The Colony Hotel West Palm Beach & Swifty's Restaurant Review

We recently stopped by the iconic Colony Hotel in West Palm Beach to have brunch at Swifty's Restaurant, their on-site eatery, which offers great fare in a chic and relaxed pool-side setting.  Swifty's Palm Beach carries on in the spirit of the beloved New York, Upper East Side institution that closed in 2016.  

For breakfast, I recommend the Full Vegan Colony Breakfast or The Benedicts (sauce on the side, of course!) or The Colony Breakfast (photo below). If you're hungrier, start off with some Gazpacho, or go with the Bacon Wrapped Designer Meatloaf as an entree. 

After you've finished eating, stop in for some shopping at the Dolce & Gabbana boutique inside the hotel. 

Sunglasses are by Diff Eyewear 

Easy vacation outfit!

For brunch, I wore a cutout top from Tularosa which is a few year's old and a draped, loose sage green skirt from Zara (I found a similar one on Amazon and an almost identical one here.)

 Also, I'm bringing back the turban trend from 2012! This one is from Ulta. My metallici clutch bag is the only new item featured in these photos. I've linked similar items below.

There is not one square inch of this hotel that is not covered in something chic. From the wallpaper to light fixtures, upholstery and the accent plants - they thought of it all.  There's a Dolce & Gabbana boutique in the hotel lobby, monkey and flamingo wallpaper throughout. And talk to me about the beautiful pink marble interiors in the bathroom? Unique and beautiful.  Also, my outfit was unintentionally retro which matched the theme. 

The styling on this outfit is all about the loose pieces that drape in different ways.  I also feel like a boxy, lace cut-out top, like the one I'm wearing here, is a summer staple. You can style it in so many ways, such as with high 

Wallpaper inside the lobby of The Colony Hotel, West Palm Beach, FL

Swify's Menu, The Colony Hotel, West Palm Beach, FL

TRAVEL DIARY: EAST HAMPTON, NEW YORK

I recently traveled to East Hampton, in New York, for a weekend trip to celebrate a good friend's engagement.  You can read about how we got around, in this post.  Below is a roundup of what I wore, where we ate, and what we saw.  Click below for my Hampton's Travel Guide. 

Finishing the night off right, with a side walk shimmy outside of Lulu's Kitchen and Bar in Sag Harbor. Wearing a bustier by Laveer; one of my favorite pieces because it can be dressed up or down. 

Where to Stay:
We were a large group so we opted for a 4 bedroom house through Air BNB (5 Longboat Lane) nestled deep in the hills.  Every morning, little deer would graze on our front lawn. The location is remote, with spotty internet and cell phone access which allowed us to disconnect. The area was peaceful and quiet, full of wildlife and beautiful scenery.  We were about a 15 minute drive to town, and Sag Harbor.

What to Do:

• Sightseeing: Montauk, Sag Harbor, East Hampton are beautiful. I recommend renting a car and just exploring the surroundings. We were very fortunate to have Volkswagen sponsor our ride, and really enjoyed driving the Tiguan through the beautiful neighborhoods (full review on the VW Tiguan here). The homes are gorgeous. In town, you'll find a Soul Cycle (of course), a farmer's market, and so much good shopping.  

• Shopping: if you're a fashion girl you will find all of your faves located along the strip; Zimmerman, Intermix, Tory Burch, Alice Olivia, everything within arm's reach.  

• Surf Lessons: we also drove to Montauk and took surfing lessons on the beach. We used Corey's Wave. Really nice and patient instructors. 

• Wildlife: make your way to the Duck Pond. It's a peaceful spot where you can feed the wildlife, walk nature trails and find a bird sanctuary. Be on the lookout for the muskrat! 

• Hire a Private Chef: it's really nice to stay in from time to time, especially while on vacation! Chef Kevin Des Chenes (Food Network alum) prepared a fantastic lobster and clam bake for us, with all of the trimmings. He was a great sport, and a one-man-show who handled everything from meal prep, plating and cleaning. More pictures of the meal below.

Surfing in Montauk.

Where to Eat: 
Lulu's Kitchen and Bar in Sag Harbor: beautiful restaurant with delicious food and cocktails, friendly/knowledgable staff and a great atmosphere. You know it's good when you see Eric Ripert having dinner with his family and then he graciously drops by your table to congratulate the bride.
What to Eat: have the skirt steak, mussels, roasted cauliflower, and a Spicy Paloma cocktail.

The Lobster Roll: I will admit that I had a total fangirl moment when we stopped at The Lobster Roll on our drive back from surfing. Those of you who are fans of The Affair will recognize this restaurant from the series.
What to Eat: have the puffer fish (seriously amazing - you will not believe how good), fried clams, and a lobster roll, obviously. Skip the Bloody Mary - not the best.

Lobster Roll at the Lobster Roll.

La Fondita Mexican Restaurant: located in Amagansett off of Montauk Highway, this Mexican restaurant came highly recommended but was somewhat of a letdown. Still, I wouldn't say it was bad, but the lines / wait were long and there was nothing I ate that was too memorable. Note: only outdoor seating.

THE 2018 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN REVIEW: THE PERFECT TRAVEL COMPANION

We recently took a trip up through New York, to East Hampton, Sag Harbor and Montauk. The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan accompanied us every step of the way and made for the perfect travel companion.

The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan

Montauk

The Tiguan is VW's version of a compact, cross-over SUV; seating up to seven people when you fully utilize the the third row seating option, (although the last row of seats is much smaller in size and probably more kid friendly than adult friendly.). A variety of driving packages make it a fun car to drive. It boasts a 5-inch color touch screen that was useful on our trip as we navigated the long and windy Hamptons' roads. The Tiguan synchs to your Apple iPhone, and mirrors your phone on the dash, allowing you to select your destination from Maps and access other things like your Contacts.  In addition to Apple CarPlay, it also has Android MirrorLink options. You can also opt to display your text messages or have them read to you so that you can keep your eyes safely on the road. 

CHOTTO MATTE: MIAMI

Nikkei Gyoza: pork shrimp and cassava dumplings at Chotto Matte, Miami 

Chotto Matte, the popular Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant with locations in Toronto and in London, has recently opened in Miami.  The sleek exterior hides the entrance, tucked in the alleyway just behind the 1111 parking garage, off of 16th and Lenox.

Night time bar scene at Chotto Matte, Miami

The dining concept centers around four key areas: the sushi bar, the Robata grill, the Sautee Grill and a Tempura selection.  There are also a variety of Nikkei sharing menus to choose from.  The sharing menus are perfect for first timers, because they help cut through the vast menu selections. They provide you with pre-set options for starters, entrees, and desserts.

Exec Chef Jordan Sclare, has hit it out of the park with dishes like the Tentaculos de Pulpo - a perfectly grilled and tender piece of octopus served alongside a purple potato sauce.  The Nikkei Gyoza are perfectly crispy on the outside with a delicious pork and shrimp blend filling. The lobster tempura is a must have, and easy to share.

The ambiance and decore at Chotto Matte Miami are sure to draw you in. Dim lighting provides for beautiful interiors.  If you opt to dine in the evening, the moonlight fills the main dining area, as it comes through the beautiful and large skylight. In the winter months, the retractable roof can be opened to let in the beautiful Miami breeze.

Chotto Matte is not quiet, by any means, and between the music blaring and the vast menu, you may feel a bit overwhelmed.  Still, the tropical vibe is fun; a great option for a night out when you want to disconnect and people watch.

Last, but not least, and definitely worth a mention is the amazing service. This restaurant boasts the most friendly staff. There was rarely a moment in between plates, and the staff was really welcoming and pleasant.

Tentaculos de Pulpo

Below, are some of my must-have dishes.

MIAMI NEW TIMES BURGER FEST 2018

The first annual Miami New Times Burgerfest is here! This 21+ over event will take place at Soho Studios, in Miami,  on Saturday, July 7, 2018.  It will feature all-you-can-eat burger samplings from Miami's best spots. Restaurants will put a creative spin on their burgers, allowing you to taste and vote on who you think makes the best burger in town.  The event will feature over 20 local South Florida restaurants, and have a cash bar for beer and cocktails.  The fare will not just be limited to beef burgers; guests will also be able to snack on veggie burgers, fried chicken burgers and more. 

Confirmed restaurants include: 

• El Rey de las Fritas
• Yarumaba Restaurant
• Fifi's on the Beach
• Salt Kitchen and Lounge
• JR's Gourmet Burgers

Ticket details:

VIP Tickets: VIP admission starts at 5PM; tickets are $55 and include unlimited burger and drink samples in a VIP area. 

General Admission Tickets: GA entry starts at 6PM; tickets are $30.

The event runs until 9PM. 

Restrictions: must be 21 to attend this event, no infants or babies allowed. 

Follow the link below to purchase your tickets and if you want a special discounted ticket rate, use my online promo code FASHIONABLE to save. 

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

#BurgerFest2018

#Bommia

First Look: Genesis G90; Vancouver Launch

Wearing: Shoes:Chinese Laundry Pom Pom Sandals. Dress: Splendid (similar here). Jacket: Blank NYC. Sunglasses: Sunday Somewhere c/o Bollare

As part of the Genesis G90 luxury sedan launch, we traveled outside of Vancouver after our stay at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia. We test drove the G90's powerful engine, with 3.3 (or optional 5.0) LTR twin-turbo V6/V8,  through the winding, scenic roads of British Columbia. We stopped for coffee and treats along the way at the Owl Street Cafe, nestled high in the mountains. The 8-speed automatic transmission made the drive smooth.  We had lunch at Mission Hill Winery in Kelowna, and toured their onsite barrel room and wine cellar.  The G90's 22 way comfort settings, on the driver's seat,  made driving the 250 plus miles an absolute breeze and gave my lower back support.  It felt like I was seated in a recliner!

Click the link below to see where we stayed, more on my outfits and to get a first look at the Genesis G90. Click here to watch the YouTube video I just uploaded, and see even more details. 

Genesis G90 12.3 inch HD, in-dash display and navigation system 

Easy Vacation Style

I fell in love with Vancouver when I had the opportunity to fly out and explore the city. I was lucky enough to go with the Genesis team (can't wait to tell you guys about that!) and soak in all of the sights for 10 days. Arrived back last night, on a very delayed flight, and was back at the office this morning.

Anyone that has ever traveled with me knows that two things are a sure bet: I will be anxious on the plane, and I will over pack. Tradition! I found that on this trip, I was able to get ready quickly in the mornings because I pre-planned my outfits (and also because I basically had my entire closet with me, so I was not lacking anything). Seriously, planning out your outfits before you leave town is a must. It streamlines everything.

Today, I'm sharing an easy vacation outfit that's comfortable and cute.  I wore this while we rode bikes along the seawall at Stanley Park.  I wore my comfiest jeans, the very best Sanuk Yoga Mat slides (like pillows for your feet), and grabbed a baseball cap to protect my skin from the sun.

My Instagram has some beautiful images of the scenery. Vancouver is absolutely gorgeous and a must-see city. Add it to your bucket list, ASAP.

 

Lure Fishbar, Loews Hotel Miami Review

The tuna tacos at Lure Fishbar

Our stay at the Loews Hotel led us to an incredible dinner at Lure Fishbar.  We dined both off of the regular menu and the Miami Spice Menu ($39/person).  Below, you'll find my review of the drinks, ambiance, service, and of course, our meal.  A full dinner menu can be found online here. The full Miami Spice menu can be found here. 

Loews Hotel Miami Review and Experience

The view from our room at the Loews Hotel, Miami Beach

The Loews Hotel, on 16th and Collins Avenue, on Miami Beach, hosted us for a great weekend! From the top-notch service, to the level of attention paid to detail, this hotel is not one to pass up if you're thinking of taking a trip to Miami.  You don't have to be from out of town to enjoy it, either! We had great time during our Staycation, and here is why.

Keep reading below for my full review on the Loews hotel, Miami.

OOTD: Sugar Love Boutique Dallas Dress + Madrid Photo Diary

Sugar Love Boutique sent over this really versatile blue dress a few weeks before I left on vacation.   I didn't get a chance to wear it before, but when I packed it I was sure I'd find a few uses for it.  The print was perfect for day cruising through the city streets.  It's fully lined and flows well.  I paired it with a green cargo vest and some gladiators for comfort.

D&G Lace + Love

Jewelry: Nordstrom; Shoes: Gucci

Peru Photo Diary

This post is more of a photo diary than a fashion diary.  I hope you don't mind.  There were lots of great pictures from our trip that I wanted to share.  Lots of colors & textures.  The temperature was considerably cooler in Cusco, and by 'considerably cooler', I basically mean that I died and became an ice cube.  This is also the point in our trip where I rocked a ponytail and never let me hair down again - because our hotel ( and I use this word loosely) did not have hot water.  Well, it actually did have hot water, but it was upon request; a fact we did not find out until our last night there.  All in all, it was a completely memorable trip with lots of great laughs, a total experience. 

Don't forget to enter my giveaway.  There's still a chance to win the Stella & Dot Bardot Bangles!

Turquoise heart shaped paperweight found in an open-air market.

Lima, Peru Part II

Here are some more pictures from our trip to Lima and what I wore.

In the lobby of the Hotel Atton

Lima, Peru Part I

I am a terrible packer, I know that you're all aware.  I always miss my closet when I am living out of a suitcase.  I did my best.  Please enjoy some pictures from our recent trip to Lima, Peru.

Lots of colorful shots at every corner.  I really like this one.  Good timing.

Fendi Forever Boston Bag + Cheeca Lodge

I had a birthday on Sunday!

(Picture heavy post)

We spent it at the Cheeca Lodge, on Isla Morada.

It was really, REALLY nice.

Key West Cool

Spent a wonderful, happy and relaxing weekend in Key West with my love.

I'm ready to go back.  What is this joke that we call MONDAY. 

Booo.