Summer Hair Product Picks

I’m a bit of a beauty product junkie, an occupational hazard. I’m constantly testing out the next best thing for work (& pleasure). Every summer I hunt for the perfect product to achieve beachy hair even if I’m not at the beach. My usual obstacle is most “beachy” hair products dry my hair out, but there is hope & I've found it in three products!

These three game changers, plus a cute hair scarf have become staples in my daily hair routine. None of them weigh my hair down so I can use them by themselves or layer them together. What’s even better is that they are all double duty products & really deliver.

Here are the reasons I’m loving these summer hair products:

Olivine’s Love + Salt Beach Hair & Body Mist

• is scented like nostalgic days at the beach.
• adds beachy tousled texture without over drying hair. can be used as a body mist too!
• texturizes without drying thanks to the coconut oil in it (You know how much I love coconut oil.)
• made with ingredients I can pronounce & eat (like Himalayan Salt!!)
• 5% of each sale goes to Every Mother Counts

Acure Leave-In Conditioner Argan Oil + Argan Stem Cell

• ultra-hydrating leave-in conditioner providing weightless body & shine.
• protects hair at the cellular level & helps to strengthen it at the root. 
• a few spritzes helps to revitalize waves at the end of the day.
• it can also double as a facial mist!

The lovely ladies at Lauren + Vanessa introduced me to Alterna Haircare Caviar CC Cream 10-in-1 Complete Correction

• use it alone or layer with other products.
• 10 benefits in 1 easy step for perfectly polished hair.
• worked through damp hair helps moisturize, smooth, shine, soften hair.
• I apply this & then let my hair air dry without any worry of frizz.
• it even provides UV protection for when you’re getting beachy waves naturally!

What are your go-to products this summer?

Charleston Charms Us Again

Lowndes Grove Plantation Charleston, SC

About two weeks ago we headed to Charleston, SC (again!) to celebrate Lex & Matt’s wedding.  I’ve worked with Lex for the past 5 (almost 6!) years & I’ve known her for about 7.  Being able to celebrate her wedding with her in my favorite city was a huge treat for me - it almost felt like a dream & the wedding was every bit ethereal as you would imagine a wedding on a southern plantation to be (ex: the photo above was taken during sunset at the reception - ahhhhmazing). Be sure to click through for more photos of Lex & Matt's big day.

Chris & I not only celebrated with the newlyweds but also indulged in some local fare that was definitely picture worthy. Plus we got to spend some much needed time at the beach with our (Pesce side of the) family!

It was a great trip & I can’t wait to go back.

PS: Happy (early) Mother's Day to all of the very special women in my life & yours! 

Spring Break: St. Pete's Postcard Inn

Recently, Chris & I did what snowbirds who live in the North East do best, we headed south, to St. Petersburg, Florida.  I really can take no part in finding this paradise other than saying I've never been on the Gulf side of Florida before, maybe we should go there?  Chris did all the leg work, per usual, because he's a husband with benefits (read: because he is the best - thanks Chris!) - travel agent like skills. I basically just show up & enjoy. 

Thanks to some awesome suggestions from one of my St. Petersburg locals we got a great taste of the amazingness that is St. Pete's.  It's pretty chill & offers everything  for a young couple like Chris & I to families to juvenile boys lacrosse teams. There is something for everyone.

The weather was cooler than expected but the 70 degree temps & sunshine sure beat the snow that we had back home.

Shockingly, I didn't take too many photos on this trip, must have been too busy relaxing ;)

We stayed at the uber surfer chic Postcard Inn.  Which smells like every beach getaway should - sun tan lotion - you know the kind that reminds you of sandwiches with sand in them & the best & longest summer days of your youth - yum!  It's a beach front mini-resort that is chill enough to hang by the pool but chic enough to have your wedding at (there were two while we were there!).

Click through for some more pics of the Postcard Inn, or as the locals call it PCI.

PS: super big happy birthday to one of my favorite surfer chicks at heart, AMANDA!!! Happy birthday lady. Hope it's the best :)

Beach Getaway Wear

1: tank; 2: delicate cross necklace; 3: the perfect levi's jean cutoffs; 4: chunky chain bracelet; 5: LeSportsac leopard cross body bag; 6: floral boat shoes

It's still cold in the Northeast. I'm day dreaming of a beach getaway wearing tank tops & cutoffs. I think this would be the perfect outfit for a laid back trip to the beach, who's with me?

Beach Vacation Gratitude

As our beach vacation comes to a close I really can not believe the gorgeous weather that we have had, every day & sunset was more gorgeous than the next.  We are still soaking in the last drops of sunlight & beach time with our family.  It's been so relaxing it's definitely going to be a bit of a struggle to get back to the regular bump & grind.

Hope you're enjoying the last weeks of summer! Happy Friday & happy birthday to my nephew, Matthew & to one of the best gals & mom's I know, Rose. Love you guys & hope you have an amazing day! xo

Shrimp Boil

Hi from the beach! Sorry for the radio silence but I've been busy with some r & r as of late.  Each year it's tradition to spend time at the beach with our family.  Along with said tradition is the food we cook & eat together.  As of last year we've started the shrimp boil tradition (using this recipe).  It's a one pot wonder (or two if you opt for a veggie pot like we do) that appeals to people with all different tastes (no really you'd be surprised!).

You basically boil all of the ingredients together, drain them & throw them on to the table that's been covered with newspaper & then you dig in with your hands - no utensils necessary.  We opt to eat outside & to keep it super casual with a simple salad & some cornbread (& lots of paper towels!).  When we're finished we crumple up the newspaper  & toss (there will be no leftovers I promise). 

This dinner is even easier to eat, make & clean up if you have super helpful family members like I do that help you peel, chop, drain, pour, melt butter & clean the pots, so make it a family affair.  Huge thanks to my fam for helping out!

What's your summer tradition?

Read on for some more pics & helpful tips.

One for the Memory Books

This photo is from my very first vacation with Chris to Charleston, SC (such an amazing place). It's pretty much become tradition to both visit Charleston and to snap a photo like this.

I'm that girl with the camera on vacay - I take photos of everything. Most of the time it's the food because I love how food photographs.  All the while I'm thinking graphically.  This is both a blessing and a curse.  

While I'm snapping photos I'm thinking of where they will be positioned in the layout of my photo album that I have already created in my brain (which may or may not come to fruition after said vacay). One thing the photo album always needs is a cover page (obi).  Most of my vacations have been to warm places (no complaints here) so I usually write the title of my album in the sand.