wish you were here {island playlist}

It's a little after midnight right now and I'm sitting out on my hotel room balcony in Jamaica. I can hear the Caribbean lapping the shore nearby, the night birds are waking up singing a few different songs and I can't believe I'm here right now. It's utterly beautiful, serene and peaceful. Earlier today, someone light heartedly made the joke "In Jamaica, we don't have problems. We just have situations." And for the next few days, I'm going to fully embrace that MO. 

As you may have spied already, I've hopped over to Jamaica for my first visit ever and am absolutely loving everything the island has to offer. While I have a jam-packed travel diary to share with you once I get back, I wanted to pop in to share a few postcard snaps along with some surf-ready tunes (scroll to the end of the post) that have been getting me into the true one love spirit. Happy jammin'!

Huge thank you goes out to our home away from home the past few days, Round Hill Resort.

Hammock life, napping in my go-to island shoes, Soludos. // Obligatory fruity cocktail on the beach.

Much of the resort's interior design is by Ralph Lauren, whose private villa is toward the end of the property. But first, let's just admire those canopy beds, shall we?

The Soludos lineup. 

Outfit details: Shirt: Isabel Marant borrowed from The RealReal; Shorts: Levis; Shoes: Soludos; Hat: J.Crew; Beach tote: Tory Burch borrowed from The RealReal

a keeper

Jacket: Alexander McQueen; Dress: c/o Asos; Shoes: Valentino; Bag: Chanel (love this style here); Sunglasses: Target; Watch: Daniel Wellington; Necklace: Givenchy; Bracelet: Gorjana

When I find a good dress, like this one, I can't stop reaching for it. Especially when it goes from Outside Lands to the office seamlessly (just make sure to leave the flower crown at home when you head to work), I know it's a real keeper.

On that note, keeping it short today -- running off to enjoy the sun in Jamaica but you can always follow along right here on Instagram.

Photos by Dan Johnson

in flight {carry-on essentials}

The other week, I shared a few of my foolproof packing hacks that get me through any getaway. But what about my carry on? A well packed carry on can make or break a trip for me -- it has to be the right combination of essentials and niceties, which can easily make any seat in coach feel much more like first class (minus the whole bed and free champagne part, but can't win 'em all).

Given that I've just landed in Jamaica earlier this week (first time -- super excited!), I figured I would share a few of my favorites that I swear by each time I pack up. 

The niceties:

1. Oversized headphones that help muffle out the white noise on the plane. 

2. Slip on socks for the security check point.

3. Advil PM to help mellow me out. I'm horrible at sleeping on flights but these at least help me calm down after the hustle and bustle of catching the flight itself.

4. A watch set to your home time zone so you can always know what time it might be when you're calling to check in.

5. A fan -- super handy even if you're not going to a tropical destination. After schlepping bags, to and fro, you're likely sweating a bit.

6. Adapters should be readily accessible in case you have a layover and need to use your computer, camera, etc.

7. Snacks. After going through so many airport cafes, I've now gotten into the habit of bringing my own snacks with me. It saves time for one and also gives me no excuse to stop by for an extra pack of M&Ms. I've recently been introduced to NatureBox, a monthly subscription service that allows you to customize packs of healthy snacks to be delivered to your doorstep. Stay tuned later this week where I'll be offering a discount code to try out your own pack.

8. Airborne is perfect for the returning flight, when you're exhausted from running around on your trip. 

9. Aviators. Obviously.

10.  Pens. Usually two, because it's never fun being the person waiting for a pen to fill out the customs declaration card. 

The essentials:

1. Bronzer, blush and facial water spray (not necessarily in that order) help with the post-red eye situation where you need to look a bit more alive and a lot less zombie-esque.

2. Ear plugs, in case those noise canceling headphones don't work out. Or if you really want to give a sign to the person sitting next to you that you're not in the mood to talk.

3. Bobby pins, because you can never have enough. And can never seem to find any when you need them.

4. Tweezers. Similar to the bobby pins, you just never know when an eyebrow crisis might pop up.

5. Travel size hair spray for revamping your hair after sleeping on it for most of the flight. What I like to do is lightly brush out my hair and hair spray the layers underneath for a more lively, tousled, I-just-woke-up-on-the-plane-like-this.

6. Bandaids. Why? Because blisters suck.

7. Hair ties. Much like the bobby pins, I seem to always lose track of my hair ties.

8. Facial wipes to get rid of that recycled airplane air feel post-flight.

9. Lint roller and scissors (scissors not pictured) for last minute outfit touch ups, especially after all your clothes have likely been sitting together in your luggage.

10. Gum -- no one likes coffee breath and at this point, you've probably had your fair share of Starbucks.

11. Facial tissues, for all those little messes that inevitably happen on the plane once you get settled into your seat.

12. Perfume samples from Diptyque -- usually whenever I buy a new candle, I stock up on a few sample sprays.

13. Tinted moisturizer + poppy lipstick to glam things up in a pinch if you need to.

14. Brushing pitstop. I don't know about you guys, but my teeth tend to feel grimy after a long flight (too much coffee!). If I'm not in too much of a hurry, I'll try to get a quick brush, floss and rinse in before we land to save myself from waiting in line at the airport bathroom.

vancouver city guide {real style, real travels}

There's nothing I love more about summer than making up excuses to pack up my bags and catch a flight somewhere. The more packed I can make my weekends, either with day-trips out to Napa or dusting off the passport to head out of the country, the more balanced I feel when I finally do touch back down in SF. Summer break forever, right? 

Part of what makes traveling so special to me is pushing myself to really picture my life there. What stores would I haunt with my friends? Where would we go on weekends? What coffee shop would I work from on Saturday mornings? And really, what would I wear on, let's say, a date night out? So of course, packing for the destination becomes almost as important as the actual planning for it. Above all, I want to make sure I feel comfortable and ready to explore, but also, I love evoking the idea of what this new version of me would wear, if I were actually a local from the area. 

It's with that in mind, this summer, I'm really excited to partner with one of my favorite authenticated designer consignment sites, The RealReal (I've raved about them numerous times, most recently here) to help my ever growing packing list for a few upcoming trips. Let's just say when The RealReal warehouse becomes your extended closet -- you start grabbing and fast!

Wore this Proenza Schouler number out for a rooftop dinner. Loved how warm their evenings were!

Dress: Proenza Schouler borrowed from The RealReal; Shoes: Valentino; Bag: Chanel; Sunglasses: Target; Watch: Daniel Wellington; Cuff: Gorjana; Lips: Stila "Beso"

Up first on the destination list?

As you may have spied on Instagram last week, I had the chance to visit Vancouver and explore up north a bit for a new cashmere line launch, Kit & Ace (more on that to come later this week!). While I've been to Canada a handful of times (random fact: I'm half Canuck), I've never had a chance to really roam around and experience some of the local fare.  

Luckily, packing was pretty easy this time around -- Vancouver could practically be San Francisco's sister city (same downtown vibe, same art/culture scene, same outdoorsy affinity) so packing was a breeze. Here's a rundown of what I did, saw, ate and shopped...Enjoy!

STAY 

Loden Hotel: A modern, chic hotel located just a stone's throw from the ocean front and a short walk to Gastown -- brimming with cute boutiques and coffee shops. I loved the Loden for a number of reasons, mainly including the beyond adorable restaurant downstairs, Tableau, and their enormous bath tubs. 

PLAY

Granville Island: Super bustling farmer's market island just under the Granville Bridge (about a 15 minute water taxi ride from downtown). We stopped for brunch along the water and then browsed around from vendor to vendor. 

Stanley Park: Think Central Park, but bigger and wrapping along the coast. Best way to explore it? Bike it and head over to the Lions Gate Bridge (Golden Gate's sister bridge).

Seaplane Tour: Hands down, one of the most breathtaking ways to take in all the views of the city and surrounding mountain + waterscapes. I really wanted to head up to Whistler and Victoria but didn't have enough time. Next visit!

Celebration of Light: Over the summer, Vancouver hosts an international fireworks competition at English Bay. Get there early! Nearly 400,000 spectators come out to enjoy the show. 

SHOP

Kit & Ace: From a few of the same folks who brought you Lululemon -- seriously luxe, but wearable and washable cashmere blend basics. More on them to come, but be sure to stop by their new store location on Water Street and check out their recently launched ecommerce site here.

Secret Location: Not quite so secret as the name would imply but I did leave wishing there were more stores like this! Vika Gazinskaya, Ostwald Helgason, Rochas. Olympia Le-Tan. So good.

Holt Renfrew: While this is a department store and I normally try to steer clear of these while on vacation, their sale discounts were just too good to pass on. These Diors joined me on my return flight home. 

Roden Gray: This is actually a menswear shop but they had me hooked with their Givenchy printed sweaters in the window.

EAT & DRINK

The Flying Pig: Elevated comfort food. We had their lobster and prawn risotto, crispy Brussels sprouts and cheesy bread. I highly recommend you sit outside and take in some of the people watching on the patio.

Smart Mouth Coffee: This was my home base for a few afternoons when I had to get work done. I love coffee shops that just feel like someone's living room and this place fits the bill. 

Revolver Coffee: Serious coffee ahead! I had their iced coffee brew on a particularly hot day and it hit the spot.

Medina Cafe: Waffles + lavender chocolate + maple syrup. I'm going to let that marinate a bit. 

3 Acres: Apparently, I was on a risotto kick this trip because I had the truffle risotto here plus a French 75. But my favorite would have to be the gorgonzola hot pot. Pretty much ate the whole plate myself. 

Head over to The RealReal blog, RealStyle for more photos! And make sure to stay tuned for our next installment....where I'll be heading somewhere very warm. Any guesses? 

This post was in partnership with The RealReal. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting posts that keep This Time Tomorrow's doors open.

inside/outside lands {with asos}

I remember making my first trek to Outside Lands the very year the festival started. Radiohead was headlining and I'll never forget being blown away by the amount of people that can rush a stage at once. While I may opt for standing a bit further back in the crowd these days (I'm old, I know), I always look forward to this festival. There's something about romping around the polo fields surrounded by the tall cyprus trees lit up at night that just gets me every time. Plus, let's be honest, Coachella just gets a bit too hot, right?

This year, I headed out with Asos again for three full days of concert hopping madness. It didn't disappoint. Highlights include:

Haim: My new girl crush goes out to these three rocking ladies. Sisters to boot! 

Donut Burger from Straw: Yep. Two glazed donuts. One beef patty. Bacon is optional. Apparently, there's 8,000 calories in this bad boy. And it was AH-MAZING.

Ray LaMontagne: I've never seen Ray LaMontagne perform before but his voice is pretty much the equivalent of aged whiskey. Raspy, warm and downright, sexy.  

BloomThat's flower crown: Lasted me all three days and paired well with my black wide brim felt hat. Win, win!

Hanging with these ladies: Erin, Britt and Whit. 

Shop my festival looks right here...

on the run

Sweater: Givenchy (similar style here); Jeans: Frame; Flannel shirt: Levis; Shoes: Zara; Sunglasses: Target; Necklace: Givenchy; Wallet: Emerson Fry; Cuff: Hermes

Just one thought from last night -- Jay Z and Queen B killed it. #WhatDivorceRumors?

window seat playlist

Life has been pretty up and down lately, with some incredible highs and some unfortunate lows, but one thing is for sure, traveling always makes me feel a bit more centered each time I'm feeling in flux. Perhaps unsurprisingly, I always feel the need to shake things up and change my scenery when life gets a bit crazy. I guess I just find it really focuses me on what matters -- moving forward and upward. 

This past weekend was just what I've been needing lately. Plenty of photos to go through, but first, let's shake things up musically speaking, shall we? You all know I love a good playlist and anytime I have an excuse to grab my passport, some tune hunting always follows. Here's what I had on repeat in Vancouver...pretty fitting considering Outside Lands is right around the corner (how is it August already?!).

Oh, and if you're in the market for a few other travel playlists, check out the London edition here, the New Zealand soundtrack right this way and the most epic road trip mixed tape on deck here. Enjoy!

i'll have what she's having {shopbop shoe sale}

Sometimes, when you find a good sale, it's hard to come up for air. Shopbop's shoe sale right now? Totally on point. Shop a few of my picks right here...

kick flare {downtown vancouver}

Tank: Kit & Ace; Skirt: Givenchy borrowed from The RealReal; Shoes: Zara; Clutch: Charlotte Olympia; Watch: Daniel Wellington; Necklaces: Jennifer Zeuner; Sunglasses: Target; Rings: Jennifer Zeuner, Alexa-Leigh

It's no secret -- I love me a good statement piece and this skirt is quickly becoming a fun go-to for evenings out here in Vancouver. It has the greatest kick flare movement when you walk (think flamenco-esque) that puts the perfect amount of dance in your step.

Have a few more days up north to explore -- if you have any recommendations for the area, please send them my way! We're considering heading up to Whistler at some point tomorrow, mainly because I want top hop on a seaplane but would love to hear your suggestions! :)

Photos by Laura Ellner 

up north {kit & ace}

Jacket: Alexander McQueen; Jeans: J.Brand; Shirt: Rodarte; Shoes: Christian Louboutin; Wallet: Emerson Fry; Sunglasses: Target; Necklace: Anthropologie; Watch: Daniel Wellington

As I mentioned yesterday, I'm currently up north in Vancouver and can't wait to really explore the city this weekend. So much of this (not-so-little) waterfront town reminds me of San Francisco, from the quaint neighborhood pockets and bike culture to the overall laid back vibe (I mean, West Coast is West Coast, right?) -- so naturally, I think we'll be getting along just great over the next few days. 

What's up north, you ask? I'm here celebrating the launch of a new technical inspired cashmere line Kit & Ace, brought to you by a few of the same folks behind Lululemon. I've already met a lot of the creative and founding team last night and love their energy, their passion and, most of all, their commitment to quality. Oh, and it certainly doesn't hurt that their welcome present yesterday happened to include hydrangeas. #GameOver. Stay tuned for more -- but of course, you can always follow along right here on Instagram.

Photos by Kim Mitchell

in flight {10 travel essentials for check-in}

By the time you're reading this, I'll already be a few thousand feet up in the air (again) en route to Vancouver for a long weekend getaway (more on that later so stay tuned!). But first, seeing as how I've been packing and repacking a lot this summer, I wanted to share a few tried and true packing rules I've come to swear by over the years. Most of which, I have trial and error to thank. 

So without further adieu, let's review, shall we?

1. It all starts with a sturdy, reliable bag. And trust me, I've tried my fair share of cheap versions (all of which usually end up breaking on you at the most inopportune time, like, say, running to the check-in counter when you're already late for boarding -- yep, true story). Luckily, when Kipling asked me to try out their luggage line, I was pleased to find that not only is it easy on the wallet, the nylon casing makes it perfect for expanding for extra clothes souvenir storage. Plus, their new monogram collection (I have the large Darcey here) is a fun personal spin on luggage tags (great for me since I'm usually the paranoid person at the carousel worrying where my bag is).

2. Extra magazines. OK, so I know what you're thinking. Wouldn't you just bring those with you in your carry on? My answer -- of course! But since I'm notorious for reading through all my magazines on the flight over, I like to stock up on a few glossies (and books), reserved solely for the trip back home. 

3. Bathing suit. I can't tell you how many times I've gone on trips that weren't actually beach or tropical destinations and I've regretted not bringing a bathing suit BIG TIME. If there's anything I've learned in life, it's that there is almost always a hotel pool, SOMEWHERE.

4. Panama hat. I might as well call this my traveling hat. It hides a lot of hair evils on those early morning flights.

5. TSA-ready sandals. These bad boys are off in less than 1.5 seconds. Just make sure you bring some easy to slip on socks for when you go through security (not to be worn with the sandals, of course). 

6. A wrap-me-up scarf. You never know when a light scarf might be needed wherever you're headed. I've used mine as a wrap, a shawl, even a blanket.

7. Comfortable statement shoes. The key pair is easy to coordinate with a lot of different types of outfits and is comfortable to walk in (read: ideally less than 3 inches). 

8. Skin care condensed. I used to bring pretty much my entire bathroom counter on trips, everything from the makeup remover wipes, facial cleansers and a bunch of lotions. While it's great to keep the routine alive, it was a burden to tote around and I experienced so many awful leaks and spills. I now limit myself to bringing one facial cleansing brush and a small travel size cleanser. It's really all you need, since the brush does a lot of the heavy lifting.

9. Tinted moisturizer. Because you're on vacation! 

10. Sunglass options. I have two that I swear by. A pair of aviators because they never look bad while you're traveling. And a glam, oversized black pair to hide your red eyes after the red eye.

Now, I'd love to hear yours -- what's on your travel essential list? (Plus, stay tuned next week, when I'll be sharing a few of my carry-on must-haves.)

This post is sponsored by Kipling. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting posts that keep This Time Tomorrow's doors open.

work it out

Dress: Peter Pilotto via The RealReal (similar style here); Bag: Chanel; Shoes: Zara; Sunglasses: Target; Necklace: Jennifer Zeuner; Watch: Daniel Wellington

Sometimes when you're dashing out the door for morning meetings, you really just need to grab the nearest "wake-me-up" printed dress and go, go go!

Happy Wednesday, everyone! 

Photos by Heather Clark

i'll have what she's having {skin bootcamp}

Unfortunately for me, I've never been blessed with naturally clear, glowing, oh-I-just-woke-up-like-this skin. And if we're being totally honest around here (because, hey, why not?) my skin has taken a beating the past few years during my 20s. Between working long hours, skimping on sleep and neglecting my diet from time to time (I guess those Annie's cheddar bunny snacks have finally caught up with me), it's clear to me I am in desperate need of a skin routine reboot. 

My skin has always been oily prone, but it wasn't until I moved from a really dry, hot climate (Nevada) to a more damp and cool environment (hello, SF!), that I saw a dramatic difference in how sensitive my skin really can be. These days, I've set a few mini obtainable goals for my skin routine with a short shopping list to try out (including a few of the products shown above). Let's kick things off here shall we?

1. Water: Seems like a no brainer, because really, it's on just about every tip list for skin care. I'm making more of an effort lately to swap out my coffee and Diet Coke for large bottles of water throughout the day. 

2. Makeup-free days: More often than not, Sundays are my down day, reserved for park adventures with Elvis, late brunch and email catch up, i.e. no makeup required. I like giving my skin a break to breathe, even if most of my makeup is oil-free and non-pore-clogging. 

3. Dairy: So my general doctor and my dermatologist disagreed on this point (dermatologist didn't think it would make a difference, doctor did) but I've wanted to try cutting dairy out for a while now to see if it would move the needle at all. There are lots of theories about the hormones in dairy and their correlation with acne and I'm by no means an expert in this area -- just merely trying it out to see if it works for me. I'll keep you posted.

4. Exercise: While there are lots of obvious reasons to work out more often, if we're purely talking about skin quality here, I have to say my skin has always been clearest when I've consistently been running 3 plus miles a day. Sweat it out, right?

As for my weapons of choice? Shop my top contenders right here...

the reunion

Dress: Alexander McQueen (a few seasons old, similar style here); Shoes: Valentino; Clutch: Vintage; Sunglasses: Target; Watch: Daniel Wellington; Bracelet: Gorjana; Ring: Jennifer Zeuner

As I mentioned last week, I headed back home to Reno this weekend for my 10 year high school reunion (10 years -- I still can't wrap my head around that!). While I really had no idea what to expect for the evening, I did know I was dying to wear this pearl embellished, fits-like-a-glove McQueen dress I recently picked up on sale at Jeremy's a few weeks back. Combined with a little stud action on the shoes, I felt very me in a slightly demure meets edgy kind of way. 

As for the reunion? It's funny, so many different scenes featuring a certain Romy and a certain Michele played out in my head while driving into town. Maybe everyone will hang out in cliques? Maybe unrequited crushes will have a second chance? Maybe someone actually did invent Post Its (or the figurative equivalent). But really, it wasn't quite like any of that at all -- and I mean that in the best way possible. It was great catching up with so many old friends, teammates, confidants, and yes, perhaps an old crush or two, and seeing where the last ten years have taken them. While so much has changed, in a weird way, it felt like we kind of picked up where we left off. 

Although, yes, I'd be lying if I didn't admit I was slightly disappointed there weren't any dance numbers quite like this. Maybe at the 20 year reunion? ;)

Photos by Heather Clark