Thursday, March 19, 2015

Travel Essentials: The Carry On

When traveling, the carry on is always a tough one. Do you want to have it handy while on the flight? Or can you afford to put it in your checked bag? There is nothing worse than sitting down in your assigned seat, and realizing the book you want to read is packed in your checked bag along with your underwear and toiletries. Take a look inside my carry-on, where I feature my 6 essentials to make sure are always in your bag.

The Carry-On.
I have a variety of necessities in my carry on. I am constantly changing what I'm in the mood for, do I want to read? Binge watch some Pretty Little Liars or Scandal? Perhaps listen to some music, or play a game on my iPad? My carry-on needs to have all the options to keep my mind occupied during my air travel.  Here's a look of what's typically inside my carry on bag when I travel. 

1. Laptop. 
This is for obvious reasons. What if my flight is delayed, I just whip the Macbook out of my carry on and do some web browser, or perhaps some blogging while sitting at the terminal's bar with a glass of wine. 

2. Book. 
You always need a good book handy. Don't get me wrong, I do use the Kindle app on my iPad from time to time- but when I have the real thing handy, I choose that over reading it off technology any day. Theres something about the feel of turning the pages in real life, rather then swiping my finger across a screen. 
Side note: For those of you who not read "Man Up" by Ross Mathews- do it. Now. It's hysterical.  

3. Headphones 
(preferably my Beats by Dre)
This is obvious. Whether it be to listen to music off your phone of iPod or to plug in on those JetBlue flights to watch some TV- headphones are a must. Not only do they keep your ears and mind entertained- but they are also a great way to get out of that small talk with the person next to you. 

4. iPad
The iPad is a game changer on a flight. It basically can cover items 1-3 on my list, but I like to travel in bulk clearly. You can (if you buy wifi on your flight) cruise the internet or do some emails. You can listen to music off it. You can watch a movie or a show on it. Read a book. Play some games. Really the iPad does it all. I mainly use it for the games. You know the ones that don't need wifi to play? This iPad it a great addition to my carry on items because I'm a huge multi-tasker. I like to watch TV and play a game all at once. I don't limit myself to just one activity on my flight, no sir. 

5. Sunglasses
I try not to ever go anywhere without sunglasses. Whether it's to block the sun or cover my face when I'm not feeling it- you're gonna need your sunglasses. Maybe not for the actual flight, but they can't be in your checked bag- you need them handy and close by.

6. Wallet
No, not to get you thru security. To get you an in-flight cocktail- duh. 


F.F.

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Get The Street Style Look: Bib + Tuck Steals + Deals

Happy Hump Day! Here to get you through this Wednesday are 3 fabulous street style outfits, all Spring Themed in honor of the (almost) change in season! Of course, we founds all the pieces to give you these looks on our favorite online shopping site, Bib + Tuck- where you can find designer, boutituqe, small/indie brand, and handmade pieces for way less.


Outfit # 1
I'm obsessed with the BoHo look. Throw on some high-waisteds and a plain tank- and pair it with a fabulous kimono and fun necklace. 


Bib + Tuck Finds:

Shoes:
ASOS Two Buckle White Sandal for $28 found on Bib + Tuck.

Harper Flatform Sandals for $30 (originally $45) found on Bib + Tuck.

White Platform Sandal for $50 found on Bib + Tuck.


Shorts:
90's Levis White Washed Jean Shorts for $19 found on Bib + Tuck.



Shirt:
Club Monaco Tank for $20 found on Bib + Tuck.

Alexander Wang Flowy Racerback White Tank for $67 found on Bib + Tuck.


Kimono:
Free People Keepsakes Fringe Kimono for $149 (originally $168) found on Bib + Tuck.


Bag:
Fula Appaloosa Messenger Bag for $125 (originally $330) found on Bib + Tuck. 

Topshop White Leather Satchel for $18 found on Bib + Tuck.

Mackage Rubie Small Crossbody for $205 (originally $250) found on Bib + Tuck. 



Necklace:
ALIBI BY JO.LIU Energy + Generosity Necklace for $135 found on Bib + Tuck. 

Chiseled Point Minimalist Necklace for $20 found on Bib + Tuck.

ALIBI BY JO.LIU Solidity + Generosity Pendant for $134 found on Bib + Tuck. 

Laura Lombardi Jewelry Copper Shield Necklace for $37 found on Bib + Tuck.



Outfit # 2
This is a perfect outfit for the transition of winter and spring. Not too warm yet, so you still need the long pants and sweater- however the soft pink accessories and jacket around the waist scream Spring (and the jacket is always handy for those random temperature drops).


Bib + Tuck Finds:

Shoes:

 Giuseppe Zanotti Classic Pump for $310 (originally $719) found on Bib + Tuck.


Pants:
Current Elliot Shredded Skinny Jeans for $32 (originally $188) found on Bib + Tuck.

Earnest Sewn Jeans for $42 found on Bib + Tuck.


Sweater:
Zara Grey Knitted Sweater for $13 found on Bib + Tuck.

J. Crew Sweater for $30 found on Bib + Tuck.

Suzanne Rae Alpaca Sweater for $157 (originally $375) found on Bib + Tuck.


Jacket:
Handmade Pink Lady Coat for $55 found on Bib + Tuck.

Wilfred Chevalier Blazer for $30 found on Bib + Tuck.

Pink Faux Fur Coat for $130 found on Bib + Tuck.


Bag:
Phillip Lim 3.0 Large Pashli Bag for $910 (Originally $975) found on Bib + Tuck.

Large Quilted Handbag for $79 found on Bib + Tuck.



Outfit # 3
Simply Love. If you haven't been able to tell already, I am a sucker for some skinnys, with a simple tucked in top (cut offs aren't just for construction workers) and a statement necklace and some killer shoes. This look is great for a variety of occasions. 


Bib + Tuck Finds:

Shoes:
UNIF Prye Heel for $130 (originally $170) found on Bib + Tuck.

MIA Limited Edition Heels for $80 (originally $229) found on Bib + Tuck.

Jill Sander Elastic Wrap Around Chunky Heels for $60 found on Bib + Tuck.

Camilla Skovgaard London Edgy Saw Heels for #309 (originally $775) found on Bib + Tuck



Pants:
J Crew "Toothpick" Skinny Jeans for $82 (originally $188) found on Bib + Tuck.

Madewell Skinny Jeans for $19 found on Bib + Tuck.

Love Moschino Skinny Jeans for $29 (originally $250) found on Bib + Tuck.

Closed Denim Skinny Pusher Denim for $37 (originally $210) found on Bib + Tuck.



Top:
Indigo Tide Grey Muscle Tee for $33 found on Bib + Tuck.

Grey Burn Out Tank for $20 found on Bib + Tuck.



Necklace: 
Antique Statement Necklace for $55 (originally $68) found on Bib + Tuck.

Statement Necklace for $27 found on Bib + Tuck.





F. F. 

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Victorios Art Studio: Wine Wednesday and Paint Night

Last night Finigan's Fundamentals went out and painted the town! No really, we did a lot of painting. We headed over to Victorios Art Studio in Fort Lauderdale for a fabulous "Bring Your Own Wine" (BYOW) art class! We packed up the malbec, cheese and crackers and a little bit of patience and creativity for a super fun night- and we cannot wait to go back!

(954) 764 6968


Obviously had to dress the part. Black on black is super artsy, right?


  
The set up was super cozy and interactive. Right when we walked in we were directed to two places- where to sit, and where the corkscrew was kept. We immediately felt right at home. 

  
However, being the Wine-O's we are- I threw a random travel cork-screw in my bag. Needless to say, it was not an expensive one- and once I began screwing it into the cork, I realized that. The screw completely came off and was stuck in the cork. That's when we decided to take the studio up on their offer to use their corkscrew, which came to the rescue and got our bottle open. Catastrophe diverted. 


    
And we were off! We started with the background which is probably the only part of the painting I wasn't nervous I was going to totally screw it up. 


Then we took a break...



  
After the background was completed, we were exhausted. So we paused for some wine tasting.


   
This is when shit got real. We had to paint over that beautiful background. Once that paint brush hit the canvas to create those white fluffy clouds and black shadowy tundra- there was no turning back. 

  
My elephants were a bit of a disaster in the beginning, but with a little help from my art teacher- I was able to make them look slightly more realistic rather than like two conjoined aardvarks.

Ta-Da!! 
The completed product! 

I would highly recommend doing this with your girlfriends for a night out during the week! It was so fun, super interactive, and nothing crazy that would leave you regretting it the next morning. 

For those of you in the Fort Lauderdale area, Victorios Art Studio is fabulous and I would highly recommend it! Click here for their upcoming events.

Until next time, V.A.S! 


F. F.