it’s currently 3AM and I’m awake unable to sleep from feeling sick over what is happening in our country. The more I’m seeing the more angry and sad I become, but it has also made me aware of how unaware I allowed myself to become to the injustices in the world around me. I’m a soon to be 27 year old white woman who has lived a very privileged life and when I look back I realize I have not been a good ally to the black community.

I have ways believed in #BlackLivesMatter but what have I done to support it? I’m embarrassed to admit that I’m not as informed as I should be and that I didn’t feel I have the adequate words to speak out, but that’s an excuse. It’s my fault and it’s not enough to only be “not racist” - we need to be taking anti-racist actions.

I didn’t talk about political or social issues in public forums like social media or my blog because it “wasn’t on brand” or “my audience doesn’t want that, I talk about clothes and shoes.” These are also excuses.

Well y’all, some real change needs to happen and I’m done with excuses. So, welcome to The Creative Brief, where we talk about the issues now. If you’re just here for fashion and shopping, I hope you stay because the clothes will always be here, but I pray that you take some of this with you. 

Am I an expert? Absolutely not. Will I say some wrong things? Probably so. But will I continue to be a part of the problem by not giving my voice to this injustice? Not anymore.

2020 has been a breaking point for me in understanding more about the world around me, the astounding privilege I have and how to use it. Recently, I have the overwhelming notion that I’m able to influence without having to be what I believe to be an “influencer” and so do you. Maybe you don’t have Instagram or Facebook and you don’t talk about social issues often, but you have people around you who look up to you, read your comments, share meals with you and listen to what you have to say. 

So say something. Be a voice. Educate yourself and your friends on how we can all help irradiate racism. Don’t be afraid to have tough conversations, to be uncomfortable with the dialogue and admit that you could be part of the problem. Because saying nothing and doing nothing completely validates that you are part of the problem. 

The events over the last few weeks and those that have happened even within 2020 alone are horrific. Regardless of your political affiliation, your race or age or upbringing, you can agree that the loss of human life in the black community is not only unnecessary, but a fundamental and systematic issue in our country. 

It took me some time to decide how I wanted to react to this and speak on this issue because I was afraid of doing it wrong. Firstly, to my Black friends, sorority sisters, classmates, coworkers, readers and followers, I’m sorry I didn’t act sooner and I know this message is not enough.

Secondly, I’m with you. I see you, I hear you, I learning to understand and educate myself and I’m here to support you. Your life matters to me and I’m going to do what I can to help others act as well.

From now on I’m going to make sure to use my platforms as a voice of change and bring awareness to those who don’t have the privilege to share their voice. I hope you do the same with your voice because #BlackLivesMatter.

Memorial Day Weekend is a weekend to celebrate, but also to shop! One of the most sale-heavy weekends of the year, you can stock up on items for Spring and Summer at a great discount. I’m linking a full list of stores that are having sales with all the details you need below! Happy Shopping and Happy MDW 'y’all!

Fashion

Abercrombie: 40-60% off the entire store and select items are additional 15% off

Adidas: Select shoes, apparel and accessories are up to 50% off, no promo code required, through May 26.

Aerie: Bikini tops and bottoms are buy one, get one free through May 27, plus shorts and dresses are 50%.

Alo Yoga: Take up to 50% off activewear at the OMG Sale.

American Eagle: Everything on site is 20 to 60% off. - All shorts 50% off

Ann Taylor: Take 60% off your purchase with code SUMMER.

Anthropologie: 25% off all clothing, shoes and accessories

ASOS: Extra 20% off sale with code ASOSSALEWIN

Athleta: Summer essentials are starting at just $14.99.

Banana Republic: Everything is up to 75% off, including new arrivals.

Bandier: On-sale activewear is an extra 30% off.

Bloomingdales: Through May 25, save 30 to 50% on a selection of items, plus take an extra 50% off clearance items as marked.

Boohoo: 60% off everything

Draper James: Select sale styles are 40% off through May 25.

Express: Take 40 to 50% off everything on site.

Frame: Take an extra 30% off markdowns, including ultra cool denim.

Forever 21: Take 20% off orders $75, 30% off orders $85+, and 40% off orders $150+.

Gap: Everything is 50% off with code WARM.

H&M: Up to 50% off

Loft: Reward members get 60% off everything, while non-members get 50% off with promo code FRIEND.

Madewell: Dresses and sandals are 30% off with code HAPPYTOGETHER.

Michael Kors: Score new styles for up to 50% off.

Nike: all sale items up to 40% off

Old Navy: Through May 29, score 50% off all shorts, 50% off all tees and tanks, 50% off all swimwear and beach fleeces and sweatshirts starting at $30.

Pink Lily Boutique: 40% off sale tab with code SUMMERTIME

Tory Burch: 25% off select styles with code TOGETHER

Sam Edelman: 30% off site wide with code MEMORIAL30

Sephora: Take up to 50% off a selection of more than 500 beauty products.

SHEIN: 30-60% off Summer Sale with code DAZED & use code SUM247 for an additional 15% off sitewide (can be used together)

Spanx: All denim is 30% off, with pairs starting at just $89.

Steve Madden: 40% off site wide with code SPRING40 - 50% select styles using code SPRING50

Stuart Weitzman: Take 40% off warm-weather styles at the Spring Into Summer Sale through May 25 with code NEWWEDGES.

White House Black Market: Take 40% off your entire purchase with code 33897.

Major Retailers

Bed Bath & Beyond: Save on outdoor items, home decor, tech, vacuums, bedding and much more with up to 40% off across categories.

Best Buy: If you're in the market for a new home appliance, Best Buy has you covered with 24-month financing and free delivery options for a limited time, in addition to stellar pricing.

eBay: Save on products from top brands including KitchenAid, Bose, Sonos, Dyson and more. eBay is also offering an extra 20% off with code PICK2SAVE on select home, fashion and tech items.

Kohls: In addition to deals on tons of apparel and home items, take $10 off purchases of $25 with code SERVICE10.

Macy's: Save 25% to 60% across departments, including apparel, beauty, handbags, home and more. Plus, get an extra 20% off with code MEMDAY.

Overstock: Thousands of items for your home are up to 70% off, so you can revamp your space this summer without breaking the bank.

Target: Save big on swimsuits, furniture, bedding, towels, appliances, electronics, patio items — essentially everything you'll need this summer.

Wayfair: The mega home retailer is marking down patio and outdoor furniture and decor, appliances, grills, home accents, bedding, rugs and so much more for the long weekend.

Home & Travel

Brooklinen: Take 15% off fan-favorite bedding, bath linens and more with code WKND15.

Dyson: Save up to $200 on select vacuums and air purifiers.

Joss & Main: Take up to 65% off tons of home goods at this Memorial Day clearance sale, plus snag an extra 15% off with code SUMMER.

Parachute: Everything, including bedding, bath, decor and more, is 20% off while supplies last through May 25.

Paravel: You may not be traveling during the holiday weekend, but select luggage styles are still 20% off from this cult-favorite brand.

Rugs.com: Take up to 80% off through May 27.

Serena & Lily: Take 20% off home decor with code LIVEWELL.

The Container Store: Save up to 30% on closet essentials through June 28.

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission if purchases are made through the links. All opinions are my own.

SHOP THE LOOK

Happy weekend y’all! I hope you had a productive week and can reward yourself this weekend with a fun cocktail! Kollin and I have been having fun making cocktail recipes we don’t normally drink and one of the first classic drinks we wanted to try was the martini. It quickly became a His and Hers edition as Kollin likes a Dirty Martini and that’s a hard pass for me.

So, I thought it would be fun to share three martini recipes so there is something for everyone! We’ll start with the classic martini and then add on a few fun flavors. Hope you enjoy! xx

Non-NEGOTIABLEs for a martini:

• Chilled martini glass

• Garnish

• A higher-end, quality vodka

Because martinis are a cocktail where the main alcohol is the star of the show, you want to use a brand that is higher quality. Paying a bit more will not only make the martini smoother, but the overall taste and enjoyment of the drink will pay off. I recommend Ketel One for vodka, but anything in the $25-$35 price range works great! Let’s get into the details.

The Classic Martini

The martini is highly debated drink when it comes to how they are made. Gin or vodka? Shaken or stirred? Lemon or olive? No matter your preference, it’s a pretty simple recipe that can be made for any type of person. Personally, we are vodka people, but a true classic martini is made with gin and dry vermouth. Those are both completely gross to me (lol) so we stick to vodka and then add in the flavor we are looking for. Here’s what you’ll need for how Kollin takes his Dirty Martini:

Prep

• Place your martini glasses in the freezer - you’ll want them very cold.

• Gather supplies - you’ll need the following

  • Mixing glass or cocktail shaker

    • This is preference on how you like your martini. Like the classic line, shaken or stirred? If you are working with only alcohol the rule of thumb is stir. If you’re adding a mixer or other ingredients, shaken is the way to go. I personally love an arctic cold martini so in our house we shake.

  • Ice

  • Strainer

  • Shot glass for measurements

  • Garnishes (I recommend olives or lemon slice depending on how dirty you like your martini)

How to make a classic or dirty martini

• Add ice into mixer glass or shaker

• Add 1.5-2 shots of vodka

• If you like vermouth add 1/2 ounce (half a shot)

• Add 1/2 - 1.5 ounces of olive juice depending on how dirty you like your martini (skip this step if you’d like it straight up)

• Stir together or if in a shaker shake for 30 seconds until the shaker is frosty on the outside

• Place strainer over the mouth of the container and pour into chilled martini glass

• Add garnish

  • place two olives on toothpick and add in

  • OR take a vegetable peeler and peel a lemon zest slice. Pinch the lemon peel over the top of the martini for a splash of lemon juice and then rub lemon zest around the edge of the glass and then place in the martini.

• Enjoy!

pineapple martini

Prep

• Place your martini glasses in the freezer

• Gather supplies - you’ll need the following

  • You’ll need everything from the above drink!

How to make a PINEAPPLE MARTINI

• Add the following into a shaker:

  • Fill shaker with ice

  • 1 1/2 ounces pineapple juice

  • 1-ounce vodka

  • 1-ounce orange liqueur, recommended: Cointreau or Triple Sec

  • 1/2-ounce freshly squeezed lime juice

• Shake for 30 seconds or until outside is frosted

• Place strainer over the edge of the shaker and pour into chilled glass

• Rub pineapple or line wedge (whichever is preferred) around rim of glass and place in drink for garnish

• Enjoy!

Chili mango martini

Prep

• Place your martini glasses in the freezer

• Gather supplies - you’ll need the following

  • You’ll need everything from the above drinks!

How to make a Chili mango MARTINI

• Add the following into a shaker:

  • Fill shaker with ice

  • 4 ounces mango juice

  • 1.5 - 2 ounces vodka

  • Juice of 1/2 a lime

  • A few slices of jalapeno or chili slices (add more for more spice)

• Shake for 30 seconds or until outside is frosted

• Rub line wedgw around rim of glass

• Combine sugar, chipotle seasoning or (cayenne if you’re brave) and a bit of salt to cover rim

• Place strainer over the edge of the shaker and pour into chilled glass

• Enjoy!

This year’s Mother’s Day will probably look very different from years past for the most of us, but if there are a group of people that deserve a celebration no matter what its' our moms! I’m excited this year to add groups of friends to the mom list that we can celebrate as they are welcoming little buddles of joy into the world later this year! Whether you’re looking for something affordable as times are hard this year or looking to splurge on something extra special, the gifts below cover a lot of those boxes!

Most of these are able to ship with plenty of time to arrive by Mother’s Day and have gift wrapping options! If you don’t see that option be sure to send an email to the customer service of the brand and ask for a gift message to be added. While their site may not list this, many will do it for that extra touch of personalization!

From a candle to brighten her living room while we’re all staying home to a pair of cozy slippers, pampering her is always a good choice! We gifted my mom a Barefoot Dreams blanket for her birthday this year and now we both can’t get enough of that brand. So soft and perfect for the current times of Netflix binges (it’s also on sale for $50 currently!). Another option is to give her a piece of jewelry that will remind her of her kiddos each time she looks at it. I fell in love with Katie Dean Jewelry this past Christmas when Kollin gifted me an initial ring. Dainty and elegant, it can be stacked with multiple rings or multiple initials for more than one child!

If she loves to cook, there are some great options to keep her busy in the kitchen and fun pieces to use when we’re all able to entertain again! We just got these acrylic wine glasses and I LOVE them! They are pretty much unbreakable but look like a gorgeous glass!

I hope everyone can find some ways to show their mom how special they are! Have a great weekend y’all!

I think we can all agree that the past month or so has been a learning curve for us all. From how to stay inside and not get stir crazy, adjusting to being with the people we are with all the time, not eating everything in sight and just getting through the day sometimes can be a tough thing. One of the first things I did when this all started and something I do regularly was audit what I was consuming. This goes for TV, movies, social media channels and news. The first week or so I was so consumed in what was happening and it felt like I was watching the news every second of the day. This quickly made anxieties worse, conversations more tense and overall wasn’t adding anything to the day to day.

We stopped watching everyday and I took a big filter on my social media channels to have it only be people who were positive, providing a benefit to me or sharing things that made me feel good. I recommend this outside of quarantine too because it really enhances how you face your day. So on most days I’ll wake up and watch the news for 15 minutes, scroll through my email for work and then transition into something that makes me feel productive and happy.

This usually is making my morning chai, saying good morning to the fam and Wrigley and then enjoying breakfast with everyone. If it’s a work day I’ll get my to-do list ready, start on some emails and then schedule some things around meetings for the day. When the stay at home order came through for Florida (we’re currently in FL if you are new here, but live in Chicago) we had to get creative on how we were spending our time and where I was drawing creativity and positivity from.

After a couple weeks I found some things that really helped me and wanted to share:

Learn About Yourself

I’ve always loved understanding personalities and preferences in people and understanding those things about yourself and your partner are so helpful in relationships. I’ve written about the enneagram before on the blog, but it is one of my favorite personality tests. It ranks your answers and then assigns you a number between 1-9 that matches your personality best. It’s common to have what are called wings or branches of your personality. Each number means a different type and I’ve found it to be very accurate! I’m a 2 with a 3/1 wing (I had exact scores for both those numbers which are common in Geminis, interesting right!?).

Another suggestion for those of you wanting to learn more about how you are in relationships or want to understand your partner better, I highly recommend the 5 Love Languages. Not only will you understand how you like to be loved and how your partner receives or gives love, but it also has great advice for how those love languages work together or don’t work together and how to work on things. Kollin and I took this when we were engaged and really liked the takeaways from it! It was super helpful when we moved in together - there are single versions, a test for children and teenagers!

Gratitude Journal or Devotional

I started a gratitude journal last year and even bought a planner that made this part of my everyday routine. I’ve found that it helps start my day in a positive manner and even turns around negative or unproductive thought processes throughout the day. Especially during this time it helps put a lot into perspective. We have so much to be grateful for and going back and reading what we wrote down after the fact is a great reminder of that and fun to see what we were thinking.

Start a Workout Routine

So, this definitely isn’t my forte and I wouldn’t say I enjoy working out, but doing some sort of physical activity has been helpful through all of this. We are incredibly lucky to be in Florida during this time so we can take walks outside and enjoy the sunshine. If you’re unable to do so, I recommend looking up some workout routines on YouTube that you can do inside or even getting some small weights to use while stretching. Doing yoga or Pilates in the living room is a great option too!

Listen to a Podcast Regularly

During this time it can be tough to find a sense of community when we can’t be around each other. I started listening to podcasts of people that I follow on Instagram and overtime felt like I gained an entire community of friends by listening and following along. There are so many podcasts in the world with a wide range of topics that there is definitely something for everyone! I love The Morning Toast and The Skinny Confidential, as well as Living Fully with Mallory Ervin. They are all three started by women and range from pop culture discussions (Morning Toast), to health and wellness and being the best version of yourself. With influential guests and hilarious personalities, you can’t go wrong with one of them.

Learn a New Recipe or Cocktail

This has been a fun one for Kollin and me while we are in Florida. We’re cooking a lot as we are staying at my grandparent’s home with my grandma, dad, and little brother so there are a lot of people to cook for each night. We made a weekly menu that we all agree upon and shop for and then help each other cook each night. Not only is this a great way to involve others if you are staying home with family or roommates, but it also really helped us while grocery shopping and can be really cost-effective since we are only buying what is on the menu. I know if we were home in Chicago I would have some trouble not buying out the ice cream aisle.

We also are trying out new cocktails that we don’t normally drink. From pineapple martinis to Aperol Spritz (who am I kidding we drink those regularly lol) and margaritas. We grab a cocktail and then jump on a Zoom call with friends or family and catch up. It’s been a great way to end the workday and relax for a bit.

Meditate

This is something I’ve been wanting to try more. Pretty much every successful person I know or follow includes meditation as part of their routine. I’m going to start utilizing it and see how it helps! I’ve heard the “Calm” app is a great place to dip your toes in if you’re unfamiliar.

Join a Virtual Book Club

With a lot of down time, I’ve been reading more and just finished “The Woman in the Window.” I LOVED it and got together with some girls on Instagram who also read it at the same time. It was great to connect with them over a topic and just learn about each other and what we thought about the book. We’re starting our next book soon so check out my Instagram (amanda_navaa) #BooksAndBubbly highlight! Next up we’re reading “And Then She Was Gone.”

Gather some friends on Zoom and chat about the book as your reading or join a larger book club like Reese Witherspoon’s or Oprah’s!

Paint or Craft

The second we knew that we were staying in Florida for a while I ordered some watercolor paints from Amazon. I used to paint all the time, but as life got in the way that box of paints and brushes moved higher into the closet over time. It was such a fun activity to sit down and just be creative for a bit. While staring at a computer all day for work or just needing a mental break from the news, it was so nice to create something. There are tons of tutorial books and websites out there that you can follow along with.

If you’re home with kids try looking up some craft ideas on Pinterest or activities you can do with them to pass some time. Add in one of those cocktails from above for those of you that are parents and you’re golden!

Take an Online Class

This is another thing I’m adding to my to-do list. There are so many universities adding free online classes to their websites, for example, Harvard. Yeah, that Harvard! From learning to code, history, and religion to legal classes there is something for everyone. Here’s a great article that summarizes a lot of different topics and offerings for courses, including kids!

Clean Out a Closet, Room, Etc.

I feel that most of us may be past this point of quarantine, but it really is a great time to organize and clean out the space you are in. I know that if we were in Chicago we would be cleaning, organizing the cabinets and closets and I probably would have convinced Kollin that we should wallpaper our powder bath lol. If you’re able to be outside in the yard maybe plant a garden or add some greenery to your porch. This is also a great time to do all the house maintenance that we tend to put off like cleaning our appliances and maybe deep cleaning the carpets? This could also be a fun way to see some things that have been hiding in the back of your closet like yearbooks or old movies and games.

I hope everyone is staying safe at home and healthy! Thinking of everyone this has impacted, especially those who’ve lost loved ones and the essentials workers out on the front lines every day for everyone. Thank you so much for what you’re doing!

SHOP MY LOOK

(Lounge set comes in several colors and I’m OBSESSED with these shoes)

Hey, y’all! It’s been a bit since I’ve made a new blog post! With everything going on in the world I wasn’t feeling motivated to make the blog a priority. Before everything started getting escalated with the virus, Kollin and I made a trip to Florida to visit our family members who were in the US for a week. Ultimately, our flight to Chicago was canceled several times and by the time we were able to secure one we decided it would be safer to shelter in place with our family here in Florida. We’ve been here almost a month and are so grateful to be with loved ones in a safe house and beautiful location. While we’re unsure when we are headed home, we have been making the best of the location, quality time with family and all the comfy clothes. Not to mention Wrigley is living his best life down here chasing geckos.

Speaking of comfy clothes, I wanted to share the loungewear I’ve been loving recently! Mostly all under $20 and super soft, I have loved the chic and effortless style they offer while feeling more put together than my Norts and t-shirt. I’ve rounded up my favorites below and hope you and your families are staying safe and healthy! xx

Neutrals

Neutrals make up most of my wardrobe regularly and the same is true for my loungewear. Give me a black, gray or tan look and I’m in. These are all affordable and can be mixed easily with your graphic tees, cardigans and casual sneaks!

Tie-Dye

A huge trend happening right now (that I think will be around for a while) is tie-dye and I’m loving it when it comes to the more conservative dyes. I love a full tie-dye look and also pulling out a color from the dye and mixing it with something else! For example, a gray and white dye mixed with a gray sweatpant or legging!

SHEIN Favorites

As I’m sure most of you know, I’ve had a long term partnership with SHEIN and with everything going on I wasn’t able to share the clothes I had lined up in Chicago. I hadn’t packed them for our Florida trip since Chicago was still cold when we left and I sent my account manager a note. She sent back the sweetest message and is sending a box of goodies to me here in Florida! I’m so grateful to be able to have them here with me and share with y’all. I’ll be sure to share them styled on Instagram, but if you want a head start on shopping they are linked below! Use code 4tcbb for 15% off your SHEIN order!

I’ve loved fashion and designers for as long as I can remember. When I was younger, I would host fashion shows in our basement for the kids in the neighborhood and dreamed of living in Paris as a fashion designer sketching dresses all day. I’ve had an appreciation for the art that is fashion and clothing and for just as long have wanted the budget to support it.

The 9-year-old fashion show director in me wasn’t pulling in a big-budget yet and my hostess job in high school just covered my gas cost. Balancing the want and appreciation of designer items and the budget that didn’t cut it has always been there, and I wasn’t ever able to purchase something myself until college. Most of the designer pieces I owned were graciously gifted to me from family members and pieces that I wasn’t pulling out all the time because they were special. I remember the first time I purchased a designer piece myself was the summer before junior year of college and I had my eyes on a Lilly Pulitzer dress that I had to have for recruitment. Looking back, it was a silly purchase, but I was so excited and worked hard that summer at my internship to be able to afford it.

Fast forward a few years out of college and a decent paying job and I had some fun money to start putting toward designer goods, but I never really purchased anything until our honeymoon last year. Kollin and I discussed wedding presents and we both agreed that we wanted to get something from Italy during our trip to make it special. I knew my first higher-end designer purchase would be a handbag, but I wasn’t set on a specific one, so we shopped around. On the island of Capri, I fell in love with the YSL Medium LouLou bag. It is classic, a designer I’ve always coveted and something I knew wouldn’t ever go out of style.

It was a dream come true and a memory I’ll cherish forever. But, with it being my first self-purchased designer bag and the sentiment of it being a wedding present, I didn’t want to run the bag into the ground and wear it out. I use it on weekends and date nights, but it isn’t my “everyday” bag. During this time, I was switching out bags that weren’t as expensive for the work week and I received an email like the sender knew I had a gap in my closet.

I was so excited to receive a message from Laudi Vidni, a Chicago-based brand that creates completely customizable handbags and leather goods. The brand was started by two friends (and fellow Harvard Business School grads #BossLadies), Laura Kofoid and Grace Tsao-Wu. What I love about their message and mission was as simple as the reason they chose Laudi Vidni as the name. It is “individual” spelled backward. They strived to bring individuality into the closets of women and give them a platform to express themselves in the way they want and with the same quality as other designers.

Fashion can have a negative side of being “in” or “out” and feeling always aspirational rather than inclusive, especially for those who can’t indulge as much as they would like. I’ve personally felt this way and have even been victim to “wanting” something I didn’t even really like that much because it had a specific designer's name on it. Sometimes we feel great about ourselves because we have something that someone else does too and that’s ok, but it can get negative when the comparison trap takes over. This is what Laudi Vidni wants to be the opposite of. Fashion shouldn’t be divisive or alienating. Individual expression of style should be celebrated and embraced, so why not make a bag that is you?

I went to visit the Laudi Vidni showroom in Chicago and was so grateful to be able to design a bag for myself during the visit. As we were talking and I learned more about the brand, we got on the topic that I think many women can relate to, affording the pieces and life she wants without having to sacrifice too much. Maybe you’re in a similar place that I am where I’m blessed to be able to afford some higher quality items but am not in a place where I’m bopping around Chanel looking for a new friend to add to my closet. Or maybe you’re arriving at a place where higher price points work for you but aren’t sure what designer to start with.

While “designer” “affordable” “expensive” etc. are all relative, there is a common denominator when it comes to fashion and price-quality. If you’re wanting a piece that is handmade or uses high-quality materials, you’re going to pay more. So, with pricing being a relative factor for everyone, I believe that Laudi Vidni is designer that leads their brand with quality and craftsmanship and their pricing reflects that with the fashion-girl’s budget in mind Every Laudi Vidni bag is made with hand-selected leather sourced from the US, Italy, and Spain, ensuring the best quality and is hand-crafted to your order in their Chicago factory. What I also love about this brand is not only is your bag completely made to order, but this also means less waste in the sense of back stock and materials used.

Each bag of their 40+ designs starts as a blank canvas - just the structure of the design. Once you choose the bag you like, you can use their customization tool to hand-craft your design and pick from numerous colors, prints, textures of leather, and the hardware to create the perfect bag for you. I had so much fun using their design tool for my bag and seeing the rendering update as I chose different aspects in real-time.

My initial design

At the studio, we used the design center on their site to create a mock up of what my bag would look like. It was so fun to watch the decisions and changes I made come to life on the screen and then see the drawing become a reality a few weeks later!

I chose the Brio Bucket Mini Bag because I loved the shape and it wasn’t like any other bag structure I owned. Going into the designing process I knew I wanted a navy bag. A lover of neutrals and a good pair of jeans I thought the navy was unique enough from my numerous black handbags while still staying true to my inner classic design sense. From there, I knew I wanted this bag to have a fun element to it so I chose the cheetah calf hair for the bottom portion of the bag. I added gold hardware and a gorgeous cadet blue for the lining. I thought it was the perfect mix of me - classic with a fun and fashion-based twist!

I knew this bag would be one I reach for often and be excited about its designer quality for years to come. So, if you’re like me and in a phase in life where you're expanding into the designer world or you're just starting in learning what higher-end quality bags you’d like to purchase, I can’t recommend Laudi Vidni enough. Their approachable price points and custom experience is unlike any other leather goods brand I’ve seen. With items starting from $50 into a few hundred dollars, there truly is something for everyone.

Laudi Vidni was so kind to share a discount code for Creative Brief readers so you can use “Amanda10” for 10% off your order! Thanks so much for reading and to Laudi Vidni for this great experience! xx

Thank you to Laudi Vidni for sponsoring this post. It is brands like yours that make The Creative Brief possible. All opinions are my own.

I’d like to start this post by thanking my husband for working so hard on this trip and planning everything with our travel agent (LOVED working with her and would highly recommend her! I won’t be sharing her info publicly, but if you are looking for someone to help you plan a trip she is your girl and I’d be happy to pass along her information privately!). Second thing to note is that any links in the post are to the Google Map location of the place mentioned if you’re looking for specific details!

Kollin and I always knew that Italy would be a part of our honeymoon, but after months and months of trying to make Italy a part of a multi-country trip we decided to spend our entire 10 days in Italy and I’m so happy we did! Our entire trip included 3 days in Rome and 7 days in the Amalfi Coast. Given the amount of info and pictures I am breaking up the posts into two or more posts to cover the locations with more detail. So, first up is our first three days in Rome.

I had traveled overseas once in high school and been on some longer flights, but Kollin had never flown to Europe before. Working with our travel agent we discovered that flying a smaller airline was not only cost effective, but was such a great experience too! We flew Air Italia from Chicago to Rome and took off from Chicago around 4PM a few days after the wedding. Since we knew we were flying overnight and would arrive at 7AM local time, comfortability was a must so my jogger set and Barefoot Dreams blanket were a great move. The flight was 9 hours and pretty great until about 2 hours before landing. I can be a nervous flier and hadn’t slept much on the flight over and got sick around 5AM from the combination of everything. There’s nothing like puking on your honeymoon flight right next to your new husband to get the newlywed feels started!

Luckily, it was just a nervous moment and not an actual sickness. Kollin was the sweetest (would expect nothing less) and we landed in Rome about an hour and a half later. We met up with our driver and made it into the city in about an hour (traffic can be horrible). We arrived at our hotel, Hotel Art that was right by the Spanish Steps in the Campo Marzio (Rione IV) neighborhood. Our room wasn’t quite ready so we decided to find some breakfast and walk around. I still wasn’t feeling that great so we stayed close by and went over to The Spanish Steps (only about two blocks away) after grabbing a croissant and Coca-Cola (I’m not a coffee drinker so that was my only source of caffeine during the trip and saved me!).

Something to consider: The Spanish Steps are a huge attraction and can be packed during the day. If you want to see them on the emptier side, go early in the morning or at night (picture below) and you’ll have the place to yourself. But, rules have changed and you can no longer sit on the steps. Also, look out for guys “giving” women flowers. It’s a ruse to try and get money out of you. We had a couple weird run ins, but my biggest take away was to just ignore them and give a firm ‘no’ when they ask anything or try to hand you something.

To be completely honest, our first couple of hours in Rome were not that great. I wasn’t feeling well, we were both tired and had been harassed by the flower guys after getting yelled at by a cop for eating the croissant by the steps. Unfamiliar with the culture, we just weren’t aware of the tourist areas or our surroundings. We headed back to the hotel to check in and against all advice from friends and other travelers, we napped. It. Was. Life. Changing. I felt like an entirely new person ready to take on Rome.

Hotel Art was beautiful and had a boutique, artistic flair compared to the other hotels in the area that really embrace the “oldness” of the buildings. It felt contemporary and young while also fitting in perfectly with the glamorous and fashion-forward Spanish Steps neighborhood. While the room was small, it had everything we needed and was perfect for our short 3-day stay. We grabbed some lunch at a cafe nearby called Canova in the Piazza de Popolo - we loved the pizza and bruschetta. After lunch we walked around and did a bit of window shopping. I would compare this area to Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles, CA. Surrounded by high-end designers, ateliers and seriously the most beautiful people I’ve seen in my life, it is hard not to feel luxe there.

After a couple hours it was time to head back to the hotel and get ready for dinner. Kollin’s one request of the entire trip was to have a Michelin Starred restaurant experience. We decided on Moma and the six course pre-fixe menu. The menu was inspired by the chef’s childhood and the dishes that invoked nostalgia for him. Needless to say, it was amazing. Kollin did the wine pairing and you couldn’t have paid him a million dollars to wipe the smile off of his face. The restaurant was small in the best way, modern and very welcoming. We had the place to ourselves until about 8:45pm when the locals showed up for dinner. The sommelier explained all of Kollin’s wines and why he chose them for each dish. It was truly an experience and I cannot recommend Moma more for their impeccable service, delicious menu and elevated, but comfortable atmosphere. Be sure to make a reservation in advance!

After dinner we were dropped back off at The Spanish Steps (its like a promenade and cars can’t drive on it so there are meeting points for cabs and cars to stop at and you walk from there) and spent some time walking back to the hotel taking in the city at night for the first time. Obviously we were on our honeymoon, but Rome at night is one of the most romantic experiences I’ve had. Something about the light in Rome during the day and night is completely magical. We knew the following day was going to be fully packed so we went straight to bed and found getting to sleep to be pretty easy. My biggest jet lag tip? Take a shower before bed each night rather than when you wake up to relax you and tell your body it’s time for sleep. Your feet will also be filthy so you’ll need to shower anyways lol. And a glass at wine at dinner always helps!

We woke up so excited because it was the day we were going sightseeing. After going to the same cafe as day one for breakfast we jumped in a cab and headed to The Colosseum. We decided not to take the tour inside (we don’t regret this, but would definitely do it when we go back), and rather walked around the outside. We walked all the way around and loved seeing the different sides and perspectives. After walking around I remembered I wanted to try a place I had seen on a blogger’s (The Blonde Atlas - amazing travel content!) Instagram called The Court that is a Michelin starred rooftop restaurant in Palazzo Manfredi and sits right in front of the “Ludus Magnus”, the largest Gladiator training camp in Ancient Rome. We didn’t make lunch reservations there due to the high price tag, but we had a drink (delicious) and took in the incredible view. If you go: ask for an Aperol Spritz with tons of ice.

something to consider: head to the eastern side of the colosseum on the via nicola salvi for a great view and picture moment. It sits at a high point and offers a great perspective, but, be mindful that this spot is very touristy and the flower dudes / people selling things will be there along with other people trying to take pictures.

After a drink we walked around to try and find something to eat. To each their own, but we were against the idea of going somewhere that Americans flocked to. These tend to be places with “fast” food and lack the cultural experience of dining like locals. For example, we learned to avoid really crowded outdoor cafes or anywhere with pictures on their menus. When standing in a place, listen to the conversations and if the majority of people are speaking Italian or the crowd is older - you’re good!

We ended up finding a walk up counter/cafe a few blocks off the main street (also a place to avoid tourist traps) and Kollin had one of his favorite meals here. It was called Bar Gastronomia and he got a lemon caper chicken dish and I got the most amazing ham and cheese grilled sandwich. We sat among the locals in air conditioning (it was very hot that day) and decided what to do next. As we ate we watched the Italian cooking channel that was on the TV and listened to a few businessmen on their lunch break a couple tables down. I think the entire meal cost $8 and was delicious. Places like this one are a great way to eat on the go without having to break the bank at a more traditional sit-down restaurant.

We decided to walk through Ancient Rome and had the best time just taking our time. It was very hot so there were frequent breaks in the shade and to just stare at all the history surrounding us. We walked through Palatine Hill and saw Orti Farnesiani sul Palatino (ancient gardens), the Forum of Caesar, and the breathtaking Altare della Patria. We hadn’t seen the Trevi Fountain yet and we didn’t realize how far we had walked so the 0.7 mile walk wasn’t too bad. We stopped in so many corners and buildings on the way there and it was crazy how you can just turn the corner and see something as magnificent as Trevi Fountain. It was very crowded and hot so we didn’t spend a ton of time, but we grabbed a gelato, snapped some pictures (don’t know how Kollin got the solo one of me with no people lol, but I’ve heard going early in the morning (6AM) is the best time to avoid crowds) and then headed back to the hotel.

According to legend, tossing one coin into the Trevi Fountain means you'll return to The Eternal City (Rome), tossing two coins means you'll return and fall in love, and tossing three coins means you'll return, find love, and marry. We each tossed one coin in considering the whole marriage thing already happened lol.

After relaxing for a bit and changing for dinner we remembered a place we had passed on our first day trying to escape the flower dudes. It was called Caffè Ciampini di Marco Ciampini and was one of the most memorable parts of our trip. They opened right at 7pm when we arrived so the place was empty aside from a larger area of the restaurant where a wedding reception was being prepared. The outdoor dining space is filled with greenery and lanterns and has a view that overlooks Rome. You can even see St. Peter’s Basilica in the distance. The staff were so friendly and told us all the places to get the best pictures, pointed out monuments and not to mention we had the best mozzarella of our entire lives here. I ordered the gnocchi and Kollin had a seafood dish. We watched the sunset while listening to the church bells from the wedding and took in the new families in the other room come together in such happiness. It was a pinch me moment and I highly recommend going for a romantic dinner or even just dessert during sunset.

During dinner, we were discussing what to do next. We had wanted to do some more during nightfall to experience the city more and the jet lag was getting better so we weren’t as tired. We had been told by multiple people to see Trevi Fountain at night and decided to take a quick 5 min cab over to see it (with more gelato, of course). It was just as, if not more crowded, but it does warrant another visit as it was beautiful. We took a walk around the Trevi neighborhood and heard live music coming from somewhere. We looked around a few blocks and as it got louder, the crowd got bigger. We had stumbled upon a live performance of two guys playing violin and guitar to popular American songs. As we approached they were playing Justin Beiber’s remix of Despacito and it was amazing! The crowd was so lively and fun that we stayed for a few songs and danced along with about 100 other people. I was told that they are a popular group and are around that area often!

We quickly realized the time and knew we had an early morning so we went back to the hotel for the night. The next day was the only “planned tour” we had of the trip to The Vatican. Being Catholic, this was always a special bucket list moment for me, but Kollin was equally excited to witness such a historic site. We were married in the Catholic church too so he now has new understandings of the religion, history and meaning behind the sacred location. Our driver picked us up at 8AM in front of the hotel and we had about 3 other couples in our group.

I highly recommend getting a private tour set up to avoid the long lines and crowds outside. They vary in group size and price and will not only save you time, but will provide you with a guide to explain your experience rather than an audio tape. Also remember to wear something conservative regarding skin showing. Since it was hot I opted for a maxi dress and added my jean jacket while in the chapel. They don’t have air conditioning in most parts of the Vatican as an FYI. Our guide told us that in July and August they have nurses and doctors in every other room for all the people who faint from the heat. Crazy!

Our tour guide was AMAZING. We learned that while in The Sistine Chapel there is not supposed to be any talking and the tour guides are not allowed to point anything out or share information while inside. You also cannot take pictures (Kollin broke that rule below). Our guide stopped our group before going inside and pointed out the elements of the room and described to us what we should look for. One of my favorite parts of his chat? The room is painted to look like it had architectural features on the walls. The curtains, moldings and other features are illusions done with painting. It was mind-blowing to see in person. He let us stay in the room for about 20 minutes and then over our ear pieces announced quietly when he wanted the group to meet again. There were about 300 people in the room total so Kollin and I made our way to the middle and just took it all in.

In addition to the Sistine Chapel, he took us through the museums and everything took about 4 hours total. After the tour, the guide mentioned how if we followed the Vatican wall on the outside for about half a mile we would reach St. Peter’s Basilica. We of course wanted to see it so we grabbed some gelato (duh) and started walking. As we approached the square we saw how long the line was to get inside the Basilica. It was about 3:30PM at this point and the doors closed at 5PM so we decided that we wouldn’t wait in line in the case that they’d close before we got there. This ended up being a regret of the trip because we didn’t have time to go back and try again while in Rome. While I don’t think we would have gotten in in time, we will definitely be waiting the next time we are in Rome! We hung out in the square for a while and a couple of women came up to us asking to take our picture. We told them we were on our honeymoon and they fawned even more taking 50+ pictures lol.

With some time to walk around before finding a place for dinner we decided to get lost. With no destination in mind we just took off into the Borgo / Tor Di Nona neighborhoods once outside Vatican City. We stumbled upon Castel Sant'Angelo and walked across Ponte Sant'Angelo and into what felt like the most “local” part of our time in Rome.

We walked through the neighborhood and saw quaint cafes, families heading to mass, a group of boys playing soccer, and the most picturesque flats and homes. Italy’s culture lends itself to a very laid back, welcoming and warm atmosphere. Aside from the flower dudes, I don't remember interacting with any rude or unpleasant people. A few parts of the culture that we discovered while there were more so around tourism and experience. Firstly, despite Kollin’s need to tip everyone sight, tipping isn’t standard for services like dining and drivers. Many times this fee is built into the bill or just simply not expected. We tended to leave a little something when dining at cafes and we tipped the American standard for the Michelin restaurants as the experience and service were exceptional, but many of the drivers and others we interacted with had looks of confusion on their face when Kollin handed them some bills.

One other thing that surprised me was having to pay to use the restroom. This wasn’t everywhere, but mostly in transit based places like the train station or airport. After our first experience with this I carried around a couple coins just in case, but mostly everywhere we went there wasn’t a need.

The last cultural aspect that was new for us was that restaurants will charge you for water. We expected this for bottled water, but experienced it for tap as well. The water in Rome is completely safe to drink and we even had some people tell us to drink from the natural fountains in the city (we didn’t, but saw locals do this a lot). We took a water bottle with us everywhere and would refill from the tap throughout the day to save on the lunch / snack bill when out. Ice also isn’t really a thing when dining and drinks will come chilled, but if you’re into ice in drinks that aren’t cocktails then remember to ask for it!

As we kept walking around we noticed that the crowds started getting larger and we walked right into the Pantheon. It is a temple built circa 118 to 125 A.D. with the iconic dome and Renaissance tombs, including Raphael's. We had to wait in a short line to get in, but the temple is free to visit (not all monuments are, but are usually a low fee to get in).

We had walked about 5 miles at this point so we jumped in a cab back to the hotel and decided to get dinner in that area. We walked around a bit and shopped before dinner and by that point were famished so we stopped at a street cafe and while it was good it wasn’t super memorable. We should’ve taken our own advice about eating out, but when you have to eat you have to eat. After dinner we shopped some more and bought some things for family and friends back home. We took in a couple more hours of Rome at night before going back to the hotel and packing for our next destination: The Amalfi Coast. Our driver was meeting us at 10AM to go to the train to Naples.

We woke up so excited and got ready for a day of travel ahead of us. We got in the car to the train station and on our way there we hit some bad traffic. This wasn’t unusual because coming into Rome it was pretty backed up as well, but as we hadn’t moved in 10 minutes, our driver got out of the car to see what was going on. When he opened the door we could hear chanting and police began blocking the street. We had driven straight into a university protest. It was unclear to us what they were protesting, but we waited another 20 minutes before the police would let us pass. We considered walking the rest of the way as it wasn’t too far, but the roads were cobblestone and we had three big suitcases with us that were all overweight lol. We had plenty of time to make the train and the driver couldn’t move anyways so he didn’t mind. He did however have to call his next pick up and let him know he wouldn’t make it. (Interesting fact: Uber is illegal in Rome, or at least everywhere we were. Your best bet for cars is a taxi or car service through your travel agent or hotel. If you’re brave enough to drive, good luck!).

We eventually got to the station and made our train to Naples. About an hour and fifteen minutes later we got off and met our driver inside the station. His name was Antonio and he barely spoke English. We didn’t have too many interactions with people who didn’t understand English, but Antonio preferred to speak into his Google Translate app and then show us the English translation on the screen. We did this back and forth our entire ride to the coast and had the best conversation with him about his background, childhood, America and how he said we were about to be in Paradise in the Amalfi Coast. His words about the location were perfect because where we were headed next was the most magical place I’ve ever been.