ Girl

flowers

The day of hearts and flowers is coming soon and, while I trust you know this, I know there are many last minute and dumb-founded shoppers out there. If I were being completely honest about my Valentine’s Day gift wish list, it would include something like a round-the-world plane ticket or a week long vacay on St. Barts. Possibly a hotpink Mini Cooper with a rhinestone tiara thrown in for good measure. BUT that’s definitely not realistic for most and especially last minute shoppers. So, Lola’s here with some Lola Approved suggestions that will make your travelin’ girl’s heart go pitter pat.

lola_blackpink

Screen Shot 2014-02-01 at 4.37.12 PM

First of all, if you must go with chocolates and flowers, FINE. Just don’t make that all you do. Your money would be better spent, however, a lot of other ways. I’m sure your travelin’ girl is practical so why not consider investing in a practical yet luxurious and fun gift like a Theodora & Callum scarf?! These pretty scarves are perfect for changing up an outfit on the road and could easily double as a cover up if your girl is somewhere warm. See?? It works in any climate and situation. Clever!

Screen Shot 2014-02-01 at 4.38.50 PM

OR you must know us gals like to look our best while traveling. I have found myself in between mani/pedi appointments many a time while away from home. Some gals need their eyebrows waxed or are in need of a facial, etc. How about a lovely Bliss Spa gift certificate?! They have so many spa locations all over the USA and several internationally as well. BUT your girl could even just use the thoughtful gift certificate to purchase their awesome Bliss products. A perfect traveling companion!

Screen Shot 2014-02-01 at 4.32.23 PM

Another thing we girls are typically in need of is a good traveling jewelry case to hold all our bobbles. I’m obsessed with Stow London products (they make them in LOLAPINK) and would recommend both the Hester and Amelia jewelry cases. Because, you know, one for an overnight and one for a longer getaway! 😉 AND if you are really trying to impress her, get her a travel charm from one of her favorite places and put it inside for an extra surprise! (Your welcome)

Screen Shot 2014-02-01 at 4.31.35 PM

Maybe your travelin’ girl has all these things and wouldn’t be impressed with a spa gift card… so perhaps a quirky and artistic gift is better. You know something cool yet sentimental. All good travelers need a notebook for their, um, notes. (you could include your own love note inside) Archie Grand has been a Lola fave for some time. Depending on your gals interests, a few of their “cool notebooks” you might want to consider are DRESSES I HAD AND LIKED – for the girl who plans her packing. FAUX PAS I MADE AND LIKED – for the girl who likes to remember all the funny things that happened on her travels. Or WINES I HAD AND LIKED – for the girl who cannot remember her favorites tried during wine tastings when away. Personally, I’ll take the BRITS I MET AND LIKED because, as you know, Lola’s an Anglophile!

Screen Shot 2014-02-01 at 5.00.49 PM

AND my final suggestion, well I think it’s a goodie. I recognize planning a surprise trip is a BIG undertaking as well as a pricey one. So, how about a Jetsetter gift card? Because you can get them in all kinds of denominations and it is a promise to pick a fabulous place to stay anywhere in the world at some point down the line. Hello sexy and spontaneous! That should really get your travelin’ girl’s heart racing. Plus, it’s a gift you both can enjoy. Sooooo…it’s a WIN WIN!

XO – Lola

19 Comments

Filed under fashion, travel

Relative Threads – Tying Together Festive & Fun!

photo 3-2

Ever wish you could coordinate with your friends or family members in a fun way for photo ops? Now you can.

MEET Relative Threads!

A great new business launched by the Butler sisters out of Massachusetts, Relative Threads is determined to accessorize the world. Relative Threads debut line of accessories includes items like sashes, belts, ties, flower pins & fabric necklaces AND they’re all made with hand-picked signature festive fabrics.

Relative_Threads_logo_1

I brought along some of these FAB accessories on a recent getaway with some of my girlfriends and BOY did we have a fun time test-driving them for different photo shoot vignettes. Can you imagine how the same old family photo or wedding party could be a lot more sassy with these items?! Coordinating in a small way that says ‘yeah, we’re a posse!’ PLUS, if you want you can even get a completely customized look for a reasonable price and typically in just 2-3 weeks. I really love this custom threads idea!! Goodbye boring, HELLO #lolafied delightful accessories!

photo 2-3

Relative Threads takes everyone into consideration with their designs, making accessories for men, women, kids, babies – even pets! Even better…with accessories, one size fits all. So, why not make your next friend or family vacay or special event even more pulled together & cheerful?!

OH AND FYI – Relative Threads will soon be launching a variety of new collections for fall/holiday featuring a palette of beautiful rich colors to accent any outfit.  With holiday photos and parties in mind, their new accessories are guaranteed to be festive!  Coming in September…

You can stayed tuned by fanning Relative Threads on Facebook or following them on Twitter.

6 Comments

Filed under fashion, travel

The Top 6 Florida Beaches

The Beach is that WAY!

FLA

Why not head down to Florida this summer? Goodness knows, it is one of Lola’s favorite places for several reasons. Most importantly, the Sunshine State is home to some of the world’s top beaches and resorts. No matter what’s on your vacation check-list, there is definitely a beach here for you. Pack your beach hats and sunscreen because we are going on a tour of Lola’s top 6 Florida beaches!

 South Beach

Screen Shot 2013-08-02 at 4.54.27 PM

What’s a Florida beach story without mentioning the infamous and chic South Beach?  SoBe is a universal playground offering non-stop dining, luxurious hotels, high-end shopping and killer nightlife. No wonder celebrities, jetsetters and vacation lovers have made this beach one of the hottest and most popular places to visit in Miami (and all of Florida!).  Not to mention, it’s walking distance to my favorite luxury swimwear  store, The Orchid Boutique!

Panama City Beach

Screen Shot 2013-08-02 at 4.53.38 PM

I hope you are ready for Spring Break!  This beach is one of the most well-known Florida gathering spots for college kids, especially during Spring Break and other holiday break months.  There are plenty beach-side activities to do along the shores and don’t forget the nightlife!  I guess the Las Vegas adage can definitely apply here: “Whatever happens in Panama City stays in Panama City…” Bring over your friends (and killer Brazilian bikinis) and get ready to party! PS…once upon a time this was MY playground!!

Fort Lauderdale

Screen Shot 2013-08-02 at 4.53.51 PM

Fort-Lauderdale’s proximity to South Beach makes this beach too often overlooked, especially considering how UN-crowded it is.  In the past, this beach was recognized as another hotspot for beach-crazed Spring Breakers. However, the tides have turned and this beach is now celebrated for its family oriented environment and budget-friendly ambience. Most of the resorts in Fort-Lauderdale even offer much lower rates than its more popular neighbor, South Beach.  Fort Lauderdale also has great beachfront dining, clear waters and a fantastic nightlife scene. Sounds tres bon to moi!

Naples Beach

Screen Shot 2013-08-02 at 4.54.01 PM

One of my favorite things about Naples Beach is its gorgeous long pier that is seems to extend endlessly out into the horizon. Not only does the pier have a nostalgic country-feel on one side, but on the other, there are beachfront mansions on Millionaires’ Row that are always amazing to gawk at.  In addition, most Naples residents will boast at how soft the sand is on their beaches (and trust me, it really is!) with the soft sand, a gorgeous pier that provides incredible sunset vantage point and beachfront views of the lifestyles of the rich and famous, who wouldn’t want to travel here for a beach vacay?! HELLO sugar daddy!

Key West

Screen Shot 2013-08-02 at 4.54.12 PM

Located at Florida’s southern-most tip, the beaches on Key West are absolutely breath-taking! It has the ideal clear-blue waters to spend the day swimming, fishing and snorkeling.  And here’s an added bonus: you can do these activities alongside the famous Fort Zachary Taylor historical landmark! Better yet, you can make a road-trip out of the drive down to Key West with your friends and family. Be sure not to miss out on the scenic views on your way to Key West. I can see myself crusin’ in a convertible with the top down right about now!

Sanibel Island Beach

Screen Shot 2013-08-02 at 6.00.34 PM

It’s hard to find a beach with calmer waters than on Sanibel Island.  Its true claim to fame is the beach’s abundance of shells on its shores.  Spend an afternoon collecting them is an activity that Sanibel Island locals call “shelling.” One of Lola’s favorite pastimes…makes a pretty souvenir!

Now that I’ve dished out the details on my favorite Florida Beaches, you’ll need to pack accordingly to be ready for a fun, tropical vacation at any one of these hotspots! Check out the exclusive swimwear and resort wear outfits, courtesy of The Orchid Boutique, that Lola recommends you add to your packing list:

lola_blackpink

SoBe/Ft Lauderdale

This swimsuit and cover-up duo are perfect for the South Beach scene or Ft. Lauderdale where you may find yourself going from an afternoon at the beach to early evening cocktails at the bar!

panama city

Since it’s a youthful crowd on the beaches of Panama City, you probably want to sport a swimsuit that’s comfortable yet cute!

Naples

Love the bright colors in this cover-up. To me, it says sexy & sophisticated, which is everything Naples captures!

Key West

Key West always conjures up classic novels and old movies. It must be because it was once home to Ernest Hemingway and the set of many Hollywood films. This retro swimsuit and colorful bag would fit right in!

Sanibel

Sanibel Island is renowned for its shells so a smart but sassy monokini would be a practical choice. You’ll need a sunhat to cover your face and shoulders if you’re going to hunt long for those beautiful treasures from the sea!

16 Comments

Filed under fashion, florida, miami, travel