Since I’m actually home for the holidays this year, I wanted to share the looks I rocked around the Christmas tree. Lulus sent me some samples to style and so I created two stunning outfits– sugar and spice!
Check out my glam-inspired holiday looks!
Holiday Look: Sugar
A gold sequins dress is the perfect choice for a holiday celebration– shimmering sequins, plunging neckline and midi bodycon skirt will show off your curves! I paired it with a gold shimmer eye shadow, nude lip and nude strappy heels.
Stun in this glamorous holiday gown– sheer mesh embellished by elegant lace coupled with the high neckline and plunging bodice. I felt like a goddess in this mermaid hem, and paired it with a black heel, pearl earrings and a red lip!
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The Galapagos Islands are a somewhat off-the-grid destination, but have the most beautiful, pristine and well-preserved natural beauty I’ve ever experienced.
I recently spent over a week cruising and exploring the islands onboard MV Origin, as well as lounging on San Cristobal Island for a few days, and wanted to share some of my style inspiration with you.
If you’re headed to the islands, you’ll most likely be spending long days hiking, boating or in the water, so it’s important to be comfortable first and foremost– I opted for bikinis, breathable fabrics and sturdy shoes!
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.
The beauty of the Galapagos Islands is that they are miles away from the rest of the world. Far from the noise and chaos of city life, this is the perfect place to get away.
The problem with the Galapagos Islands is that they are in the middle of nowhere. 600 miles off of the coast of Ecuador, these islands are truly remote. Fortunately, it isn’t that hard to get there and it’s well worth it.
Here are some helpful tips on getting to the Galapagos and island hopping!
Flying to the Galapagos
There are two airports in the Galapagos– you can fly into San Cristóbal Island or Baltra Island. Baltra is located just north of Santa Cruz. Baltra and Santa Cruz are connected by a bridge, so it’s easy to get back and forth.
You’ll often hear the Baltra airport being referred to as the Santa Cruz airport, so keep that in mind if you see the two island names being used interchangeably.
Since you won’t find international flights to the islands, you’ll typically connect through Quito or Guayaquil. Both of these cities that are worth exploring, so plan on a little extra time to see the sights before you head away from the mainland.
I flew from LAX to Guayaquil to San Cristobal on Avianca Airlines.
As soon as you’ve got your dates set, you’ll want to book your flights. The fights from Guayaquil to San Cristobal are nonstop and just under two hours long. They book up really quickly with tourists and islanders traveling to and from mainland.
Summer is high season in the Galapagos, and it’s also a popular route from mid-December to mid-January. If you’re traveling during these times, be sure to have everything booked far in advance.
Cruising the Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos are made up of thirteen large islands and seven small islands. To get between the islands, you either travel by air or sea. I recommend taking a cruise around the islands to see everything.
I went on a cruise onboard the new MV Origin and loved it. The company, Ecoventura, has received awards from Travel+Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, and other top travel pros. You can totally customize your experience, and the company’s guides are incredibly knowledgeable.
With so much to take in, the Galapagos is a place where I knew I wanted to have an expert showing me around. The pros and conservationists abroad MV Origin completely exceeded my expectations.
I learned so much about the unique ecosystem of the islands and what makes this place so special.
Not only do the staff members at Ecoventura know the local environment, they respect it. As a leader in the world of sustainable travel, this company helps people see the amazing natural wonders of the Galapagos without leaving a footprint.
Traveling from Island to Island
Traveling without a tour is totally doable too, as there are speedboats, ferries and water taxis available, depending where you are!
There are a few different companies offering speedboat trips. One of the most common routes is between Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, and Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island. The boat leaves daily from Isabela at six a.m. and from Puerto Ayora at two p.m.
It’ll take you under three hours to get from one port to the other.
If you are traveling between San Cristobal and Puerto Ayora, you can take the daily ferry from San Cristobal at seven a.m. and from Puerto Ayora at two p.m. Again, it’ll take you under three hours, but the waters can be a bit rough here, so I’d recommend bringing some motion sickness pills if you’re prone to getting woozy.
There are also water taxis in some spots. They are a popular way to get from one end of Santa Cruz to the other. They are very cheap and just take a few minutes.
You’ll want to remember that water taxis are just small boats that take you to the local sites.
When you want to get to another island, you’ll need a ferry or a speedboat. These work on a set schedule and can’t be hailed like a water taxi.
Traveling on the Islands
The system of taxis is pretty straightforward, and you really can’t get lost. You can flag down taxis easily. Keep your eyes open for white pickup trucks with taxi signs.
They are incredibly cheap and very handy if you are traveling with luggage.
I stayed a few days following my cruise on San Cristóbal in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, and found that I could walk anywhere in town within 10 minutes, so all I needed to worry about was booking a taxi to the airport– which only cost me about $2.
There’s nothing like arriving at your destination feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world. Flying business class can totally transform your travel. My recent trip from Los Angeles to Tokyo was a dream.
The trip takes a whopping twelve hours (and that’s if you’re on a nonstop flight). When you are in transit for that long, it is essential to be able to get comfortable. For the sake of some extra room to spread out, I upgraded my latest adventure.
Here’s my Singapore Airlines Business Class flight experience from LAX to Tokyo!
– What to Expect –
For the past twenty-two years, Singapore Airlines has been known for having the world’s best business class. Having travelled business class on a few different airlines, I was looking forward to seeing how Singapore Airlinesactually stacked up to the competition.
From the dedicatedSingapore Airlines Business Class check-in counters and Business Class Lounge to the top-notch on-board service, these guys didn’t disappoint.
With oversized seats, massive LCD screens, and five-star food, Singapore Airlines checks all the boxes.
– Upon Boarding –
The flight attendants are affectionately known as Singapore Girls. They are famous for their world-class charm and nonstop smiles. Having spent a ton of time in airplanes, I know that being a flight attendant is a tough job.
But the Singapore Airlines crew never lets it show. The attendants are consummate pros. They greet you with a smile, and even after a dozen hours in the air, they are still energetic.
After getting a first-class welcome, I got the chance to explore my seat and check out where I was going to be spending the day.
– Amenities –
One cool bonus of flying Singapore Airlines Business Class is that you’ve got direct access to the aisle. Forget about debating whether you are going to risk waking up your neighbor so you can get to the toilet! Wherever you sit, you have got a forward-facing seat right next to the aisle.
On such a long flight, this is a major perk.
Unlike other airlines, Singapore doesn’t offer personal amenity kits in business class. This was definitely a first for me. However, they offer nearly everything you’d find in a typical amenity kit a la carte — toothbrushes and shaving kits in the restrooms, you just have to ask the flight attendants for eye masks, socks and slippers if needed. Not a big deal and definitely results in less waste!
Singapore Airlines Business Class has the biggest airplane seats I’ve ever seen in my life. In fact, they are officially the widest business class seats in the world. These ultraluxe, Scottish leather armchairs transform from oversized seats into an impressive seventy-eight-inch, fully flat bed.
Singapore Airlines has been flaunting its new seat positions: the Lazy Z and the Sundecks. You can chill with your feet up like you are poolside or have your weight totally centered and balanced, La-Z-Boy style.
These lush seats have got a side console that sits above the armrest so you can keep your laptop handy and connected to eXport, HDMI, and USB ports.
– Entertainment –
With more than 1,000 movies, television shows, music, and games, KrisWorld will ensure that you don’t run out of things to do. Get the free SingaporeAir mobile app before you go.
If you are a multitasker, this app is a dream.
You can watch a movie on your seat monitor and keep browsing for other options on the app. With a 15.4-inch LCD screen and a comfy seat to enjoy, you’ll feel more like you are vegging out at home than sitting in a plane.
– Food and Drink –
With top chefs from all over the planet, Singapore Airlines Business Class offers food and beverages above and beyond your average airline food. With seasonal ingredients and amazing fusions, this is a meal you’ll actually look forward to chowing down on.
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t that impressed with the food. For being the “top” business class airline, I did expect the food to blog me away and I was left a bit uninspired.
However, they do have the Book the Cook feature which I didn’t take advantage of and could have made all the difference. Reserve your seared Chilean bass, peppered fillet mignon, fresh pasta, delicious stir fry, or whatever you are into, and have it hot and fresh when you arrive.
There’s never a bad time to show your girlfriends and besties just how much you love them. This gift guide will help you shop for that best babe in your life!
“You’re My Person” Mugs
I think these mugs are adorable! The perfect gift for you’re favorite girlfriend and Grey’s Anatomy fan.
Robes are one of my go-to gifts, because who doesn’t love feeling like a queen while they’re getting ready for the day. Available in adorable floral print, this robe is the comfiest!
You can’t go wrong with cute decor for your bestie’s room or home– I love these watercolor prints of vintage cameras, and that photography enthusiast in your life will too. Check out the selection of map, fashion and vintage watercolor prints!
Charm your bestie’s arm !This Arrows of Friendship bracelet is not only a cute accessory, it’s also symbolic of your relationship with your bestie– while each one points in its own direction, they meet at the middle, touching at their hearts.
Personally, I find coloring to be a relaxing and captivating past time, whether I’m flying across the globe or just hanging on the couch. These coloring books from Rachel Reinert are stunning images and will keep your bestie busy for hours!
These insulated bottle keeps drinks cold for 24 hours and hot for 12, while also giving back to those in need! Who doesn’t love being able to keep their wine chilled en route to a party? Everyone. Check out all the sizes and designs they offer!
I’m pretty obsessed with Rifle Paper Co. and all their vintage and floral products! Grab any of their notebooks, journals or calendars for that ladies in your life.
These tapestries are not only made in fun colors and patterns, they can be multipurpose– a beach sheet, a wall decoration, or a comfy wrap– it’s hard to go wrong with these as a gift!
These dry bags are cute AND functional– they protect your items from water damage, allow you to transport wet bikinis, and stay organized while traveling. I have quite a few in different sizes and colors, and use them on every single trip.
This pair of flasks is whimsical and fun. Plus is has a mustache on it… enough said! You’ll need both sides of course, so here’s the left flask and the right flask.
This 5-piece set includes every brush your bestie might need on a day-to-day basis, and they are vegan and 100% cruelty free. The set comes packaged in a sleek carrying case too!
There’s a t-shirt for every style out there, but I love the graphic and themed ones from my friend, Blaine Bowen. Pineapples, flamingos, and ice cream– you can find it all on a tee from her!
