SUNSHINE ESSENTIALS

As I have mentioned before, Emil and I decided to relocate to Malibu for a little while in order to escape the blazing heat of LA. As I was packing for this little escape, I thought it would be good to talk about some of my beach ready favorites and essentials. So without further ado, here is my absolute must-have list:

1. A bikini. Duh! When it comes to bikinis, obviously a good fit is a number one priority yet what I also look for in a bikini are those special little details that add a bit of drama, like scalloped edges, fringe or beading. You know me, I'm not particularly fond of plain:)

2. Cover up. Normally, I look for something comfy enough to through over my bikini yet special enough to take out to dinner later. I am particularly fond of anything in white or pastel colors because they tend to accentuate bronzed skin in the most amazing way.

3. Sunnies. A good pair of shades is not just a cute beach accessory but an actual necessity to protects your eyes against long-term sun exposure. Normally, I opt for darker lenses or mirrored shades which in my experience offer maximum protection.

4. A cute hat. Especially a wide-brimmed one! The one thing that I have learn the hard way is that hair and long-term sun exposure don't mix well. In the past, I've tried putting oil in my hair or doing a deep conditioning mask after, but the truth is, nothing works quite as well as simply covering your hair with a hat. Btw, this is especially true if you tend to color your hair like I do.

I've also been getting a few questions about my summer body care lately, so I though I'd take this opportunity to answer a few of them:

Though I have used tanning creams in the past, this Summer the glow is all natural. We've been spending quite a bit of time on the beach and in Palm Springs lately, so I guess the results show:) 

As far as body lotions are concerned, I am completely addicted to organic body oils. My all time favorites are coconut and olive oil. Though it may take some getting used to, because obviously they don'y absorb as quickly as regular lotions, the results are worth it, because my skin has never been softer. 

I prefer shaving! When it comes to shaving I learned two very important things. First, I never shave as soon as I get into the shower. I wash my hair, condition and let the moisture and steam work it's magic, i.e. open up the pores and soften the hair. So, basically shaving is my very last step. Simple, yes! But makes the world of difference! Secondly, I stopped using regular soap to shave and switched to a shaving cream. Aside from the fact that it moisturizes the skin, it also helps the blade to glide without scraping and prevents nicks and razor bumps. Currently, I'm using EOS shaving cream, because it smells yummy and leaves my skin really soft and smooth.

Hope you find these tips helpful! And as always, shoot me an email if you have any questions!

LOVESHACKFANCY dress { sleeveless option here, also love this options } | MELISSA ODABASH Jemima hat | WANDERLUST & CO Trio Stack ring set | GORJANA Gisele ring 

BEACH BOUND

Ah, it's been so hot in LA lately, it literally feels like you're melting every time you step outside. After spending a few days running from one air-conditined area to the next, we decided enough is enough and run off to Malibu for the rest of this week to enjoy a much more habitable weather! Malibu tends to run a few degrees cooler that the rest of the city, so it's been absolutely amazing to be able to venture outside without feeling like you stepped into a sauna:) 

It took us exactly half a day to become complete and total beach bums! I am pretty sure I haven't left the house wearing anything other than a bikini and a cover up since we got here! The cute Tiare Hawaii cover up & fringed perfection of a bikini I am wearing in today's post are my particular favorites! You know me, I love soft colors, and these water-colored pieces are so pretty and have such a relaxed and easy vibe! My poor feet are getting some well-deserved rest as well! I spend the past fews days walking around bare feet or wearing these comfy studded flat sandals! Guess I should give my heels a break a bit more often, cause this is heaven!:)

TIARE Hawaii cover up, L * SPACE swimsuit  & CHASE & CHLOE sandals all on sale up to 75% OFF via HauteLook 

TALES OF THE TUX

Good morning and happy almost weekend everyone! Wanted to share a few images of the perfect little black dress I scored recently! Though my love for little black dresses runs deep in general, this one is definitely a current favorite! Why? Well, mainly because of the tuxedo-inspired shape but also because it's one of those pieces that could be worn in a multiple number of ways, and of course you know how much I love that! So good with a pair of strappy heels, yet equally powerful paired with black skinny jeans or a midi a-line skirt! Love that!

MINISTRY OF STYLE Tux dress { similar here & here } | CARVELA Gosh black strap heeled sandals via ASOS | SAINT LAURENT small Monogramme tassel chain bag | EXPRESS oversized metal accent round sunglasses | GORJANA Nina body chain | WANDERLUST & CO Trio Stack ring set 

MEET ME IN MALIBU

Hiking in Malibu, or as I like to call it, the place where it all started. It's kind of hard to imagine that it's been more than four years since Emil and I shot our very first post for VivaLuxury in this exact spot! Feeling a bit nostalgic, really... A lot has changed, but a lot has remained the same, most importantly I still enjoy our shoots with Emil as much as I did the day it all began:) It's kind of funny but starting VivaLuxury really opened my eyes and helped me to discover a whole new side of me. Switching to Fashion from Computer Science background at first seems like a 180 degree turn, but eventually I realized those two are not mutually exclusive and I am simply a computer science geek with a passion for fashion!

What has changed in the past four years is my appreciation for appropriate hiking footwear. Can't imagine why, but I went with a pair of platform, sky-high heeled boots on our first shoot! Let me tell you, comfortable it was not! So, keeping comfort in mind, this time I opted for a breezy, light-as-air cotton tunic I recently scored at Karen Kane, denim cut-offs and flat sandals! You live, you learn, I guess! Hooray to personal growth!:)

KAREN KANE tunic | FREE PEOPLE raw denim shorts | CHLOE small Drew bag | CHLOE Carlina sunglasses | J CREW studded lace-up gladiator sandals { similar option here } | WANDERLUST & CO Trio Stack ring set | GORJANA Gisele ring 

PERFECT ASYMMETRY

I have never met an off-the-shoulder dress I didn't like! Never! Pondering about what it is about these dresses I find so attractive, I think that aside from the fact that they appeal to my girly side, to me, they are the quintessential summer dress! This particular DVF number is made even more appealing by the asymmetric hem and light-as-air silk-chiffon which feels like you wearing nothing at all! I got it right before our last trip to Palm Springs thinking it was a great little option to throw over my bikini but realized very quickly that this dress had a day-to-night transformation potential. Though it pairs beautifully with gladiator sandals and raffia totes, I am quite keen on the way it looks with high heels! Very girly and pretty! And I love that of course!:)

DIANE VON FURSTENBURG Camila printed silk-chiffon dress { more sizes here } | NICHOLAS KIRKWOOD embellished leather & cork platform sandals | CHLOE Carlina 60mm oversized sunglasses | CHLOE Drew small textured leather shoulder bag | VIVALUXURY x MEJURI White Velvet ring, White Velvet arrow bracelet, White Velvet  bracelet