Prevent Sun Burns & Treatment Tips

Sun burns are the worst. Living in an area like Destin I see ALL THE TIME vacationers entering restaurants and their sunburns are ruby red (ouchhh!!). I get asked by vacationers "how do locals prevent burns?" (some joke that we must be immune to the sun) which the funny thing is, we are (sort of). Today I'll give you the tips on how the Floridians keep from burning so you can enjoy your summer vacations without burns!

How to prevent sun burns from a Floridian:
1. Wear SPF.
This IS the most important. SPF doesn’t mean having that chalky white sunscreen on your nose! SPF's in lots of beauty products + many sunscreen products are invisible & non greasy. My favorite sunscreen to use is Banana Boat Sport Performance in the “cool zone”. This sunscreen has a cooling sensation that feels amazing especially in the hot sun.

2. Hats are trendy.
Straw hats, floppy sunhat, sports ball cap, or even tie a scarf around your head to prevent scalp sunburns. If you can’t get a hat on try to at least sunscreen your scalp.

3. Invest in a nice pair of sunglasses.
Your Ray-Ban shades do more than protect eyes from the sun. Your shades also protect the sensitive skin around your eyes and eyelids. Cheap shades are great for the time being, but if you're living in an area with a lot of sun invest in a nice pair with good UV protection and polarized.

4. Purchase clothes that have UPF!
UPF is the best. I have so many pieces of clothing and swimwear that has UPF. (If you're not sure what UPF means its Ultraviolet Protection Factor.  Example: UPF 50 allows just 1/50th of the sun's UV radiation to reach the skin. Higher the UPF the greater the protection!

5. Find some shade.
Find a shade tree, a beach umbrella, shaded gazebo, etc. When eating outside at a beachside restaurant make sure the waiter opens an umbrella for you.

6. Plan to be inside during the hottest part of the day.
Biggest thing that the locals do is stay indoors when its the hottest outdoors. From 11-2:30/3pm I’m almost always inside. My beach trips + pool side chills always happen early in the morning or later in the afternoon. I promise you, you'll never find a local out on the beach at 1pm on a Saturday! 

What to do if you have a sunburn?
1. Aloe.
The first thing you do is run to the nearest store and buy a container of that green Aloe gel. If you use this every few hours for a day or two your burn will disappear! MAJOR TIP: put the Aloe in the fridge. The coolness will help with that ‘heat’ feeling from the burn.

2. Stay out of the sun.
Once you get a sunburn stay out of the sun. If you continue to expose it to the sun it'll (obviously) keep getting worse and you could get sun poisoning. My mother got sun poisoning and was admitted into the ER cause of it. Sun poisoning is VERY serious and harmful to your body.

3. Tight clothes, no go.
Don’t wear anything tight or that rubs the sunburn. Your skin needs to breathe and heal. When we’ve had sunburns we end up trading in our strappy dresses for a boyfriend fit cotton tees.

4. No products that’ll make your skin irritated.
Bathbombs, perfumes, some makeup products, even chlorine pools. Avoid exposing the burn to anything that’ll irritate. 

5. Don't itch the sunburn.
The worst is when your sunburn starts to itch. As tempting it might be... DON'T itch it. I've seen friends who ended up with scars from itching a burn. Continue applying Aloe gel or a lotion without fragrance to get moisture into your skin.

6. Drink water.
I have no idea why, but when I get a sunburn I feel like I need more water in my body. The water helps with removing toxins but also putting moisture back into your skin too.

My Favorite Sunscreen!!! The cooling sensation feels amazing in the hot sun. Also non greasy & comes in SPF 30 & 50!

My go-to product if I get a sunburn. Apply generous amount every 3-4 hours and your sunburn will be gone in no time!

All About Daytona Beach, Florida (And Orlando!)

Now that I’m home from Daytona Beach I wanted to give a run down on where we stayed, what we did, where we ate, and more. If anyone is traveling to Daytona or Orlando this post will be beneficial!! Our trip had off and on rain so we had to juggle our outdoor activities around the weather.

Where we Stayed
Bryce selected the Hilton Oceanfront Resort as our resting place. This Resort has 2 large pools (hot tubs & children pools too), beautiful courtyard, private access to the beach, and footsteps away from all the fun (Across the street was the Convention Center. Next to the South Tower is the pier + pier park with tons of fun rides. Next to the North Tower is a 3 story shopping and restaurants). Our stay included daily bike or scooter rentals, boogie board rentals, discounts on eating at the restaurants + bars, and valet parking. All the rooms have oceanfront views which are AMAZING. The busboys and valet car service team were really kind as well. Every night we saw fireworks from our balcony.

Room keys and post card of Resort!

This is a view of our bedroom area. We decided on just getting a king size bed and opting out on getting a crib for Holly. Our bed was large enough to have her sleep in the middle between us. The room had a lot of natural light from the balcony and the room itself was really quiet! (which is surprisingly because the resort was completely booked!)

The inside of our bathroom.

The collection of toiletries the Resort provided.

What we did
Our trip was quite busy. In fact my in laws were upset we didn’t text much but we were nonstop moving. I unplugged from most social media was so excited to make memories with my family.

- Disney Springs. Seriously Disney Springs was a blast. We were a bit worried because all the parking decks were full but we found this one parking lot that was right across the street from the Coca-Cola Store. (The lot was near the Team Disney parking lot. It was quicker and less stressful walking across the bridge and was very lit! I highly recommend parking there). We visited A LOT of the shops and I’m seriously saving up my money for our next trip out there cause I fell in love with American Thread’s and Shore.

- Daytona Speedway.

- Orlando International Premium Outlet. This outlet was amazing. Literally any store you want is there (Also a Victoria’s Secret outlet!!!).
- Volusa Mall at Daytona.
- Tanger Outlet at Daytona Beach. We really liked how clean and new this outlet was. The shop associates were really friendly too.
- Hilton Resort Pools.
- Convention Center at Daytona Beach.

Daytona Beach Views

Disney Springs at night. I seriously enjoyed walking out in this area. There was TONS of fun shops to go into, many amazing restaurants and bars. I'm really impressed with all the upgrades and how lively the area was!

What we ate.
Food wise I noticed we skipped meals a lot. But when we ate we dined like kings.

- Planet Hollywood at Disney Springs. If you dine here you MUST get the Chicken Crunch! It’s on the appetizer menu and seriously the BEST.
- Disney Candy Cauldron at Disney Springs. We had candy apples here!
- Hilton Breakfast "Hyde Park".
- Hilton Beachside Bar "The Blind Turtle". (They had some amazing drink specials and the bartenders brought the drinks to you while you chilled in the pool).
- The Black Sheep at Daytona Beach.
- Cheddars at Daytona Beach. (Get the Honey Butter Croissants!)

Bryce’s competition.
On Friday morning Bryce went to see what time his matches were and texted saying he plays both Friday and Saturday at 2pm. So both days I went to the pool from 11-2 to 3pm. The first day he played the #1 player which sadly, he lost. We grabbed food when he returned and then he went back to check out some of the sponsors and play in some small ‘fun’ matches to get noticed. Day 2 he actually went through a few rounds (whooo!). He met a lot of big high dollar players and seen previews + played demos of games that will be released down the road. It was actually a really cool experience for him and the area seemed really excited to have this media attention. I had no idea some of these video game players make 6 figures playing in game matches! 

How was traveling with a baby?
Traveling with Holly had its ups and downs. We packed items we thought she would need but surprisingly she didn’t. We reserved half of our trunk space for her swing but she barely sat in it. Also her bath toys was something she didn’t care for. Her favorites was the pool float, her foam play mat, and her play piano. I brought about 10 toys and it was more than enough. Her stroller is a Bravo Chicco and it was super handy to move her around in and very lightweight (it’s also air travel friendly!!). Sleeping wise she slept between Bryce and I because the King size bed was more than enough room. She did really good in the restaurants too. She loved Planet Hollywood because of the bright lights and fun upbeat Disney songs. We were worried with it being peak season at Disney and the massive amounts of people/crowds she would be upset. The only times she was fussy was when we were stuck in the Resort room from the storms. But overall it wasn’t a bad experience! 

What I hope to find in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale is quickly approaching (Early access July 12th-19th; full access July 20th - August 5th!! Mark your Calendars!!). Previous sales have been quite the jaw dropper. From Kendra Scott drop earrings, T3 Blow Dryer, Le Specs sunglasses, and even many Elite high end brands (Burberry trenches, Chloe shoes, Fendi bags, and more). Then of course many well known brands like BP., Leith, TopShop, Madewell, etc that's great for basic daywear.
The sale features new Fall merchandise at amazing prices for a short period of time. AKA: you get to purchase the new trends before it hits the shelves.
Visit the website to get the full calendar, sneak peek on what to expect on the racks, and special "Glam Event" dates that the stores are hosting during this amazing sale!
  - I need to quickly touch base that Early Access on July 12th -19th to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is for Debit/Credit Card members only. This gives Card members the opportunity to shop the sale before the general public. Opening a card isn't hard. You can do it online, over the phone or in-store. There's also other amazing perks with a Nordstrom card. If you're considering a new card I recommend them! 

FAQ: If you're not a card member but visit the store, find something you love, will they hold the item?
NO. The items are first come. If you see something that's at an amazing price the sales associate will mention you can open a Nordstrom card and if accepted on the spot you'll be able to purchase.  

FAQ: Do they restock?
No one is for sure. The sizes sometimes vary to a rack with tons of quantities and then some of the items it will be a very small size run. 

FAQ: Am I able to return these items to store?
Yes, if you purchased something online or in-store and the sizing didn't work out you will be able to return. Keep the receipt so you can get a full refund.

FAQ: I have a card, can I use my triple points towards the purchases I make?
YES! This is one of the best parts about the sale! You can use your triple points day. I'm a few points away from another Nordstrom Note and Level upgrade so I'm definitely taking this opportunity too.

FAQ: Will you be attending any of the Glam Events in store?
At the moment, no. I'm no where near a Nordstrom store. The nearest store for me is 6 hours away. I will be shopping the day the Early Access Sale starts and I will have my 'top picks' post asap! IF something happens and I travel to NC to visit my family I WILL be shopping in store at the Streets at Southpoint Nordstrom. But traveling is still up in the air since it'll be near my wedding date.

FAQ: Where's the catalog to view some of the items?
Here. You can see some of the brands and trends. But remember the catalog is just a sample!

FAQ: Where can I apply for the credit/debit card?
Here. You can apply here and be approved on the spot!

This year will be my first year with the Early Access to the sale. I already have a "shopping list" of items I want to look for.

Wish List:
- Jewelry (statement earrings, a good bracelet, maybe a Kendra Scott necklace).
- Lucky Brand shoes (My Lucky Brand boots are my most favorite).
- Leith dresses.
- Good jeans for fall, white and a black pair.
- Longchamp handbag.
- Beauty brands like Charlotte Tilbury, Mario Badescu, Hourglass (a girl can dream), La Mer, and Nars.
- Hair styling tools. In need of a blow dryer and curling iron.
- Home decor. Nothing in particular. I would like to find some picture frames for my wedding photos.

Before the sale many people try to make a game plan. Some wait to try and be the first one online/in the store and some visit the store days ahead to try on clothes to get an idea of what sizes to grab up (especially if you online shop). For me, I'm NO WHERE near a Nordstrom store. I do all my purchases online so I'm shopping brands I'm accustomed to. A lot write out a budget on how much they plan to spend and a little wish list (like mine above!).


My question to everyone: Are you shopping the sale? Anything in particular you hope to find? How many boxes do you plan to hide from your husband?

Have a sunny day!
- Pompandpalms

Best in Swim

Now that summer is officially here (and the heat index is through the roof!) I thought todays post should be "Best in Swim". As a Floridian, I have scouted stores from Destin - Pensacola and noticed each store has different quality of swim, styles/prints, and price points. Below are some swim styles each store carries (and my personal favorites) with the links to view online. I'll also include takeaways + any store promos too.

Target - I was surprised at how many prints and styles of swim they had. The design team has really stepped it up and is paying attention to 'hot trends' of swim 2018.

Price - $

Quality - Good.

Takeaways - tons of varies of colors - styles - prints - fits, every size possible + plus size, cartwheel app coupons often on swim.

Ruffle One Piece "Sugar Coast"

Shade and Shore Palm Print

Tilly's - This is the 'go to' store if you want the trendy brands that the surfers wear (Billabong, Roxy, TAVIK, Hurley, O'Neill, and more). The swim looks super cool, is built for the surf, and quality is top mark. 

Price - $$$

Quality - Best. 

Takeaways - Surf brands, bold prints. Sizes range from XXS-XL. Promo: Buy one get one 40% off.

Tavik Juliet Bikini

Rip Curl Palm Beach

Abercrombie & Fitch - I love visiting Abercrombie cause the brand has done a major image overhaul. They also have this cool 'mix and match' collection for their swim. The number of looks you can make is endless ( purchased the knot front bralette top and high waisted cut out bottoms). I also really dig the one piece swim. 

Price - $$

Quality - Very Good/Best. 

Takeaways - Tons of colors, fast shipping if needed to order in store/online, fits are flattering and made for adult body. sizes XXS-XL. Promo: Sale up to 50% off.

Knot Front Bralette Swim

Strappy One Piece

Forever 21 - This is the store is the cheap thrill items that I don't expect to last long. Shockingly, I have a one piece swimsuit that I purchased last year that still fits and hasn't fallen apart! F21 is carrying some nicer quality clothing items (including swim) the prices reflect the nicer quality.  

Price - $

Quality - Hit and miss. I would examine the item before purchasing because the swim is non-returnable.

Takeaways - lots of fun colors and prints. Swimwear reflects the biggest trends. Great affordable dups of designer swim. Sizes XS-L & plus size! No Promo.

Striped One Piece (Looks like one from Revolve and its a fraction of the cost!)	Fringed Crochet Bikini Set
Ribbed bikini	Striped High Leg One Piece

H&M - The swim at the Pensacola H&M is near the registers which means it's a very crowded area but I could tell they're channeled the simple designs. But you could easily dress the swim up with accessories (straw bag, hat, sunnies). 

Price - $$

Quality - Good/Very Good.

Takeaways - classic H&M feel (simple but able to dress up nicely). Sizes are XS-XL but I recommend trying on before purchase. Mainly basic colors and some tropical prints. No Promo.

Bikini Set

Shaping Wear

Everything But Water - This store has so many different style of swimsuits as well as high end designer brands too. Its a fun store especially here in the Destin because they're getting in new looks all the time. If you want a unique swim suit or a designer brand this store is the place for you.

Price - $$-$$$

Quality - Very Good/Best.

Takeaways - Constantly new styles. Lots of name brand swim and literally any style you can think of. Sizes vary depending on the brand (Mostly XS-XL). They have a line call B. Swim that's very affordable and available in many colors. No Promo.

B. Swim	Gottex Carnival
Red Carter	L. Space