Travel :: Sailing St. Maarten

Today marks the last batch of my St. Maarten photos.  On the second to last day of our trip we rented a catamaran and sailed around the island.  From our early morning start to our golden hour finish, the day was absolutely perfect.  The trip started off with pastries, fresh fruit, coffee, and juice on board our boat.  From there we sailed to Île Tintamarre and went snorkeling with sea turtles!  There was one little guy in particular who I just loved and must have swam next to for five to ten minutes.  He would swim peacefully under the water and every so often stick his little head out for air...it was so cute!

Travel :: Pinel Island

One day while in St. Maarten we took a ferry to the nearby Pinel Island, a natural reserve accessible only by boat.  The beautiful island was filled with white sandy beaches, swaying coconut palms, and iguanas!  Two small restaurants with beach chairs were set-up on the south eastern side of the island - the rest of it remaining untouched.  We swam in the crystal clear water, hiked in our swimsuits to a deserted beach, and ate lunch by the sea {the mussels and frites were phenomenal!}  It was a picture-perfect tropical island and if you're ever in the St. Maarten area I couldn't recommend it enough!

Travel :: The Beaches of St. Maarten

The great thing about our vacation to St. Maarten was that since we rented two cars we were able to explore the island to our heart's content.  The island is quite small meaning that nearly ever beach can be reached within a 45 minute drive.  Two beaches we explored were Baie Rouge and Great Bay Beach.  

Travel :: Our St. Maarten Villa

It's safe to say that our family vacation to St. Maarten was absolutely perfect.  So perfect in fact, that I'm suffering from a serious case of post-vacation blues.  One of the best parts of our trip was the gorgeous villa we rented for the week - La Croisette.  The open-air villa featured a huge pool overlooking the ocean and the island of St. Bart's in the distance.  I loved the coastal chic decor and framed antique prints scattered across the house.  Our king-sized four poster bed with it's silky French Linens was one of the more comfortable I have ever slept in, and waking up to a view of the Caribbean from our French Doors wasn't bad either.

Hello from St. Maarten!

Well hello there!  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  Things are going to be quiet over here this week as I spend time with my family in our lovely villa on the beautiful island of St. Maarten.  But I'll be back next week sharing photos from our vacation.  XOXO.

Travel Style :: Beat the Heat

DAY: Joie Darlena Sleeveless Belted Cotton Shirtdress // Karen Walker Anywhere Sunglasses // Sachajuan Ocean Mist Spray // Longchamp Large 'Le Pilage' Packable Tote // Calypso St. Barth Packable Raffia Sunhat // Shiseido 'Ultimate Sun Protection' SPF 50+ // Zinke Bikini Top and Bottom // Joie A la Plage Sable Sandals // Supergoop SPF 30 Lip Balm // Sam Edelman Sandal

NIGHT: BaubleBar Beaded Fan Collar // Yves Saint Laurent Glossy Stain {Reckless Pink} // NARS Illuminator {Copacabana} // Maria Black Darling Double Ring // Rory Becca Deep V-Back Dress //    Diptyque 'Do Son' Eau de Perfume // Tory Burch 'Molly' Clutch // Ariel Gordon Jewelry Love Knot Ring // Aveda 'Pure Abundance' Hair Potion // Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow Palette

Good morning!  I'm guest posting today on 702 Park Project about my favorite rooms inspired by The Greenbrier, so be sure to check it out {and while you're there, take a look at pictures of Sara's gorgeous historic home renovation...love love love it!}

I have two warm-weather vacations on the horizon - a weeklong trip to St. Martin with my family followed by a two and a half week trip to Thailand next winter {yes, I know it is still 9 months away...but there is no harm in getting the planning started early!} - which means I need to start strategically planning what I want to pack.  Both destinations will be hot hot hot, so I'm thinking that lightweight, breezy pieces will be best for me.  Since luggage space will be an issue {especially in Thailand where I would prefer to pack as little as possible}, I want to make sure that everything I bring can be dressed up or down and can be rolled up into a little ball without being completely destroyed.

For daytime exploration, lunch by the sea, and island hopping I plan on picking up this simple cotton shirtdress that can be easily worn many different ways.  I will be squeezing in my Longchamp tote and a Calyspo St. Barth hat, both of which can be be folded into my suitcase.  And of course since we will be in the hot tropical sun I will be loading up on SPF.  I'm loving these Sam Edelman sandals and can see them easily going from day to night in a flash.

For nighttime cocktails and music on the beach I'll be wearing light and airy slip dresses like this little Rory Becca number.  Makeup will be minimal...think dewy skin, neutral eyes, and a glossy lip.  I'll be sticking to my favorite vacation scent, diptyque's Do Son.  Add a statement necklace, a tropical clutch, and voluminous hair and I'll be good to go!

Shop the post: