books
I packed four books in my suitcase for my five-day holiday. My husband didn’t bat an eye— he knows the drill by now.
Began the vacation with Fear of Flying (Erica Jong) which made me laugh out loud HARD for the first 100 pages or so. I put it down around the 200-page mark, and moved on to Sandwich (Catherine Newman), which I finished and loved. It was such a sweet and sentimental book that I’ll think about a lot in the years to come.
I packed but did not touch Evenings and Weekends (Oisín McKenna) and Monstrilio (Gerardo Sámano Córdova).
LAX Terminal 3 has a great newsstand with a few Sudoku book options. I picked two up right before my trip. I was unable to find the one I got online, but here is a 2-pack by the same publisher. Sudokus are my favorite way to unwind, reset, and take a break. A brain workout, but one that feels really good during and afterward.
Packing for this trip began as an ordeal and turned into a real-time, real-life testimony to how I make wardrobe choices, and what I prioritize with said decisions. In previous years, a beach vacation would have meant weeks of anxiety and panic shopping.
When my husband and I first booked the trip, I dutifully went over to Canva to create an outfit board. I took inventory of what I owned and wishlisted everything I was missing to have the ultimate resort outfits.
But as it turns out, if I wanted to look “resort ready,” I’d have to purchase an entire new wardrobe (and personality). I hit pause on all the panic shopping and took a beat. I didn’t need a whole new wardrobe, and more importantly, I didn’t WANT a whole new wardrobe — I already like what I wear.
The task ahead of me was to translate my usual jeans and tshirts to something I could wear bopping from breakfast to the beach and then to dinner, all in 90+ degree heat and 80% humidity.
This week’s looks are what I came up with.
looks
Arrival Day
A classic airplane look: jeans and a tshirt.
Took only one straw bag on this trip, and it was the Mathilde bag by DÔEN, which I purchased on Monday at their Brentwood store. The shape and size are perfect, and the straps are comfortable.
For the 2.5 hour flight, I made my way through a few pages of the Sudoku book, and watched It Takes Two. It’s been 20 years since I’ve seen that movie, and I can’t even tel you the nostalgia wave that hit me hard at 30,000 feet of elevation.
This movie introduced me to sloppy joes, summer camp, and how an attitude is a great thing to have.
Once we made it to our beach destination, I changed into a more beach-appropriate look. Changed into a bikini, swapped jeans for eyelet cotton pants, the ballet flats for sandals, but kept the tshirt.
Ready for fish tacos and an ocean side nap.
For dinner that night, I wore an old DÔEN dress I got back in 2022. It’s called the Soraya dress and I couldn’t find it anywhere online — their current Ischia dress is most comparable.
This dress reminds me so much of the Henri tops I wear so much (also from DÔEN). Probably why I have the tops in multiple colors/fabrics.
The restaurant staff kindly gave me a fan when they saw me repurposing their menus as a way to quickly cool myself down. The heat is no joke!
And neither is this sunset!
Day One
The breakfast and beach look was the same today. A white button down + jean shorts + sandals + straw bag.
The team at DONNI kindly sent over their new bubble set, and I’m so glad I brought it with me. The material of the shirt is so good for the heat, and kept me dry.
I wore the shorts to breakfast, and getting to and from places around the resort, but spent most of the day in a bikini with the button down as a cover-up. Highly recommend using all of your button ups (especially the ones with fabric that isn’t too stiff) as coverups.
When I was younger, I would measure the “success” of a beach vacation by how tan I got, and would sit out in the sun trying to get as much of it as possible. Times have changed, and the only sun I get now is walking around and while I’m in the ocean. I got a terrible burn the first day after a little too long in the water.
For dinner, I wore jeans! Haha
You recognize all of these pieces, and that’s because this is what I wear in real life. The only thing I switched up were the shoes (no ballet flats here, just strappy sandals).
I made a scarf bag out of my 90x90 scarf, and used this gorgeous ring my parents gave me for my birthday to tie it all together.
Day Two
Because I wore the button up all day long, I got a couple of stains on it (this will happen if you choose to eat lunch in a reclined position as opposed to sitting down…). I still wanted to wear it as a “set” with the matching pants, so I just tied it around my waist.
This set is so good. The pants are soft as can be, but don’t feel flimsy or sheer.
And the fabric falls nicely. I have trouble with linen because I find it too scratchy and oftentimes transparent. This is the antidote to that.
The hotel lends you a straw bag to use during your stay. I gave the DÔEN one a rest and lugged my shit around in this one.
More reading by the beach, swimming in the ocean, and eating ceviche today.
That night, we decided to skip the fancy dinner out and go for a walk on the beach to watch the sunset.
So I wore jeans — of course!
We had the beach to ourselves, and ran up and down the coast splashing (and getting splashed on). Kept the shoes and bag safe, though.
Truly, I’m so glad I didn’t go out and spend on buying a new wardrobe for this trip. I love love love my clothes, and am happy to wear them anywhere and everywhere.
These Massimo Dutti sandals were a welcome addition to my wardrobe.
This sunset!!!
Back to the room for quesadillas and ice cream. If you’re ever in a hotel in Mexico, order quesadillas for room service. We get a mix of corn and flour tortillas. The perfect dinner!!!
Day Three
A few weeks ago, I spoke about a linen dress the brand Marché sent me. I brought it with me on this trip, and am so glad I did.
It’s such a great cover up, and the brown color is a nice change from my usual black/white palette.
After spending all morning and most of the afternoon by the beach, we headed back to the room to shower and change for an early pizza dinner. Recycled a few pieces I had already worn for this outfit.
Day Four
Went for another button down, this time one from Zara in a linen blend.
I got these DONNI pants a few weeks ago and hadn’t worn them because I was worried they were a little see through.
With the right undergarments (or over a bikini), they’re perfect!
I don’t really wear these types of looks back home, but after a few days experimenting with the pants + button down look, I’m sold.
Once I got to the beach, the pants came (and stayed) off, and I just wore the button down as a cover-up.
For dinner, I swapped the shoes, added a bag, and straightened my hair.
I love how the housekeeping staff does turndown service at this hotel. This bed makes me want to SLEEEEEEP. The little foot pillow embroidered with “sweet dreams” is a sweet touch.
Departure Day
Up early for our last moments of vacation. Went for a long walk on the beach, and I sat on the sand watching my husband swim. I ordered and brought two of the striped Zara button down, and wore the second one this day.
We had a glorious last breakfast. Eggs bathed in salsa verde (my absolute favorite) and a delicious french toast.
I kept the shirt and threw on jeans, a belt, and ballet flats, and we headed back home.
So good to be back.
**A note on swimwear**
Obviously, there are no bikini pictures here — I don’t feel comfortable taking pictures in bikinis or swimwear. Unsuprisingly, I didn’t even have a swimsuit in my wardrobe. The last one-piece I had I threw out a few months ago, so I had to source a few quickly before the trip. Lucky for me, JCrew has a) great swimwear, and b) great sales, and I scored all black mix and match bikini pieces. Below is what I picked:
Heritage Triangle Top (sized up)
Balconette Top (sized up)
Heritage String Bottom (normal size) and I bought 3x of them
&bonus
At the Puerto Vallarta airport, I spotted a little “market” area that had silver jewelry. When I realized that they had some from Talleres de los Ballesteros, I made a beeline for the stand.
Talleres de los Ballesteros is an old school Mexican jewelry house, specializing in silver. Their pieces are artisanal, handmade, and a staple in the jewelry boxes of so many Mexican women. Many of the women I grew up around had pieces from Talleres on their necks, wrists, and ears.
I tried on two necklaces, and bought one.
Loved the beaded silver necklace, but more than anything, I loved the LACK of beads and the delicate detail in between each bead. It feels less heavy.
As soon as I walked away from the checkout counter with my one beaded necklace, I turned to my husband and said, “I’m going back for the other one.”
This one is round hammered silver circles. I tried on the oval version, but preferred the circles.
I was only able to find the beaded one online, but if you’re ever in Mexico (I say this a lot… if you’re ever in Mexico!), check them out. They usually have a shop in the airport, or even have some pieces at hotel shops as well, in case you can’t go to a stand-alone boutique.