Although only five feet tall, I have a curvy body. My bottom and XS have nothing in common. The only problem is, the next size up is too long in the torso! When you spend a pretty penny on a brand new item, the last thing you want to do is pay a tailor! I literally jumped for joy when I discovered TAVIK swim after reading a plethora of customer reviews. The most common complaint of this brand is that the swimsuits are cut short in the torso. BINGO – that is just what I was looking for! The Emme one piece suit is sexy and sophisticated. It provides moderate coverage while still accentuating your assets. Although a frustrating experience, it is a relief knowing there is at least one reliable bathing suit brand out there. Whether or not it was intentional, TAVIK tapped into a niche for shorties like me!

I LOVE a little black swimsuit because it is like a blank canvas. Piecing together an ensemble is so much fun when you do not have any limitations! It is always a good idea to start with the boldest accessory, then build up from there. I began with this round beach towel. After seeing the black, blue, and white together, I did not want to introduce another hue. Rather I stacked up on gold jewelry, including this striking necklace. Sticking with the minimalist color scheme, I covered up in a white sarong and matching hat.

Do you have any swimsuit shopping advice?! I would love to hear! In the meantime, shop my beach attire here:

Little Black Swimsuit (wearing size small) | Sarong | Towel | Bag (similar here) | Sandals | Sunglasses | Hat | Necklace c/o | Bangle

A special thanks to Ulises L. Guerrero Photography for capturing the moment.

The post Little Black Swimsuit appeared first on Kelsey Kaplan Fashion.

When I was a student at LSU, I managed the one and only Rode’o Boutique. This Baton Rouge hotspot is magazine material and deserves a spot on Rodeo Drive. Whether you’re a young professional, student, or new mom, it’s nearly impossible to leave the store without a bag full of goodies. When prepping for my trip, I had a feeling Rode’o would have something suitable for the tropics. After all, the Louisiana heat and humidity is “impressive.” Sure enough, the Viviana Romper was the perfect addition to my Puerto Vallarta attire.

Cut out garments are great in tropical climates. They have the same affect as cracking a window in a steamy room! Hopefully the photos do this thing justice The print reminds me of a beautiful acrylic painting. I am not sure what I like more, the vibrant hues or the playful fit! Regardless, I wore this little number to a rooftop dinner at Hacienda San Angel. There we celebrated my parent’s 45th Wedding Anniversary. For this happy occasion, I dressed it with rose gold sandals and matching tassel earrings. But what’s really special about this romper is that it can go from beach to dinner. For a daytime look, I’d swap the heels for flip-flops and throw my hair in a bun. There’s no point in fighting the humidity…clearly!

Shop my Puerto Vallarta Attire here:

Romper (c/o) | Sandals | Purse (similar here and here) | Earrings | Bracelet

A special thanks to Rode’o Boutique for bringing you this post and to Ulises L. Guerrero Photography for capturing the moment.

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The food

There are no buffets at Villa Premiere. Again, another reason I prefer boutique style hotels. Each meal is made to order. There are three restaurants on the premises but the menus change daily. During my stay I noticed Italian, Mexican, and International cuisines on rotation. A snack menu is available 24/7 poolside, or from the comfort of your room. Most days I ate breakfast in paradise overlooking the ocean blue. The omelette and hash brown was my favorite dish. I did not indulge at lunchtime, rather I snacked in the afternoon as an attempt to save room for dinner. The nachos and queso fundido hit the spot! Take me back to the “good life…”

The drinks

I am a very conservative drinker. But if I’m going to indulge, I expect to taste the liquor. I have experienced “watered down” drinks at all-inclusive and pay as you go resorts. I do not believe they literally dilute the alcohol with water, but maybe they are advised to prepare “weak” drinks. Perhaps a “weak drink” is easier to mass produce? Fortunately, I did not experience this at all at Villa Premiere. In fact, there was an impressive selection of top shelf wines and spirits available. Home girl likes her margaritas prepared with tequila blanco. There was no shortage of that stuff around. Salud!

Shop fruit flavor pajamas perfect for breakfast in paradise here:

Pineapple PJ Set | Banana Print Onesie | Avocuddle PJ Set

P.S. Any hotel that provides me with a robe and matching slippers gets two thumbs up in my book! Thank you to Usiles L Guerrero Photography for capturing the moment

The post Breakfast in Paradise: The Food at Villa Premiere appeared first on Kelsey Kaplan Fashion.

The Rooms

This property boasts 80 beachfront rooms and suites all with balconies overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Standard amenities include a butler service, pillow menu (I kid you not!), and scent menu for in-room aromatherapy. After the butler in Italy spoiled me rotten, I took full advantage of the butler service at Villa Premiere. He/she kindly unpacked and organized my belongings and re-packed them in preparation for my departure. And with 24/7 access via text message, your butler is also available to press clothes, and draw baths if your room is equipped with a jacuzzi. The pillow menu is a huge bonus. I realize that I probably sound like one, but anything other than goose-down gives me pain in the neck!

The Amenities

While it is important to have a comfortable space to retreat to, it is equally important to have a variety of on-site amenities. Villa Premiere features: two pools, a 24 hour fitness center, and spa. Adults only pool areas are remarkable. You don’t have to worry about any cannon bombs detonating! I spent most of the time in the infinity pool, treating myself to libations and snacks at the swim-up bar. As far as lounge chairs, the resort enforces a first-come-first serve policy and the guests respect it. I have been to other hotels where guests “reserve” their spot with a personal belonging at the crack of dawn. Who needs that pressure on vacation?! Along the beachfront you will find four “beach beds” under palapas. For ultimate relaxation, take a nap under there. Also available to you are cruiser rentals and an on-call doctor.

The Service

The staff at Villa Premiere reminds me of Bar Method instructors. They know everyone’s name in a matter of minutes! That is what I call paying attention to detail. In fact, Laura and Maria kindly addressed me each time I walked through the lobby, often stopping to compliment me on my outfit. Now that’s the way to a fashionista’s heart! On the other end of the spectrum, Javier and Hugo would bend over backwards for you on the pool deck. This is precisely the reason I prefer boutique hotels to large resorts: unmatched customer service. Stay tuned for food reviews and more Puerto Vallarta travel tips and advice.

This look is brought to you by Current Clothing San Francisco. Shop some of my other favorite two-piece sets here:

A special thanks to Ulises L. Guerrero Photography for capturing the moment.

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Organization is Key

With unpleasant baggage fees and luggage restrictions, packing smart has never been more important. I always try to bring pieces that I can re-wear and shoes that match with multiple looks. But practice makes perfect. If you are still trying to find your packing rhythm, consider coordinating outfits on paper first. When you write everything down, you are less likely to fill your suitcase with excess weight. I usually do this in the notes app on my iPhone. With the new checkmark function it’s almost impossible to forget something…and I need all the help I can get in that department! I also use the UPS app to track the items I am waiting on. It’s free and it will send you push notifications regarding the status of your package. Tip* Use the nickname feature to label your incoming parcels.

Beach Vacation Essentials

So what’s inside my suitcase?! A classic black one-piece – probably the most versatile item for vacation. I also included a fashionable round beach towel. Although the hotel will have them fully stocked at the pool, it’s fun to make a statement with a chic accessory! Also included is a gold statement necklace. I do not like weigh down my luggage with a ton of jewelry when I travel. It is too fragile and easy to lose. This stunner will pair well with my swimsuit as well as a solid top and cut off shorts. Now let’s talk about footwear. Flip flops and the beach go hand in hand. I am packing a black faux leather pair. Although it’ll require me to dry of before slipping them on, I prefer imitation leather because it can go dressy or casual. Finally, if you follow me on Instagram, then you already caught a glimpse of my new beach bag! I have been on the hunt for a straw bag that would fit all my essentials and some. This pretty little thing is just the right size and an unbeatable price ($28)!

If you have traveled to Puerto Vallarta, send your recommendations this way! Thanks for reading and be sure to follow along on Instagram stories to see the rest of my beach looks. In the meantime, shop the post:

Swimsuit | Necklace | Towel | Hat | Flip Flops | Sunglasses | Bag | Sunscreen

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