Friday's Simply Smitten - Blush & Blooms

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“You feel unsettled because you know you are meant for more”

-anon

Happy Friday! I am back from a wonderful few days in Greenport, NY with Lands’ End. It was so nice to explore the North Fork, something I have never done before but have wanted to. Hopefully it will not be my last trip out there.

Before we dive into my trip, let’s chat about the other things I did this past week. Last Saturday night I went to SOL Cocina for Cinco de Mayo with a few friends. The food was delicious! We started off with chips and guac, then had the grilled sweet corn. I actually am not a fan of corn, howeverI found this dish to be pretty good! For dinner we all had tacos; I had the grilled chicken street taco. And of course we all had margaritas. After dinner we went out and about in West Village to different bars. It was a fun night out– exactly what I needed!

Back to the Lands’ End trip.There were only 9 of us (12 total with the Lands’ End crew) on the press trip. It was nice to meet some fellow influencers, as well as people in other industries. We left Manhattan Tuesday late morning and arrived in Greenport around 2:30. We stayed at the cutest boutique hotel, The Menhaden. Everyone was so nice at the hotel. Upon arriving they handed us warm cloths sprayed with lavender. At night they had freshly baked cookies (free!) in the Gallery room– the Gallery room is a little nook on each floor that has candy, nuts, cereal, coffee, tea, and a fridge stocked with water and other drinks. Then upon leaving they gave us macaroons. This is what they do for each guest at the hotel, not just for our special press trip.

When we arrived on Tuesday we had ample time to relax before dinner. I walked around Greenport. going in and out of boutiques and exploring main street. Greenport is a very cute place- sorta like the Hamptons in a way. You can tell that money is coming into the city; there is still the charm of an old town but with modern hotels, restaurants, etc. After my walk I went back to the hotel to rest and get ready for dinner.

We started our evening with rosé, oysters, and charcuterie on the rooftop of the hotel. They had the owner of Founders Oyster Farm to chat with us about oysters and to show us how to shuck. I tried shucking for the first time and turns out I am pretty good at it. I did it quickly, under 30 seconds. Looks like I found a new summer job! After happy hour on the rooftop we walked across the street to noah’s for dinner. It was super delicious; I had the halibut with sautéed vegetables.

The next day we got up bright and early for yoga class. It was nice to stretch, meditate, and move my body after a day of travel and a night filled with rosé. We were suppose to go sailing right after yoga but it was raining in the morning. Instead we went across the street to VEME Studios to take an art class. I absolutely loved it! I have been itching to do some sort of arts and crafts. We painted 3 different sheets using watercolors. Playing with watercolors can be a little frustrating, especially for someone like me who likes to control the outcome. That is why I love art so much, it allows me to let go of expectation. Let the outcome be as it wants to be. When working with watercolors the paint expands at its own leisure– especially while using solution. It can really create amazing images. I loved my first and third painting. My 2nd one not so much. I didn’t like the colors that I mixed, it wasn’t what I had in mind. It was fun nonetheless to play around and create something.

After art class the weather finally cleared up for our sailboat excursion. We sailed around the harbor with Sail Hamptons, a private luxury charters company. It was so lovely to be on a boat; relaxing and soaking in the views. It was very windy but so worth it! We had lunch on the boat; lobster rolls, quinoa salad, crab cakes, and more. After a lovely afternoon sailing we went back to the hotel to freshen up before our trip to the vineyard.

North Fork is known for their vineyards (as well as oyster farms). We went to famous Macari Vineyard, established in 1995. First we went on a little tour of the vineyard. We learned about their approach to sustainable farming, and how the grapes grow. The Macari family is one of the first to use natural farming techniques in Long Island. We stopped by the vines and the cows to taste test one of their sparkling rosés– very good! After the tour we went back to the main house for an extended tour and dinner. Gabrielle Marcari, our tour guide, took us through the cellar where they fermented the wine and store it. Then we went even further down into the cellar for dinner in the cute event space. We tasted more wine, had charcuterie, and my favorite, caviar. I love caviar, especially on potato chips. So good! For dinner we had lobster salad and a choice of either steak or bass. I had the bass and it was delicious!

The entire trip was wonderful and I loved every minute of it! I can’t thank Lands’ End enough for the trip! Since being home I have been trying to catch up on emails and content. Plus working on content I created during my trip.

What I am watching: Since I was gone all week I didn’t start any new shows. I did, however, catch the Met Gala. What were your thoughts? I think a lot of people were confused by the theme. There were so many different ways to interpret the theme. I know a lot of people were saying how florals were not on theme, but I disagree. The short story by J.G Ballard discusses flowers throughout it. I think what people missed was the reawakening fashion portion of the theme. To wear archival pieces. So for example, Kylie Jenner was wearing a vintage silhouette created by Oscar de la Renta. To me she was on theme just as much as Lana Del Rey dressing up as a forest and the singular flower mentioned in the story. With the short story and what the Met Gala wanted, I think the person who did the correct interpretation was, of course, Zendaya. Her first look by John Galliano for Maison Margiela was inspired by Dior SS 1999 collection. Then she changed into another piece; archival 1996 Givenchy dress with an Alexander McQueen ss 2007 headpiece. Both looks were vintage, archival pulls, and garden theme. To me, Zendaya was the best dressed… twice! I posted here a few more of my favorites of the night. Overall I love the Met Gala, good or bad. I love seeing the abstract, intricate designs just as much as the classic gowns. I cannot wait to go to the exhibit!!

What I bought: I bought this floral dress from last week’s Sunday Shopping. I think it’s going to be a great dress to wear to events and whatever I do for my birthday. It’s under $100.

I also bought the book, The Girl from the Grand Hotel, for my book club soirée in a few weeks. I am absolutely loving it so far! It’s right up my alley being a historical fiction–it’s loosely based on true events. It’s about an American girl in 1939 who is working at the Grand Hotel in France for the summer. It’s the first Cannes Film Festival, so all of the biggest celebrities at the time are staying at the hotel. It’s, of course, on the brick of WWII so everyone is wary of each other, especially certain guests of the hotel.

On The Blog

Sunday Shopping

The Best Mini Dresses to Wear

LTK Spotlight: Outfits for Memorial Day weekend

Top Seller: This tie-waist halter dress

This weekend I am meeting with a few friends for brunch. Other than that I want to do nothing. I need sometime to rejuvenate and rest. I have been on the go and it doesn’t stop here. I am very thankful for how busy I have been and continue to be. Still it is nice to have a day or two to do nothing. I will probably read my book, workout, and go for a walk if the weather permits.

Have a wonderful weekend xo

1. Loved this tour of Natalie Steen, founder of The Nat Note, Texas home

2. Gorgeous dress for under $100

3. Cute white wicker handbag

4. Classic white denim skirt

5. All the Met Gala after party looks

6. All the best vintage fashion at the Met Gala

7. Taylor Swift debuted new Eras Tour outfits

8. Hannah Brown wrote a fictional romance novel

9. Swooning over this colorful Palm Beach home

10. How to make paper flowers

Weekend Sales