Travel Blog Archives - Economy of Style

economyofstyle December 9, 2019

Take Me To The Country Club Plaza

This post is sponsored by the Country Club Plaza.

As a shopping and vacation destination, the Country Club Plaza offers some of my favorite things–old world architecture, top-notch shopping, and amazing food. I spent the weekend there, after a quick road trip from St. Louis. Today, I’m sharing 8 memorable experiences from my visit to the plaza. If you’re nearby, you might want to follow suit.

1. Shopping My Favorite Stores In One Location

The Country Club Plaza is home to 150 shops and fine restaurants. So, you already know that some of our favorites stores are at the plaza. From Anthropologie to Kendra Scott to Madewell to H&M…our go-tos are nestled in the beautiful plaza.

2. One-of-a-kind Stores in the Region

I think it’s special that the plaza gives access to unique-to-this-region stores. BLDWN, for example, a modern American fashion brand, has only 5 stores across the country. You can shop one of them at the BLDWN Market at the Country Club Plaza. And, it’s a must-visit! I fell in love with EVERYTHING there.

3. Shop Local

The Country Club Plaza makes it so convenient to shop and support locally-owned shops and locally-made merchandise. And, the options are good. Re:Emporium, for example, an award-winning home decor and furnishings company, is a mecca for unique finds for every aesthetic. I could spend a day in this store scouting items for my home and handmade jewelry.

4. Refuel Your Way

The food options are plentiful at the plaza. And, I feel confident saying that no matter what your dietary requirements are, you can eat well here. As a vegan, I was happy and well-fed. My personal favorites are T.Loft and True Food Kitchen, both clean eats restaurants offering tasty food that makes you feel amazing. The meals I enjoyed at both restaurants warrant a drive from St. Louis any day.

5. Refresh and Return

The Country Club Plaza is less than 4 hours away from St. Louis. Spending 2 nights there was the perfect getaway. I got to rest and refuel to be in the best position to soak up all the culture. There are a few hotels conveniently located at the plaza making the accommodation choice easy. I stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott with its super spacious, cozy rooms, just steps away from all the shopping at the plaza.

6. Tip: Strategize Your Visit

This was my first visit to the Country Club Plaza. And, I did mention that it has 150 shops and restaurants, right? There’s a lot to explore. So, I relied on store lists and maps to devise a plan to conquer the expansive space. That helped a lot! Of course, I couldn’t visit everything on my list, but that just gives me more reasons to plan another trip really soon. Come with?

Some of the restaurants get really busy at peak times, so I recommend making reservations. I loved being able to strut into my favorite spots, right passed all the people waiting for tables, and get seated immediately.

For more information about the Country Club Plaza, go here. Want to see more from trip, like the festive Evergy Plaza Lights, my favorite finds, and favorite eats? Check out the ‘KC Plaza’ highlight on my Instagram page.

economyofstyle May 7, 2019

36 Hours Of Independence

This post is in partnership with Visit Independence (learn more here). All opinions and images are my own. #visitindepmo #COIInfluencerWeekend2019

I spent last weekend exploring Independence, a Missouri city about 3 1/2 hours from St. Louis. It’s a city so rich with history and culture that I had to share about the experience. Follow along to spend 36 hours in Independence with me.

36 Hours of Independence

Friday

1. 6:00 p.m. Check in to the Hilton Garden Inn.

Independence offers accommodations to meet every traveler’s needs, from quaint Bed and Breakfast spots to swanky Airbnb homes. I chose to stay in a hotel.

2. 8:30 p.m. Get your brew on at 3 Trails Brewing Company.

Catch a live band, mingle with locals, and find out why this brewing company won national attention for its Westward Wit.

Saturday

3. 10:00 a.m. Satisfy your sweet tooth at Clinton’s Soda Fountain.

This shop oozes with history. The building dates back to the 1800s. I hear that a young Harry Truman worked in the building when it was a pharmacy and also a previous soda shop. Today, visitors stop by for the sundaes. Check out the one my husband enjoyed.

4. 11:0o a.m. Steal a photo op at the #LoveTheSquare mural.

5. 11:15 a.m. Dig into the interesting history of the 1859 Jail and Marshal’s Home Museum.

This museum is the earliest structure still standing on its original site in the Independence Square area.

6. 12:00 p.m. Grab lunch at the homey El Pico Restaurant.

Burritos, fajitas, tacos, whatever you have a taste for, El Pico will satisfy your appetite. As a vegan, I was so appreciative of the staff’s awareness of ingredients and options suitable for my specialized diet.

7. 1:30 p.m. Truman Library

Did you know that Harry Truman, the 33rd president of the United States, was from Independence? And, Independence is home to his presidential library.

8. 3:oo p.m. Soak up the opulence of Vaile Mansion.

Explore this 13-room mansion built in 1881. You will be blown away by the Victorian architecture. Be sure to note the hours because it closes fairly early at 4 p.m.

9. 8:00 p.m. Dinner at Ophelia’s

Enjoy the atmosphere and ecclectic menu at Opehelia’s restaurant.

10. 6:00 a.m. Hit the road again!

Thank you to Visit Independence for having me!

Like travel blogs? See more here.

economyofstyle December 20, 2018

10 Thoughtful, Fabulous Gifts For Your Traveling Friend

Exploring the world this holiday season? Know a friend who’s traveling? The travel gifts in this holiday gift guide were carefully selected to make life on the road easier, all while being super stylish. They’d make any jet-setting gal happy while on the move.

Travel Gifts

1. S’well water bottle

Can you tell I really like S’well bottles? In addition to keeping cold beverages cold for 24 hours and hot ones hot for 12 hours, the triple insulated walls never condense. So, it won’t mess up your bag while traveling.

2. Passport holder

This holder will keep any passport protected. As an added bonus, it’s super artsy with its floral motif. How gorgeous is the watercolor design?

3. Compact Umbrella

As someone who grew up in the tropics, I expect rain at any moment. This compact umbrella makes it easy to be ready for rain no matter where you are in the world.

4. Wireless earphones

Powerbeats are great for training. They’re perfect for travel as well because they’re compact, noise reducing, and can stand up to all kinds of conditions (from sweat to snow).

5. Cosmetic bags

Help her keep her essentials, from makeup to toiletries, organized while traveling with this stylish set of bags.

6. Luggage tags

These luggage tags are bright, personalized (choose her initial), and flexible. They’ll make it easy for her to spot her luggage on any baggage carousel.

7. Travel jewelry case

This small travel jewelry box makes it easy and safe to travel with your favorite fine jewelry. It’ll fit right in your carryon luggage or personal item when flying.

8. Tech Case

This pricey little number is a favorite by Meghan Markle. I totally understand why, though, because it combines a hand-crafted leather wallet with a sleek and powerful power bank with multi-cable and a 32GB memory stick. It’ll keep your devices powered and your travel essentials organized.

9. Packing cubes

Think you’re a packing genius? Packing cubes will take your luggage organization skills to the next level. This set of 3 makes it easy to get started.

10. Scarf

A scarf is a must while traveling because it can be multifunctional. This gorgeous DVF style will take functional to new fashion heights.

economyofstyle June 29, 2017

What to Wear to an All-White Party in the Summer

One of the biggest all-white parties went down during my trip to St. Kitts. I spent some time choosing an outfit because the party was on a beach in extremely hot weather. I wanted something, then, that captured my style but was breezy, lightweight, and beach appropriate. Nordstrom came through for me when I found today’s featured dress. It was the perfect base for my all white party style.

Dress ($59) | Sandals | Sunglasses

This white dress with its lace-trimmed ruffles and breezy silhouette is such a cool summer dress. It actually features cold-shoulder sleeves, but I prefer to wear the sleeves dropped, essentially making the dress a halter style. But, it’s great to have the option for restyling.

Since the dress has such a beautiful, ethereal vibe, I kept all other accessories simple. My J.Crew Metallic Lace Up Sandals were an ideal addition. They’re strappy and comfortable. The soft gold color goes with everything too. I reached for these sandals so often on my trip.

I prefer oversized, thick-frame sunglasses (see here). My usual frames, however, didn’t quite complement the delicate feel of this all white party style. So, I found these Miu Miu pilot sunnies in Nordstrom Rack for a steal. They fit the look much better.

By the way, this was my first vacation with the new short cut. Life is so much easier with this short hair, y’all!

Location: St. Kitts Marriott Resort

economyofstyle June 27, 2017

These Round Towels are Guaranteed to be Your Coolest Beach Accessory

Come round! Want to stand it out in style at the beach? Choose a round towel. Circle towels are trumping over the classic rectangular profile because they’re super stylish and stand out. But, there’s more. Round towels offer a sizable surface, more so than classic ones, which make them ideal for sharing with friends. Because of the overall cool look, round towels are also multipurpose. You can take it to your next outdoor concert or picnic in the park. I wanted a new one for my trip home and quickly discovered that circle towels are not made equally. These styles, though, have been Economy of Style approved.

My circle towel ($20.69) | My swimsuit ($39.99)

Round Towels (Click images to shop)

For more of my vacation style essentials, check out these posts.