Farmers Market Finds with Gozon Boutique!

There is no question that I am addicted to online shopping (specifically women’s trendy clothes via my favorite online boutique gozon.com), maxi dresses (even better if they have pockets) farmers markets and easy weekends.  So imagine my delight in sharing ALL FOUR with you!

(just click this photo to shop this look!)

If you have no idea what I am talking about or don’t follow me on Instagram (hey! Why don’t you?) I’ve partnered with Gozon.com to bring you a few of my favorite pieces from their newest release, as well as walk you through my farmer’s market process!  And let me tell you… it’s a process.

There are a few things you MUST have ready.

1.       Shopping tote – you don’t want to be the one asking for a plastic bag (I promise)

2.       Sunglasses – its bright out there!

3.       Sunhat – protect that skin girl! 

4.       Comfy yet cute clothes for walking around in (and snapping that cute insta!)

A few other things before you head out… for sure bring cash. You can always get a better deal and while most merchants take cards, some don’t.  I personally love supporting local businesses which is one of the reasons I try to get as much as I can at the farmers market. I love getting fresh flowers, my produce and even some of my household goods knowing it's supporting someone locally. This is the same reason I love supporting Gozon, they are headquartered right here in Southern California. In addition to their offices being here, they work closely with other LOCAL business to get the newest styles.

(just click this photo to shop this look!)

My next tip is going EARLY! I love being the one of the first people there in the mornings. It’s so peaceful and relaxing. I also like going before the day heats up, like last week when this black maxi dress was the perfect choice, it was so hot! This dress is so versatile you could really wear it anywhere. It’s an amazing quality of soft cotton, has pockets (have I said how much I love dresses with pockets?!?) and is long enough for my tallness. I love how all of their pieces are true to size.  You don’t have to order a medium in one thing and an XL in another. I’ve been really impressed with the affordability of each item as well.

So once you’ve gotten there early, in your cute maxi dress and hit the ATM… what’s next?

I like to go in a pretty systematic order so that things in my bag don’t get all smushed! I told you this was a process! First I start with the more hearty produce, the stuff I want at the bottom of my bag. I’ve also been known to grab some fresh pizza dough or cheeses at the start. So once I have my onions, zucchini and stuff like that I head to the more delicate things. I ALWAYS get tomatoes and berries when they are in season. On my way out of the market I stop to get fresh flowers, usually from the same vendor. I love having flowers in my home as much as possible – they cheer me up daily.

Once I finish up at the market I generally head home, drop off the perishables and pick up my husband for some brunch. Last weekend I added in a quick change to this AMAZING striped dress because I wasn’t sure if we’d have time to come back home before heading to a friend’s BBQ. This dress will be a staple for me this summer as its super easy to dress up or down. Add on a statement necklace for date night with some wedges – or with a cute pair of sandals for a BBQ like I did!

(just click this photo to shop this look!)

(just click this photo to shop this look!)

Be sure to check out their website for all of your online shopping needs (I would sign up for their newsletter too –  you’ll want to be the first to know when new styles are released! I seriously have been so happy with every one of my orders, and lucky for you they’ve provided me with a coupon code for all my followers! Just enter BUBBLESANDBONES15 at check out.

XOXO | SLL

This post was sponsored by gozon.com, all opinions are completely my own based on my experience. This post contains affiliate links. 

Through time with diligence...

So depending on how well you know me you may or may not know that I originally started Bubbles & Bones back in 2013. I had a good run at it for about 60 days and then my posting kinda tapered off... Recently on Facebook memories, I was reminded of a post I wrote inspired by my grandmother and great-grandmother. While that post screams of 25-year-old immaturity (I'm sorry for what I said about yoga pants), and is not at all the message I wanted to share,  I knew that I wanted to share with my new readers a little about them.

They were the ultimate icons of style and class. Their self-worth, perseverance, and confidence never came from another, it was an internal fire that I hope burns a little inside me as well. 

My grandmother and great-grandmother (and their husbands) lived life so fully that most people don't believe me when I share stories of them. Partying at the palace in Monaco, speed boats down the Riviera, movie stars and royalty as friends and more. But their lives weren't always like that. 

Before the speedboats and the Royals came extreme heartache and tragedy - as did many other global citizens of the time. World War II brought war to the small island that my family was living on (Java). My grandmother only knew her fathers face from a photograph until she was 3 years old, as he was detained at the male camp and my great-grandmother and grandmother at the female camp. They were held in concentration camps located in the remote jungle Boven-Digoel by the Japanese during WWII - as they lived in the Dutch East Indies running their printing empire at the time. They lost everything, including parents, siblings, businesses, homes and more. But again, they didn't let that stop them. The three of them rebuilt their lives and lived them to the fullest. 

Our family crest has the words "door tyd en vlyt" on it - which translates from Dutch to English as "Through time with diligence" (if you've seen me in a bikini you know that this is incorporated into one of my tattoos). They never let their situations define them and worked diligently for the rest of their lives, to live their best lives.  

Consistently pulled together and polished, they oozed style and class. My grandmother more of a rebellious spirit was one for furs and embellishments, yet rooted her style with the classics. Hermes, Chanel, custom couture made for her by her best friend, and famous Dutch designer Edgar Vos.

A young grandmother preparing for a day on the slopes (or more likely Après-ski!)

My great-grandmother, having lived through losing everything during the war (and getting it back again) was more conservative in her style and lifestyle. Most of the photographs I have of her are in elegant gowns or hosting a lavish party, not a hair, nail or button out of place. She was an incredible hostess and cook. She was made up at all times and it wasn't until she became physically unable to that her hair went uncolored or not styled in elaborate combs. 

My great-grandparents at a black tie gala. 

My great-grandmother passed away when I was 5 years old, but thankfully I do have some memories of her. My grandmother was one of the most influential people in my life and unfortunately passed away way too soon. I was able to spend at least one day a week with her until her death when I was 15. Her loss is still felt deeply by my mom and myself. The photographs I have of both of them are some of my (and my moms) most prized possessions. Each photo of them is a complete story. A fairy tale of sorts. I find myself in awe of the lives they lived and often daydream filling in the gaps I don't know. 

One of my goals for 2018, and through life,  is to be more like them. To be consistent in my life, my style, my demeanor. To pass through life diligently and with purpose. 

XOXO | SLL 

Weekend Style, Ventura Nationals Edition!

Spent the weekend at the Ventura Nationals with my husband and some of our very best friends. We are part of a car club the El Vinos and we were fortunate enough to score an inside spot in one of the halls. Most of California is experiencing a crazy heat wave - the temperatures were pretty brutal.

Car shows are a fun way to show your style. There are all kinds of people from all walks of life who all come together over a common interest. On Friday night, we went to the art show downtown after spending the morning setting up our cars.

I decided to pair my newest Vintage Hobo Loves Louis bag with a $15 amazon score. This top is super versatile and you can easily dress it up or down. You know me... its gotta transition and it has to go in the washer AND the dryer if its going to make it into any regular rotation. Link to top: http://amzn.to/2eyrj23

Vintage Boho Loves Louis is an awesome company on the central coast of California who takes only authentic Louis Vuitton bag and customizes them with a vintage/western flare. You can't see it here but mine has amazing fringe all along the bottom. You can shop similar crossbodies on their site here: https://www.vintageboholoveslouis.com/product/louis-vuitton-st-cloud-gm-with-chocolate-fringe/

On Saturday Dom and I escaped for an hour and got some lunch and some time in the A/C - I changed into a t-shirt and was able to freshen up my make up - felt like a new woman afterwards!

Saturday night we decided to hit the town and enjoyed a nice Italian dinner in downtown Ventura. If you find yourself in downtown Ventura be sure to check out Cafe Fiore. Thanks to the Timehop app we also realized that it was 4 years to the day that my husband and I met our now best friends Jay and Bev Dean!

Pre- dinner air conditioning cuddles with my husband, again wearing an awesome amazon find - this one has the cold shoulder vibe mixed with a halter. It was a nice breezy option for a warm evening. It comes in like 10 colors and will set you back $19. You can shop it here: http://amzn.to/2wzgSp2

We packed a ton into the 3 days we were out of town, so thankful for an extra day off to recharge.

Are you an unpack and do all the laundry as soon as you get home kind of person or do you let it hang out in the garage in your suitcase for a while?