It's time to dust off those ankles, get that long-overdue pedi, and welcome Spring with some amazingly cute shoes. I've been slowly coveting them in the past month... Some unsuccessful as it ran small or wasn't as comfortable as it was cute. But these round ups are a winner in my books:
'Adalyn' Espadrille Wedge Sandal - I am sure you've seen these over and over again and for good reasons. The BEST wedges ever. The Orange suede color is back in stock! True to size.
Carrin Embroidered Sneaker - Super easy to add the embroidery trend to any outfit. These espadrille are comfy and add a little length to your legs with the platform. Size up if you have wide feet.
Vince Camuto Jakayla – Perforated Sandal - I literally ran around the city in this post here and my foot were never sore! And I tend to have sensitive feet. These are a definite MUST HAVE! True to size.
Henna Bow Slides - I wore this with an all white outfit (see last picture) and added these shoes and blush bag for a pop of color! True to size.
Zain Perforated Sneaker - Perforated shoes seems to be the trend for Spring. But I love these because they are the MOST comfortables shoes I've worn (other than sneakers). These have a cushioned footbed that makes me feel like I'm walking on memory foam all day. You can wear it without socks and your feet won't even get sweaty because of the breathability of them. Order half a size down!
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Only $99 for $400 worth of curated items in the Box of Style by The Zoe Report
When you think of Seattle you probably think of The Space Needle or Pike Place Market. Most tourists rarely venture outside of cushy downtown Seattle, but in reality, Seattle is so much more, with its eclectic neighborhoods made up of equally eclectic residents. I am excited to partner with Vince Camuto to share with you my favorite neighborhoods to visit in this vibrant Emerald City!
Insider's Tip: When you do explore Pike Place Market, make sure you grab some BBQ pork hom bow (steam bun) from Mee Sum Pastry and sample a huge variety of flavored ginger beers spiked with the alcohol of your choice from Rachel’s Ginger Beer.
FREMONT
Head to this artsy neighborhood, resting on beautiful Lake Union and the infamous Burke-Gilman Trail (a bike/walking trail that weaves through most of the city and beyond). Don't forget to snap a selfie with the iconic and wonderfully ugly Fremont Troll! I also love getting away from the high-end shops downtown and go vintage shopping (list below) at Fremont.
It has a farmer’s market on Sundays, which has great local vendors (I have gotten a adorable vintage furniture and home decor) and then head on over to Theo Chocolate Factory around the corner for a chocolate tour.
Theo Chocolate Factory has daily tours from 10am-6pm, which lasts about 1 hour and costs $10 per person (which is so worth it for all the chocolate you get to sample). Note that you MUST book a tour in advance. The tour provides you with information about where chocolate comes from, how it's made, types of chocolate, as well as what fair trade in the chocolate industry means and why they're committed to it.
And if the tour isn't enough, they have a retail shop which is super cozy with a fireplace, seating and plethora amounts of chocolate samples to try. The customer service is phenomenal, they can help guide you bring back one-of-a-kind chocolate to bring back home!
Vintage Shopping Fremont Antique Mall Jive Time Records Ophelia's Book Store
Ballard is a great nook of Seattle, only about 15 minutes outside of the downtown Seattle area. You can expect a really authentic Seattle experience if you visit this neighborhood. It’s low-key and eclectic, dotted with independent local boutiques ranging from cooking supplies, home decor, and fashion boutiques. Plus it is home my favorite farmer’s markets in the city. If you happened to be in Seattle on a Sunday, definitely go and check it out! I like to grab a quick coffee and just walk around. Get flowers and wild salmon sliders (they're right next to each other), people watch as you roam aimlessly and sip your coffee. Pet other people's dogs, get home-made soaps, and even have your palm read. The energy is hard to top.
Favorite spots to eat/drink in Ballard Wild Mountain Café (Breakfast & Brunch) Brimmer & Heeltap (Brunch) Stone Burner (Pizza) Percy & Co (Bar, Happy Hour) The Walrus and the Carpenter (Seafood) Cafe Besalu (Coffee, Pastries) Slate Coffee Roasters (Coffee)
CAPITOL HILL
Capitol Hill (or The Hill) is known for its trendy bars and restaurants, but there’s also plenty of beautiful green space. The 48-acre Volunteer Park is perfect for picnics, a jog, or just enjoying the sun on a beautiful Seattle summer. The park is also home to the Seattle Asian Art Museum and my personal favorite, Volunteer Park Conservatory.
Volunteer Park Conservatory If you're in Seattle on a rainy or cold day (which is more likely than not), this is a great place to visit. Only $4 entry. There are 5 different areas in the greenhouse. The Bromeliad House, the Fern House, the Seasonal House, the Palm House, and the Cactus House. The latter is my favorite: the sunlight gives the glass room a beautiful, natural light (so Instagram-worthy).
Favorite Cheap Eats: Kedai Makan (Malaysian, My personal favorite) Honey Hole (Sandwiches) Tacos Chukis (to die for Al Pastor!) Hot Mamas (Pizza)
It’s impossible to name all the amazing things to eat/do that Seattle has to offer, but I hope that you at least venture out of downtown Seattle and go visit these 'hoods' I mentioned. Hopefully this has helped you get better acquitted with the diverse area of Seattle and I would love to know of more spots and places to eat if you have suggestions! Comment below!
Shop The Outfit
Blush Trench Coat- A belted trench is a practical piece with timeless appeal and it's a must-have for Seattle weather! I love this light blush pink color for Spring. Normal size.
Bell-Sleeve Shirt - A unique spin to a classic crisp white shirt. I love that I can style it under a coat with the sleeve out or it's unique enough to look good alone. Normal or size down for more fitted look. Perforated Sandal - These are so light weight and cute! I walked around for hours with them and my feet never hurt. I got so many compliments while at the Ballard market. Order your normal size.
Ring & Cutout Flap Bag - Crossbody bags are a must have when out and about, especially shopping. The details on this bag is so unique, I am in love!
Studded Bangle Set - - These bangles are light weight and are perfect little pieces to spice up any outfit.
Flat Square Sunglasses - Oversize square shape with mirrored lenses. Great for oval and round faces.
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In partnership with Vince Camuto, a brand I love! All opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for shopping with the affiliated links that make this blog possible.
I get a lot of questions on how to style the popular Free People Voile and Lace Trapeze Slip; which by the way should be a staple in everyones closet! In the summer, I tie the front into a knot with shorts and gladiator shoes, but you can wear it in colder weather too. Put a knit sweater, like this adorable tassel sweater (which is on sale for under $60!) over it and add some leggings or skinny denim, and you’ve got a super cute look. These perfectly frayed denim (under $60!) are my new favorite go-to and wearing it with pointy toe sliders elongate the legs! Can we get a Holleluaaa? 🙏🏽
Apply Curél Hydra Therapy Wet Skin Moisturizer Right Out of the Shower
Most people find the squeaky sound of fingernails on chalkboard extremely irritating; well, that’s how I feel about dry skin! I have teamed up with Curél Skincare to touch on the issue and how I put an end to dry skin for good with the revolutionary Curél Hydra Therapy Wet Skin Moisturizer. If you have been embarrassed more than once by your dry, itchy skin, don’t be! 75% of us have felt the same way. I live in high-desert Eastern Washington where everyone suffers from dry skin all year long. For me, my hands, legs, and feet are most affected. I love sandals but my feet are so embarrassing dry and rough that I revert to only wearing closed shoes in the summer and spring. The winter is like a water-sucking vampire! The worst part is we exacerbate the dryness by turning up the heat in our homes and our cars, using those cozy electric blankets, and taking long, hot showers.
How I Put An End to Dry Skin with Daily Use Anyone who knows me knows that I am the lotion queen. I lather on moisturizer after I shower, before bed, and I even continue to moisturize throughout the day, particularly after washing my hands. I am not kidding when I tell you that I can’t stand dry skin! It literally gives me goosebumps. I have probably tried more than 50 types of products in search of one that actually works. From my experience, the most effective moisturizers are not necessarily the most expensive, but they are usually petroleum-based or contain ceramides. I tend to personally shy away from petroleum, as it can be a bit greasy. And do your research as some ‘moisturizers’ can actually cause your skin to dry out more.
On that same note – hydrate! Drink lots of water! I have found that carrying a refillable water bottle has been a good reminder for me to stay hydrated throughout the day.
I was really excited to try a free sample of the Curél Hydra Therapy Wet Skin Moisturizer with Advanced Ceramide Complex. Ceramide restores the skin’s natural moisture and are vital to protect it against harm from harsh environmental factors (including heat, wind, low humidity, high altitude, etc). My boyfriend teases me because I always walked around with big white streaks on the back of my legs from not rubbing in the lotion enough. With this product, all I have to do is apply straight out of the shower to wet skin BEFORE drying off. [JC1] The magical water-activated formula instantly sinks into my wet skin that I barely even have to rub it in. Being a lotion enthusiast, I can honestly say I AM obsessed!! I even brought the bottle with me abroad to Thailand back in January. It is perfect for my problem areas, especially my feet because it doesn’t leave them feeling oily. I am definitely a fan for life! Cheers to end of dry skin, and the beginning of so much more like wearing sandals, showing off those legs, and enjoying life outside!
What do YOU do to combat dry skin? Tell me your answer in the comments for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card!
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End Dry Skin with Advanced Ceramide Complex, the Building Blocks of Skin