Travel – Page 19 – Blondie Birdie

OOTD: Birthday (Dress) Suit

January 26, 2018by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment

Good Morning and Happy Friday, everyone! I’m still adjusting to being back on the East Coast- but not too much- since I’m leaving for Vegas at the end of next week! I don’t think I even need to fully unpack my suitcase at this point, but we’ll see!

While I was in San Diego a few days ago- I took some time to doll myself up for a planned birthday dinner one of my dearest friends (and numero uno West Coast man-crush) had planned for me prior to his falling ill to some weird stomach bug that was apparently going around the area. I’ve successfully managed to dodge catching it on both coasts now since it was running rampant around here before my departure, as well.

I’m just attributing my seemingly being immune to it on my ability to just sort of fly away from it on a whim. Those airline miles really came in handy for that!

Anyway, I wanted to wear something that could be easily mixed/matched and accessorized with- that had a touch of femininity without being too frilly- and that accentuated my legs since I can’t exactly where high hemlines in Boston this time of year and I really wanted to embrace the SoCal temperatures by showing some skin.

What I found was this adorable black and white number that was fitted just right. It hugged my curves in all the right places.

This ensemble is actually a combination of two pieces: a white cotton crop-top and the black and white, long-sleeved wrap-dress with ruffled detail that tied over everything. Paired with my patent leather black Steve Madden heels- I’d like to think I looked like a combination of “Bad Ass Boss Bitch” and “Sultry Minx”- but that may have been just me who thought so.

What’s great about this outfit is that it can easily be transformed from proper date night wear to professional/business attire with little to no effort at all. Putting on some black tights or trousers instead of going bare-legged makes all the difference- and I feel that I’m bold enough to wear this to my office on any given day and still be taken seriously. It’s all about the details- and I love the ruffles so, so much!

And despite the fact that this outfit saw Downtown San Diego for approximately 15 minutes before things took a turn for the chaotic- I felt super confident (and comfortable!) in it. I gave my eyes a bit of a dramatic pop with some black liner and a couple of layers of black, lengthening mascara- but my lips stayed rose/pink and matte.

As tempting as a bright red gloss sounded- I wanted to keep the dress as the focal point of this outfit- and I felt red would have distracted from it a little too much.

I’m looking forward to cashing in my dinner rain check with this outfit the next time I’m in Southern California. Maybe I’ll wear even higher heels next time, too!

Tonight I’m having a (Belated) Birthday Dinner with my family- and this weekend I’ll be catching up with some friends I haven’t had the time to see since I got back- but next week I’ll be sharing some of my favorite things from this past month, talking about my trip and memorable parts of January overall- and sharing a Super Bowl appropriate recipe right before I make another journey out West and catch the game. Go Pats!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

– Ashley –

Carry-On Essentials

January 24, 2018by Ashley DeLarge2 Comments

Good Morning, everyone! At the time of this post being published, I’ll be up in the sky on my return flight back to Boston from San Diego. I’ve been there since Saturday morning, and the trip has definitely been… Something… That’s for sure.

Unfortunately, my time in Southern California wasn’t particularly good for multiple reasons- but I’ll get into that when I wrap up this month in my “In A Nutshell” post that’s scheduled for next week. Timing was off. Illnesses sprung up. The days leading up to and following my birthday were, at times- disappointing if not downright chaotic.

I get a second chance when I head to Las Vegas next weekend- but for now- I’m just looking forward to going home and spending time with my friends and family and trying to regain some peace and perspective.

I digress. I thought now would be as good a time as any to share what I take with me in my carry-on bag whenever I fly. Skipping over the usuals: wallet, phone, keys, and earbuds (for that in-flight movie or to drown out the screaming toddler seated behind you.) I always have a few products on hand to help my skin, my complexion, and my sanity when the cabin pressure changes or I’ve been sitting/sleeping in my seat for just a little too long.

Here’s what’s always in my bag when I fly:

Whenever I’m on a cross-country flight, my skin- particularly on my hands- goes from being comfortable to bone dry and sore before we’ve even hit the halfway mark to the destination. It’s brutal- and it’s the reason I always keep a TSA-approved sized tube of hand lotion/cream in my bag to slather on before take-off, during the flight, and when we’re descending to keep my skin soft and hydrated. I’ve been loving this one from Crabtree & Evelyn lately. It smells divine and is loaded with ingredients that are actually good for my skin and don’t leave my palms feeling greasy or slick.

I don’t wear makeup when I fly anymore- at least not foundation, concealer, mascara, etc.- because it looks awful by the time I land. Instead, I keep a lightweight moisturizer or mist in my bag and a moisture-packed lipstick or lipgloss to swipe on occasionally to keep myself from looking like something out of ‘The Walking Dead’ mid-flight. For this trip, I packed this buttery, color-changing coral shade from Lipstick Queen with me since the hue makes me feel like I’m in the middle of Summer when I wear it (perfect for SoCal!)

I always need to have my planner with me. It’s a lifesaver and at any point during my travels, my itinerary can change with little to no warning at all (this most recent trip saw some confusion with the gate number during a layover.) Having something I can jot down important details at any given time and that keeps those details organized and easy-to-read is crucial for me. I rarely go anywhere without this (adorable!) aqua-colored weekly organizer for 2018 attached to my hip in some way, shape or form.

I used to try to sleep on flights with oversized sunglasses pulled across my face- but I’ve noticed a pattern in the people who are usually sitting around me when I travel. Regardless of how early the flight is- there are always those one or two people who have to keep opening and shutting the window cover throughout the duration of the trip- and let me tell you- getting repeatedly blasted by unexpected sunlight in your face when you’re trying to take a nap is the worst.

Instead, I just tug this zebra-print eye mask from Pier 1 over my face to block out any brightness and keep my eyes from looking puffy and tired when I awake from my in-flight mini-coma.

And, naturally- I can’t very well get up and just brush my teeth when I wake up from a power nap- so I have to make do with some seriously strong gum or breath mints to keep my mouth minty fresh until I reach my destination (and my hotel bathroom!) to freshen up. I personally like these mega-strong, long-lasting, sugar-free mints from Breath Savers. They taste really good and work incredibly well.

And finally, this miracle in a spray bottle comes courtesy of Caudalie and has pretty much saved my complexion whenever I travel on the weekends or take (rarer) longer vacations like this most recent trip to San Diego. A couple of spritzes of this directly to my skin (I typically dab it on with a cotton ball, though- just to make sure it’s being evenly applied to the more problematic areas where I might need it the most)– and I’m immediately refreshed. My skin feels clean, hydrated and looks mattified and clear. It’s a game changer- and a travel sized bottle only costs $18.

And that is what I keep in my carry-on! Just a handful of necessities to get me from coast to coast with the least amount of stress possible. These items/products will be re-joining my bag next weekend when I head out to spend a few days with one of my girlfriends in Nevada- since that’s another pretty lengthy flight, too!

If you have any carry-on essentials you want to share- feel free! I’d love to hear about them!

As for me? I’ll be seeing you all again back on the East Coast!

– Ashley –

Pre-Flight Primark Haul

January 17, 2018by Ashley DeLarge2 Comments

Whenever I go on vacation- particularly when it requires flying anywhere for more than a couple of days- I try to pack light and dress as comfortably as possible.

I used to be the type of woman who would wear my best outfit and a full face of makeup on the plane so I’d arrive at my destination looking radiant and ready- but when your flight leaves at 5 a.m. and you have to be at the airport by 3 a.m. to make sure your luggage gets checked and you get through security in time- perfectly blended eye shadow and killer heels aren’t exactly a priority.

I leave for San Diego bright and early this coming Saturday morning- and while I was out taking care of some last minute errands before my trip- I stopped by Primark to pick up a few airport and cozy night out essentials so I could truly relax (while still looking cute) en route to my piece of Southern California paradise, while I was there and enjoying some down time with friends- and on my way back home to Boston.

Here’s what I picked up (and the prices were a steal!)

If I’m going to be in a seated position for a long time, then I just want to be comfortable. I want lightweight, breathable fabrics and nothing with zippers, buttons, or constrictive waist and/or bust lines. I grabbed a couple of pairs (navy blue and gray) of looser-fitting sweatpants to wear on my flight to California and on my flight home- and paired them with two oversized cotton t-shirts (pink and blue) so that I can nap and eat my airline peanuts in peace and not get off the plane feeling like garbage.

I also have mastered the art of making my way through the TSA- and rather than have to struggle with unbuckling or unzipping boots or strappy heels- I opted for a pair of navy blue memory foam lined slip-on sneakers to wear to/from the airport, instead. They match my sweatpants and t-shirts perfectly- and I can wear them with my jeans while I’m in San Diego, too!

While I’m in California, I will undoubtedly be out in the sun and hitting the beach- but I still need something to throw on at night if and when the temperatures drop a little. I grabbed these two black and white striped tops to throw on over my bikini when I head out with friends and hit some of our favorite bars in the area.

I like that I can wear these to work once I’m back on the East Coast, too!

And finally- at a sale price of $10- I couldn’t resist this leopard print faux-fur coat. I just couldn’t! I imagine pairing this with black leggings or skinny jeans and knee-high boots in my future when I’m back in Massachusetts- or wearing it to an upcoming trip to NYC I have planned ala Edie Sedgwick while I run wild in Manhattan. It’s definitely going to make an appearance in an upcoming OOTD post!

Not pictured are some socks, panties and a navy blue cardigan I had also picked up to replace one I’d lost a few weeks ago.

I spent just under $70 for everything- which is just one of the many reasons I love Primark so much.

The only thing left to do now is pack and run through my travel itinerary again before I up and leave- but first- I have to finish up some things at my office!

Enjoy your Wednesday, everyone!

– Ashley –

Brightening Up with Takashi Murakami

January 15, 2018by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment

Winter in Boston can be a trying time- even for the most outdoorsy of snow bunnies. It’s bitterly cold. There’s sludge everywhere from cars and endless foot traffic. The temperatures make everything run slower than usual (like the T, or your phone)– and every once in a while it warms up just enough to melt the snow that’s been piling up for weeks- only to suddenly drop back into the single digits seemingly overnight, freeze all those melted puddles- and turn the entire city into a slippery nightmare.

That last thing happened this past weekend, actually.

Anyway, this recent cold snap is just one of the reasons I’m heading out to Southern California for a few days starting this coming weekend- but leading up ’til then- I needed a break. I needed something warm, and bright, and cheerful- to get me back into a chipper mood and make me feel refreshed again. You can only stay cooped up under your blankets for so long, after all.

Enter the Museum of Fine Arts and their current exhibit honoring Japanese artist, Takashi Murakami.

I’m a big fan of Murakami’s work- which has always been colorful, fun, and most of all- unique. The MFA never fails to showcase talent in such a way that the entire experience is memorable- so I was really excited to see what they’d do with this exhibit.

Let’s just say that by the time I left- I was dreaming of Spring and I couldn’t stop smiling. This gallery was exactly what I needed.

Between the flower-printed floors, light fixtures, and the huge and busy, bustling murals that took up entire wall spaces- this exhibit is truly something to behold. If you’re in the Boston area and you need something to get you out of your Winter blues for an afternoon- ‘Takashi Murakami: Lineage of Eccentrics’ runs through the MFA until April 1st, 2018.

You’ll have a blast. I promise!

– Ashley –

Hello, 2018…

January 3, 2018by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment

Good Morning, everyone! It’s great to be back- in a brand new year, no less- and I hope you all had a wonderful weekend welcoming 2018 in a fun, memorable way!

I spent New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in New Hampshire with my best friend Sean. The whole thing was planned at the last possible minute, really- but we’ve been fortunate in past travels/adventures where just winging it and rolling with the punches has worked out in our favor- and this most recent weekend was (thankfully) no exception.

We hung our hats at The Silver Fountain Inn in Dover- which is about 15 minutes away from Portsmouth. The property is both an inn and a tea parlor that hosts private parties and murder mystery dinners- among other events. Sean and I went halves on an already reasonably priced rate to get ourselves the Boudoir Room for a night- and it might have been one of the nicest rooms I’ve ever stayed in- ever. If you’ve ever visited any of the mansions in Newport, Rhode Island- then you’ll understand me when I say that this room gave me that vibe. I felt like royalty in here!

We were free to explore the rest of the inn- including the rooms that weren’t occupied- at our leisure, and the entire house looked just as gorgeous as our room was. From an amazing dining room with still-festive decor, a spacious sitting room, and a spiraling grand staircase that worked it’s way up three floors- there was a lot to take in!

Below are some of my favorite shots I snapped while we were stretching our legs and grabbing some complimentary tea from the dining area.

I could live there forever- no questions asked!

Of course, we had to briefly leave the comforts of our palace-for-a-night and head out into the bitter, brutal Northeastern cold (seriously- it was actually painful being outdoors for more than a few minutes at a time) to grab dinner and count down to midnight.

After pausing to VERY quickly appreciate some celebratory ice sculptures in downtown Portsmouth- Sean and I headed over to Fat Belly’s Bar & Grille to grab our annual “end of the year, face-stuffing cheat meal” where we just ingest the greasiest/most fattening/carb-loaded dishes, desserts and snacks we can before it’s back to square one on January 1st. I enjoyed a bacon cheeseburger with fries, while Sean had some over-the-top BLT. Fat Belly’s can always be counted on to deliver the goods (hence their name.)

Following dinner, and with a couple of hours to spare- Sean and I did a bit of bar-hopping until we found one that we felt comfortable in, and that wasn’t charging a ridiculously overpriced cover to scam people who were simply looking to come in out of the cold. We popped into The Portsmouth Brewery and ended up staying there for the remainder of our night out on the town- counting down to midnight with a room full of fun, enthusiastic people in their downstairs lounge area.

After milling about for another hour or so, saying our goodnights and best wishes for the New Year to everyone around us- Sean and I bundled up once again to brave the Arctic Tundra temperatures to get back to my car and from there- back to Dover so we could get some much-needed rest and relaxation in our room. I fell asleep almost immediately- the bed was so comfortable.

The next morning, bright and early and feeling rejuvenated- Sean and I enjoyed a breakfast prepared by the innkeeper, Pam. We had initially been a bit indecisive on what we wanted- so Pam made us a little of everything: a Mexican scramble, a buttermilk & strawberry pancake, bacon and English Toffee coffee. It was delicious- and when other guests who had stayed the night eventually came in to join us- we spent the better part of our meal getting to know one another and laughing about our favorite suspenseful TV shows over the years.

It was a really great environment and energy throughout the house- like we were catching up with old friends instead of strangers- and I was admittedly pretty sad when it came time to check out and head back to Massachusetts later on that morning. I’d really love to travel North and stay at the inn again- but definitely for more than just one night next time.

To get back to Melrose, Sean and I opted to drive down the coast as far as it would take us before heading inland to get home. We made a stop at Hampton Beach to enjoy just a couple of minutes of salty, freezing air- and marveled at the braver people who were getting closer and closer to the tide.

I heard every January 1st there’s a “Polar Plunge” (where people jump into the freezing water as a means to ring in the New Year) in Hampton- but I am 100% all set without doing that. I’ll just stick to my heated car and watch from the shore, thank you.

We also made one other stop at the Heart and Soul Cafe in Ipswich for lunch (avocado toast all day, every day!) before we eventually made it home to binge-watch some TV and play some video games before it was time to get my meals and wardrobe in order for the work-week ahead, pencil time into my schedule to hit the gym every day, unpack my bag- and try to get a good night’s sleep.

Overall, I had such an extraordinary and magical experience in New Hampshire for New Year’s- even if it was much colder than I’d expected or hoped for. Everyone remained in good spirits and seemed intent on helping each other out in terms of offering warm places to sit/stay. It was a very pleasant, peaceful way to begin 2018 and I’m very grateful it all worked out on such short notice!

Later on this week, I’m going to be sharing my tips/tricks to overcoming any gym anxiety for those who are looking to get back into the workout game and stick to your resolutions. I’m really excited to be partnering with the creators of a particularly helpful app for that very purpose- and I can’t wait to share the details with you all!

Until then, though- I’ve got to get to work!

Enjoy the rest of your day, everyone!

– Ashley –