Summer Style in Puerto Vallarta Featuring NOMA and Oka-B

After enjoying some pool time at Vela Vallarta's swim up bar in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, it was time to hit the beach for a style shoot. I have a few NOMA scarves, and this was the first time I got to use one as a sarong for my resort trip. What's great is that there are several different ways you can wear it or tie it, and it's easy to adjust the length. Cobalt Blue happens to be my favorite color, so I decided to bring my NOMA Cobalt Riverstone Gauze Scarf. It's the perfect travel piece since you can wear it as a sarong or wrap for the beach or pool, and also wear it as a scarf or as a light blanket on the plane. 

As for footwear, all I needed were some sturdy, flat sandals for the beach and pool, so the Oka-B Lucky Sandals were a great choice since you can wear them all day and at night for dinner. These sandals have a sparkly, crystal encrusted medallion detail, are comfortable for walking around and fit perfectly in XS (4-5). 

There are so many other details about Oka-B shoes I wasn't aware of until I started wearing them. Oka-B shoes are eco-friendly & recyclable, and have an ergonomic footbed with soothing massage beads, arch support and a sculpted heel cup. They are also slip resistant, waterproof & machine washable, colorfast and anti-microbial material.

It was definitely nice to be on location for a style shoot for a change! For my complete review on my visit to Velas Vallarta, click here.

Scarf/Sarong: NOMA Cobalt Riverstone Gauze

Swimwear:

Victoria's Secret Lattice Push-Up Bandeau

Victoria's Secret Lattice High-Waist Bottom

Sunglasses: GUESS by Marciano in Rose Gold

Sandals: Oka-B

Photos by Allison Bruno

- Kim Weling

Summer Style in Puerto Vallarta Featuring Lands' End Swimwear

While vacationing and resort-hopping in Mexico in July, I visited with Velas Vallarta and wanted to share some travel pieces to wear to the pool or beach. It was the first time I got to wear my Lands' End Swim Tee Rash Guard, which provides UPF 50 protection against harmful rays. It's lightweight and easy to wear over your swimsuit top for hanging out in or out of the water. I had on a regular XS, so it does have a looser fit on me, but I can also knot the swim tee for a more fitted look. It is also available in a Petite XS. 

Since the swim tee rash guard is offered in different prints from stripes to polka dots, it looks great when you mix it up with a contrast bottom, like Lands' End Bella Flora Floral Pleated Retro High Rise Swimsuit Bottom. I had tried on several high rise styles across a few brands and was finally comfortable with the fit on this Lands' End one. Floral prints aren't really my style but I love this particular vibrant floral and the shirring detail. 

I had an amazing time at the resort and a fun style shoot there! For my full review on Velas Vallarta, click here. 

Halter Bikini Top: Calvin Klein 

Swim Tee Rash Guard: Lands' End

Swimsuit Bottom: Lands' End

Sunglasses: Oakley Polarized Overtime

Flip Flops: Havaianas

Photos by Allison Bruno

- Kim Weling

Vacationing at Velas Vallarta in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

A week ago I was still sipping drinks poolside and laying on the beaches of Mexico, including Velas Vallarta Suite Resort and Convention Center as part of my trip. The all-inclusive resort is located in the most exclusive area of Puerto Vallarta: Marina Vallarta, just minutes away from the airport, Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR). Upon my arrival, I got a quick tour of the resort, which includes a spa, two swimming pools, swim-up bar, tennis courts and two restaurants - Andrea Restaurant and the beachfront La Ribera Steakhouse. 

My friend, Allison, and I had a few minutes before our spa appointment to check out our studio suite, which included a kitchenette, dining area, living area with sofa bed, king size bed with a duvet and goose feather pillows, full bathroom with Gilchrist & Soames bath products and an outdoor lounge area with teak wood furniture. 

Now onto our spa appointments! We both enjoyed a luxurious 55-minute aromatherapy massage on the jetty, with the sound of waves crashing on the beach. I would say the massage on the jetty was the highlight of my visit. The view was amazing and the massage was so relaxing. A big thank you to Mariel and Fabiola for an amazing spa experience!

The spa has different types of massages available, such as hot stone, therapeutic, lymphatic drainage and reflexology. There are also a variety of spa treatments to choose from, including facials, wraps and exfoliation treatments as well as hydrotub bath options. The beauty salon features waxing, manicures and pedicures, hairstyling, makeup and more. There is also a workout room with treadmills within the spa. 

For lunch, we decided to dine at Andrea, specializing in Italian dishes. Since both restaurants at Velas Vallarta are part of the all-inclusive plan, we were able to order anything from both the menu and the buffet. For starters we had guacamole and chips, and then I ordered the ceviche coconut style and fried calamari tacos while Allison had the spaghetti. Then we both enjoyed some savory bites from the dessert bar and shared the flan. 

The swimming pool area was filled with guests, but you could see from the pictures that I took that there was plenty of room to move around. I could have stayed at the swim-up bar all afternoon, enjoying frozen strawberry daiquiris. There was also an occasional spotting of resident iguanas and peacocks. 

The scene at the pool and the beach were both so relaxing, it was hard to leave! Velas Vallarta is a great resort for the entire family. The entire staff was friendly, helpful and hospitable. Thank you Velas Vallarta for having us come visit!

 

Massage on the jetty

Workout room

Manicure/pedicure station

Ceviche coconut style

Fried calamari tacos

Dessert bar

Flan

Studio Suite

- Kim Weling