Valentine’s Day Giveaway with Bull+Moose and Urban Stems

Haters gon’ hate, but Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite days of the year. Sure, I get the whole ‘corporate America just wants us to spend money’ bit but that’s not how I see it at all. For those in love, it’s about celebrating that love, that friendship. For all my single ladies (you too, 10% of males that read this blog) it’s about celebrating the awesome person that YOU are. You deserve that massage package, those roses, those heart engulfed pajamas. Whether you’re celebrating at home with a yummy home cooked meal like the Garman household or you’re going out for all the Galentine’s specials in town, to me, it’s all about spending time with the ones you love.

To celebrate this year, I want to send you something special for her and something special for him from two of my FAVORITE DC-based businesses. I’m giving away a floral bowtie from Bull+Moose and a gorgeous bouquet from UrbanStems! (UrbanStems delivery areas include D.C., Arlington, VA and Manhattan, NY) Don’t gotta man? Sport the tie yourself like I did (BAM!)

I’ve had such great experiences with both of these brands that I just really just want to share the love with you guys! Because I love you!! I don’t care who knows it. I. LOVE. YOU. GUYS.

Enter the contest below by Wednesday, February 11! If you want to buy one of the bow ties from Bull+Moose, they're 20% off right now using code: LOVE at checkout. Good luck!

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Holiday Shopping Attire + A Giveaway!

A little about what I wore for a day of holiday shopping:

Pants: I was in search forever for the perfect pair of black jeans and scored these Not Your Daughter's Jeans for $18 at a local consignment shop, Frilly Frocks in Leesburg. #score

Jacket: I love the deep maroon color of this jacket from The Coffee Shop and all the cute details like the toggle clasps and plaid interior. Check out their website and follow their social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest) for cold weather style inspiration!

Cardigan: This is one of my favorite items for winter. It’s such a cute and cozy piece. Free People is like, the master of cozy. Snagged this one at their Bethesda location.

The bag: This SOLSAK bag is quickly becoming my go-to bag. Not only is it completely adorable and versatile, but it has a secret compartment to stash your heels or flats for convenient commutes. I zipped up the handles here and used it as an oversized clutch for an afternoon of Christmas shopping. There’s one day left to win this bag!

This tank: Literally the softest thing I own. Yes, it was kind of expensive (around $50) but Iately, I’ve been all about luxe basics, especially from Anthom. It's not online yet, but you can pick one up at their Mosaic District location. 

The scarf: Twice as Warm, a DC-based warm accessories company, is one of my favorites - they are basically the TOMS for scarves and hats. For every piece you buy, they donate a warm item to someone in need within the DC area. I bought a few awesome pieces as Christmas gifts this year!

Jacket, The Coffee Shop c/o. Pants, Not Your Daughter’s Jeans. Boyfriend cardigan, Free People Bethesda c/o. Tank, Anthom. Scarf, Twice as Warm c/o. Boots, Luxury Rebel. Bag, SOLSAK c/o (win one here!) Ring, Elaine B Jewelry.

Solsak Bag Giveaway

The season of giving has arrived! It's Julien has teamed up with the brilliant minds who created SOLSAK to give away a color blocked tote!

Let me just say, this isn't just your ordinary tote. This one is very, very special. It was created with the busy metropolitan girl in mind. In fact, the woman who invited this bag, Georgina Agyekum was relocated from LA (where everyone drives) to the D.C. area (where so many people take public transit), she discovered a huge problem. Meetings and after-work dates called for professional heels - the kind that aren't made for walking. And when you think about it, even putting a change of heels in your bag certainly won't do. Dirt (and who knows what else) from the bottom of those pumps and literally everything else in my bag (makeup, my iPad, work laptop, cashmere cardigan, do I really need to go on?) do not mix.

This is where the SOLSAK bag was born. In 2011, Georgina invented a bag with a special shoe- pocket perfect for pumps or flats. I think we all owe Georgina a slue of major high-fives.

In case all that isn't reason enough, here are 5 reasons you really need a SOLSAK bag:

1. Because we'd all like to avoid our bags looking like this.
2. The never-ending debate of whether to wear flats or heels has been solved. You don't have to choose. You can bring both.
3. Navy and canvas will never go out of style. (If navy and canvas aren't your thing, they also have a weekendender version, a hobo tote, and this inconspicuous clutch.)
4. You know the rule 'don't mix business with pleasure.' The same goes for shoes. Pack an extra pair.
5.  Your feet will thank you.

Enter the Rafflecopter below and share your best shoe selfie on Instagram (follow @solsakgalleryplace and tag #SOLSAK) for an extra entry! Good luck! Giveaway ends December 19.

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Cognac Heels + A Little White Dress

There are basically two weeks left until labor day. WHERE DID THIS SUMMER GO, GUYS?! While I am totally excited for all that Fall fashion has to offer, I'm not ready to give up this warm weather. I've basically decided to wear all the white I own (like this dress) for the next few weeks so I can get it all out of my system before the holiday that states we can wear white no more. Although, that seems like kind of a silly rule, no? Can we all decide to make this rule passé?!

I'm also not ready to give up open toed shoes. Luckily, with this pretty amazing pair from The Mint Julep Boutique, I don't have to. I've been on the search for the perfect cognac heels AND THESE ARE THEM. They're not too high (hooray!) and basically go with everything. Boyfriend jeans, sundresses, shorts - I mean, EVERYTHING.

Thanks to The Mint Julep Boutique, we're giving away a $25 gift card to help you buy a pair for yourself. Already have the perfect pair of cognac booties? There's like a million other awesome items like this game-day ready maxi dress (#godukes) and these super cute leopard print heels. Enter below and see how I styled their Ellie heels! Good luck!

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On Julien: SheInside dress c/o, Anthom blazer (last seen here), J.Crew belt (love this leopard print one), The Mint Julep Boutique booties c/o, H&M bag (very similar), Love Juliet bracelet, rings and long necklace c/o, Rachelle Celine three-layer necklace c/o, Julie Vos earrings, and Michael Kors sunnies.

The Spray Tanning Diaries

Have you gotten a spray tan before? Read below to hear about my adventures in spray tanning and enter to win a spray tan of your own at the bottom!

6:00 PM: Getting super excited to finally feel tan. This DC weather is killing me - it’s either too hot or rainy to lay out at my pool. 

6:15: Had a flashback to this episode of FRIENDS where Ross gets a tan. Rethinking this whole thing.

6:30: I arrive at Palm Beach Tan. Realize that I only have my commuter tennis shoes in my car. They’re kind of raggedy and can’t hide them because I’m wearing a dress. Panic.

6:32: I walk into the tanning salon. I’m afraid they’d see through my translucent skin since everyone in the room is glistening with tan-ness, but luckily someone calls me over to the counter.

6:35: The counter lady suggests I buy the $10 sample of tanning lotion to make the spray tan last longer. I pass.

6:40: The woman walks me to the tanning machine and gives me instructions. Press the green button, got it. Put on the goggles (skipping that one). Put in the nose plugs (whaaaaa…) but I do it anyway. Wait for the machine to pre-cleanse, then get in. 

6:42: I ask the desk girl to take a ‘before’ photo of me. She does and I look stupid so I take a selfie when she leaves. 

6:45: I get into the machine and the spray tan begins. 3…2…1…(I kid you not, I felt a very real Hunger Games fear right then) and it hits me. Cold, cold cold spray and I close my eyes as fast as I can. 

6:46: It tells me to put my right foot on the 2 and my left on the 3. Feels like Twister without the bending over and back pain, yay!

6:50: The talking machine tells me my spray tan is done. I feel kind of sticky and gross but I’m stoked to start looking like a beach babe.

6:55: I walk out and the girl at the counter reminds me to wash my hands and feet after an hour. I make a mental note but def should have written it down.

I didn’t shower that night so the tan would seep into my skin (sounds like a teen sci-fi movie, right?!)  The tan did not rub off on my sheets (PHEW) nor did it run off in the shower (HOLLA!) Yes, my feet are discolored since I didn’t follow directions, BUT it’s a small price to pay to look like I just got back from Mexico. I MEAN - I did just get back from Mexico………

Has the DC weather been bumming you out too? No worries, I’m giving away a FREE spray tan at any location that offers Mystic Tan (find the closest one to you here!) You have until next Wednesday at 11:59 PM to enter - good luck!

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Thanks so much to Sunless, Inc. for sponsoring this giveaway and providing me with a Mystic Tan spray tan to try! As always, all opinions are my own.