Last weekend I was in Naples for my sister’s bachelorette party. We kept the plans easy. Time on the beach, sunset drinks, dinner out, a boat day, and one really good meal at home with a private chef. Not an overly packed itinerary, but enough to feel full in the best way.
This is the kind of trip that is easy to overpack for. You think you want options for dinner, different shoes to go with each one, and before you know it, you are trading your carry-on for a larger suitcase.
I have been trying to keep things simpler. At this stage in my pregnancy, flowy dresses make the most sense. They fit, they are comfortable, and they still feel like me. I built everything around that.
Look 1: Travel / Arrival
I didn’t take a photo of my travel outfit, but I actually loved it. I wore a black Ozma dress with the Mirth Kyoto button down (kept it open) and my New Balance sneakers.
We arrived late Thursday night, so my first official outfit (pictured above) was Friday morning to make a coffee run and get some groceries for our VRBO. I loved this dress pre-pregnancy and appreciate it even more that I can wear it this summer as my bump grows. Of all my dresses from Mirth, the Zuma style is my favorite.
Look 2: Beachside lunch
After getting settled, we joined everyone at the beach for a beachside lunch and lay. This caftan is one of the best purchases I’ve made. I think I got it maybe four years ago and wear it so much more than I thought I would. It’s the perfect beach coverup, but I also wore it to Christmas Eve dinner with nice black pants and heels last year!
Look 3: Sunset Drinks/ Dinner Out
This was my “dressiest” outfit and the only time I wasn’t in flip flops. This dress is actually new - I thought it was a good investment - something I could wear on this bachelorette and then again at my sister’s bridal shower this summer. Easy for the bump to grow, but certainly not maternity specific.
Look 4: Boat Day
I borrowed my sister’s maternity swimsuit, which worked out well since I had not gotten around to ordering one. I have my eye on one of these for the summer.
For a coverup, I wore the J.Crew dress I shared recently. I got it in their sale and I think I’m going to be really glad I got it. It’s definitely sheer, so it’s perfect as a coverup, but I think I’ll wear it this summer with biker shorts underneath as well. It’s so breezy and lightweight - perfect for a summer third trimester!
I also brought our new Soleil Tote with me for this day. I can’t get over how beautiful she is! I actually carried it on the plane and it fit perfectly under the seat in front of me too! She launches on May 6th along with Oyster…sign up here if you want to get first dibs and shop on May 5th. :)
Look 5: Dinner at Home (Private Chef Night)
For our last night, I went back to the caftan. It was the easiest option and felt right for a night at home.
A few things I’m trying to get better at when packing:
— Choose pieces that can do more than one thing
— Stick to a palette so everything works together
— Bring fewer shoes (they take up so much room!), but better ones
— Plan outfits around real moments, not hypotheticals
If it’s helpful, here’s the packing list linked:
Ozma Dress - they don’t have it anymore, but this one and this one are very similar
Biker Shorts (maternity)
J.Crew Coverup (currently 30% off)
Flip Flops (I have them in black and in au naturale)
Raffia Platforms (they don’t have mine anymore, but I linked this season’s version)
Bathing Suit (maternity)
5 Really Good Mother’s Day Gifts
Quality time is probably the best gift, but if you’re in the market to get your mom or maybe forward this to someone shopping for you, I love these ideas and would be thrilled to get any of these myself!
This is one of my favorite gifts. First of all, you can’t go wrong with a cashmere sweater. But Lingua Franca allows you to add custom embroidery to theirs, which makes such a thoughtful gift. My sisters and I have gifted my mom a sweater as well as my grandma. Their cashmere is super high quality and they have several colors and styles - so even without embroidery, it’s a great gift!
I learned about this company when we were registering for our wedding - there are so many great pewter gift ideas (vases, little boxes, frames, etc). This clock struck me because it’s an alarm clock and I think it would be so chic on a bedside table. Lately I’ve been leaving my phone in the kitchen to charge overnight to keep me from scrolling before bed and first thing in the morning, but I’m relying on Tom’s alarm clock…so this would be really nice to have!
A meal prepared on these gorgeous paper plates
If breakfast in bed is a tradition in your home, how gorgeous are these paper plates?! There are so many other beautiful ones too. I just learned about this company and this is one I’ll be filing away for the next time we host!
Jewelry is always a good idea, and I really love this simple gold chain from Dorsey. It’s delicate but noticeable and will layer really nicely with other necklaces. There are options for 16, 17, and 18 inch lengths and also available in sterling silver.
I love the idea of giving our Soirée Bag (or Mini) as a gift because it feels like the kind of bag you may not always get yourself. It’s not like the Sling Bag where you know you’re going to wear it 3 times a week (or everyday!), but you’d be surprised how much use you’ll get out of the Soirée. It’s great for all the spring and summer events, packs flat in a suitcase, and has a crossbody strap so you can actually wear it as an everyday bag!