Kristin in Soho. Photo by Whit @hazeltonmg

MEET KRISTIN

Kristin and Tricia had followed each other in Instagram for years. After Tricia moved to Vero Beach they realized that they had a very wonderful mutual friend and they met immediately. A fast friendship grew with the Heaton and Hazelton families. Tricia always admired Kristin’s style and vintage collections. It was not uncommon for Tricia to ask Kristin about sourcing different items.

It was great fun to introduce Abby and Kristin and see this beautiful piece they put together. Because Kristin is a fashion influencer she was kind enough to include links to the items she talks about. Influencers earn a very small commission for sourcing these items - thank you for supporting their hard work. These are not Island Hopper affiliate links.

Hi, I’m Kristin.
I am a wife and mother of two. My oldest son is a freshman in college at the University of Florida, and my daughter is dancing through life—literally—as an 8th grader. We live in quaint, coastal Vero Beach, Florida, where my husband owns a digital marketing agency (and I constantly bother him for content help, much to his chagrin!).
I happily share my love of fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and travel on Instagram and have truly enjoyed connecting with and working with brands that I love. When not on the tennis court, I run a curated vintage women's clothing, jewelry, and accessories business called Hazelton Vintage. I am primarily focusing on pop-ups in Palm Beach and Miami but am excited to branch out further in the coming year!

Favorite luggage?
This is a great question, as I am a confessed bag hoarder; however, I have packing down to a science. I wish that I could be one of those women who always travel with a carry-on, but unless it’s a weekend trip, I need a big suitcase. For my large and smaller carry-ons, I really like the company Away, specifically this carry-on in black and the matching full-size suitcase. I am loving their White Lotus special edition collection as well—so fun! I do not personally own one of these yet, but my suitcase splurge would be a Rimowa.
I’m a big fan of personalization, so personalizing your luggage with stickers or patches or bag charms is always a good idea by me!
Once I decide if I am taking a large suitcase or my carry-on, the layering process begins. I cannot live without my Louis Vuitton duffle bag. I put pouches with my medications, makeup, toiletries, lip glosses, magazines, book, headphones, and excess clothing that didn’t fit in my suitcase—ha! The duffle fits nicely on top of my suitcase, and I also use it for my weekend car trips. I basically don’t leave home without it. Fun fact: The bag is a celebrity favorite, gets more beautiful with wear, and can be personalized and hand-painted by the company. I once had my husband paint monkeys and palm trees on mine; however, my current bag is plain, and I am awaiting inspiration.
Last but not least, the last layer to luggage is my purse. I like to take a tote because it goes over my shoulder, fits a lot, and can be used on my travels. I usually am carrying one of these three: my My Clare V Simple Tote, My Madewell Transport Tote with my embossed initials in warm cinnamon, or my Goyard Saint Louis Tote bag

Kristin and Whit Hazelton with David Teneralli and Fran Henig in Annecy, France

Travel essentials you are never without?

I never leave home without a well curated wardrobe which always includes a good pair of denim. I am currently loving these by Frame. Next, a couple of fabulous dresses for day and night... I like a high low mix when it comes to dressing, so you will always find me in a great H&M or Zara dress. When you know how to find the great ones, snatch them up because they tend to sell out in a day! I also, of course, appreciate a beautiful splurge and have recently been introduced to the brand Patbo who make beautiful resort clothing and gorgeous bathing suits that are like works of art. Other favorite brands for dresses include Doen, Tuckernuck, and Shopbop.

Fabulous accessories that take you from day to night are a must for me. I always have small gold hoops for day as well as statement earrings for night. I am currently loving these Lisi Lerch thick gold hoops for evening. I love to wear loads of rings, a mix of vintage and new. I wear this Victoria Emerson LA Fortuna ring on my pinky, and I love Hey Harper chunky gold rings like this one, plus they are so affordable. For an upcoming tropical vacation and summer accessorizing, I have my eye on these, these, and this by Mignonne Gavigan, one of my absolute favorite women-owned jewelry companies. On my wishlist and counting down to buy, this amazing initial gold charm necklace by Adina Reyter. You can customize your necklace with her charms and put it on your own chain or her signature chain. I also plan to buy this fashion girl’s favorite Dorsey Kate tennis necklace. It goes with absolutely everything!
I also always have a great pair of sneakers. I wear these and these on repeat. I am loving all shoes by the brand Larroude, and they have loads of raffia and rattan pairs that are perfect for vacation dressing. I always take a pair of Havaianas whether I am in the beach or city. You can walk miles in them. I always have my Gucci loafers.
Last but certainly not least, here are my must-have beauty products that I can’t live a day without! I wash my face with either YSE take it off gel cleanser or Saint Jane Flower acid cleanser which is a clean beauty brand. I also use their hydration serum which has won awards. Also from YSE: their lip balm can’t leave my side, and their brightening eye masks are unmatched and perfect after a long travel day. They are seriously amazing! I can’t live without their wide awake brightening cream. It is tinted and is the only cream I have ever used that makes you not need concealer. I need to get their travel set with the smaller bottles, but until then! I also swear by Skin Design London's retinol serum and cream. They are gentle yet super effective. I noticed a difference in my skin after a couple of days and you can use every day and still be active. I also must have my Iris and Romeo reset face spray. I spray it on my face throughout the day and it moisturizes and feels great. Also smells divine! For nights out to dinner I use Monika Blunder botanical oil and rub it all over my legs and arms and the smell is just heavenly. It’s a little luxury that makes you feel fantastic. I am obsessed with Evolve Together hand cream. This company names their scents after destinations, and my favorite scent is Monaco. I also pack Lolavie shampoo and conditioner- Jennifer Anniston’s brand. I am addicted!
Lastly I can’t leave home without my signature scent Santal Gray by Lake and Sky. It is also a clean beauty brand and the smell is light but addictively gorgeous. Similar to Le Labo's Santal but I honestly prefer it.
What is your travel uniform?
I am very detailed when it comes to my travel outfit. I have a couple of go to variations.
A pair of straight leg denim or black kick flare crop pants, white t-shirt tucked in, and a cashmere sweater around my neck and or a sweater with a cashmere sweater around my neck.
A flowy long sleeve maxi dress - bonus points for gauze or linen, with the same said cashmere around my neck.
Shoes are either my Adidas Sambas or my Gucci loafers. The Gucci loafers with the fur are next on my list and keep you warm on the plane. Both of these are so versatile.

Pro travel tips?
I guess I would say to make sure your bag is packed at least the night before and when packing, lie your clothes out on the bed either by outfit or by category, and make sure that you aren’t forgetting anything. Also to be safe, have one outfit in your carry on bag or duffle in case your luggage gets lost. Better to have one outfit than none!
Have the essentials in your purse: gum or listerine strips, snacks and water for plane, headphones and a cashmere sweater or blanket if you get chilly on a plane like I do. If I am taking a coat, I use it as my blanket.
Above all else, get to the airport lounge or nice restaurant to relax with a drink before boarding.
When it comes to planning the trip, my pro tips would be to research restaurants, travel guides etc. so that you can properly curate an itinerary and make reservations. For hard-to-get dinner reservations, know the exact date they open and set an alarm to call or book online. If you cannot get into that special place, call the day of as people often cancel and you might get lucky.
Is there anything you collect on your travels?
Oh, I love this one! I am an avid collector at heart. Depending on the locale, I always look for special textiles—whether that be in the form of a new favorite dress or a blanket for my home. I look for something that reminds me of the place and makes me happy so that when I return home, I feel like I have brought a piece of that place back with me.
The not-so-glamorous items that I always return home with—a tradition instilled by my mom—are a Christmas ornament for our tree and a touristy coffee mug. My husband has banned new mugs, but somehow they still appear! In the last couple of years, etched wine glasses and match books from my favorite restaurants, beach clubs, or hotels have also made their way home with me. I have problems!

Finally, I always bring back vintage treasures for myself or my shop!

Kristin and Harper Hazelton on Bastille Day in the French Alps. Photo @hazeltonmg

What’s your favorite destination?
As much as I adore Europe, my favorite destinations to date are Palm Springs, CA and New York City. They both have just won my heart and are places that I frequent and would even move to. France is a close third! My husband grew up in The Alps, and we find ourselves spending more and more time there.
What has been your most unforgettable trip so far?
That is a tough one! I think I would have to go with the semester in college that I studied abroad. I studied in Sweden for four months and was immersed in the culture. The Swedish people are so lovely and kind. While we were there, we went all over ancient Greece after studying Greek mythology. I also went to Paris, London, Vienna, and Copenhagen.
Some of the memorable highlights include seeing The Church at Corinth, going to a World Cup qualifying game in Athens, seeing Les Misérables in London, attending The Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, and taking The Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg, Austria. It was a life-changing experience and one I will never forget!
Where are you dreaming of going to that you haven’t been to yet?
In Europe, Spain is at the top of my list. I am also dying to go on an African safari, and I have always wanted to visit Cabo and must see St. Barts!
Where are you off to next?
Leaving Sunday for Tulum for my daughter's Spring Break. We were there 9 years ago when it was much more untouched and fell in love with it, so we are heading back to rediscover it with all the changes. We stay at a super charming hotel on the beach called La Zebra—such a gem!
In April, I am heading back to New York City, potentially San Francisco in May, and currently planning June and July, which will hopefully include France, where my husband grew up, and Maine.

MEET KRISTIN HAZELTON: Influencer Extraordinaire with Travel Tips and Tricks

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