We signed the kids and their friends up for camp at Lake Ann!! Briton and I both attended that camp when we were little, so I was excited to see that they were still open! Since it was near Traverse City, the moms decided to spend the week there while the kids were at camp! We had such a great time and are already planning our trip for next year! Here is my guide for some of the best things that we did!

Where to Eat

Let’s get down to my favorite thing – food! I love good food! We ate at a pretty wide range of restaurants, and they were all delicious! My best advice would be to use Open Table to book your reservations ahead of time so that you don’t have to wait! This is especially important if you visit during the summer months.

Reflect Bistro

Now, let me tell you! You are going to drive up to this restaurant located inside of a hotel and think, “Why in the world would Candace tell me this place is so good?” We had the same thought even though this restaurant appeared on three different websites as the best place to eat in Traverse City! And let me tell you, it was delicious! It was so good that we even grabbed a salad there the following day!

Poppycocks

We also enjoyed eating at Poppycocks! This was an American take on some great dishes! Was a fun atmosphere with delicious foods!

The Flying Noodle

We loved our food at the Italian restaurant, The Flying Noodle! This is a very small restaurant, so if you do not make reservations ahead of time, you may not get in without a very long wait.

The Boathouse

Not only is the view phenomenal here, but the food is also incredibly good! The picture above is a view from our outdoor table! This is another restaurant that is hard to get into! So make your reservations ahead of time!

Things to Do

Shopping

Front Street is where the action is at! There are tons of great boutiques and shops for you to explore! We were there when they had the street blocked off for the weekend during sidewalk sales! We also enjoyed visiting Cherry Republic to get cherry salsa, cherry pie, and pretty much anything else cherry-related you can think of!

Rent a Bike

I think my favorite thing we did during the week was renting eBikes! We rented them from Brick Wheels in Traverse City! The cost was $50 for the entire day and included a bike, helmet, and lock. We cruised around most of the city, enjoyed time by the water, and even got ride to several wineries! In all, we rode about 36 miles! We were also able to scan a QR code at the bike shop! From that scan, we could choose brewery tours, winery tours, food tours, or coffee shop tours to hit from our bike ride!

Wineries

We went to a few different wineries during the week we were there! Some we visited on on bike tour, and others we drove to. They were all unique with great wine choices! The views from most of them were just beautiful too!

Black Star Farms – Old Mission Tasting Room

Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery

Mari Vineyards

Bowers Harbor Vineyards

Bonobos Winery

Chateau Grand Traverse

Lighthouses

There are six historical lighthouses in Traverse City that you can visit – Mission Point, Grand Traverse, South Manitou, North Manitou, Point Betsie and Frankfort North Breakwater.

Where to Stay

There are tons of hotels and AirBNBs to stay at! We stayed at this cute AirBNB off of Garfield Ave! It was a great place to stay for us with two bedrooms and two full baths! It also had a full kitchen and washer and dryer! While it would have been a big trek to walk downtown, it was no big deal to drive down and park!

We had a wonderful time in Traverse City, Michigan and are already looking forward to next year!!

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My brother and SIL moved to Italy about two years ago where my brother was teaching at an American school! I hoped and prayed that I would get to visit them before they moved, and a couple of weeks ago, my dreams came true! Today on the blog, I worked with my brother and SIL to curate a list of the top travel tips when visiting Italy! I am certainly no expert, but after living here for two years, they were the best travel guides!

1. Bring a Water Bottle

I carried my water bottle all over on our trip! We filled it with ice and water in the morning before we left for our adventures! Throughout the different cities we visited, there were several places where bottles could be refilled for free!

2. Public Transportation

While you can rent a car in Italy, there are also many public transportation options! We rode the bus, the tram, the train, and the bullet train! Driving can be crazy – the streets are so narrow, drivers are crazy, and traffic gets so busy! We took the bullet train from Rome to Florence, and what would take three hours to drive took a little less than an hour and a half. You can also take taxis to and from anywhere you want to go! We took one a couple of times, and it was less than 30 Euro each way for our journey of about 40 minutes. If possible, avoid Termini! That station can be incredibly busy. While masks were not required in buildings while I was there, masks were required on all public transportation we took.

3. How to Dress

If you plan on visiting any churches (such as the Vatican or Pantheon), plan on wearing a longer skirt, dress or pair of pants with a top that covers your shoulders. You will not be allowed in with a short spaghetti strap dress or top. I also carried this shawl with me in my bag to throw on if I was wearing a top or dress with no sleeves.

4. Public Restrooms

This was news to me, but many public restrooms in Italy cost money to use! My suggestion is to make sure you use the restroom at any restaurant you may be eating at! I think you should also note that the “handle” to flush may be in a strange place! Most of them I used had a button to push on the wall. Also…. they don’t all have toilet seats so be prepared for that! There are also restrooms in every monument that you pay to enter. While washing your hands, be aware that you may have to turn on the water by stepping on a pedal on the ground to turn the water on! I won’t tell you how long I had to search!! Ha!

5. Buy Tickets Ahead

Buying any ticket you can ahead will save you SO much time! You can buy transportation tickets (bus, train) and tickets to monuments and museums ahead of time. This will allow you to skip the lines saving you a ton of time.

6. Comfortable Shoes

It goes without saying that you will need comfortable shoes while visiting Italy! Each day we walked 15,000-20,000 steps a day! These Reef sandals were the shoes I wore the most on our trip! I got these sandals because they are waterproof, have an arch support, are comfortable, and look dressy enough to pair with just about any outfit I wore! I also brought these Sorel sandals and loved them as well!

7. Travel App

This Rick Steves Audio Europe app was AMAZING! I highly recommend downloading it before you leave for your trip! Then before you visit each monument or museum, you can download the “episode” for that specific place. Rick Steves then give you an amazing tour telling you where to turn while giving you the history of that place! This app will save you so much time and money! There is no need to pay for a private or group tour! Just download the episode you need, pop in your ear buds, and enjoy the tour! I learned so much!

8. Bring a Hat

I visited Italy in July! And let me tell you, there was no point in doing your hair! It was incredibly hot and humid! My SIL and I rocked these hats most days! This hat and this hat are my favorites! I love that they both have an adjustable brim and have an additional strap you can attach to prevent the wind from blowing the hat off your head! The hat also protected my face from the sun and kept me a little bit cooler!

9. Bring a Bag

There are three types of bags that I think are perfect for Italy – a crossbody, a belt bag, and a backpack! I think it is good for at least one person that you are traveling with to carry a backpack! Then you have an easier way to carry water! I packed this packable backpack that folds up so small and easily fits in my luggage! I alternated between my crossbody and belt bag most days! They were an easy way to be hands-free!

10. Avoid August

You may have heard to not visit Italy in August because that is the month that Italians typically take off for their own holiday! But if your trip is already planned, don’t worry! While some cafes and restaurants may be closed, virtually every tourist destination on your bucket list will be open during the month of August. Another reason to possibly avoid August – the heat! Wowza, it is hot in August!

11. Money

It is good to have a small amount of Euros with you to use for tipping and JUST IN CASE your card doesn’t work! Most American banks can provide an exchange for you, but it can take 1-2 weeks. To avoid extra charges, don’t exchange when you get there.

12. Restaurants

Restaurants in Italy are definitely different than the ones in America – and I am not just talking about the amazing food you will consume in Italy! Tipping at restaurants is not necessary because servers make a decent salary! Most restaurants do not even have an additional line for you to sign to add a tip. You also purchase water that you drink – still or sparkling! Water is not free! Also, ice in drinks is not common like it is in America!

13. Language Barrier

While I did a few Rosetta Stone lessons before my trip, I certainly do not speak fluent Italian! Luckily, most places have both Italian AND English making it so nice for tourists! In the summer months, the announcements on the train are even in Italian and English! I also found that almost every Italian I had a conversation with knew at least SOME English.

14. Restaurants to Avoid

We had NO bad meals in Italy! My brother and SIL told me to avoid the restaurants VERY close to the tourist spots. Those typically do not have the food that is as good a little further away!

15. No Rush

You should never be in a rush! While it is not uncommon to be in and out of a restaurant in an hour here in America, most of the time in Italy, meals took closer to two hours because no one is in a rush! Honestly, it was refreshing! However, if you have a tour scheduled for a certain time, don’t expect to be able to bop in and out of a restaurant quickly! Plan accordingly, and allow yourself plenty of time.

16. Coffee

I really enjoyed drinking cappuccino in Italy! I found it so funny that if you asked for a latte, odds were pretty good that you would end up with a glass of milk! And if you want to blend in, all drinks with milk should be ordered before 11:00 am! If you want coffee after that, try an espresso!

17. Vendors

There were tons of vendors set up everywhere – especially outside of the monuments and museums! My brother and SIL told me not to touch anything they tried to put in my hand. Once you touch it, they will say you bought it and want money. Avoid eye contact and ignore them!

18. Vehicles

Scooters and Fiats RULE the roads in Italy! A road you would think would just be for tourists and shops will randomly have a vehicle come down! If you are driving, scooters and motorcycles will pass you on all sides, so be alert! If you are walking, be aware because, while the vehicles may slow down, they truly are everywhere! I am not sure you could pay me to drive in Italy! Between the narrow roads and crazy drivers, I may have had a panic attack! Ha!

19. Lodging

Hotels and AirBNBs are all around! I stayed with my brother and SIL in their apartment in Rome the majority of the nights were were there, but we did stay at a darling AirBNB in Sorrento one night! Things to note….. Hotel rooms are typically much smaller than the average US hotel room. Most AirBNBs have a washer, but you probably will not find a dryer! You will probably need a converter to plug in things you brought! Not all AirBNBs have air conditioning or WIFI! If that is a necessity for you like it is for me, make sure you look that up!

20. Credit Card

With international travel, make sure you call your credit card company to let them know that you will be traveling outside of the country for certain dates! This will save you some hassel!

21. Phone Plan

I can’t imagine not having cell phone service in a foreign country where I don’t speak much of the language! I have AT&T for my phone company, and it was about $10 a day ($5 for each additional person) for service while I was in Italy – totally worth it for me! You can also purchase a SIM card at the airport or various shops to use while you are there too. And how cute is this phone case? Totally reminded me of Italy!

22. Aperitivo

While we typically eat dinner like a pair of senior citizens around 5:00 pm, this is not the case in Italy! Most restaurants do not start serving dinner until 6:30 pr 7:00 pm. They do however have something fun called “aperitivo”! This is a fun pre-meal drink that has several appetizers included! These aperitivo treats are a great little snack to tide you over! The restaurant we went to to try this had about 7-8 small appetizers served in small bowls one after the other! They were SO delicious! They are typically served in the early evening hours between work and dinner.

23. Bill Splitting

While having a server split a bill in the US is pretty common, it is not really a thing in Italy! So if you are traveling with a group, the bill will more than likely be one bill for the table! You can download the app Splitwise to easily keep track of who owes what!

24. Indulge

While most of the time, I try to eat healthy, I highly recommend indulging while in Italy! The food was probably the best food I have ever eaten! I had a different flavor of gelato every single day! And hey…. with all the walking, you are definitely balancing out all you eat, right!?

25. Be Respectful

And don’t forget to be respectful of the culture! In churches, use a quiet voice and dress appropriately! I was surprised at how many people (mostly Americans) were so loud in all the churches. Quietly take in all the beautiful wonder!

Buon viaggio! I hope this post has been helpful! See everything I packed that fit into a carry-on suitcase here!

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One of the most common questions I have been getting lately is, “What did you pack for Italy?” Today on the blog, I am sharing what I packed, and it all fit into a carry-on suitcase! These mix and match pieces were great for Italy, but they really would be perfect for any warm weather vacation! You can create 15 outfits!

This floral dress was perfect for my first day in Italy! You can wear it on of off the shoulders making it perfect for walking on the streets or visiting any churches.

This jumpsuit was a splurge, but I am so glad I made the investment! It is incredibly comfortable and lightweight! So even though the temperatures in Italy were hot, this jumpsuit was great and didn’t show sweat!

This set is a favorite of mine! I love the two pieces together, and I love that you can wear each piece individually with another piece. It was also perfect to have a shawl in my bag. Churches and some monuments require shoulders to be covered and bottoms, skirts, and dresses to go below your knees.

I bought this Ciao tee two years ago when my brother and SIL told me that they were moving to Italy with the hopes that I would be able to wear it there! While this color is sold out, I have linked several similar ones.

Black and white is always right, and this outfit was one of my favorite outfits that I wore in Italy!

This was another classic look! These shorts are so comfortable!

Loving this cute little set!

This shirt dress is one of my all time favorites! It is so comfortable, has an adjustable waist, and pockets too! Use code CANDACE10 to save 10%!!

Nothing more classic than an all white look!

And even though I didn’t wear these additional 6 outfits, here are a few more ideas you could create with the pieces you have packed in your carry-on!

Fit Tip: I sized down one size to XS in the tank and white shirt dress. Everything else is true to size. I have a small/4 in each piece.

Shop each piece here:

My brother and SIL have been living in Rome, Italy for the past two years and were the best tour guides! See the top 25 tips they shared with me for visiting Italy here!

Ciao, bella!

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This was sponsored by Backcountry & ShopStyle Collective.

Last year, I decided that instead of buying gifts for my parents, I was going to take them on a fun trip to places they had never been! This year, we landed on Arizona! Yes, it was hot, but we had the best time! The whole family picked up some great gear from Backcountry that was perfect for our hikes! You can also use code JUSTPOSTED15 for 15% off your first order at Backcountry.com (exclusions apply)!

I found these tees by Tiny Whales for the girls that were just perfect for our hike! This brand has the cutest selection for kids!

I also got this Patagonia tee for Henry! The mountain scene is perfect!

How cute are my parents? They have been married for over 40 years! These Patagonia tees for my mom and dad were perfect for our hike!

I absolutely loved this lightweight tank (tan color unavailable but purple color is linked here) and shorts! And these Sorel shoes are incredibly comfortable!!

Fit Tip: We found everything to be true to size. I am wearing a small in the tank and shorts.

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Don’t forget, you can also use code JUSTPOSTED15 for 15% off your first order at Backcountry.com (exclusions apply)! No matter what your adventure may be, Backcountry has got you covered!

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This post was sponsored by Nordstrom & ShopStyle Collective.

If you are ready to say, “Peace out!” for a little while, summer is the perfect time to take a little getaway! Today on the blog, I am sharing a few pieces from Nordstrom to pack for a weekend away! From a comfy travel outfit and a great dress to a kimono that can double as a coverup or worn for a day out! Nordstrom has an amazing selection of Nordstrom Made Brands with so many great choices for work! With free shipping and free returns and so many other amazing services, it’s no wonder that Nordstrom is my favorite place to shop!

If there is one thing I almost always wear when I travel, it’s a comfortable pair of leggings! These leggings by Zella are one of my favorite pairs! They are so incredibly comfortable, high-waisted, and have amazing stretch!

Fit Tip: Everything is true to size. Wearing a small in the top and leggings.

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This ruana by Treasure & Bond is perfect to wear out and about, but it will also double as a coverup on your getaway! And these Caslon shorts are a great longer length for summer!

Fit Tip: Size up half a size in the sandals. Size down if in between in the shorts. I sized down one size to 26. Everything else is true to size. Wearing a small in the tank. Per usual, I sized up one size in the suit. Wearing an 6 in the suit.

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I always pack a great dress in my suitcase to wear for a night out or as a coverup for a day at the beach!!

Fit Tip: Size up half a size in the sandals. Everything else is true to size. Wearing a small in the dress.

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Nordstrom has the best pieces to keep you stylish all summer long! With their free shipping and free returns, curbside pickup, buy online and pick up in store, and so many other fabulous features, you can make shopping so much easier for yourself!!

All photographs by the talented April Hoff Photography.

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This post was sponsored by Kohl’s and ShopStyle.

It’s hard to believe that spring break is right around the corner! Today, I am sharing a few pieces from Kohl’s that will all fit in your carry-on! These twenty simple pieces will give you twenty-eight different looks! Right now, you can use code ENJOY15 to save 15% off almost everything too!

Every year for spring break, we travel to Florida with my family! We truly enjoy all of our time by the pool and relaxation! We all take a carry-on bag to make things a little easier! I am loving all of these items because they can go from a day by the pool or ocean to a night out for dinner!

I will be honest, we don’t get super dressed up for our spring break! But if you like to go out to dinner at night, these are some great options! I always like to have a jean jacket for an extra layer in case the place we are going is really chilly!

And if casual looks are more your vibe for vacation, these pieces are perfect! Loving the blue and white tees!

But of course, we can’t forget about looking chic while at the beach or pool! Whether you are a one-piece kind of girl or like to rock the bikini (top & bottoms), these two suits are great for a getaway!

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Whether you are shopping for yourself or picking up a few pieces for the whole family, Kohl’s has some amazing pieces at unbeatable prices! Don’t forget to use code ENJOY15 to save an additional 15% off almost everything!

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This post was sponsored by JCPenney and ShopStyle.

Spring break is just around the corner! Our family always heads to Florida with my parents and my sister and her family! I don’t like to wait for my checked luggage, so I try to always fit everything into a carry-on! I am excited to be partnering with JCPenney to share a few mix-and-match pieces to give you some options to wear that will all fit in a carry-on luggage!

This maxi dress has the softest fabric and will easily go from a day exploring to a night out! It is also available in navy.

Fit Tip: Everything is true to size. Wearing a small in the dress and jacket.

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I absolutely love this tank! It is available in tons of colors and in plus sizes too!

Fit Tip: Everything is true to size. Wearing a small in the tank.

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This striped top is great by itself, but I also love it on top of a graphic tee!

Fit Tip: Everything is true to size. Wearing a small in the tops.

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Is this tee perfect for vacation or what?! I absolutely love it! Available in plus sizes too.

Fit Tip: Everything is true to size. Wearing a small in the tee.

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From a travel outfit to a comfy outfit on vacation, this tee is great! So soft and comfortable too! Also available in plus sizing.

Fit Tip: Everything is true to size. Wearing a small in the tee.

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This knit dress is so comfortable for vacation! Add a jacket for a little extra warmth in those air conditioned restaurants!

Fit Tip: Everything is true to size. Wearing a small in the dress.

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You can never go wrong with a great basic! This black tank is incredibly versatile and perfect to wear all year long! And you can’t beat the price!!

Fit Tip: Everything is true to size. Wearing a small in the tank.

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And this lemon tee is just too darn cute for spring and summer! The fabric is fantastic too!

Fit Tip: Everything is true to size. Wearing a small in the tee.

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This tee is perfect for travel and also great to wear with a pair of shorts!

Fit Tip: Everything is true to size. Wearing a small in the tee.

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Okay…. let’s be honest. It is WAY too cold to be wearing a swimsuit OUTSIDE in Indiana this time of year, but these suits will both be perfect for spring break.

Fit Tip: I sized up one size in both suits to a M/6. I am wearing a small in the coverup.

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You can count on JCPenney for all of your family’s spring break necessities!

A big thank you to JCPenney and ShopStyle for sponsoring this post!

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We all want a swimsuit that makes us feel and look good! I am adding all of my favorite below! Simply tap or click the picture, and the products will appear for you to shop. As per usual in my swimwear, I sized up in most of the suits to M or 6.

You can also see these looks on my Pinterest Swim Board!

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Well, in case you can’t tell from my pink beret and macarons, something exciting is in the works! I am headed to Paris with Defined Destinations in October, and I want YOU to come with me! We can eat, drink, and shop our way through the city!

Check out our itinerary:

A couple of years ago, I made a “Dream Board”! I see it daily, and I can hardly believe that this dream of mine is coming true! It would make the trip SO much better to have you coming along too!

You can email mkenney@defineddestinations.com or call 651.398.9358 with any questions you may have on the trip! You can also visit the Defined Destinations website to see all of the trips that they offer! You can also view all the details here!

Au revoir, my friends! I cannot wait to travel with you!

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Most of you know that I just got back from a Dance Fitness Cruise with Karma Vacations! This is my second year attending, and each year, it just keeps getting better! It is a regular Royal Caribbean cruise with a group of amazing master instructors that teach classes for those of us in the group! I have never felt more energy from a class!! So amazing! Many of you have been asking what is acceptable to wear on a cruise! And honestly, anything goes. You will see sweatpants and leggings to sequined dresses! So wear whatever makes you feel amazing!

For Dinners

Since I don’t get dressed up very often, I loved getting fancy for dinner! But honestly, anything goes! On our ship, there were two formal nights. Every other night was “anything goes”!

This group of beautiful souls has a special place in my heart! These were our looks for one of the formal night! We decided to do a black and white theme! You know what I always say, “Black and white is always right!” My dress is an oldie from a Material World box. Brand is Proenza Schouler.

I am not going to lie – this dress looks bizarre on a hanger and was a pain to figure out how to put on! But once it was on – look out – it’s a show-stopper! I felt so good in this dress and got tons of compliments. I sized up one size to M.

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On a more casual night for dinner, Sarah rocked her jeans, and I busted out my comfy jumpsuit!

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Truly, anything goes! But Sarah and I liked to coordinate our outfits!

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Yep, the less than $34 Amazon dress definitely came with me on this trip! So darn good! I sized up one size to M.

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During the Day

You will probably have a couple days off the boat! And whether you choose to do an excursion, lay by the beach, or explore the town, comfort is key!

I like to pack a cute and comfy romper because it can double as a beach or pool coverup!

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I wore this outfit as we boarded the ship! I love it when a look is super cute and equally comfortable! All TTS. Wearing a small in the pants and top.

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You all know how much I love macarons! I wore this casual and comfortable outfit when we went to St. Maarten! All true to size. Wearing a small in the tank (on major sale!) and 4 in the shorts.

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This is my go-to dress! I own it in several colors! So comfortable and soft! True to size. I am wearing the small. And this crossbody holds SO much stuff! Definitely a must for traveling!

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Swimwear

And you can’t forget some fabulous swimwear for catching those rays! I love my high-waited bikini bottoms!

While in St. Maarten, we relaxed at the beach! So beautiful! I love these high-waisted leopard print bottoms from Amazon! And while the tops never fit me quite right, I paired the bottoms with a black top already in my closet. I sized up one size to M in the bottoms. I sized up one size to 6 in the top.

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This was one of my favorite suits that I took on the trip! The bottoms are from Amazon and run small. I sized up 2 sizes to a L. The top is by Trina Turk (they are my favorites!), and I sized up one size to a 6.

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Well, you know what they say… when life gives you lemons, put them on a cute swimsuit! Loved this Trina Turk set! I sized up one size in both pieces to a 6.

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A little windy, yes, but this colorful suit was another favorite! The bottoms are by Trina Turk and on major sale! I sized up one size to a 6. The top is an older one that I have had for a while, but I linked some super similar ones.

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Travel Outfit

Anytime I travel, I like to wear layers and be comfortable! I am obsessed with this crossbody and travel bag – absolutely perfect for traveling!

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Hopefully, this post was helpful for an upcoming trip you may have planned! If you are going on a cruise, I also have this post with 15 tips for cruising!

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