Monday, April 30, 2018

L*SPACE x The Blonde Abroad Bikini Capsule Collection

LSPACE x The Blonde Abroad Teal and White Bikini Collection

Long before I became The Blonde Abroad, I fell head over heels in love with L*SPACE swimwear. I actually met the founder, fellow Southern California native and bikini lover, Monica Wise, way back in college. And ever since putting on my first L*SPACE bikini, this has been my favorite swimwear line.

Their chic, coastal styles have that effortlessly cool, and comfortable California vibe that I absolutely adore.

For me, L*SPACE ticks all of the boxes. Not only do I love their unique designs, I love that these premium quality bikinis are very flattering. They’ve got a style for every body type, which just isn’t the case with so many other swimwear brands I’ve checked out.

Forever a California girl at heart, I couldn’t wait to dive into designing my dream bikini capsule collection. As a collaborating partner, L*SPACE was a natural fit for me. Pairing up with the brilliant Monica Wise, we designed this capsule collection with versatility in mind. Living out of a suitcase for so many years, I’m all about adaptable looks that I never get bored with.

That’s why I’m so proud to introduce L*SPACE x The Blonde Abroad Bikini Collection.

White and Teal Palm One Piece LSPACE Bikini

High Waisted Tropical Bikini

The ultimate, travel-friendly swimwear, means there is more than one way to wear each and every bikini here. Both the bottoms, and the wrap top are reversible, so you can mix and match to your heart’s content.

Now with its own dedicated space in my suitcase, this bikini capsule collection features a one-piece, a reversible wrap top, a reversible high-waist bottom and a reversible low-rise bottom. We designed each piece with the goal of having the most versatile set of looks you could imagine!

Shop The Collection Here!

LSPACE x The Blonde Abroad Teal and White Bikini Collection

Another element of the collection that I love is the magnolia white and vibrant teal color palette. The color combo is breath of fresh air in a world of so many dark swimsuits and overly busy patterns.

Every piece of the L*SPACE x The Blonde Abroad Bikini Capsule Collection is easy to mix and match so you can wear these looks trip after trip without ever getting bored.

Elegant but fun, the collection features minimalistic white looks along with a tropical palm print on the one-piece and one side of the high waist bottoms. Whether you are scuba diving on a tropical escape or just want to make a splash at the local swimming pool, I’ve got you covered!

LSPACE x The Blonde Abroad Palm Bikini Collection

White Wrap Bikini Top and High Waisted Palm Bottoms

Last but certainly not least, we designed L*SPACE x The Blonde Abroad Bikini Collection to flatter every body type. Swimwear is all about ditching stuffy styles and embracing light and comfortable gear, so comfort is top priority.

For me, some days, comfort means a one-piece suit while other days I love a two piece bikini. We created three different levels of mix and match coverage so that you can wear exactly what you want.

Another reason I chose to work with L*SPACE is their impressive, high-quality fabrics. Their bikinis are easily the most comfortable ones I’ve ever worn. While there are a lot of stunning swimsuits out there, it is SO hard to find a bikini that feels as good as it looks.

Teal and White Reversible Wrap Top Bikini
Reversible High Waisted Bikini

I’m thrilled with how this collection came out. The stretchy, high-quality materials make every piece feel and look amazing, and I can’t wait for you guys to try them on!

 

SHOP THE COLLECTION HERE!

 


 

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Sunday, April 29, 2018

Emirates Business Class Flight from Dubai to Los Angeles

Emirates Business Class flyring from Dubai to Los Angeles

With 88.2 million people passing through every year, Dubai International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. Whether you are visiting Dubai (which I would highly recommend) or you’re just passing through, there are a dizzying array of airline options that will get you in and out of town.

I recently traveled from Dubai to Los Angeles on a flight that took a whopping 15 hours and 20 minutes. When you are on a flight this long, it is vital to be comfortable.

To make the most of my flight time, I upgrade my tickets and took the chance the check out an Emirates Business Class Flight.

Here’s my experience flying Emirates Business Class Flight from Dubai to Los Angeles!

Bar on Emirates Business Class

What to Expect

If anybody knows about living the luxe life, it’s the Emiratis. After seeing all of the incredible sights of Dubai, keep living it up Dubai-style at 30,000 feet .

Emirates Business Class Flight has definitely been one of my favorite business class experiences. There are first class touches every step of the way and, if you’re lucky, you might even get a glimpse of the Northern Lights as you fly over Greenland!

Goody Bag on Emirates Business Class

Inside goody bag on Emirates Business Class

Amenities

You’ll get more than just peanuts with Emirates Business Class! Emirates has received countless awards and been named the world’s best airline of the year. You will see why as soon as you sit down.

I was welcomed to my seat by a chic Bvlgari cosmetic bag, along with toiletries, a dental kit, and socks for getting cozy. Each seat has a 27-inch television featuring 3,500 channels of movies, TV shows, music, and games with a wireless tablet remote so it’s easy to settle in for some serious binge watching.

When you are ready to get up and stretch your legs, you can check out the Emirates Business Class Onboard Lounge. You can chat with other travelers, sip a cocktail, or grab some nibbles.

It’s a well appointed space that will make your long flight a lot easier to get through.

One thing I especially loved were the bathrooms. Believe it or not, this airline actually has nice, well designed bathrooms.

READ MORE: The Ultimate Carry-On Packing Guide

Seat on Emirates Business Class

Seating on Emirates

Ceiling on Emirates

Seating

Every seat in Emirates Business Class is an individual pod that gives a good level of privacy. There’s an HDMI port to connect your device to the onboard screen so you can stream your own content. Also featuring in-seat power and a side table to spread out onto, it’s a versatile space for relaxing or working.

Best of all, you can lay your seat out totally flat to sleep the flight away. They have premium quality mattresses and duvets so it’s easy to cuddle up and feel right at home.

Another neat little atmospheric element is that the ceiling has little lights in it that actually light up like stars when they turn the cabin lights down!

Breakfast on Emirates Business Class

Dinner on Emirates Business Class

Cheese on Emirates Business Class

Burgers on Emirates Business Class

Food + Drink

Last but certainly not least, it’s so important to be able to get a decent meal on any long haul flight. Emirates Business Class offers extensive menus of regional dishes that suit pretty much any taste.

They use fresh ingredients and update the menus every month. On top of offering regionally inspired gourmet dishes, they offer a range of options without trans fats, salt, or sugar, in addition to meeting a range of other dietary restrictions.

After a pre-departure drink, they offer an expansive menu and, if you are feeling peckish in the meantime, you can head over to the Onboard Lounge for cocktails and canapés.

This was by far the most indulgent meal offering on any Business Class flight I’ve flown. I mean, lobster tail?! Sign me up! I also LOVE that Business Class has a lounge. With such a long flight, it gets you up out of your seat. It’s also fun to hang with other passengers and chat it up with the bartender. I’ve met all kinds of interesting people this way!

READ NEXT: The Ultimate Dubai Travel Guide

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Thursday, April 26, 2018

20 Photos to Inspire You to Go on The Yacht Week

20 Photos to Inspire You to Go on The Yacht Week

Blonde with Binoculars

TYW Croatia

The Yacht Week Italy

The Yacht Week Italy

The Yacht Week Italy

Girls Trip The Yacht Week

The Yacht Week Italy

Greece Travel

Guide to The Yacht Week Croatia

The Yacht Week British Virgin Islands

The Yacht Week

The Yacht Week Greece

Boats in Hydra Greece

How to Pack for The Yacht Week in a Carry On

The Yacht Week Greece

The Yacht Week British Virgin Islands

The Yacht Week Croatia

The Yacht Week Croatia

The Yacht Week BVIs

During my first The Yacht Week, I knew this amazing sailing adventure had to be a yearly tradition. Since my first trip down the Adriatic coastline, I have now been on been aboard these gorgeous yachts in the British Virgin IslandsGreece, Italy, Grenada and Croatia.

I’ve been on four all-girls trips on The Yacht Week and it has quickly become one of my fave girlfriend getaways.

Not only is it ideal for reconnecting with your girls, it is also a perfect time to meet people from around the globe. I’ve made incredible lasting friendship with so many great people from Canada to Australia and beyond, while creating lasting memories with my besties.

Another thing that I love about The Yacht Week is that you can see so many stunning spots without having to deal with all of the logistics. TYW has routes in Montenegro, Italy, Granada, Greece, and Croatia (you can now choose from original Croatian route or the Ultra Festival tour of Croatia).

There are so many gorgeous coastlines on every route and being at sea will give you a totally different perspective of the regions.

While I love organizing girls’ getaway to see far-flung destinations, it can be a major headache to actually get it all done. I am obsessed with TYW because it makes things so easy.

Once you get on board all of your transportation is taken care of and you can see tons of different places while only unpacking once. You don’t have to split the bill all of the time or try to plan things that everybody will like.

Expenses are straightforward and everything else is done for you. I’ve always done one big grocery shop before the trip then created a group fund to cover all of the outings.

Once that’s all done there’s nothing else to worry about buying during the trip. Once you set sail, you can hang out together with your friends or get out there mingle.

This is especially nice in my opinion because it means you can get in some quality time without being attached at the hip 24/7.

So, ladies, are you ready to grab your bikinis and get the party started? The only question is which trip to go for?

The Yacht Week Croatia was my first TYW experience and it’ll always be a special place for me. This destination is so popular that they have actually created two tour paths now and they’re both worth looking into.

The Yacht Week British Virgin Islands was my second trip and it was full of beautiful turquoise waters, sandy beaches and lots of palm trees.

I love The Yacht Week Italy because it’s an opportunity to explore Sicily and its unique culture. And the views! The Italian route brings you past some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.

For me, The Yacht Week Greece is the most well-balanced route of them all and you’ll get to see and do SO much.

I still have Montenegro and Granada on my travel bucket list, so it’s up to you guys to tell me how those are!

So what are you waiting for?

SHOP my favorite The Yacht Week styles and essentials!

READ NEXT: 10 Reasons The Yacht Week Should be Your Next Girls’ Trip

 

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Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Best Time to Go to The Galápagos Islands

Best Time to Go to The Galapagos

I have been island hopping around the globe but few places have left me as awestruck as The Galápagos Islands. With pristine beauty and incredible natural wonders, these islands are well worth the trip.

Located 600 mile off the west coast of South America, the islands are a part of Ecuador that make up the Galápagos National Park and the Galápagos Marine Reserve.

Ready to start packing? Here’s the best time to go to the Galápagos Islands.

Giant Galapagos Tortoises

December to February in the Galápagos

The Galápagos Islands can be a perfect break from cold weather. The temperatures start rising during the winter but it doesn’t get oppressively hot.

You’ll be looking at nights down to 70 degrees (F) and afternoons around 80 degrees (F). It is the perfect weather for lounging at the beach mid-day, but it’s also not too hot to go out hiking and exploring.

By the end of February, temperatures start getting closer to 90 degrees mid-day, so it might slow you down a bit. Anytime from December to February though, you’ll find warm waters that are perfect for diving in!

Christmas through the middle of January is peak tourist season as everybody comes down looking for a warm exotic spot to spend the holidays, so expect some crowds.

This is one of the best times to visit the Galápagos Islands because the Galápagos Giant Tortoise eggs start hatching. You might be able to stumble across this in the wild or you can get over to the Charles Darwin Research Centre on Santa Cruz Island or the Puerto Baquerizo Moreno Tortoise Breeding Centre on San Cristobal Island to guarantee a look at these incredible little guys.

Read More: Giant Tortoises and Lava Tubes on Santa Cruz Island

Galapagos Style Inspiration

March to April in the Galápagos

This is the hottest time of year. The temperatures range from 80 to 90 degrees (F), and this can feel extra sultry on humid days. I’d recommend opting for a hotel with A/C to keep cool overnight.

With the exception of the week around Easter, you won’t find many tourists here during this time so you’ll have the place to yourself.

As far as snorkeling and diving, the visibility is pretty low so it’s not ideal conditions. The water is very warm though so the swimming is still prime.

Tip- Whatever time of year you go, check out my Galápagos Islands packing guide to make sure you’ve got all of the essentials!

Genovesa Island, Galapagos

May to July in the Galápagos

Summer is a great time to go to The Galápagos Islands. The temperatures typically hover in the 70s so it’s comfortable but the waters are still warm.

You might have a few rainy afternoons but it won’t put a major damper on your trip. You’ll see more tourists during the summer and for good reason.

In May, the adorable blue footed boobies will be mating. There are very few blue footed boobies outside of the Galápagos Islands so this is a truly rate sight.

Fun fact- In local Spanish, boobie means “silly” or “foolish” and these birds got their name for their hilarious way of walking and the the fact that they’ll fearlessly come right up to people.

Summer is also the best time to see humpback whales and sharks. Humpback whales begin their migration in June, and you’ll have the chance to dive with whale sharks anytime during summer.

Another one of my faves is seeing the Galápagos sea lions! They tend to breed in July so they’re usually active during this time.

Read More: Visiting Black Turtle Cove in the Galápagos

Bikini on Red Sand Beach in Galapagos

August to November in the Galápagos

This is the time of year that I visited the islands. I had an amazing experiencing sailing the Galápagos with Ecoventura.

August to November is the coolest time of the year and it tends to be misty and rainy so it’s not a great time for lounging at the beach— although the red beaches of the Galápagos are worth a visit in any weather!

Tourists tend to disappear after August so you’ll find good prices and plenty of space to spread out. Best of all, the colder and clear water from August to November create dream conditions for snorkeling and diving.

And keep your eyes peel for the sea lion pups! After breeding season in July, you’ll see a lot of little ones pitter pattering around in September.

Read More: Cruising the Galápagos with Ecoventura

My favorite Galápagos essentials!

READ NEXT: Tips on Getting to the Galápagos

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Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Which Constance Resort in Mauritius is Right for You?

Which Constance Resort in Mauritius is Right for You?

Dreaming of Mauritius? If you are planning your adventure in this little slice of paradise lost in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Madagascar, the Constance Resort group has got to be at the top of your list.

I had the opportunity to check out the famous Constance Belle Mare Plage as well as Constance Prince Maurice. While they both impressed me, some differences were clear that made them appealing to different types of travelers.

Here’s how to decide which Constance Resort in Mauritius is your best pick.

Constance Prince Maurice in Mauritius

Constance Prince Maurice

Pool at Constance Belle Mare

Constance Belle Mare Plage

Resort

Constance Belle Mare Plage is a five-star property, and Constance Prince Maurice is actually considered to be a six-star property. While I would normally say that an extra star isn’t always a guarantee that the property is “better,” I did find that Constance Prince Maurice felt higher end.

When it comes to group types, Constance Prince Maurice is a dream destination for honeymooners and other couples looking for a romantic escape. Even though Constance Prince Maurice was fully booked during my stay, it always felt uncrowded and we didn’t really see kids running around.

If you want an adults-only feel, this is for you. If you are traveling as a family or a group looking for an active holiday, Constance Belle Mare Plage is primo.

Note: Both Constance Resorts offer the fun and practical Constance Kids’ Club, which will keep little travelers engaged and happy, so both options can suit kids.

Drink at Constance Prince Mare

Constance Prince Maurice

Food at Constance Belle Mare

Constance Belle Mare Plage

Food

Constance Belle Mare Plage and Constance Prince Maurice both offer full board options which include all meals in the price. I enjoyed the food at both and, of course, when it comes to nosh, everybody is going to have their own tastes so I can’t really pick a definite winner here.

Prince Maurice has three good options, one with local picks, an Asian restaurant, and a beautiful floating seafood restaurant.

Belle Mare Plage has seven different restaurants and six bars so you will be spoilt for choice here but, I only had eyes for the fab sushi restaurant, Indigo!

Prince Maurice Junior Suite

Constance Prince Maurice

Room at Constance Belle Mare Plage

 Constance Belle Mare Plage

Rooms

Prince Maurice was the clear premium pick for rooms if you want a five-star plus experience. Don’t get me wrong, Belle Mare Plage is gorgeous, but I’d say that you have to go for one of their premium rooms like the Beachfront Junior Suite if you’re looking for a luxe experience.

We stayed in the Junior Suite with Garden View at Prince Maurice and it was just perfect. The room had all of the bells and whistles and it was in a lovely, ultra private space. In addition to this room, they’ve also got larger space for families and groups.

If you’re traveling in a large group, however, Belle Mare Plage is your best option. They can accommodate twice as many people and with more options in terms of restaurants, bars, and activities, you have a better chance of finding a crowd-pleaser every day here.

Beach at Constance Prince Maurice in Mauritius

Constance Prince Maurice

Pool at Constance Belle Mare

Constance Belle Mare Plage

Activities

In terms of things to do, it’s going to come down to your group size again. For couples, especially those who love the beach (and, really, you’ve got to adore the sun and sand to make this journey), Prince Maurice is my suggestion.

If you want something more high energy with a huge beach to run around on and enjoy, go for Belle Mare Plage.

Both options have pools, snorkeling, windsurfing, kayaking, glass bottom boat trips, waterskiing, and golfing, but everything is on a larger scale at Belle Mare Plage.

Shop my Island Style for Mauritius!

Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links and, at no additional cost to you, I earn a small commission if you make a purchase. That income goes to supporting this website and keeping it free for you and everyone else! As always, ideas and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own

READ NEXT: Itinerary for Two Weeks in South Africa

Thanks to Constance Properties for hosting me during my stay. As always, thoughts and opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

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