On My Radar No 31

Happy Friday! This week has flown by! Since getting back to Charleston on Saturday, I have been busy spring cleaning, organizing my content for the next few weeks, putting some of the final touches on my eBook (coming next week!) and finalizing my spring capsule.

Because this week has been so packed I haven't had a ton of time to peruse the internet, but here are a few of the things on my radar this week. 

WHAT I PACKED FOR ITALY | First up, I shared a complete overview of what I packed for my 8 day trip in Italy. One of the perks of having a streamlined closet is that I can easily pack without stress even with short notice. For this trip I was really able to put that to the test because I only had 4 days to pack! 

WHAT I WORE IN ITALY | Next, I shared the 8 looks I wore in Rome and Tuscany along with a quick video featuring four of my outfits. 

MEGHAN MARKLE'S AFFORDABLE BAG | For a surprise visit to Ireland this week, Meghan Markle looked stunning and sophisticated in a vibrant green skirt, neutral top and coat. To complete her look she carried a lovely top handle bag that is surprisingly affordable and available for pre-oder here. 

INSTAGRAM CHRONOLOGICAL AGAIN | Last but not least, after years of complaints, Instagram has tweaked their algorithm to be almost completely chronological again. I personally love this change and hope that it allows me to see some of my favorite content creators more regularly in my feed. 

What I Wore In Italy | 8 Days In Rome & Tuscany

I still can't believe I was in Italy last week! I'm still on cloud nine reliving my amazing trip and today I'm excited to share the 8 outfits I wore while abroad. I've listed everything below along with a quick video of a few of my looks. I didn't film every outfit because I was so caught up enjoying the beautiful country and valuable time with my family, but I hope you enjoy what I did film. Also, in the coming days I'll be sharing our itinerary and links to the incredible wine tour, walking tours and home cooking class we did. 

DAY 1: RED EYE & EXPLORING ROME

We kicked off our trip with a red eye flight to Rome. To stay comfortable but not sloppy for the flight and then our first day in Rome I wore my very old black H&M pants with an elastic waist (they feel like sweat pants but look like trousers!) , my black Everlane v-neck sweater and Marc Fisher Yale boots. I topped it off with my vintage Ralph Lauren blazer, everyday jewelry, sunglasses (for when we landed) and crossbody purse.

DAY 2: ROME DAY 2

Our second day in Rome I wore my favorite LOFT black skirt, black long sleeve tee from J.Crew, tights, Marc Fisher Yale boots and old Zara leather jacket. I topped it off with my vintage silk scarf, sunglasses, crossbody and everyday jewelry.

DAY 3: TRAVELING & TOURING FLORENCE

On day 3 we packed up and headed to Tuscany where we checked into our rental and then enjoyed an amazing walking tour of Florence. To keep me comfortable and cozy for the rainy weather and train ride, I wore my J.Crew striped tee, Everlane jeans and Marc Fisher Yale boots. I topped it off with a large printed scarf that I bought later that day, my sunglasses, purse and everyday jewelry. 

DAY 4: MONTALCINO WINE TOUR

The next day we rose early for a full day wine tour that included 3 vineyards and some of the most incredible scenery. To suit the sunny weather and relaxed feel of the day I wore my old black t-shirt from Old Navy (it's technically an off the shoulder top but I wore it like a normal top), slim black pants from Zara that I've had for years and my old floral blazer from Zara. I wore my Chanel ballet flats, Target hoops and Mejuri necklace to complete the look. 

DAY 5: SIENA WALKING TOUR

For our fifth day in Tuscany we went on a fantastic walking tour of Siena before heading home for a cooking class in celebration of my sister's birthday. I wore my new Grana white oxford that I picked up in the sale a bit ago (sadly, shipping was delayed due to weather so I didn't receive it until it was already sold out so I can't link it). I also wore my slim black pants from Zara, vintage Ralph Lauren blazer and Chanel ballet flats which are some of the most comfortable shoes I own. It was very windy so I pulled my hair back with a simple gold clip and wore my everyday jewelry and crossbody purse. 

DAY 6: EXPLORING SAN GIMIGNANO

Our last full day in Tuscany was spent exploring the beautiful town of San Gimignano. It was rainy and surprisingly chilly so I wore my blue Everlane oxford, Everlane jeans, Marc Fisher Yale boots, vintage Ralph Lauren blazer, scarf that I bought earlier in the week and an extra pair of gloves that my mom had - moms are the best! 

DAY 7: BACK TO ROME

The next day we packed our bags and headed back to Rome for some final exploring and a restful dinner before we flew out early the next morning. I wore my Everlane jeans, J.Crew pink cashmere sweater that I picked up on eBay a few weeks ago, my Zara leather jacket, Chanel ballet flats, another new scarf, Ralph Lauren round sunglasses, Target hoop and Mejuri necklace. 

DAY 8: FLIGHT HOME

For our very early flight home I repeated my outfit from our first flight but swapped my sweater for my long sleeve tee to suit the warmer temps in Charleston. 

What I Packed For Italy | 8 Days In A Carry-On

I first discovered capsule wardrobes while planning for a trip to Paris a few years ago (the same trip Jason and I got engaged!). Since that trip, I have been a firm believer in the power of a streamlined wardrobe and I love how versatile a few carefully selected pieces are. As you know, a smaller wardrobe serves me year-round and I'm able to stretch a core selection of pieces across all four seasons by changing up my shoes, accessories and outerwear. This method of dressing comes in handy for my day-to-day life but I love it even more when preparing for travel - especially when that travel comes with short notice like my recent trip to Italy where I had only 4 days to pack! Rather than turn down the amazing opportunity to travel abroad on such short notice, I was able to jump at the offer and pack a well-rounded travel wardrobe without the stress. In today's post I'm sharing everything I packed along with exact links when available. In the coming days, I'll be sharing more about the individual looks I wore but in the meantime you can see them over on my Instagram. 

• J.Crew Striped Tee (very old)
• Grana White Shirt (purchased about a month ago, no longer available)
• J.Crew Black Long Sleeve Tee
• Everlane Blue Oxford
• Old Navy Black Short Sleeve Tee (old)
• Everlane Black V-Neck Cashmere Sweater
• J.Crew Pink V-Neck Cashmere Sweater from eBay
• H&M Black Pull-On Pants (very old)
• Zara Slim Black Pants (very old)
• Everlane Jeans
• Zara Brown Leather Jacket (very old, similar here)
• Zara Floral Blazer (very old)
• LOFT Black Skirt
• Vintage Ralph Lauren Green Blazer
• Ralph Lauren Round Sunglasses (old, similar here)
• Dior Black Sunglasses (old, similar here)
• Louis Vuitton Crossbody Purse
• 3 Scarves - 1 small, 2 large (old & purchased in Italy)
• Black Tights
• Target Gold Hoops
• Mejuri Diamond Necklace
• Diamond Studs
• J.Crew Gold Hair Clip
• Chanel Ballet Flats
• Marc Fisher Yale Boots

Travel Essential: The Crossbody Bag

The crossbody bag is an absolute wardrobe essential. Not only do I wear this classic closet staple year-round, but when I'm traveling I love it even more because it allows for handsfree travel without sacrificing style (bonus points if it can be worn crossbody or with a top handle) . Since I just got back from a wonderful (and unexpected!) trip through Rome and Tuscany, I was reminded how much I love this classic essential so today I've rounded up 9 options that are sure to keep you looking and feeling put-together without sacrificing practicality and ease.

1 | First up is a beautiful option that can be worn as a crossbody, shoulder bag or clutch and comes in a variety of versatile shades. I love the pebbled leather and rich gold detail. 

2 | This green beauty is my favorite from the bunch and comes in an array of colors to suit any wardrobe. I love the simple tassel detail, versatile top handle or crossbody option and the delicate, ladylike silhouette. You can easily dress this up or down and unless you need a very formal outfit, you can bring only this bag and be set for your entire trip. 

3 |Next up is a beautiful vegan leather option that comes in this gorgeous, rich brown. I love this option for it's classic crossbody shape and incredibly versatile size. It's a true beauty that can be worn effortlessly while traveling and exploring.  

4 | This sleek, black option is also vegan and is a wonderful choice if you prefer a smaller bag. I love the simple silhouette and small size and it will look just as great with a t-shirt and jeans as it would with a little black dress. 

5 | What I love the most about this beautiful bag is it's reasonable price point for an incredibly high quality and versatile piece. This size and shape is a slightly more casual than some of the others shown here but the pebbled leather more than make up for it. 

6 | This beautiful bag is a great professional looking option if you need a bag that you can wear to work and on the weekend. The top handle is sleek and the silhouette is ideal for a dressed up feel.  

7 | Another traditional crossbody style with very minimal hardware is this beautiful option. I love the pebbled leather and simple design. 

8 | If you prefer a slightly larger bag, this crossbody is perfect. It can be worn both ways (crossbody or top handle) and is roomy enough to fit everything you need. The only drawback of the larger size is that you can't dress it up too much but it can still easily be worn to a slightly dressy dinner without feeling out of place. 

9 | Last but not least is a gorgeous, classic option in a light beige that can easily be worn with just about any color under the sun. The chain detail also helps dress this bag up slightly so that you can wear from dawn to dusk without skipping a beat. 

Below, I've linked a few other amazing options at varying price points that I think will compliment any wardrobe beautifully.