After a little getaway last week to Scottsdale, Arizona, I am feeling refreshed and excited for the next few weeks ahead. For this trip, I had to pack light (carry-on only) and plan my vacation outfits before I left since I was tagging along with my husband for a work trip. There was a lot of downtime, which gave us time to explore, hike Camelback Mountain and lounge by the hotel pool.
We stayed at The Phoenician, which was in a a beautiful location right up against Camelback Mountain. The spa, pools and golf are top-notch and I loved the lounge and restaurants. I would go back to this property in a heartbeat with girlfriends or family—the hotel caters to both with lots of different activities.
Here's a little roundup of what I brought on the trip:
For outfits, I kept things simple with lots of linen and wearable pieces for day and night. Two coverups were all I could fit and really all I needed. I chose a versatile white linen button down (my favorite is this one) and a fun crochet one. I brought along some favorite bathing suits such as this bikini and this one piece, such a good one for its one-size-fits-all sizing.
Linen materials are always good options especially in 90-degree weather. I opted for this Reformation dress, which comes in a variety of colors that I borrowed from an adorable friend (I'm loving the red one, too). For a little fun on our last night in Scottsdale, I went with this skirt and top from Farm Rio. It has a Palm Royale-vibe and was perfect for the desert and palm tree setting. The skirt is midi length with a high waist, and the top is crop, but doesn't show too much skin in problem areas—a huge plus for my over 40 body. This two-piece set was a different silhouette for me, but I loved it and got a ton of compliments.
A cute shirt I just picked up at Madewell was a go-to during the day with these cut-offs. Also, wide leg white pants (a few years old from Theory) to wear with a t-shirt, sweater or cute tops I brought from Ulla Johnson such as this floral print one and a white one similar to this.
The shoes and bag in my carry-on:
Once I got all the outfits down it was time for the shoes. Packing light is not fun when it comes to shoes. I had to stuff a few pairs in my husband's bag and the rest went into a straw tote that I was able to carry on (got away with it on the trip over). I wore these sneakers on the plane—a favorite for workouts and walks— and then brought a few other dressier pairs for evening gatherings and day trips into town. Birkenstocks are always a necessity when I visit warm weather destinations. I need to be comfortable during the day on my feet. These cute sandals under $100 were easy to pack and great for both day and night. A go-to heel I've had for a few years, which happen to be so comfortable, and these new Sézane shoes that go with everything. I brought only one bag with me since space was so tight, but it worked perfectly for both day and night.
Indeed, this trip made me crave all the summery pieces and the amazing weather with more time spent outdoors with friends and family. You can always find out more of my favorite picks and latest happenings by signing up for my weekly newsletter here.
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