MY TRIP TO TULUM, MEXICO: OUR HOME...

So back in March, a friend of mine called me and asked if I wanted to go on a trip to Tulum, Mexico. I immediately said yes - without even thinking twice about it- which is so not my personality. I'm the type of person that weights the pros and cons over and over in my head before making that type of decision. But I hadn't been out of the country in a really long time- plus a beautiful vacation was something I really needed after everything I had been through the last few years. So we went last month and it was honestly one of the best vacations I've ever had. 

Naturally I took tons of photos, so I'm going to share them here with you over three different blog posts that will detail where we stayed, what we did, and OF COURSE what we ate! 

In case you haven't heard of Tulum, here's some quick info... It's a small beautiful little beach town that is about an hour and 45 minutes south of Cancun. It is known for its beautiful beaches, AMAZING food, and its focus on health and wellness. Lots of people often go there for yoga and wellness retreats. Anyway, we flew into Cancun and hired a driver (as opposed to a taxi) to get us to Tulum from the airport - which is something I highly recommend one do when traveling to Tulum. Our driver dropped us off and this house and it's what I want to share with you first... 

Instead of staying right on the beach, we stayed in an Airbnb called Villa Vidrio in a residential area right in the heart of Tulum. To say that this house was beautiful is an understatement! We weren't on the beach, and the neighborhood wasn't the prettiest, but our house made up for all of that!! It was a little big modern oasis that came fully stocked with the essentials - filtered water (because you NEVER drink the local water in Mexico), fresh towels, really comfortable beds, Wi-fi, a pool, rooftop sitting areas, and even Netflix! Netflix is an essential right?? We took taxis pretty much everywhere, but the house came with a cute set of bikes that we did use a few times to explore the neighborhood. The architectural details of the house were also insanely gorgeous... It was just perfect - and here are a few photos that prove it!

Isn't the home so GOOD!! What's also good is that it rents anywhere from $180 - $360 per night, depending on the time of the year- which is super cheap for a house like this I think. Busy season there runs from the end of November through May or so - when it's a little cooler. It's more pricey then obviously. It's about a 15 minute taxi ride to the beach, which we went to daily, but staying in the home was a lot cheaper than staying on the beach. So worth it! 

You can see the full home tour HERE!!

Images 2, 5, 13, 15 via Airbnb, all other images by me

HAPPY THANKSGIVING + LINKS!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!! Have you eaten yet?? If you are reading this in the morning, I am currently in the kitchen at my parent's house cooking up the sides with my mom while a random cheesy Hallmark Christmas movie is on in the background. That's how we roll... :)

Anyway, in case you need a little downtime from family, I have lots of good links for you below to peruse. There are lots of good sales, home tours, food, and other random stuff that I hope you enjoy!! Also, see some of my sale picks at the end of the post! Have a great rest of the week and I'll see you back here next week!

Good Sales
Everything here is 50% off... This top & these boots - wanted.
Everything here is 50% off, too! I just got these pjs. LOVE...
Almost everything here is 40% off! That never happens...
Their sweaters have been on point this year! I already snatched this one (in new off white) @50% off.
My favorite sale to stock up on these pjs, good gifts, and cute tops...
One of my favorite places to shop small and shop for gifts!
This coat... Yes.

Good Spaces
This condo tour blew me away - especially the "cloffice..."
This home tour is pretty special, too...
Homes in Charleston, SC are amazing, especially this one...
So much pretty in this issue...

Good Things
10 things I'm still thankful for...
How to keep going... Loved this.
The beauty of self-care. So good to know...
Proof that you can be stylish at any age...
I love a good wedding video and naturally her video doesn't dissapoint...
She created a new website for her gift guide this year, so you know it's good...


Good Food & Drinks
In case you are in need of a good salad after today...
And in case you have lots of leftever turkey...
The best wines that are under $30...
This banana bread has GOT to be good...
Love this spin on peanut butter cups...

use the arrows to scroll and see more!

Image via Sacramento Street

HOME TOUR: A MODERN 18TH CENTURY FARMHOUSE...

It's Election Day! So how about a home tour?? Pretty interiors calm my nerves, so maybe this will calm your nerves, too if you are in need of some nerve-calming. I ran across this home yesterday and I think I viewed the slideshow of it three times. I love it! The home was built in the 18th century and was recently renovated to accommodate the homeowner's modern standards. I think they did an amazing job at getting a modern look all while maintaining the home's original character. It's modern, but things like the mix of bright and warm colors, the lighting, the rugs (I need every single rug here), even that sink in the bathroom, all compliment the style of an old, yet updated farmhouse in a beautiful way. I'd give anything to relax in a home like this - especially on a day like today! :)

Images by Jared Kuzia for Rue Daily, Design by Kristen Crestin Design

AN AUTUMN TABLE + LINKS...

Happy Friday! How was the week? My week was busy - but a self-induced kind of busy. A few weeks ago, I ran across a 2016 to-do list that I made back in January and I had not crossed one single thing off! And these were things that kinda really need to get done - not just random things. So I've been working on those things this week. Even though it's been busy, it feels so darn good to check things off! This weekend will be a continuation of that plus some much needed downtime. And don't forget - Sunday is one of the best days of the year because you can sleep in an extra hour... :) #rollback

Good Things
I just added this coat to my trench coat collection. It's on sale!
How perfect would these be for the holidays??
Her favorite things is live! Loving this, these for Christmas morning, & this...

Good Spaces
The prettiest, smallest bathroom...
Halloween is over, but I loved her front porch... 
The most perfect pantry...
55 impressive home offices...

Good To Know
Just good business sense...
This free personality test was SPOT ON for me...
How to release stress that's stuck... Love this.

Good Food & Drinks
I pre-ordered this cookbook in 2.5 seconds flat...
A fun thing to make with one of my favorite vegetables...
In case you need help with your Thanksgiving menu. So neat.
And I'm thinking of making these for my family for Thanksgiving...
And these as gifts for the holidays...

Image via Camille Styles

HOME TOUR: LAUREN CONRAD'S PERFECT PAD IN PACIFIC PALISADES...

The Hills. I wholeheartedly admit that I miss that crazy fake, but good reality show. Did you watch it?? Lauren Conrad was easily my favorite person on the show. I loved her sense of fashion and loved seeing how she decorated her apartments and her homes. Now she is all grown up, is running her own fashion empire, has a great blog, and lives in this beautiful Spanish-style, boho-chic California home. Her homes on the show always looked very put-together, yet comfortable and livable. That is how I would describe her current home. It's bright and filled with a mix of warm woods, light fabrics, and personal details that make it so inviting and unfussy. If I had one wish, it would be to transport that kitchen and bath into my own home. I love the stove (La Cornue of course!), the open shelving, and how the subway tile doesn't look perfectly perfect. She did a great job of keeping the character of the house during renovations... And that bathroom... well my morning showers and nightly baths would be extra enjoyable... I just love it all. 

Images by Justin Coit for Domaine Home

HOME TOUR: MEG RYAN'S SOHO LOFT...

Raise your hand if you have watched "When Harry Met Sally" AND "You've Got Mail" AND "Sleepless in Seattle" at least a thousand times?? My hand is raised. I'm actually watching "When Harry Met Sally" right now on Amazon... I've always loved her acting and her style. And now I love her home. This is her loft in Soho that she recently renovated and I wish I could move right on in. It has a combination of so many things I love - a modern/industrial/country kitchen, warm fabrics, a good gallery wall, a statement room (that dining room!!), exposed brick in a cozy bedroom, and a killer bathroom. The design concepts were all her own. I'd hire her in a heartbeat... :)

Photos by William Abranowicz for Architectural Digest

ENJOY TODAY + LINKS...

The weekend is here! So excited as always. What's on your agenda?? This is my one busy month of the year at work, so I gotta work a bit in between my workout, errands, a dinner, finishing this book, and watching the last few days of the Olympics. The Olympics have been a complete obsession of mine as of late. I don't have a thing for track and field, beach volleyball, water rafting, or long-distance biking, but I've watched all of those events plus more. I just think it's incredible to see people's hard work pay off and dreams come true in real time. Fascinating. Anyway, I hope you have a great weekend and enjoy the links!

Good Things
The print above that bed is only $5... Such a cute shop.
My first purchase for fall... $25 well spent.
Pretty for work or a wedding I think...
A new favorite fashion blog. Simple style done so right...

Good Spaces 
A city hall wedding done so beautifully. That dress though...
She's moving again!! This is going to be good...
Ina Garten has a new apartment that's obviously lovely...
Dream closet. Just a dream...
I could sleep here every night. Could you?
And I could cook here every day...

Good To Know
I suffer from anxiety and I swear this helps...
I'm moving to Sweden. They have 6-hr workdays...
A prescription for a full day of happiness...
This girl is just amazing... Fun presentation of the article, too.

Good Food & Drinks
How pretty is this???
Now this should be interesting...
The fastest way to find your new favorite food blog...
21 things to do with those overripe bananas on your counter...
The first thing I would eat if I could suddenly have dairy. It HAS to be good... 

Image via Luminous Prints / Etsy

A FEW FAVES...

Peeps... I opened up Photoshop over the weekend and used it for the first time in FOREVER!! If that's not a sign that things are looking up energy-wise for me, then I don't know what is... So excited about that! Anyway, I thought I would do a little round-up of a few things that wanted to show & tell you about...

THE BACKPACK // The older I get, the more I value ease and convenience - especially when I'm traveling and running errands. Backpacks make things really easy and keeps the hands free - and I'm so glad they are sort of coming back! This classic structured leather backpack by Camelia Roma is gorgeous, made in Italy, and super reasonable in price compared to other backpacks I've seen. It's definitely been wishlisted. Everything made by Camelia Roma is gorgeous by the way...

A MOUNTAINSIDE REMODEL // The bathroom in a home remodel by Studio McGee is gorgeous!! The walls have thick 10-inch shiplap, which makes a huge statement in what looks like a small space. Love the idea... The whole remodel is definitely a must-see...

SLIP SILK PILLOWCASE // This pillowcase is definitely one of the best purchases I've made lately. I have long hair that can look atrocious in the morning without the help of wearing a silk scarf. The problem with wearing a silk scarf is that it was hard to keep it on all night. After some not-so-good experiences with cheap faux silk pillowcases, I splurged on this pillowcase and it was so worth it!! It feels amazing, stays in place, and is very cooling. I can wear my hair in a simple bun or ponytail at night and it isn't the least bit dry or frizzy in the mornings. The pillowcase also keeps the skin on my face hydrated all night. Love it...

EVERYTHING WE KEEP // I love a good suspense/relationship novel, and this book is so good!!! A sous chef, Aimee, is all set to marry her childhood sweetheart - only to find out that he vanishes days before the wedding during a fishing trip. He is pronounced dead and the funeral is held on the day of their wedding. Aimee is devastated, but goes on with her life despite the unsettling feeling she has that he isn't really gone. That might not be an original plot, but the way it's written has me hooked!! I'm halfway through this book and I am dying to find out what happened!!

WHIM 5-FREE NAIL POLISH // Did you know that nail polish can be super toxic?? It's definitely always smelled toxic to me, but it wasn't until my autoimmune diagnosis that I began to really read up on it. Most polishes are laced with hormone-disrupting ingredients like toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate. I can barely pronounce all that, so I know they aren't good! I always have a pedicure, so I've been on a hunt for a good polish that is free of those ingredients. I've landed on Whim, a polish free of five of the most dangerous polish ingredients. It goes on really smooth, dries fast, and is long-lasting. I'm loving the base coat, this color and this color for fall...

BR HEELED SANDALS // So if you've gotten this far in the post, then clearly you know that I'm ready for fall! I am crazy in love with suede sandals these days (I STILL wear these almost daily!), and I'm loving this pair for fall. They would be great worn with skinny or flared jeans and a lightweight sweater or with a sheath dress. Super cute...

HOME TOUR: A MODERN 1930's ART DECO...

Y'all... I need to borrow about a cool million dollars. Maybe even two or three. I need it so I can forever live in this gorgeous home with the family that I hope to one day have. It would be so perfect! This recently renovated 1930s home is believed to be the only Art Deco style home in Atlanta. Art Deco style homes are typically not my thing, but this home might be an exception for me. The modern lines are perfectly balanced with warm woods, colors, and fabrics. It has steel doors and windows. If you've been following me for a while, then you know I have a thing for those. The moldings and millwork on the walls are stunning. The kitchen looks open and functional, yet simple at the same time. The master bedroom is softly done and the adjoining bathroom is spa-like. The landscaping is picturesque. I'm totally ready to move in. I just need that cool million dollars - or two or three. :)

Images by Erica George Dines for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, Interiors by Nancy Duffy at Scout For Home.