Memo 279: Staycation Ready, So You Don't Have to Get Staycation Ready

To: All

From: Me

Date: May 16, 2017

Subject: Hotel Valley Ho Staycation

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Photography by: Dorrell Edwards

Memo 228: It's Bahia, Baby!

To: All

From: Me

Date: April 1, 2016

Subject: Camp Conrad de Brazil - Volume III

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"Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer"

I don't know who said this but they sure were speaking nothing but the truth! I always feel better equipped and more knowledgeable after exploring foreign lands. I especially love it when we can go "off the beaten path".

Of course, everyone knows and visits Rio de Janeiro regularly but what about Bahia? Who knows to take that ass to visit Bahia?! Not nobody. Why would you know if no one ever told you to go.

Well, I'm telling you to go and go now! Seriously, Rio was cool and we re-visted and re-enacted the scenes from the Pharrell and Snoop "Beautiful" video while Milly Rocking all over the country (wait for it, there's video). I feel like I need to revisit Rio just to make sure I had a thorough enough visit but Bahia felt amazing upon arrival. Seriously, spend like two days in Rio and the remaining five, ten, or fifteen days in Bahia. Thank me later.

Location: Pelourinho

Memo 227: Camp Conrad Gets In Formation

To: All

From: Me

Date: March 30, 2016

Subject: Camp Conrad de Brazil - Volume II

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This may sound a little bit extreme buuuutttt it may be worth the money to invest in a photographer during your next travel excursion. 

I only say this because, for me, photos allow me to relive the experience. Just looking at these photos gives me the exact feelings of serenity, enjoyment, or whatever adjective you would use to describe having an amazing damn time!

Even more importantly, when you're on your vacation, you can actually enjoy it without having to worry about capturing the moments. A photographer should be able to give you plenty of frame-able (read: Instagram-able) moments. 

It definitely helped that our group had no less than five photographers on the trip. The birthday boy is an amazing photographer and so are his friends amongst other things.

Beautiful views from the Loaf
Location: Sugarloaf Mountain

Memo 226: Camp Conrad takes Brazil!

To: All

From: Me

Date: March 24, 2016

Subject: Camp Conrad de Brazil - Volume I

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If this is your first experience with Camp Conrad, check out the pics from last year here. We do this!

Per norm, when you get the call that tickets to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil are $450 roundtrip out of LA for the following month, you don't ask too many questions. Book the ticket and figure out the rest later. Yes, it was quite the scramble to get Brazilian visas within a month's timeframe but it all werked out.

Seriously, these random flight deals are giving me all the life that I'll ever need! Now, if you're following me on Twitter, you're well aware that most times, you get what you pay for. Our departure tale is one for the book. So much so, our friend James Bland created a Twitter story to chronicle the utterly ridiculous experience we had with American Airlines.

Anywho, once we finally made it to Rio, we did this trip in true Camp Conrad style. Follow along on this travel diary... 

With open arms at one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. Trust me this statue is slightly overwhelming in person and no one warns you about the amount of sweat that it requires to walk the stairway to heaven. We were soaked!

Memo 182: Camp Conrad - The Lost Files

To: All

From: Me

Date: May 1, 2015

Subject: Photo Diary As Told By Instagram

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Happy beginning of my birthday month to you! Ha! I'm trying not to be that person that celebrates all month but when it's a special occasion (i.e. a national celebration) you must give it the proper acknowledgment!

Guess what?! I've found some lost files from the camping trip that I was on earlier this year! First of all, the ACE hotel is one of the most colorful and energetic places to be in Palm Springs. Most importantly, it looks great in photos! 

We spent the entire last day of the trip acting UP. If I remember correctly, there was a murder mystery game involved (the name escapes me) and tons of jokes being told around the picnic tables by the pool. Super fun day!

When you go to the ACE hotel, you can't come with anything too boring. ACE screams color, so you bring it!

Get the Look:

The MCB Shop Turban - Similar here

French Connection Caftan - Similar here and here

ASOS Sliders - Similar here

Memo 181: The Mountain Top

To: All

From: Me

Date: April 23, 2015

Subject: Sitting on Table Mountain

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I continue to learn new things about myself everyday. I didn't realize that I was afraid of heights until I was on the aerial cableway on the way to the top of Table Mountain. It is one of the new seven wonders of the world located in Cape Town, South Africa, and noted for it's flat-topped appearance. For the record, Table Mountain is high as shit. Period.

But you can probably see the entire city of Cape Town and half of the Southern Ocean from up there. Legit, the most amazing views that I've ever seen in my life. The pictures don't do it justice. Like, at all.

Again, these travel days were jammed packed with fun and exploratory things to do and comfort was at the forefront of my mind. On this day, I opted out of the Jeffrey Campbell Gladiator Sandals and opted in for a pair by Sam Edelman. 

I say "Gladia-tor", you say "Gladia-tah", Gladia-tor, Gladia-tah....let's call the whole thing off.

Get the Look:

H&M Cargo Jacket - Sold here

Forever 21 Bandeau - Similar here

Burberry Shorts - Similar here

H&M Fringe Crossbody - Sold here or similar here

Sam Edelman Sandals - Similar here

Marni for H&M Bracelets - No Longer Available

Pony Hair Cuff - No Longer Available

Memo 180: The Braai-ght Side of Things

To: All

From: Me

Date: April 17, 2015

Subject: Chaf Pozi and N'em

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No visit to Johannesburg is done right without a proper Braai. We stopped over at Chaf Pozi (on a slow day) in Soweto and got our entire life. Lucky for us, this didn't take hours upon hours. See, you first have to choose your meat (kind of like at a butcher shop) and then they put it on the braai (better known as the barbecue). If it's busy this can take up to 6 hours to get your food. Six. It's worth it though. You just have to plan accordingly.

What's a Braai without the perfect summertime relaxed and casual look. We were doing a lot of touristy things and I wanted to make sure that I was comfortable for the occasion. I lasted the entire day in these Jeffrey Campbell Gladiators (my designated shoes for the week), H&M Seersucker Shorts and Tory Burch Tunic.

And of course the Bo Derek inspired cornrows were the perfect icing to this look. I forgot how low maintenance braids can be. Who doesn't appreciate a get up and go hairstyle. Just pray for my edges. Amen.

The South Africa Travel Clique in front of the Orland Towers. They were used to supply power to the surrounding suburbs and caused a great deal of pollution in Soweto who was not able to actually benefit from the power supplied by the towers. Now the towers are used as a landmark and for bungee jumping.

Get the look:

Tory Burch Tunic - Similar here, here and here

H&M Seersucker Shorts - Similar here and here

Michael Kors Belt Bag - Similar here

Halston Heritage Hobo Bag - Similar here

Jeffrey Campbell Gladiator Sandals - Sold here

ASOS Necklace - No Longer Available

Memo 179: Paris Is Always a Good Idea

To: All

From: Me

Date: April 15, 2015

Subject: The Layover Visit

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11 Hour Layover in Paris? Why not.

Note to self: Check the weather, first. Again, CHECK THE WEATHER. Where I was coming from (Arizona) and where I was going (Johannesburg, South Africa) the weather was perfection featuring sunshine with temps in 70s and 80s. However, my dear sweet Paris was on it's own program with 50 degrees accompanied by temperamental and sporadic gusts of wind. Why Jesus?

Sipping on expresso at La Coincidence

But the show must go on. For the first stop, we went to meet my friend at her beau's restaurants, La Coincidence at 15 Rue Mesnil. Who am I?! I have a friend who with a boo that owns a restaurant in Paris #WhatIsMyLifeAbout.

My friend with the boo who owns the restaurant. I like to capture the more candid moments #ShesProbablyGoingToKillMe 

The next stop was to Colette Paris. I don't shop here, I just dream, wish, hope and pray here. I call it the Urban Outfitters elevated to the 2nd power. I visit Colette to window show and toss pennies into the air and make wishes upon my favorite pieces. 

The Mannequin Parade at Colette

These shoes are for the boys but I can get them in my size #JustSaying

Get The Look:

H&M Cargo Jacket - Sold here

Zara Dress - No Longer Available

Ecote Hat - Similar here

Jeffrey Campbell Gladiator Sandals - Sold here and here

Halston Heritage Bag - Similar here

Necklace - Similar here

Cuffs - Similar here

Memo 178: Camp Conrad - Volume 2

To: All

From: Me

Date: April 2, 2015

Subject: Photo Diary As Told By Instagram

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The saga continues...

Joshua Tree National Park

Alright, alright! I didn't actually sleep in the tents. I only took pictures of them but I did sleep on the RV. #GiveMeCreditForThat #ProudMoment #ImNotAnOutdoorsPerson

Let's count how many times our friend, Jack Daniels, makes an appearance in these photos #NumberOne #WheresJackD

Look #2: Top: ASOS - Sold here | Skirt: ASOS - Sold here | Aztec Cape: H&M - Similar here | Hat: Ecoté - Similar here | Cowboy Boots: Steve Madden - Similar here | Bottle: Jack Daniels 

Our RV won! Not because we organized a dance routine, won the twerk contest, had a clean and organized RV for the entire trip,  discussed world issues or developed business plans. No, we did none of that! We had spirit and heart! We, also, mastered the fine art of catching flying lasagna.  #CanYouSayTheSameForYourRV #YesIJustThrewSoMuchShade #YouWouldntEvenUnderstandIt #ShadeShadeShade #DidYouSeeIt #TwoTimes #WheresJackD

Life is all about making memories. Because I have early onset Alzheimers,  I have to capture all the moments (in different formats) that I can! #FujiInstax #InstantFilm #ImJokingAboutTheAlzheimers #IHope #IJustHaveSelectiveMemory

You're witnessing the Joshua Tree National Park takeover #TheyDidntSeeUsComing #BlackExcellenceInTheMiddleOfTheDesert #TheyWerentReady

Memo 177: Camp Conrad - Volume 1

To: All

From: Me

Date: March 26, 2015

Subject: Photo Diary As Told By Instagram

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Can I say that I am STILL high off of this EPIC camping adventure that occurred almost three weeks ago? Because I am. I've never been camping before. I've never been on a RV. I've never been to Sequoia National Park or Joshua Tree National Park. There were a lot of firsts on this trip and I wouldn't have wanted to experience them with any other group of people. So many good vibes, near death experiences and laughter. Follow me on this journey:

The obligatory shot from the airplane #WheelsUp #WayUpIFeelBlessed #PlanesGoingUp #LABound

In LA, we picked up three RVs full of people. Three! There was a lot of risk taking involved with these RVs during the camping trip. Standing on top of this RV to get the perfect "Usie" was nothing compared to almost driving off a cliff and flying around inside during sudden stops and turns. #RIPToMeEverTakingRidingInARV #EverAgainInLife #ImOnlySerious #NextStopSequoiaNationalPark

Life. Giving.  #SequoiaNationalPark

When your photographer friend says that he wants to do something epic for his birthday, you smile, nod, study the style guide, pack a bag and GO! #NoQuestionsAsked 

Look #1: Coat: Zara - Similar: here | Vest: Zara - Similar: here | Sweater: J. Crew - Similar: here | Harness: ASOS - Similar: here | Shorts: H&M - Similar here | Knee High Socks: Dillard's - Similar here |  Boots: Pour La Victoire

Before you continue, check out this feature from The EveryGirl where The Werk! Place was included in the list of "Reader Favorites: 15 Budget Friendly Fashion Bloggers. I mean who doesn't appreciate style on a budget?

Carry on...