Before heading off for Cabo, I asked Julie, my nail guru, her secrets for keeping a mani/pedi looking good the whole trip. She said that if vacay activities consist of sight-seeing, shopping and dining, any color and application will do—but if you’ll be swimming, surfing, hiking, parasailing – and everything in between – you’ll need to take extra precautions.

Pool chemicals make light-colored polish look dingy, and a standard application won’t stand up to active adventures. So choose something bold or dark, and bring your polish along for any nail 911. Put on an extra, clear top-coat, and bring that bottle too. Applying one more top coat mid-vacay will make hard-working nails look pampered! For Cabo, I chose bright Pink Flamenco by OPI.

In these pics, I’m on my way to ride a horse along the shore at sunset. I got my fresh water pearls off the artisan’s cart the last time I was in Hawaii. They’ve proven adventure-proof. The rest of my equestrian ensemble is a pair of Free People ripped jeans (similar) and a Splendid top. I love TOMS’ wedges, but I’m riding bareback so they’re coming off soon.

And if the sun gets in the way of our spectacular view, my Som Her cowboy hat will come to the rescue. I bought it off a cart in Cabo. Now where’s my horse? I’m so ready! You’ll see those pics tomorrow on Wild Card Wednesday.