Back from Vacation
The anti recap! Here's what I picked up instead:
I kicked off summer a little differently this year with our Euro trip at the start of the season instead of the end. Chris and I spent a couple of weeks between Italy and France, and it felt like the kind of trip that shifts your perspective, which if you ask me, is the whole point of a vacation.
After some glorious time off the grid (my phone might still be on DND), I’m skipping the full recap and instead sharing a few things I picked up—beauty, fashion, travel, and a few general expectations along the way.
Surface-Level Essentials
I’m already pretty minimal with skincare, but even more so when I travel. I packed exactly three things: this essence, matching serum, and my favorite SPF. My skin was balanced and behaved the whole time.
I did run out of my travel sized cleanser mid-way and asked a woman at a pharmacy in Saint-Tropez for a recommendation. She raved about this one. Her seal of approval was enough for me and I’ll definitely be repurchasing in the future, although I’m now very keen to try this cleanser re: my notes above.
Later in the trip, I booked a facial at the hotel spa, which used all Tata Harper (forgot how good her products are.) I left with a few things to take with me, as one does, including this product for dark circles (it truly works) and this mist that somehow made my skin look better mid-flight than it typically does on the ground. Not sure how that’s possible.
I finally caved and bought the French hairbrush that’s been all over my feed lately, as it felt like the appropriate time to do so if there ever was one. My hair is not exactly easy but I’m now slightly addicted to brushing it and have noticed less static and more volume/shine.
Also worth noting that I’ve officially retired the Russian manicure. I’ve done them on and off when I feel pressure to look a certain way but they ruin my nails and just do not feel like me. My natural nails are now in recovery for further notice and I have this en route to speed up the process.
Wardrobe Wisdom
If I’m being honest, the first week of our trip was nonstop rain. And while there are far worse fates than a moody, grey week in Italy, it definitely threw off all the outfits I had planned, which is mildly devastating for someone like me. (Fully aware this is the definition of a first-world problem.) Below is a roundup of the week including some chic outfits I pulled together, also chatted through them here and here:
Fortunately, France delivered perfect weather but before we get there, a quick nod to the few very unassuming wardrobe pieces that saved me during the rain. I truly never thought I’d rely on a pair of rubber sandals as much as I did throughout the entire trip, but here I am still reaching daily since being home. Oddly chic.
Moving along, this is your quick reminder not to feel pressured to dress a certain way just to fit in (within reason, of course). I say this because a beach club isn’t exactly my style when it comes to wardrobe, but it is my ideal setting for people-watching and sipping a Hugo spritz.
I’ve never really found a cover-up that felt like me. Even brands I love for other pieces haven’t quite nailed that effortless, elevated beach layer but thankfully right before my trip I connected with Claudent. They make the chicest tailored beachwear with built-in UPF protection (Ultraviolet Protection Factor is for fabrics) and I can truly say I’ve never felt more comfortable or myself at the beach.
A few more chic highlights, in no particular order:
All in all, even if the trip didn’t quite deliver on the outfit front the way I’d hoped, it was a good reminder that the best moments usually have very little to do with what you’re wearing. Looking chic really comes down to feeling comfortable in your own skin and if this trip taught me anything, it’s that.
Naturally, I’ll wrap things up with a few new pieces now in my possession—some kindly sent over by brands while I was away, others scooped up somewhere during the long haul home. Something about checking out mid-air feels like it doesn’t count? Am I alone in this?
Sharing the latest below, and working on a little East Coast outfit inspo to come ahead of my trip back home to Cape Cod in a couple of weeks. Never fully dressed (or half dressed, I should say) but endlessly chic is the vibe that I absolutely live for when I’m there.
More soon!
X HB