Travel - April 17, 2017

Vichy Trip Photo Diary

Assuming most of you also follow me on Instagram (if not, get on board!), then you know that I spent last weekend in Vichy, France with a France-based beauty brand named Vichy. Have you tried any of their products?! While on the trip, I got several texts from friends and family letting me know that it was one of their ABSOLUTE favorite brands and that they were so excited to follow along and learn more.

Before this trip, I’ll be honest with you, I didn’t even know there was a Vichy, France. But I quickly learned that there’s lot of history tied to Vichy. I think that recent movie with Brad Pitt called ‘Allied’ was actually filmed there; it was a pivotal city in World War II as well.

We went there to learn more about the history of the brand (since Vichy is where it started and where the laboratories are located) and about a new, innovative product that is launching later this month. I actually can’t talk about it yet :) But I wanted to dedicate this week’s BTD WEEKLY post to recapping that trip!

brighton the day travel outfit with distressed jeans and striped tee

This tee is probably one of the comfiest striped t-shirts I’ve ever owned. It’s hard to explain without feeling it yourself, but the material is super soft and stretchy which makes for a perfect travel tee if you ask me. And you can’t see it here, but I traveled with my new camo shirt jacket too for layering just in case I got cold on the flight.

Outfit Details: Bobeau Striped Bell Sleeve // AG Distressed Skinny Jeans // Marc Fisher Platform Wedge // CalPak Marble Suitcase // Hinge Straw Hat 

backyard of hotel vichy celestins spa hotel vichy france
backyard of hotel vichy celestins spa hotel vichy france
brighton keller in vichy, france wearing camo jacket, graphic tee, and adidas sneakers

The backyard of my hotel in Vichy was BEAUTIFUL! It backed up onto the river and was surrounded by lots of gardens and beautiful greenery too. After doing a little shopping and exploring the city when I first got there, I headed straight to the patio for a refreshing glass of vino and snacks!

Outfit Details: Topshop Camo Shirt Jacket // Sincerely Jules Graphic Tee // AG Distressed Jeans // Adidas Superstar Sneakers // Sonix Parker Sunglasses

brighton the day styling floral maxi dress with dee keller pumps

Our first night there, we did a small dinner at La Table de Marlene, which is a yummy French restaurant overlooking the the River Allier. Everything we ate was super french (and yummy!) – I think I got some kind of duck? I don’t know to be honest – I couldn’t really pronounce anything on the menu and barely knew what I was ordering. BUT I will say that it was all amazing, which is a lot coming from me!

Outfit Details: ASTR Floral Midi Dress // Baublebar Crispin Earrings // Dee Keller Portia Pumps

loreal vichy factories in vichy, france

On our first day there, we spent the morning at the factories learning about the new product and it was SO neat! I’m working on putting together a VLOG because it’s honestly too difficult to explain in writing. But basically, we got to see how everything is made from start to finish. This is where they mix the ingredients and make sure that everything is the right consistency before moving on to quality control. Hopefully more to come via video (I’ll keep you posted!).

vichy france

And then after touring the factories, we had lunch and then some workshops they had set up in this beautiful building here. Look at the ceilings in the photos below…so pretty right?!

brighton keller wearing gingham top, skinny jeans, marc fisher wedges and chloe bag

This is what I wore for day one :) I’ve got a recent obsession with gingham if you can’t tell. Remember that dress I wore last week too?!

Outfit Details: Topshop Gingham Knot Tie Top  // AG ‘Farrah’ Skinny Jeans // Baublebar Ring Drop Earrings // Sonix Parker Sunglasses // Marc Fisher Wedges // Chloe Medium Marcie

visiting the water source
brighton keller drinking hot chocolate in vichy, france wearing striped top

After workshops and learning more about the product, we went and walked around Vichy a little bit and stumbled upon this cute little coffee shop. :)

brighton the day outfit of the day inspiration

Details: Amour Vert Striped Long Sleeve Tee // BlankNYC Denim Jacket // Chloe Mini Drew Bag // Lack Of Color Straw Hat // Baublebar Ring Drop Earrings // Sonix Parker Sunglasses // Vichy Thermal Moisture Cream

vichy france press trip hellicopter ride
brighten keller helicopter ride outfit wearing striped dress and white belt

On our second day, we started with a helicopter ride over Vichy and then out to the volcanoes so we could see the origin of the water that they use for all Vichy products. It was SO cool! Because we had just gone to the laboratories to see the behind-the-scenes action of how they make the products so it was neat to see HOW and WHERE they get the water before even transporting it to the factories. It was like a total start-to-finish product illustration which I really appreciated.

Outfit Details: Eliza J Striped Dress // Dee Keller Cutout Wedges // Sonix Preston Sunglasses

#vichyusa post facial photo

And then after the helicopter ride, we got to have their signature spa treatment in the thermal spa where a Vichy specialist gave us a facial. It was neat to learn how each of the products benefits my skin and how I should be using each of them.

brighton the day train outfit wearing white skinny jeans, denim jacket, and blank tank outfit

Taking the train from Vichy back to Paris!

Outfit Details: Lush Tie Neck Top // Ray-Ban Icons Sunglasses // J.Crew Panama Hat // Frame White Skinny Jeans // CalPak Marble Luggage // BlankNYC Denim Jacket //  Marc Fisher Wedges

brighton keller selfie after vichy facial

There was a strike at the airport I flew into in order to get to Vichy, so I ended up having to spend a night in Paris. And as I’m sure you can imagine, I was NOT complaining! The Vichy team set me up at Hotel Pigalle, which was a super cute boutique hotel. I loved it!

Outfit Details: Charles Henry Lace Dress // Hat Attack Straw Hat // Mac Lipstick ‘Viva Glam’ // Mac Mineralize Highlighter // IT Under Eye Concealer // Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream Moisturizer // Vichy Thermal Moisture Cream  // BlankNYC Denim Jacket // Sonix Preston Sunglasses

shopping with Paola

I spent most of my day walking around Paris and shopping with Paola (from Blank Itinerary blog) and her mom. We all got to know each other a little bit during the Vichy Press Trip activities and they were already planning on staying in Paris for the rest of the week. Paola was trying to decide between a red Celine and a Chloe bag and I was just along for the ride :) We took this photo while at the Celine store in Paris.

brighton keller ootd wearing white lace dress denim jacket and straw hat

Here’s what I wore for my one (wonderful!) day in Paris before heading back to the states. I love how simple and easy this dress is – the sleeves ares so cute too with the little ruffle detailing. Plus, lace is so IN right now and looks so cute with denim in my opinion!

Outfit Details: Charles Henry Lace Dress ($110, wearing size Small) // Hat Attack Straw Hat // Marc Fisher Wedges (size down 1/2 size) // BlankNYC Denim Jacket // Sonix Preston Sunglasses (under $100 – great find!)

 

Brighton keller at Paris airport wearing travel outfit

When traveling back home for any trip, I usually always put comfort first. For this trip, I went with a comfy cardigan and sneakers because I knew I’d want the extra layer for when the plane got cold. I wore my favorite white tee that’s been on repeat lately – the one I wore in this outfit that’s under $25!

Outfit Details: Treasure & Bond White Tee // Caslon Cotton Cardigan // AG ‘The Legging’ Jeans // Adidas Superstar Sneakers // Hat Attack Woven Hat // CalPak Marble Luggage