The One Piece

Is it just me, or can a one piece be even more sultry looking than a bikini? I've really fallen in love with them! I enjoy the fact that the one piece bathing suit keeps a little more to the imagination, I admire the tiny details you can add to the one piece that you really don't get with the bikini, and I rather love the idea that you don't have to regret taking a bite of those fries at lunch or drinking that extra glass of wine! I mean, come on-who doesn't want that?! Not to mention all the different style one pieces that are out there- cut outs, deep v, halter, mesh, etc. I also love that by adding a skirt or shorts to your one piece bathing suit, it can become a nice outfit to wear to lunch or even to dinner if the day at the beach ends up getting late. I was just sporting this Somedays Lovin one piece to the beach the other day and got a ton of compliments and questions about where I got it (Posted on my Instagram)! Here are a few more one piece's that I'm obsessing over! How do you feel about the bikini vs. the one piece? Which will you be wearing this summer? xo

Marysia Swim

Solid & Striped

Kate Spade New York

PilyQ

Norma Kamali

Clover Canyon

Tori Praver Swimwear

Vitamin A

Frankie's Bikinis

ELLEJAY

Beach Riot

Agua Bendita

Beth Richards

What I'm Packing: Mexico

I'm so ready for a little vacay!! Who else is with me?! We are headed to Mexico for a little R&R and I couldn't be more excited! Whenever I'm headed to a warm weather destination I like to purchase a few new items (like a bikini and some sandals) and plan a couple of my beach looks. I think it's my way of visualizing the beach, the sand, and the margarita in my hand! 

Hat (Similar Here)

Bikini Top/ Bikini Bottom

Beach Bag

Sandals

The Beach Bag

I'm leaving for Cabo soon, and it has me looking through all my beach bags to pick a few for the trip.  I'm always on the hunt for the perfect beach bag. I love going to the beach but of course I need a large tote to carry all of my necessities in there- sunscreen, reading material, hat, phone, coverup, baby toys & food, etc. That's why finding the right bag for my lifestyle is a pretty big deal! 

There are so many routes you can go- the raffia basket, the classic canvas tote, or the designer bag (or one of my favorite ways-right off the beach from a vender- you just gotta haggle a little bit!) I usually opt for the natural woven bag with some sort of simple print or detail on it or a canvas tote (I find them to be pretty durable with all the wear and tear I put them through with a baby and everything I end up throwing inside it. But, no matter which route you end up going, they are all so chic and fantastic in their own way! Why not have hundreds and just change them with your swimsuit/look? That sounds good to me! Below are a few of my favorites!

L.L. Bean Tote

Vasic Collection Tote

Eliza Gran Tote

Balenciaga Canvas Tote

Palm Leaf Bag

Goyard Tote

Cannes Striped Beach Tote

Saint Laurent Canvas Tote

Kayu Woven Fringe Tote

Sensi Studio Maxi Tote

Deux Lux Large Tote

Eric Javitz Shopper Tote

Vix Woven Stripe Bag

Surfer Themed 1st Birthday

The Smash Cake from Suzie Cakes. 

The table top center piece or as I like to call it the Candy Bouquet, made with tons and tons of lollipops! 

This is the Birthday Boys Throne! I had seen these kind of throne creations on Etsy and loved them so I decided to make one myself! The best part is that it went perfectly with the theme and also the extra ribbons were used for presents and to tie on other various items! 

Each guest took a lei at the beginning of the party. Helped set the surfer/aloha mood!

We brought some sand home from Carmel and used it in various places. The forks, spoons and knives were not sticking out of the jars like I had wanted, so I added some sand and that did just the trick! I also got these really cool vintage Hawaiian print fabrics from Joannes Fabrics and made table cloths and banners.

Candy galore! I bought tons of M&M's that guests could snack on or bring home in little plastic baggies! 

I got driftwood while on vacation in Lake Tahoe and painted them with fun surf lingo! I also ended up buying a couple signs on Easy as well! 

 I made a chalkboard sign that gave some fun facts about the birthday boy! 

At the cocktail station we made Mai Tai's for the adults. Along with pineapple infused water for everyone else. We served the drinks in mason jars with fun straws we found on Etsy! 

My sweet Birthday Boy! He had just woken from a nap and didn't understand why everyone was looking at him! haha 

The birthday cake from Suzie Cakes. It's an ombre blue tone with surfboards on top; perfect for the surfer theme. The cake was so scrumptious!!

For the Thank You's I made Surfboard Sugar Cookies for the guests! I wrapped them in clear baggies tied with a tag with a vintage VW van and surfboard on the front and Mahalo! written on the back. I think when you can make something it shows you're putting in effort and really care which I love! 

Luca is wearing: 

Shirt: Happy Family

Shorts: Janie & Jack

Shoes: Polo Ralph Lauren

I'm wearing: 

Dress: Soft Joie

Shirt around Waist: Rails

I still can't believe it-my (not so) little baby just turned one! I still remember taking him home from the hospital like it was yesterday. My hubby and I couldn't wait for him to smile, wave, walk. And now he's doing all these things and we can't believe how quickly time is going by!

We celebrated Luca's birthday the other weekend and I wanted to share a few pics from the soiree we threw for him! It was so much fun throwing him a Surfer 1st Birthday party! I did as much research as I could on Etsy and Pinterest and also came up with some fun stuff to do on my own. I think making a lot of stuff by hand and from scratch really added that special touch and unique quality.

I was a nervous wreck getting all the finishing touches to line up, hoping it would all come together like I had hoped, and thank God it did! From the Leis that everyone wore when they arrived to the yummy dessert from Suzie Cakes- the party was beyond anything I could've imagined! I just hope I can top this for Luca's 2nd birthday! (Thankfully that's a year away, so plenty of time to begin planning!) What are some of your favorite baby/child birthday themes you've thrown or been to? Would love to hear! xo

What I've Been Up To...

Clockwise from Top Left: Finally some sweater weather where I can order a hot coffee at Starbucks=perfection! [boots: Manas (sold out, similar here) | pants: Rag & Bone | sweater: 525 America] |  First time at the ocean with Luca. He was a huge fan of Carmel! [scarf: Paula Bianco | top: Current/Elliott] | My custom Nike's. Love them! | Stepping up my coffee table game. Very Parisian I'd say. [candle: Dyptique] 

Happy Wednesday! I wanted to share some pics of what I've been up to lately. I can't believe it's almost Halloween. Time is really flying by- and motherhood could not be any better. Now that we've hit the 3 month mark with Luca, it's been so much easier just like everyone says. But he has still had trouble sleeping through the night. Any advice? He is just getting so hungry and I'm breastfeeding twice, sometimes three times at night. Ugh! Mama needs her sleep :) But Luca really is just the greatest gift and my hubby and I have loved all of it- everything is new for our little guy and new for us all over again. It's just the best! We took Luca to the ocean in Carmel for the first time and he loved the feeling of sand between his toes and the breeze- it was the sweetest thing to watch. I was also excited to wear cozy sweaters in Carmel- finally! Although, I'm back home now and I'm back to warm weather still- bummer! I can't wait until it officially gets chillier here. I also just got my custom Nike's recently and I absolutely adore them. They are so comfy and I love that they are pretty unique. I wanted a dark shoe but one that had a print so I chose an almost tie dye print in a gray/black/white. So cool. And I've also been stepping up my coffee table game. I am the type of person who can never leave something in my home the same-I get anxious and need to change stuff around- I love the tray and the black Dyptique candle- just so chic. I hope you are all having the best week! xo, Alida

Wish List Wednesday: Beach Ready Style

1. Embroidered Coverup | 2. New Bonita Black Dress | 3. Headband | 4. Bandar Racerback Tank Dress | 5. Pilar Sandals | 6. Isla Rafia Hat | 7. Cabazon Bikini Lavender | 8. Nappa Beach Tote | 9. Osaka Cutout Swimsuit | 10. Baroque Pearl Lariat 

It's Wish List Wednesday and with this amazing warm weather we're having this week in the Bay Area, I felt the need to put together my top beach ready must haves of the moment. A cool coverup, chic swimwear, and some neutral accessories make for the perfect beach ready look. Check out my picks above and let me know what you are craving to put in your closet this summer! 

Follow me on Pinterest.

Some warm weather inspiration! 

Gift Guide: The Beach Babe

Beach Bunny Lace Bikini | Sensi Studio Hat | Pendleton Beach Towel | Beach Bunny Coral Bikini | Jimmy Choo Sunglasses | Vix Kaftan | Tory Burch Sandals | Beach Bunny Black Hat | Mara Hoffman Beach Bag

When the cold air nips at your toes, that's when a sunny vacation sounds oh so nice! Just like many others- in the middle of winter there is nothing better than dreaming of, or actually going on a trip to the beach! And what better to get the jet setter than beach necessities. A wide brimmed hat, a new bikini, and a new beach bag are all fantastic presents for the girl who likes to get her tan on. Are you going anywhere warm for the holidays?