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Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Maxi dress and vacay recap


I'm only 5'-2" and I own about half a dozen maxi dresses plus another half dozen maxi skirts. I always hear from fellow vertically challenged gals that they can't find maxi dresses that fit them. I don't know if I'm just a freak case, or if I'm just lucky, but it hasn't been that hard for me. I do a lot of my shopping online, and normally I just judge how long the dress will be on me by how long it is on the model. If I can see the model's full ankle/shoe - then I know it will end up being the perfect length on me. I prefer for my shoes to just peek out from under the dress. This dress, I ended up finding at the Gap outlet last summer. I loved the print so much! I just ordered this one from JCrew Factory - I took the chance even though I didn't have a model to judge the length on. (I know, I should know my measurements, but I don't…) It fits amazing and I can't wait to wear it!!




Sunnies: Vince Camuto | Earrings: Francesca's (option, option) | Dress: Gap (optionoption) | Bracelet: JCrew (option) | Wedges: Steven by Steve Madden (option

If you're wondering where my island tan is, well, maybe you will see it next week! With my girls' trip vacation and then the husband's boys' trip vacation right after mine (i.e. losing my photographer), I had to do A LOT of outfit planning and take a slew of pictures before I even left for Jamaica. So this was pre-tan. However, in case you missed it, I did wear this on our trip so you can see that selfie on my Instagram here.

Speaking of Jamaica, a few people have asked for all the details, and since I've always recapped my past trips, I figured I should go ahead and document it.







We stayed at the Grand Palladium Resort in Montego Bay. Beautiful pictures, right? There's something so tranquil about palm trees and water. I wish I could say that it was just as relaxing and perfect as it looked, but guys. It was the worst vacation I've ever had. I would never EVER recommend going to this resort - it was the worst customer service experience ever. I've gone to an all inclusive resort about 6 times now - all the same caliber, so I know what to expect. We booked through my travel agent (who has booked many a trip for me in the past), and if you look on Trip Advisor, you will see that the majority love this place. And I just can't see how.

The food was good, the views were beautiful, and my company was so fun! But conversely - the first restaurant we went to, we sat for 20 minutes and never got waited on. Most meals, we would be at least halfway done, if not completely done eating before we would even get our first glass of water. There were ants in our hotel room. The AC didn't work. They ran out of the double bed rooms we reserved and gave us single beds with pull out sofas - no compensation for the inconvenience.  The other two girls didn't get new clean towels the last two days we were there. (Did I mention our shower flooded the bathroom, so we couldn't reuse towels because our used towels sopped up the mess - they ended up having to use the hotel bathrobes after their showers.) Yes we complained, but needless to say, nothing became of our comments. I could go on and on and on, but I will spare you the awful details. Just please, please give another resort your money, not this one. 

Regardless, we bonded over our trip, even if it was awful. And it was nice to unplug and be away from work. Not the beach vacation we had hoped it would be, but I should be thankful we even got to go, right?


SHOP THE LOOK:
Linking up for: #AllAboutYouStyle Sessions, Erin and Laura for Trend Spin Linkup, and Stylish Tuesday.

40 comments :

  1. First off, you look amazing in the maxi dress! Great print and gorgeous color. Your pics are stunning. I have been to Jamaica once and I had the worst trip of my life too! The weather was awful and the service was horrible as well. So sorry I did not work out for you at that resort. Glad you got to be with good company. :)

    http://www.kathrineeldridge.com

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    1. Oh no! Sounds like I should have consulted with you before I booked my trip!
      Yes, the girls were fun, and we're able to laugh about it now, though, I still am craving a good beach vacation!

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  2. Oh my gosh, I can't believe the service kept getting worse at that place! What a nightmare? And how is your poor friend's hamstring? I also love the print on the maxi you're wearing today!! I own zero maxis but would definitely consider one for a beach/pool/hot weather trip. So convenient and comfortable!
    Gina -- On the Daily Express

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    1. Awww thanks for remembering!! Haha oh my drunk texts! She's fine! She had her mud run this weekend and she said it was great!
      And I think you'd look pretty fab in a maxi dress! Tho not many things would look bad on you. Nothing in fact.

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  3. OMG! I am so sorry to hear the hotel lacked in customer service! What can you at that point though? Change hotels? Not likely. I am so you did this but make sure you tell your travel agent so she won't book that place for someone else. I would also write the manager a letter with a complaint along with finding the main hotel chain support location. You paid for a service and weren't provided it.
    Anyhow, you look so fab in your maxi and that is a fun way to make sure it will fit!!
    xo, Lee

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    1. Oh yes, my travel agent was notified the first day we got there! She reached out to both apple vacations as well as the hotel direct. No one ever said sorry and their weird attempts at making amends just fell flat. I left a lengthy trip advisor review as well. But you're right- there's no switching hotels when you're in another country. I think I will stay stateside for awhile!

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  4. The views do look amazing but it sounds like it was a frustrating trip. I am so sorry! Glad you all were able to bond over it. You look great in this maxi! I agree, they work for all body types if you find the right one. I just bought one for my trip and wish is was a tad longer (I'm 5'10''). I like them to just skim the ground as well.

    xo, Amy Ann
    The Real Arnolds

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    1. Thanks so much! And glad you agree with my preference on maxi length! It just takes a lot of trial an error, and when I find one that fits, I really don't second guess it!

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  5. Awwww sorry to hear that Carylee! But on a fashion note......you are looking so amazing in this maxi dress & that bun!!!!!

    Rebecca
    www.redtagchiclosangeles.com

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    1. Thanks, Rebecca! Not gonna lie, I enjoy my bun. The bigger the better!

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  6. oh no!! I'm so sorry to hear your vacation wasn't all it should have been! :-( Such a bummer! Well, at least you looked great and the scenery was gorgeous, right?
    Kellie @ www.ie-style.com

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    1. Exactly! On our last day there we drank away our sorrows and just hid in a tucked away corner of the pool away from all the drama. It was nice! The only problem is that you can't drink away your sorrows everyday because hangovers suck even more than bad service! :)

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  7. Lucky that you went to Jamaica! I'm sorry that it didn't go very excitingly, but at least you went on vacation right?! :) I wish I had time to go on vacation, but I'm always in school so I love hearing about different places and their experience. I wish I could wear maxi dresses, but they are way to short on me since I'm 5"10, maybe we can borrow each other's legs and I can wear a maxi for a day?! LOL Jk! I love that maxi on you, and the color of it is perfection with those heels!!!

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    1. Ha! I would love to trade legs with you for a bit! :)
      And yes, I can't complain- time off from work and life is a good thing even if it wasn't as dreamy as we expected it to be! Just being able to turn my work email off for one whole week was amazing in and of itself!!

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  8. Ahhh how awful! I'm sorry it didn't live up to your expectations. Nothing worse than a vacation turning sour but at least you had good company and it's a good excuse to go again!!!

    xoxo
    Jasmin
    www.jasmindaily.com

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    1. haha, i like the way you think!! I really want to lay on the beach again! Just with good service!

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  9. That is such a bummer the trip did not live up to your expectations! I cannot believe they did not compensate you for any of the trouble that was caused... like the ants or the towels! At least you had fun people with you!
    www.amemoryofus.blogspot.com

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    1. My travel agent is pursuing something with Apple Vacations. Supposedly we should hear back from them in 3-4 weeks. Not really holding my breath, but I just made my travel agent pinky promise to never recommend this resort again! :)

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  10. I'm sorry you had to deal with that on your vacation! I can't believe they handled it so poorly! Hopefully you will be able to laugh about it eventually! Btw, I love that Tequila bag! It is so cute!

    Nicole
    www.nicoletothenines.blogspot.com

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    1. Oh, we are already making jokes about it, it's all good. Sucks our money went towards something less than mediocre, but good company and time off are still worth it!
      And thank you!!

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  11. Oh that's horrible! Nothing worse than terrible customer service. I'm glad you tried to enjoy your trip otherwise. I am so jealous of your top knot. I will never in my life have that much hair to make something like that happen. And love the dress. That print is awesome. I find a lot of good stuff at the Gap Outlet. There is a huge outlet mall dangerously 15 minutes from my house. I don't know what I will do when we move back north this fall.

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    1. I only end up hitting up a gap outlet once a year or so, but yes, I agree, I always leave with *some*thing! This dress was definitely a treasure of a find!
      And thank you so much! When I discovered how to do my hair like this - it changed my life!

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  12. Love your maxi! Sorry you had so many bad experiences on your trip! At least the scenery looked nice and you had good company :)

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    1. Thanks, Katie! And yes, it was still beautiful, and we laughed a lot, so not all was lost!

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  13. Very nice dress and amazing place!!

    http://ladyparisienne.blogspot.fr/

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  14. So sorry to hear about that terrible experience with that resort! It really can be so disappointing when all you wanted was a stress-free time. At least you made the most of it!
    xo Adri
    www.adrilately.blogspot.com

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    1. Yes, we did! Definitely lots of good stories! :)

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  15. I love your dress, and the print on it is most stunning. You and your friends look lovely together :)

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    1. Thanks so much! They appreciate the compliment as well!

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  16. First off you look amazing in that maxi dress! The color looks great on you! Second- I enjoyed seeing all the photos from your vacation on instagram! I would have never guessed your stay wasn't anything but perfect! So sorry to hear it wasn't! At least you had great friends with you and a gorgeous beach! For your next vacation, I highly recommend looking into Secrets Resorts! My husband and I visit Secret's Maroma in Riviera Maya, Mexico at least once a year and I promise you it's heaven on earth! Superior service all around!

    xo, Erica
    www.casuallystyled.com

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    1. That's good to know - thanks! Riviera Maya is actually our usual vacation destination! We typical stay at Barcelo, but decided to give Mexico a break and try someplace different! I've heard good things about Secrets, so glad to hear another positive vote!

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  17. Looks like a lot of fun! I can't wait to take a vacation. Love your dress!
    http://www.weshopinheels.com

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    1. Thank you! Hope you go someplace fun and warm!

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  18. That maxi dress is beautiful and suits you perfectly. I love your wedges and the mint bracelet & earrings. The photos from your amazing vacation are awesome too. You are making me jealous. =)

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    1. Thanks so much, Ada! When I find a maxi that fits me, I snag it immediately!

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  19. What a BEAUTIFUL dress! I love a good maxi, and you look great in this one! Sorry to hear about the mishaps while on vaca. At least you and the girls made the best out of it and bonded! :-)

    ~Whitney
    www.whitneynicames.com

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    1. Thanks so so much, Whitney! I love the color and the print just screams "beach vacation," doesn't it?

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  20. What a shame the resort was a bum one - things can be so hit and miss in the Caribbean - sad to say it, given I grew up in a hotel in Tobago! BUT, fab that you go to have some bonding time, some sunshine and sea, AND I love that maxi-dress! I used to always baulk at maxi-dresses because I'm 5'1", but lately have been braving it, and actually, they fit! Love em, can't wait to see you in the JCrew one! Thanks so much for linking to #AllAboutYou

    Mama-andmore.com

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    1. Thanks so much for the sweet note.
      The JCrew one is so fabulous! I can't wait to wear it!

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