4th of July Outfit Inspiration

I am SOOOO excited that this year I get to celebrate 4th of July in one of my favorite places! I have spent the 4th in LA the last four years due to my work schedule and although I have loved celebrating with friends, this year I get to be with my family.

What I wore the first week of July last year:

Here are some looks for inspiration:

J.Crew

J.Crew

Boden

What I'll be packing for my trip:

Whale shorts, Vineyard Vines, $70 (mine are navy with pink whales but I love the white with blue whales) | Red, white, and blue sweater that I got in Portland a few years ago | Tala romper, Lilly Pulitzer, $138

Sunfaded stripe long sleeve top, Splendid, $78 (I bought this in Las Vegas when there was a 30% off sale. It's so comfortable and soft!) | Lobster sweatshirt from Uniqlo | Waterfall print romper, Splendid, $158 (10% off sitewide with code: TRUE10)

OCRF Super Saturday recap

The weekend before I went to Charleston, my friend Jessica and I went to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Super Saturday event in Santa Monica. The New York Super Saturday will be Saturday July 30 and you can find information and tickets here. You can read about my experience at the event last year (2015) and the year before (2014).

The Santa Monica event was hosted by Rachel Zoe and Molly Sims! OCRF’s Super Saturday was created in 1998 by Donna Karan and the late Liz Tilberis. In 2015, Super Saturday raised over $4 million for Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. Super Saturday, is a fun-filled, family-oriented fundraiser that offers premier fashion for women, men and kids plus beauty, jewelry, accessories and home items for up to half off the manufacturer's suggested retail price. Proceeds support OCRF's research grants. Kind of like a fancy garage sale or sample sale. In addition to shopping, Super Saturday LA offered a full day of fun including Chrysler Pacifica test drives, a fun zone for kids, Mary Kay lip gloss and cotton candy bar, Conair Curl Secrets and braid bar, and gourmet food for all to enjoy.

Unfortunately the weather this year was not ideal (drizzling off and on and a bit cold) but we still had fun and shopped for a great cause. We tried multiple flavors of cotton candy, had our tarot cards read, got our hair done, and ate and ate (cupcakes, cookies, pizza, YUM!).

I kind of look like a wet dog here but I had a beautiful braid done in the Conair tent 

I took this photo to show H the LA Rams cheerleaders but then realized I also have one of the girls from Coupled in there too. HA! That show is so entertaining! 

View of the shopping in the hangar 

Charleston trip recap

This past weekend my sister finished her residency in emergency medicine (!!!). I am so proud of her! We went back to Charleston to celebrate. We got in just in time Thursday night to have dinner downtown with my sister and her boyfriend. We stayed at Charleston Place, which is in the perfect location-walking distance to shops, restaurants, and the water.

There were SO many kids and dogs swimming/playing in al the fountains. It was packed!

Friday we slept in really late (7 AM flight the day before + time change meant we were exhausted) and ordered room service for breakfast. My sister had to work at the hospital all day so I went with my parents to the Gibbes Museum and then lunch at Magnolias. This was the hottest day Charleston had had all year. It was brutal! I forgot what 90%+ humidity is like! We walked around, relaxed at the hotel (it started to rain/storm), and shopped on King Street (I bought the Lilly Pulitzer Tala Romper I'm wearing below). My other sister (JHS) flew in late Friday afternoon. We had our fancy dinner at the restaurant in our hotel (The Charleston Grill). The photos from dinner are on my mom's phone, but I wore the sailboat dress from Anthropologie that I posted about here.

Porgy and Bess exhibit at the museum 

The Lilly for Target shorts are still my favorite for super hot weather. I wish I had been able to find another pair (or 3 ;)

Saturday morning we ate breakfast together in our hotel and then headed out to shop on King Street and walk around. Doctor sister and her boyfriend met us for lunch and then they headed back to my sister's house to get ready for the ceremony. JHS and I walked all around downtown and down to the water. It got super windy but it cooled down to the 80s so it wasn't as hot walking around. My sister did a little photoshoot for me in my new romper. I would have worn it Sunday too but unfortunately I spilled chocolate ice cream on it :(

I am definitely on board with the romper trend! This one is Lilly Pulitzer, Tala Romper

I love this photo my sister took on her run! I didn't take enough photos, mostly because my iPhone battery drains really fast these days (getting a new phone this week!)

After our long walk we relaxed at the hotel. My parents went to the ceremony/dinner for doctor sister so it was just me and JHS for dinner. We did a little more shopping (I think I converted my sister into a Lilly lover!) and then went to dinner at Indaco. The pizza was delicious! We also got ice cream after at Jeni's (that I then spilled all over myself). I guess we have a Jeni's here in LA-I've never been to it.

Sunday morning I packed up and said goodbye (and happy father's day to my dad). The rest of my family stayed until Monday, but I had to get back for work Monday morning.

I have loved visiting my sister in Charleston, but I am so excited for her next adventure in Colorado!

Super Saturday THIS WEEKEND

Just a reminder that the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance’s 3rd Annual Super Saturday LA is THIS Saturday June 11! To get your tickets go here. The New York Super Saturday will be Saturday July 30 and you can find information here. You can read about my experience at the event last year (2015) and the year before (2014).

Making flower crowns in the Mary Kay tent last year

This year Super Saturday, the iconic charity shopping event benefiting the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, is coming back to Los Angeles for the third time on Saturday, June 11th. The event will be hosted by Rachel Zoe and Molly Sims! OCRF’s Super Saturday was created in 1998 by Donna Karan and the late Liz Tilberis. In 2015, Super Saturday raised over $4 million for Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

Super Saturday, is a fun-filled, family-oriented fundraiser that offers premier fashion for women, men and kids plus beauty, jewelry, accessories and home items for up to half off the manufacturer's suggested retail price. Proceeds support OCRF's research grants. Think of it as the fanciest garage sale you will probably ever go to! Serena & Lily, Sole Society, Wildfox, Kickee Pants and many more (see full list here)! In addition to shopping, Super Saturday LA offers a full day of indulgences including Chrysler Pacifica test drives with a Fun Zone for Kids, Mary Kay lip gloss and cotton candy bar, BHG Catering’s French cuisine with a California twist, Conair Curl Secrets and braid bar, and gourmet bites for all to enjoy.

Where we had lunch at 2014 event

Time to shop!

Memorial in Vegas

This Memorial Day Weekend 30 members of my family and extended family headed to Las Vegas to celebrate the life of my uncle who passed away in March. It was absolutely bittersweet. I saw some family members that I hadn't seen in four years (our last reunion was summer 2012 in Missouri). There was a lot of sitting around and sharing memories of my Uncle Tom. We brought all of his favorite snacks and watched an amazing tribute video that my cousin made. Lots and lots of tears over the weekend but I am so grateful that we were all able to be together again.

View from our hotel room. Doesn't really feel like Las Vegas!

My cousin took this photo of me. I would say it's a new favorite. Despite the sad circumstances, being with family felt so special.

Flower carousel in the lobby of the Wynn hotel

Had to get some pool time in. In the morning it was just me and both my sisters down by the pool, hadn't seen my doctor sister since our Dallas trip in January. I bought new sunglasses since I left mine at home, and I could definitely use a spare pair! I am pretty sure almost every blogger has this Marysia bikini top. HA! But I have to say it is flattering and comfortable (in my opinion) so I get the hype!

I love the back of my coverup. I can't resist bows! (It's a few years old from Sperry)

The front

On Friday while we were waiting for everyone to arrive, my sister, mom, and I went across the street to the mall to do some shopping. My local mall here in LA is under construction so I have been browsing online and ordering (and returning things by mail which is pain). I still prefer trying on clothes in person if I can. Splendid was having a big sale so I tried on (and fell in love with) this romper (waterfall print romper, $158). I ended up wearing it to the casual get together we had Friday night.

New every day bag needed!

I am hoping my readers can help me find a new bag for every day use. While I love my Vineyard Vines tote, it is too big and gets too heavy to carry around all day (even if I don't put much inside). I started carrying a card case with ID, credit cards, and some extra cash so I wouldn't have to lug around my big (heavy) wallet. But I still want a smaller bag, preferably cross body style.

My two major requirements:
1. Zip top
2. Inside pockets/dividers or at least one pocket for my phone (I have a Longchamp Le Pliage for travel but I hate how it becomes a bottomless pit). I really like the structure of the Vineyard Vines tote so I am looking for something similar but smaller

What needs to fit:
Wallet, phone (and usually charger too), keys, and then things like chapstick, travel package of wipes, travel package of kleenex, a pack of crayons or a couple of small toys (for work days and/or when I'm with my nephews), snacks.

I am willing to invest in something a bit nicer that I can use for years. I only have one more year as a nanny (ahhh cue the tears) so I definitely want something office/work appropriate for when I transition out of nannying.

Here are some options I have found online (of course my local mall is under construction so I haven't had a chance to check anything in person). Please let me know if you have a bag you love!

Kate Spade cobble hill small toddy, $298

Kate Spade cobble hill deva, $328

Madewell transport crossbody, $148