Bridal Shower Gift Idea: Custom Floppy Sun Hat

If you’ve been reading my blog or following me on Instagram, you might have seen that I was recently a bridesmaid in my friend Tracy’s wedding. The bachelorette party was fab and I loved the bridesmaid dress, but I don’t think I ever told you guys what I got her for her bridal shower. I should have shared this very significant detail earlier because it’s a great idea for a bridal shower gift or even a bachelorette party favor.

Etsy Custom Sun Hat Bridal Shower Gift Ideas

I wanted to get her something fun and original. So I opted for an off registry gift – a Black Sequin and Pom Custom Floppy Sun Hat from the HatsByOlivia store on Etsy. Here she is sporting her custom “Just Married” sun hat on her honeymoon in Riviera Maya, Mexico. Her husband (who is also her Instagram husband) snapped this photo of her and of course I had to share it.

When it comes to weddings and bridal showers, I personally like to get an off registry gift for the shower and give something from the registry or cash at the wedding. This custom sun hat was an unexpected, yet welcome surprise and like love, I like my bridal shower gifts to be unexpected. It was so great to see her wear it on her honeymoon. If you’re planning on surprising a bride-to-be, a birthday girl or whoever, a custom floppy hat just might be the way to go!

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Steal vs. Splurge: Vintage-Inspired Chain Crossbody Bag

When you’re looking to add some classic luxury to an outfit, nothing’s more on point than a saddle bag with vintage vibes. While I don’t believe in buying fake designer anything EVER, there’s no shame in jumping on the vintage-inspired trend on a budget.

Chloe Drew Leather Crossbody Bag Nordstrom

Splurge: Chloe ‘Drew’ Leather Crossbody Bag from Nordstrom ($1850)

If you’re someone who can splurge on the Chloe bag, go for it! You’ll get what you paid for just by the quality of the leather alone. However, if you’re anything like me and most people, the Chloe Crossbody is probably out of reach. When you can’t afford your dream designer bag, I always suggest going for something that’s inexpensive and unique and this Faux Leather Saddle Bag fits the bill (literally). Happy shopping and aspiring!

Faux Leather Chain Saddle Bag

Steal: Contrast Faux Leather Chain Saddle Bag from SheIn.com ($29.99)

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The Importance of Staycations

Aspiring Socialite Fashion Blogger White Jeans Ami Club Wear Shoes Pink Heels Staycation

Photo by: Zarif Taufiq

Vacations are awesome. There’s truly nothing better than exploring a new place or relaxing on the beach for a week. However, the hard truth is that we can’t always afford to or have time to go on vacation. That’s where the staycation comes in. A staycation is basically a vacation from everyday life without the time and the hassle of actually traveling somewhere else. When you think about it a staycation is the best of both worlds as it provides all the relaxation of a vacation without the stress that comes with actually getting there.

My Staycation

Going on a staycation can be as easy as hosting a BBQ in your backyard or going on a long hike at a nearby trail. When you live in a big city like New York you often find yourself staying in the same neighborhood and going to the same places time and time again. So I like to use my staycation time to get out of my neighborhood and borough and discover new parts of the city. During the summer, I like to visit The Rockaways in Queens or go all the way uptown to The Cloisters. There are some awesome beaches in The Rockaways. I still can’t believe that you can take the subway there. It’s almost like being on the Jersey Shore rather than New York City. There’s even a genuine Venezuelan arepa bar right on the beach.

The Outfit

My casual chic staycation outfit consists of a V-neck Coffee Days Graphic Tee from Express, White Skinny Jeans, My signature Rebecca Minkoff Love Cross Body Bag and
Fuchsia Ankle Strap Single Sole High Heels from Ami Club Wear. I topped this summer weekend look off with my Betsey Johnson Octogoing Out Today Tortoise Sunglasses which as some of the most unique sunnies I’ve ever owned. I’m also sporting Naughty Nautical Nail Polish by Essie which is one of my favorite summer colors.

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Shopping for Wardrobe Essentials

If there are two things I’m always shopping for it’s tops and jackets. While a basic black blazer is always great to have, they often wear out easily from overuse and aren’t always great for spring and summer looks. As for tops, my shirts tend to wear out way before my jeans do so I’m always on the lookout for casual chic tops.

Lyst Shopping Tops

  1. Oasis Tie Shoulder Bardot Top  2. Quiz Blue Aztec Print Vest Top  3. Cupcakes and Cashmere Blushing Floral Peplum Tank  4. Women’s Sub Urban Riot Sunday Morning Tee  5. Women’s Lucky Brand Peace Hand Graphic Slub Knit Cotton Tank 

I recently discovered Lyst, a London-based fashion site where you can shop thousands of designers in one place. It’s super easy to use so if I’m not careful I could stay on Lyst for hours. With summer coming into full swing, I’m finding that I’m low on tanks and tees so I’ve been surfing my favorite sites looking to build up my summertime wardrobe.

For those dressier days and cooler nights, I’ve also been on the lookout for new jackets and blazers. I’m still amazed how the right blazer can dress up any outfit. Since you should always diversify your wardrobe like you diversify your portfolio, you can never have enough colors.

Coats Blazers Jackets Aspiring Socialite Lyst Shopbop

  1. Women’s Sanctuary Sunset Safari Band Collar Twill Jacket  2. Free People Shrunken Jean Jacket  3. Rebecca Taylor Denim Peplum Jacket  4. Kate Spade Downtown Denim Jacket  5. Women’s BLANKNYC Faux Leather Moto Jacket

Above are my top picks for tops and below are some coats I’m crushing on. To help me decide which ones to get, tell me which are your favs in the comments.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post, but the opinions are all my own.

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I Slay in Beyonce’s Ivy Park Fitness Line

Ivy Park Fitness Line Beyonce Citi Bike

I’m a huge fan of both fitness and Beyonce. I love working out to her songs. My personal favorite song of hers to slay to at the gym right now is “Formation.”  So when Queen Bey came out with her fab Ivy Park fitness line, I went straight to Topshop and picked out a pair of Mid-Rise Printed Ankle Leggings by Ivy Park and a matching Seamless Racer Vest by Ivy Park. Then I headed to the West Side Highway in my new Marc By Marc Jacobs Side Stripe Aviator Sunglasses and Skechers Memory Foam Sneakers (these are similar) for a casual ride. Since I’m mostly used to riding stationary bikes now, riding one that moves was kind of a culture shock.

One thing I like most about Beyonce’s new Ivy Park fitness line is the prevalence of the number 4. Like Beyonce I was born on September 4th. For my fellow Virgo Queen Bey, 4 has been a significant number throughout her life and her daughter’s name Blue Ivy is a reference to the Roman numeral IV which means 4. While I’ve never met Beyonce in real life, I feel a special connection to her through our birthdays and now through this fitness line.

Photos by: Zarif Taufiq

Aspiring Socialite Ivy Park Citi Bank West Side Highway

Aspiring Socialite Bike Riding Ivy Park Citi Bike


Ivy Park Aspiring Socialite Fitness Gear Citi Bike

Ivy Park Citi Bike West Side Highway

Aspiring Socialite Ivy Park

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