Have you ever had a dreamy idea that lasted for about a millisecond before your mind came up with a trillion roadblocks preventing you from ever starting? This is the story of what is now “The Crystal Press.” Although we (Rebecca + Catherine) have been enamored with fashion since we could read and have been messing around with blogs for over a decade, our pesky minds kept us following through with anything consistently. It wasn’t until our post-college move back to RVA that the two of us were inspired to follow one of our so-called dreamy ideas and we give this beautiful city all of the credit. We know we are not alone in the inspiration and sense of community that we are constantly receiving for our little idea, because, well, that is just how Richmond does. It cultivates our creativity and even surprises us at times, when we turn a corner and find a beautiful new space to explore.
Archive of ‘Travel’ category
Four Seasons Hotel New York
If our Snapchat during NYFW wasn’t evidence enough, let me remind you that one of our favorite parts about New York Fashion Week (yes we are still talking about it) was our stay at the Four Season Hotel. You know when you just get a “feeling” about a place? Well our feeling about the Four Seasons happened before we stepped foot out of our arriving cab. Before we knew we were there, the most elegant man opened our taxi door and said “Welcome to the Four Seasons New York, ladies” and the feeling hit us like that of the best kind of love affair.
Beware when it comes to asking Rebecca or I about our love affair with the Four Seasons because we will just go on and on and on. For example, we are convinced the staff at the Four Seasons in New York possess super powers. These fine people have the art of anticipation down to a t. They knew what we wanted before we even knew what we wanted. You can imagine how this talent made room service a dream. On the same note, we left flowers out of water in our room absentmindedly and returned to our room with the flowers in a vase! And the walk in closets? Amazing. Our clothes have never been happier and that is a fact.
Among the craziness and exhaustion of NYFW, we found ourselves looking forward to getting back to this blissful hotel for mental and physical relaxation (and we are looking forward to getting back to this hotel soon!) Enoy our photo journal below and if you have the opportunity to visit this hotel,The Crystal Press highly recommends it. You will fall in love immediately, just like we did.
Wishlist Wednesday: Spring Travel
Spring is here! Whether you are jetting off for Spring break, or simply taking a few days to get out of town, we know you want to update that Travel wardrobe! We are headed for warmer temperatures in the next month and are dying for a new pair of shorts. We also can’t pass up a good pair of PJs to cozy up in after a long day in the sun. Where are you headed? What areas of your wardrobe need to be revamped for your upcoming trip? 
The Crystal Press does NYFW: FW 2016
We could give you a play by play of our NYFW adventures, but we have way too many photos for that. Instead, we want to provide you guys with some NYFW hacks that we wish someone would have told us before The Crystal Press attended their first fashion show. Our advice is by no means profound but after many attempts at Google on this topic, we figured we should share what we learned at NYFW FW 2016. Click read more to see photos from our NYFW adventures and to read The Crystal Press’ NYFW hacks for the newbies out there just like us! 
Thred Up: NYFW Style
Christmas at The Homestead
We’ve said it a few times already this Christmas season, and are going to reiterate the “treat yourself” mantra with this pre-Christmas getaway to the Homestead. This is one of our very favorite places, considering its where I got married this summer. There’s just something about Hot Springs, VA and the Virginia Mountains that are always so welcoming. It was my first time here during the holidays and it was a truly magical stay. From the gigantic tree in the Great Hall to the Gingerbread replica of the resort, everything was was just so Christmassy despite the 60 degree weather.
We can always count on the hospitality and friendliness of all of the staff and this time was no exception! Here’s a little photo diary of my stay this time – complete with Holiday decor, the beauty of the resort and our fantastic corner room with a view 🙂 Thanks again for a great stay, Omni Homestead!
Fall in NYC
How to Pamper Yourself at #NYFW
This post was sponsored by Unilever.
If you have been following The Crystal Press on Instagram, you know that we just got back from New York Fashion Week. If you don’t follow us on Instragram: we just got back from fashion week & here’s your reminder to follow us (pretty please.) New York City is a hustling and bustling city and for two Richmond girls like us, this can be overwhelming if you aren’t careful. That being said, it was important for us to keep some sense of routine amongst the beautiful craziness that #NYFW brings. The routine that made the most sense was our beauty routine because when you look your best, you feel your best…. or at least that’s what we tell ourselves.
Our beauty routine goes something like this: pampering ourselves while still leaving some money in the bank for the following evening’s festivities. We did just that while dolling up for fashion week events and revisited our love for Caress® Daily Silk™ and it’s silky smooth texture. Luckily we brought it with us to #NYFW and were thrilled with the delicate fragrance of white peach and orange blossom & the clean, luxurious feeling it left behind. Traveling, traveling, and more traveling can really make one crave more than one shower a day, and we didn’t stray far from this thought while staying at the Eventi Hotel on 6th Avenue. Thank you Caress® Daily Silk™ for saving the day over and over at #NYFW!
Treat yourself to the alluring fine fragrance of Caress Daily Silk every day and feel truly irresistible. Refer to http://www.houseofcaress.com.
Our Insta Summer
Collaboration with Bahama Shop boutique near the Ocean Front in Virginia Beach. 
Rebecca’s wedding at The Omni Homestead Resort. 
Happy Hour at Lemaire in The Jefferson Hotel.
Brunch at The Boathouse, Short Pump. 
Free People Richmond #Summerdays event with 1213 Hair Salon.
Beach Bar in St. John, USVI. 
Blenheim Vineyards, Charlottesville, VA. Home of delightful Rose. 
Catherine with Tony Oller of MKTO after their concert in Richmond.
The Crystal Press event with Ocie New York designer, Sarah Littlejohn.
Reb on her Honeymoon at Couples Swept Away in Negril, Jamaica.
Rebecca’s Rehearsal Dinner at the Shooting Club at The Omni Homestead.
Rebecca’s bachelorette party in Isle of Palms, SC.
Hilton Ocean Front, Virginia Beach.
jamaica, mon
It may feel a little backwards to post about my honeymoon before we share the details from the wedding, but I just couldn’t wait to recap our amazing 5 days in Jamaica! We stayed at Couples Swept Away in Negril and it was the perfect all-inclusive but not rage-y beach vibe that we wanted. One of their slogans is “somewhere between isolation and vacation” and that pretty much hits the nail on the head. The variety of restaurants and bars was ideal for us as we sat on the beach all day every-day but also wanted to have upscale dining options. Okay maybe not all-day everyday, but close! We did get out on a snorkeling trip (gorgeous!) and of course couldn’t miss the catamaran booze cruise. I have to admit that relaxation was goal #1 but I couldn’t quiteeee turn off my blogging brain so I made sure to have John snap some of my favorite honeymoon pieces.
when you get to the beach & your room isn’t ready, you pack your Louis with your coverup, take a few selfies and enjoy the afternoon sun.
I pretty much wore this lemlem number everyday! It is literally the perfect cover-up and didn’t suffocate me on the extremely hot Negril afternoons. I discovered lemlem at Roan in Richmond and love the handwoven fabrics – made in Ethiopia.
yep, we were that couple with the personalized tumblers. BUT they are seriously a game-changer because the bartenders make each drink in your own cup!
Honeymoon reads, featured throughout the post:
The Page Turner: Greg Iles, The Bone Tree
The Girly Beach Read: Elin Hilderbrand, The Matchmaker
The National Book Award Finalist: Emily St. John Mandel, Station Eleven
I had been eyeing this WildFox Couture suit for a while and finally took the plunge a few days before we left for Jamaica when I snagged it from Nellie George in Richmond. I based the rest of my honeymoon vibe off of it because, well, how could I not? Those Flamingos! Unfortunately, this one is sold out now but all of their swimwear is pretty much perfect so you can find one that fits your personality!
(Free People Eclipse Brami, H&M Girlfriend Jeans, Miu Miu slides)
this high-waisted clover canyon suit w the teeny weeny top was a must for the trip! (& of course a selfie after your husband takes a picture that doesn’t really do the suit justice)
afternoon Caribbean storms call for wet hair, bare feat & wearing this Taj by Sabrina cover-up as a dress to pre-dinner cocktails.
On our last night we had to splurge for the Romantic Dinner on the Beach. It was a gorgeous night, the food was to die for (lobster and beef tenderloin) and the company wasn’t too bad either 🙂 
We are so happy to have Johnny (aka Mr. Crystal Press) join our little blog family!
shop my honeymoon style: