Rachel Zoe Dress

Over the past few years, I’ve really fallen in love with the finer things in life. Luxe tablecloths, fine wines, gourmet cheeses, morel mushrooms (can you see where my priorities lay?) and clothing is no exception. It’s wonderful in that it’s helped me stop purchasing low-quality on-trend items just because they’re cool right now. Yet it’s terrible in that I can’t buy everything I want…in fact, I can’t buy most of what I want. But in focusing on nicer pieces that are lasting longer, I can keep the clutter at bay and really LOVE what I’m wearing.

With all that said, it’s still very hard to resist the urge to buy everything I want…but I may have found a brilliant solution. We’ve all heard of Rent the Runway, the website where you can rent gorgeous clothing items and accessories. I was apprehensive at first - shelling over money to borrow something seemed foreign to me. But when I had a very important meeting with someone in the high-fashion industry, I knew none of my clothes would cut it. So I scoured Rent the Runway for the perfect outfit and was immediately drawn to this Rachel Zoe dress. The lines were gorgeous and I loved the midi-dress length. I was a bit nervous about the slip underneath being too tight, but that wasn’t an issue at all. 

Originally, this dress was just south of $500. Not something I’m quite comfortable investing in at this point and time. However, it was only $75 to rent. It made such an amazing impression during my meeting and gave me a huge boost in confidence throughout the day. There may or may not have been a few tears that fell into the UPS package when I sent this baby back.

Rent the Runway is quickly becoming my go-to for events, weddings or date nights. Have you tried their services before? If not, you can get $20 off your first order - just use this link!

On Julien: Dress, Rent the Runway. Shoes, J.Crew. Jacket, Loeil. Bracelet and vine ring, She’s Unique. Circle ring, Elaine B Jewelry.

Photos by Wes Tan

Black and Green

On Julien: Leather jacket, Halogen. Green blouse, Phillip Lim for Target (similar.) Pants, Club Monaco (similar.) Pumps, Michael Kors. Cuff, Hanuel c/o. Earrings, She's Unique. 

Now that's it's finally leather jacket season (thank the LORD winter is over), I've been basically wearing this leather jacket everywhere. It's so buttery and soft, and the best part is, the sleeves have a bit of cotton around the arms for fat arm days (totes a thing.) I bought a sweet faux leather one you'll be seeing on the blog later this week, and it makes me really want to invest in a lighter-colored leather jacket too. 

I wore this outfit to work a couple weeks ago and can't even begin to tell you how thankful I am that our fire-drill cupcakes day and my loose-pants day coincided. Pure luck. Maybe I need to wear green more often. ;)

Photos by Meaghan

PopNod x South Moon Under

Shop my look on Popnod

I’m so excited to share my second look in partnership with Popnod! I’ve been veering towards more simple silhouettes lately and I’m OBSESSED with this curve-hugging navy dress from South Moon Under. I love that this dress is slinky with a daring slit, but has a higher neckline. It's all about balance! I paired the dress with a killer white blazer that hangs like a dream. 

So what is this Popnod business all about? This month, I’m raising money for Mission:Sleep (read more about their awesome charity here!) and Popnod is making it easier than ever to give back.

Here are 3 super easy ways you can get involved:

1. Shop this (and this) outfit on Popnod’s website. If you’re in the market for a fun festival look or a sharp white blazer for spring, you can give back through shopping (SAY WHAT?!) When you click “support this campaign” on my Popnod page, and click through to an item you love, it’ll automatically show you how much of your purchase goes towards the cause. 

2. Download the PopNod app or browse their website. Popnod carries TONS of awesome brands like South Moon Under, ASOS, Tibi, Forever 21, Dwell, LOFT and more. Basically places we all already shop. And when you shop though the Popnod website or app, a portion of your purchase goes towards a great cause. Giving back through indulging in my shopping addiction? Major win.

3. You can set up your own account and build StyleStories just like me! You can pin items you love, then when that paycheck comes in, all the things you love will be in one place (you’re welcome.) Choose your favorite cause and start making the world a better place. It’s that easy.

If you’re down to get your shopping for a cause on, visit my StyleStory, click “Support this Campaign” and browse away! Then come back here and tell me what you got! 

ALSO! At next month, Popnod is hosting a celebration party to close the campaign at South Moon Under at Mosaic District on May 14 (and offering 20% off that night WOOT!) Hope to see you there!

Special thank you to Drybar for styling my hair for this campaign (I got the Cosmo-Tai and you can read all about my visit here!) Another special thanks to Gypsy Soul for letting us hang out in their sweet restaurant for a few photos (and a yummy glass of vino!)

Schutz Zeloni Pumps at Salamander Resort

This past weekend, we went to Salamander Resort in Middleburg to celebrate my sister-in-law’s birthday. I know whenever we go to Middleburg, there will be good food and great times ahead. We arrived at the property a few hours before dinner so we could tour the grounds. YOU GUYS, this place is gorgeous. They have a library, an immaculate sitting area, and an infinity pool I almost jumped into despite the windy, cooler weather. 

We enjoyed dinner in the stunning dining room at the resort and I can easily say it’s one of the best meals I’ve had. Granted, the antipasti appetizer I ordered only had four tiny pieces of pasta, but let me tell you…it was OUT. OF. THIS. WORLD. I also ordered a spring beet dish comprised of different beet varieties and morel mushrooms. I thought I got the dish for the beets, but the mushrooms blew me away. Have you ever had morel mushrooms before?! They will change your life.

I had planned to wear this cute blue dress to dinner, but it ended up being windy and way too cold. Instead, I paired these pants (that I snagged during the most recent J.Crew Factory sale) with an old sparkly sweater and an adorable polka dot top from Express that I won during an Instagram giveaway. 

But the item that stole the show? These gorgeous Schutz Zeloni pumps that I found on Lyst. Remember when I went on and on about how much I love Lyst? When I spotted these on their app, I knew they had to be mine. I’ve been wanting a pair of Schutz pumps forever and from the moment these arrived, I knew we’d be BFFs. They’re 4 inches tall (which is a little higher than I normally go) but they’re surprisingly supportive for my wobbly ankles. These have garnished more compliments than just about anything I own - and it seems the world agrees considering they’re almost completely sold out. If you’re a size 8, 9 or 10, give into the FOMO and get these stat. They could be your new BFF too.

On Julien: Sweater, J.Crew. Blouse, Express c/o. Pants, J.Crew Factory. Pumps, Schutz via Lyst c/o. Purse, South Moon Under (on sale for $35!) Bracelet, Trina Turk via Rocksbox (get a free month subscription by using code: julienxoxo) Sunnies, Kate Spade.

This post was sponsored by Lyst, but all opinions are my own.

U Street

On Julien: Jacket, Loeil. Tank, Anthom. Jeans, Lucky Brand. Necklace, Hanuel c/o. Bag, Mimi's the Look c/o. Pumps, Schutz via Lyst c/o. Sunnies, Michael Kors.

I don’t always trek into DC to hang out around U Street…to get lost a thousand times while trying to find parking and endure the catcalls of the wild. But when I do, it’s to bid farewell to one of my very best friends.

A few of my favorite people got together last week for one last meal together before Cheralee left us for bigger and better things (cough-NYC-cough.) I wore my fave tank from Anthom with white jeans (hey spring hey) and my new Schutz pumps from Lyst. It was perfect for rooftop drinks at the Brixton, where we accidentally stumbled upon trivia night (THE WORST.) But between the instagram food shots, the 90’s era singing and the KILLER coconut curry, it ended up being a pretty amazing night. 

It’s moments like these that I choose not to focus on the all-consuming sadness I feel from loosing one of my best friends, but to celebrate the good times - no, the incredible times - I got to spend with miss Cheralee Lyle. 

All photos by Cheralee