Halloween is almost here! Although I love the holiday spirit and live for a good theme, I’m not all that crazy about over-the-top Halloween costumes. Maybe it’s the extreme promiscuity or the gore, but my favorite costumes are usually the ones that mimic a real life character.
For my last year of college, I went to one of our halloween parties as Ja’mie King. For those of you who don’t know, Ja’mie is one of the three characters Chris Lilley plays in the one season wonder, Summer Heights High. In addition to my *perfect* Ja’mie accent, I borrowed my roommate’s little sister’s school uniform to emulate Ja’mie’s jumper and threw on knee high socks and a blazer and it was literally the best costume I’ve ever done. My roomie went as Barbie and that was pretty iconic too.
If you’re like me and *really* leaned into the nap/sleeper dress trend, why not make a costume out of it too? Pair this beautiful blue one with Amina Muadi dupe glass slippers for an effortless and comfortable Cinderella look. If perhaps you have a blue and white checkered dress, add a basket bag, bows and red slippers (maybe a puppy too) for a modest and chic Dorothy. On the sleepy chic train is also this iconic Audrey Hepburn look from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Amazon even sells a sleeping mask, earring and tuxedo shirt set from the movie…I’d pair it with these Manolo dupes for and easy and elegant Audrey look.
I can’t tell y’all what Will is being yet because it is SO good and pulled straight from real life. I think those are really the best costumes when you can take on someone’s voice and personality for the night and just have a ton of fun with it. What are you planning to be this year?!
Fall is finally here y’all!! The heat in Austin has been so overwhelming the past few weeks so when we woke up to weather in the 50s, Will and I decided to have date night at one of our favorite outdoor spots, Cosmic Coffee and Beer Garden. Although Cosmic has a gravel patio, I just knew I had to break in my favorite new shoes from Zara!
Y’all…these shoes are an absolute dream!! They are like Manolo Blahnik and Amina Muaddi had an affordable baby!
I didn’t expect this, but baby blue or powder blue has become my most worn shade this month and might be my favorite color for fall. Here’s what I threw together to pair with my shoes.
Fall is nearly here, y’all! During this time of transition, I’m loving lighter pieces in fall tones of sage, blue, tan and black. Just because we are changing seasons, doesn’t mean you need to break the bank with a new wardrobe. I’m sharing some of my favorite fall pieces that are all under $100.
Since I’m here in Austin, temperatures are still in the 80s and 90s. Because of this, I sticking to dresses made of light fabrics and pairing them back with everything from sandals to slides and boots. I have been wearing this sage green dress from H&M nonstop. I love it with a belt, my tan Hermès Oran slides and my nano Celine Belt Bag.
As much as I love getting a good deal, I also love luxury. The fun thing about fall is that you can mix high fashion, luxury pieces with budget friendly items to create a polished and accessible look.
There are few things I love more in life than a good happy hour. Luckily, some of the top restaurants in Austin love them too and offer some of the best food and drinks in town at a fraction of the price. From $5 martinis to 50 percent off on food and wine, I’m breaking down my five go to spots for happy hour in Austin.
Taking the top spot on my list is Clark’s. We love going to Clark’s any day and any time so I especially love going when I can get a deal on my favorite food and drinks. Will and I love a good martini–Hendricks with a twist, straight up–so you can catch us here having a little tini time and enjoying the most delicious burger and fries in town for half-off!!
The Deal:
Monday-Friday: 3-5 p.m.
$5 Martinis, oyster shooters and draft beer, half off burgers and 50 cents off oysters.
Saturday and Sunday: 3-5 p.m.
Half off all bottles of wine.
2. Jeffrey’s
Jeffrey’s is not only probably the best restaurant in town (in my opinion), they also have one of the best happy hours. I love this happy hour because they change it each night so it isn’t just the same deal every day. As a wino, I live for their Sunday night deal, which is half-off ALL wines, because I get a chance to try some of the most beautiful wines in the world at a really accessible price point.
The Deal:
Monday: All night
25 percent off all items marked with a diamond and $2 off beverages.
Tuesday-Sunday: 5-6 p.m.
25 percent off all items marked with a diamond and $2 off beverages.
Sunday: All night
Half-off any bottle from the Jeffrey’s Cellar.
3. Buffalina Due
When we first moved to Austin last year, I fell in love with Buffalina and when they closed, I was devastated. Luckily, they have a second location in north Austin and I make Will go as often as possible! Is there anything better than half-off on a beautiful bottle of wine and a couple of pizzas? I think not. A must-try if you are in Austin!
The Deal:
Seven Days a Week: 4–5:30 p.m.
Half off all wines under $100, $5 house wine, $5 draft beer, half off all pizza
4. Neighborhood Sushi
Many Austinites will tell you to try Uchi while you’re in town, but my go-to spot for sushi is Neighborhood Sushi. I love their vegetable tempura and I think their sushi is the best in Austin. They also have the perfect location right on South Congress so once you’re done with happy hour, you can walk down the street to enjoy some of the live music Austin has to offer.
The Deal:
Monday-Friday: 4:30-6 p.m.
$10 beer and a sake, $2 off drinks, 25 percent off all food.
5. The Backspace
We love the Backspace! It is a hidden gem in downtown Austin that serves incredible pizza and wines (lots of other food and drinks too, these are just my faves.)
The Deal:
Tuesday-Saturday: 5-6:30 p.m.
Half-off antipasti and half-off beers and wines by the glass.
I hope you get a chance to try these spots out soon! What are your favorite happy hours in Austin?! Leave me a comment and let me know!
Fall is almost here, my loves! Even though it is 100 degrees outside in Austin today, the promise of cooler weather, sweaters and boots is here. Although it has been hard for me to get in the mindset for fall, I’m sharing my crushes as we transition into this new season.
If my wardrobe on our trip to Kohler was any indication, I will be wearing these green pants all day, every day for the foreseeable future. They look amazing and are incredibly comfortable. I’ve paired it here with my favorite H&M sweater set from last season and my new shearling Birkenstocks.
Since the temperatures in Austin will be toasty through November at the earliest, I’m focusing mostly on dresses in darker tones of green, rust, black and blue as the seasons change. Swapping out sandals for tennis shoes and mules is also a great way to transition in a warmer climate.
I cannot wait to pair this dress with a great pair of tan boots this fall.
As promised, I will be styling my favorite shirt dress with tan boots this fall. I love this dress because you can use the buttons to make it a sexy look or leave it undone for a sophisticated casual look.
What colors and styles are you loving as we move from summer into fall? Leave me a comment and let me know!
We just got back from the most relaxing and enjoyable trip to Chicago and to a little town called Destination Kohler, near, Sheboygan, Wisconsin…random, right? It totally was, but also completely amazing. My mom, Charlie and I tagged along with Will, my dad and their friends on their golf trip to Wisconsin and I am so glad we did.
Since we were barely in Chicago, this is by no means an all-encompassing guide to the city, rather just a quick taste of the town. My guide to Destination Kohler and Sheboygan is a bit more comprehensive.
Chicago:
Because we could all get nonstop flights into Chicago, we decided to start our trip and celebrate my mom’s birthday with 24 hours in Chicago. We stayed at the Fairmont Millennium Park, which was nice, but I didn’t love it and am not sure if I would stay there again.
Pizza in the Park!
Since we knew our time was limited, we hit the ground running as soon as we landed. We picked up a deep dish pizza from Giordano’s which was around the corner from our hotel and had a picnic lunch in Millennium Park (home of the infamous Bean). I know there is a heated debate about deep dish pizza in Chicago, but honestly, I will eat any pizza, any time so I was just happy to try one of the many famed establishments. Pro tip: order your pizza ahead of time online because they take about 50 minutes to cook.
Enjoying the Architecture River Cruise with my boy and a little Gin and Tonic.
Once we were done with our lunch, we walked from Millennium Park over to Navy Pier, where we boarded a boat for the Chicago Architecture River Cruise. This is my absolute FAVORITE thing to do in Chicago because I love being on the water, but I also love learning about the Chicago architecture. It is truly stunning and all of the boats have a bar so there is no better place to spend the afternoon in my mind.
We celebrated my mom’s birthday while we were in Chicago and had the most delicious meal at RPM Steak. We all loved the food and the service was incredible, but the music was really loud and the vibe was something like what I would have been into in my early 20s. I would highly recommend it and also suggest trying Bavette (and making reservations early!)
The main part of our trip was spent in Destination Kohler–an idyllic town outside of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The area is well-known for its golf–Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run which each have multiple courses within them, and the Kohler Waters Spa.
Although the beginning of our trip was a bit stressful–we were staying at the Inn on Woodlake which at the time legitimately seemed like a frat house for golfers, and my mom, Charlie and I were getting a lot of unwanted attention, by the end of the trip, we were all raving about how we had the best time. My mom and I relaxed, went paddle boarding, did two days at the spa (if you’re getting a facial or a manicure, ask for Dawn–she is incredibly talented and a truly wonderful person), went shopping at Sweet Potato’s and the Woodlake Market (I live for a good grocery store) and we are already planning our return trip.
My husband booked our stay with a golf package so we could only stay at the American Club or the Inn on Woodlake. By the time we booked, the rooms at the American Club were fully booked. The next time we go, I definitely want to stay at the American Club rather than the Inn on Woodlake. If you’re not planning to book through a package and just want to explore Sheboygan, I would suggest the Fairfield Inn or the Grandstay hotel.
I know we just barely scratched the surface in terms of activities, but my mom and I really enjoyed ourselves and didn’t want to over do it. Obviously the boys golfed so we took full advantage of the spa and the recreational activities at the Sports Core on Woodlake which included paddle boarding. I would also recommend stopping by Sweet Potato’s for some retail therapy. They have everything from Birkenstock’s to Vince and CBD oil–mom and I loved so many things there.
One of my favorite activities wasn’t exactly planned, but we kind of stumbled upon it. After our massages one day, mom and I were both craving just a really simple sandwich so we picked up Jersey Mike’s and then my mom had the brilliant idea to eat it by the lake. We discovered Deland Park which is a beautiful park right on Lake Michigan. Lots of green space and even beach access so we had a gorgeous lunch and Charlie loved running around.
The food really blew all of us away on this trip. I asked our group after to rank our meals and it was nearly impossible because we enjoyed each one so much. In my opinion, I guess I would have to say my favorite breakfast was the burrito at Whistling Straits and my favorite dinner was at Trattoria Stefano–the food was delicious and we had the best waiter. My mom and I loved grabbing coffee and snacks from the Woodlake Market and lunches at the Horse and Plow were so good! Our waitress there even showed me the most delicious trick–dipping sweet potato fries in honey–genius!
Truly the best trip! I am so thankful for the new memories made with my parents, Will, Charlie and our friends and I can’t wait to go back to Destination Kohler!
I can’t believe we are finally going on a vacation this summer! Because of our housing drama, we were forced to cancel all of our trips this summer except for one…of course it is a golf trip, but regardless, I am excited to travel and get out of the Texas heat for a few days.
This weekend we will be going to Chicago for one night and Destination Kohler for a few days so my husband, dad and a couple of their friends can have a Ryder Cup Style golf tournament with one another. Thankfully, my mom and sweet Charlie are coming on the trip too. We plan to do an architecture river cruise and dinner in Chicago and lots of spa time, walking and water activities while we are in Kohler.
Since the vibe of this trip is relaxation and fun dinners, I’m bringing mostly casual clothes with a few fun pieces for our dinners. I am also so excited to read my new book, Golden Girl, written by the “queen of beach reads” Elin Hilderbrand. Of course we will be on the shores of Lake Michigan, but that counts as a beach, right?
Stay tuned next week for my travel guide to Chicago and Destination Kohler!
We have had wild few weeks here in Austin! After finding out our lease couldn’t be renewed on our current house, we decided to buy our first house. While the process was wild–have you heard about the real estate market in Austin?!–we finally found a house and are moving in this weekend. To celebrate, I wore my current favorite dress. I love this dress because you can easily wear it during the day with tennis shoes or turn it into a sexy look for the evening.
Celebrating closing on our first house!! I wore the dress loosely here without attaching any of the buttons and paired it with my favorite Vejas.
To transition this look from day to evening, simply swap the tennis shoes for heels, add some hoop earnings and a great clutch. by fastening the buttons on the front and back, this dress goes from casual and comfy to chic and sexy.
From day to night, I have been living in this dress. While it is a little bit pricey, I believe it is worth the money. Not only is it machine washable, it is also incredibly versatile. In the fall I plan to pair it with tan knee-high boots…stay tuned for that!
Hailey Bieber isn’t the only one loving lavender this summer! As one of the season’s hottest colors, it comes as no surprise that we are all loving the pastel tones of purple too. “Millennial purple,” as it has been dubbed by Hola! Is encompassing of the hues from lilac to lavender and has been a staple in my spring and summer wardrobes this year.
One of my favorite purple pieces has been this mini dress from English Factory because of its color and light-weight cotton fabric. The ruffle detailing on it is so beautiful and this dress also just got marked down to under $60! My only complaint about this dress is that it is a bit short. I am 5’8″ and it is shorter than most dresses I am comfortable in. This is a common theme for English Factory dresses…I just wish they would make a “tall” version or add about two inches to their dresses!
In the summertime, I am a sucker for dresses. Living in Texas, the heat can be overwhelming so having a light-weight dress is the most comfortable thing for me to wear. This beautiful wildflower dress is a must-have and is less than $50! I’m also loving this lavender midi dress from Sea. It would be perfect for church, brunch or a romantic date night.
I have worn this flowy maxi dress on repeat all summer! The subtle hints of lavender are beautiful and feminine which make it easy to dress up or down.
Whether you’ve been loving lavender, green, white or blue, I hope you’ve enjoyed this trip down the purple rabbit hole with me today! What has been your favorite color this summer?
Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is finally here! It is one of my favorite sales of the year because instead of marking down items that are about to be out of season, the anniversary sale offers up to 40 percent off of new items for the season ahead of us. By working with top brands, Nordstrom is able to offer discounts on items that do not regularly go on sale.
I’m mostly excited to shop for beauty products during the Anniversary Sale because they are something I always need and beauty products do not normally go on sale. In addition to stocking up on beauty favorites, I also love to get a start on my holiday shopping–Barefoot Dreams blankets make the best gift and I love getting them on sale–I also like to get new workout clothes, accessories and maybe a new dress!
BASICALLY BRIT 