Friday, October 30, 2015

Tartan Plaid Scarf + Riding Boots












The fall foliage is in full effect here in Pittsburgh. It has made for some great photos as well as scenic walks and drives! I know it will be short lived, but I don't want it to end!

We've had some pretty cold days lately, but also a few milder ones where you don't necessarily need a coat, but rather just a few layers. My mom and I went to the mall one afternoon because she wanted to look for black booties and I threw this outfit on. Super comfortable and relaxed but also still put together, which was good because we ended up grabbing dinner afterward! 

I think the plaid scarf trend is insanely overdone these days, but I do love a good classic plaid wool or cashmere scarf. When I saw this one, I loved the patch pattern and that it was large enough to be worn as a wrap... I thought that set it a bit apart from other plaid scarves! I also think this will make for a great pop of color with my black coats during the holiday season. Have a fabulous day! 

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Lately 10/29

Scarf ($100 off!)// Shoes

Wearing: I've been cozied up in this Burberry scarf that I posted about earlier this week. It's such a great piece to add some interest to an otherwise basic outfit! Right now it is $100 off! 



Drinking: This apple cider is absolutely heavenly. I think it would be a great item to serve warm with bourbon as a signature Thanksgiving cocktail!

Eating: My favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh is Little Tokyo. I'm a sushi addict and I think that they have the best. Like most sushi restaurants, Little Tokyo serves their salad with an incredible ginger dressing. I'm always buying different brands of dressing to see if I can find something similar but have never been able to.... until now. This dressing I found at Target might be the best I've ever had. It tastes almost as good at Little Tokyo's!

Sale Alert: These Tory Burch Boots are gorgeous and a classic riding boot style. If you are looking, these are over $150 off!

Also, Kate Spade is having a Surprise Sale. Great prices and lots of cute things. It's a great time to look for great Holiday gifts! I especially love this bagthis tote (under $100) and this bucket bag.

Loving: This bracelet is brilliant// Draper James First Brick and Mortar Store is stunning// Kate Spade Home Collection is to die for! I'm especially obsessed with these bow sconces.

Listening: Really, who isn't listening to Adele's Hello? I'm not a huge Adele fan, but she kills it in this song. I'm totally guilting of belting it out at the top of my lungs (way too much). I especially love the remix-- so upbeat and great for working out! The Hello video on YouTube even beat Taylor Swift's Bad Blood video, which was the record holder!

For Taylor Swift fans: You must listen to Taylor's acoustic Out of the Woods. It's SO good.

I've also been loving Solid ft. Babyface by Ty Dolla $ign ... I'm not really even sure what musical genre this falls into, but I love it. As always, you can follow my October playlist on Spotify!

Watching: The spoof's of Drake's Hotline Bling dancing are hysterical. My favorite one, that had me crying laughing, is this one. It's a must watch if you were a Summer Heights High fan!


Halloween-ing: Halloween is this weekend! If you are in need of some last minute costume inspiration, try out this super easy costume that I wore my sophomore year of college! It was one of my favorites of all time! All you need is a turquoise dress, a bow for your head and a sharpie to write the Tiffany logo! You could also do Hermes or Cartier if it's easier to find a orange or red dress! I scored the above dress for $6 at Forever21 and just tossed it after Halloween! 

Pittsburgh-ing: Did you catch my post about the Rock Steelers Style Fashion show, yesterday? Another Pittsburgh event is coming up that is for a good cause: Designer Days, which is being held in Lawrenceville November 5th-8th. I'll be in New York during that time, but if you are in Pittsburgh, it's a great weekend for a great cause!



Wanting: Ohhh the holiday season is just about upon us! I'm partially excited, partially overwhelmed... when is it appropriate to start listening to Christmas music? (P.S. I have a playlist for that!). Scroll above to see some of the items I am wanting and some I think are great holiday gifts! Starting in November, I'll be sharing gift guides each week in addition to my regular outfit and lifestyle posts, so keep your eyes out for that!

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Pittsburgh Steelers Fashion Show 2015

steelers fashion show


Pittsburgh Blogger Steelers Fashion Show 2015

Valentino Bow d'orsday pumps
Dress// Bow Shoes// Chanel Bag (similar

Last week I went to the Rock Steelers Style fashion show at Stage AE. If you are not familiar with Stage AE, it is located right in between PNC Park where the Pittsburgh Pirates play and Heinz field where the Steelers and Pitt Panthers play. The location is on the north side of the city, right on the river. So not only do you get pretty river views, but stunning views of downtown Pittsburgh and Mt. Washington, too!

The venue is typically used as a concert venue (I'm going to see the Chainsmokers there in 2 weeks!!), but was transformed into a beautiful space for a fashion show for two great causes. The fashion show is held yearly to benefit UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program and the Cancer Caring Center

steelers fashion show 2015
The cocktail hour was tented outside of Stage AE. The decor was beautiful and very black and gold appropriate. How fun are the cocktail napkins?! My favorite touch was that there was a giant steelers chandelier

Steelers Fashion Show Sydney Carver and Arthur Moats
You may have seen on Instagram, but it was really cool to get to sit down with Steeler's linebacker, Arthur Moats as he interviewed some attendees for Steelers Nation Unite! Fun fact? He went to JMU, too! Steelers Nation Unite is an online registry where you can sign up and be a part of the official Steelers Nation. 

The show was inside of Stage AE. There was a huge stage set up and Pitt's cheerleaders and dancers performed. The players and their families all walked the runway showing off their style. The kids were my favorite part-- they were so cute in their little outfits and some of them were such good dancers! I also loved that the players all walked to songs that they selected. 

Some of the looks featured were from Macy's, J.Crew, etc. but the best part was seeing looks from Uptown Sweats, which is Kiya Tomlin's line. If you are not familiar with the Steelers, Kiya Tomlin is Coach Mike Tomlin's wife. She has her own label right here in Pittsburgh! Pretty cool, right?!

Pittsburgh Rock Steelers Style Fashion Show 2015

I wore this gorgeous black and green jacquard dress. I loved the deep V in the front and back. The fabric was stunning and had a nice flare in the skirt! I paired it with my Valentino bow d'orsay pumps and kept it simple with minimal jewelry topped off with my Chanel bag and a cashmere wrap. Funny story about my friend Amanda's dress. When she showed up, I laughed because I almost wore the dress she was in! You can't tell in the photo above, but it's a pretty black dress (under $60) and has a beautiful texture to the fabric. Not to mention it has the prettiest back with a bow! 

All in all, the Rock Steelers Style fashion show was a wonderful event for incredible causes-- fashion, football and Pittsburgh, what more could you ask for?! 

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Camel Coats to fit Every Budget












I have had a thing for polo coats for forever. I specifically remember one of the first times being Home Alone (favorite movie ever) and the mom wears a camel coat in several of the scenes. I've also spotted several photos of Jackie O donning a camel hair polo coat, too! If you aren't familiar with a polo coat, it is the style of coat that got its name from English polo players. They used to wear the coat as they rode horses when the temps took a dip!

As the coat became popular in fashion, it became more fitted and was usually double breasted. It's a unisex piece, although it has a menswear vibe, which is one of the reasons I am drawn to it. Today, it has been re-invented by designers all over and has gained a lot of popularity in the past few years. It is often referred to as a camel coat not only because of the color but because a classic polo coat is made from camel hair (sometimes mixed with cashmere) and topped off with horn buttons.

This is, without a doubt, a classic staple for both men and women. It has been around for years and will never go out of style. It drapes elegantly and provides warmth, which are two of the reasons I love my camel coat so much. I also love that with a traditional camel coat, you can wear it with jeans, but it also works with a little black dress. It's the perfect coat for a sophisticated young professional!

While the coat I have comes back in stock each year, I realize it is awfully pricey and may not fit everyone's budgets, so I've found so many different options for your to browse that fall into different price ranges. I even found an option for under $100. When buying a coat that I'd like to have for years to come, I always pay attention to the fabric. You want to look for something made from at least 100% wool), but a wool cashmere blend is even better (although usually pricier). I love the look of a 100% cashmere coat; and the way it drapes is incredible, but since cashmere wears quicker than wool, it's better for longevity if you get a wool/cashmere blend! Like cashmere, camel hair is usually very pricey and also hard to come by. Wool versions, though, are everywhere if you keep your eyes peeled!

I like to wear mine with all black-- I think it's simple and chic. I love seeing the super fashion forward women style it on Pinterest with Stan Smith's. I have a pair, but am not so sure I can pull it off! I also love camel with a darker gray.

Here are my favorite pins for inspiration: 1// 2// 3// 4

Fit tip: My coat is rather long. I am 5'6", so if your shorter/petite, I would suggest choosing a shorter style coat to work with your frame. Sometimes tailoring works, but it's even better when the coat starts out shorter! Have a fabulous day! 


Monday, October 26, 2015

Burberry Scarf Sale



I've shared this Burberry ad campaign video via a quick link before, but wanted to post about it again because I think it's such a beautiful and well done video. 

If you are into marketing/advertising, Burberry is a company to keep an eye on. A company with deep-rooted history, dating back to 1856, it's slightly surprising that the company is so innovative in terms of their advertising and media presence. Their YouTube channel alone is so well managed and features topics such as 'how to tie a scarf' to new musician  exclusive acoustic sessions, to their ad campaigns and their fashion shows. 

I think for several years, Burberry lost itself and the iconic plaid was at one point, overdone, but I think they're back in the ring again providing iconic, timeless, well made pieces. If you've ever done some research on Burberry, around 2006 is when the company removed the iconic plaid from all but 10% of their products to regain their luxury and respectable status as a heritage British label. In turn, their sales increased in a big way. 

I was shopping the other day and tried on this incredible duffle coat. I always notice the dad in Home Alone wearing this coat (see movie still here) and have loved it ever since. The style is timeless and classic and the camel color is elegant and neutral. This is for sure atop my wish list. Oh, maybe someday! 

Anyways, as I was browsing, I noticed that the 100% cashmere classic plaid scarf is currently being price matched for $100 off. It's still pricey, but a good deal. I ordered one and it just arrived today and I am beyond in love! It would make for a wonderfully luxe Christmas present for someone who is hard to buy for/has everything! Have a fabulous day!

How to Make the Most of Your Vacation Days

I absolutely love to travel. Whether I'm traveling an hour from home or across the country, I am constantly looking for great travel deals and new places to visit! I always get questions on how I travel so much. Two parts of being an adult that create a catch 22: a paycheck every two weeks, but limited vacation days. 

You graduate college, get a job, and you finally have your own bank account to travel... so fun. But not so fun when you are held back by a little thing called work. So how to travel without wasting away all your paid time off before you even make it through Q3? 

This is a question I am constantly e-mailed about: young professionals wanting to travel but not wanting to take the time off from work. These are some of the things I've done, and some of the things I've read about/my peers have told me that they do. Of course, some of these may work for you, or none at all-- it all depends on your type of work, your boss, your position, years of work, etc. Feel free to leave a message in the comments on how you make the most of you vacation days so that others can learn from you, too! 

Negotiate 
First thing's first, if you are looking for a new job or just entering the post-grad world, my first piece of advice before accepting a position is to negotiate. Not only should you be negotiating your salary, but also your benefits. Vacation days are extremely important to me, so that is something I negotiate. You just have to decide what is important to you and what comes second. It may be discouraging, especially coming right out of college, because a lot of companies are just not willing to be flexible, especially when starting out with little to no experience. However, I always think it is worth a try! 

It's also worth noting that if you have been with a company for a while, when asking for a raise/promotion, it's also not out of the ordinary to be awarded extra paid time off. Or, in lieu of a monetary raise, think about asking for a raise in vacation days! It's something to think about when you are deciding to stay or leave a company. I know some people have been with the same company for years and they have a lot of paid time off. 

Also, if you are unsatisfied with your vacation day amount, your company may let you take unpaid vacation days. This is a little like taking a pay cut-- so you should only do so if you can comfortably afford to, but it's another great option! 

Work from 'Home'
Next thing-- is the job you have flexible? Can you work from 'home'? I know some of my friends have really flexible jobs and have made their travels work because they can work from the airport, during their flight, in a hotel room, etc. It takes about a day to travel to Europe, so if you are lucky enough to work for a company that allows you to work remotely, this is a big plus! You can work as you travel and not have to use your travel day as a full vacation day. Just be sure to actually work and show you are responsible and not take advantage of this luxury. I remember one time, my family and I were going to Kentucky, which is a 6 hour drive. Instead of using a vacation day, I turned on my phone's hotspot and worked from the car for the full day! 

Make Sacrifices
You may have to be willing to fly at obscure times, pay more for your travel etc. On many occasions, I have woken up at 3 or 4am to be able to go into work, work a full day and leave by 1 or 2pm to either hit the road or be able to catch a certain flight. I also think it's smart to book a flight during a holiday so you can get those extra days in without having to use a vacation day. The sacrifice here, though, is that you'll likely have to pay more for hotel and airfare-- or traffic could be an issue if you are driving! But if you want to go badly enough, you can make it work! 

I personally like to take off the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, because I think it extends the holiday. It gives me plenty of time with my family that comes in from out of town. Once I take that Wednesday off, it gives me 5 full days free from work, only having to use 1 vacation day! 

Working Hard Pays Off
This might not be true for super corporate settings, but can you work weekends or overtime and then use those extra hours to take as comp time? This is something to also ask about when you are thinking about accepting a position. With most salaried positions, you get no extra payment nor do you get extra time off-- however, some companies offer comp time. If you anticipate working a ton of overtime, it's well worth it to receive comp time. At my first job, I would often work 50-80 hour weeks-- which would give me an additional entire week's worth of days that I would be able to take off at a later date! 

Holidays
Just like I said sometimes holidays can be expensive to travel, you can try and do the opposite. Again, all of this depends on your company/boss, but can you opt to work a holiday and then have that extra day to take off at another point in time? For example, will your boss allow you to work Columbus Day, even though you have off? I have done this a lot. It gives you that extra day to take when you want it, and you don't have to spend a ton traveling during a holiday! 

Get Extra Vacation Days
A lot of companies offer the ability to buy or sell vacation days. They're sometimes expensive, but in my mind, they are well worth it. If vacation days aren't important to you, some companies offer the ability to sell your days, too! It's all up to what you value in your job! 

Get a Late Flight
This is kind of annoying, but I only regret it on Monday morning when I'm exhausted, and then, in the long run, I am glad I did it. I like to get a super early flight on a Friday, so usually I am there for a full day Friday, and then I book my flight home super late on a Sunday. That way, you get a full 3 days in. I know a lot of people like to be able to sleep in or get home early to prepare for the work week, but if you're willing to be a little tired come Monday morning, it's worth it for that extra time spent at your destination! 

Go on a short trip
If you can, book a flight on a Thursday night, but early enough so you can enjoy dinner and a night out in your new destination. This really only works for short trips. I like to do this when I fly PIT-NYC because the flight is only about 45 minutes. I can usually make it after work to NYC in time for an 8pm reservation. Then, think about working remotely in your hotel room for half a day on Friday morning (6am to 11am/noon)-- it's always fun to order room service while you work! That way, you can get away for 3 full nights and only take a half day off! This works for road trips, too! I visit DC a lot, so hitting the road Thursday night works nicely for me! 

That's my best advice. How do you stretch your vacation days? Have a fabulous day! 

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Saturday Shopping



This weekend is going to be spent speaking at a Women in Business conference at the University of Pittsburgh, cheering on my JMU Dukes as ESPN hosts College Game Day on campus, and getting some work done. I haven't found anything particularly amazing this week in regards to shopping but above are some of the things that have caught my eye. Particularly this cashmere Burberry scarf, which is amazingly $100 off. They rarely go on sale, and the fact that this is perfect for winter/right now, it makes it an even better deal! What's on your weekend agenda? Have a fabulous day! 


Friday, October 23, 2015

Neutrals with a Pop of Leopard Print






Cashmere Wrap (similar)// Bucket Bag (under $40) 

If you've been reading Summer Wind for a while, then you know I love my neutrals--especial grey. I saw this turtleneck sweater in the store and really liked it. I love the relaxed look of it, which is perfect for lounging around or a casual fall dinner out! Pair it with black skinnies for a dressier look like I did, but it looks equally nice with boyfriend jeans. I threw in the pop of leopard because the outfit was pretty basic and I think the flats added a little interest. 

Currently, this sweater is 25% off through the 26th. It comes in a bunch of other colors, I think I'm going to go back for the blush shade. 

In the morning, it was much cooler, so I brought along my cashmere wrap that I got from the Nordstrom sale and it happen to match the grey sweater perfectly! I cannot tell you how often I reach for this cashmere wrap. I love a wrap because it can be brought out and stowed away in a bag as you need it. I also like to use them in the evenings when I am dressed up in a cocktail dress. Rather than having a heavy coat, this is really all I need for this fall season! It looks like they are sold out of the grey and only have two color options left, but if you are looking for a grey option, check out this one, too! It also makes a really great travel companion. It's as big as a small blanket, so rolled up, it makes a good pillow on a plane or train, but also a great blanket. The stewardess on my last flight complemented me on it! Have a fabulous day! 

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Sale Alert: Tory Burch Private Sale



The Tory Burch Private Sale has arrived! It's live through Monday, but I recommend shopping ASAP. I just combed through the sale and it looks like a lot of sizes and pieces are out of stock already! 

Scroll through my favorite picks above. I love that a lot of the accessories are super affordable. You can see which one I chose to pick up to give as gifts to friends and family around the holiday in the comments below each item. Have a fabulous day! 

Lately 10/22

Wearing: On Saturday morning, I'll be speaking at the University of Pittsburgh's Women in Business conference on Personal Branding and Professional Dress in the Workplace. I've spoken at Duquesne University and Point Park University, so Pitt marks my 3rd Pittsburgh college speaking engagement!

I will be wearing this top, these pearls, this skirt, and these shoes.

I am excited-- I have always been a nervous speaker, but the more I speak, the more comfortable I become. I'm also proud of the presentation I have prepared. At first, an hour an fifteen minutes sounded like a lot, but now that I'm prepared, it's not so bad! If you are a nervous speaker, one thing I have learned is that it really helps if you know your topic like the back of your hand and actually enjoy it! I have worked really hard on crafting a presentation that includes concrete and valuable takeaways, but also one that is interesting and engaging.

Eating: I spotted these pre cooked and marinated brussels at my local TJ's and absolutely love them. They make for a super quick and easy dinner side dish, and sometimes I'll just eat them for lunch--they're that good! 

Drinking: Pinot Noir is my favorite type of wine. My top favorites, in order of price (lowest to highest) are: Mark West, Meiomi, La Crema and Belle Glos. Last night I had a glass by Angeline. I loved it. I've never seen it in the liquor store, so I am going to keep my eyes peeled. It looks like the average price online is marked at $12! 


Watching: This video created by JMU Football. It is epic. I wish I could be in Harrisonburg to watch JMU take on University of Richmond for ESPN's College game day! 


Reading: You may have seen on Instagram, but my Tweet made it into Town and Country's November issue. I had no idea, and was reading through when I spotted my handle! It's on page 60!

Also Reading: Influenster interviewed me and my interview is now live on their site! I'd love for you to check it out. I shared some of my favorite beauty products and tips for new bloggers!


Wanting: I've been coming across so many things I am loving. Isn't that full length skirt absolutely to die for? It would make for such an elegant outfit during the holidays! I've also been coming across so many sale items that are priced soooo well. My favorite find has to be this incredibly luxurious, high quality cashmere robe that is under $100. I got my mom one for her birthday and one for myself. Be sure to follow me on Twitter because whenever I find an amazing steal, I'll usually tweet it out! 

Loving: It looks like Mansur Gavriel bags can be pre-ordered here. The iconic bucket bag is still available, too! I'm always getting e-mails about my MG bags and I have to say I absolutely love my totes. They are by far my most used bags! Great to buy now and save for someone special as a really nice Christmas gift. 

I'm also loving this eyelash primer I picked up earlier this week. I really like it so far. It's 'barely' white, so you don't have to cake on the mascara like a lot of other primers. Currently, I'm working on a beauty post with updated makeup products that I am loving. I really think my currently makeup routine is the best it has ever been. I've found some amazing products that I'm fully happy to recommend, so keep your eyes peeled for that coming soon! 


Pittsburgh-ing: I did a lot of Pittsburgh-y things this weekend. It was my first full weekend actually in the city in a long time, so it was really nice to be able to relax, sleep in and enjoy the city. 

On Sunday, my friends and I had a major Sunday Funday. We had tickets to go see Timeflies, one of our favorite groups and beforehand, we went to Industry Public House in Lawrenceville. This restaurant/bar is relatively new, but I haven't had a chance to check it out yet. My Thoughts? Awesome. They have an extensive bar, think any bourbon/whiskey you can dream of. I also loved that they had Arsenal Cider (a Pittsburgh cider house) on tap! They even had all different wines and champagnes/prosecco on the menu! And their food? Oh. My. Gosh. I wasn't too hungry, so I ordered nachos thinking I'd just pick at them.. and then was served the above. The plate could have easily fed 7 people. Everyone else got entrees and theirs were just as large-- and delicious, too! 

And the concert? If you saw from my snapchat (SummerWind41490), it was SO much fun. They played all my favorite songs and Mr. Smalls is such a fun venue. If you have a chance to see a concert there, I recommend it. It's a little out of the way but somewhat intimate and they also have a full bar! I saw The Fray back in 2006 when they were pretty unknown and I remember being excited because my girlfriends and I were able to get into the front row! Next up, the same group of us are going to the Chainsmokers at Stage AE in a few weeks. I cannot wait!!! 

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Turtleneck Sweater + Vest + Riding Boots

525 America Sweater, J.Crew Excursion Vest and Tory Burch Riding Boots.




barbour scarf and j.crew excursion vest


Louis Vuitton Favorite Bag

Brown Riding Boots by Tory Burch




These photos were taking in Lexington, Kentucky when I went to visit my sister. Right next to the University of Kentucky, is a gorgeous area of town and also home to Transylvania University (nicknamed Transy), I always like to walk around the campus because it is so charming. The weather was absolutely gorgeous-- very chilly, but beautifully sunny nonetheless. 

Since I didn't plan ahead and didn't pack a coat-- I was in the mindset that I was going south and clearly ignored the forecast-- layers were my best friend! I got this turtleneck last year and always get so much wear out of it. It's warm and cozy and the neutral color really goes with anything under the sun. It runs a little large, so I will even layer this over a long sleeve shirt during those extra chilly winter days or even over my PJ tops for morning coffee lounging around the house. If you are looking to order, you can order a size down for a more fitted look-- but I like the loose fit of the one I have (I'm in a small)!

I also just got this vest this season. I love the color, which is a beautiful green, but the kind of green that is almost a neutral. I've been reaching for it non stop. I also love vests during the really cold months, because they are a great extra layer underneath your coat! I'm eyeing this flannel version-- the fabric and color seem slightly dressier/more elegant. Tip for purchasing these vets... you shouldn't have to pay full price! They are always going on sale in some way or another, so wait for a good deal! 

The scarf wasn't really added for warmth but more so to add a little punch of color to this otherwise neutral outfit. However, I am always wearing this scarf with my Barbour as it provides a great extra layer of warmth-- especially because Barbour jackets don't cover your neck at all! I got mine years ago and it has held up so nicely. Have a fabulous day! 

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

On Sale: $35 Bow Back Dress





Just popping in to let you know that one of my absolute favorite cocktail dresses is on sale for $35! It also comes in 3 other colors and then 2 colors are still full price ($58)! I have worn this on so many occasions (see here), most recently to the Tommy Bahama cocktail event while I was in Sandestin, Florida

Sizing: it is juniors and runs small-- if you have any kind of chest, I would definitely suggest sizing up! The quality and fit is amazing for the price. Have a fabulous day! 

Hilton Sandestin Recap (and discount offer!)


I had so much fun visiting the South Walton area of Florida and staying at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa last weekend! The Hilton team really spoiled us from the moment we arrived until we left. It was also so much fun getting to spend time with blogger friends and making new blogger friends! 


If you're not familiar with the 30A stretch of highway in Florida, then you're in for a treat. I visited a few years ago and realized what a wonderful place it is. The water is as clear as can be, the weather is sunny and warm and the sand is powdery white! It feels like you have been transported to the Caribbean and the best part is that you don't even need your passport! 

When we arrived we were greeted with the cutest gift bags in our huge rooms (over 700 sq. feet). The rooms had gorgeous balcony views of the ocean and were so spacious with a sitting/desk area, a huge bathroom, with extra sink area and even a separate bunk bed area! It was so nice to have a deluxe junior suite all to myself but this would be great for getting a group of girlfriends together, or if you are a family, coming down with your children! 


During our stay we got to experience many of the amenities that the Hilton Sandestin has to offer and also got to experience South Walton Fashion Week! They had some really amazing up and coming designers and it was so fun to hang out in the gorgeous tent-- only in Florida does your tent need to be pumped with air conditioning, hah! The photo above is of the group-- these girls were too much fun. I was unsure of what to pack for this trip because to me, October is fall, but in Florida it is still so hot!! I kept it simple in a simple black dress (under $50) and threw on a Murfee for a pop of color! 

We were only there for 4 days, but packed so much in! This photo was taken at an event at The Pearl in Rosemary Beach. This location was gorgeous and definitely felt like we were in another country! It was so much fun to sip on cocktails and snack on donuts with the girls. We then headed to Cowgirl Kitchen for a quick lunch before heading to the Shard Shop

The Shard Shop  is an extension to Mary Hong's art studio. Mary Hong is a well known artist who creates 3 dimensional pieces out of broken glass. This experience has to be one of the cooler things I've ever done. I am so not artistic, but after checking out Mary Hong's studio, I felt inspired. A lot of her pieces are abstract, but I went a little more literal! We got to break glass and arrange it on a painted canvas. Above is my (almost) finished pieces. This experience was too much fun-- there was so much creativity and it was actually very calming and relaxing. They also were so nice and wrapped my piece up so nicely so that I was able to carry it on my flight home with me! When I am back in the area, I definitely plan on going back and creating another piece-- it would make such a fun birthday party or get together with friends! 

One morning, we got to experience their Serenity Spa. A gorgeous area in the resort, this spa is a must while visiting. The massage that I had was amazing. They also have a gorgeous workout facility and they do hydrafacials. I had no idea what one was before this trip, but after they explained it, I want one!! 

After the spa, I headed out to the beach and met up with the other girls. We had a few cocktails and lunch on the beach. The water was plenty warm enough to swim and I even got a tan just from being out there for a few hours! It's really nice because they have a staff that sets up the beach chairs for you-- there's even an app and cabana boys that you can order from and have your food/drinks brought to your exact chair! 

The final night we headed to a cocktail party hosted at Tommy Bahama. Lots of drinks and yummy food to snack on before we went to the final night of the shows. 



I'm such a foodie--so this will come as no surprise, but I think the dinner at Seagars, a four diamond restaurant, was the highlight for me! The restaurant was gorgeous and we all dressed up for the occasion. The staff was attentive and the food was beyond incredible. We got to sample almost everything off of their fall menu and I don't even know where to begin. I had the beef tournedos and it was one of the best steaks I have ever had... and that's saying a lot because I am always ordering steak. I like my steak as rare as possible, and they could not have cooked mine better! For dessert, they put on a show and served bananas fosters. YUM. I also found my new favorite pinot noir, Belle Glos. The advanced sommelier, Myres McDougal, was top notch and paired each course with a perfect selection. As much as I am a foodie, I'm also very into trying new wines-- Seagars has over 600 varieties and houses over 3,500 bottles. Woah. It was such a lovely night and I highly recommend Seagars!

And last but most definitely not least, the Hilton Sandestin is extending an exclusive offer to readers of Summer Wind! This package includes 20% off the best available rate, complimentary breakfast for two daily (this breakfast is huge and delicious) and 20% off Serenity Spa Services. The package is available now through February 29th, with certain blackout dates applicable and subject to availability. A 2-night minimum is required. Call the hotel (850) 267-9500 to reserve and be sure to mention 'Rate Code FB'! A big thank you to the Hilton Sandestin for having me! 

 

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