Friday, April 25, 2025

Weekend Wish List



Some items of note... 

- This is my favorite Phone Case brand, and I love all of the bright and cheery phone cases for spring/summer! 

- So excited to wear this Green Printed Maxi

- I had a great experience with Artfully Walls, so now I want this Framed Dog Print.

- This Blue Striped Dress is me to a T!


Some items of note... 

- This Printed Pleated Lampshade is in my cart. Thinking of it for my office's blue and white lamp for a bit of pattern mixing. This site has SO many amazing lighting options, and the prices are amazingly affordable. 

- Just got this Tinted Sunscreen a few weeks ago and it's the perfect no-makeup makeup look. 

- These Scalloped Wicker Planting Baskets are so affordable and adorable! 

- I have an almost identical Pearl Cardigan and wear it often. It went out of stock for a long time, but this looks just like it. It pairs with everything so well since it's neutral, and the pearls make it unique. I always get asked about it when I wear it! 

See last week's Weekend Wish List here!

For your weekend reading, here are blog posts you may have missed from this week:





Are you following me on the LikeToKnowIt app?! You can shop all of my outfits, favorite finds, and more in the app. I am constantly updating it with the latest! You can also access all of my posts, here, if you don't use LTK! You can also find me on ShopMy, another shopping platform! 

This content may contain affiliate links; when you click the link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission (at no cost to you). 

Thursday, April 24, 2025

Lately

Lunch at a Pittsburgh favorite, Mediterra, one afternoon! 

We had two Easter tables, and this is a glimpse of one of them. My mom always does such a beautiful job hosting! 

My cousin found these- aren't they fun?!

An outfit I wore this weekend! 

Cutest basket bag gifted from J. McLaughlin - an 'Easter basket'- it was filled with eggs. Clever! 

Can't get enough blueberries. Around 3pm every day, I have a bowl with my tea! Henry loves them, too! 

Cutest pajamas sent to me from a new-to-me brand!

I hope you are all having a lovely week! I also hope you had a wonderful Easter holiday, if you celebrate! My weekend was jam-packed. I enjoyed one last fish fry Friday, and we capped the night off with Milkshakes from the Milkshake Factory- YUM! On Saturday, I met some girlfriends for afternoon tea. I then picked up sushi and brought it to a girlfriend's house since our husbands went to the Pirates game together. I finished off the weekend by celebrating Easter with my family! My parents host yearly; it is always fun since we celebrate my birthday, too. It's a big holiday for us as my parents host many people, and it's always lovely for us to all be together. 

This weekend, I hope to take advantage of the fantastic weather we have been having. We are also getting together with some friends, which will be nice. I have a very busy May with things on the calendar every weekend, so I'm looking forward to a relaxed weekend! 


Wearing: I think the stratus pants style is becoming one of my all-time favorites. They're basically sweatpants that look dressy. I love this shorter length, too! They run roomy, but I get my true size, small. This is what I wore on Easter! I really should have worn a dress as the weather ended up being gorgeous, but it's always a toss-up around this time of year! 

Are you following me on the LikeToKnowIt app?! You can shop all of my outfits, favorite finds, and more in the app. I am constantly updating it with the latest! You can also access all of my posts, here, if you don't use LTK! You can also find me on ShopMy, another shopping platform! 
Eating: You all did not steer me wrong in recommending the strawberry Tillamook ice cream. I had been searching for it for months, and it was finally in stock at my local Target. It is SO good. So creamy and fresh-tasting! 
pullover some colors on major sale! 

Sale: Lilly is having a pop-up sale where you can save up to 60%! This black swimsuit is so chic and timeless. I have a new code with Rhone, SYDNEY20, for 20% off. I don't know how long it will be active! They're also having a big sale. My code cannot be used on sale items, but this pullover is just $54. I have it in white (size medium) and love it. It's the perfect light layer. J.McLaughlin renewed my code SYDNEY20 for 20% off full-priced items! 

Watching:
 Are you all watching anything good? I had SO many shows at one point earlier this year, I could barely keep up, and now I don't have any shows! But that is OK because we have been quite busy lately. We are still watching Summer House, but significantly behind! Let me know if you have any good suggestions! 

Loving: After hemming and hawing over what to order, I finally placed my first order from AW. They have seemingly endless art choices and gorgeous frame and mat options. It's different from Framebridge because they sell the artwork and do the framing, whereas Framebridge just does framing. This turned out even better than expected. I hung it on this wall in natural light, but it will really go in our bathroom! Now that I see the quality, I'll order more in the future if needed! 

Wanting:
Adding this maxi dress to my cart immediately! This skirt is incredible! This wicker bag is a do-it-all summer handbag. This outdoor chip/dip server is adorable and under $20. It's one of those nice-to-have-on-hand items, so you can leave it at someone's house and not worry about getting it back! This platter is also great and under $10. Did you all know Anthro has so many wallpaper options? I love this one, but I have nowhere to put it in my home! This bar cabinet is on clearance and is gorgeous!  A great raffia clutch. My favorite cashmere wrap was restocked. I really want the Barbie pink and Nantucket red! Love this nautical dress for summer on the water! This dress is summertime perfection. I love a halterneck. This is a fun turquoise necklace under $100! 


Pittsburgh: I had such a great time with my girlfriends at the Inn on Negley for afternoon tea. It was beautifully done, and the sandwiches and everything were delicious. They had a large selection of Harney and Sons teas, which are my favorite. If you are planning on going, I suggest making a reservation! 
Amazon Rec: I have tried so many eye masks over the years and always return to this one. It truly is the best! 

You can find more of my Amazon favorites, here on my Amazon page where I am constantly updating it with all of my finds and top picks from home, beauty, fashion, and more!

Quoting: 'If it's your calling, it will keep calling.' // See more of my favorites, here.

This content may contain affiliate links; when you click the link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission (at no cost to you).

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Travel Guide: Newport, Rhode Island

Travel Guide: Newport, Rhode Island

Travel Guide: Newport, Rhode Island

gardiner house hotel review

We returned from my birthday trip to Newport, Rhode Island, late last week. It was my first time in both Newport and Rhode Island. Newport reminded me of a mix of Annapolis, Boston, and Nantucket. It was such a fun place to visit, and if you haven't been, I highly recommend it. Even in the rainy weather, I enjoyed myself. It is so walkable, charming, historical, unpretentious, and unique. I could even picture myself living in Newport. My husband says we shouldn't move anywhere colder than where we already live, and I won't argue with that!

Like Pittsburgh, April can be hit or miss with the weather in Newport, which I didn't realize until we got there. Next time, we will likely visit in mid to late September to avoid the high season crowds while it's still somewhat warm, things are in bloom, and things like the rooftop bars and sailing reservations are still available. 

I'll get right into it with everything from our trip. There are tons of photos so get your thumb ready to work!

How We Got There
We flew from Pittsburgh to Providence, connecting through Dulles. Aside from a few return travel hiccups, the trip was easy. Newport is about a 30-minute Uber ride from the Providence airport (which is really in Warwick). We didn’t rent a car as it wasn’t necessary for a short stay, but I think I'd rent one next time to explore more of Rhode Island. The Providence airport had the nicest and cleanest bathrooms of any airport I have ever seen. It was shocking. There were fresh flowers at every sink. It smelled great. I was floored. Even my husband was amazed. You could also fly into Boston. It's a little over an hour's drive. 

Where We Stayed
We stayed at The Gardiner House, which is ideally located off Thames Street on Lee's Wharf. It's a charming, elegant 21-room boutique hotel still in its infancy. It opened last year. The hotel has one restaurant, Flora, and a handsome, cozy bar, Studio Bar. Breakfast is included in the room rate, which is a nice touch. The breakfast was continental with about 3 hot entree options: a sweet like pancakes or waffles, a bacon and egg combo, and eggs Benedict. Delicious. You can also order specialty coffee drinks. I like strong coffee, so I would get an espresso and add it to the regular black coffee. This is a tip I learned from a barista at Nemacolin. Nemacolin didn't have dark roast coffee, so she told me to do that, and I've been doing it ever since! 

The hotel is not a full-service hotel/resort as it does not have bellmen, a spa, or a pool. I don't know if they had room service, as we did not need that type of service. We found all of the staff to be friendly and helpful. We loved the bartenders in Studio Bar- they are an asset to the hotel! 

The room and bathroom were spacious and were stocked with Matouk towels, robes, and linens. The bed was remarkably comfortable. Even the pillows were incredible. 

The location is prime. I don't know that you can get much better. On our one lovely day, we were able to walk everywhere! One of the trip's highlights was the stunning sunset in the 'sun room' with a martini in hand. It was so relaxing and memorable. 

The interiors are Instagram-worthy, with high-end furnishings, designer fabrics, and a quirky beachy-meets-traditional aesthetic. I especially loved the bedroom’s sisal-style carpet, though several large stains detracted from the otherwise polished feel. For a hotel in this price range, upkeep like that should be more closely managed. 

A few minor misses: the soundproofing was poor, as we could hear noise from the hallway and outside. An in-room Nespresso would have been appreciated. Most notably, a scheduled in-room spa treatment was mishandled. The front desk did not record it, despite confirming dinner reservations in the same call. The manager followed up and was apologetic, which was appreciated. 

Overall, I would recommend Gardiner House for its location, comfort, and design, but with the caveat that at peak rates (over $1,000 per night on some Jun/Jul/Aug/Sept weekends), expectations may exceed the experience. 

Other hotels we considered: The Vanderbilt, Castle Hill Inn, and Hotel Viking. 

Eat and Drink
clarke cooke house newport

clarke cooke house newport snowball in hell
Clarke Cooke House// This was my favorite spot in Newport and one of my favorite restaurants I've ever experienced. I would go back to Newport specifically for their signature dessert, Snowball in Hell, a decadent blend of chocolate roulade and vanilla ice cream, served in a chocolate-coated goblet and topped with Callebaut chocolate and toasted coconut. I had to look that up via Google as we were sitting there, and I was eating it because I couldn't figure out what was in it!! It was one of the most memorable desserts of my life. And of course, it was topped with a sparkler for my birthday! So fun. I would imagine that if Ralph Lauren had a large yacht (he probably does), this would have been what it would look like. I *really* wanted to sit out on the famous deck, but it was closed for the season. The food was a mix of classic, casual dishes, and more upscale seafood options. Overall, my husband and I found the prices for food and drink incredibly reasonable. In Pittsburgh, the Clarke Cooke House would have been at least 1.5x the price if not double for some things. That's telling because Pittsburgh is known for its affordability! I'm curious if the bars and restaurants raise their prices in the summer? Also, the service was 5 stars and some of the best I've ever experienced. It all felt very old school in the absolute best way. 

the black pearl newport rhode island clam chowder

Black Pearl// This was my second favorite restaurant. It felt quintessential New England. It was charming and unpretentious, and the food was delicious. This was my favorite clam chowder; it was creamy but still somewhat brothy with a nice amount of pepper, dill, and, of course, clams. We also thought this had the best lobster roll (cold). It rivaled Brotherhood on Nantucket. I loved the 'outdoor' tent seating, where we sat, but the indoor restaurant was equally lovely. 

wally's weiners newport rhode island
Wally's Weiners// I love hot dogs, but even so, I don't know I would have popped into this spot without having several of you message me and telling me this is a fun spot. From the front, it's very unassuming. I LOVED this casual little diner-style restaurant and bar. We just shared one hot dog as we were in between dinner and lunch, and got the 'guava lava' cocktail, which was their take on a margarita. It was one of the best cocktails I've ever had. I wish we had more time to eat a full meal here because they had so many delicious-sounding hot dog combos! I know the photo doesn't it make it look all that appetizing, but I loved it! 
The Mooring Newport RI

The Mooring Newport RI
The Mooring// So many travel sites and blogs recommend this. It was good and had a pretty atmosphere, but it was my least favorite food-wise of the trip. It was good, don't get me wrong, but I'd go to the Black Pearl twice instead of the Mooring. The service was fantastic. We got both a cold and hot lobster roll, and they were both good and packed with lobster, but just not the best I've ever had. The back deck, where we sat, had a beautiful view, so it would be fun to grab drinks and oysters out there in the summer! 
Giusto Newport Rhode Island

Giusto// This is a fabulous modern Italian restaurant on Hammet's Wharf. The menu is inventive and not your traditional chicken parm and alfredo. We got oysters and then the 7-course tasting menu. It blew us away! Every bite was incredible and unique. The service was excellent. This was also a favorite of mine. We didn't have a bad meal the entire trip! I am not a scotch drinker, but my husband ordered the 'Beets Me' cocktail with scotch, red beet, ginger, liquor strega, and citrus, which was fantastic and unique. 

Castle Hill Inn Newport

Castle Hill Inn Newport
Castle Hill Inn// We did Sunday brunch here and it was lovely. It's about a 10- 15ish minute Uber from Gardiner House. We thought about staying here, but decided not to since it wasn't in the thick of things. The wood-paneled lobby area was cozy and the perfect vibe for a stormy afternoon. They had a nice jazz trio playing. There are ocean views all around, which were pretty! I can only imagine what this place is like on a nice day! The food was good, but it was one of my lesser favorite meals of the trip. The move would be to go here for drinks and enjoy the view! 

Hotel Viking// This is up on the hill from the wharf area. I am sure it has a proper neighborhood name, but I am not sure. We grabbed a drink at the lobby bar and sat outside on their patio to enjoy the weather. During the warmer months, they apparently have an incredible rooftop bar. This is near the Tennis Hall of Fame. 
Flora newport rhode island

Flora newport rhode island

Flora newport rhode island
Flora// This is the swanky restaurant in Gardiner House, where you can eat breakfast in the mornings if you are a hotel guest. They also have brunch! We went on a Sunday evening, so there wasn't a vibe, but the food was wonderful, as was the service. The chef is from Spain, so we ordered the seafood paella, the best I've ever had! We talked to the server at the end of our meal as she handed us dessert menus. I off-handedly asked her if we could order the cookies or brownies from the studio bar downstairs since I was in the mood for chocolate. She said we couldn't, but could go down there and get them. We planned to do that, but she returned and said the studio bar was closed. Oh well! To our surprise, a few minutes later, they came out with a complimentary plate of warm chocolate chip cookies. So thoughtful and a nice touch! They were delicious! 
the studio bar gardiner house newport rhode island

the studio bar gardiner house newport rhode island

the studio bar gardiner house newport rhode island

the studio bar gardiner house newport rhode island
Studio Bar at Gardiner House// Because of the weather, we spent much time within the beautiful green lacquered walls and gilded ceiling. It was the perfect space to sip martinis by the fire on Master's Sunday. It's bustling on weekend evenings and has a fun and vibrant vibe. It's well worth the visit even if you are not a guest at the hotel. This was my favorite part of the Gardiner House. 

mother pizza newport rhode island
Mother Pizza// This was some of the best pizza I have ever had. My mouth is watering just thinking about it! They have both Neopolitan and Roman-style pizza. You can only get the Roman-style pizza by ordering at the bar by the slice or a whole pizza for takeout. We sat at the bar, so we got a Neopolitan pizza and a slice of each of their featured Roman pizzas. This is near The Brenton Hotel and the little strip of shops like Athleta and Gap. I would not miss this next time I visit. They have a raw bar menu (ask me how I know), but it's a nice break from seafood! It's also pretty inside, and they have a full bar.  

Nitro Bar Coffee Newport Rhode Island
Nitro Bar// I am not a flavored coffee, nor an iced coffee person, so this place was a bit wasted on me as that is what they are known for. This is one of the most popular recommendations, and it is the coffee shop closest to Gardiner House. They have all sorts of flavored iced drinks that look beautiful. I got the dark horse nitro coffee on tap. It was really good!

Places that were on our list but that we did not make it to: The Vanderbilt, White Horse Tavern, Pasta Beach, and Bar Cino. 

Things To Do
Because of the weather, we weren't as active and didn't cover as much as usual on a trip like this, but we had a nice, relaxing, cozy time! 

Kiel James Patrick Newport Rhode Island

Kiel James Patrick Newport Rhode Island
- Eat and shop off Thames Street on Hammet's, Bowen's, and Bannister's wharfs. This is where the KJP store is, which was as fabulous as it looks on social media. 

- Shop on Bellevue Avenue, which is on the hill near Hotel Viking. You can pop in and out of many beautiful boutiques, such as CK Bradley and J. McLaughlin. 

- Walk around! On our one lovely day, we clocked in at 15k steps. Newport is so walkable, and it was so nice to explore everything! 

- We didn't do either of these things because of our schedule and the weather, but you can go mansion-hopping to places like The Breakers and walk the Cliff Walk. It was too cold and rainy to do that, and we couldn't fit it in on our one nice day. This is one of the main attractions, so we will return and do this! I love to look at all of the weddings at some of these mansions. Incredible! I want to watch The Gilded Age as it was filmed at the mansions! 

- This is another one we didn't do, but they have sailboat and boat tours. There is a year-round boat tour, but we opted out of that, and the sailboat tours are obviously only in season. I would definitely book a sailboat in nicer weather! 
International Tennis Hall of Fame Newport
- Visit the International Tennis Hall of Fame. We looked around the grounds, which were fun to see, but unfortunately, it was closed for renovations, so we couldn't take the museum tour or do any of that!

Next time we visit, I'd like to rent a car and explore Jamestown, Narragansett, and Watch Hill!  

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

What I Wore In Newport, Rhode Island



Sweater// Clover Necklace// Mini Monogrammed Tote (free monogramming through 5/11)
Hermes Cashmere Shawl 140 Grand Theatre Noveau (I found mine via Fashionphile)

Last weekend and into last week, we spent time in Newport, Rhode Island. Neither my husband nor I had ever been to Rhode Island, and after visiting, I don't know how it took me this long to visit! Despite the gloomy weather, we had the best time, and it was such a great spot to celebrate my birthday! If you've never been to Newport, add it to your list! I have a travel guide coming soon, but in the meantime, I'm sharing the outfits I wore while on the trip. 

I get a good chuckle any time someone asks me for packing tips. I pack in an organized manner, but I do not travel light. I have always wanted to be 'that person' who can just pack a carry-on-sized bag for a long weekend trip, but I have had to accept that I will never be that person. I have so much respect and admiration for all of you light packers! I am high-maintenance to my core. What can I say?!, I like to have an outfit for the hotel breakfast or an early morning coffee run, an outfit for lunch and/or exploring, an outfit for dinner, plus fresh pajamas for each night, and shoes to pair with all of the different outfits! 

I wore the outfit above as a travel outfit and then to lunch once we arrived, as our room wasn't ready. The Sweater runs roomy, but I got my true size, small, for a roomy, sweatshirt-like fit. I want to collect so many colors in this gorgeous cashmere sweater. It's so well made, and every single color is perfect! This Mini Monogrammed Tote is the $25 bag of the summer. Simple, classic, timeless, and one of those things you can just toss your stuff in and go. 




Earrings 20% off with code MOTHERSDAY

I look for any excuse to wear this Green Cashmere Wrap. It's my favorite color and unique, too. It was the MVP on this trip as it worked with each of my dinner outfits. This Gold Necklace is really something spectacular. This was sent to me from a new-to-me brand also owned by Juliska. The necklace is more like artwork than jewelry- it's a standout piece! These were my wedding shoes; I absolutely love them because they're gorgeous and incredibly comfortable. However, I would not recommend the satin. You must be careful with them as the satin snags and stains easily. They show wear quickly, even if you only wear them on dry, indoor occasions. It's not just the Manolo brand, but all satin shoes. Sharing this tip, though, because the Manolos are incredibly pricey! I have a velvet pair that holds up so much better, and I have been eyeing the leather heels for years! In hindsight, I definitely would have opted for leather or velvet, but buying wedding shoes is not a time for practicality, ha! 


Sweater (use code SUMMERWIND10)// Jeans// Sneakers

This is kind of a boring outfit, but it was the perfect simple ensemble for a travel day. We spent the morning packing up, grabbing a coffee, walking around, popping in and out of some shops, and having lunch before catching our flight. In hindsight, I kind of wish I had worn a cute Varley set because we were delayed by 7 hours. This was still very comfortable, though! 

This is one of my favorite pajama sets, which comes in a few colors. There is also a long pants version that I love in the fall and winter. The material is like a stretchy jersey but has a subtle loopy terry inside. The fabric is lightweight but substantial. I wear a size medium. These don't shrink much in the dryer, if at all. 



Brown Ballet Flats// Mini Monogrammed Tote (free monogramming through 5/11)

This was an outfit I randomly put together because it rained all day and was very cold! This outfit is made up of all go-to basics that are classic and high quality. Though the strangest thing happened to my Chinos. I washed them in my machine this weekend, and they stained pink. It looked like an errant sock made its way into the load, but it did not. There was nothing pink, red, or strongly colored in the entire load. So I am befuddled as to how it happened. Needless to say, I will order another pair of these because I wear them so often!

I always pack a lounge outfit like this when I travel because it's the type of thing I can just throw on if I need to run to the front desk, grab a coffee, etc. This set is from Varley, and it was a pinch-me moment when the brand reached out last month and asked if they could send me a set from their new arrivals. I LOVE this brand. It's so incredibly comfortable, well-made, and reasonably priced. I think this sage green color is perfect for spring! 



This dress is fun and fabulous, and I immediately thought of a bride when I saw the white. It would be so fun for a rehearsal dinner, shower, or after party! Speaking of brides, someone must get this little white dress, too. I am drooling over it. In person, it's more of a creamy linen than a stark, bright white. It comes in a few beautiful colors, but I like the white and plan to take it to Portugal with me! I'm trying to plan ahead with my color palette for packing purposes, and I'm going to go with white as my primary 'color' and build from there, so I don't end up schlepping tons of bags with me. This is splurgey, but this style goes on sale. The black on sale is fabulous and timeless. My earrings are so fun, and I don't wear them enough. I've had them for probably 5 or 6 years. They're Tuckernuck and sadly no longer available. 

I love how lightweight this seersucker fabric is. I also have the nightgown, which I love for summer travel, and can be worn as a swimsuit cover-up. These run on the smaller size. I got a size medium, which I usually get in Lake, but I hang them dry. If you want to put them in the dryer, go up two sizes. 


Cashmere Wrap// Quilted Jacket (use code SYDNEY20)// Sunglasses
Jeans// Cream Leather Bag (use code FVSYDNEY15)

This was from our one nice weather day, and I took full advantage by shedding my coat. This Cashmere Wrap is the goat of travel. I have collected many colors over the years, but I seem to get the most wear out of this creamy white since it pairs with everything. It's huge, so I love using it as a plane blanket. This cashmere wrap looks nearly identical and is a fraction of the price. I haven't tried it, but I've always been so pleased with anything I ordered from Quince. 



I wore this Colorful Silk Shift Dress on my actual birthday for dinner at my favorite restaurant from the trip, the Clarke Cooke House. Last month, Frances Valentine sent me a few of their gorgeous spring pieces, and I knew this would be my go-to dress for the summertime. I LOVE the colors more than any dress I've seen in recent years. It's so vibrant and fun, but the style of the dress is classic and simple. My code for Frances Valentine is FVSYDNEY15 for 15% off. This Gold Cuff Bracelet is an under $50 find and a perfect sleek statement. It looks great worn on its own or stacked with others. I love how shiny it is!

Are you following me on the LikeToKnowIt app?! You can shop all of my outfits, favorite finds, and more in the app. I am constantly updating it with the latest! You can also access all of my posts, here, if you don't use LTK! You can also find me on ShopMy, another shopping platform! 

This content may contain affiliate links; when you click the link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission (at no cost to you).  
 

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