I thought I’d leave you all with some shoe candy by designer Georgina Goodman to start off the weekend 
. I am in LOVE with these shoes! Check out Georgina Goodman‘s website for her full collection of amaaazing shoes.
Images via Georgina Goodman
It’s here! The June/July Issue of Lonny Magazine is out and it is FULL of great summer decor inspiration. It is so full of bright bold feel-good colors and I love it. Along with the gorgeous interior inspiration and fabulous finds, this issue also has great tips for outdoor living and for slowing down and savoring each moment. Of course I have included some of my favorite images to share with you all I just love how you can click on almost anything in the magazine and find out where to get it! Don’t you?? Check out Lonny Magazine for the full issue! Enjoy!
The beauty of having a friend like Amber of Beauty Blogging Junkie is knowing her suggestions are always on point. Last month I was traveling to Charleston and Barbados for a writing assignment and I tweeted that I was working on my carry-on skills. Amber, the darling she is told me her addiction to Tokyo Milk Solid Parfum. Immediately I was on the hunt. Charleston's King Street has great shopping and I stumbled upon the cutest store Lily of Charleston. It was tres chic and reminded me of a French boutique in the heart of Charleston. You have to love a store whose tag line is "Purveyors of Life's Little Luxuries." We are planning a return trip in the Fall and I can't wait to hit up Lily again.
As my Parisian heart strings thrust me into the store I stopped dead in my tracks. There they were. The Tokyo Milk Solid Parfums. I decided to buy the Honeycomb scent full of peaches, plums, honey, vetiver and black currant nectar scents. It took all my will power not to buy the Lotus Sake and Satsuma. I was fixated on the candle selection as well and picked the Eden Candle candle for South Africa. Once I return from this vacation I plan to dive head first into more Tokyo Milk products.
You might have wondered, "what the hell happened to Julia and All About the Pretty?" I admit that I have been away and it's not by choice. It's because the job that pays the beauty bills had me humping in a way that I can only describe as brutal. The last few months have been crazy with work. But, the light at the end of the tunnel is finally here. I'm on a renewal. A renewed focus to the site and my life in general. Jaime is still the fabulous intern and I've added Amanda as a New York correspondent. I live close to New York but not that close.
A big step in the renewal process is The Don and I are headed to South Africa and Egypt for a three-week vacation/business trip on June 17. When we first met my bucket list trip included attending the World Cup and going to South Africa. His bucket list including Egypt. Needless to say after almost a year of planning – yours truly and l'homme (the man in French) are heading to South Africa for the 2010 World Cup and then on to Egypt. I will be writing every few days while I'm there.
In other great news I am a contributor for two online publications. Southern Flourish is an online publication that focuses on the South. I have a piece on "green beauty" for the Spring issue and the Summer issue will be arriving in the next few weeks. Click on the magazine and flip through to get all the Southern goodness and love on your screen.
I'm a writer for BlackAtlas.com. BlackAtlas.com is a travel website sponsored by American Airlines and I will be having specific travel articles on their site as well. This is a great opportunity for me to expand my writing to include more travel writing.
It's been a crazy, wonderful, and busy year. I wouldn't change a thing of how everything has worked out. Thank you for staying faithful in subscribing to my feed, sending emails and checking on me, and letting me know that this too shall pass. The lesson is always in the journey and what an incredible journey it has been. Thank you for being on this journey with me. I can't wait to explore Cape Winelands, Cape Town, and Durban South Africa. Then we are headed to Aswan, a luxury cruise down the Nile River, Luxor, and finish our journey in Cairo.
You can follow on Facebook and Twitter as JuliaConey.
Review by AATP Intern:
I have to admit I'm not much
of a lotion girl. Besides my face I usually don't apply moisturizer
of any kind unless my skin is irritated or extremely dry. It's rare
that a lotion comes along that I actually crave using. Travertine Body & Spirit Petal Body Cream is amazing. The scent is a gorgeous white floral
scent that I've been really into lately and it smells divine. The scent
lingers on my skin but isn't so strong that I couldn't layer a similar
perfume over it.
The cream itself is thick and luxurious without being
greasy, in fact, I could type within seconds of applying this product.
It absorbs right into the skin but still leaves me soft and hydrated.
Plus I'm a stickler for cute packaging and the metal bottle is perfect
for a modern minimalist like myself.
I'm headed home to Houston this weekend to watch two of my nieces graduate from high school. I am so proud of these girls for being dynamic, kind, and smart young
ladies. I am meeting my great-niece Hannah who was born last month and looking forward to giving her lots of kisses from Aunt Ju-Ju. I'm also excited about is being able to practice my new carry-on skills. After successfully pulling off my 5-day trip in my carry-on I know I can head from the airport and straight to Chuy's for some Tex-Mex and margaritas.
My new carry-on pick is the Josie Maran Mini Argan Stick. I've been a fan of all her Argan products and this stick is the perfect size whenever you need a little extra moisture. It's great for dry patches on elbows, feet, and cuticles. I can pack it in the side compartments of my suitcase because it's not a liquid. This is perfect for after a dip in the pool or the beach. Chlorine and beach water can be so drying and this will help bring back luster to the skin. All I need is my cashmere travel blanket and this Argan stick and I'm good to go on the plane. That and an early morning Bloody Mary.
It's that time of year again for me. The summer travel season begins this weekend with the Memorial Day holiday. After the harsh winter in DC, I am going to embrace all this heat. It's also the time when I jaunt off to destinations full of products, tips, and trend items in a checked bag. But this year will be different. I have vowed to only take a carry-on with me to the beach and any trip under 7 days. Yes, I can hear the laughter as you read this.
Trust me, I did not think this was possible until I saw the slide show of Heather Poole on the NY Times website and was immediately hooked. I didn't think it was possible until my 5 day trip to Charleston and Barbados. I thought "I can do this." First, I needed to make a list of all the necessary essentials, outfits, and excursions then I would be well on my way.
I decided to call the series "Pretty in a Carry-On" to highlight what essential items you will need this summer season and beyond. It won't all be beauty products. Some will be cute scarves, luggage, totes, and clothing which will have you stepping off the plane and to "wherever your final destination may be." Can you tell I've been on a quite a few planes in the last couple of months.
First up is Bliss' Blood Orange + White Pepper Hand Cream. If you are traveling by plane, train, or automobile the one item of your skin that needs help will always be your hands and feet. I constantly wash my hands and frequently more than normal when traveling. I don't want to get sick because of airplane germs. Please don't get me started. I picked this hand cream and I'm currently giving it a test run. I'm pleasantly surprised. First, it's not heavy. I was looking for a thick hand cream, but in 80 degree weather a thick hand cream doesn't work. Barbados' water is very salty. Locals call it a "salt bath." My hands need edextra loving after taking numerous dips in the ocean and the pool and this product is now in the carry-on rotation.
Bobbi Brown's Treatment Lip Shines are the perfect accessory to your summer clutch and beach bag. The lip shines are a soft lipstick with lip treatment built-in. As you know sunscreen is a key component of great skin and most people neglect the lips. My personal favorite colors are Moonlight Rose and Berry. I'm obsessing over them all the time. The new reincarnation of the lip shine if totally worth it. It is more moisturizing and if you don't apply lip balm it's okay. Your lips will still be soft and supple.
Next on my list too try is the Sunset Bronze. You know I love to be a bronze girl all summer long.
I would like to say that we have finally entered into an early summer here in DC, but yesterday's cool winds made me think that I need to continue to wear wraps and trench coat. If April showers, bring May flowers then I'm all over the CHANEL Eau Tendre Fragrance for Spring. The scent has notes of quince, grapefruit, white musk, and jasmine. This is the perfect scent to pair with this Milly Flutter Dress for a girls night on the town. This dress is calling my name on my girls trip to Hawaii in August.