Every vacation is an opportunity to get dressed up… If you ask me. Fabulous is a full time job. And Tulum is no exception. Don’t be misled by the thought that it’s a small hippie town! It is still the destination of the world’s most fabulous people. Bring your A game, baby!

What to pack: Swimsuits, swimsuits, swimsuits. Kaftans and cover-ups. Easy slip dresses. Headwraps, turbans, sun hats. Temporary tattoos, body jewels, fun jewellery that you don’t mind wearing on the beach. False eyelashes, if that’s your game. (It is definitely mine. I wore them every single day.) Sunglasses in every possible shape and size. Clip-in hair flowers. Colour! Tulum will make you want to dress like a rainbow. No matter how New York/goth you are, if you only pack black clothing, you’ll feel sad.

What to leave behind: The vast majority of your shoes. There is nowhere, I repeat, nowhere to wear high heels, so don’t do it! I wore sandals (holographic faux snakeskin) about three times in a week, and I did my travel to and from JFK in a pair of Jordans. Ditch your designer handbags too. I saw an unhappy girl carrying her Louis Vuitton awkwardly along the beach and I felt sorry for her as I watched the waves spray her leather.

Always remember: Tulum is a beach that backs onto a jungle. It is the definition of chill… But it has a lot of style.

Lounging at Casa Malca in a nude (yet bedazzled!) bikini from Forever 21 (it’s this one). I wasn’t sure I’d be into it when I ordered it, but I flipped out when I tried it on. Such a fun look. The headwrap is from Etsy (I have them in a bunch of colours) and the sunglasses were $10 on Canal Street. Score of the century!

Here’s another view. Yes, subtle and understated, that’s meeeeeeee!

Surprisingly — at least to me — the swimsuit I wore the most was this one. The leopard bikini is by Missguided, but I bought it from ASOS. Although, the North Node did move into Leo while we were in Mexico, so I guess animal print was the right choice! I wore it with this raspberry kaftan and it was devastating and wonderful.

The Barbie bikini is by Wildfox and I got it on sale via Gilt! I clipped some pink flowers in my hair to really play up the theme. This was definitely one of my favourite looks.

This other Barbie swimsuit (!!!) is from Forever 21. It’s fantastic. I don’t wear one-pieces very often because I have a long torso and most designers do not think of these things. Suffice to say, a short one-piece on a long body is a one-way ticket to Cameltoe City (not my favourite destination). But this one is perfect! Bless! I wore it with this black headwrap from Etsy and Poppy Lissman sunglasses. The model name of these frames is “Pussy“. HA. You’re welcome!

I love this short violet kaftan (ASOS) which I wore over a purple and pink bikini (also Victoria’s Secret). It was perfect for swanning around in while I toted my laptop and worked on my book. It felt very glamorous.

Another rad bikini from Victoria’s Secret. But it is sadly from their now discontinued swimwear line. Why, God, why?

I bought these cute bracelets from a little store in the jungle on my last day. I had a moment where I thought, ‘If you don’t buy a woven bracelet, did you really go on a tropical holiday?!’

TULUM BEAUTY
I have to tell you that the secret to my insane tan is not lying out in the sun all day. I’m not very good at doing that, I get too restless. Instead, I get a spray tan from Gotham Glow before I leave New York — tell Tamar I sent you! — and then I pack a box of Tan Towels and a bottle of Kiehl’s Sun Free Self-Tanning Formula. (I learned about “tan double-dipping” from Cat Marnell.) Use the Tan Towel first, let it dry, then apply the Kiehl’s lotion over the top. It looks incredible, and not patchy or orange at all. I simply reapply as needed. P.S. In summer, I use a little dot of the Kiehl’s all over my face every morning after my moisturiser. The glow is REAL.

Of course, nothing gives you body confidence like working out. I took an ankle weight and a resistance band with me (#devoted) and did Bad Witch Workout in my room every morning. I slithered into my swimsuits feeling high on endorphins and ready to slay!

If you want to be a rainbow, learn how to express self-love in every aspect of your life, and have the trip of a lifetime, join Veronica Varlow and me in our Radical Self Love Temple in Tulum in October! Our retreats were featured in Vogue last week! Damn girl!

Love always,