Has anyone else heard the term "glamping", or is that one of those things that falls into this ridiculous "that's so LA "category, as well? {Cue: all previous Coachella posts...}

Glamping is camping for, well... chicks like me. It's glam camping, and it's that time you leave your flashlight and bug zapper behind. Out with the tents, and in with luxe hotels and couture in the center of nature.

I took a trip up to Big Sur, California and wandered through the insanely impressive redwood forest in what only seemed fitting... a head to toe sheer Pucci lewk. It just felt right.

Big Sur is a rugged stretch of Cali's central coast by Carmel, positioned between the Santa Lucia Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, known for jagged cliffs, tight windy mountain roads, and state parks tucked in the endless redwood forest. We spent the day exploring town-- quaint luncheonettes and mom and pop shops along the bluffs-- and took in the breathtaking drive. 

Plus, I had my handy camping backpack (yup, this bite sized Christian Louboutin leather and beaded beauty) to store all of my glamping essentials... like my cell phone, lip gloss, and room key. ;)

I recently visited Marfa, Texas for a friends wedding in mid September. For a town so small (literally...so small... population of 1,800), it does have its quirks. It's slowly rising up in the art world after artist (and near G-d-like figure in town) Donald Judd staked his claim as desert city artist hub nation for those looking for a cool art adventure (if you're down for the 12 hour journey from either coast). 

Here were my favorite Marfa moments, many of which you see in these photos.

1. Sunrise Tour at the Chinati Foundation (art exhibition): see Donald Judd in all his greatness-- 100 untitled works that are worth the early rise.

2. Freda (clothing store): Thankfully I visited this store sans husband. Spent 2 hours drooling over the Southwest vibes including fur sandals (bought), woven gold trousers (bought), and countless jewelry that resembled tiny pieces of artwork (swooned over). It's my favorite travel boutique I've visited in a long time. 

3. Food Shark (food truck): Any food joint is worth the visit if it induces an Instagram-worthy photo opp, right? If it's good enough for Beyonce, it's kinda good enough for me...

4. Moonlight Gemstones (gem shop): Yeah, you can get rose quartz just about anywhere, but walking into Moonlight Gemstone just feels right. A 360 degree box of glistening rocks excites at every turn. It was a feel good paradise.

5. Marfa Burrito (breakfast): So they weren't joking when they told me that you walk through town, into the Marfa residence neighborhood to Ramona's house (yup), to sit down at her kitchen table {or her dining room table, or her outdoor table-- your choice!}, and shout for a breakfast burrito. She serves it to you straight. It's big, spicy, and delicious. I recommend the chorizo! 

6. Hotel St. George (hotel accommodation): Call me old fashioned (or call me high maintenance), but I don't necessarily follow a "when in Rome" mentality if it calls for mother earthy adventures. Case in point? There are amazing places to stay in Marfa that are authentic to the "desert chic", "rustic" vibe of the city, like an incredibly chic camp ground called El Cosmico and a vintage-inspired motel called Thunderbird, but I preferred to stay at the brand sparkling new hotel that boasts silky sheets, a fabulous shower, contemporary art filled walls, cuter than cute authentic Marfa mini bar selections, and a chic museum-like hotel gift shop. If you are picking up what I'm throwing down, you'll want to stay here, too. ;)

7. Prada Marfa (art installation): Gray Malin has made this lonesome couture art installation along a dusty desert road the world's most covetable Instagram shot. At about 30 minutes outside of Marfa (that's considered a mere stone's throw away in Texas by the way), you too, can star in your very own Gray Malin photography series. (You'll see mine an upcoming blog post.)

***

Oh, and silk bomber jackets are really cool so you should definitely buy one for fall season in my Shop The Look section below! Mine is **true vintage** passed down from my husband's grandfather... Lucky me!

Photographs taken in Marfa, Texas

It's not everyday that you find yourself along a dirt road, riding in a pickup truck, listening to Darius Rucker sing the sorrows of yesterday. Then again, maybe that's a constant for you. But not me, no way. So when I go, I go hard...

Like, totally... situation dressing at its finest. :)

Drop crotch leather pants and a white tee would be a natural staple for me, but adding the woven Tejas-inspired cape brought me right where I needed to be-- in the center of a deserted highway in west Texas.

It all just felt so right.

Packing for a sunny getaway is as simple as a mini dress (or in this case, romper), colored basics, and some easy white kicks. 

When the tequila is flowing and the local beach shops are calling your name, there's simply no other way to get around town {IMHO}! Don't mind the ankle brace in some photos-- dance party accident!

P.S.- This romper is by Saylor and they continue to make the best rompers for spring/summer! I've added a selection of my favorite styles in the Shop the Lewk section below!

Ummm, yeah, I like to work out. Pilates, barre, spin, I spare no expense.  And the chance to throw a swimsuit on? Game on!  You can bet I'll get 20 morning push ups and 100 crunches in before a day at the pool just to get ready to take on the day. So it may come to one's surprise that even the sight of a one piece swimsuit appeared in my suitcase this time around... 

Yeah.... I packed a one piece for Maui. News Flash! First time packing a one piece, first time wearing a one piece, and first time loving a one piece! I was hesitant at first because I didn't want it to hide so much of my body, but I found something so effortless about this suit that I had to give it two push ups! {Like what I did there?}

Of course, I packed a ratio of 10 bikinis to this one little happy one piece, but this vacation moment did make me feel glamorous and ready to take down that cheeseburger and two margaritas with zero hesitation. And sometimes THAT, my friend, is the sexiest look of all...

Traveling with a toddler? It's not easy, no matter how you slice it.

The flight is a nightmare (they just want to run the aisles when the seat belt sign is on). The packing is insane (day diapers, night diapers, snacks, cute outfits, spill-able outfits).

And then there's the "stuff"... the stroller, the car seat, the lovie blanket, the sound machine. 

Now that Sunday's walking running, having an "SUV" stroller as I call them (think Bugaboo Cam, UppaBaby Vista, Baby City Mini), is completely unnecessary. They're bulky, they don't fit through narrow spaces, and they're so heavy to lug around.

So here it is... I found the most incredible "umbrella" stroller-- as you can see it folds up to the size of a bread crumb... and it even has a shoulder strap so you can carry it around (it weighs 13 lbs, as opposed to my 24 lb Bugaboo)! It's absolutely the perfect travel essential.

So there you have it. Yet another necessity to add to your ever-growing baby list!

I'll never forget at work one day (back when I handled public relations and styling at the Diane von Furstenberg HQ), Diane breezed by my desk, as she always did, taking note of her surroundings, and offering the most rewarding smirks along the way. Only this time, she stopped at my best friend's desk, and opened her mouth...

"Kate, you look like an Italian movie star." Ok, but seriously, imagine those words in a fabulous mixed European tone with accents on all the rights words. Italian. Star. 

Kate was effortless that day. She went super au-natural with her hair (thanks to her genes though, picture long, thick Lea Michele locks, half brushed), and was wearing an easy day dress with no fuss. She was an Italian movie star! She was natural, feminine, and raw. 

Kate and I will never forget that moment... Kate sought out to look like an Italian movie star every day forward after that. And I envisioned my life without the extra blue eyeliner, yellow nails, curled hair, and stacks of bangles. (Sigh!?)

And sometimes, just sometimes, the Italian movie star comes out in me, like this moment in NYC. <3