Planning outfits for my LA & Hawaii trip
recent spring pickups + lots of new-in beauty
It’s been raining every day this week, and the gloom and wetness put me in a funk.
The highlight was probably the phone call home, catching up with my parents and my brothers. My brother and his wife recently welcomed their second child, so their daughter, aka my Goddaughter, was at my parents’. She waved hi to me this time, and it always put me to tears knowing I, again, missed out on my family’s big life milestone. I’m used to it, I think, and my solution would be to just not call or talk to anyone. NYC is the perfect city to live in and do anything alone. I can wander and go do just about anything that I want, alone, without anyone saying anything or bothering me.
I cannot share too much just yet, but know that there’s a potential family reunion, hoping for next year. Although my future or our family’s future is so uncertain, I feel somewhat at ease as I know there’s not much that I can do. But really, it’s been taking up so much of my mental space these days.
Because I live on the garden level, so my apartment gets so dark so quickly. I had to turn on some studio lights otherwise I coudn’t get any work or filming done. When it got worst, I had to make myself go outside but then quickly got drenched by the rain even with a big umbrella. Then I decided to stay in for the rest of the week, working on finishing some brand projects and planning for my upcoming travel (to LA and Hawaii). I shared about it at the end of last week’s vlog, watch here. So that’s something I’m very much looking forward to!
I will be in LA in the last week of May and in Hawaii, specifically Kauai, the first week of June.
For Los Angeles and Hawaii, the tip is to pack light-colored, breathable clothing, swimwear, comfortable shoes, and layers for cooler evenings. The vibe is casual, as my main purpose is to prioritize quality time with family and friends. Of course, I will try to make it to a few new LA food and shopping spots (and revisit some old favorites) and do at least one art/architecture tour that I have on my list. I visited O‘ahu and Maui back in 2017 (resharing some posts below!), so I think Kauai won’t be too much of a difference in terms of vibe. I’m looking forward to catching up with my friend whom I haven’t seen in years (and her new-born daughter), lots of beach time, and hiking (peek at my trail list on my Alltrails app!).
If you’re heading to NYC this summer, make sure to check out my Ultimate NYC Travel Guide on my blog. It’s now completely free! And as always, feel free to leave a comment or DM me on IG if you need any specific recommendations. I’m happy to help!
What I’m planning to pack for LA & Hawaii (and what I’ve been eye-ing for my summer wardrobe)
1. CASUAL PANTS
Pants with elastic waist and/or drawstring are everywhere this spring summer! I love my Clyque Hunter pants (size M) and Donni Terry striped pants (size S) but would also love to add a colorful pair for the summer. Leset just did a sample sale in LA recently, so I’ll wait for one in NYC. Hopefully soon because they had a bunch of the Margo T-shirts priced at $20 last year when I went!
Love Monikh’s pink and brown styling!
This week, DONNI teased the release of their summer collection for 5/20 at 10am PT, and I’ve already set my alarm so that I can snatch these gingham pants!
I’ll for sure be packing my Donni black scallop pants because they go with everything! But aren’t these butter yellow linen striped pants so great?
So tempted to pack and rewear this whole outfit as well, including the leather jacket for cold nights or to wear on the plane - shop it HERE!
2. SHORTS & SKIRTS
I got a question recently about these Comme Si boxer shorts that I own. I have one in red and one in martini stripes, and I love them. They’re casual but so easy to dress up or down, and the colors scream peak summer.
I will also be packing my cotton Cawley, denim COS, and vintage denim Levi’s 550 (thrifted from 10ft Single by Stella Dallas) long shorts because they go with everything!
left: my COS light beige shorts; right: same COS shorts in white
Linking few skirts I’m eye-ing at the moment, but for sure, I’ll bring my Kallmeyer linen skirt.
3. TOPS
I repeat that Flore Flore makes some of the best tank tops with amazing color selections, timeless styles, and high quality fabrics. The 90s crew-neck Esme tank top is by far my most worn tank top to date. I have the white and black (size XS) and would love to pick up the navy next.
The white Hannah with a racer back is the tank top I reserve for occasions, so I make sure to take a really good care of it (trying to keep white white is an important task which I will discuss more at the end of this post!). V-necks are getting all of the attention they deserve this year, so I’ve got to include the Dewi that I recently tried on in this list.
left: Chan Luu Nisha cardigan; right: Khaite Oylan tank
4. SWIMWEAR
Jil Sander bandeau bikini top (SIMILAR) & bottoms, sheer pants are from SIR
On my wishlist - ERES bikini top & bottoms
5. SHOES
For shoes, I think I’m pretty satisfied with my current spring and summer line-up but I’m sharing some top contenders for those who are curious to know.
left: LOULOU STUDIO Stella slides; middle: MADEWELL Cora slides; right: AEYDE Anna slides
I recently consigned these Row Sabot shearling mules to The RealReal and already missed having them in my daily rotation. Anyways, would anyone agree with me that the Birk Boston walk so that The Row Hugo could run? These styles of mules are the perfect shoes to wear to the airport or traveling with because they’re closed toed and easy to slip on and slide off. I’d wear them with a cute pair of white ankle socks and pack along an extra pair in my personal bag, just in case I need a fresh pair for a long plane ride. There are tons of dupes, but I’d splurge on The Row anytime because their shoe quality is just superior.
left: The Row Hugo slides; right: Massimo Dutti men’s clogs (if you’re a women’s US 8, men’s US 7 should fit you!)
Jelly flip flops are so cute and fun this summer! I love the idea of them but don’t love the prices. Here are a few styles that catch my eyes this season!
left: Christopher Esber Jo Flip Flop; right: Ancient Greek Saionara jelly
6. BAGS & ACCESSORIES
What’s currently on my wishlist:
I love my Muji makeup case, but I’ve been trying to upgrade it to something more fashion-forward. I’ll most likely spend my money on a real leather toiletry/makeup bag! I’ve been eyeing a few secondhand styles from LV and Celine on The RealReal and have also heard great things about these Cuyana leather cases (come with leather lining, and they can be zipped open wide and stand on their own. I adore the tiny zipper and pulley detailing!)
Cuyana travel case
I’ll have to pack along a small towel with me on this trip, and it’s most likely this reusable towel from Rumpl. It’s compact and comes in handy for when I want to take a quick swim at the beach. Below is a fun option I spotted at OUTLINE last week, and I think it would make a great prop for resort or luxury lifestyle shoot.
CHAN LUU - left: mesh net tote; middle: Ospina necklace lapis; right: market tote
Janessa Leone - left: Teagan hat - on sale here; right: Felix bucket
Travel luggage-wise, per usual, I will be bringing my Jil Sander canvas tote (black version) as my personal bag, my Away suitcase as my carry-on (wish me luck on packing as I will be packing for almost 2 weeks worth of outfits!), and my new Skall tote (for city-wear and to the beach. The strap is a bit too long, so I have to figure out a way to shorten it!) and my black Porto pouch for date nights.
I will not risk bringing my COS tote to a 2-week long trip, but here’s a PSA — it’s back in stock!!!
DRESSES
Dresses are not a huge category in my wardrobe, daily or vacation, because I always lean towards practicality and ease. It’s rare that I just travel to relax, get dressed up and be picked up by someone.
Dresses that are on my wishlist this year:
SETS & SEPARATES
COTTON SWEATERS
Don’t sleep on cotton sweaters because they are excellent for cold nights in the spring and summer. I’m slowly building up my collection, and I’m excited to share with you some of my favorites.
I loved my babaa cotton sweater but recently sold it because I didn’t wear it often enough. It’s one-size, so I feel like it’s just too oversized and too long on me. The quality is amazing, and I think babba sweaters deserve all of the hype they’ve been getting. State of Cotton has a few great cotton sweater styles that’s worth a browse, and I own a cream crew-neck. I’ve heard Another Tomorrow cotton sweaters are so soft, and I’m excited to get my 525 America cotton sweaters in next week!
525 America - left: Michele Crew-neck cardigan; right: Maddi V-Neck pullover
PR gifts - Affiliate link & discount code reminder
ANTLER luggage - or use code ANTRIEU to let the brand know that I’ve sent you!
LARQ filtered water bottles
ACT+ACRE - use code ANTRIEU & get 25% off sitewide (May 16–19). I use this scalp oil as a pre-wash on my hair washing day and this serum for hair growth.
MONOS travel
UNI bodywash & boddy serum
Act+Acre - 20% code ANTRIEU
ALEXIS BITTAR’s Vault Sale is here ft. 100+ of styles up to 70% off (more styles added every day at 9AM & 3PM EST - while stock lasts). Sale ends May 19th!
Earlier this week, TROUBADOUR reached out and let me pick out a bag from their current selection. The Apex backpack has been rated the #1 laptop bag by NYTimes: Wirecutter, NY Mag: The Strategist, and Business Insider. I’m not much of a backpack wearer, so I pick out a tote and a case for my vlogging gear.
left: Apex tote in black; right: Rig case
left: L’Occitane Almond Shimmering Oil *PR; middle: Prada Paradoxe Intense (my signature scent! *PR); right: Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum *gifted in exchange for content
left: True Botanicals Chebula Anti-aging Serum & 3X Sculpt Tool *PR; right: belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb SPF 45 Moisturizer Face Sunscreen & Glow Sunstick SPF 50+ *PR
Hope you’ll find something cool to add to your wardrobe or routine this summer. Thanks for purchasing anything using my affiliate links. Your support helps me continue doing this work!
stay inspired, as always!
An: x