Say cheese! We totally took this photo inspired by Vogue 1993 Beauty & the Beach. The memories are all flooding back!

I have a slew of friends who are packing their luggage for warmer destinations come mid-December.  There is only one word: jalouse! (that’s jealous in French).

Recently, at our annual fashionistah holiday brunch, we reminisced about our university graduation trip to Cancun. A few years later, older and wiser, I went on a girls vacation with my bestie C.  Before departing for the airport, I told her father not to worry if he saw bloody beaches on the news; it would be the trail of broken hearts we would leave behind.  Can you believe he let her go on vacay with moi? 

Two girls in Mexico?!!  It was a make or break trip for our friendship but somehow we managed to get into heaps of sketchy fun without the drrrrama.  Stuff that brings back fond memories of Mexico:

Tan faster! Australian Gold so you don't blind the locals with your pasty white legs.

Chloe sunglasses with the rhinestone heart detail. I still have mine. Do you have yours?

Dress for that tropical climate in an emerald green TBags Maxi dress. The best air conditionning is 'no pants.'

This Jemma Jube crochet bikini via Vogue Australia reminds of my bestie's from Preloved circa 2001. Cutes.

Blake Lively frolicks on the beach with her perfectly tousled blonde hair, silver tunic dress, legs up to there and gladiator sandals.

A friend once commented, “You are always taking glamourous vacations.”  To this I replied, “It’s glamourous vacations ONLY…with fun friends.”  Stay-cations are fine if you’re moving or you need an extended period of time to do monotonous errands, but I say book me the next airplane ticket out of here and it better include beach, ocean and caftans.

Not a fan of going North of 20th, but I might to hit that giant pool at the Fontainebleau. Oh yeahx3!

I am very excited to return to my stomping grounds, my Latino home away from home, South Beach.  Over the years, I have accumulated travel compulsions knowledge that have carried me many a Resort season.  If only real life could include higher levels of sun and fun, our troubles would melt away like the last ice cube in your salty margarita.  Here are some of those pearls of wisdom just in time for vacation season…

Apply a liberal coating of bronzer on thy legs before wearing bright short shorts: Free People Lace Shorts

Rise from the tides and brunch in this Nanette Lepore Marseilles Tunic. A sideways braid is the perfect way to get your salty ocean hair to chill out.

Espadrille meets Wedge in the Charles David Baja Sandal: The shoe that keeps on giving can be worn for more than a block. The perfect pair for an evening of Salsa or a day of shop-shop-shopping!

I am G-L-A-M-O-U-R: In order to have a glamourous vacation, you must channel your inner socialite. Dear heiress, try this watercolour Maggie London Maxi for size.

Darling streets like postcards: Marbella-ella-ella hey hey.

If there was a type of attire, I would most love to wear year-round it’s definitely Resort.  Why, you ask?  Well, it would mean perennial vacation on beachy shores in warm climates.  Dreamy, right?  Hot on the heels of my proclamation that Mallorca is the classier, more stylish sister of Ibiza, I bring you the inside scoop on her well connected, wealthy cousin Marbella.  A coastal town situated on the Costa del Sol, Marbella rivals its neighbours in glitz; once known to be Spain’s answer to Monte Carlo, it is an enclave of the rich and chi-chi poo poo, vacation home of movie stars and Arab gajillionaires.  Past decades have seen its decline but it is quietly making a comeback as a jetset destination.

While some detractors claim that the beaches are overrun with hen parties and Chavs, the charm of Marbella lies in the maze of shop-lined streets in Old Town, the scenic boardwalk and the local bodegas that serve authentic tapas.  Here you will find Spaniards and European visitors alike reclining on bistro chairs, slowly taking in the scenery while sipping on a generous glass of vino blanco.  Watch the sun set at the Deportivo Martimo in the many outdoor bars overlooking the bay or listen to the DJ spin chill out mixes at Puro Beach or Nikki Beach.

Le sigh: Quaint white houses on narrow streets, mountains on the horizon.

Got yacht? West of Marbella is the flashy Puerto Banus.

Save the Face in this Aqua floppy hat accented with a vibrant blue sash

White on White: Layer your crochet with eyelet and linen. OMG, your tan looks gorgeous when paired with white!

Na-ran-jas! 'Oranges', the new 'Bananas.' Pair your French Connection Lark Dress with espadrilles.

Deja vu in Old Town: Don't throw out last season's Pucci or Chanel.

Michelle Obama chooses a printed one shoulder and oversize sunnies for her stroll through Marbella last year. Well played.

Ooh la! La retour of the maillot and red lips. French Vogue starts the wave with Kate Moss.

The glorious sunshine and warmth of a sunny day has stirred up my love of bathing attire.  There are few activities more enjoyable than frolicking in the water and digging your toes into a sandy beach dressed in the most glamourous of bikinis.  Pina colada, por favor.

While it is easy to continually accumulate a destination wardrobe, I suggest you pick up a new swimsuit and retire an old one.  Don’t fret.  She has had the time of her life - her colours are faded from sun-soaked days and her strings have lost their elasticity from dips in the salty ocean.  Her life flashes before her similar to a montage sequence a la From Here to Eternity.  If you love her, let her go.

To ease the pain of your loss, I have compiled the best of Swimwear.  There are a plethora of new styling options and the return of the very retro Swimdress.  More modest than a string bikini, many designers are showing a modern take on swim with plunging sweetheart necklines and hipster bottoms.  Very G-L-A-M-O-U-R-O-U-S! (Canadian spelling)

Ruched in all the right places: Coral Carmen Marc Valvo Swimdress would be lovely paired with gold and turquoise chandelier earrings. Do it!

Stun the beach-goers with patterns and textures: Juicy Couture Rope Bikini

Hipster Ruffles make you wanna Samba in this Vix Liberty Ruffle

Bandeau a go-go. Trina Turk Peacock Bikini. Bandeau styles are great for snorkelling. Look ma! No tan lines!

It's only okay to stay in your swimsuit if you are ordering from the poolbar. Stay stylish and classy with this Nanette Lepore Tunic.

The Maldives are sinking. We sort of really, need to go. Shangri-la-la-la.

When I see little macrame white dresses and bejewelled sandals in stores, I have a major pang of ‘wanderlust.’  Resort clothing means vacation time for the snowbirds that flock abroad for a natural tan, sun kissed tresses and major relaxation.  This year, I am on stay-cation (insert ugly, uncontrollable sob) but for my LC dearies, I have compiled the best of Resort so that I may live vicariously through your wine-ing, dining, dancing and romancing.  If you have a fabulous time, that is all that matters.

There is nothing like burying your toes in the sand whilst enjoying a refreshing pina colada.  Or swimming in an infinity pool that stretches into the ocean.  Or gliding carelessly along clandestine cobblestone pathways.  Or dining al fresco watching the sun repose…in a precisely selected vacation wardrobe.

Just the way I like it: Earthy meets ruffle and belted! Alice + Olivia Avindale Maxi

Loving the wispy tiered quality of this Parker Tie Front Dress

• Maxi Dress, Yes Please – A bohemian’s vacation wardrobe staple, the rich colours and breezy material are perfect for long daytime walks on the beach or navigating through market stalls.  There’s something about a maxi dress that puts you in a more relaxed state of mind.  Nicole Richie loves it.   

Balenciaga Oversize Two Tone Sunnies.

• A Fresh Pair of Sunnies – Sunglasses are one of those things that I secretly hoard.  I can no longer justify buying cat eye sunglasses in different shades of tortoise shell.  I know.  It’s just wrong.  Badx3.  However, the ombre effect of this Spring’s crop of oversized Jackie O. styled sunglasses is quite delightful.

Seriously? Seriously. City of Love Ballerina Flats from Anthropologie.

• Dancing In The Street – I have often been interrogated by airline personnel as to why my luggage was sooo over the weight limit.  “Miss, what is in your suitcase?” (insert slight annoyance with smidge of trying not to laugh) To which I replied, “Shoes.”  The right shoes will have you tip tapping on steps, grabbing your travel partners hand to skip down the block and walk-walk-walking all over that city.
• A Relaxed Blouse – Perfect for days when lady-like is in order (such as visits to a church or temple, walks through museums where they crank up the air conditionning, a proper high tea, etc), a painted chiffon blouse would look stunning paired with shorts, accessorized with a few gold necklaces. 

Channelling Landscape Painter in an Anthropologie Flora Blouse

The world is your oyster. Conde Nast Traveller is a great reference for 'where to go next?'

Mademoiselle Leighton and Mademoiselle Blake have landed in gay Paris to begin filming Season 4 of our guilty pleasure, Gossip Girl.  The first stills preview amazing fashions from Monsieur Eric Daman, who kicks it up 10 notches every season.  And now it’s off the radar.  Let’s dissect shall we?  Apres-vous…

Besties B & S taking a stroll on a cobblestone street in designer duds. Ooh lala! C'est la vie.

Fashion Ratatouille – I am loving how Blair mixes two oversize prints of cherries in a halter and a parachute bubble skirt.  How do they achieve this hemline magic?  Small strings are affixed to the hem and a corresponding one midway up the skirt folds to tie.  It’s a variation on the bubble (which is highly underrated as far as I’m concerned).  Serena matches her sequin birdcage mini dress with a boyfriend blazer.  Girly + Menswear.  Well played ladies.

Munching on Macarons – These delectable treats are a french confection, a tiny puff cookie made from whipped meringue and filled with decadent cream.  Kind of like an Oreo, but waaaay better.  They come in a variety of flavours from raspberry and chocolat to green tea or rose; such yummy and beautiful fare be found in fancy patisseries such as Fauchon.

Known for their fashionistah packaging, Fauchon serves baked goods a la chi-chi. If you happen to be in Paris, can you grab me a box?

I’m on Vacay, Can’t You Tell? – Nothing says vacation like palazzo pants.  This outfit combination is killing me (in a good way).  I am adoring the unpredictable colour combination of peach high-waisted floods with a nude silk tank top and emerald green stone necklace.   A tan braided belt (a serious necessity in a wardrobe) and lady-like shoes finishes the look. 

Serena stops traffic in her peach palazzo. Have you ever noticed? European men are so forward. It's like they haven't seen a woman before.