The days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer which means peak travel season is almost upon us! I've just returned to Amsterdam from Mykonos, Greece and I wanted to share my recommendations for hotels, beach clubs, restaurants and (of course) what to wear! This post will cover all of the spots I recommend on the island. If you'd like to know what to wear, check out this post (coming soon)! 

Hotels

Cavo Tagoo
Cavo Tagoo is the jewel of Mykonos. The Instagram famous infinity pool with floating platform loungers will steal your heart in an instant. Many of the rooms also have their own pools or hot tubs with breathtaking views sweeping all the way from the windmills in old town out to the sea. The rooms are ultra luxurious and cave-inspired. Our room had unique and interesting architectural elements such as two sinks and a double sided mirror. The restaurant that served the extensive breakfast buffet (as well as lunch and dinner) was nestled in the infinity pool, creating the illusion that one is having a meal while floating out at sea. They also provide complimentary transfers to old town in their luxury van (most hotels on the island charge per transfer). The hotel is gorgeous and memorable, perfect for a honeymoon! 

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Elia Mykonos Resort 
The Elia Mykonos Resort sits on one of the most beautiful and vibrant beaches in Mykonos. The stunning property fans out from the impressive modern-chic pool down to the shoreline. The hotel has beds reserved just for hotel guests, so one can glide easily to the buffet breakfast in the beach restaurant and then to the loungers for a day in the sun without a care in the world. One note about this hotel is that it is pretty far from old town Mykonos and transfers can become quite pricey. There is a bus that runs during the day, but service ends quite early. It may be best to look into a car rental. 

Soho Roc House
The Soho Roc House welcomes members and non-members of Soho House to stay walking distance to Paraga Beach. The real wow-factor of this hotel is the stunning infinity pool and tranquil atmosphere. The rooms are spacious and appointed with high-end amenities from an entire skincare regime to Dyson hair dryers. The gym is an outdoor concept, allowing you to workout while looking over the bay. The one thing to keep in mind about this property is that neighboring Paradise beach can get pretty loud which isn't an issue for the most part, although I did get a massage and it's hard to relax when you can hear a DJ playing dance music and belting "Meee-kooo-noooss" every few minutes. All in all this hotel is a great option and many things within a few minute walk including famed beach club Scorpios. 

Restaurants

ZUMA
A local I was speaking with said ZUMA was "one of the best on the island". We were lucky enough to dine there on opening night in their brand new home next to Cavo Tagoo. The views are breathtaking and the food was delicious. The fare is Japanese, boasting Wagu, shashimi and sushi. It cannot be denied that the "vibes are immaculate". Guests of Cavo Tagoo can also use a dedicated walking path between the two venues that was just finished. 

Principote 
Principote is a luxury beach club and restaurant serving Mediterranean Fare. For more about the beach club, see below. The restaurant great for groups and we had a blast picking out our fish and lobster table-side. During high season, the restaurant becomes lively with a DJ and lots of napkin twirling. 

Scorpios 
Our group opted to watch the sunset at Scorpios in the lounge area. Two DJs played drum beats as the waves crash below. It was a great spot to have small plates and split a bottle with friends after a day in the sun. If you love "tribal vibes" this is the place for you. 

M-Eating 
M-Eating is gem in Mykonos. The goat cheese trio appetizer is so good that I insisted that we eat here again upon return to Mykonos. The restaurant is small and quaint and the food is elevated chic-Greek. Let's just say there is a reason this place is on every restaurant list. 

Lio
If you're looking for an evening party, Lio is the place. Perhaps best enjoyed in a large group, the energy is high and the show has a variety of performances ranging from singing to dancing to cabaret. The food was not super memorable for me, and it's not my favorite dinner show ever (that would be Mamzel in Marbella by a mile), but it is still great fun and 100% worth visiting if you're with a group of friends on the island. 

Beach Clubs

Principote
Principote is the elevated party spot on the island. It sits in a gorgeous cove and has great food and service. The DJs bring the vibes and the sun beds are the perfect place to relax and dip in the ocean at your leisure. 

Elia
Elia beach is stunningly beautiful. There is service to the loungers from the restaurant and the water is so clam and clear that it is impossible to be unhappy here. A very relaxed and chill spot that is perfect for soaking up the sun's rays. 

Getting Around 

Most places on the island can arrange transfers and taxis for you, but they do end up getting very pricey. Depending on what you want to do/where you stay, it may be prudent to arrange for a rental car (or hey, maybe an ATV?) to get around. There are buses, but they do run limited hours, so be sure to check the timetable for your closest stop. During the high season, not everyone that wants to catch the bus gets a seat, so you may be waiting for the next one (they are infrequent enough for this to be a huge inconvenience). 

I like Mykonos, but I'm a real Santorini girl. If you'd like my Santorini guide, check out this post. For what to wear in Greece, check out my post here. 
Thank you for reading! 

Everlane Summer Edit '24

 As a sustainability-minded fashion girlie, I have been shopping at Everlane since 2015. Their latest summer drop is their best ever. Here are my picks from the collection for the chicest summer wardrobe. 

High Waist Shorts

These shorts are the base of most of my summer outfits. I absolutely love their length. They’re made of sturdy, yet soft cotton and are perfect for slipping on before heading to lunch after the beach or pairing with a breezy top. I have them black, but I’m ordering them in white ASAP. They come in black, white, brown, blue and olive.

Linen Trousers

These linen trousers are absolutely stunning. Linen is usually very pricey (it is my favorite material to wear, so I understand) but these pants from Everlane are very reasonably priced. They look so chic and would look effortlessly stylish with a loose white blouse or a black tube top with statement jewelry. Honestly, these are a find, get them while you can! They come in white, black, green, blue and white, and khaki. 

Halter Neck Dress

This dress has stolen my heart. My only question now is which color to get. The halter and interesting neckline are very “now” while still being classic enough to garner a spot in your “forever wardrobe”. It’s also a steal at this price for 100% linen. It comes in black, white and light brown.

Linen Blouse

This blouse has been a staple in my vacation wardrobe since I got it several years ago. It’s perfect to throw over your swimsuit to wear down to the beach or to pair with a smart trouser for walking through old town to get some gelato. It’s incredibly versatile, and I also plan to order it bone. It comes in black, white, bone, light blue, sage, khaki, stone, and blue and white striped. 

Classic Lines Dress 

This dress comes in 4 gorgeous colors and is the perfect thing to wear to dinner on the coast. The thing that really got me about this garment is the attention to detail in the stitching on the back. This is a high quality piece that would look amazing on any body type. It comes in black, white, blue and green.

Crochet Dress

Crochet is having a moment this summer, so why not pick the sustainable option when rocking it? This dress is begging to be paired with a bikini and a sunhat. It’s also made of 100% cotton and will breathe beautifully on a hot, humid summer day. Sold in white, black and striped black and white.

Summer Sweater

Everyone needs a light summer sweater- something to throw on after watching the sunset over rosé with your closest friends. One thing I love about the “Coastal Grandmother” aesthetic is that it’s really just the preppy, New England vibe you might see in the Hamptons. This sweater is classic and traditional and you’ll reach for it year after year. It comes in white, black and striped black and white.

Summer Staples Haul 2024

 This summer is the summer of linen, crochet, and tennis-inspired silhouettes (for inspo see photos of Zendaya on the Challengers Movie press tour). As a sustainably minded shopper, I always prioritize items with classic shapes and high quality fabrics. Here is my haul for summer - on the itinerary are a trip to Mykonos with friends, my honeymoon in Sicily and a trip to my favorite coastal town in Italy, Rimini. 

Tennis LBD

An LBD is a tried a true classic. This knit dress is sporty & tennis-inspired, flattering and crazy comfortable. I can't wait to sit outside on a patio with a spritz in this little number, and I can see myself pulling it out of my closet in the warmer months for years to come. I took my usual size. 

Parent Trap LWD

I am always on the lookout for anything Meredith Blake coded, and this halter dress with buttons is it. I am so obsessed with the buttons down the front and the crisp white color. I cannot wait to for aperitivo in Italy in this little dream of a timeless dress. I got it in my usual size, but I will have to take in the back bit for a more form-fitting fit.

Timeless Sightseeing Dress

Audrey Hepburn would have worn this cotton dress on her Roman Holiday, so I figure it's perfect for my Sicily trip! This timeless silhouette is so sophisticated and made of breathable cotton. The multiple seams make it look so expensive and flattering. It also comes in white, but sadly it won't ship to me in time (I am so heartbroken, honestly). I took my usual size, and it fit like a dream.

Beach Club Chic Coverup

I don't usually buy items that are this trendy, but stick with me on this one. This is the summer of crochet, literally every designer has at least one crochet piece in their collection. I bought this specifically to wear to beach clubs. I have been looking high and low for an item that fits the bill. I usually visit 2-3 beach clubs each summer and I know I will be able to wear this on those very special occasions for years. TBH beach clubs are what get me through the winters in Northern Europe. I took my regular size.

DIY Tiered Dress

Let me just start off by saying, if I can make this tiered dress, so can you. 

The video has a lot of great visuals, but I wanted to provide specific measurements and more detailed instructions here. 

For best results, follow along with the video and reference this post.

To begin, I found this tablecloth at the thrift store for under €5.00. I am 5'2" and this was enough fabric for me to make a floor-length dress that had a lined bodice, straps, and three tiers. 

Let's begin with the bodice. First, you'll want to take some measurements. 

    The first measurement is at the widest part of your bodice. I wanted my bodice to be super tight (so I wouldn't have to wear a bra) so I took a deep breath in and then measured when I had left half of it out. My measurement came out to 82 cm. 

    Next, I measured how long I wanted the bodice to be by placing my measuring tape approximately where I wanted the bodice to begin and end. That measurement was 15 cm. If you're confused at all by this part, I highly recommend watching The Essential's Club's video that linked in the bio of my video. 

    To make the front and back of the bodice, I divided my bust measurement by 1/2, leaving me with 41cm. I marked out a rectangle on the fabric that was 41cm x 15cm. 

    Time to measure again. I took the measuring tape to see how far apart I wanted my straps to be, which came out to 24cm. I subtracted that from the length (41cm) and got 17. 17 divided by 2 is 8.5. So on both sides of the top 8.5cm in I made a mark. Then on each side, I measured 5cm from the top. Once you have done that, connect the marks to make a trapezoid. 

    Quick change up to figure out our straps. Eyeball how thick you want your straps to be (mine were about 6cm each. You can make them extra long, as we will shorten them to the perfect length later. Once you get them cut and sewn, flip them right sides out.

    Cut out the trapezoid and sew along the top with the straps sandwiched in the middle right at the edges of the top of the trapezoid. Flip to reveal your front bust piece. 

    To make the back, it is almost the same BUT you are going to make one piece for left and one for right, extending each piece at least 5cm past the middle (so at least 25.5cm for me). I repeated the process and flipped them right sides out. 

    Now to make the first tier. Use this formula:

The circumference of the last tier x 1.5 = the circumference of the next tier. 

    My bodice was 82cm, BUT I used a measurement of 72 instead because I was a bit worried about running out of fabric (I literally had just enough). So 72x1.5 = 108 for my first tier's circumference.

    To find the length, you'll want to put on your bodice and measure from the bottom to where you want the skirt to fall (I made mine floor length). I got a measurement of 98cm and divided it by 3 (for 3 tiers). That comes out to 32.666666666, but I used 32.7 because... well, because. 

    I did each tier in 2 pieces, so I marked out the front half of the first tier which came to 54cm x 32.7cm. For the back, I divided 54 by 2 to get 27 and added 5 cm (just like with the bodice), and got 32cm. 

    I then sewed the two back sides to the front along the sides, leaving the back open for my zipper. I then created a temporary basting stitch at the top of the tier and bunched it up to make ruffles. Once I liked how they looked, I pined them and sewed them into place while joining this tier and the bodice. 

    Now it's time to try it on. I pulled the fabric together and adjusted it to the fit I wanted and marked it. I then folded it back on each side and sewed it up. 

    Using the video I linked, I put the zipper in and then released the basting stitch I had. Since my zipper ended midway through the first tier, I  joined the remaining part with an invisible stitch by hand. 

    Okay, home stretch, and the hard parts are over! Since the last tier was 108cm, the next tier came out to 162cm. I then divided that by 2 to get 81cm for the front and back panels. I sewed up each side to create a big loop. I repeated the basting stitch at the top, ruffled, pinned, and sewed it. 

    The last tier came out to 243cm, then (you guessed it) divided by two to get 121.5 for the front and back pieces. I repeated the process on this tier and sewed it up. 

    I then put the dress on (and was amazed that it looked this good) the back was about 5cm longer than the front just because of how it fell naturally on my body. I marked where I wanted it to end (with some help from my obliging fiancé) and hemmed it up. 

    As I went along I overlocked most of my seams, but if you haven't done that or have some left, now is the time to do that. 

    And voilà! A perfect tiered dress! 

My Top 5 Sustainable Brands

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Hello! I made a reel in honor of Earth Day and shared 5 of my favorite sustainable brands! I've linked exactly what I showed in the reel here, in case you want to shop! 

Girlfriend Collective 

Compressive High Rise Leggings in Moss

Topanga Bra Top in Moss

Native 

Plastic Free Deodorant in Coconut & Vanilla 

Organic Basics

Cotton Triangle Bra

Veja

Espalar Sneaker

V-10 Sneaker

Ana Luisa

Alyssa Necklace

Noa Ring

Rope Bold Ring

Happy Earth Day!

My Secret Skin Booster: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask

Graphic: @desingsbyriann

Dry, dull skin is something I won't tolerate. Amongst all of my skincare woes, I get the most irate when my skin looks tired and lifeless. Conversely, I love a product that works well and works fast. The Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask addresses dull, dehydrated looking skin and makes it look luscious and plump in record speed. It has been a favorite of mine for over a year! 

First, let's talk about consistency. The mask has a jelly-like feel that is so satisfying in the hand. When you take a scoop out, the rest of the product slides back into the jar and levels off into perfectly coagulated gel. It's so satisfying. 

The product also has a fun watermelon aroma. I am the type of person that is very particular about scents, but the candy watermelon smell doesn't bother me. In fact, I associate it with the feeling of joy that only a night of indulgent skincare can inspire. 

The product sits on the skin nicely, I was afraid that it would slide around based on its consistency, but it dries and adheres to the skin beautifully. Glow Recipe recommends using this mask as an overnight mask, but also says it works as a 10-minute mask if you're low on time (and aren't we all?). While my skin's appearance is improved after using it as a 10-minute mask, using it overnight certainly delivers more dramatic results.  

Every time my skin needs a little pick me up, this mask is my go-to! I usually will forgo my evening skincare routine to do this mask once every two weeks. Try it and watch your skin go from tired to plump and radiant in record speed!  

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The Ordinary - How to Know What to Buy, What to Try & What I'm Getting Next

Graphic: @designsbyriann

The Ordinary is one of the most unique brands in the beauty space at the moment. From the straightforward product line to the simple packaging to the shockingly affordable prices, The Ordinary has been a maverick in the beauty industry since its launch in 2016.

As a seasoned beauty blogger and skincare enthusiast, I often find myself chatting with my friends about the topic. I have noticed that my friends are always split when it comes to The Ordinary- half have tried it and have a product or two that they swear by and the other half want to try it but are not sure where to start. The latter is a more than an understandable place to be as the products are a bit difficult to decipher if one is not familiar with the compounds and chemicals offered in their repertoire. At first, this can be intimidating and even off-putting, but fear not, there are a few great ways to decide what to try from this amazing brand.

How to Know What to Buy

Ingredient Focus 

When deciding what to try first from this brand, my advice is to go with what you know. For example, my first foray into the brand was with a retinol because I know my skin loves the benefits of this powerful vitamin. My first purchase from The Ordinary was their Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion. It worked well enough, but I decided to try the Retinol 1% Squalane this time around (more on that later). Next, I added "Buffet" to my cart because it was a peptide cocktail and my skin has reacted very well to peptides in the past. Lastly, in my latest haul, I added Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 because this acid is known in the beauty biz as having an amazing plumping and hydrating effect.

A worry that I had was mixing certain ingredients without knowing which ones would play well together (or rather, not play well together). Luckily, The Ordinary lists "contradictions" on their site under each of their products giving a list of which products should not be mixed.

By picking products based on ingredients I knew my skin already loved, I was able to decipher the somewhat dauntingly straightforward landscape of the line. But what if you haven't experimented with a bunch of beauty products and don't know which ingredients to look out for?

Best-Sellers & Reviews

This might sound like the most obvious way to pick products, but The Ordinary has quite a few "holy grail" products that come up time and time again. Luckily, beauty behemoth Sephora always has many review contributions- and they now sell The Ordinary! Some well-known best sellers in the beauty blogger universe include the aforementioned "Buffet", the AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution, and their retinoids. I have the Peeling Solution in my basket as I type! 

Kits - Personalized and Ready-Made

If research sounds like a tall order, I don't blame you! Other options include having a rep from the brand suggest products to you based on your areas of concern (acne, aging, hyperpigmentation, etc.). You can do this by visiting a store or online through their website!

However, if you want the least amount of friction to getting some of these amazing products on your face stat, you can purchase one of their pre-assembled kits.

What To Try

Hits

I've been using "Buffet" and Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 every day for about a month now and- whew- what a difference! My fiancé noticed an improvement in my skin after just a few days of using these serums. I am so pleased with them. As a result of adding these to my skincare regimen, I have seen my skin look plumper, more hydrated, brighter, and some of my less-severe acne has also cleared up. I think I need to add another product to control my acne further, but so far this duo has done wonders for my skin! The Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion was also impressive when I tried it, but since it has been a year, I plan to try it again and reevaluate. 

Miss

There is only one "miss" to report and I feel a little torn about it. When I placed my latest order I wanted the most "high voltage" retinol I could get. I figured it would be best for my skin since the retinol I had used before moving to Holland was prescription-grade. I made the assumption that an OTC retinol would never be as strong and decided to buy the Retinol 1% Squalane. The Ordinary recommends starting with a lower power retinol and building up to this one on their site. It actually cleared my small bumps really well, but I did notice the development of a few dark spots about 6 days in. For that reason, I stopped using it and will be going back to the gentler Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion (when it is back in stock- apparently it has been sold out for months!). 

What I'm Getting Next

I'm blown away by the price and quality of this brand- so much so that I cannot wait to place another order. My next purchase is going to include the AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution because it's a bestseller and word on the street is that it has the same active ingredients as the Sukari Baby Facial by Drunk Elephant. I would also love to try the Squalane Cleanser because the reviews are stellar!

I cannot wait to try more from this line and report back! Have you tried The Ordinary? What were your thoughts? 

UPDATE

After experimenting with The Ordinary for a few months, I finally have a fully The Ordinary skincare routine! If you'd like to see the whole thing check out my video below!

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