Come away with me as I tour you through the Parker in Palm Springs, CA, a destination hotel that leaves little room for one to desire to leave the grounds. Between the lobby furnishings to the outdoor green maze of sanctuaries and serenity, this place can be described in one simple word...

Legit!

I chose this colorful kaftan for the Tour de Parker because a sheer flowing maxi and home decor always go hand in hand. {Refer back to my consistent hostessing tip number one-- wear a long maxi to effortlessly float through your party.} This may not have been my party, but I certainly dreamed it up to be!

This floral dress had me at hello! I'm a total extremist-- when I wear tight, it's tight (and short, and possibly see-through). But when I wear volume, I spare no extra fabric!

This dress goes the distance (literally). It moves like magic and gets a 10 out of 10 in twirl-ability (a known key to any romantic dress).

So twirling is what I did, in this perfectly pressed floral mini, through this desert garden oasis in Palm Springs...

Photographs taken at the Avalon Hotel (previously the Viceroy Hotel) in Palm Springs by Emily Hakim.

Ok, maybe wearing denim cut-offs and a pseudo crop top wasn't the best idea for a day adventure around Jerusalem... but it also wasn't the worst! 

My favorite part of today was wandering inside the walls of the Old City in Jerusalem and observing the strong, distinct cultures. The Armenians, the Bedouins, the Orthodox Jews, the Arabs... it was like a cultural Cobb salad! {You know, the kind that is served on one plate, but completely sectioned off by ingredient?}

I bought a backgammon board from the Armenian section, a pair of killer drop crotch pants from the Bedouins, a Hamsa from the Jewish quarters, and spices from the Arabs. It was my very own Cobb salad-- the Elshane's World way! ;)

We rode our ATVs to the tip of the island of Santorini where a long stretch of black sand beaches occupy the coast. Due to the fact that Santorini is a volcanic island, it's no wonder that many of their beaches are made of black lava "sand". 

And walking on black lava "sand" barefoot? Well, I don't recommend it! I felt like I was on an as-seen-on-TV yoga retreat where you have to walk across a line of hot coals to complete your spiritual journey. Worth it for some photographs?

Anything for a great shot... ;)

This weekend I threw all I could fit in my la petite valise (tiny little suitcase) and drove south one hour to The Inn at Laguna Beach. I'm a hotel snob-- so I'll drive 10 minutes or 10 hours if it means checking in to check out.

I love the feeling of checking into a luxe hotel. What's the lobby vibe? People-watching? How close am I to town? What bath products will be offered? What will the view be like? How silky are the sheets? How fabulous is the shower? 

I don't recommend becoming a hotel snob if you haven't already reached that status. The problem is, your "must visit" checklist only-gets-longer! But the best part? Thinking back to this weekend I just had...

So ahead I went, to a beach town that I've rarely explored, and checked myself in for a weekend staycation. 

The Inn at Laguna Beach delivered just that. Perched on top of the bluffs over Laguna Beach, I couldn't help but feel like I had just pulled up to the perfect boutique hotel. Surf boards-turned- benches and showers greeted my dog Homer with fabulous photo opps (dog-friendly hotels get a double check in my book), and "town" was a mere 2 minute walk down the road. 

We spent our days sitting on our oceanfront balcony, walking down to the beach, and having wine on the rooftop. Homer agrees, it was the perfect weekend getaway.

Riddle me this... What's white and Tiffany blue and chic all over?

Mykonos town brings it home with charming cobblestone streets that rival the it-life maze of Italy's Capri town. Only difference is Capri is stacked with couture, and Mykonos with local shops and mixed designer boutiques (très chic)!

Although nothing beats spending an afternoon at one of Mykonos' daytime party beach clubs (did someone say Nammos?), the "walk, shop, and eat around town" vibe comes in a close second.

I mean, these streets speak for themselves! Come get lost with me as I weave around, picking up local trinkets along the way... ;)

No better time to glam up your swimwear than when traveling to an exotic island, like here in Santorini, Greece. Swimwear is a funny category-- sort of like makeup, where there's a time and a place to glam up, or tone down. Don't be caught missing the mark in either case-- nothing worse than an overachieving suit in a underachieving vibe. And visa versa!

But here, in fabulous island world, glam up is always a do. The gold jewelry, the bold lip, the designer suit that probably.shouldn't.get.wet. 

Then there's the "no shirt, no shoes, no problem" beach vibe, which would completely shun a look like this. I'd save the sporty triangle bikinis for those rare days. ;)

There's something about twirling in chiffon in the Texas countryside that just does it for me!

This L'Agence printed chiffon maxi is the perfect addition to your fall wardrobe. It's one of those items that I stash away in the closet for upcoming fall weekend happenings, like a bridal shower, sunset gathering, birthday party, or wine tasting. 

Plus, I threw on this long sleeve under layer for an added dimension of style. Don't be confined by sleeveless dresses in fall weather-- an under layer only adds extra style to the mix!