Boyacá

Boyacá is a beautiful region outside of Bogotá filled with picturesque small towns. Some of the towns can be spread out so it’s best to spend a night or two in Boyacá in order to enjoy the beauty of the region. Colorful Ráquira cannot be missed for its talented artisans and pottery. Sutamarchán for longaniza (a sausage similar to chorizo) makes the perfect stop while you are village hopping. The crown jewel of Boyaca is Villa de Leyva, which was declared a national monument in 1954 and has remained perfectly preserved with whitewashed buildings and one of the largest town squares in South America. Definitely carve out time during your visit to Bogotá to visit Boyacá!

Dress: Mar Sandals: Velez

Chinatown

Chinatown in NYC was hit hard by the pandemic as people started visiting the area less months before the first COVID-19 case was confirmed in New York. Now is the time to go back! This neighborhood is an adventure with its exotic foods markets, small streets, unusual shops and excellent restaurants representing the cuisine of not only mainland China and Hong Kong, but also Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam just to name a few. The soup dumplings at Joe’s Shanghai and the dim sum at Nom Wah Tea Parlor cannot be missed. End your evening at the rooftop bar at Hotel 50 Bowery that has amazing views of the Manhattan Bridge.

Dress: Tuckernuck Sandals: Ann Taylor

Nap Dress

When I saw this mermaid print, I finally caved to the nap dress trend. Light, comfortable and a slight Bridgerton vibe, the fit is amazing with its elasticated smocking. It’s the dress I’ve been using for picnics, vineyard hopping and other fun outdoor relaxed summer activities. There are always cute new prints being released that sell out pretty quickly so it’s best to sign up on the website for the Hill House email alerts or follow on Instagram.

Dress: Hill House Sandals: J. McLaughlin

Street Style

This jumpsuit is the epitome of street style. Its ubercomfy material, practical pockets, waist defining belt and elastic cuffs make it the perfect outfit for going around the City. It can be paired with both sneakers or heels depending on your mood or occasion. This is definitely one of the easiest ways to look put together while running errands.

Jumpsuit: Mar Sandals: Stuart Weitzman Bag: TDE

Blue Dream

“From Siesta to Fiesta” I am all about this Colombia’s brand motto. Hipnos makes comfortable but fun and flirty clothing with materials just as soft as pajamas. I loved the color of this dress and the soft satin feels luxurious against the skin. It’s an effortless summer look.

Dress: Hipnos Sandals: Stuart Weitzman

Rincón

Rincón is a laid back surfer town on Puerto Rico’s west coast known for beautiful sunsets. The area is filled with uncrowded beaches perfect for relaxing. Tres Sirenas is an amazing place to stay right in front of a secluded beach- if you can upgrade to the penthouse it’s definitely worth it! It’s also near Villa Cofresi Hotel, which has a great restaurant for food and drinks.

Dress: Mar Sandals: Stuart Weitzman

Old San Juan

With 400 restored buildings from the 16th- and 17th-century Spanish colonial period, Old San Juan is one of the most well preserved and colorful neighborhoods in the Caribbean. Walking the cobblestone streets, admiring the architecture and enjoying the many restaurants are some of the best activities you can do while visiting San Juan. The Castillo San Felipe del Morro, also known as El Morro, is also worth exploring along with Castillo San Cristóbal, the biggest European fortification in the Americas. They are both rich in history and have beautiful ocean views. Hard hit from the pandemic, it’s time to go back to Puerto Rico and take in its lively people, music and spirit.

Dress: Mar Sandals: Stuart Weitzman

Santurce

Santurce is a colorful, lively neighborhood in San Juan, Puerto Rico that has a gritty past. The area became crime ridden when people started moving out to the suburbs in the 1970s leaving many abandoned buildings. However, in recent years, artists started moving into the area and the famous La Placita, a plaza that features a produce market surrounded by bars and restaurants, was restored. Abandoned buildings are now adorned with vibrant, magnificent murals. Walking this neighborhood during the day is best to view the amazing street art, but coming back at night for food, drinks and dancing is also a must!

Top: Mar Skirt: Mar Sandals: Target

Feeling Fruity

Summer usually calls for a floral print, but I love mixing it up. That’s why I adore this flirty, fruity midi skirt. The elastic, high waist is mega comfortable and the tiered ruffles give it a bit of flair. There is a matching top too if you want to go for a coordinating set. I decided to pair it will a red top, but yellow and orange would work just as well.

Top: IORANE Skirt: WeWoreWhat Sandals: Stuart Weitzman Bag: House of Want

Glass House

The Glass House was built in 1949 by architect Philip Johnson in New Canaan, Connecticut. The exterior walls are made of glass with no interior walls, which creates a seamless integration into the lush landscape. The bathroom is in a cylinder brick structure for privacy. It’s set on a beautiful 49-acre estate that contains 13 additional structures built on the property through 1995. Walking through the property is peaceful and relaxing that makes it feel like a true escape from the bustling city.

Dress: Christopher John Rogers X Target Shoes: Jessica Caballero Bag: Faithfull the Brand

Little Island

New York City’s newest public space is Little Island in Hudson River Park. It’s striking exterior is made up of 280 concrete piles with 132 concrete “tulips” on top of the piles. Each tulip’s shape is unique and is visually stunning from a distance. Walking through the park is like navigating a floating maze. There is also an amphitheater with beautiful views of the Hudson River that will be holding live performances this summer. If visiting the park from noon and on, free timed tickets are required. Otherwise, before noon, anyone can just walk in so go and check it out!

Top: Mar Skirt: Mar Sandals: Stuart Weitzman Bag: Staud (similar)

SoHo Red

Walking the streets of SoHo and feeling the energy of the City again is exhilarating. To take it all in, I wore this gorgeous red blouse with beautiful details. I love the voluminous sleeves and beading. These shoes are also my new favorite! I can walk all over the City in them. They are not only comfortable but are made of soft satin with coral like beading, The do run a little small so be sure to size up.

Top: Argemiro Sierra (similar) Jeans: Argemiro Sierra Shoes: Jessica Caballero

Mystic

The Julia Roberts’ movie Mystic Pizza from the 1980’s made the small waterfront town of Mystic Connecticut a national tourist destination. The historical downtown has charming shops, a working drawbridge from 1922, and an abundance of seafood restaurants- Red 36 and S&P Oyster Restaurant and Bar are my favorites. The Mystic Aquarium and Mystic Seaport Museum are also worthy of a visit. About 2.5 hours from New York City, it is an easy and quick weekend escape.

Dress: Mar by Marisela Montes Shoes: Michael Kors Bag: Faithfull The Brand

Best Collaboration Ever

Target is known for its designer collaborations and recently released their best one ever with Christopher John Rogers. The Baton Rouge-born designer is the fashion industry’s latest obsession. His work is dramatic, vibrant and joyful. The Target collection showcases his colorful style at accessible prices. I love the entire collection, but this dress is my favorite. I recommend grabbing any piece in your size if you can find it. The quality is impeccable!

Dress: Christopher John Rogers X Target Shoes: Jessica Caballero

Milea Vineyard

Wine tasting season is back! Milea Estate Vineyard is not only a beautiful 98-acre estate, but also has some of the best wines in the Hudson Valley. Their wine is my absolute favorite of this region. Their pink bubbly (aka Proceedo Rose) is so good and has the bonus of having a cute label too. This winery is a bit newer than the others in the region so definitely add it to your list when visiting this region.

Dress: Mar By Marisela Montes Jacket: Banana Republic Sandals: Velez

Colorful Stripes

Romper season is here! With a streak of good weather, I was able to pull out this colorful striped romper for exploring the charming neighborhood of Carroll Gardens in Brooklyn. As soon as I saw this festive romper, I knew it was a must-have. I could not resist all those colors!

If you aren’t familiar with Carroll Gardens, it’s worth spending a day there. With beautiful tree-lined streets, amazing restaurants and historic brownstones and brick rowhouses, it feels like the quintessential Brooklyn neighborhood.

Romper: Buddy Love Shoes: Stuart Weitzman Bag: Staud

Princess of Polka Dots

The must-see art exhibit this summer, Kusama: Cosmic Nature, is at the New York Botanical Garden. The contemporary Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama is sometimes called the ‘princess of polka dots’ due to her use of dense patterns of polka dots and nets. Her large-scale art installations are set perfectly against the gorgeous springtime blooms. It’s a cheerful glorious exhibit that also allows you to wander through the beautiful and extensive grounds of the New York Botanical Garden. The exhibit runs until October 31st, but tickets are selling out quickly. I highly recommend getting tickets soon as you do not want to miss this!

Dress: Mar By Marisela Montes Sandals: Ann Taylor

New York State of Mind

On these glorious spring days, the City is bursting with energy as people enjoy the parks and the streets. I notice an extra bounce in my step while exploring the new New York. A bit more gritty and authentic, the new New York has a different vibe than pre-pandemic times, but it’s still the place I want to be. With more places reopening and the easing of restrictions, this is the time to get reacquainted with the City again.

Now on to the fashion…this skirt is actually a one sleeve mini dress. It’s so much fun and I love the bright color combination. As a dress, it’s perfect for a special occasion. As a skirt, it can be worn casually with a t-shirt and sneakers or wear it with a silk cami and heels.

Skirt: Sundress Top: Pineapples Don’t Have Sleeves Shoes: Stuart Weitzman

Modern Black & White

Who said black and white is boring? Enormous puff sleeves, stripes and peplum- this statement top is the best example of modern black and white style. This is easily my new favorite item in my closet. I paired it with these high waisted cigarette pants, but it works with everything from shorts to jeans. I’m going to be looking for excuses to wear this top all spring.!

Top: Eugenia Fernandez Pants: Alexia Maria Shoes: Talbots Bag: Rebecca Minkoff

Prospect Park

Prospect Park in Brooklyn has been a haven during the pandemic. Designed by the same team as Central Park, it’s a peaceful and beautiful escape from the craziness of the city. At the entrance to the park in Grand Army Plaza is the magnificent Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch, which was was dedicated in 1892 to the soldiers who fought for the Union during the Civil War.

Spring is an amazing time to be in the park as the trees blossom and walking around the lake can be enjoyed at a leisurely pace. The expansive Long Meadow lends itself to picnics and lazy afternoons in the sunshine. I can’t wait to spend more time in the park as the weather keeps warming up.

Top: Mar By Marisela Montes Skirt: Gibsonlook Sandals: Cole Haan