Universal put us up at their brand new Cabana Bay Beach Resort during our time at the theme parks.  The hotel is brand new and has a really fun old-timey theme, hence the old cars parked outside the lobby!  The hotel is really fun, they play old cartoons in the diner inside the hotel and they have a bunch of pools and a lazy river! Sadly I didn't have time to go in the pool because we were so busy. BUT on Thursday night there was a Grand Opening party for special guests and we got to see THE BEACH BOYS!!! Can you say amazing?!  Universal certainly knows how to make sure you have a good time! I wore this outfit for our VIP tour of the Universal parks. 

(for those that are wondering I was covering the event for my Harry Potter and Matthew Lewis fan sites.)

Top: Equipment c/o Marshalls, Shorts: Zara, Sandals: Malu c/o Marshalls, Purse: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Saks Friends & Family Sale), Necklace: Bubu Ruby, Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage, Brilliant Imports & Mom's, Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Shopbop)

A quick pause from vacation outfits and photos for a French Wardrobe Challenge update!

I knocked out 2 of my five items this month during Net-a-Porter's End of Season Sale. I bought a Carven skirt I've had my eye on and the Ancient Greek Sandals that have been in my wishlist for months.  I can't wait to wear the skirt and have already worn the sandals a bunch of times. So far I'm really happy with each of my items, except the Alberto Makali set, guess that will teach me to not impulse buy.  Anyone want to buy them off me? ;)

I also bought a bunch of items for a collaboration I'm doing with ThredUp, but they haven't arrived yet so I'll update the post with a photo of those pieces when I get them.



THE RULES

1. Just five standout pieces per season.
2. Quality over quantity.
3. Basics don’t count.
4. Accessories don’t count, unless you’re spending a lot more than usual.
5. Socks and underwear don’t count.
6. Shoes do count.

MY PROGRESS

Part of my Five:

• Carven Paris Map Print Dress via Yoox 
• Alberto Makali skirt & vest set via Village Vogue Boutique  
• *NEW* Carven Printed Skirt via Net-a-Porter End of Season Sale
• *NEW* Ancient Greek Sandals 'Astrapi' via Net-a-Porter [used H&R Block Emerald Card I won]

Basics: 

• Teal Keds Sneakers via DSW
• Current/Elliott ankle skinny jeans via The Outnet
• 3.1 Phillip Lim 'Peggy' ankle boots via Barneys Warhouse (Memorial Day Sale)

Accessories:

• Indulgems necklace via Gilt
• House of Harlow"Multi Arrowhead Necklace" via South Moon Under Trunk Show
• House of Harlow "Blue Stingray Station Necklace" c/o South Moon Under
• House of Harlow "Tribal Locket Necklace" [won from South Moon Under]   
• House of Harlow "Engraved Orb Pendant Necklace" [won from South Moon Under] 
• Bubu Ruby  Lightening bolt necklace 
• Bubu Ruby  Amethyst necklace

Exempt:  Not counting any items I got from brands or bought for Marshalls Project FAB (bought with a gift card)

• Mother Denim 'The Rascal' Crop Jean in white [Marshalls]
• Equipment 'Mina Tie Front' Blouse in dark grey [Marshalls]
• Solitare Top in navy [Marshalls]
• Etienne Aigner Sunglasses [Marshalls]
• rag & bone boyfriend shorts [Marshalls]
• Malu sandals [Marshalls]
• Cloth & Stone chambray bomber jacket  [Marshalls]
• Mother Denim 'The Looker' crop jean in True Hollywood Lies [Marshalls]
• *NEW* MICHAEL Michael Kors Blouse [ThredUp]
• *NEW* Marc by Marc Jacobs Tank Top  [ThredUp]
• *NEW* Elementz Dress  [ThredUp]
• *NEW* Sam Edelman Sandals  [ThredUp]
• *NEW* Studio 1 Blouse  [ThredUp]
• *NEW* Free People Top   [ThredUp]

The real purpose of my trip to Florida was for the Media & VIP Preview of the new Diagon Alley section of Universal Orlando Resort, which opens on July 8th.  We had lots of activities throughout the week including a VIP tour of the parks (meaning we got to skip all the lines and had a fun tour guide) and got to try out some of the new restaurants that will be opening at CityWalk. We even got to take a picture with Optimus Prime and got HUGE free donuts from the Springfield/Simpsons section of the park (which I brought home and shared with my family to avoid being a total fatty)


Press week also included some press conferences and Q&A sessions with some of the cast.  Below are some pictures of James Phelps, Evanna Lynch, Matt Lewis and Oliver Phelps.

P.S. Today is Matt Lewis' 25th birthday, yayyyy!! :)

I wore this the day we went to go see Jimmy Fallon tape his Monday show! Then we headed to Margaritaville at Universal's CityWalk for dinner. Basically a nice, laid back day! Sadly these sunglasses did not make it home. I somehow lost them one of the nights of the trip. They were in my camera bag and must have fallen out when I was rushing to put stuff away...so depressing! Maybe my Marshalls will have another pair.

Dress: ELLE (Kohl's), Sandals: Ancient Greek Sandals "Athena" (Gilt), Purse: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Saks Friends & Family Sale), Necklace: Geoclassics, Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage, Brilliant Imports & Mom's, Sunglasses: Etienne Aigner c/o Marshalls

Yesterday I shared the outfit I wore to Disney, today let's take a look at some of my photos from the visit! Although the last 2 photos are from our second visit to Disney last Friday (that outfit will be posted soon.)