Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans?

I certainly do. On a day like today, when you would give your left pinky to trade in the sounds of an office phone ringing for the trumpetty-saxophone wails of a Second Line tailgating a parade, pay some good money to swap the cold Salata staring at you for some Hollandaise with a side of crabmeat at Galatoire's, and perhaps even consider shaving some years of your life to exchange the cold coffee on your desk for a hurricane served in a 3-ft souvenir size tube (just one straw, sir, thank you). And when you think back to the college glory days of old, when you would make the trip to N'awlins with your besties, the memories of the pungent smells of Bourbon Street dissipate while you peruse Southwest flights for perusing sake. 

Okay, too much voodoo talk for today. To those attending Mardi Gras this year - c’est la NOLA; and to those unfortunate souls (like you know who) who are not - we can have our own jazz funeral together.

Polka Dot Shirt - Equipment// Black Coated Jeans - DL1961// Purple Sunglasses - Illesteva//
Mules - No. 21// Plaid Shirt - Rails// Green Sunglasses - Forever 21// Jeans - DL1961// Booties - Sole Society// Yellow Dress - Misa Los Angeles// Green Shoes - Gucci// How High Can You Fly Sunglasses - Etsy// White Top - Cotélac// Wine Coated Jeans - Paige// Eye Espadrilles - Soludos// Leopard Sunglasses - Stella McCartney// Crossbody Bag - Paravel

Alice in Mexi-Land

What's a gal to do when she has to miss her prima's 30th fiesta in San Antonio? How does she battle the FOMO?

Why, she dreams up what she would've worn had she been able to attend, of course. And today's dream is inspired by a slew of worthy subjects: the rich close-to-the-border culture of bad-to-the-bone San Antone', the hellfire of a good time that is any start-of-a-new-decade occasion, and the bday gal herself: pure, truehearted magic. I just used a lot of words to describe what Beyoncé (yes, back to her again) sums up in three: I'm talking about "that good good."

Coin Earrings - Ranjana Khan// Red Dress - Alice McCall// Cactus Clutch - Kayu// Taco Clutch - Walmart//
Blue Dress - Alexis// Alegria Clutch - Sarah Sharp// Tassel Earrings - Misa Los Angeles// Pom Pom Shoes - Zara// Black Leaves Dress - Carolina K.// Coconuts Earrings - Sachin & Babi// Piñata Clutch - Charlotte Olympia (sold out but another option here)

Q: What do I wear to a Nashville wedding? A: A little bit country, a little bit rock and roll

When asked by some friends to help them find something to wear to upcoming nuptials in Nashville, TN, I rummaged the internet for finds that ooze with Music City vibes. Capturing the spirit of Nash-Vegas can't be done without a nod to its signature rock and roll and country music or a curtsy to its Southern roots - so I aimed for a mix of both, with lots of sale finds peppered in. Just add some moonshine and you're ready to par-tay. 

(click to zoom in)

From left to right: Faux Bon Bons - Etsy// Liberty Rosa Curly Swing Dress - LaDoubleJ// Flower Drop Earrings - ODLR// Elisa Off-the-Shoulder Dress - Saloni// Green Dress - RealisationPar// Grace Off-the-Shoulder Dress - Saloni// Gingham Midi Dress - Patricia Padron// Tassel Earrings - Hart// Floral Long Sleeve Dress - MSGM// Spritz Earrings - Lucy Folk// Crop Top - Vika Gazinskaya (here & here)// Ruffle Skirt - Ganni// Layered Dress - Mother of Pearl// White Top - Zimmermann// Asymmetric Skirt - Jourden (similar here)// Studded Heels - Philipp Plein// Leopard Bag - Hillier Bartley

Promiscuous Pajamas: Dawson+Hellmann

I adhere to the motto that a sound mind alone does not bring sound sleep - one also needs pretty pajamas. Enter Dawson+Hellmann, a bold sleepwear line that creates PJs and sheets in three promiscuous prints: Pot Toile, Pills Wallpaper, and Kama Sutra. 

These jammies are comfortable (made of light, easy breathing cotton), pair well with a fluffy duvet, and are expertly engineered to generate that feeling of floating on your mattress cloud. But the best part about them is their claim to fame: a really good sense of humor. The designs are almost like a photomosaic print - from a distance, you only see a beautiful damask design or botanical and french toile patterns. Only a discerning eye can pick up on the details that push the envelope, which (let's get real) depict elements that probably play a role in most of our getting-ready-for-good-sleep routines. 

Over the holidays I had the pleasure of meeting one of the masterminds behind the brand, Sonya Dawson, and became a proud owner of a pair shortly thereafter (I'll leave which print I chose up to your wild and crazy imaginations). So this write-up is the real deal, y'all. The PJs deserve an honorable mention. 'Getcha some!

And don't even get me started on their embroidered sheet sets (I'm obsessed with the Get Lucky ones below) - also subtle, beautiful, and right up your alley (if you're as fun and cool as I think you are). 

Paravel: Not Your Abuela's Canvas Bag

While traversing down the rabbit hole that is Instagram, I came across Paravel, a company that claims to have reinvented cotton canvas. The folks behind the travel brand are all about mixing luxury with practicality and fine tuning craftsmanship for the sake of adventure - and to that I say: say no more. Except I will, because the material is also apparently waterproof - so fears of spilled vino on the LIR or having the beer bumped out of your hand at that super rad music festival begone! Or if you do neither of aforementioned things but are exceptionally clumsy because you speak with exaggerated hand motions (like yours truly), even better. 

Crossbody Purse - The Capsule//Handheld Suitcase - The Stowaway// Small Box The Boxer//
Laptop Folio - The Courier//Duffel - The Grand Tour// Passport Case - The Passkeeper// Cosmetic Case - The Wash Kit//
Packing Cubes - The Packing Cube Trio

For an idea of sizing, check out homegirl Nicky (Hilton) Rothschild rocking the crossbody capsule (my fav) below. This little nugget of a purse seems perfectly sized for the essentials (wallet, keys, phone, sunnies), and thereby, as a function of the associative property (maybe?), is also itself essential.