Good morning, friends! I’m so happy to be back this week. In the midst of everything going on in the world last week, I took a break from both blogging and social media. I never want to focus on anything negative in this space… I always want to keep things positive and lighthearted. So today I wanted to share some of the “essentials” that I packed with me for our beach trip! I am really on a blue and white kick right now, if ya can’t tell!
one // two // three // four // five // six // seven // eight // nine // ten // eleven // twelve // thirteen
I’m not going to talk about every single item listed here… but I will point out a few! The first is this heart-shaped initial necklace that’s only $11 on Amazon. I have been wearing this thing NONSTOP!!! I honestly can’t believe the price, it looks WAY more expensive, especially because it’s the perfect gold color and has really nice, small details. Because it’s so inexpensive, I feel comfortable wearing it with swimsuits and on the beach, too.
Secondly, these espadrilles – SWOON! I wore them so much on our trip and not only are they super cute and summery, but they’re comfortable too. I love the chunky soles AND they’re currently 52% off! I ordered my normal size 7.
Lastly, you can’t go to the beach without a cute beach umbrella! This one is so stylish with the pretty fringe, and because it’s white, it matches ANY beach chairs, towels, etc. that you bring with you down to the beach. I personally like to sit under the umbrella the whole time I’m on the beach… it’s much cooler and you’re protecting your skin from the harsh rays of the sun!
So happy to be back and can’t wait for a week of blog posts! 🙂 Let me know if you have any requests! xoxo
HI Catlin ! Thank you for this post ! I am mentally and physically over all of 2020 . A nice post about a beach trip is just what I needed this morning ! I find something so relaxing and interesting in seeing what people pack for trips : ) Until I am able to take a trip to my beautiful beach I can live vicariously thru yours ! I’m glad you had a great trip ! Looking forward to summer !!!!
Agree with you Jeanne. I recently told someone that I will be so thankful when 2020 comes to a close….and we’re only halfway through. 🙁
LOVE all of the blue and white pieces! The beach is definitely so good for the soul. We are going later this month and I absolutely cannot wait!
xo Laura Leigh
https://louellareese.com
How do you like the solid and stripe one piece? I’ve been thinking about getting one, but not sure since it’s non padded! Also, did you have to size up?
I love it! I got my normal size in it. I was worried about the non padding too, but the material is thick and the way it’s stitched is actually very supportive, so it didn’t end up being a problem at all!
Thank you for being my daily dose of positive energy and inspiration! It means so much!
All of these items are so pretty! I am loving the fifth one, such a pretty one-piece! I’m glad that you were able to get away for a little while and avoid the news. I agree with you, sometimes you just need to drown out the negativity and just have some time with family and relax.
Make Life Marvelous
I missed my daily distractions. Glad you are back!
Hi Caitlin,
I am a longtime reader of your blog and want to lovingly say that I think this post drops with white privilege. The fact that you can do “escape” the bad news and can brag about it is evidence of it. and sets a really poor example for other white readers. Please don’t set the standard of white people escaping what needs to be addressed.
Hey Lauren, thanks so much for sharing your perspective. I did NOT mean for it to come across that way at all. I was trying to convey that everything going on in the world has been weighing really heavy on me, and it has been affecting my mental health/anxiety severely. I truly apologize if it came across as bragging, that was never my intention.
❤️ I really appreciate desire to provide positivity and know that your platforms have a lot of viewers who look up to you. Thank you for your reply. ❤️
Beautiful photos. Everyone deserves a vacation and I’m looking forward to mine too. I’d still like to hear more from you, as an influencer, on how we can help with Black Lives Matters. As a southern woman, it’s become an important cause to me because I don’t want to see people hurting. I want to lift people up and spread the word to other southern women that caring about others is the best thing we can do with our lives. We didn’t cause this system, but we can damn well help make things better. Thanks for always being a thoughtful blogger.
I love your positivity and all of these cute, summery pieces! Thank you for sharingg 🙂
Love your positivity and lightheartedness. . .it was/is exactly what I needed to read today. It helped me just pause during this stressful time in our nations history.
I didn’t take it as bragging just a needed reminder to look for the beauty in the world.
Hi! Thank you for this great post, I will definitely be shopping blue and white for the beach!
I agree with your comment of positivity, yet there is a difference between staying positive and not addressing uncomfortable subjects. I would love to see you using your influencer platform to talk about the Black Lives Matter movement. Whether this be promoting Black owned fashion stores or books by Black authors. I’m sure that so many people would benefit from this, including me! We all have an opportunity to learn and grow. Looking forward to your next post!
Hey Giada, Thanks so much for the feedback! I have been sharing a lot about the Black Lives Matter movement on instagram (Black influencers to follow, books to read, etc.) but wasn’t sure if that was something you guys wanted to see on my blog as well. Now that I know you do, I will start working on some posts! Thanks again!
Beach Goals!!! Everything from the outfit to the bag, SO Pretty!!!! 🤍🤍🤍
What an amazing post! I love 7 and 10. So glad to see you went on a beach trip – it is really a stress reliever! 🙂 At least everything seems to be going back to normal on your end.
JJ’s House
It’s a little sad to me that you didn’t post because ” I never want to focus on anything negative in this space… I always want to keep things positive and lighthearted.” Wasn’t it supposed to be about taking time to educate and learn? To use our platforms for good? Who is that “negative” towards? I know there are a lot of hard conversations happening right now, but not addressing it because *you’re* tired of “negativity” sounds very tone deaf and immature right now.
Hey Jamie, I addressed the Black Lives Matter movement head on on Instagram several times and made my stance very clear! Perhaps I chose the wrong words in saying that I didn’t want to “focus on anything negative” at the beginning of this post. What I meant by that, is that every time I turn on the news or get on social media I see negativity, people fighting and especially people criticizing others. I hope you don’t think I’m ignoring the issue of racism (I’m not!), please check out the Instagram posts I already put up, and know that in the future I plan to incorporate more educational content on diversity, starting with a book roundup for next Monday’s post. I will, however, continue to post fashion and lifestyle content as well, as this is my full-time job and also how I pay my bills! Hopefully you will keep following along and see that I can incorporate both in a positive way.
You packed some gorgeous pieces! I totally feel you – blue and white just screams summer to me and I get so excited to wear that color combo on a vacay 🙂
xx Janine
https://walkinmysneaks.blogspot.com
Hi, I love your blue and white straw bad and have searched your blog for it. Can you please tell me where its from? Thank you!