If you missed my first post about visiting Portland (click HERE to read that), my boyfriend and I took a West Coast trip this summer and visited three different cities!! It was my first time out west and it was so much fun to see what life was like on the other side. While Portland was my favorite stop on the trip, I really liked Seattle too! It has a vibrant city feel but is also surrounded by beautiful water and PNW nature. Keep reading below to get the details on where we went, what we did, and where we ate/drank in Seattle! Happy travels! 

Where We Stayed:

Traveling is expensive, but we were lucky enough that we were able to stay with friends while in Seattle. The neighborhood they live in is called Capitol Hill and we loved it there! It was within walking distance of all kinds of fun bars, restaurants and shopping, and it was a pretty central location in terms of visiting other parts of the city. We never even had to take a cab - we could walk everywhere we wanted to go (another great money-saver)! I would highly recommend staying in the Capitol Hill area.

Where We Ate & Drank:

Our first morning in Seattle we slept in and then went to a delicious brunch at Oddfellows Cafe + Bar. It's right in the Capitol Hill neighborhood on a fun street full of shops and bars. We loved this restaurant!! It's so cute and bright on the inside with tons of seating and even an outdoor section, and their breakfast food is amazing! I definitely recommend the breakfast panini or the homemade biscuit and eggs. So good and filling, so you'll have plenty of energy for a day of exploring! I ordered a decaf latte with my meal and the Seattle coffee did not disappoint! One evening during our visit, we got adventurous and tried Malaysian food at a cute little place called Kedai Makan. The food there was amazing (order a bunch of dishes and share), but be prepared to wait for a table. 

Seattle is definitely not short on grungy dive bars, and we spent some time at a bunch of those (you have to stop at Comet Tavern), but we also visited two breweries that I'd highly recommend. Red Hook Brewing has tons of seating (indoor and outdoor), tasty beer, delicious brick oven pizzas, and even outdoor fire pits to keep you warm during the colder months. It was a fun place to hang out for an afternoon! We also stopped at Cloudburst Brewing. The space is pretty tiny and the line for beers was long, but it's conveniently located just down the street from Pike Place Market! We enjoyed some relaxation and beers there and chatted with a local who had stopped in for a drink after work. 

Things to See & Do:

It wasn't hard to find fun things to do in Seattle and we fit a lot into our visit! We walked through Pike Place Market briefly, but it was so crowded that we didn't hang around for that long. We loved walking through Chihuly Garden & Glass. The exhibit is beautifully put together and the glass sculptures are pretty incredible! It doesn't take long to walk through (less than an hour unless you really take your time), but we took lots of great photos and got a great view of the Space Needle from the outdoor portion. It was also a lot of fun walking through the Olympic Sculpture Park. It's basically a walking/running path that winds down a hill towards the water and is full of large sculptures by different artists. We saw beautiful views of the water there and even spotted some cute little bunnies running through the gardens! 

If you're looking to do some souvenir shopping, head to the pier down by Pike Place Market. It's super walkable and full of Seattle-themed shops and people selling things on the streets. Our favorite spot was called Simply Seattle. While you're there, stop by the nearby Pike Street Press. They sell the cutest greeting cards, posters and other paper goods! I brought a bunch home to give to family. If you're into books like we are, visit Twice Sold Tales (a used bookstore home to a few adorable kitties) and Elliott Bay Book Company (new and used books with a café in back). My boyfriend likes skateboarding, so we also stopped by the 35th North Skate Shop. They had tons of fun t-shirts and Adam even picked up a skateboard to bring home.

Outdoor Aventures:

My favorite part of our Seattle trip was taking the ferry to Alki Beach. We boarded a boat at a pier near Pike Place Market and then it was a quick 10-minute ride with beautiful views of the city skyline. When we got off the ferry there was a free shuttle bus that brought us to the beach and boardwalk. There were a few bars and seafood restaurants to stop at, but we got some ice cream cones to go and strolled down the walking path until we made it back to the ferry. It was peaceful and pretty and so much fun! You can even rent bikes, roller-skates, or skateboards to ride on the boardwalk. The coolest part was that, as we were waiting to board the ferry heading back to the city, we saw a seal, a starfish, and some jellyfish! It was such a magical moment unexpectedly seeing a wild seal come popping out of the water in front of us to say hello, and it might have even been the highlight of the West Coast trip for me. 

How We Traveled:

After we finished our days in Seattle, we took the Amtrak Cascades train to our final destination, Portland, Oregon (you can read about that part of the trip HERE). The train ride was only about three hours long and it was so relaxing to just look out the window at the beautiful countryside we were passing by. If you take the train, definitely request a window seat and bring some snacks and drinks! Happy travels!

When I'm shopping for clothes, I try to choose quality over a low price, but every once in a while I find an inexpensive gem I can't pass up! I've been loving Target's new Universal Thread collection -- it reminds me of a lower-priced version of Madewell, classic and comfortable clothes and great fitting jeans -- so when I spotted this olive green romper during a recent shopping trip I had to try it on. I ended up loving it! The quality is surprisingly good and it's so comfy. I wore it all day last weekend and felt great! I kept my accessories pretty simple but did throw on a dramatic pair of sunglasses. Safari chic! It definitely runs big (I'm wearing an XS), but the drawstring can be tightened to bring in the waist. It also comes in plus size! Click the link below to shop!

As a lifelong East Coaster, I've always wondered what life was like on the other side. I based most of my opinions on movies and t.v. shows, but last month, my boyfriend and I took a long-awaited West Coast trip, stopping in three different cities in three different states! We had such an amazing time and made a lot of fun memories, and I'm so excited to share the highlights of our trip with all of you! I'm starting this little West Coast trip recap with our final (and my personal favorite!) destination, Portland, Oregon, because my friend is heading there soon and I want to be able to share this with her before she goes! Keep scrolling to read about where we went, what we did, where we stayed and what we ate/drank. Happy travels!!

Where we Stayed:

To save money on this trip, we stayed in spare rooms we booked through Airbnb. In general, while hotel beds are awesome, I think I might actually prefer staying in Airbnb's over hotels when traveling. It makes you feel like you're more a part of the city you're visiting when you're staying in a residential neighborhood in an actual home, and lots of times the hosts give great insider recommendations on things to do and places to eat! Our Airbnb host in Portland, Sarah, was the best I've ever experienced and went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. Her house even had a Harry Potter cupboard under the stairs room, complete with a tiny bed, a stuffed Hedwig, and a framed photo of Dumbledore (which Adam and I loved because we're big Harry Potter people)! There was also a wishing tree in the front yard where Sarah encourages guests to hang their wishes. So cool! If you're ever looking for a place to stay in Portland, just search for "Steps to Great Food & Drink (10 min to airport)" on Airbnb. 

Where We Ate & Drank:

The food/beer scene in Portland is no joke! We ate and drank a ton in each city we visited, but I think we definitely had the best food and drink of the trip in Portland. Just a few doors down from our Airbnb was a place called Tamale Boy that had some of the tastiest Mexican food I've had in a long time. It was sooo fresh and good! And the restaurant had a huge outdoor seating area that was perfect for the summer weather. I cannot recommend this place enough. Everyone in Portland was also raving about a Thai restaurant called Pok Pok, so we had to check it out. It definitely lived up to the hype. Every dish was delicious and the cocktails were great! They have several locations throughout the city, but we visited Pok Pok NW and were easily able to get a table. For a fun, Mediterranean tapas-style dinner downtown, definitely check out Mediterranean Exploration Co. The hummus with pita and the falafel were amazing! We also loved the brick oven pizza from Oven and Shaker (ask for a seat in front of the pizza oven - it's so fun to watch them work!) and the ice cream from Salt and Straw. 
Finally, for a simple and tasty breakfast, stop at P's and Q's Market. It was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and serves delicious and budget-friendly breakfast food. We went there for brunch two days in a row!!

Portland is definitely not short on breweries and we visited a ton during our trip. My personal favorite was Base Camp Brewing because the beer was amazing, the outdoors-inspired decor was fun, and the patio was spacious. They even had little nozzles spread around the patio spraying cool mist, which was awesome because it was 90 degrees out. We ordered a flight of 10 beers and had so much fun trying them all. Pro tip: order the s'mores flavored beer and it comes with torched mini marshmallows around the rim! We also liked StormBreaker Brewing (outdoor seating, tasty beers) and Deschutes Brewery (huge space, popular, right downtown). 

Things to See & Do: 

Portland is so full of interesting places, you can really just pick a street and walk down it to find places to visit. But, if you happen to be there on a weekend, don't miss the Saturday Market. It's the largest continuously operated outdoor market in the U.S. and it's full of all kinds of treasures. I ended up leaving with a cute and summery $25 sundress, a handmade necklace and a birthday gift for my mom (I can't reveal what it is or I'll ruin the surprise. Hi Mom!). While you're strolling the market, look up and you'll see Portland's famous White Stag sign! After shopping the market, if you're still looking for a fun trinket to commemorate your trip or to bring back as a gift, you have to visit Crafty Wonderland! It is the cutest little store and they sell Portland-themed items like pins, postcards and t-shirts, but also other adorable gift items like jewelry and art prints. Adam and I both found really cute souvenirs there and had a lot of fun looking around. Finally, if you're a book-lover, stop by Powell's City of Books -- it's the largest independent, new and used bookstore in the country! The size is a bit overwhelming, but they have every type of book you could imagine in there. 

Apparently, Portland is known as The City of Roses and there are several rose gardens located around the area. We visited the Peninsula Park Rose Garden and it was so pretty!! The air smelled like roses, the flowers were beautiful, and there was a beautiful fountain in the very middle. It was a peaceful place to stroll through on a nice day. It would even be a great place to bring a picnic! 

Outdoor Adventures:

My cousin Kelly lives in Portland and I was lucky enough that she was around on the last day of the trip to bring me to two beautiful waterfalls just outside of the city. It was a beautiful drive and felt very Pacific Northwest-y. The first place we stopped was Latourell Falls - a gorgeous waterfall that has been left pretty much alone. It's a great spot to visit if you're feeling extra adventurous because you can actually climb down, stand near the base of the waterfall and get sprayed by the water! Some people were even climbing up the side of the cliff! YIKES! The second waterfall we visited, Multnomah Falls, is the more well-known and was more touristy, with a gift shop/food court area and a huge parking lot. But the waterfall was beautiful and you can hike up a path and stand on the little bridge in the center. Even with all the people around, it felt peaceful being around the falling water and it was a great end to the Portland trip!

In conclusion, Portland was everything we hoped it would be and we are already dreaming of going back again! I also kinda would love to live there! If you've ever been and have other recommendations, share them in the comments below. : ) 

Maxi skirts are comfy and breezy, and perfect for people who want to look cute and feminine but would rather not show a ton of leg! I love them for summer! And don't be afraid of them if you're on the shorter side... as long as you find one that hits you at the right length (tons of stores offer petite/short options), maxi skirts look great on all heights.

I'm all about embracing and wearing what flatters your body type, and I've realized that I really don't like the way my torso looks when I tuck my shirts into maxis. It's just not a flattering look on me. So, I wear them with crop tops instead. I like crop tops that are long enough so that only a sliver of skin shows. It's subtle and not too in-your-face, and you won't feel self-conscious after eating a few tacos or having a few beers (just keeping it real haha)! I found this black one at Zara. I love the way the fitted crop top pairs with the flowy, feminine maxi. I finished the look off with a cute pair of Vans low-top sneakers to keep it cool and casual. I'm a big fan of pairing sneakers with a more feminine outfit - it instantly makes you look more relaxed and effortless. The maxi in the photos above is an oldie but goodie from LOFT a few years ago. But click the photos below to shop my favorite maxi skirt styles available now. XOXO

My go-to essential oils brand, Rocky Mountain Oils, just released a brand new "chakra-inspired" product line, and I was lucky enough to get to take it for a test drive before it launched earlier this month! I already love all of their other oil roll-ons, so it was so fun to try this seven-piece set. These chakra roll-ons are extra special because each one is designed to be applied to a different part of your body, and each rollerball is made of a different gemstone. They're so pretty!! 

One of the best parts about where Adam and I live in Brooklyn right now is our proximity to the beautiful Prospect Park. It's just a 10-minute walk away from our apartment and a much-needed peaceful oasis where we go to decompress from the craziness of the city and enjoy some nature. Right outside of our park entrance is Grand Army Plaza -- a must-see spot if you ever visit Brooklyn -- and every Saturday the plaza hosts a Greenmarket, where locals go to stock up on locally-grown produce, organic meats, freshly baked breads, and other tasty treats. If you're ever in the area on a Saturday morning, you have to stop by!

It's one of my favorite places to visit for a little "me time" on a lazy weekend morning. One of the reasons I like New York City is because of the anonymity I enjoy here. In my hometown, I couldn't walk down the sidewalk without running into a ton of people I knew, but in New York it's easy to slip through the crowds or go out for the day without that constant recognition. I love starting a Saturday morning by quietly walking through each vendor's stall at the Greenmarket and watching all the other people hustle by. My favorite products you can find at the Market are dried lavender sachets, apple cider slushies, and savory stuffed loaves of bread. Seriously, if you're in Brooklyn you have to check it out! I brought my mom when she was visiting last winter and we had so much fun picking out delicious foods to bring home and cook for brunch. 

When you're done shopping at the Greenmarket, before you head out of the area, take a little detour down the nearby Underhill Avenue. Just one block down the street (coming from Eastern Parkway) you'll find a colorful and creative street art exhibition called the Underhill Walls. The artwork rotates from time to time, and it's extra fun if you happen to show up on the day the artists are painting over their old works and creating new ones. XOXO