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The Sunday Series Vol. 14

Happy Sunday, friends! We’re back after a few weeks away due to traveling and a boat load of extra work. It feels good to be at home this weekend, and although we’ve worked most of it, we’ve been able to take a bit more of break than we’ve been able to over the past couple of weeks. With the launch of Gal Meets Glam Collection in a little over a month, there are a million and one things still left to do. For me, this month was a focus on energy and longevity as it’s been long hours and 7 day workweeks, so I’ve put a big focus on health so that I can feel my best and get all my work done, so that’s where my Sunday Series originated from today! Thomas always loves looking for cool new tech toys, so he’s excited to write all about a new drone, Laura found a podcast that she’s constantly inspired by and Margaret shares a beautiful poem about growth. And as always, we hope you share something new you discovered this week or were inspired by in the comments section below!

  Julia – I love sugar and I’ve always known that I probably eat way too much of it on a daily basis, but I sort of loved living in denial. That is until recently when I was really tired of being tired. I eat healthy and try to give my body the proper nutrients it needs, but I didn’t understand why I always sort of felt off. I found Kelly LeVeque after someone posted about her on Instagram. I took a deep dive into her account and ended up buying her book, Body Love. One of the core focuses around it is how sugar really affects us. A sugar imbalance can throw off our whole system. She comes from a science background and worked in cancer research and genetics before becoming a nutritionist. Her book is filled with lots of other incredibly useful knowledge and tools (like how to turn off your hunger hormones by giving your body the right amount of fat, fiber, greens and protein) along with recipes, tips for traveling and more. I really connected with this book, I felt like it spoke to me. I’m not someone who follows along diets or trends, I really just try and do what’s best for my body and listen to what makes it feel good. I love to eat and I’ve never limited myself in terms of what I can or can’t have. Kelly’s whole philosophy is around this, but with the notion that what we choose should make us feel great (because food is fuel), so be mindful and aware of the nutrients and making sure we’re giving our body what it needs. I’ve been creating some of the smoothies recipes from Body Love in the morning and they’re not only delicious but I feel amazing and so energized. I also really like how easy they are to make (and you can make them anywhere) as long as you know the four main ingredients- protein, greens, fiber and fat.

  Thomas – Drones for photography and videography are pretty damn cool. In the last couple of years, thanks to DJI, they’ve become incredibly accessible for professional, semi-professional and hobbyists that just want to play with something cool. The technology in these things and the size are breaking down important customer pain points like ease of use, portability and image quality. I’ve debated, in my head, dozens of times whether I should add a drone to take with us to add to our repertoire of images. What has long held me back is that a drone, no matter how small, will always be a secondary tool for creating amazing content. That means in addition to all my camera gear I have to lug around a drone and it’s controller, extra battery and chargers. The friends I have with drones say they hardly ever use them. Also, 4-5 years ago, only a handful of first movers were using drones, back then it was so new that no matter the quality of video or image, it was cool and interesting to mix in to normal content, but now it’s much more common and just having a drone doesn’t make you more unique.

  I decided last summer to rent a drone from my favorite camera rental service, Parachut, to bring with us to France. We had dreams of renting a vintage car with video captured of Julia driving through the winding Provence roads or along the French Riviera. I used it a total of 5 times and nearly hit trees on every use. I was too scared to really put it to the test. While these drones are supposed to have advanced sensors to avoid collision they are hardly what you’d expect given how they are marketed.

  But this week, Skydio a new entrant in the drone space, announced a completely autonomous drone that they’ve been in development on for 4 years and it looks pretty incredible. Even if you will never be in the market for a drone, this is still worth watching the video of. It’s 13 cameras act as sensors to create a visual map of the surroundings then software inside does some pretty interesting things on top of that, which are way beyond my ability to explain. You can read more about the technology here. It’s expertise is really in the autonomy, let’s say you want to record yourself mountain biking, you can set it to follow, lead, side profile, orbit or act as a tripod and it will do it all for you. While the video quality doesn’t look quite like what you can get on DJI drones these features are so advanced that they will carve out a nice place in the market for people that really need that autonomy. My prediction, Amazon buys Skydio in a few years in order to really make a push into autonomous drone package delivery.

  Laura – When I stumble upon or am introduced to the name of someone successful I Google anything and everything about them to hear more of how they got to where they are in their careers. I recently finished a great episode on one of my favorite podcasts, How I Built This with Guy Raz about a serial entrepreneur, Marcia Kilgore. Have you listened to it yet? She is so intelligent and inspiring, her story is unbelievable. I love this podcast series for many reasons: 1) each interview puts a personality and voice to the name of a big brand we’ve heard tossed around in daily conversation 2) there’s a connection and a passion in their discussions that really shines through even as I’m just listening through my car speakers en route to work and 3) I love how Guy Raz taps into their minds so listeners can hear their thought process, their approaches to life and the business world. Marcia Kilgore’s interview is now at the top of my list along with Sara Blakely. She started out with only $300 to her name and spent every penny of it towards a gym membership because working out was a passion of hers. Low and behold, exercise was the start of her first personal business. That’s not one of the five businesses she has successfully grown, however, she is well known for changing the beauty industry one brand at a time. She is the Founder of Bliss, Soap & Glory, FitFlop, Beauty Pie, and a recent one called Soaper Duper. I don’t want to give away too much so definitely check out the podcast episode and this great interview!

  Margaret – Although we’re still a couple of weeks away from the first day of spring, which falls on March 20th, the weather has warmed up in Charleston and spring flowers are blooming. There’s something beautiful about recognizing a new season or month (hello, March), and all of the changes the time of year brings along. Seasons remind me about the dynamic ebb and flow of life. Change is inevitable, and it is in our best interest to embrace it, or at the very least, be open to it. In one of the first Gal Meets Glam Collection Previews Julia shares her thoughts on change and writes, “If I’ve learned anything in the past seven years since starting Gal Meets Glam, it’s that we can be whatever we want to be. So often, we limit ourselves by what we think we are or what others think we should be. We are humans and we’re allowed to grow and develop and change. And do it again. And again. It’s part of life and what makes it so beautiful. That’s one of the reasons I had the courage to pursue this passion.” This week I came across this poem, which ties into this very idea of what it means to develop and step into who we’re meant to be. I hope it serves as a reminder in a season full of flowers that, we too, are both blooming and becoming:

  becoming

  there is something

beginning to poke its head

through the soil

that has been becoming

all through the long cold winter

but is just now

finally ready to show itself

to burst into the fullness

of all that it was meant to be

now free from the comfort

and confines of the rich dark soil

the struggle to become has ended

it stretches out its arms

to touch the life-giving sunlight

dancing in the fullness

of the intent of its maker

finally free to be

all it was dreamt to be

  by Jim Branch

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5 Best Buys of February

You might remember at the end of last month I introduced a new series to the blog highlighting my ‘best buys’ or most used items and today I’m back to share what those pieces were for February. Maybe it’s because it’s a shorter month, but it seemed like it was over in the blink of an eye. This month and the next few coming are some of the busiest we’ve ever had, especially with the launch of my dress line, Gal Meets Glam Collection counting down, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I feel so grateful to have a full schedule that is leading me to fulfilling my dreams! (there is no shortage of tearful moments and small breakdowns along the way, though!).

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Lululemon Water Bottle

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Burberry Trench Coat

  This month I’ve also been trying to focus more on my health, especially because we’ve been incredibly busy and there’s not much time for breaks or relaxation. That means eating healthy, drinking tons of water (and pretty much eliminating alcohol), trying to fit in small workouts in my hotel rooms and any down moments trying to meditate or read (I even tried an infrared sauna in LA, which I found so peaceful). The one item I can’t travel without lately is my new Lululemon water bottle. I workout with this one and bring it everywhere with me. I love the way the lid works, making it really easy to drink out of while in the middle of a workout class, plus it’s stainless steel so it keeps liquids both hot or cold.

  My old Burberry trench has been a staple lately, especially with the varying weather we’re traveling in between coasts. I bought this one a few years ago, a while it has a hefty price tag, it’s a quality piece that I know I’ll have in my closet for a lifetime. Luckily there are so many similar alternatives on the market for much, much less like this Everlane one for under $150 or this beautiful Ralph Lauren one for under $200.

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GMG Logo iPhone Case

  One of the sweetest gifts I’ve ever received came from my older sister Lauren. She’s an artist and actually sells some of her artwork on phone cases on Castify. She got ahold of our Gal Meets Glam Collection logo and transformed it into a new iPhone case for me. I love looking at it daily.

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Prada Ballet Flats

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Living Proof Humidity Spray

  Many of you know that one of my tried and true flats over the years has been my Chloe scalloped ones in nude. They’re like butter on my feet and I almost never travel without them. While I still love them and wear them all the time, I also decided it was time to get another pair of nude flats since I wore those so often. Since they’re a round toe, I thought I’d get something with a slightly different shape, but just as versatile. That’s when I found these pointy toe Prada flats. They’ve quickly become a favorite and I’ve been wearing them all month long. If you’re looking for something at a lower price point, these have a very similar style and feel.

  We’ve had the wonderful pleasure of enjoying Charleston’s early spring weather, but with that heat comes a bit of humidity. Last year I wrote this post on how I transitioned from west to east coat in regards to handling haircare and going from a no-humdity city to one that’s filled with it. This month I’ve brought back out one of my favorite products for tackling the weather, Living Proof’s ‘Humidity Shield’.

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Why I Love These Floral Pants

Outfit Details:

Wayf Top (under $70), Rebecca Taylor Pants (shorts version here), Alexandre Birman Heels, Vintage Ferragamo Bag (similar here), Oscar de la Renta Earrings

  Today is the last day of February, which means that there’s light at the end of this winter tunnel. Spring is just around the corner, even for those who live in cooler climates (well, hopefully!). Usually my spring style evolves entirely around dresses and skirts, but I can’t get enough of these new floral pants I bought recently and wore right before we left Charleston last week. The print is so sweet and also comes in a top version, a blazer and even shorts (which make me crave summer sunshine!).

    Last year I bought my first pair of high waisted cropped pants (this pair) and was surprised by how much my skinny-jean-loving self was into them. I’d recommend going down a size or two, as the wide leg and slightly oversized fit makes them run a tad big. If you’re looking for more of a classic pair of cropped pants for this season, this white pair from Nordstrom is perfect and has a similar style and shape to the floral ones I’m wearing.

    I was also recently searching for some pretty new spring tops and surprisingly came across a handful of ones that I loved that also happened to be under $100 like this pink and white striped bow one (that I’m wearing), this blue and white striped one, this cream wrap one and also this off the shoulder tiered one. They’re simple and easy, whether I’m pairing them with jeans or a skirt or dressing up or down.

    Thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post.

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Spring Travels: Following The Flowers

Flowers have a transformative effect to scenery and even my mood. As we transition from winter to spring we are reminded of the beautiful potential of our environment. Very few things put a smile on my face more than discovering flowers blooming, which is why ‘following the flowers’ is one of my favorite reasons to travel. I’ve put together a list of my top places in the world to find blooming flowers during spring. After you’ve read my list, I’d love to hear what special bloom locations are on your list.

    Charleston- Spring comes a bit earlier to Charleston than most places. Just the past few weeks we’ve already seen new flowers in bloom including Camelias and Japanese Magnolias. Azaleas are just starting to peek through and should be in full bloom soon, followed by Confederate Jasmine which has the loveliest scent.

  Oregon- A couple years ago, Thomas made a trip with a friend to Oregon. He kept sending me photos of the incredible tulips and I was definitely jealous of all the gorgeous scenery. His favorite spots were the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival and Hood River for beautiful blooming Apple and Pear orchards.

  Washington DC- Last year we thought we had a perfectly timed trip to visit Washington DC for the Cherry Blossom bloom. An unexpected cold front rolled through much of the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic just about the time the blossoms had just started to open. This severely impacted the bloom which left little to see. While we don’t have plans to return this year, we are crossing our fingers for all of you making the trip. This website is great for tracking peak bloom.

Wisteria in London- Wisteria is an impressive plant. It’s an aggressive climbing vine that seems to have a mind of its own in a uniquely wonderful way. Some of the most impressive Wisteria can actually rip apart rod iron fences! When well trained, it’s a spectacular decoration to the front or side of a house, especially when it’s purple blooms come to life. One of my favorite places to see Wisteria are along some of the incredible homes in London. You can follow my friend, @rosielondoner, as she’s famous for her London Wisteria obsession in the spring.

  Bluebells in English Countryside- Because Bluebells are wildflowers that grow in wooded areas in the shade of trees, I often get the feeling that I’m about to spot fairies. When touring the English Countryside a few years ago, we stumbled on some incredible bluebell forests. I can’t wait to return again this spring!

Daffodil Hill in California- When my mom lived in the foothills near Sacramento we were not too far from a fun farm that takes their Daffodils very seriously. They have an estimated 300,000 bulbs planted! When they all come to bloom in the springtime, this well manicured property comes to life with rolling hills of white and yellow Daffodils. If you decide to check it out, make sure to arrive earlier in the day to avoid crowds during their peak time.

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This White Jumpsuit Is So Fresh For Spring

Outfit Details:

Club Monaco Jumpsuit, Nicola Bathie Earrings, Club Monaco Heels (old, similar here for under $60), Pamela Munson Clutch

  This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending and speaking at Create & Cultivate in LA. We flew out just for the event and then flew right back to the East Coast (NYC), which is where we are for the next few days (I’m hosting an event with Vionic tomorrow with Elle Magazine at Lord & Taylor from 6-8pm and would love for you to come!). Getting to spend time around such a positive, uplifting and powerful group of women is always inspiring. The wonderful thing about events like Create & Cultivate is that is allows so many likeminded women to come together in one room and communicate and talk about many of the same topics- both good and bad- on owning our own businesses and being entrepreneurs. There is no one-way path to success, and everyone has their own learning experiences and stories to share. I’m so happy I was able to participate and also meet so many lovely, sweet and kind readers! It’s always a joy to get to talk to some of you one on one, because I’ve always wanted this platform to be a two way street where we both have a relationship with each other. Hearing from you all, talking with you and especially meeting you, makes it really feel that way.

    I ended up wearing this white jumpsuit I bought recently to Create and Cultivate on Saturday. I knew I wanted something simple, chic and comfortable, as I would be sitting on stage in a chair (a dress can be tricky for that sometimes). A jumpsuit is usually my next best option and I love this one from Club Monaco. They also have a beautiful selection of jumpsuits, like this navy bow one, this blush one and this classic black one. The crepe fabric drapes beautifully and the tie around the waist makes it extra flattering.

    The pieces that I’ve been buying for spring have mainly centered around accessories, like these Nicola Bathie earrings and this Pamela Munson clutch. I’ve talked about my love of statement earrings and Nicola’s pieces have quickly become a favorite of mine- they’re so beautiful and unique. And this clutch is one of Pamela’s newest pieces this season. Last year I bought this tote from her lovely straw line and am excited she expanded into hats this year, too!

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Vintage Shopping In Palm Beach

Outfit Details:

Vivetta dress (old, last seen here and here, similar here and here), Mark Cross Bag, Aquazzura x De Gournay Loafers, Rebecca De Ravenel Earrings

  Last week when we were in Palm Beach we had a few hours to spare before our flight, so Thomas and I were able to squeeze in a bit of vintage shopping. I was secretly hoping the whole trip that we would have some time to search for pieces for the house, especially because I’ve heard such wonderful things about the vintage and antique stores in Palm Beach. Dixie Highway (aka Antique Row) is where everyone told us to go, including our interior designer Olivia, who gave us some tips on what places to visit and what to search for. We barely had two hours and only ended up being able to squeeze in three spots, but next time we visit we’re hoping to have a bit more time to get lots in more of the many stores.

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  We started out at Heath & Company after some of the lovely ladies at Kemble Interiors told us about it. The entire place is covered from ceiling to floor with the most amazing lighting, along with other accessories and small pieces of furniture. If we hadn’t already picked out all of the light fixtures and lamps for our house, I definitely would have bought a few pieces here. My favorite ones were the colorful vintage tole chandeliers that they had by the dozens.

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  After that we stopped into Mecox where we found lots of rattan and colorful accents that grabbed our attention. We didn’t make any immediate decisions there but we did love the beautiful garden they had in the back that was filled with orchids and other tropical plants. We took a bunch of photos as inspo for our backyard!

  The last place we stopped, Elephant’s Foot, ended up being our gold mine as far as finding pieces we were looking for. The store is huge, which made it hard for us to focus at times. We fell in love with two beautiful garden stools that we ended up shipping back home to ourselves, along with a handful of small decor pieces that we couldn’t leave behind. I can’t wait to figure out where they’ll go once we’re back in our house.

  When we head back next time, I have Bamboo & Rattan and Circa Who on our list- two that have come highly recommended by friends in the design industry!

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My Favorite Shoes For Spring

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10

  It’s been 80 degrees all week in Charleston and we couldn’t have wished for better weather for our shoot! The sun was out and warm and all the flowers have come into bloom. It’s absolutely magical! I love this time of year, it makes me so happy. I’ve been bringing out all of my favorite shoes from last spring like my Castaner espadrilles (which were the mvp of my warm weather wardrobe last year) and my Carrie Forbes sandals, which are my go-to for easy, laid back slides. My Aquazzura x De Gournay loafers, which are probably my most treasured pair of flats, just came back out in a gorgeous turquoise color and also in more styles like these sandal and pumps. There’s also so many cute styles out that are under $100 like these heels that come in the prettiest blush and light blue, these pink espadrilles and these wedges. If you’re looking for some springtime footwear, I’ve got your covered in today’s post!

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Aquazzura x De Gournay Loafers

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Castaner Espadrilles

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J.McLuaghlin Heels

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Le Monde Beryl Slides

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Pink In Palm Beach

Outfit Details:

Caroline Constas Dress (gingham version here, similar less expensive version here), Urban Outfitters Sunglasses, Mark Cross Bag, Carrie Forbes Sandals

  Last week we had the pleasure of getting to spend a few days down in beautiful Palm Beach with the Lilly Pulitzer team. Even though it was a quick two and half day trip, we had enough sunshine and activities to make it feel longer. I’ve missed being outdoors- it felt amazing to just sit in the morning with a cup of tea, the quiet air and the warmth of the sunshine. And right when we got back home, we hit the ground running right away shooting Gal Meets Glam Collection (today marks our sixth and final day!). It’s the largest shoot we’ve ever done and definitely the most proud I’ve ever felt. I’ve been posting on the @galmeetsglam Instagram account and stories if you want to follow along.

    This was my third time visiting Palm Beach and I kept telling Thomas that we need to visit more often. It’s a quick flight for us and the tropical climate and laid back vibe make us feel like we’re on vacation. I’d love to go back and have two or three days of pure relaxation and actually get to spend some time on the beach. This time last year Carly and I went on a girls trip down there and had a blast! It really is such a beautiful place.

    I think this was the first time my skin has seen some warm weather sunshine in a while, other than a quick morning walk or bike ride in Charleston. I really had to lather on the sunblock but I still managed to get a little glow over the two days. It was above 80 degrees and felt absolutely wonderful to be walking around in a dress and sandals. This Caroline Constas dress was perfect for the occasion. I’ve previously bought a few of her oversized, off the shoulder tops and love this dress from her collection this season. I paired it with my favorite sandal brand, Carrie Forbes, and this mini Mark Cross bag, which was a gift from Thomas recently.

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First found here: Pink In Palm Beach

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My Favorite Pairs of Statement Earrings

I usually only wear a few pieces of jewelry on a daily basis. Those consist of my rings- wedding band and engagement ring, my great grandmother’s ring, a sapphire ring Thomas gave me for Christmas and a small Jane Pope band on my right hand, along with my diamond studs Thomas also got me a few years ago. I like jewelry that’s small but meaningful and that I can always have with me. But if there’s one thing I’ll switch up my jewelry for, it’s a great pair of statement earrings. Especially once Spring rolls around, when I love bringing them back out. Last year I bought my first pair of earrings from Rebecca de Ravenel and I’ve added a handful of other pieces from her collection since. They’ve easily become my most go-to earrings I reach for, especially over the past couple of weeks.

  Outfit Details:

Look 1- Miguelina Top & Skirt (old, new version of top and bottom this season), Vionic Wedges, Carolina Santo Domingo Bag, Rebecca de Ravenel Earrings (on sale)

Look 2- Vivetta dress (old, similar here), Mark Cross Bag, Aquazzura x De Gournay Loafers, Rebecca De Ravenel Earrings

Earrings:

Left- Rebecca de Ravenel Flower Earrings / Right- Rebecca de Ravenel Bon Bons

  If you’re looking for more amazing statement earrings, I have a few other favorite brands like Hart, Jennifer Behr, Oscar de la Renta, Sachin & Babi and Nicola Bathie. And my go-to place for pieces under $100 is Tuckernuck– like this pair, this pair and this pair.

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First found here: My Favorite Pairs of Statement Earrings

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Luca Faloni: High-Quality Cashmere At An Affordable Price

from He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

Luca Faloni makes exquisite cashmere clothing that also happens to be affordable

In partnership with Luca Faloni.

When you think of cashmere, I’ll wager there are three words that come to mind: soft, luxurious and expensive. All are accurate descriptions, yet the latter tends to be more than just a description–it’s a barrier to entry as well. Enter Luca Faloni, a new Italian company focused on high-quality and affordable wardrobe basics.

I’ll be honest, these days there are lots of upstart brands that promise that ultimate marriage of quality and craftsmanship at an affordable price. And the results can be mixed. In general, my experience is has been that their lofty claims never quite live up to the hype. So I approach most of them with a great deal of skepticism and it was no different when the box filled with a cashmere cable knit sweater, long sleeve polo, scarf, brushed cotton shirt, suede belt and leather card case from Luca Faloni arrived at the doorstep of my new home.

| WEARING | Suitsupply blazer, Luca Faloni cashmere sweater, Peter Millar shirt, Ring Jacket pants, Drake’s pocket square, Carl F. Bucherer watch, Allen Edmonds shoes

You should never judge a book by its cover, but there is something to be said about presentation and Luca Faloni really knows what they’re doing in that arena. Inside the box, each piece came wrapped in a soft cotton pouch. A very classy touch which immediately set the tone for a luxury experience. (I also really appreciated the inclusion of a small box of Pastiglie Leone candies.)

Now let’s talk about the garments themselves, specifically the cashmere pieces and brushed cotton shirt. Exceptionally soft. Just like you’d expect from cashmere (and brushed cotton). The quality is also impressive. And one reason for that is Luca Faloni worked very hard to find the right supplier. Their choice–and only supplier–is Cariaggi, a third-generation Italian mill known as one of the most prestigious in the world. And the fit? Perfect.

What I love most about the Luca Faloni collection is that it’s full of staple pieces. The cable knit sweater I’m wearing in the first look here is fantastic as a layering piece. You can see I’ve styled it with a plaid blazer, denim shirt and navy trousers for a sophisticated business casual look. It would look just as nice worn more casually on its own with a pair of chinos.

Cashmere Polo & Brushed Cotton Shirt

| WEARING | Luca Faloni cashmere polo and brushed cotton shirt, Club Monaco pants, Carl F. Bucherer watch | PHOTOGRAPHY | by Rob McIver Photo

Over the past year or so, I’ve really been exploring the notion of “casual elegance” when it comes to how I dress–something that’s easy-going, but still luxurious and sophisticated. Hitting those notes depends on a few factors, including materials and style. And there are two pieces I want to highlight from Luca Faloni that are perfect examples of that.

I’ve actually been on the hunt for a long sleeve polo for quite a while and finding one in cashmere was a bonus. I can’t think of a better piece for relaxing at home or wearing for a low key day at the studio. Then there’s the brushed cotton shirt, which I’ve layered under the polo here, but have worn several times on its own. There is nothing like the feeling of brushed cotton and it also possess a rich texture.

Finally, let’s talk about price, which is always something to talk about when you’re talking about cashmere. The cable knit sweater and long sleeve polo retail for $340, while the brushed cotton shirt comes in at $175. Now, those aren’t drop in the bucket kinds of prices, I get that, but I challenge you to find similar pieces of such high quality and craftsmanship at those prices. I did a little comparison shopping and the best examples I was able to find were twice the price of the Luca Faloni pieces.

Thanks, as always, for reading.

Stylishly Yours,

Brian Sacawa He Spoke Style

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5 Ways To Have A Better Morning

Outfit Details:

Desmond & Dempsey Pajamas, Le Monde Beryl Slippers

  Have you had those days where you find yourself saying “There just aren’t enough hours in the day!” or “So much to do, so little time!” Well, up until a few months ago that was my own personal slogan almost everyday. Work will always be keeping me busy no matter what, and while I absolutely love what I do I also don’t want to forget to make time to do the other things that fuel me – like exploring the great outdoors, exercising, reading, and just taking my time overall rather than rushing on to the next task. I realized that while I can’t control the sun, what I can do is make a few small changes to give myself the extra time I feel I need for having a fuller day. I took what I’m in control of and made these 5 tips and small efforts with great impact for a healthier start to the mornings, on the weekdays and weekends!

    Set the alarm 1 hour earlier than the actual time you need to wake-up – If I keep my bedtime fairly consistent, this wake-up call is pretty easy to stick to. Now by waking up one hour earlier, it doesn’t mean I try to fit one hour’s worth of work into that time, it means giving myself the time to have a leisure morning. This also goes the same for weekends! Keeping my wake-up time consistent into the weekend mornings means no interruption to the sleep schedule and Monday morning won’t hit as hard as it used to. Plus since the weekends aren’t as hectic as weekdays, I find that my Saturdays and Sundays are so much longer!

  Do not check the phone until you are done getting ready and finished with breakfast – Sometimes I even try to wait until I arrive at the office, but I found that there could be a reminder message for me to grab something at home before I go in. Until a few months ago I would turn off my alarm and immediately check emails and social media, then the next thing I know I’m still in bed, 30+ minutes have passed and I now have to rush to get out the door. However, waking up earlier doesn’t mean giving myself time to do this bad habit. I still make the conscious effort to not let that phone leave the nightstand until all is done for the morning.

  Morning walk – One of my absolute favorite morning activities to do with Thomas is a walk around the neighborhood with a coffee in hand, to stretch out the limbs, get the blood flowing, and gather some creative inspiration for the day ahead. I almost always find something new to admire in the neighborhood, and I get especially excited when that little something is blooming!

  Take 15 minutes or less to tidy up – An organized space is an organized mind and since your home should be your sanctuary, I take a few minutes to tackle a small task that has a definitive end to it; like emptying the dishwasher, taking out the trash, or clearing off the bathroom counter. Do what you can to make your home more inviting for when you return at the end of the work day and then you’ve already crossed one or a few items off your day’s to-do list! I typically try to stick to a 15-minute rule which means keeping my house 15-minutes from guest ready at any time.

  Reading at breakfast – Instead of scrolling through social media, I allow myself 15 minutes to eat and read my book (currently reading and loving The Keeper of Lost Things) while enjoying my breakfast in the morning. Reading is a really fun way to let my mind wander into someone else’s imagination and I feel a little more revived before I have to check-in to reality. Plus I love how books can spark great conversations between people and you learn more about another person’s perspective and taste in literature. If it matches with yours then you’ve found a new source for book recommendations!

  I’ve found that with these small tweaks to my routine I’m not only more productive throughout the day but I’m also more present and focused, which is so important for me since I typically can have one million things that need my attention from many different directions.

    I’d love to know of any tips or changes you’ve made to having a productive morning or setting yourself up on the right foot for the day!

  The post 5 Ways To Have A Better Morning appeared first on Gal Meets Glam.

First found here: 5 Ways To Have A Better Morning

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Lilly Pulitzer Swim

Lilly Pulitzer asked me to come down to Palm Beach with them for a few days to celebrate their new swimsuit collection (that launched today!) and of course, I didn’t have to think twice. I love Palm Beach and Lilly Pulitzer is iconic to the town, so the two go hand in hand. I got a peek at the collection prior to the trip and was excited to style all of the pieces once we arrived. It didn’t hurt that they had the most beautiful backdrop for us to shoot in all day yesterday, making it easy to get some fun shots with the girls- Amber and Rachel.

  Outfit Details:

Look On The Left: Lilly Pulitzer Dress & Sweater c/o

Look On The Right: Lilly Pulitzer Dress c/o

  We popped into the adorable Lilly Pulitzer store yesterday and got to try everything on. I have to say, the fits of the swimsuits are amazing. I’m a one-piece kind of gal and I loved feeling so comfortable and easy in the two styles I wore (this one and this one). And the custom prints on each are also repeated on some really cute cover-ups, too. I opted for classic white scalloped shorts for one and used this pink scarf as a sarong on another.

    Outfit Details:

Lilly Pulitzer Swimsuit & Shorts c/o

    One piece I’m really excited about is this light blue cashmere wrap– I know it’ll come in handy on one of the many flights we have coming up. I paired it over this blue and white printed dress, which I’m obsessed with!

    Head on over to the Lilly Pulitzer site to check out more of their new swimwear line and get excited for spring. There’s so much good resort wear, making me want to extend our trip and soak in the warmth of Palm Beach for a few more days.

    Thank you to Lilly Pulitzer for sponsoring this post and for an amazing trip!

The post Lilly Pulitzer Swim appeared first on Gal Meets Glam.

First found here: Lilly Pulitzer Swim

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It’s Not Spring Yet, But I’m Dressing For It

Outfit Details:

Zara Top (old, similar here and here), Boden Skirt, J.McLaughlin Heels, Need Supply Bag (old, similar here)

  After a few months of colder temps and darker hues, spring is always a refreshing change with its cheerful colors. I know it’s not officially spring yet (we’re still a month away) and most places are still cold, but Charleston is currently both blooming and warm! This is my favorite time of year, as the weather is perfect (before the heat and humidity start to trickle in right before summer) and all of the plants and flowers come back alive. I feel that way about my wardrobe, too. I’m slowly peeling off the layers of winter and out comes a fresh, colorful look.

    Last year I bought a few of these wrap tops, like this one and this one along with the Zara one that I’m wearing. They pair so well with skirts (as well as jeans) since I can make them more fitted around the body and don’t have to tuck them in. I found a few similar options online all under $50 here, here, here and here. And I love this Boden skirt in a spring green color. Polka dots are everywhere this season! But I have to say, one of my favorite purchases for spring has been these J.McLaughlin heels. I originally got them for the models for our GMG Collection e-commerce shoot, but loved them so much that I ended up getting a pair for myself. They also come in this sandal version.

  The post It’s Not Spring Yet, But I’m Dressing For It appeared first on Gal Meets Glam.

First found here: It’s Not Spring Yet, But I’m Dressing For It

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Our Favorite Places To Travel In The Spring

Spring is our favorite time to travel! The weather is a lot more forgiving (not too hot and not too cold), plants are in bloom and fresh fruits and vegetables are coming into season. Spring is also a less crowded time to travel when compared to Summer, so in addition to less people, rates for hotels and flights can be more reasonable. Though we are dreaming of travel this spring, we are mostly sticking closer to home as we prepare to launch Gal Meets Glam Collection. But for those of you looking to get away over the next couple of months, we put together a list of our favorite places that are great for a Spring trip.

  Charleston & Savannah-

Weather wise, Spring might be the best time to visit Charleston (or Savannah) before it gets too hot. In fact, the past few days it’s been in the 70s here. The azalea and jasmine blooms are astonishing to see too. Don’t forget to check out our Charleston Guide or our Ultimate 48 Hour Charleston Itinerary here. 

    England-

As you know, I’m a sucker for charm and the English sure know how to create places that are full of it. We actually are going to the English Countryside in April to shoot Gal Meets Glam Collection. On our last visit to the English Countryside there was an unseasonably cool season so this trip we are hoping for spring to have sprung. You can see more from our previous trip here, here, here, here and here. 

    Italy-

Our last visit to Italy was in the spring time and we had such a magical trip. There were fewer people, ideal temperature and everything was spectacular. It was one of our favorite trips of all time and you can see more from it here, here, here, here, here and here. 

    Napa-

When we lived in San Francisco, Napa was our home away from home. While we visited mostly in the summer time to get away from the cold San Francisco summers, Spring is probably our favorite. From now until early spring, beautiful mustard, which grows as a cover crop fills vineyards with yellow. And the hills come alive with green everywhere, especially in the Carneros region. You can read more about some of our favorite Napa restaurants here, our favorite wineries here and previous trips here, here, here and here. 

    Provence-

While we haven’t been for spring, we’ve heard (and seen) wonderful things. In spring, you might not find the same bounty the great summer markets have. If you’re looking for more of what to do in the South of France, don’t miss our guide to Provence and the French Riviera. 

  The post Our Favorite Places To Travel In The Spring appeared first on Gal Meets Glam.

First found here: Our Favorite Places To Travel In The Spring

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The Drugstore Beauty Product I Love

The winter months are always the harshest on my skin, especially since it’s already on the dry side to begin with. With an added layer of makeup daily, my skin gets even drier. I always know I have to step it up a bit with my routine- that means extra moisturizer and lots of hydration. Last December I took the Olay 28 day challenge and used their micro sculpting cream every day for almost a month and loved the results I saw in my skin. For a beauty product that I can buy at a drugstore, I was impressed! Recently, I’ve added the new Olay Regenerist Whips to my skincare routine and it’s become one of my favorite skincare products to use daily.

    I usually apply a pretty thick layer of moisturizer in the morning since my skin is dry, but typically have to wait for it took to soak in before I apply my makeup. With the Olay Whips, it has a super quick absorption so that there’s no wait time. Now instead of applying my skincare, going about my morning routine and then applying my makeup, it’s now become a single process. Anything that makes mornings quicker and easier is a welcome change to me!

    I also love that the Olay Whips has a formula that absorbs oils, so as I go about my day, my skin doesn’t get oily or shiny. It really is the ideal base that allows me to focus on my day instead of my skin. You can check out the full Olay Whips collection at Target here.

    Thank you to Olay for sponsoring this post.

The post The Drugstore Beauty Product I Love appeared first on Gal Meets Glam.

First found here: The Drugstore Beauty Product I Love

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The Sunday Series Vol. 13

This week was a whirlwind and I’ve been very much looking forward to this Sunday and having a bit of downtime before another crazy week ahead. It’s always nice to take some time and reflect on the past week, even if it’s just a small highlight or re-noticing something that inspired me. Take a peek at some of the things that caught our team’s attention this week…

  Julia – I love all things blue and white, especially my collection of blue and white jars and pots. I’ve been slowly building my collection over the past few years, always searching for ones in vintage or antique shops, etsy, garden stores or random places here and there. A few Christmases ago Thomas got me some of my larger ones from William Sonoma that I can’t wait to bring back out once we move back into our home. Last week I was on William Sonoma and noticed all of their new blue and white accessories with gold details like this peony and hummingbird ginger jar, cachepot and even these coasters. I’ve also scored some beautiful vintage and new blue & white pieces from One Kings Lane. They always have a great selection to choose from, like this teapot, this pitcher, this ginger jar, this bowl, this garden stool, this vase and these lamps. And if you’re looking for some more affordable pieces, this one, this one, this one and this one and these are all under $50.

  Thomas – When I look at the world I see assets sitting idle, empty or unused to their full potential. I see cars parked, people “killing time”, buildings unoccupied, food uneaten and so much more. With that, I start thinking about opportunities. I’m especially interested by the opportunities in the travel industry. I’m interested because 1) We love to travel, thus we spend a lot of time on planes and hotels, so I see potential for improvement and 2) These businesses make it or break it based on how well they fill their flights or hotel rooms and at what price they do it at.

  The unique thing about hotels and flights is that their inventory is extremely perishable. Unlike a product that can sit on the shelf for days or even months, if a seat on a flight or a room in a hotel goes unsold, they can never sell it. A second unique thing is, the fixed costs of operating are pretty much set and they are high, compared to the marginal costs of an additional passenger which are very low in comparison to the average selling price. Selling an otherwise empty room probably only requires additional housekeeping and a flight, maybe the added meal service. So why don’t we see unsold capacity in these industries get marked down as it gets closer to the date?

  Within about two weeks of departure, flights typically increase in price instead of decrease. While this is partially explained by a decrease in supply it’s also has to deal with the fact that most people buying at the last minute are less price sensitive. Such as business people scheduling an unforeseen business trip or people racing home for a family emergency.

  There are plenty of tools for helping you find the lowest fare when buying a plane tickets, such as Hopper which allows you to track destinations and they’ll let you know when is most likely the best time to book. But one thing that’s always puzzled me is why travel companies don’t do more in the last minute to get people to pay for upgrades to premium services. Like upgrading from a standard room to a suite or upgrading to business class. When we take long international flights I almost always check the price for business class flights in comparison to normal seats, the prices are always outrageous so we book premium economy most of the time. When we get to the airport we often ask what the upgrade price is and it’s even crazier. Sure enough when we get on the plane there are lots of empty business class seats. With apps and messaging capabilities I’m sure they can fill these seats even last minutes but right now it mostly remains an untapped opportunity.  

  If you are interested, one new startup that I found is worth keeping an eye on, is called Air Ticket Arena which is live on Android, still in beta on web and has an iOS app coming in March. It allows last minute travelers to bid on flights.

  Laura –  I’ve got a short and sweet one for you today. I discovered this vintage rug shop New England Loom back when Jess Kirby showed off one of her beautiful living room rugs she bought from them. Lindsey, the co-owner of New England Loom, sources gorgeous vintage rugs from throughout New England and all over the world so you can bring some history into your home. Throughout the week via her Instagram & InstaStories she shares sneak peeks of her recent rug finds that will then go live that following Sunday at 8pm EST. I have a weekly reminder set in my phone to check out what’s new and see full photos of what I had been eyeing from her previous snaps. I have found many that I absolutely love, but the only reason I haven’t pulled the trigger yet is because I don’t have the space in my apartment to beautifully showcase her finds. One day! So for now, if you happen to find a piece for your home I will live vicariously through you. Set a reminder for tonight at 8pm EST!

  Margaret – Word Play launched Friday, and it’s worth checking out. What’s Word Play you may ask? It’s Charleston artist Laura Deems’ daring new collection of oil & acrylic works on canvas. This body of work brings a tongue-in-cheek visual mashup of culture’s most heady concepts to the table: mass consumerism, feminism, and society defined by the digital age. Laura’s art is provocative; it sparks conversation. But don’t just take my word for it. Leaders in the art + interior design scene have already spoken: “It’s all about contrasts, opposing forces, yet all lines are blurred;” “LD makes you want to defend yourself, and LOOK, and (hopefully) THINK for yourself; Question the artist’s crown;” “She brings so much intellect to the game.” The titles of LD’s pieces are playful, condensed spins of the big-picture concepts and art history references written within the layers of each work. Fontana the Décor Consult is my favorite pick of the crowd (featured in the Sunday Series image above). I can envision this piece pulling together an eclectic space with antique and modern furniture, as the bold shapes of black ink (a nod at modern art) in the foreground against the muted golden brown wash (an aged, classic aesthetic) create a dynamic juxtaposition. Plus, it looks fabulous above the mantel in our living room. One perk of living with an artist means a wall is never simply bare.

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First found here: The Sunday Series Vol. 13

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My Favorite Resort Wear Brands

Outfit Details:

Rhode Resort Dress (similar here), Castaner Espadrilles (last seen here), Hat Attack Bag, Hart Earrings

  This is the time of year that we usually take a tropical trip, but with a crazy packed work schedule over the next few months, the timing just isn’t going to happen this year. I can’t complain though because we have such lovely weather in Charleston that on most days it already feels like we’re on holiday. With the temps reaching the 70s this past week, I’ve been able to bring out some of the pieces that I wish I could take on vacation with me.

    When it comes to resort wear, I have a few favorite brands that are always my go-to. That usually includes, Rhode Resort for breezy, easy dresses, Juliet Dunn for the cutest coverups, Miguelina for the prettiest crochet, Solid & Striped for swimsuits, Lemlem for cotton gauzy pieces and Lisa Marie Fernandez for just about everything. I recently wore this Rhode Resort pink maxi dress in this post, a favorite relaxed style that’s perfect for throwing on for dinner after a day at the beach. This flirty mini style I’m wearing here is one of their classic silhouettes that they bring back in multiple color ways and prints each year. I have a few colors (black and pink), but am really in love with this floral one I pre-ordered on Moda Operandi a few months ago. And if you happen to be heading off on a warm weather getaway soon, I also put together this post rounding up some of my favorite vacation worthy pieces.

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First found here: My Favorite Resort Wear Brands